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Big Van Vader

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

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

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Spotlight in History

  • 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
  • 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
  • 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 04-21 to Sat: 04-27

  • 04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Champion
  • 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Champion
  • 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Champion
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Champion
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Champion
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Champion
  • 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Champion
  • 04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Champion
  • 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Champion
  • 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Champion
  • 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
  • 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Champion
  • 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
  • 04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 04-26 2008 Jerry Bostic def. Joshua Smith for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-26 2008 Shane Rawls def. Ky-Ote for the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-26 2014 Buster Cherry def. Bud Barnes for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 04-26 2014 Chaz Sharpe def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-26 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Warhammer for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-27 1978 The Assassin became the TSW Louisiana Champion
  • 04-27 1981 Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch def. The Grappler & The Super Destroyer for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 04-27 2003 The Sharpe Brothers (Chaz Sharpe & Rich Sharpe) def. John O'Malley & All-American Aaron for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-27 2003 Se7en def. Aaron Neil for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 04-27 2008 Tyrone def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-27 2019 Brandon Groom def. Brian Dixon for the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 04-27 2019 Doc Black became the BCW Heritage Rivalry Champion
04-25
  • Walker Stewart Apr 25th Today!
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  • Zack Zilla Apr 25th Today!
  • Carl Fergie Apr 25th Today!
  • Brett Stopp Apr 25th Today!
  • Crash Davis Apr 25th Today!
  • Eric Roberts Apr 25th Today!
  • Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
  • Karl Kox Apr 26th
  • Havoc Apr 26th
  • Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
  • Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
  • Siva Afi Apr 28th
  • Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
  • Sunshine Apr 29th
  • Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
  • Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
  • Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
  • Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
  • Prince Maivia May 1st
  • Barrett Brown May 2nd
  • Americos May 2nd
  • Kari Wright May 2nd
  • Don Fields May 2nd
  • Big Bossman May 2nd
  • Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
  • Johnny Humble May 3rd
  • Lily McKenzie May 3rd
  • Lester Welch May 3rd
  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
  • Malik Mayfield May 4th
  • Bull Schmitt May 4th
  • Shane Rawls May 5th
  • Princess Victoria May 5th
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th
  • Zane Morris May 5th
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th
  • El Matador Dos May 5th
  • El Gallardo May 5th
  • Bill Watts May 5th
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th

More Look Back In History

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