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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.

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Spotlight in History

  • 1968 The Spoiler def. Grizzly Smith for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1969 Johnny Valentine def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1976 Seigfreid Steinke def. Rocky Johnson for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 2005 The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) def. The Forsaken (Faith & Halo) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2006 Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) def. Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2006 John O'Malley def. Aaron Neil for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 2011 Jesse Williams became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2011 Danger Dean def. Jesse Williams for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 2016 Dimitri Alexandrov became the UWE United States Champion
  • 2020 Jerry Bostic def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Mid-American Title

Week of Sun 08-16 to Sat: 08-22

  • 08-16 1977 Porkchop Cash & Mike George def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 08-16 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Team ATM (Jerome Daniels & Big Tex) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 08-16 2019 Fly Def (Warren J & Zack Zilla) became the TexPro Tag Team Champions
  • 08-16 2024 Tribal Nation (Brandon Warhawk & Nashoba & Marlboro Slim) became the BPW Tag Team Champions
  • 08-16 2024 Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Original Renegade & Manico) def. Tribal Nation (Brandon Warhawk, Nashoba & Marlboro Slim) for the BPW Tag Team Titles
  • 08-16 2025 Nashoba def. Jay Hazzard for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 08-16 2025 K. J. Orso def. Ironside for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 08-17 2002 Russelina the Ballerina/Manservant became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 08-17 2019 Naomi Sanders def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
  • 08-17 2019 Adam Patrick def. Brock Landers for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 08-17 2024 God's Work (Father Padge & Deacon Hendrix) def. Shawn Sanders & Marlboro Slim (subbing for Scott Sanders) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 08-17 2024 Damien Morte def. Badger James for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 08-17 2025 Brixton Barricade def. Slade Temple for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 08-17 2025 Drake Gallows def. Brixon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Colton Kinnamon def. Drake Gallows for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Drake Gallows def. Colton Kinnamon for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Dale Reeves def. Drake Gallows for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Bang Bang Bennett def. Dale Reeves for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Drake Gallows def. Bang Bang Bennett for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Dale Reeves def. Drake Gallows for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Kyle Kubiak def. Dale Reeves for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Dale Reeves def. Kyle Kubiak for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Scotty Rose def. Dale Reeves for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 Kyle Kubiak def. Scotty Rose for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-17 2025 C. M. Burnham def. Kyle Kubiak for the ASP All Time Title
  • 08-18 1982 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Killer Khan for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 08-18 2001 Dexter Hardaway def. Grenade for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 08-18 2025 Brandon Groom def. Dan Webber for the LCW Lionheart Title
  • 08-18 2025 Blake Dalton def. Brandon Groom for the LCW Lionheart Title
  • 08-19 2002 Se7en became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 08-19 2002 HIMM became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 08-19 2007 Talon def. Lady Venom for the SWCW Womens Title
  • 08-19 2007 Striker def. Rick Garrett for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 08-20 1968 The Spoiler def. Grizzly Smith for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 08-20 1969 Johnny Valentine def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 08-20 1976 Seigfreid Steinke def. Rocky Johnson for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 08-20 2005 The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) def. The Forsaken (Faith & Halo) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 08-20 2006 Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) def. Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 08-20 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 08-20 2006 John O'Malley def. Aaron Neil for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 08-20 2011 Jesse Williams became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 08-20 2011 Danger Dean def. Jesse Williams for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 08-20 2016 Dimitri Alexandrov became the UWE United States Champion
  • 08-20 2020 Jerry Bostic def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 08-21 1959 Angelo Savoldi def. Mike DiBiase for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 08-21 1961 Corsica Joe def. Oni Wiki Wiki for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 08-21 1961 Stu Gibson def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 08-21 1964 Karl Kox def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 08-21 1972 Tom Jones & Ken Mantell def. The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 08-21 1987 Al Perez def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
  • 08-21 2005 Chaz Sharpe def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 08-21 2005 Aaron Neil became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 08-21 2020 The Sickness/Charlie Haas def. Will Allday for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 08-22 1969 Chuck Karbo def. Danny Hodge for the TSW North American Title
  • 08-22 1969 Bull Curry def. Baron Von Raschke for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 08-22 1998 The Great Bolo [2nd] def. Red Eagle for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 08-22 2009 Sage def. Goldeneye for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 08-22 2009 Mo-Dizzle def. Kunna Keyoh for the TCBW Hardcore Title
  • 08-22 2009 Thug Nasty def. Wage for the TCBW Heavyweight Title
  • 08-22 2010 Tyson Jaymes def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 08-22 2010 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 08-22 2020 Alex Royal def. Sam Stackhouse for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 08-22 2021 Skylar Slice def. Danni Bee for the ASP Women's Title
  • 08-22 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Malik Mayfield for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 08-22 2025 Blazin' Saddles (Bang Bang Bennett & Scotty Rose) def. Drake Gallos & Dale Reeves (Substituting for for the RDW Tag Team Titles
08-20
  • Cade Sydal Aug 20th Today!
  • Chiquita Suzuki Aug 20th Today!
  • Tyson Streets Aug 20th Today!
  • Matt Barnett Aug 20th Today!
  • Joe Szabo Aug 20th Today!
  • Jack Barnes Aug 20th Today!
  • Buster Cherry Aug 20th Today!
  • Judy Grable Aug 21st
  • Short Sleeve Sampson Aug 21st
  • Erik Aug 21st
  • Duncan Kincaid Aug 21st
  • Deacon Hendrix Aug 22nd
  • Wayne Martin Aug 22nd
  • Pat O'Connor Aug 22nd
  • Jordan Jacobs Aug 22nd
  • Matt Durden Aug 22nd
  • Alex Royal Aug 23rd
  • Matt Garza Aug 23rd
  • Corey Olis Aug 23rd
  • Ducky Aug 23rd
  • Dutch Scarberry Aug 23rd
  • Trey Christian Aug 23rd
  • Jack Davenport Aug 23rd
  • Nate Bourne Aug 24th
  • Randy Price Aug 24th
  • Dr. Corvus Aug 25th
  • Grappler Aug 25th
  • Blue Bolt Aug 25th
  • Ryan the Ripper Aug 25th
  • D. A. Aug 25th
  • Bobby Shane Aug 25th
  • Moonshine Mantell Aug 26th
  • J. C. Aug 26th
  • John Renesto Aug 26th
  • K. C. Aug 26th
  • Gary Young Aug 26th
  • A'bba Ra'jasnish Aug 26th
  • Sgt. Slaughter Aug 27th
  • Reggie Parks Aug 27th
  • Matrix Aug 27th
  • Michael Faith Aug 27th
  • King Savage Aug 27th
  • Jeremy Evans Aug 27th
  • Jack Jameson Aug 28th
  • Aerokid Aug 28th
  • Miranda Gordy Aug 28th
  • Brittany Foxx Aug 28th
  • Stephen E Aug 28th
  • Assassin Aug 28th
  • Ceallach McCloud Aug 29th
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  • Stan Hansen Aug 29th
  • Damo McCullough Aug 29th
  • Ragin Cajun Aug 30th
  • Blade [1st] Aug 30th
  • Killbane Aug 30th
  • Steven Dane Aug 30th
  • Angela Armstrong Aug 30th
  • Tom Donovan Aug 30th
  • Sam Helton Aug 31st
  • Andrew Fenix Aug 31st
  • Mickie James Aug 31st
  • Aaron Anders Aug 31st
  • Curt Gannon Aug 31st
  • Brad Michaels Aug 31st
  • Antone Leone Aug 31st
  • Rusty the Ref Sep 1st
  • Tito Carreon Sep 1st
  • Chris Kuhn Sep 1st
  • Bam Bam Bigelow Sep 1st
  • Will Luminati Sep 1st
  • Miss Lavender Sep 2nd
  • Tracy Smothers Sep 2nd

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