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REVIEW: HBO Sports' Andre the Giant Documentary

Posted: Apr 11th 2018 By: Alan Wojcik

Andre the Giant was not like anyone you nor will I ever see in professional wrestling. In a business that labels people legends and icons, Andre Roussimoff was all of the above and more. He transcended the business and became a uber pop culture icon, especially to children who grew up in the 1980’s. Sadly he passed away in January 1993 visiting family in France. HBO Sports, producer Bill Simmons and director Hehir bring Andre’s story to life airing April 10th at 10pm and on demand.

We find out through the film Andre’s original ring name was Andre the Giant was not like anyone you nor will I ever see in professional wrestling. In a business that labels people legends and icons, Andre Roussimoff was all of the above and more. He transcended the business and became a uber pop
culture icon, especially to children who grew up in the 1980’s. Sadly he passed away in January 1993 visiting family in France. HBO Sports, producer Bill Simmons and director Hehir bring Andre’s story to life airing April 10th at 10pm and on demand.

We find out through the film Andre’s original ring name was Jean Ferre’, a French lumberjack and it was in the United States he was called the name we all know him under. We follow Andre from his debut in the late 1960’s to his arrival in North America in Montreal through the United States in the mid 1970’s. Thanks to regional promotions having TV and the wrestling magazines like Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Andre became the legend we know today. As heartwarming the stories told in the film are, it is
heartbreaking to think the everyday life of someone with giantism (AKA acromegaly). To be oversized for even normal things like flying in an airplane or riding in a car must be extremely difficult. Andre appeared to find solace when he bought a ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.

People always say either Andre liked you or hated you; there was no middle ground as we find out about superstars like Randy Savage, Big John Studd and the Iron Sheik. The phrase BOSS also was used by the Giant and it is used to describe him with affection. The amazing stories also come out from
his legendary consumption of alcohol and those who tried to keep up with Andre’s lifestyle. Andre had to endure the death of the territories at the hands of the WWF (now called WWE) who went national making Hulk Hogan its number one star. The filmmakers wonderfully cover Andre’s transition to the bad guy side; being managed by Bobby “the Brain” Heenan which led to the iconic WrestleMania 3 match with Hogan.

In addition to archived interviews with Andre, many wrestling personalities are featured like Andre’s travel partner Tim White, Hulk Hogan, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Pat Patterson, WWE chairman Vince McMahon and his son Shane, writer Pat Laprade, Canadian wrestler Gino Brito, writer David Shoemaker, Jerry “the King” Lawler, Gene Okerlund, journalist Dr. Terry Todd and journalist David Meltzer. The
filmmakers also got time with Andre’s brothers Antione & Jacques and his daughter Robin Chirstensen plus actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, family friend Jack McAuley, and his co-stars in the Princess Bride Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal and director Rob Reiner.

Even the non-wrestling person will love this film. The only flaw in the film is the focus on WWE’s 1980’s expansion; the film briefly turns into an infommercial for World Wrestling Entertainment and nearly kills the film’s momentum. This segment eats ten minutes of the one hour twenty-four minutes dedicated to the Giant.

I must offer tremendous thanks to HBO Sports; specifically to Gregory Domino, for allowing me to screen this before the general public. For information on Alan Wojcik’s wrestling coverage, check out www.Facebook.com/KayfabeWrestlingRadio & www.Twitter.com/MyNameIsWojcik

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title

Week of Sun 11-01 to Sat: 11-07

11-01 1960 Tony Jiminez & Jesse Jiminez became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
11-01 1981 Ted DiBiase def. Paul Orndorff for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
11-01 1982 Al Madril def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
11-01 2008 El Hoto def. Martin Justice for the OECW Southwestern Title
11-01 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Matthews III) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
11-01 2013 Steven Sterling def. Bobby Starr for the ComPro Showtime Title
11-01 2014 Guy Atticus became the IZW Impact Division Champion
11-01 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
11-01 2019 Brock Landers def. Tego for the ASP Inter-County Title
11-01 2020 Double D became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
11-01 2020 Drake Gallows became the EPW All-American Champion
11-01 2020 Revan became the EPW Internet Television Champion
11-01 2020 The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) became the EPW Tag Team Champions
11-01 2020 High Times (Father Padge & Dean Lambert) def. The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
11-01 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. The Trendsetters (Andre West & Nelly Rivers) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
11-02 1978 Ray Candy def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW Arkansas Title
11-02 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 Ty Magnus def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 John O'Malley def. Ty Magnus for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 Outcast def. X-Cal for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2013 Kevin Morgan def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
11-02 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-02 2013 Miss Diss Lexia def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
11-02 2014 Les Mayne def. Rick Russo for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
11-02 2019 Clint Poe became the EmpCW All American Champion
11-02 2019 War Party (Gorgeous Garcia & Nytronis A’Teo) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the EmpCW Tag Team Titles
11-02 2019 Dexter Hardaway def. Double D for the EmpCW Heavyweight Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. Naiomi Sanders for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Unicorn def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. Unicorn for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. C. M. Burnham for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Naomi Sanders def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-03 2001 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
11-03 2001 Splash Jackson def. Big Daddy Moore for the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
11-03 2012 The Old School Suckas (Randy Price & Bryan Cruize) def. Big Business (Damon Windsor & Kevin Morgan) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-03 2012 Erica def. Angel Blue for the IZW Queens Title
11-03 2018 Damon Windsor def. Randy Price for the WCR Revolutionary Title
11-04 1985 Rick Rude def. King Parsons for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
11-04 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. Jerry Lawler for the WCCW World Title
11-04 2005 Beau Dalton & Bobby Dalton became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
11-05 1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
11-05 1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
11-05 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-05 2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
11-05 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
11-05 2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
11-05 2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
11-05 2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
11-05 2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
11-05 2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
11-05 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
11-06 1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
11-06 1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
11-06 1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
11-06 2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
11-06 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-06 2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
11-06 2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
11-06 2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
11-06 2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
11-06 2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
11-06 2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
11-06 2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
11-06 2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
11-06 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
11-06 2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
11-06 2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
11-06 2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
11-07 1984 Bill Dundee def. Adrian Street for the MSW Television Title
11-07 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. The Old School Express (Jason Jones & Jake Boulder) for the MStW Southern Tag Team Titles
11-07 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
11-07 2015 The Terror Squad (D Money & Montego Seeka & Marce Lewis, Nytronis A'Teo & MVP) became the IWR Tag Team Champions

11-05

Jules Strongbow [2nd] Nov 5th Today!
David Jason Rose Nov 5th Today!
Christopher Samuel Dean Nov 5th Today!
Chris Chaos Nov 5th Today!
Bill Decker Nov 5th Today!
Darin Matthews Nov 6th
Brian Faith Nov 6th
Frank Dunbar Nov 6th
Lu Kim Nov 6th
Ken Patera Nov 6th
King Kong Bundy Nov 7th
Nigel Rabid Nov 7th
Faded Ghoul Nov 7th
Keith Watkins Nov 7th
Dominik Whiteheart Nov 7th
Joey Ryan Nov 7th
Silverado Nov 7th
Treach Phillips, Jr. Nov 8th
Dizzy Davis Nov 8th
Austin Mulitalo Nov 8th
Rika Wildlee Nov 8th
Nick Patrick Nov 9th
Jean-Claude Boudreaux Nov 9th
Lance Osburn Nov 9th
Kolossus Nov 9th
Menace 2 Society Nov 9th
Joyce Grable Nov 9th
Gil Knutson Nov 9th
Prince Tapu Nov 10th
Marshall Von Erich Nov 10th
Danny Savich Nov 10th
Kinzer Keel Nov 10th
Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th
Brandon Moxley Nov 11th
Green Dragon Nov 11th
Luigi Columbo Nov 11th
Alex Perez Nov 11th
Little Cloud Nov 11th
Terrale Tempo Nov 12th
Vickie Lynn McCoy Nov 12th
Gary Tool Nov 12th
Thud Powell Nov 12th
Varik Vayne Nov 12th
Ty Thunder Nov 12th
Austin Tacious Nov 12th
Brett Taylor Nov 12th
L. J. McDaniels Nov 13th
Big Smooth Nov 13th
Kyle Kelly Nov 14th
Shane Sanders Nov 14th
Tiny Bell Nov 14th
Kirk Castle Nov 14th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Armin Syzlack Nov 15th
Super Beast Nov 15th
Sean Pearl Nov 15th
Brieanna Bringle Nov 16th
Kenny K Nov 17th
Johnny Graves Nov 17th
Johnny Weaver Nov 17th
Drake Gallows Nov 17th
Snowman Nov 17th
Josh Hogan Nov 17th
Chase Bristow Nov 17th
Kikutaro Nov 17th
Brent Wall Nov 17th
Reaper Nov 18th
Everett Kibbons Nov 18th
Chris Russo Nov 18th

1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title

More Look Back In History

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