In the mid-2000s, WWE created a wide variety of characters as they attempted to create new stars on their roster. During this era, one character immediately stood out due to his eccentric antics, The Boogeyman.

Back in 2004, WWE begin filming the fourth edition of their wrestling reality tv show ‘WWE Tough Enough.’ After two gruelling days, 8 finalists were chosen but nobody could have expected how one finalist would find his way into WWE. Marty Wright was cut from Tough Enough for lying about his age, but WWE saw enough desire in Wright that they offered him a development deal and the chance to learn how to become a WWE superstar at Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE’s development system. Wright has detailed his Tough Enough experience.

“The funny thing was later that evening, when they made the cuts and they said I was eliminated after that s–t, the next day or whatever, they pick the title at one night and they come back and announce who's going to do this and do that. When they told me that s–t, that was a heartbreaker. It was a heartbreak.

So now, you got all these other guys getting on the f—ing bus, and if you [Ryback] recall, I didn't leave. I didn't f—ing leave. I stayed around, walked around, and I was like, 'F–k that!' So, Fit [Finlay] and [John] Laurinaitis came over to me and I addressed the issue and pleaded my case and they said, 'Well, get on the bus' and I said, 'I ain't getting on no f—ing bus. Everybody on that bus is a f—ing loser. I didn't lose! I didn't lose s–t!' And if I got on that bus and accept the fact that, 'Okay, I'm gonna sit out', F–k that!"

Wright quickly went to work whilst in developmental, crafting a character that in less than a year became The Boogeyman,

"I remember my whole thing was I was already trying to operate under Code Red operations, like this is do or die, and a train of mind that I was in, because if you recall, I had a radio set. I had some headphones on, and the funny thing about my headsets, the f—er didn't work," said Boogeyman. "I just had my headset on, pretending I was listening to music and in all actuality, I was listening to every motherf—-r. What he was talking about and what they were saying about me. So the strategy I had there and the train of mind that I had there, I went there game face on because I knew the odds were against me. I knew I lied ? I fabricated on my application just to get in ? but I knew I was physically capable enough, and not only that, but I really wanted this s–t."

The Boogeyman made his WWE debut appearing in vignettes ready for his debut, he would finally debut in October 2005 on Smackdown appearing backstage frightening members of the roster. He would always appear in various places, holding a clock which he would smash over his head and use the catchphrase 

‘I’m The Boogeyman and I'm comin' to get'cha!" 

The Boogeyman made his in-ring debut on SmackDown in a squash victory over Simon Dean. After the match, he grabbed some live, living worms and ate them whilst everyone groaned at the sight. Over the next few weeks, he would win squash matches leaving his opponents laying down and he would cover them in worms. 

His first storyline was with John Bradshaw Layfield as WWE started their run to the Royal Rumble. On SmackDown, JBL had hired a Personal assistant in Julian Hall. In an episode of Piper's Pit, Boogeyman interpreted Piper's interview with JBL. He made his way to ringside and sniffed a mole that was on Hall's face and bit it off to screams from Hall and the audience. Boogeyman would continue to stalk and harass JBL and Julian Hall, putting worms down Hall's skirt on another occasion. 

At the Royal Rumble, Boogeyman pinned JBL and after the match attempted to put worms into the mouth of the former WWE Champion. JBL, in his cowardly ways but Jillian Hall in the way and Boogeyman dumped worms into Hall's mouth.

After his feud with JBL, Boogeyman began stalking Booker T and Sharmell. Boogeyman would dump worms over the announcers’ table while Booker and his wife sat on commentary. A match was made for Saturday Night's Main Event XXXII, but Booker feigned an injury to get out of facing Boogeyman. At Wrestlemania XXII The Boogeyman went against Booker T and his wife Sharmell in a handicap match. Boogeyman defeated the duo, but during the match, Boogeyman, with a mouth full of worms, kissed Sharmell who fled in disgust. 

Booker T discussed working with the Boogeyman at Wrestlemania and his relationship with Marty Wright.

“To share the ring with Boogeyman, to share a WrestleMania stage with the Boogeyman. I had done so much in my career up until that point, and I just felt like it wasn’t about me. It was about giving Boogeyman a moment that he was going to remember for the rest of his life. And I tell you, man, that guy we’re the best of friends, but it’s not a month almost that don’t go by without Boogeyman, well, Marty Wright, that’s his real name, calls me and goes, “Man, I really appreciate everything you did for my career.” Because he’s still working and doing stuff right now because of people like myself, people like JBL giving them that spotlight, knowing what it meant to go out there and work for the Boogeyman, just like it was no different than going out and working for the Undertaker. Make this guy bigger than life, and that’s what wrestling is all about.”

Boogeyman suffered torn triceps; which was the beginning of Marty Wright being plagued with injuries. Boogeyman eventually made his return by stalking more members of the Smackdown brand while eventually spitting worms in the face of The Miz, whom he would later defeat Armageddon. Still undefeated, Boogeyman eventually suffered his first loss to Finlay. Boogeyman, to counter Hornswoggle interfering in matches, introduced Little Boogeyman. At No Way Out, Finlay and Hornswoggle defeated Boogeyman and Little Boogeyman in a tag team match while also losing their rematch at Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIV.

Boogeyman also made an appearance at Wrestlemania XXIII where in a backstage segment with Donald Trump, he appeared behind the former president of the United States in an attempt to spook him. Trump no sold this attempted scare tactic and left the Boogyman standing behind him, confused. In the 2007 WWE draft, The Boogeyman was drafted to ECW and went straight into a feud with Matt Striker and his partner Big Daddy V. At Saturday Night's Main Event XXXV, Boogeyman teamed with CM Punk to defeat Big Daddy V and John Morrison. In September, Boogeyman finally faced Matt Striker, only to win by disqualification when the former Viscera interfered. Two weeks later, Big Daddy V and Boogeyman finally squared off in their grudge match with Daddy V picking up the win. 

Boogeyman’s appearances started to become few and far between with injuries coming up more frequently along with the character being played out. He made appearances in the ring with Jackass members Johnny Knoxville and Chris Pontius for comedy but Boogeyman was ultimately released from his WWE contract in March of 2009.

Boogeyman has since made his return to WWE in sporadic appearances, turning up at the Slammy Awards to scare Booker T and even lasting for a small portion in the 2015 Royal Rumble. Boogeyman later appeared on RAW's 25th-Anniversary show and the Raw Reunion episode in June 2019, he assisted Pat Patterson to win the 24/7 Championship. Boogeyman later assisted R-Truth in recapturing the 24/7 Championship during Legends Night in 2021.

The Boogeyman’s WWE career did not consist of spectacular matches or any that were even particularly memorable, but throughout 2007 and 2008, he became a main focal point during the relaunch of Saturday Night's Main Event, appearing on most editions.

Some are born weird, some achieve it, and others have weirdness thrust upon them.