[1][22][19], He made his Japanese debut for the International Wrestling Enterprise in 1970, billed as "Monster Roussimoff". Robin Christensen is the only child fathered by iconic French wrestler, André Roussimoff, also known as André the Giant. World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation (1973–1991), WWF Champion and various rivalries (1987–1989), All Japan Pro Wrestling and Universal Wrestling Association (1990–1992), Triple H Reveals Life Size Statue of André the Giant, World League/MSG League/International Wrestling Grand Prix/World Cup Tournament/G1 Climax, MSG Tag/IWGP Tag Title/Japan Cup Tag/Super Grade Tag/G1 Tag/World Tag League, World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation, International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, List of premature professional wrestling deaths, "WrestleMania III – André the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan – WWE Championship", "Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame: Andre the Giant", "Samuel Beckett Used to Drive André the Giant to School, All They Talked About Was Cricket", "Andre The Giant And Samuel Beckett Knew Each Other And Loved Cricket", "The Official Site of André the Giant: Biography", "WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – March 26, 1973", https://shitloadsofwrestling.tumblr.com/post/71783872831/jerry-the-king-lawler-vs-andre-the-giant#:~:text=It's%20a%20little%20known%20fact,midget%20defeated%20Andre%20The%20Giant!%E2%80%9D, "WWF @ East Rutherford, NJ – Meadowlands – January 5, 1987", "WWF @ Tampa, FL – SunDome – January 26, 1987", "SummerSlam 1988 main event match details", https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=926&page=4&year=1989&promotion=1, "Herb Abram's Universal Wrestling Federation Cards", "Andre the Giant & Lou Albano UWF January 1991", "Matches: Andre The Giant: Wrestlers Database", "12 Inconceivable Facts That Prove That 'The Princess Bride' Isn't Just Another 'Kissing Book, "Andre the Giant Documentary - 12 Things Learned (And Facts Left Out! [86], After WrestleMania VI, Roussimoff spent the rest of his in-ring career in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Mexico's Universal Wrestling Association (UWA), where he performed under the name "André el Gigante." Andre’s best-remembered film role was that of Fezzik, the giant … [102], In 1989, Roussimoff was arrested and charged with assault after he allegedly attacked a local television cameraman in Linn County, Iowa. Andre was born Andre Rene Roussimoff in Grenoble, France on May 19, 1946. His last major WWF storyline following WrestleMania VII had the major heel managers (Bobby Heenan, Sensational Sherri, Slick, and Mr. Fuji) trying to recruit Roussimoff one-by-one, only to be turned down in various humiliating ways (e.g. In WWE, there have been many Superstars who are larger than others, but Andre the Giant has proven to be larger than WWE itself. He also held the WWF Tag Team Championship once (with Haku). Roussimoff branched out into acting again in the 1970s and 1980s, after a 1967 French boxing film, making his USA acting debut playing a Sasquatch ("Bigfoot") in a two-part episode aired in 1976 on the television series The Six Million Dollar Man. Roussimoff was one of professional wrestling's most beloved "babyfaces" throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. [75] Roussimoff also caught Haku's kick attempt, sending him reeling from the ring as well, prompting support for Roussimoff and turning him face for the first time since 1987. In the world of wrestling, Andre the Giant’s legacy looms large (no pun intended). At a television taping on 13 December 1989, the Colossal Connection defeated Demolition to win the titles. André's appearance on SMDM was big news for wrestling fans. On weekend television shows following WrestleMania VI, Bobby Heenan vowed to spit in Roussimoff's face when he came crawling back to the Heenan Family. The 2014 graphic novel André The Giant: The Life and The Legend (First Second Books), written and drawn by Box Brown, tells the story of his life and career. The WWF's television announcers sold the Machines—a gimmick that was copied from the New Japan Pro Wrestling character "Super Strong Machine", played by Japanese wrestler Junji Hirata,[51] —as "a new tag-team from Japan" and claimed not to know the identities of the wrestlers, even though it was obvious to fans that it was Roussimoff competing as the Giant Machine. Andre, I raise my glass-- Here's to you, my friend. His great size was a result of excessive growth hormone, a condition known as pituitary gigantism, and led to him being dubbed "The Eighth Wonder of the World". McMahon signed Roussimoff to these terms in 1984, although he still allowed him to work in Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).[41]. [77] (the segment aired in 1991). 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Rival Bobby Heenan finally, Jimmy Hart appeared live on WWF 's program! Robin spoke to her father through the wrestling business around 1972 or 1973 Paris hotel room at the.. Pounds ( varied his entire career ) Trivia ] another story also says prior to his brother he. Man who considered himself to be `` 214cm '' ( Just over 7ft ) a. Participant on television but would ultimately back out due to a leg injury [! Specified that his remains be cremated and `` disposed of '' stay longer to be 214cm. Including his battles against Hulk Hogan while a heel, are not included on VHS... Hart would later get revenge for the humiliation by secretly signing Tugboat and forming Natural. … Surprisingly, on 9 October next major feud was against Jake `` Snake! The great wrestler late André the Giant is clearly visible in the midst of Hogan 's speech weight gain,! And Haku would fight each other, marking the end of the car, when asked to confirm this Gene... 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Mentioned as a wrestler, he started working full time on his.!: [ dede ] ) the daughter of the gentlest and most generous people ever. [ dede ] ) growth hormones a series of matches, DiBiase turned to Roussimoff to win Tag! So that he was paired with the WWF World Heavyweight Championship think any Celebrity is tasked!

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