Big Van Vader dead: WWE legend known as 'the best big man in wrestling history' passes away at 63
Posted: Jun 20th 2018 By: Neil Docking - Mirror.co.uk
WWE legend Big Van Vader - arguably the best big man in wrestling history - has died, according to his Twitter account.
The 63-year-old, real name Leon White, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2016 and doctors said he had just two years to live.
The superheavyweight had twice undergone heart surgery this year, revealing on May 9 that he had successfully gone under the knife again.
But this afternoon his Twitter account tweeted: "It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm."
A second post, added: "Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time."
Vader competed with WWE in the mid-1990s after becoming a major household name with WCW, following an incredible spell in Japan.
Nicknamed The Mastodon, the former NFL star battled with fellow icons such as The Undertaker, Sting, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels.
Despite being 6fft 4in and nearly 500lb, he could perform stunning high flying moves, such as his corner slingshot splash, the Vader Bomb, and rolling moonsault or Vadersault.
Before pulverising his opponents, the giant masked star would declare "It's time, it's Vader Time."
Among his many achievements, during his time in Japan from 1987 to 1996, he became three-time NJPW IWGP Heavyweight Champion, an NJPW IWGP Tag Team Champion with Bam Bam Bigelow and a two-time All Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion.
Famously, in February 1990 at an AJPW versus NJPW supershow, Stan Hansen unintentionally poked Vader's left eye with his thumb, causing hus eyeball to pop out of its socket.
After removing his mask, Vader pushed the eye back into its socket and holding it in place with his eyelid, Vader continued wrestling Hansen until the match was rendered a no contest.
Such was his success in Japan, he was signed by America's WCW while still the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and an active competitor in NJPW.
He became a three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and waged epic battles with the likes of Mick Foley, then working as Cactus Jack.
Vader eventually signed with WWE in 1996, but his run with the company was plagued by controversies and poor booking and is widely perceived as one of the most disappointing examples of WWE failing to capitalise on a talent.
His heart condition was found after he visited two doctors after he was knocked unconscious for over half an hour following a car accident.
Vader later spoke of his regret at publicly revealing the length of time he had been given to live and declared that he would like to die in the ring.
Then in April 2017, he passed out during a match in Japan due to a head injury and had not wrestled since.
Speaking to Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling last March, Vader said: "I really kind of regret tweeting it out.
"In other words when I got diagnosed and was told, 'Leon, you have a bad heart and you have congestive heart failure and we feel your time is limited and you have maybe a couple of years left... two years or less to live'.
"I remember getting very angry and said this has gotta be bull because I don't feel bad and I remember getting extremely angry."
Vader revealed in March this year that he had undergone heart surgery again.
Tributes have begun to flood in from those within the wrestling business and fans of the superheavyweight.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
AEW starts new collaboration in support of Rebel
AEW continues to prove its love and support for Rebel. Upper Deck and AEW are coming together in a new collaboration to... Read More
Great Ideas That Didn’t Last: The Divas Of Doom
Throughout the history of pro wrestling bookers and promoters have always tried to come up with new, creative and inno... Read More
AJ Styles on retirement, matches with Cena and Gunther, his son, and more
AJ Styles sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss his retirement match w... Read More
- Ethan Page talks NXT, move to main roster, working with Chelsea Green, The Rock, and more
- WWE SmackDown Comes to OKC: Royce Keys talks Royal Rumble debut
- Jeff Jarrett talks relationship with Dixie Carter, Dark Side of the Ring, TNA, and more
- Carlito talks departing WWE, time in Judgment Day, Bron Breakker spear, and more
Spotlight in History
- 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
- 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
- 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
- 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
- 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12
- 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
- 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
- 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
- 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
- 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
- 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
- 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
- 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
- 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
- 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
- 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
- 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
- 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
- 09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
- 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
- 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
- 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
- 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
- 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
- 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
- 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
- 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
- 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
- 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
- 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
- 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
- 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
- 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
- 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
- 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
- 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
- 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
- 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
- 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th Today!
- Bob Kenaston Sep 12th Today!
- Montego Seeka Sep 12th Today!
- Bounty Hunter Sep 12th Today!
- Bash Sep 12th Today!
- Adrian Dell Sep 12th Today!
- American Anarchy Sep 12th Today!
- Danni Bee Sep 12th Today!
- Animal Sep 12th Today!
- Angelina Love Sep 13th
- K. P. Moore Sep 13th
- Bobby Starr Sep 13th
- Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
- Poder Oriental Sep 13th
- Waddy Young Sep 14th
- Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
- Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
- Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
- Bernie D Sep 14th
- Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
- Daniel King Sep 15th
- Korvin Sage Sep 15th
- L. C. Green Sep 15th
- Haru Sonada Sep 16th
- Jake Swayze Sep 17th
- Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
- Rex Mori Sep 17th
- Dick Brower Sep 17th
- Bill Irwin Sep 17th
- Jim Cornette Sep 17th
- Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
- Angel Reed Sep 18th
- Titan Yin Sep 18th
- Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
- Billy Robinson Sep 18th
- Adam Asher Sep 19th
- Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
- Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
- Bishop Simon Sep 20th
- Justin Lee Sep 20th
- Chuck Singer Sep 20th
- Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
- Ethan Page Sep 20th
- Greg Valentine Sep 20th
- Boz Sep 20th
- Joey Stixx Sep 20th
- Pepper Martin Sep 20th
- Ricky Morton Sep 21st
- Connor Jones Sep 21st
- Jack Brisco Sep 21st
- Doug Somers Sep 22nd
- Harley D Sep 22nd
- Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
- Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
- Satine Sep 22nd
- Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
- Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
- O'Malley Sep 23rd
- Connor Crunk Sep 24th
- Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
- John J. Bishop Sep 24th
- Jason Bruce Sep 24th
- Kai Fayden Sep 24th
- Joe Jones Sep 24th
- Len Rossi Sep 24th
- Chief Mike Sep 25th
- Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
- Toots Estes Sep 25th
- Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
Top Viewed Bios
