Nickname(s): The Mastadon
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 450 lbs
From: Denver, CO
Birthday: May 14
Pro Debut: January 1987
Aliases: Leon "
Baby Bull" White, "Bull Power"
Leon White,
Vader, Super Vader, Little Bull
Feds worked for: IZW,
MSWA,
WCW,
WWF,
NWA-TNA,
WWE,
AWA, New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), International Wrestling Grand Prix (Japan), All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Pro Wrestling NOAH (Japan), Z1 Hustle-1 (Japan), Catch Wrestling Association (Europe), UWA (Mexico), FMW (Japan), Jersey All-Pro Wrestling (NJ)
Finisher: Vader Bomb
Signature Moves: Powerbomb, Vadersault, Avalanche, Chokeslam, Face Eraser, Vader Punch, Vader Hammer, Short-arm Clothesline, Lariat, Falling Slam, Front Powerslam, Bearhug, Spinning backfist, Shoulderblock
Career Highlights: -CWA Champion (3x)
-NJPW/IWGP Champion (3x)
-UWA Champion
-NJPW/IWGP Tag Team Champion (w/
Bam Bam Bigelow)
-WCW World Champion (3x)
-WCW United States Champion
-AJPW Unified Triple Crown Champion (2x)
-AJPW Tag Team Champions (w/
Steve Williams)
-NOAH Tag Team Champion (w/ Scorpio)
-IZW Champion
-Winner of the 1991 Super Grade Tag League Tournament (w/
Tatsumi Fujinami)
Affiliates: Sid Vicious, Harley Race, Takeshi Kitano,
Paul Bearer,
Stan Hansen,
Jim Cornette,
Ric Flair, Jimmy Hart, Col.
Robert Parker, Team Vader
Notable Feuds: Ric Flair,
Sting, Davey Boy Smith, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Yokozuna, Kane, Goldust,
Aaron Neil,
Striker, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Chosu
Official Website: www.BigVanVader.com
Other Facts: -Changed his nickname from "Baby Bull" to "Bull Power" because he didn't like being called a baby.
-The name "
Big Van Vader" is the name of a manga character, much like Jushin "Thunder" Liger
-In his debut for NJPW, he demolished Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki. This ended Inoki's 4-year winning streak, causing a riot and resulting in NJPW being banned from promoting shows in the Sumo Hall until 1989
-Was the first person to hold 3 different titles for 3 promotions on 3 different continents (IWGP in Asia, CWA in Europe, UWA in North America)
-Feb 10, 1990: During the course of a match between Vader and Stan Hansen, Vader's eye is knocked out of its socket.
-Because New Japan Wrestling owned the copyright for the name "Big Van Vader", he began competing as simply Vader. New Japan also gave the name and the gimmick to Sylvester Terkey.
-Forced
Nikita Koloff into retirement
-Broke the back of WCW preliminary wrestler Joel Thurman
-Was
Cactus Jack's opponent in Germany in the match where Jack lost part of his right ear
-In 1995, when the Horsemen were being reformed, Vader and Steve Austin were seriously considered for spots in that group.
-Was fired from WCW due to a fight backstage with
Paul Orndorff.
-Was arrested for using foul language and charge with assault after an appearance on "Good Morning Kuwait". The presenter of Good Morning Kuwait asked Vader if wrestling was fake. Vader responded by grabbing the presenter, Bassam Al Othman, by the tie, using an expletive and then giving him a hard shove, knocking other chairs and a table over in the process. This was Vader's manner of getting the presenter to respect the work the wrestlers do in the ring. Vader spent 10 days under house arrest in Kuwait for his actions.
-Was the 1st man to ever hold both the IWGP Heavyweight Title & the All-Japan Triple Crown.
-Appeared on an episode of "Boy Meets World" and the live-action version of "Fist of the North Star"
-His son Jesse currently plays football at the University of
Oklahoma
-Former member of the Dungeon of Doom
-Ranked # 33 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Ranked # 15 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked # 2 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked # 4 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked # 7 in the 1995 PWI 500
-Ranked # 14 in the 1996 PWI 500
-Ranked # 46 in the 1997 PWI 500
-Ranked # 65 in the 1998 PWI 500 (as Vader)
-Ranked # 18 in the 1998 PWI 500 (as Vader)
-Ranked # 11 in the 2000 PWI 500 (as Vader)
-Ranked # 48 in the 2001 PWI 500 (as Vader)
-Ranked # 54 in the 2002 PWI 500 (as Vader)
-Ranked # 30 in the 2005 Oklafan Top 50
