Andre The Giant

[Andre The Giant GALLERY]
[Heenan Family Gallery]
[The Machines Gallery]

[Colossal Connection] [Heenan Family]

Check out Andre the Giant’s WWE Alumni profile hee!

Title History

• IWA Tag Team titles w/Michael Nador (1970);
• Austral-Asian Tag Team titles w/Ron Miller;
• NWA (Tri-State) United States Tag Team titles w/Dusty Rhodes ();
• Florida Tag Team titles w/Dusty Rhodes;
• WWF Heavyweight title defeating Hulk Hogan (February 5, 1988);
• WWF World Tag Team titles w/Haku defeating Demolition (December 13, 1989);
• WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Hall of Fame Inductee (1993);
• OnlineWorldofWrestling.com Hall of Fame Inductee (2002);

Career Highlights

In The Beginning – Family:

• May 19, 1946: Andre Rene Rousimoff was born is Grenouble, France to two parents who were both over six feet tall.
• Andre Rene Rousimoff suffered from acromegaly, or “giantism”, a endocrynological disorder.
• ~~~It causes the body to secrete excessive amounts of growth hormones and produces continual growth.
• ~~~It especially effects the head, hands, and feet.
• ~~~Andre reportedly inherited the disease from his grandfather, a Bulgarian who stood 7’8″!
• Andre Rousimoff left home at the tender age of 14, stood 6’3″ and weighed over 200 pounds!
• Andre Rousimoff worked at a furniture store in Paris, France until he was seventeen.
• Andre Rousimoff trained with the French wrestling champion Frank Valois.

Getting Into The Wrestling Business:

• 1970: Andre Rousimoff won the IWA Tag Team titles with Michael Nador.
• 1971: Andre Rousimoff wrestled in Montreal under the name “Jean Ferre” and in Japan as “Monster Roussimoff”.
• Andre Rousimoff won the Austral-Asian Tag Team Titles with Ron Miller in Australia.

World Wide Wrestling Federation + Various Territories:

• Frank Valois, acting as his manager, set up a meeting with World Wide Wrestling Federation promoter Vince McMahon, Sr.
• 1973: Andre Rousimoff debuted in the famous venue Madison Square Garden as “Andre the Giant”.
• Andre The Giant slowly made his way through virtually every regional promotion in the country.
• Andre The Giant soon became the largest box-office attraction the sport has ever known.
• March 22, 1974 – NWA in Los Angeles: Andre The Giant beat Great Goliath and Black Gordman in a handicap match.
• 1976: Andre The Giant was perfectly cast as “Bigfoot” for two highly rated episodes of “The Six Million Dollar Man”.
• June 25, 1976 – AWA Chicago Stadium: Andre the Giant defeated Chuck Wepner by CO in a “Boxer vs Wrestler” Match.
• Andre The Giant teamed with Dusty Rhodes to win the NWA United States (Tri-State) Tag Team Titles.
• The site of the very first Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant match was the old Houston Farm Center in Dothan, AL.
• June 22, 1980: Dory Funk Jr. and Andre The Giant and Brian Blair beat James J. Dillon and The Spoiler and Skandor Akbar in Tulsa, OK.
• February 15, 1981: Andre The Giant and Dusty Rhodes also won the Florida Tag Team Titles.
• 1981: Andre The Giant had his ankle broken by Killer Kahn (not legitimate) during a match.
• ~~~The injury was an excuse for Andre to disappear and have needed surgery.
• September 12, 1982 – NJPW: Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan by Countout after hitting Hogan with the ring bell making him bleed.
• ~~~After the match; Hulk Hogan bodyslammed Andre the Giant!

World Wrestling Federation:

• Andre The Giant landed a starring role in the very successful film “The Princess Bride” as the gentle giant character Fezzik.
• Andre The Giant was the first wrestler ever to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
• November 13, 1984: Big John Studd and Ken Patera defeated Andre The Giant and Special Delivery Jones in a tag team match.
• ~~~After the match, Studd and Patera shocked the wrestling world by cutting off pieces of Andre’s trademark hair!
• ~~~The Giant first disposed of Ken Patera, easily beating him in a Madison Square Garden match.
• March 31, 1985 – WrestleMania 1: Andre The Giant defeated Big John Studd w/Bobby Heenan in a Body Slam Challenge.
• October 5, 1985 – SNME: King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd defeated Andre the Giant and Tony Atlas by disqualification.
• November 2, 1985 – SNME: Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant defeated King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd by disqualification.
• April 5, 1986 – WrestleMania 2: Andre The Giant won a 20-Man Invitational Battle Royal which included NFL players.

World Wrestling Federation – The Machines:

• 1986: Andre was “suspended” by “President Jack Tunney” for no-showing matches against the Heenan Family (storyline).
• ~~~This was all just an excuse to take Andre off of Television to undergo surgery to repair his injured back.
• ~~~Andre had surgery to releive pressure on his spine and was thereafter forced to wear a back brace when he wrestled.
• 1986: Andre returned to the WWF, under a mask, with a pair of partners, in a team known as The Machines.
• ~~~Giant, Big and Super Machine were billed from the Orient and came to the USA to become the #1 Tag Team in the World!
• ~~~Bobby Heenan and his Heenan Family went on a mission to expose the “Giant Machine” as Andre The Giant.
• August 28, 1986 – The Big Event: Bundy and Studd and Heenan beat Lou Albano and The Machines w/Giant Machine by disqualification.
• The Machines were never exposed, and they turned into a comedy act, and eventually faded away from TV.
• September 13, 1986 – Superstars: The Machines (Big Machine, Giant Machine & Super Machine) defeated Al Navarro, JJ Jackson & Rick Hunter.
• September 21, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: The Machines (Big Machine, Giant Machine & Super Machine) defeated Al Navarro, JJ Jackson & Tiger Chung Lee.

World Wrestling Federation – Heel:

• 1987: Andre the Giant returned again to the WWF, and ended up joining Bobby Heenan, and challenged Hulk Hogan for WM3!
• Wrestlemania III: Hulk Hogan defeated Andre The Giant in front of the largest card ever held in the United States.
• ~~~Andre the Giant reportedly drank fourteen bottles of wine before his match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III.
• November 26, 1987 – Survivor Series: Andre The Giant, Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy, Rick Rude & The One Man Gang defeated Bam Bam Bigelow, Don Muraco, Hulk Hogan, Ken Patera & Paul Orndorff in a tag team elimination match.
• February 5, 1988 – The Main Event: Andre defeated Hulk Hogan after one of two twin referees made an illegal count on the Hulk.
• ~~~Andre The Giant then “sold” the WWF World championship belt to “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.
• March 12, 1988 – Saturday Night Main Event: Andre The Giant defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in a dark match.
• April 2, 1988 – Superstars: Andre The Giant vs. Brian Costello ended in a no contest.
• June 18, 1988 – Superstars: Andre The Giant & Rick Rude defeated Jake Roberts & Jim Duggan in a dark match.
• June 25, 1988 – MSG Network: Andre The Giant defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
• July 23, 1988 – Superstars: Andre The Giant defeated Jim Duggan in a dark match.
• July 24, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Andre The Giant defeated Jim Duggan in a dark match.
• July 25, 1988 – MSG Network: Andre The Giant defeated Jim Duggan in a lumberjack match.
• July 31, 1988 – WrestleFest: Hulk Hogan defeated Andre The Giant in a steel cage match.
• August 14, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Andre The Giant defeated Jim Duggan in a dark match.
• August 29, 1988 – SummerSlam: The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage) defeated The Mega Bucks (Andre The Giant & Ted DiBiase).
• September 2-3, 1988 – House Show: Andre The Giant defeated Jim Duggan.
• October 15-16, 1988 – House Show: Andre The Giant defeated Tito Santana.
• October 24, 1988 – MSG Network: Randy Savage defeated Andre The Giant by disqualification to retain the world title.
• November 24, 1988 – Survivor Series: Andre The Giant, Dino Bravo, Harley Race, Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude defeated Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, Ken Patera, Scott Casey & Tito Santana in a tag team elimination match.
• November 26, 1988 – Saturday Night Main Event: Randy Savage vs. Andre The Giant ended in a double disqualification. Savage retains the world title.

World Wrestling Federation – The Colossal Connection:

• 1989: Andre began teaming with Haku as the Colossal Connection managed by Bobby “the Brain” Heenan.
• January 15, 1989 – Royal Rumble: Andre The Giant was in the royal rumble match won by Big John Studd.
• February 25, 1989 – Superstars: Andre The Giant defeated Jim Powers & Tito Santana in a handicap match.
• April 2, 1989 – WrestleMania V: Jake Roberts defeated Andre The Giant by disqualification.
• June 10, 1989 – MSG Network: Hillbilly Jim defeated Andre The Giant by disqualification.
• July 10, 1989 – MSG Network: Hillbilly Jim & King Duggan defeated Andre The Giant & Haku.
• August 28, 1989 – SummerSlam: Demolition (Ax & Smash) & King Duggan defeated Andre The Giant & The Twin Towers (Akeem & The Big Boss Man).
• September 30, 1989 – MSG Network: The Ultimate Warrior defeated Andre The Giant by disqualification to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 28, 1989 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Chuck Casey & Mike Williams.
• October 28, 1989 – MSG Network: The Ultimate Warrior defeated Andre The Giant to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 29, 1989 – Wrestling Challenge: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Chuck Coates & Paul Roma.
• November 19, 1989 – Wrestling Challenge: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Brian Johnson & Mike Powell.
• November 23, 1989 – Survivor Series: The Ultimate Warriors (Jim Neidhart, Marty Jannetty, Shawn Michaels & The Ultimate Warrior) defeated The Heenan Family (Andre The Giant, Arn Anderson, Bobby Heenan & Haku) in a ta team elimination match.
• November 25, 1989 – Saturday Night Main Event: The Ultimate Warrior defeated Andre The Giant by disqualification to retain the Intercontinental title.
• November 25, 1989 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Ray Oakley & Todd Becker.
• December 10, 1989 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Al Burke & Mike Shelton.
• December 23, 1989 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Burt Todd & Frankie DeFalco.
• December 30, 1989 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Demolition (Ax & Smash) to win the tag team titles.
• December 28, 1989 – MSG Network: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Demolition (Ax & Smash) by count-out to retain the tag titles.
• January 21, 1990 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Butch Stanley & Lynn Wagner to retain the tag team titles.
• January 21, 1990 – Royal Rumble: Andre The Giant was in the royal rumble match won by Hulk Hogan.
• February 24, 1990 – Superstars: The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) defeated Al Burke & Scott Fulton to retain the tag team titles.
• ~~~The Colossal Connection defeated Demolition to win the WWF Tag Team titles.
• ~~~WrestleMania VI: Demolition (Ax and Smash) defeated Andre The Giant and Haku to win back the WWF Tag Team titles.
• ~~~After the match, Andre The Giant split from Haku and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
• April 13, 1990 – WWF/AJPW Wrestling Summit: Giant Baba and Andre the Giant defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash).
• Various managers including Johnny V, Mr. Fuji, Bobby Heenan, and Jimmy Hart attemped to sign Andre to a contract.
• Jimmy Hart came the closes but Andre publically refused to join his group and was then attacked by Earthquake!

Andre The Legend:

• 1992: Andre The Giant had undergone extensive knee surgery and became increasingly overweight and immobile.
• December 1992: Andre The Giant continued to wrestle, however, appearing for the last time on a card in Japan.
• Andre’s last public (wrestling show) appearance was at the celebration for 20 years of NWA/WCW wrestling on TBS.

The Death of the Giant:

• January 27, 1993: Andre Rene Roussimoff (Andre The Giant) died of a heart attack in a hotel room in Paris.
• ~~~Andre The Giant (age 46) was in town attending the funeral of his father just two weeks before his own death.

Some Information You May Not Know:

• Washington Redskins head coach George Allen once offered Andre the Giant a contract to play professional football.
• ~~~Washington Post article: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/03/andre_the_giant_never_tried_ou.html
• Andre The Giant was often considered the “Uncrowned World Champion” of professional wrestling.
• Andre The Giant was known consuming 119 bottles of beer in one legendary sitting!
• Andre The Giant was probably the most recognizable figure in wrestling history.
• Andre The Giant was probably six feet eleven inches tall, though he was advertised as seven feet four inches.
• Andre The Giant weighed close to five hundred pounds and was famous for his immense capacity for alcohol and food.
• Andre The Giant was once estimated that he consumed 7,000 calories a day in alcohol alone.
• Andre The Giant, who never married, lived most of the year on a 200-acre ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.There is a Canadian woman named Jean Christensen who claims to have been the wife of Andre the Giant. The claim is they were married in Canada but it was never registered in the United States. Andre’s friends always said he never married, although Christensen is most definitely the mother of Andre’s only child, a 6-foot-tall daughter born in 1981 and almost never saw her father. Andre always denied she was his daughter, although the resemblance was obvious, but eventually a paternity test in a child support case proved it. If Ms. Christensen or her daughter ever see this profile, we would be thrilled to hear from you at the email address below. Thank you very much.
• Anonymous responded: Jean Christensen was American, born in Seattle, Washington. She never held a Canadian citizenship. Andre’s daughter Robin was concieved in Canada, most likely Vancouver, BC in a one night stand. Jean and Andre were never married in Canada or the United States. If you research Canadian common-law marriage laws, a one night stand is not considered “married”- common-law or otherwise. There was no effort on Andre’s part to co-habit with Jean and he never did. Ms. Christensen died September 2, 2008 after a short bout with colon cancer.
• May 29, 2006 – RAW: “This Week in Wrestling History” featured a nostalgic look back at the legendary Andre The Giant.

World Wrestling Entertainment:

• 2013: WWE unveils a new Andre the Giant statue at their corproate headquarters in Stamford, CT.
• April 6, 2014: WWE will host an Andre the Giant memorial 30-man Battle Royal at Wrestlemania XXX in New Orleans, LA.

Dave Meltzer wrote (2010): Over the weekend I went to my wrestling library and got the 1970 published “Mick McManus wrestling book,” basically to read about British stars from that era. There was a few pages about Farmer Jean Ferre from France. This would be Andre at 24, who at the time was said to be 6-10 and 350 pounds. He was muscular at that size, with a giant head that would have set him apart if he stood next to someone like Kevin Nash. He was already a big attraction in France. It told stories on how much he ate, and mentioned he had a brother in wrestling who was almost as big as he was, who wrestled in France, Antonine, who was 6-7. I never heard of Andre’s brother being a wrestler or if it was a working brother. For what it’s worth, they never claimed the story then about the 7-8 grandfather which Andre would tell in the 80s, although attempts to corroborate such a grandfather existed always ended up finding nothing.