Bios
Big Van Vader
Nickname: The Mastadon
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 450 lbs
From: Denver, CO
Birthday: May 14th
Pro Debut: January 1987
Aliases: Leon White, Vader, Super Vader, Little Bull
Feds Worked For: AWA, DI2IW, IZW, JCW, MSWA, NEW, NWA-TNA, TNA, WCW, WWE, WWF, All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Big Time Wrestling (SC), Catch Wrestling Association (Europe), FMW (Japan), Inoki Genome Federation (Japan), Jersey All-Pro Wrestling (NJ), Maryland Championship Wrestling (MD), New Era Frontier Wrestling (MA), New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), NWA Ring Warriors (FL), Pro Wrestling NOAH (Japan), Pro Wrestling Syndicate (NJ), Real Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Resistance Pro Wrestling (IL), UWA (Mexico), Shinjuku Face (Japan), Top Of The World Wrestling (Canada), Xtreme Wrestling Alliance (RI), Z1 Hustle-1 (Japan),
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: -AJPW Tag Team Champions (w/ Steve Williams)
-AJPW Unified Triple Crown Champion (2x)
-CWA Champion (3x)
-CWA Intercontinental Champion
-IWGP Champion (3x)
-IWGP Tag Team Champion (w/ Bam Bam Bigelow)
-IZW Champion
-NOAH Tag Team Champion (w/ Scorpio)
-UWA Champion
-WCW United States Champion
-WCW World Champion (3x)
-XWA 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, Bam Bam Bigelow, Steve Williams, Scorpio, Tatsumi Fujinami, Team Vader, Jesse White
Notable Feuds: Ric Flair, Sting, Davey Boy Smith, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Yokozuna, Kane, Goldust, Aaron Neil, Striker, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu
Other Facts: -Father of pro wrestler Jesse White
-Played for the Los Angeles Rams and was a member of the team during their Super Bowl XIV match. He is the only wrestler to win a World Title and compete in a Super Bowl.
-Wrestled his first match against King Kong Brody
-As Leon White, he used the nicknames "Baby Bull" and "Bull Power"
-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)
-During the course of a match between Vader and Stan Hansen on February 10, 1990, Vader's eye was 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 then gave the name and gimmick of Big Van Vader 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
-Was supposed to be the wrestler who made the "surprise appearance" on the first WCW Monday Nitro. That spot eventually went to Lex Luger. Allegedly he was supposed to beat Hulk Hogan the next week for the WCW World Title on the 2nd episode of Nitro.
-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 on the show 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 White played football at the University of Oklahoma until he sustained a career ending knee injury
-Former member of the Takeshi Puroresu Gundan
-Former member of the Dungeon of Doom
-Former member of Camp Cornette
-Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022
-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
-Passéd away June 18, 2018 at the age of 63, due to complications from pneumonia.
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
- 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
- 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
- 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
- 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
- 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
Week of Sun 05-12 to Sat: 05-18
- 05-12 2002 Rocco Valentino became the OCW Oklahoma Television Champion
- 05-12 2012 The New Era [2nd] (Richie Adams & Goldeneye) def. The Dramatic Athletes (Jake McCoy & X-Cal) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-12 2012 Venus became the IZW Queens Champion
- 05-12 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Bobby Starr for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-12 2013 Impact, Inc. (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Shawn Sanders & Tyson Jaymes for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 05-12 2018 Garrett Murphy became the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 05-12 2018 Big Smooth def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-12 2018 Brayden def. Kareem Sadat for the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
- 05-12 2018 Gavin Dixon def. Mikey [2nd] for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-12 2023 Ronnie Morton def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
- 05-13 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
- 05-13 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-13 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-13 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
- 05-13 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 05-13 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
- 05-13 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
- 05-14 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 1975 Danny Miller def. Skandor Akbar for the TSW North American Champion
- 05-14 2004 Butch Dalton def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 2004 Devon Monroe def. Mitch Carter for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 2005 John O'Malley became the IZW Hardcore Champion
- 05-14 2005 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-15 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Dory Funk for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton [1st] for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-15 2010 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Bobby Star) def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 05-15 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2015 Charlie Haas def. Jerome Daniels for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2021 Killbane def. The Canadian Red Devil for the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
- 05-16 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane) for the TSW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 1983 Chris Adams def. Terry Gordy for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-16 2009 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Team Bull (Aaron Neil & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2015 Clint Cassidy def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE United States Champion
- 05-16 2015 Brett Stopp def. Fuel for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-16 2015 Anarchy [2nd] def. Brett Stopp for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-17 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
- 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
- 05-17 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-18 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
- 05-18 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 05-18 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
- Kyle Hawk May 17th Today!
- Billy Red Lyons May 17th Today!
- Dan Maestro May 17th Today!
- J. B. Pain May 17th Today!
- Mike Pappas May 17th Today!
- Wage May 17th Today!
- J. R. Wind May 18th
- Luna Nightshade May 18th
- Gajo May 18th
- Kristopher Haiden May 18th
- Akuma Jones May 18th
- Jimmy Snuka May 18th
- Matt Riviera May 18th
- Bateman May 19th
- Buzz Markley May 19th
- Dick Slater May 19th
- Andre the Giant May 19th
- Will Chambers May 19th
- Mongol May 19th
- Dale Veasey May 20th
- Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
- Chuey Martinez May 21st
- Slash May 23rd
- Santana Jackson May 23rd
- Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
- Donna Christanello May 23rd
- Lucas May 24th
- Ricky Romero May 24th
- Gemini [2nd] May 24th
- Shane Rawls May 24th
- Guy Atticus May 25th
- Michael York May 25th
- Dark Journey May 25th
- Dominique Lereaux May 25th
- Quarky Storm May 25th
- Michael Duplanti May 26th
- Justin Adams May 26th
- Tank Bryson May 26th
- Reggie Lincoln May 26th
- Crucifer May 27th
- Kelly Kiniski May 27th
- Jim Thorpe May 28th
- Dean Lambert May 28th
- Kamala May 28th
- Edge Stone May 28th
- Maria Star May 28th
- Psycho Mike May 29th
- Max McGuirk May 29th
- Samu May 29th
- Jimmy Kane May 29th
- Boss Hardzog May 30th
- Jake Roberts May 30th
- Jesse Storm May 30th
Current Champions
Tag Cloud
Jim RossUWFWCWWWEDusty WolfeTNABill GoldbergRick McGrawFabulous MoolahGorgeous GeorgeTed DiBiase
