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Andre And The Extinction of Wrestling’s Giants

Andre And The Extinction of Wrestling’s Giants

Posted: Nov 19th 2024 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.Wordpress.com

At one time, there was an era in pro wrestling where being a giant nearly guaranteed you a spot in the business. There was always room on the roster for a man who stood over 7 feet tall,and to some degree that may still be the case…but not as necessary. Like most things in life, unless you adapt and evolve with the times…you become irrelevant and/or extinct. The days of the dominating wrestling giants have come and have now gone.

Perhaps the most successful and widely known big man was Andre Roussimoff better known as Andre the Giant. At his biggest, he stood 7 foot 4 inches tall and weighed over 640 pounds. He was feared and beloved by both fans and his peers. Many remember Andre as the big lumbering giant who had a devastating head butt and wrestled at a slow, methodical pace. At one time however, Andre was slimmer, a lot quicker and somewhat agile. Either way, Andre was booked as an unstoppable, unbeatable freak of nature. He was a big attraction that people paid to see wrestle. At one point in time, being the highest paid wrestler in the world. His crowning achievement came at Wrestlemania III when he faced Hulk Hogan in the Pontiac Silver Dome in front of 90,000 plus.

When Andre passed away in 1993 at the young age of 46, an era also died with him. The era of giants that ruled wrestling. In Japan, the era lasted a bit longer with the Giant Baba, but when when he passed in 1999…wrestling giants became a thing of the past. That’s not to say bookers and promoters didn’t try to find “The Next Andre.” Many tried but all failed to capture the aura and the dominance of the man hailing from “Grenoble in the French Alps.” Men like El Gigante, The Wall, Nitron, Giant Silva, Kurrgan, The Great Khali, Reese, Jackson Andrews and Eli Cottonwood have all tried and many if not all failed. The only wrestler who has come close enough to succeeding like Andre has been Paul Wight AKA The Big Show.

His sheer height and mass make him the most likely successor to Andre’s throne. While Wight has accomplished a great deal and made a considerable amount of money, there is no arguing that overall he hasn’t been the dominating giant that people expected. Some of which is not all his own fault. Whether it was poor booking decisions, multiple heel or face turns or in the early years his negative attitude…none of that has been as damaging as the evolution of pro wrestling. Fans have embraced the smaller wrestlers and have now grown accustomed to high spots, quicker paces and bell to bell wrestling.

The shorter attention span of fans have made slower pace matches involving giants nearly impossible. While there are more successful big men in wrestling such as Kane and the Undertaker…both men adapted with the times. The Big Show sadly can’t simply by his look. He looks like a giant therefore has to act the part of one…even though wrestling has evolved past that look. In a way, he is essentially “typecast” as a wrestling giant. If he were competing in Andre and Big John Studd’s era, I can only imagine the success he could’ve had.

The days of the Body Slam Challenge at the first Wrestlemania and guaranteed favorites to win a battle royal are all but dead and extinct. Long live the era of high flyers and youtube sensations. The wrestling Giants are now a memory.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Tuff Love (Cade Lovee & Cole Lung) def. GBA (Drake Gallows & Colton Kinnamon) for the RDW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2026 Nate Bourne def. Ricky Wingrave for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2026 Malik Mayfield def. Will Chambers for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2026 Lunchador def. Max Leon for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Max Leon def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2026 T. J. Spade became the ASP WTF Champion
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-18
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th Today!
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th Today!
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th Today!
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th Today!
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th Today!
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th
  • Boz Sep 20th
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd
  • Harley D Sep 22nd
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Ka$haNova Sep 26th
  • Lone Eagle Sep 26th
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th
  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
  • BB Sep 26th
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  • Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
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