Apr 28th 2026 03:30pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

The Death Of Andre The Giant, Explained

The Death Of Andre The Giant, Explained

Posted: Jul 28th 2022 By: Ibrahim Awadalla - TheSportster.com

The death of Andre the Giant shook the wrestling world as he passed away at only 46 years old.

Andre the Giant is considered one of the most recognized professional wrestlers in the sports entertainment industry. A perfect example of a larger-than-life individual, when a well-recognized professional wrestler crosses one's mind, Andre the Giant is among those wrestlers considering his overwhelming successful career. Andre the Giant is best known for his tenure during the Rock n' Wrestling Era of WWE during the 1980s, a massive attraction for the company. As being involved in some of the most memorable moments in professional wrestling, Andre the Giant's passing in 1993 shook the wrestling world, considering how much he was beloved by many fans.

The Larger-Than-Life Attraction Of Andre The Giant

The massive size of Andre the Giant was always part of the appeal of his character, as it helped him stand out as an attraction since starting his wrestling career in the 1960s. Nicknamed "The Eighth Wonder of the World," Andre the Giant lit the wrestling world on fire, along with the likes of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, as he contributed to WWE's mainstream success during the Rock n' Wrestling Era in the 1980s. A former WWE Champion and even got involved in the main event of Wrestlemania III, where he challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship, he established himself as one of the all-time greats in the eyes of many fans and critics alike.

With that said, Andre the Giant was not only a larger-than-life figure in the wrestling world but also in his personal life. It's worth mentioning that stories of Andre The Giant are always getting told, as he's a fascinating individual in and out of the ring. Whether it's stories that stem from his heavy drinking before and after his matches or the years he spent in the acting scene, Andre the Giant is known for many things throughout his crazy life.

And who could not forget that Andre the Giant is 7"4 and over 500 pounds? Even outside the wrestling world, Andre the Giant is one of a kind in his personal life.

The Tragic Passing Of Andre The Giant

After spending almost three decades in the wrestling business, Andre The Giant passed away on January 28, 1993, in Paris. His passing was not too long after he wrestled his last match at AJPW in December 1992, as Andre The Giant's final bout was where he teamed with Rusher Kimura and Giant Baba against Masanobu Fuchi, Haruka Eigen, and Motoshi Okuma.

While visiting Paris to see his mother and attend his father's funeral, Andre the Giant was found dead in a Paris hotel, as it got said that he passed away in his sleep. His death became more tragic considering that Andre the Giant was only 46 years old when he died from congestive heart failure. Andre the Giant was initially supposed to be buried alongside his father but instead cremated, as he wished.

Andre the Giant could've had more life adventures considering the number of ventures he was involved in, as passing away at 46 years old is a sad occurrence. Andre the Giant wasn't just a character in the wrestling world but a real-life larger-than-life figure that people look back on fondly.

It's worth noting that Andre the Giant had obstacles growing up. Such difficulties relate to his massive size. When Andre the Giant was born, he had gigantism as he weighed 13 pounds. For those who may be familiar with gigantism, it's a rare growth hormonal disease that stems from a tumor of the pituitary gland.

The Legacy Of Andre The Giant Will Live Forever

It's been almost thirty years since Andre the Giant passed away, and he's still widely remembered for his accomplishments in professional wrestling. One must also realize that Andre the Giant's wrestling tenure ended many years before younger wrestling fans got to experience him. It's not like Hulk Hogan or Randy Savage, where 90s wrestling fans got to experience them during the Monday Night Wars and realized how good these wrestlers were during those times. Andre the Giant is one of those wrestlers in pop-culture popularity despite careers ending way before the new millennium.

As he's one of the most highly celebrated wrestlers in the industry, his livelihood, from his wrestling career to the tragic death he suffered at a young age, is well documented to this day. For instance, who can forget the HBO documentary that aired in 2018 titled after his name, which received positive feedback? Andre the Giant may have passed away almost three decades, but his legacy will continue forever.

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS A&E starts back on Sundays with a WWE block. From 7-9pm will be part one of a two part biography series on the Von Erichs, followed by “LFG”... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1954 Red Berry def. Whitey Whittler for the TSW Tri-State Title
  • 1976 Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch def. Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1980 Kevin Von Erich def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 1989 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. Beauty & The Beast (Terrance M. Garvin & The Beast [2nd]) for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 2000 Heather Savage def. Jenna Love for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Title
  • 2002 Summer Rain became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 2007 Eric Rose def. Jersey Devil for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2007 Joe Herell became the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 2017 Brandon Groom def. Sam Stackhouse for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2018 Dusty Gold def. Wesley Crane for the UWE United States Title

Week of Sun 04-26 to Sat: 05-02

  • 04-26 2008 Jerry Bostic def. Joshua Smith for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-26 2008 Shane Rawls def. Ky-Ote for the 3DW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-26 2014 Buster Cherry def. Bud Barnes for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 04-26 2014 Chaz Sharpe def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-26 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Warhammer for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-26 2024 Miranda Gordy def. Sgt. Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
  • 04-26 2025 Deacon Hendrix became the RWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-26 2025 Family Affiliated (Athan Sorrow & Rika Wildlee) became the RWE Tag Team Champions
  • 04-26 2025 Gluttony became the RWE United States Champion
  • 04-26 2025 Bishop Simon became the RWE Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-26 2025 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Corporal Punishment) def. The Main Characters (Sean Ryan & Daniel Aaron Michalles) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 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 Titles
  • 04-27 2003 The Sharpe Brothers (Chaz Sharpe & Rich Sharpe) def. John O'Malley & All-American Aaron for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-27 2003 Se7en def. Aaron Neil for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-27 2008 Tyrone def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-27 2019 Brandon Groom def. Brian Dixon for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 04-27 2019 Doc Black became the BCW Heritage Rivalry Champion
  • 04-28 1954 Red Berry def. Whitey Whittler for the TSW Tri-State Title
  • 04-28 1976 Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch def. Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-28 1980 Kevin Von Erich def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 04-28 1989 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. Beauty & The Beast (Terrance M. Garvin & The Beast [2nd]) for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 04-28 2000 Heather Savage def. Jenna Love for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Title
  • 04-28 2002 Summer Rain became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 04-28 2007 Eric Rose def. Jersey Devil for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-28 2007 Joe Herell became the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 04-28 2017 Brandon Groom def. Sam Stackhouse for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 04-28 2018 Dusty Gold def. Wesley Crane for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-29 2006 AWOL def. Michael York for the TPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-29 2006 Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) def. Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-29 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-29 2006 Carnage def. Rexx Reed for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-29 2007 Aaron Neil def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 04-29 2007 Brad Michaels def. Ryan Davidson for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 04-29 2007 Bad Boy & Outlaw became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-29 2011 The Unknown & Johnny USA def. Michael H & Mr. Big for the NCW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-29 2011 Mr. Big became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Prophet for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-29 2012 Rage Logan became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-29 2017 Aaron Anders became the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 04-30 1954 Frenchy Roy became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-30 1971 Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 04-30 2004 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the TPW Hardcore Title
  • 04-30 2011 Ryan Reed def. Rolling Thunder for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-30 2011 Ray Martinez def. Ryan Reed for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-30 2016 Ray Martinez became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-30 2022 Clayton Bloodstone def. Ky-Ote for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 04-30 2023 El Gallardo/El Vaquero def. Cappuccino Jones for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 04-30 2023 Heavyweight Grappling (Dan Webber & Morrison) def. Subject To Death (Cade Fite & Leo Fox) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 05-01 1981 Super Destroyer def. Jim Garvin for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 05-01 2016 Skylar Slice def. Nikki Knight for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 05-01 2021 Fuel def. Derek James for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 05-02 1969 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 05-02 1975 Mad Dog Vachon def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 05-02 1977 Stan Hansen def. Dick Murdoch for the TSW North American Title
  • 05-02 1984 Krusher Khrushchev became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-02 1984 The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) def. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 05-02 2009 Ozzy Hendrix def. Shank for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 05-02 2015 Gail Kim became the IWR Diamonds Champion
  • 05-02 2015 Kareem Sadat became the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-02 2021 Drake Gallows def. Blade [2nd] for the AIWF National Title
04-28
  • Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th Today!
  • Siva Afi Apr 28th Today!
  • Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th Today!
  • Sunshine Apr 29th
  • Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
  • Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
  • Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
  • Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
  • Prince Maivia May 1st
  • Don Fields May 2nd
  • Barrett Brown May 2nd
  • Americos May 2nd
  • Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
  • Big Bossman May 2nd
  • Kari Wright May 2nd
  • Lester Welch May 3rd
  • Johnny Humble May 3rd
  • Lily McKenzie May 3rd
  • Jay Hazzard May 4th
  • Malik Mayfield May 4th
  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
  • Dory Funk May 4th
  • Bull Schmitt May 4th
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
  • Bill Watts May 5th
  • Zane Morris May 5th
  • El Gallardo May 5th
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th
  • El Matador Dos May 5th
  • Princess Victoria May 5th
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1

Current Champions

Renegade Wrestling Entertainment

Remy Devereaux

United States Champion
Remy Devereaux

 
  • Heavyweight Champion: Cardinal Betten
  • Tag Team Champions: Psychotic Messengers
  • 24/Ever Stone Wolf Champion: Shawn Sanders