Vinnie Vegas

Big Sexy Kevin Nash

ANDRE THE GIANT


Dubbed "The Eighth Wonder of the World", Andre was unmatched in his size and strength in the world of professional wrestling in the 1970s and early 1980s. Andre debuted in WWF in March 1973 as a face, and in just one year, Andre was the highest paid WWF wrestler, earning $400,000/year in 1974!

Before his historic clash with former friend turned bitter rival Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III, Andre (according to the WWF) had never been pinned or made submit in his 15-year career.

Andre was beloved by the fans for being a "loveable giant" and confirmed that status at the inaugural WrestleMania by defeating UNNAMED in a "Body Slam Challenge" in which the winner of the match would be the man who could successfully body slam the opponent and win $15,000. Andre won the match and then famously proceeded to toss the money into the first few rows of fans before the bag was stolen from him.

At WrestleMania 2, Andre successfully won a 20-man battle royal featuring WWF and NFL stars, further cementing his status in professional wrestling as a man who was considered unbeatable.

During the next year, Andre became incredibly jealous of his best friend Hulk Hogan, who was entering his 3rd year as WWF Champion. The unbeaten Andre wanted his shot at the WWF Championship, but his friendship with Hogan precluded him from demanding a shot.

Early in 1987, Hogan was presented a trophy for being the Champion for 3 years and Andre came out to congratulate his friend. Later on, Andre was presented with a much smaller trophy for "being undefeated for 15 years". Hogan returned the favor and came out to congratulate Andre, however Hogan took over the segment and put the spotlight on him and off Andre, which annoyed the Giant and Andre walked out of the presentation.

During one of the most famous "Piper's Pit" segments, Hogan was confronted by Andre who demanded a WWF Title match at WrestleMania III and famously ripped the T-shirt and crucifix necklace from Hogan's chest and threw it to the ground, cementing his heel turn and ending the duo's longtime friendship.

By the time WrestleMania III began to come about, Vince McMahon had taken the WWF national and was building a huge fanbase directly as a result of promoting the epic confrontation between WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and the undefeated Andre the Giant. During this match, UNNAMED dubbed it "the irresistable force (Hogan) meeting the immovable object (Andre)". Headlining WMIII in front of the largest audience to ever attend an indoor sporting event, Hogan defeated Andre. It was widely known during the time that Andre's health was rapidly deteriorating and that this match was to serve as a "passing of the torch" in some respects to Hogan, who Vince McMahon had made the face of his company. It was speculated backstage that because Andre was so massive, it was up to him whether or not he would allow Hogan to beat him. If Andre had decided at the last minute that he didn't want to be pinned, he wouldn't have been pinned. However Andre did the right thing and followed the plan, allowing Hogan to pin him, and thus Hogan further cemented his status as the WWF Champion and Andre's undefeated run in the WWF was over. When Hogan actually did body slam Andre, he tore a muscle in his back due to the strain.

Andre would continue to feud with Hogan throughout the next year, including a famous angle in which Ted DiBiase, having failed to buy the WWF Title from Hogan, enlisted Andre's help in taking the belt from Hogan. Due to the "evil twin referee" angle, Andre pinned Hogan, then immediately surrendered the WWF Title to DiBiase, however the match was voided by WWF officials. Andre and Hogan continued their feud through WrestleMania IV where the two met in the first round of the first ever WWF Championship Tournament. They were both eliminated due to a double disqualification, which was largely the plan formulated by Ted DiBiase who wanted Hogan out of the way so he could win the title. The feud would then end later that year after a tag team match at SummerSlam 88 featuring The MegaPowers (Hogan and Savage) defeating The MegaBucks (DiBiase and Andre).

Andre moved on to feud with other superstars, eventually turning face one more time so he could end his career adored by the fans. He would wrestle sporadically from here on out, mainly in tag team matches, making his final major appearance at SummerSlam 91 before officially retiring in 1992.

Andre the Giant was the first inductee into the WWF Hall of Fame. The movie "My Giant" starring Billy Crystal was a film loosely based on Andre. He also starred in the cult classic "The Princess Bride".

Andre died in 1993 in his sleep of a heart attack. By the late 1980s he was in constant, near-crippling pain and his heart could not pump blood throughout his large body, however he continued to work and put over other superstars.

Andre was a 1-time WWF Champion and a 1-time WWF Tag Team Champion. He won PWI Match of the Year twice.