Remember Your Classic Wrestlers: Andre the Giant

The 8th Wonder of the World
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Who?: Andre the Giant
Promotions: WWF, AJPW, NWA (Internationally)
Nicknames: The Immovable Object, The 8th Wonder of the World, Tiant
Classic Affiliations: Andre's most famous affiliation was with Bobby Heenan later in his career as an answer to Hulk Hogan going into WrestleMania III. That affiliation would segue into a partnership with Ted DiBiase. When he went to AJPW at the very end of his career, he tagged with Giant Baba.

Height: 7'4"
Weight: 500 lbs.
From: Grenoble, France

After the jump...Signature Maneuvers

Tombstone Piledriver


Elbow Drop Pin


Classic Feuds:

- Killer Khan snapped Andre's ankle during a match legit, and it set up a huge return match later on, defeating Khan in a Mongolian Stretcher match in Philadelphia in November 1981.

- Andre would have two seperate feuds with Hulk Hogan. The first time around, it would be Andre as the face and Hogan as the heel, with the feud culminating at the famous Shea Stadium card in August of 1980. The second time, the roles were reversed in one of the most famous WrestleMania feuds of all-time. It culminated in the main event of WMIII, which saw Hogan bodyslam Andre the Giant for the "first time" and retain his WWF Championship. Later on, Andre would beat Hogan for the title and try to give it to DiBiase, nullifying the reign and causing the tournament at WrestleMania IV where Randy Savage would win the title. Hogan and Andre fought to a draw in said tournament.

- Andre would have a big feud in the '80s over who the best big man in wrestling was with Big John Studd. Studd and his tag partner Ken Patera shaved Andre's trademark white-man afro. This culminated a body slam challenge at the original WrestleMania, which Andre won.

Titles Held:

WWF World Championship
WWF Tag Team Championships (w/ Haku)
NWA Florida Tag Team Championships (w/ Dusty Rhodes)

Andre was the first ever wrestler inducted into the WWF/E Hall of Fame.

Promos:

Andre didn't really speak English all that well...

Andre's Legacy: Andre the Giant is the best special attraction draw ever. He's the biggest example of how to book a guy who has something who that endears him to crowds without needing to win a title. Just look at how sparsely he's won titles over the years. He never won the WWF Championship until the twilight of his career, and yet he drew gobs and gobs of money for both Vince McMahons, J. and K. Along with Bruno Sammartino, Antonino Rocca and Superstar Billy Graham, he serves as the WWF's marquee wrestler from the pre-national days.

Andre was literally larger than life. The man was a gentle giant outside the ring as he was an imposing figure inside of it. He was affable and at the same time, mystic. He'd be able to carry girls in the palm of his hand, literally. He reputedly holds the Guinness World Record for most beers consumed in a sitting. But while he seemed distant and legendary, his personality made him a great fit in movies, most notably The Princess Bride.

Andre the Giant will always be fondly remembered by the WWE and by wrestling fans alike. He's definitely one of the true legends of the business.

Remember you can contact TH and ask him questions about wrestling, life or anything else. Please refer to this post for contact information. He always takes questions!