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André René Roussimoff
An image of André René Roussimoff.
Statistics
Ring name(s) André Roussimoff
Butcher Roussimoff
Giant Roussimoff
Monster Roussimoff
Eiffel Tower
Monster Eiffel Tower
Jean Ferré
Géant Ferré
André the Giant
Giant Machine
Billed height 7 ft 4 in (2. 24 m) [1]
Billed weight 470 lb (210 kg) to 540 lb (240 kg)[2]
Born May 19, 1946(1946-05-19)
Coulommiers, France
Died January 27, 1993 (aged 46)
Paris, France (Heart Failure)
Billed from Grenoble, France
Trained by Frank Valois
Édouard Carpentier
Debut 1970
Retired 1992

André Roussimoff (May 19, 1946 – January 27, 1993), best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Coulommiers is a commune of the Seine-et-Marne département, in France. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Grenoble is a city and commune in south-east France situated at the foot of the Alps where the Drac joins the Isère River. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Édouard Carpentier (born July 17 1926) is a retired French Professional wrestler who garnered several world championships in a career that spanned Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Professional wrestling, or pro wrestling, is a non-competitive professional Sport, where all matches are scripted by the promotion's booking staff An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works "The Official Site of André the Giant" claims he was 7' 4"[3]. His great size was a result of a condition known as acromegaly, and led to him being dubbed "The Eighth Wonder of the World. Acromegaly (from Greek akros "extreme" or "extremities" and megalos "large" - extremities enlargement is a Syndrome Eighth Wonder of the World is a term sometimes used to describe things in comparison to the Seven Wonders of the World, the widely-known list of seven remarkable constructions "[4][5]

In the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Rousimoff briefly held the WWF Championship. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the SmackDown brand of WWE In 1993, he was the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. In Professional wrestling, the WWE Hall of Fame (formerly WWF Hall of Fame) is an institution that honors selected former and current employees of World Wrestling Rousimoff was one of the most famous professional wrestlers of the 1970s and 1980s, and was involved in a legendary match with Hulk Hogan in 1987 at WrestleMania III. Terrance "Terry" Gene Bollea (born August 11 1953 better known by his Ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Actor, and retired professional WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation

Contents

Birth and childhood

Andre René Roussimoff was born in Coulommiers, France, to Boris and Marianne Roussimoff, who were of Bulgarian and Polish descent, respectively. Coulommiers is a commune of the Seine-et-Marne département, in France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland He was the third of five children. Roussimoff was a good student but left school after 8th grade because he did not feel that it was important to have a high school education to live and work on a farm that was not his own. As an adolescent, he worked on the farm, completed an apprenticeship in woodworking, then worked in a factory that manufactured engines for hay baling machines, but none of these jobs brought him any satisfaction. Apprenticeship is a system of Training a new generation of practitioners of a skill Woodworking is the process of building making or carving something using Wood. A factory (previously manufactory) or manufacturing plant is an industrial Building where workers manufacture goods An engine is a mechanical device that produces some form of output from a given input Roussimoff was drafted into France's peacetime army, but was rejected during his physical because there were no shoes big enough to fit him. .

Career

Roussimoff was discovered by Lord Alfred Hayes, a wrestling promoter, and left home as a teenager to become a wrestler in Paris. Alfred George James Hayes ( August 8, 1928 – July 21, 2005) was an English professional wrestler, manager and Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city He worked as a mover during the day, to pay his expenses, and trained in the ring at night. However, it was difficult to find wrestlers who were willing to train with him because of his size and strength. In 1964, Édouard Carpentier, a well-known French wrestler, agreed to train with him. Édouard Carpentier (born July 17 1926) is a retired French Professional wrestler who garnered several world championships in a career that spanned Roussimoff was billed as "Géant Ferré", the name of a legendary French lumberjack, and quickly made a name for himself. A lumberjack or logger is a man who harvests lumber The term lumberjack is somewhat archaic having been mostly replaced by logger. For the next few years, he wrestled in arenas and carnivals in Europe, New Zealand, and Africa. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island By the time he was 21, he was a European wrestling star.

In 1969, Édouard Carpentier offered to bring Roussimoff to North America, but he had already signed to wrestle in Japan, where he was billed as "Monster Roussimoff". Édouard Carpentier (born July 17 1926) is a retired French Professional wrestler who garnered several world championships in a career that spanned For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. While he was in Japan, a doctor there diagnosed him with acromegaly, but Roussimoff refused to accept either the diagnosis of or treatment for this condition. Acromegaly (from Greek akros "extreme" or "extremities" and megalos "large" - extremities enlargement is a Syndrome

After performing in Japan, Roussimoff followed Carpentier to Montreal, Canada, where he was an immediate success. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page However, promoters eventually ran out of plausible opponents to fight him and, as his novelty wore off, gate receipts dwindled. Desperate, Carpentier reached out to Vincent J. McMahon and his son, Vince McMahon, Jr. for help. Vincent James McMahon, better known as Vince McMahon Sr ( July 6, 1914 – May 24, 1984) was a U Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24 1945 popularly known by his Ring name Mr They suggested that Roussimoff have a schedule that purely involved travel, so he would not wear out his welcome in any one area. They also suggested that he be billed as "André the Giant" for his North American audiences. Roussimoff also competed throughout various territories.

Professional Wrestling Career (1973–1992)

Face run (1973-1987)

On March 26, 1973, André made his WWF debut as a "face", defeating Buddy Wolfe in New York's Madison Square Garden. Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, In Professional wrestling, a face or babyface is a character who is portrayed as Heroic relative to the heel wrestlers who are analogous to villains Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City.

He was billed early in his career at a height of 6 ft 10 in (2. 08m) and 7 ft (2. 13m); this was enlarged in the early 1970s to 7 ft 4 in (2. 24m) and sometimes 7 ft 5 in (2. 26 m) with a weight that ranged from 309 lb (140 kg) to 565 lb (256 kg). His actual height is contested, and there has been much speculation and debate over the issue. Jim Duggan and Bobby Heenan maintain that his kayfabe height was correct. James Stuart Duggan (born January 14, 1954) and in WCW he was a 1 time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and a 1 time Raymond Louis Heenan (born November 1, 1944) better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, is a former American Professional In Professional wrestling, kayfabe (ˈkeɪfeɪb KAY-fayb) refers to the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" that is the portrayal of professional Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer claims André was measured at 6 ft 9 ¾ in 1974 by a French athletic commission at age 28; Meltzer also estimated André at 6 ft 11 ½ in (2. David Allan Meltzer (born October 24 1961 is the editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON. 12 m) when comparing him to fellow Conan the Destroyer star Wilt Chamberlain in 1984. Conan the Destroyer is a 1984 film directed by action/fantasy veteran Richard Fleischer ( 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Vikings Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain (August 21 1936&ndashOctober 12 1999 nicknamed Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, and Chairman of the Boards However, Mike Mooneyham, another wrestling journalist, maintained in his obituary of André in 1994 that André was 7 ft 2 in when he began wrestling. Chuck Wepner's manager said André made the 6 ft 5 ½ in Wepner look like a baby, dwarfed beside André. Chuck Wepner (born February 26, 1939) is a former Heavyweight boxer from Bayonne New Jersey. Nevertheless, the sight of him alone was enough to draw huge crowds during a time when there were only a handful of wrestlers over 6 ft 6 in (1. 98 m); his condition, which included symptoms such as enlarged hands and feet and exaggerated facial features (acromegaly), likely aided the visual perception of him appearing larger than he actually was. André also had an abnormally large wrist, at 13", which is indicative of overall bone structure. [6]

He branched out into acting in the 1970s and 1980s, playing a Sasquatch ("Bigfoot") on the 1970s television series The Six Million Dollar Man and the character Fezzik in The Princess Bride. Bigfoot or Sasquatch is alleged to be an Ape -like creature inhabiting remote forests mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada The Six Million Dollar Man is an American Television series about a fictional Cyborg working for the OSI (which was usually said to refer The Princess Bride is a 1987 film based on the 1973 novel of the same name by William Goldman, combining Comedy, By the time the chairman of the (renamed) World Wrestling Federation, Vincent K. McMahon, began to expand his promotion to the national level in the early 1980s, André wrestled exclusively for WWF in the USA, while still holding international engagements. Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24 1945 popularly known by his Ring name Mr

He was offered a professional American football contract with the Washington Redskins after a tryout in 1974 and seriously considered it, but turned it down, reasoning that he could make far more money wrestling. American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team based in the Washington D [7]

Before being signed to WWF, André had wrestled in Japan. It was here that a doctor diagnosed Roussimoff with his condition and told him that those with the same problem were generally lucky to reach 40 years of age.

André was one of WWF's most beloved "babyfaces" throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. In Professional wrestling, a face or babyface is a character who is portrayed as Heroic relative to the heel wrestlers who are analogous to villains The legend that he was never defeated for 15 years by pinfall or submission prior to WrestleMania III is not true. A pinfall, a pin, or a fall (the first term most commonly used in Professional wrestling) is a victory condition in various forms of wrestling WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation André actually had lost cleanly in matches outside of the parameters of WWF; a pinfall loss in Mexico to El Canek in 1984 and in Japan a submission loss to Antonio Inoki in 1986, as well as a controversial no-contest finish against Akira Maeda, who used heel shoot-style tactics, breaking kayfabe to nullify André's considerable size advantage. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. for the Itza mayan rulers see Canek Canek is a masked Mexican Professional wrestler currently performing part time for For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. real name, born February 20, 1943) is a Professional wrestling promoter and retired Japanese Professional wrestler and mixed martial (born January 24, 1959) is a Japanese Professional wrestler, also known as Kwik-kik-Lee for his time on the British Wrestling In Professional wrestling, a heel is a Villain character In non-wrestling jargon heels are the "bad guys" in pro wrestling storylines. Shoot wrestling is a Combat sport and a general term that describes a range of Hybrid fighting systems originating He also went sixty-minute time limit draws with the two other major world champions of the day, Harley Race and Nick Bockwinkel. Harley Leland Race (born April 11 1943) is a retired American professional wrestler and current promoter Nicholas Warren Francis Bockwinkel (born December 6 1934) is a former American Professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Nick

André had memorable clashes all over the world with a variety of tough, rugged opponents. Among his chief rivals in the ring: The Sheik (who gained a deathmatch win over the Frenchman in 1974 with the help of his fireball), Abdullah the Butcher, Stan Hansen, Ernie Ladd, and a young Hulk Hogan, who first met André in 1978 during his rookie years in the deep South. Edward "Ed" George Farhat ( June 9, 1926 - January 18, 2003) was an American Professional wrestler best known Larry Shreve (born Lawrence Robert Shreve on January 11 1941) best known as Abdullah the Butcher, and also at times the Madman from John Stanley "Stan" Hansen (born October 12 1949 is a retired American professional wrestler. Ernest "Ernie" Ladd ( November 28 1938 – March 10 2007) Nicknamed " The Big Cat " was an American Hogan and André would go on to have one of the great WWF feuds of 1980, peaking in front of 36,295 fans at the Showdown at Shea event on August 9, 1980 in Flushing, New York's Shea Stadium. Showdown at Shea was the name given to three Professional wrestling events presented by the World Wrestling Federation at Flushing New York's Shea Stadium Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Flushing, founded in 1645 is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, ten miles (16 km east of Manhattan William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough

One of André's most bitter feuds pitted him against the Mongolian terror Killer Khan, who was managed by Freddie Blassie. A Professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or factions of wrestlers born March 6 1947 in Tsubame Niigata, Japan, is a former professional wrestler. Frederick Blassie ( February 8, 1918 &ndash June 2, 2003) better known as "Classy" Freddie Blassie, was an American According to the storyline, Khan had broken André's ankle during a match in Rochester, New York by leaping off the top rope and crashing down upon it with his knee-drop. Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. After a stay at Beth-Israel Hospital in Boston, André returned with payback on his mind. On November 14, 1981 at the Philadelphia Spectrum, André exacted revenge by destroying Killer Khan in what was billed as a "Mongolian Stretcher Match", in which the loser must be taken to the dressing room on a stretcher. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 In reality, André had snapped his ankle getting out of bed one morning. The injury and subsequent rehabilitation was worked into the existing André/Khan storyline.

Another memorable André feud involved a man who considered himself to be "the true giant" of wrestling: Big John Studd. John William Minton ( February 19, 1948 – March 20, 1995) was an American professional wrestler and Actor, Throughout the early to mid-1980s, André and Studd fought all over the world, battling to try and determine who the real giant of wrestling was. In December 1984, Studd took the feud to a new level, when he and partner Ken Patera knocked out André during a televised tag team match and proceeded to cut off André's famous long locks (Big Show, Kurt Angle, Mark Jindrak, and Luther Reigns would duplicate the angle nearly 20 years later). Ken Patera (born November 7[[ 944]] in Portland, Oregon) is a former Professional wrestler and Olympic weightlifter Paul Randall Wight (born February 8 1972 in Aiken South Carolina) better known by his Ring name, (The Big Show, is an American Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9 1968 is an American professional wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Mark Robert Jindrak (born June 26, 1977 in Auburn New York) is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances Matthew "Matt" Wiese ( September 22, 1971) is an American professional wrestler. André had the last laugh at the first WrestleMania on March 31, 1985 at Madison Square Garden. WrestleMania (chronologically known as WrestleMania I) was the first WrestleMania Professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) André conquered Studd in a $15,000 Body Slam Challenge. Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing After slamming Studd, he attempted to give the $15,000 prize to the fans, before having the bag stolen from him by his future manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Raymond Louis Heenan (born November 1, 1944) better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, is a former American Professional

The following year, at WrestleMania 2 (April 7, 1986), André continued to display his dominance by winning a twenty-man battle royal that featured top NFL stars and wrestlers. WrestleMania 2 was the second annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (although Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) In Professional wrestling, a battle royal (sometimes battle royale; plural battles royal or battle royals) is a multi-competitor match type André last eliminated Bret Hart to win the contest. Bret Sergeant Hart (born July 2 1957 is a retired Canadian professional wrestler and Actor.

Afterwards, André continued his feud with Studd and King Kong Bundy. A Professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or factions of wrestlers Chris Pallies (born November 7 1957) is an American professional wrestler, and Actor. André was suspended after a no-show; he returned under a mask as "The Giant Machine" part of a team with "Big Machine" (Robert Windham) and "Super Machine" (Bill Eadie) (The Machines gimmick was copied from New Japan Pro Wrestling character "Super Strong Machine", played by Japanese wrestler Junji Hirata). Blackjack Mulligan (Born Robert Deroy Windham on November 26, 1942 in Sweetwater Texas) is a former professional wrestler Bill Eadie (born December 27, 1947) is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and The Machines was a stable of masked wrestlers that worked in the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 and 1987 and consisted of well-known WWF wrestlers working under a mask is a major Professional wrestling federation in Japan and is a member of the National Wrestling Alliance, founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972 is a Japanese Professional wrestler who wrestles for the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion and currently uses the Ring name Black Strong Machine [8] Soon afterwards, Giant Machine disappeared, and André was reinstated, to the approval of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

Heel run (1987-1990) and later years

Feud with Hulk Hogan

André was turned heel in 1987 so that he could face Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship in the main event of WrestleMania III. In Professional wrestling, a heel is a Villain character In non-wrestling jargon heels are the "bad guys" in pro wrestling storylines. WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation In early 1987, Hogan was presented a trophy for being the WWF World Heavyweight Champion for three years. This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the SmackDown brand of WWE André came out to congratulate him. Shortly afterwards, André was presented a slightly smaller trophy for being "undefeated in WWF for fifteen years. " In actuality, André had suffered a handful of countout and disqualification losses in WWF but had never been pinned or forced to submit in a WWF ring. Hogan came out to congratulate André and ended up being the focal point of the interview. A visibly annoyed André walked out in the midst of Hogan's speech. Then, on an edition of "Piper's Pit", Hogan was confronted by Bobby Heenan. Piper's Pit was an interview segment featuring Roddy Piper which was a mainstay of WWF/WWE television from 1984 to 1987, and then returned Heenan announced that his new protege was André. André then challenged Hogan to a title match at WrestleMania III, ripping the t-shirt and crucifix from Hogan. A crucifix (from Latin cruci fixus meaning "(one fixed to a cross" is a cross with a representation of Jesus ' body or corpus

WrestleMania III was the first time the public really saw the pain that André was going through. By this stage he weighed in at about 560 pounds, and the stress of that immense weight on his bones and joints resulted in constant pain. After recent back surgery, he was also wearing a brace underneath his wrestling singlet. Hogan won the match after dropping André with a body slam, followed by Hogan's running leg drop finisher. Years later, Hogan stated that André was so heavy, he felt more like 700 pounds, and that he actually tore his lateral muscle slamming him. Another famous tall-tale about the match is that "no one knew" if André would lose the match. While mostly false, WWE owner Vince McMahon has stated in the past that he believed if Hogan had either purposely or accidentally disrespected André that night, there was no way André would have allowed Hogan to win the match, no matter what had been agreed to. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, Aside from that possibility, André had agreed to lose the match some time before, mostly for health reasons, though he almost pinned Hogan (albeit unintentionally) in the early goings of the match.

The Hogan-André face off at WrestleMania III was likely the most highly anticipated professional wrestling matchup in history – the apex of wrestling's most recent golden era. The event, held at the Pontiac Silverdome, had millions watching on pay-per-view and established great permanent value in the WrestleMania franchise. The Pontiac Silverdome is a Domed Stadium in Pontiac, Michigan, a Satellite city of Detroit. Pay-per-view (often abbreviated PPV) is the system in which Television viewers can purchase events to be seen on TV and pay for the private telecast of that event A reported 93,173 fans turned out as the WWF sold many standing room only tickets and added seats in the alleys to exceed the Silverdome's capacity of 80,331. Hogan defeated André in what some consider a passing of the torch from André, wrestling's biggest star of the 70s, to Hogan, wrestling's biggest star of the 80s.

The feud between André and Hogan simmered during the summer of 1987, even as Roussimoff's health declined. A Professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or factions of wrestlers The feud would begin heating up again when each wrestler was named the captain of rival teams at the inaugral Survivor Series event. Survivor Series (1987 was the first Survivor Series Pay-per-view (PPV event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF Hogan was counted out, and André would go on to be the sole survivor of the match after pinning Bam Bam Bigelow. Scott Charles Bigelow ( September 1 1961 &ndash January 19 2007) was an American professional wrestler, best known

In the meantime, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase failed to persuade Hogan to sell him the WWF World Championship. Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase Sr (born January 18 1954 Pro wrestling career Mid-South Wrestling (First run 1975-1979 Ted DiBiase was trained After failing to defeat Hogan in a subsequent series of matches, DiBiase turned to André to win it for him. Acting as his hired gun, André won the WWF title from Hogan on February 5, 1988 in a match where it was later revealed appointed referee Dave Hebner was "detained backstage", and a replacement who DiBiase paid to get plastic surgery to look like Dave (in reality, his twin brother Earl Hebner), made a three count on Hogan while his shoulders were off the mat. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain Kayfabe. Dave Hebner (born May 17, 1949 in Richmond Virginia) is an American Professional wrestling Authority figure, promoter Earl William Hebner (born May 17, 1949, in Richmond, Virginia) is a Professional wrestling referee currently working for After winning, André "sold" the title to DiBiase; the transaction was declared invalid by then-WWF President Jack Tunney and the title was vacated. This is a list of authority figures, people who hold on-screen power in selective Professional wrestling promotions or brands within North America Jack Tunney (b John Tunney 1935 &ndash January 24 2004) was a Canadian Wrestling promoter This was shown on WWF's NBC program The Main Event. The Main Event was a Professional wrestling television series a spin-off of the show WWF Saturday Night's Main Event and occasionally aired André famously mistakenly called the WWF Championship the "WWF Tag Team Championship. "

At WrestleMania IV, André and Hulk Hogan fought to a double disqualification in a WWF title tournament match (with the idea in the storyline saying that André was again working on DiBiase's behalf in giving DiBiase a clearer path in the tournament). WrestleMania IV was the fourth annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation Afterwards, André and Hogan's feud died down after a brutal steel cage match held at WrestleFest on July 31, 1988 in Milwaukee. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) He and DiBiase also wrestled Hogan and Randy "Macho Man" Savage in the main event of SummerSlam 1988; the DiBiase-André team lost, despite apparently having referee Jesse "the Body" Ventura on their side. Randall Mario Poffo (born November 15 1952) a 1 time Intercontinental Champion He is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School SummerSlam (1988 was the first annual SummerSlam Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing Jesse Ventura (born July 15, 1951 as James George Janos) also known as "The Body", "The Star", and "The

Other feuds

During the summer and fall of 1988, André also became involved in a heated feud with "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and began wrestling Savage for the title. James Stuart Duggan (born January 14, 1954) and in WCW he was a 1 time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and a 1 time

André's next major feud was against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Aurelian Smith Jr (born May 30 1955 in Gainesville, Texas) is a second-generation American professional wrestler and In this storyline, it was said André was deathly afraid of snakes, something Roberts exposed on Saturday Night's Main Event when he threw his snake, Damien, on the frightened André; as a result, André suffered a (kayfabe) mild heart attack and vowed revenge. Ophidiophobia or Ophiophobia refers to the fear of Snakes Fear of snakes is sometimes called by a more general term Herpetophobia, fear of Reptiles In Professional wrestling, kayfabe (ˈkeɪfeɪb KAY-fayb) refers to the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" that is the portrayal of professional During the next few weeks, Roberts frequently walked to ringside during André's matches, causing him to run from the ring in fright (since he knew what was inside the bag). Throughout their feud (which culminated at WrestleMania V), Roberts constantly used Damien to gain a psychological edge over the much larger and stronger André. WrestleMania V was the fifth annual WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF

During the late summer and fall of 1989, André engaged in a brief feud with then-Intercontinental champion The Ultimate Warrior, where the younger Warrior regularly squashed the aging André. For the South Korean film Ultimate Warrior see Musa (film. For other uses see Warrior (disambiguation. Earlier in 1989, André and the returning Big John Studd reprised their feud, this time with Studd as a face and André as the heel.

André won the World Tag Team Championship with his partner Haku (known collectively as The Colossal Connection) from Demolition on December 13, 1989. Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita (born February 3 1959 in Nuku'alofa Tonga) is a Professional wrestler and Actor, for both World The Colossal Connection were a Professional wrestling Tag team of André the Giant & Haku that competed in the World Wrestling Federation Demolition is a Professional wrestling Tag team most prominent during the late 1980s / early 1990s in World Wrestling Federation (WWF made up of Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Managed by Bobby Heenan, they lost their titles at WrestleMania VI back to Demolition on April 1, 1990. WrestleMania VI was the World Wrestling Federation 's (WWF sixth WrestleMania Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event and the first to Demolition is a Professional wrestling Tag team most prominent during the late 1980s / early 1990s in World Wrestling Federation (WWF made up of Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) After the match, a furious Heenan slapped André; he responded by knocking Heenan out, much to the delight of the fans. André went into the match as a heel, and left as a face.

Post WrestleMania VI

André continued to make appearances in the WWF throughout 1990 and 1991. His last major appearance was at SummerSlam 1991, where he seconded The Bushwhackers in their match against The Natural Disasters. SummerSlam (1991 was the fourth annual SummerSlam Professional wrestling Pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation The Bushwhackers are a former Professional wrestling Tag team that also competed as The Sheepherders during their long career The Natural Disasters were the tag team comprised of Earthquake & Typhoon who competed in the World Wrestling Federation as a team between 1991 and

After that he went back to Japan, this time for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he briefly teamed with owner Giant Baba. ( AJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972 Shohei Baba ( Baba Shōhei, January 23 1938&ndashJanuary 31 1999 was a Professional wrestler and co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. André continued to compete in tag team matches, primarily in Japan and Mexico, until the end of 1992.

Outside wrestling

The disease that granted him his immense size also began to take its toll on his body. By the late 1980s, André was in constant, near-crippling pain, and his heart struggled to pump blood throughout his massive body. When he was not in front of a camera, he was usually in a wheelchair.

André starred in several movies towards the end of his career, most notably as Fezzik in 1987's The Princess Bride, which was André's favorite role. Events January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago Illinois, to The Princess Bride is a 1987 film based on the 1973 novel of the same name by William Goldman, combining Comedy, [9] He had an uncredited appearance in the 1984 film Conan the Destroyer as Dagoth, the resurrected horned giant god, who is killed by Conan, the character portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Events The Walt Disney Company founds Touchstone Pictures to release movies with subject matter deemed inappropriate for the Disney name Conan the Destroyer is a 1984 film directed by action/fantasy veteran Richard Fleischer ( 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Vikings Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger ( German ˌaɐnɔlt aloʏs ˈʃvaɐtsənɛɡɐ born July 30 1947 is an Austrian American Bodybuilder, Actor In his final film, he appeared in something of a cameo role as a circus giant in the comedy Trading Mom, which was not released until the year after his death. A circus is most commonly a traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, Clowns trained animals trapeze acts Hoopers, tightrope walkers Comedy (from the Greek κωμωδίαkomodia has a popular meaning (any discourse generally intended to amuse especially in Television, Film, and

World Championship Wrestling (1992)

His last U. S. television appearance was in a brief interview on WCW's "Clash of the Champions XX" special that aired on TBS on September 2, 1992. The Clash of the Champions were a series of professional wrestling television specials aired by World Championship Wrestling. Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar)

Personal life

Roussimoff had one daughter who was born in 1979. WWE referee Tim White mentioned in Roussimoff's A&E Biography episode that she lives somewhere in the Seattle area. Timothy Rhys White (March 25 1954 is a former Professional wrestling Referee. A&E is a cable and Satellite television network with headquarters in Manhattan and offices in Stamford, Atlanta, Biography is a Documentary television series. Originally produced by CBS in 1962 and hosted by Mike Wallace, the A&E Network

In the A&E documentary, Arnold Skaaland mentions how André wished he could see a Broadway play. Arnold Skaaland (pronounced Skoland) ( January 21 1925 &ndash March 13 2007) was an American professional wrestler Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Arnold offered to buy tickets, but André then passed up the opportunity, citing how he was too big for the seats and that people behind him would not be able to see. This was cited as a principal reason for why André frequented taverns more than anywhere else.

In the A&E Biography episode, Arnold Skaaland tells the story of when André was in a bar one night, four men came up to him and began harassing him about his size. At first, André attempted to avoid confrontation, but eventually he proceeded to chase the hecklers until they locked themselves in their car. André then grabbed the car and tilted it over to its side with the four people trapped inside. André was never arrested for the incident, presumably since local police officers had a hard time believing four inebriated men's story about an angry giant having overturned their car.

André was arrested by the Linn County, Iowa sheriff in August 1989 and charged with assault after the 540-pound wrestler allegedly roughed up a local TV cameraman. The Smoking Gun

As a child, he was referred to by his parents as Dédé and showed no signs of being the size that he would end up being.

Actor Cary Elwes explains in his video diary of The Princess Bride that Samuel Beckett was a neighbor of the Roussimoff family while living in France. Ivan Simon Cary Elwes (born October 26, 1962) is an English Actor credited as Cary Elwes, known for his performances in The Princess Bride is a 1987 film based on the 1973 novel of the same name by William Goldman, combining Comedy, Samuel Barclay Beckett (13 April 1906 – 22 December 1989 was an Irish Writer, Dramatist and poet The Nobel Laureate would sometimes drive André to school.

Screenwriter and author William Goldman once said that André loved going out for dinner, but regardless of who extended the invitation, he would always pay for the meal. This article is about the screenwriter/novelist For the mathematician see William Goldman (professor. One time, when one of his friends slipped away to give his credit card to the maître d', the friend felt himself being lifted off the ground, carried back to the table, and deposited back in his chair "like a little boy". Concluding, Goldman added that the friend in question was Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger ( German ˌaɐnɔlt aloʏs ˈʃvaɐtsənɛɡɐ born July 30 1947 is an Austrian American Bodybuilder, Actor

Andre: Heart of the Giant is a movie about André's life and struggles in and out of the wrestling ring. André Heart of the Giant is yet to be released It is a movie based on the life and struggles of professional wrestler André the Giant, and will also feature Actors will play real life wrestlers, managers, promoters, and legends. [10]

Death

André died in his sleep on January 27, 1993, in a Paris hotel room. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city He was in Paris to attend the funeral for his father. It was later concluded that he died of congestive heart failure, a by-product of the growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumor he had much of his life and chose not to have treated. Heart failure is a Cardiac condition that occurs when a problem with the structure or function of the Heart impairs its ability to supply The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an Endocrine gland about the size of a Pea. See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic

André's body was cremated in accordance with his wishes and his ashes scattered at his ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina. Cremation is the act of reducing a Corpse by burning, generally in a crematorium furnace or crematory fire Ellerbe is a town in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States. According to his A&E Biography, André's wish to be cremated was almost not carried out, since a crematorium in France could not be found that could handle his large frame. Biography is a Documentary television series. Originally produced by CBS in 1962 and hosted by Mike Wallace, the A&E Network

In wrestling

Filmography

Championships and accomplishments

  • NWA Australian Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ron Miller
  • IPW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Michael Nader
  • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year award in 1977
  • PWI Match of the Year award in 1981 versus Killer Khan
  • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year award in 1982
  • PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year award in 1988
  • PWI Match of the Year award in 1988 versus Hulk Hogan - The Main Event
  • PWI Editor's Award in 1993
  • PWI ranked him #3 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. Conan the Destroyer is a 1984 film directed by action/fantasy veteran Richard Fleischer ( 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Vikings Micki + Maude ( 1984) is a Comedy film starring Dudley Moore as Rob Salinger an overworked television reporter The Princess Bride is a 1987 film based on the 1973 novel of the same name by William Goldman, combining Comedy, Butch Miller (born October 21, 1944) is a retired Professional wrestler best known as one half of the tag team known as "The Sheepherders" Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa Florida wrestling office existing from 1961 when Eddie Graham The NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in NWA Florida The NWA Florida Tag Team Championship is the primary tag team title in NWA Florida This page describes the two promotions that have administered the International Wrestling Alliance titles in Japan The Tri-State version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship was a Tag team title created in 1962, and contested in the National The Tri-State version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship was a Tag team title created in 1962, and contested in the National Virgil Riley Runnels Jr (born on October 12 1945) better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian Professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the SmackDown brand of WWE This is a chronological list of wrestlers that have been WWE Champion by Ring name. In Professional wrestling, the WWE Hall of Fame (formerly WWF Hall of Fame) is an institution that honors selected former and current employees of World Wrestling In Professional wrestling, the WWE Hall of Fame (formerly WWF Hall of Fame) is an institution that honors selected former and current employees of World Wrestling The World Tag Team Championship is a Professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. This is a chronological list of teams that have been World Tag Team Champions by Ring name. Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita (born February 3 1959 in Nuku'alofa Tonga) is a Professional wrestler and Actor, for both World Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI) is a Professional wrestling Magazine. The PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Award, given yearly since 1972 by Professional wrestling Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated The PWI Match of the Year Award, given yearly since 1972 by Professional wrestling Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated, born March 6 1947 in Tsubame Niigata, Japan, is a former professional wrestler. The PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Award, given yearly since 1972 by Professional wrestling Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated The Main Event was a Professional wrestling television series a spin-off of the show WWF Saturday Night's Main Event and occasionally aired The PWI Stanley Weston Award, given yearly since 1981 by Professional wrestling Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated, recognizes [12]
  • Inductee into the Wrestling-Radio. David Allan Meltzer (born October 24 1961 is the editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ("WON HOF" for short is a professional wrestling hall of fame that exists only on paper The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ("WON HOF" for short is a professional wrestling hall of fame that exists only on paper com Hall of Fame class of 2007

DVD

On January 25, 2005 WWE released André The Giant, a DVD focusing on the career of André. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The DVD is a reissue of the out-of-print André The Giant VHS made by Coliseum Video in 1985, with commentary by Michael Cole and Tazz replacing Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura's commentary on his WrestleMania battle with Big John Studd, with an option to hear no commentary at all. WWE Home Video is a video distribution and production company that show World Wrestling Entertainment programming Michael Sean Coulthard Due to his war zone experience in 1995 he was also selected to cover the aftermath of the bombing of the Alfred P Peter Senerchia (born October 11 1967) is an American retired professional wrestler and current Color commentator best known Robert James "Gino" Marella ( June 4 1937 - October 6 1999) better known by his Ring name of Gorilla Monsoon Jesse Ventura (born July 15, 1951 as James George Janos) also known as "The Body", "The Star", and "The WrestleMania (chronologically known as WrestleMania I) was the first WrestleMania Professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling

The video is hosted by Lord Alfred Hayes. Alfred George James Hayes ( August 8, 1928 – July 21, 2005) was an English professional wrestler, manager and Later matches, including André's battles against Hulk Hogan while a heel, are not included on this DVD. In Professional wrestling, a heel is a Villain character In non-wrestling jargon heels are the "bad guys" in pro wrestling storylines. The following matches are featured on the DVD:

  1. André the Giant vs. Moondog Rex — (August 8, 1981)
  2. 18-Man Battle Royale including Sgt. Slaughter, Big John Studd, Jimmy Snuka, Pat Patterson, Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff, the Iron Sheik, & Tito Santana (circa 1984). Randy Colley (born May 2, 1950) in Flint, Michigan is a retired Professional wrestler better known as Moondog Rex. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 This article is about the wrestler Robert Remus For the GI Joe character (based on Remus see Sgt John William Minton ( February 19, 1948 – March 20, 1995) was an American professional wrestler and Actor, James Reiher (born May 18 1943 is an American professional wrestler, and Actor, better known by his ring name of Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka Pat Patterson may refer to Jacob E "Pat" Patterson, former Mayor of Minden Louisiana Pat Terrance "Terry" Gene Bollea (born August 11 1953 better known by his Ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Actor, and retired professional Paul Orndorff (born October 29, 1949) is a retired professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri (born March 15, 1943) Khosrow also was the assistant coach of two US Olympic squads in the 1970s Merced Solis (born May 10 1953) better known by his Ring name Tito Santana, is a retired Mexican American professional
  3. André the Giant vs. Black Gordman & Great Goliath (January 12, 1976)
  4. André the Giant vs. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Jack Evans, Johnny Rodz, & Joe Butcher Nova (circa 1979)
  5. André the Giant vs. Johnny Rodriguez (born May 16 1938 is a retired American professional wrestler. Gorilla Monsoon (early 1970s)
  6. André the Giant & Jimmy Snuka vs. Robert James "Gino" Marella ( June 4 1937 - October 6 1999) better known by his Ring name of Gorilla Monsoon James Reiher (born May 18 1943 is an American professional wrestler, and Actor, better known by his ring name of Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka the Wild Samoans (February 18, 1983 at Madison Square Garden, New York City)
  7. André vs. The Wild Samoans was the Tag team of Afa & Sika in Mid-South Wrestling the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA and the World Wrestling Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. The City of New York the Masked Superstar (February 20, 1984 at Madison Square Garden)
  8. André the Giant & S.D. Jones vs. Bill Eadie (born December 27, 1947) is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Conrad Efraim (born in Antigua West Indies) is a former professional wrestler best known as Special Delivery Jones from his time in the World Big John Studd & Ken Patera (December 15, 1984). John William Minton ( February 19, 1948 – March 20, 1995) was an American professional wrestler and Actor, Ken Patera (born November 7[[ 944]] in Portland, Oregon) is a former Professional wrestler and Olympic weightlifter Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Studd and Patera beat André into unconsciousness and — with help from Bobby Heenan — cut his long locks of hair
  9. André the Giant vs. Raymond Louis Heenan (born November 1, 1944) better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, is a former American Professional Ken Patera (January 21, 1985 at Madison Square Garden)
  10. André the Giant vs. Ken Patera (born November 7[[ 944]] in Portland, Oregon) is a former Professional wrestler and Olympic weightlifter Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Big John Studd ("$15,000 Bodyslam Match" March 31, 1985, WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden)

Video games

Legacy and appearances in pop culture

Andre the Giant Has a Posse sticker.
Andre the Giant Has a Posse sticker. Half-Life is a Science fiction First-person shooter computer game developed by Valve Software and the company's debut product Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, also known as THAW (and unofficially as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 7) is a Video game that Andre the Giant Has a Posse is a Street art campaign based on a Design by Shepard Fairey created in 1986 in Charleston South Carolina

References

  1. ^ Official bio
  2. ^ Andre the Giant bio at WWE. com
  3. ^ Andre the Giant Bio: Bio. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia.
  4. ^ Andre the Giant: Bio. WWE. com. Retrieved on 2007-10-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western
  5. ^ André the Giant official website.. Retrieved on 2007-07-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000
  6. ^ To The Giant Among Us
  7. ^ Andre the Giant: Bio. WWE. com. Retrieved on 2007-10-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western
  8. ^ The Machines' Profile. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2007-07-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000
  9. ^ Biography from André the Giant official website. Retrieved on 2007-07-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000
  10. ^ Andre: Heart of the Giant (2007) IMDB.
  11. ^ Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948-1990). Puroresu Dojo (2003).
  12. ^ Pro-Wrestling Illustrated 500 of the PWI Years. Pro-Wrestling Edge. Retrieved on 2008-06-02. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks
  13. ^ IGN: The Great Khali
  14. ^ IGN: Andre the Giant)
  15. ^ IGN: Countdown Big Show
  16. ^ Someone took a doody in my sandbox!

External links

Preceded by
Hulk Hogan		 WWF Champion
February 5, 1988		 Succeeded by
Vacated
Preceded by
Demolition (Ax & Smash)		 WWF Tag Team Champion w/Haku
December 13, 1989–April 1, 1990		 Succeeded by
Demolition (Ax & Smash)
Terrance "Terry" Gene Bollea (born August 11 1953 better known by his Ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Actor, and retired professional This is a chronological list of wrestlers that have been WWE Champion by Ring name. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Demolition is a Professional wrestling Tag team most prominent during the late 1980s / early 1990s in World Wrestling Federation (WWF made up of Bill Eadie (born December 27, 1947) is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and Barry Darsow (born October 6, 1959) is a former American professional wrestler perhaps best known as Smash one half of the Road Warriors This is a chronological list of teams that have been World Tag Team Champions by Ring name. Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita (born February 3 1959 in Nuku'alofa Tonga) is a Professional wrestler and Actor, for both World Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Demolition is a Professional wrestling Tag team most prominent during the late 1980s / early 1990s in World Wrestling Federation (WWF made up of Bill Eadie (born December 27, 1947) is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and Barry Darsow (born October 6, 1959) is a former American professional wrestler perhaps best known as Smash one half of the Road Warriors
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