On April 10, HBO will officially premiere a highly awaited documentary of mythical, gargantuan, thunderous body-slamming proportions which meticulously details the unmistakable life and immortal times of unquestionably the most bankable Professional Wrestler of his golden generation.
A globally revered and uber-feared, instantly recognizable pop culture megastar who remained undefeated in the dazzling squared circle for 15 consecutive years from 1972 until 1987. “The Princess Bride” Hollywood movie star, a once in a lifetime and larger-than-life towering behemoth of an attraction who consistently sold-out high-profile arenas and stadiums around the entire globe wherever he main evented.
He is a man who was a bona fide champion everywhere he went both domestically and around the entire world and a man who fought the legendary Chuck Wepner in a high-profile Professional Wrestler versus Professional Boxer bout in a well-documented slugging boxing brawl – “The Eighth Wonder of the World”, the 7″4 477 pound, WWE Hall of Famer, André The Giant.
The incomparable André The Giant’s mesmerizing life story and legendary tales of being the biggest alcoholic in history (the France-born superstar drank a reported 156 beers in one sitting) took on a life of its own 25 years thereafter the dominant giant’s untimely demise in 1993, coupled alongside unforgettable stories of excreting in hotel bath tubs and showers, the much-talked about modified vehicles to fit André The Giant’s massive, broad frame courtesy of the superstar not being able to travel via airplane.
André The Giant suffered from gigantism which was evident in the vastly bulky girth of the icons humongous hands, peculiarly shaped big head, unhuman sized feet and big anatomy; André The Giant resided on a farm in North Carolina and was very sensitive contrary to popular belief as young children would either stare, cry or point at him with joy or malice whenever they saw him. André The Giant was his generations Terrible Ted the wrestling bear albeit in a circus show of a business which took great toll on his body, whilst spending time away from his family and forging a family of his own – the brotherhood in Professional Wrestling.
Moreover, the proclaimed immovable object, André The Giant had a hungerous, gigantic appetite for dining as much as drinking (André The Giant once drank 16 bottles of wine before a 20-man Battle Royal match), which witnessed the gigantic mountain of a man consume 12 full steaks and 15 lobsters in one singular restaurant sitting. André The Giant’s farts lasted 15-30 seconds according to many professional wrestlers, including Jake “The Snake” Roberts who vouched of André The Giant’s farting myths.
André The Giant’s irrepressible physical strength and dominance was also legendary on various levels, allegedly turning over a vehicle (engine included) with four individuals inside, whilst also avidly competing with Wilt Chamberlain in a contest to lift another record-breaking, atlas of a man – Former Mr. Olympia and pop culture icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
André The Giant would cordially refer to fellow professional wrestlers as “boss” as he highly respected their drawing ability as much as his own as they were doing business with him, which meant that the giant could put a meal on his table and enjoy his life; André The Giant become a lifelong favorite of the McMahon family and often lived life to the fullest because he knew that he was not granted a lengthy life due to suffering from gigantism. André The Giant found solace in Professional Wrestling and through the business found fortune, fame, family and friendships as opposed to being ostracized and an anamoly.
As a very young child, Stephanie McMahon was a very good friend of André The Giant and an adolescent Dwayne Johnson was also invited into the locker room thereafter shows and often spoke with André The Giant courtesy of André The Giant being a respectful custodian of the history of the professional wrestling business, thus respecting the heritage and contributions of both the Johnson and Anoa’i family.
In addition, Stephanie McMahon’s grandfather Vincent J. McMahon Sr adored André The Giant as did Vincent J. McMahon’s son Vincent K. McMahon Jr due to André The Giant being an asset to the business; “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan was scared to death of André The Giant and during their epic battle at WWE WrestleMania III, the patriotic, muscled-up and ear-cupping Hogan unceremoniously tore a muscle in his back which subsequently plagued The Hulkster for many years thereafter.
André The Giant at the very peak of his amazing powers throughout the 1970s and early 1980s had no contemporary, no colleague and no equal in terms of his tremendous drive to be the best giant the business had ever witnessed. The iconic Giant Baba in Japan was arguably the best big man during that particular timeframe in Professional Wrestling although he was not a giant in stature like that of André The Giant.
WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most legitimately toughest men to ever lace up a pair of professional wrestling boots Harley Race made history in 1978 in becoming the first-ever Professional Wrestler to bodyslam André The Giant; a feat which Hogan later boasted about for decades following following the bodyslam which shooked the entire world at WWE WrestleMania III inside the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.
In HBO’s must-see “Andre The Giant” documentary which airs on April 10, all will finally be revealed from those who knew and worked with the legendary pop culture icon. HBO’s “Andre The Giant” will no doubt deliver an earth-shaking rude awakening which will continue to set the standard of professional wrestling documentaries.
HBO’s “Andre The Giant” (Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_jTeuajas0
