Jim Duggan Thinks He Could Have Been World Champion If Not For 1987 Arrest

Jim Duggan recently looked back at his infamous 1987 DUI arrest with the Iron Sheik and how it stymied his career in WWE. The WWE Hall Of Famer was arrested in May of 1987 on a DUI in New Jersey while traveling with the Sheik, who he was feuding with at the time. Duggan volunteered to the officer that there was marijuana in the car, but he didn’t know that Sheik had cocaine hidden on him.

The publicity around the scandal — made worse because it was breaking kayfabe by the two rivals being in the care together — led to both men being released. Duggan would be brought back a short time later, while Sheik returned in February of 1988.

Duggan spoke about the matter in his interview with BetVictor Online Casino, noting that the mom,ent almost killed his career. He said he believed he could have been World Champion eventually if it hadn’t happened. You can see highlights below:

On His Arrest With Iron Sheik In 1987:

“That almost killed my career, brother. We were wrestling in Asbury Park. I flew into Newark. The Sheik, who I didn’t really know — I’m new to the territory — says, ‘Maybe you give me a ride.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, jump in.’ It was a horrible, horrible mistake.”

On His Conversation With McMahon About It:

“I can remember verbatim what he said to me. He goes, ‘Jim? What have you done to us?’ I’m like, ‘Vince, I’m embarrassed and ashamed.’ He says, ‘Turn your tickets in and go home’… I was on the high track, man. There was a chance I could have been world champion.”