Andre the Giant

by Michael Krugman

  HULK HOGAN VS. TED DIBIASE (W/VIRGIL & ANDRÉ THE GIANT)

  André is announced as DiBiase’s second. Hogan clears the ring upon entry, swinging the belt to chase DiBiase and Virgil out. The bell rings; Hogan pulls DiBiase in and hammers away. He whips him into the ropes for a clothesline. An atomic drop bounces DiBiase over the top.

  DiBiase is tended to by his team, so Hogan comes out and cracks Virgil and the Million Dollar Man’s heads together. DiBiase gets up on the apron, and Hogan grabs his head and flips him into the ring. Virgil follows and gets the same treatment. Hogan whips DiBiase into a big boot, and then repeats the maneuver on the bodyguard. The ring cleared, Hogan points in André’s direction, challenging him to come in and get pressed.

  The heels pace the ring, but Hogan won’t take a neutral corner. Finally DiBiase gets in and they circle each other. They lock up; Hogan gets a headlock on DiBiase, trips him down, and applies a front face-lock. The ref breaks it, and DiBiase shoulderblocks Hulk against the ropes. Hogan goes outside and DiBiase follows, bashing the Hulk’s head onto the apron. DiBiase avoids a countout by rolling back in, and then goes to the apron to kick a kneeling Hogan in the skull. Hogan tries to climb back up, but takes another shot to the head. As he sits on the concrete, Virgil waves a few bills under his nose.

  “That’s not sportsmanship,” says commentator Mike McGuirk.

  DiBiase pulls Hogan through the middle ropes and nails him in the head. He stomps on the dazed champ’s head. Hogan rolls toward the apron, holding the second rope in his left hand. DiBiase repeatedly steps up on Hogan’s grip, landing with his other foot on Hulk’s head. He drops down and chokes the champ, breaking at Dave Hebner’s four-count, then resuming the hold.

  A red-faced Hogan gasps for breath. DiBiase whips Hulk to the ropes, but the champ reverses and hits a forearm smash that bounces DiBiase onto his head. Scoop slam is followed by a walk across DiBiase’s back, over and over until André grabs Hogan’s boot and trips him up. Hebner calls for the bell at 6:06 as debris begins flying.

  “André is so anxious to get at Hogan,” commentator Pete “The Duke of Dorchester” Doherty says, “he grabbed him. He just wants to tear him apart.”

  “The referee is awarding the match ...the referee has demanded that André the Giant leave the ring area and he has been fined $2,000 and ordered to leave the ring area.”

  André balks, but officials gather around him and force him to leave. The bell rings, and the match resumes. DiBiase goes to work on Hogan, twisting the champ’s nose and dropping him with blows. A trio of elbow drops sets Hogan reeling. DiBiase goes to the second turnbuckle and drops an elbow smash. Cover is made but only gets two. Hogan is whipped into a clothesline. DiBiase comes off the ropes and drives a fist into the champ’s forehead, then drops two more. Another cover, again only getting two before Hogan kicks out.

  The champ gets to his knees and shakes it off. DiBiase punches away, but Hogan begins hulking up. He gets to his feet, waves a finger in DiBiase’s face, catches the next fist, and begins returning blows. He whips DiBiase into a big boot. Virgil gets on the apron, and Hulk chokes him. DiBiase sees Hogan’s back turned and runs in to smash a forearm on the champ’s neck. Hulk slips out of the way and DiBiase nails Virgil, knocking him off the apron. Hogan rolls up DiBiase for the pinfall at 9:30.

  Hogan poses a bit, lifts Dave Hebner to a seat on the top turnbuckle, and challenges DiBiase to get back in. The Million Dollar Man considers it, and then grabs a steel chair. He tosses it in the ring, but Hogan catches it and takes a seat in the middle of the ring. DiBiase bangs on the apron in frustration as Hogan puts on his show.

  “Justice prevails,” McGuirk notes.

  The traditional practice in wrestling was to maintain some kind of verisimilitude on the road—for example, babyfaces should never be seen with heels, and teams that work together in the ring should travel together. Old-school to his core, André invited DiBiase and Virgil to travel along with him and Tim White in the custom André van. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all.

  TIM WHITE: “What a vanload that was, rolling down the highway.”

  TED DIBIASE: “I had a tremendous time with the guy. Traveling with André, you couldn’t buy anything. Nothing. We’d go somewhere to eat, he’d pick up the tab. We traveled a lot with Tim White. We had one of those great big conversion vans and Tim would drive, with me and André sitting in the back watching movies and drinking beer. It was a lot of fun.

  “He would take me to restaurants and bars that he frequented in New York or wherever we were. One night we worked the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Afterward we went back to the Marriott Hotel there at the airport and André was just in a really good mood. He orders a bottle of Dom Perignon, a hundred-dollar bottle of champagne. Before we got off the bar stool, he had ordered ten. We drank a thousand dollars’ worth of champagne that night, just because he felt like it.”

  TIM WHITE: “When André was in a bar, and this is old-school, but he’s the top guy, and if any of the guys come in the bar, he’d be insulted if they paid for a drink. He just wouldn’t hear of it. He bought for everybody.”

  With Saturday Night’s Main Event earning blockbuster ratings, NBC invited World Wrestling Federation to spin off the series with a live prime-time special. Dubbed The Main Event, the show would mark the first time professional wrestling had been on live national network television since the 1950s. Of course, only one match could headline such a momentous broadcast—the long-awaited rematch between André and Hogan, with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

  January 6, 1988: Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN

  “Wow, do I have some news for you,” Craig DeGeorge says, “on Friday night, February 5, live on nationwide television, World Wrestling Federation will present a bout of all bouts. Simply put, one of the greatest ever. For the first time since WrestleMania III, the Eighth Wonder of the World, André the Giant, will challenge the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion, Hulk Hogan.”

  André takes to the platform, holding on to Ted DiBiase’s shoulder for support. Virgil, as ever, counts cash.

  “Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man, I know you have an investment in all of this.”

  “Last year at WrestleMania III, all you people saw André the Giant put Hulk Hogan to the mat for a three-count in the first two minutes of the match, and then he was unjustly robbed of the match and the title. And just a couple of weeks ago, once again, you saw André the Giant choke Hogan all the way to the mat. That could’ve ended it right there. It could’ve all been over, but he didn’t. He didn’t.

  “Why? Why, because André wants the same thing that the Million Dollar Man wants. And on Friday, February 5, in Indianapolis, Indiana, in front of the whole world, everything will come true. I told you people that I always get what I want, and I want the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight title.

  “And you people thought that you couldn’t be bought. You don’t believe that the Million Dollar Man can buy everybody. I’ve had you on your knees, begging me for money, barking like dogs. And yet, each and every time, I’ve proven to all of you that you do indeed have a price for the Million Dollar Man. But you, Hogan, you thought that you would be the exception. You thought that you would be the exception to that rule. And I told you, Hogan, that by hook or by crook, I would get what I want! Because I always get what I want! And this is the hook! This is the hook that will deliver to me the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight title.

  “André, I know that you’re gonna beat Hogan. I know that you’re gonna win the match, but please tell me how! How are you gonna do it?”

  “DiBiase,” replies the Giant, “when I gon’ step in that ring, believe me, when I get out of that ring, I will be the World Champion! And the way I will do it, I will squeeze, Hogan, and squeeze and squeeze and squeeze, until the belt fell off of your waist, Hogan. And believe me, I’ll be more happy because I got millions of reasons to be happy. And I want to make this man happy too!
And then when I will pick up that belt, you want I going to do?”

  “What are you gonna do, André?”

  “Ha ha ha!”

  “What are you gonna do then?”

  “Ha ha ha! You want to know?”

  “Yes, André, I wanna know!”

  “I will present you that belt and pronounce you the World Champion, ha ha ha ha!”

  “Can you see it, Hogan? Can you see it right here? I will be the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion!”

  January 24, 1988: Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ONT

  ROYAL RUMBLE: THE MAIN EVENT TITLE MATCH CONTRACT SIGNING

  A table and chairs are set up in the center of the ring. André, DiBiase, and Virgil wait in one corner, Jack Tunney in another. Mean Gene has the mic, and the bell rings.

  “All right, ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment that millions of people all over the world, all around the globe, have been waiting for. The official signing for the bout that will be taking place on Friday night, February 5, in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship. I would like to introduce the man who will be defending his title on Friday night, February 5, the current World Wrestling Federation Champion, Hulk Hogan!”

  “Real American” plays as the crowd explodes to its collective feet. Hogan, wearing a white T-shirt and boots with sky-adorned tights, comes to the ring as André glares impassively. DiBiase puts his hands to his waist in the universal gesture for “I’m going to win that belt.” André, bored, leans back on the ropes as Hogan goes through his listening-to-the-fans ring entrance.

  “At this time,” Mean Gene resumes, “I would like to introduce the man who on Friday, February 5, will be challenging Hulk Hogan for the title, he is seven-foot-four-and-a-half, 425 pounds, André the Giant!”

  André stares at Hogan, hands in his pockets, gently bouncing back on the ropes.

  “With André tonight, the bodyguard, Virgil, for the Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase!”

  DiBiase holds his lapels and soaks in the boos. Hogan rubs his thumb and forefinger together, shaking his head to let DiBiase know that he has no interest in the Million Dollar Man’s cash.

  “At this time, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce

  Making The Main Event official.

  Face-off at the Royal Rumble.

  to you the esteemed president of World Wrestling Federation, the distinguished Jack Tunney. Mr. Tunney . . .”

  Okerlund and Tunney shake hands, as Mean Gene holds the mic for the president. “Thank you very much. Gentlemen, your respective representatives have studied thoroughly the contractual material, let’s get with it and sit down.”

  “All right, gentlemen,” Okerlund says, “if you’d please be seated, we can get the signatures affixed to the proper documents. President Tunney, with the contract. André, Mr. Rousimoff, if you’d be kind enough, sir, please be seated and we can get along with the business at hand.”

  Hogan joins Tunney at the table, but André stands stony, hands in his pockets.

  “Just a moment,” Mean Gene implores. “André the Giant, if you would be kind enough to please sit down. President Tunney?”

  “Yes, please. Will you sit down and sign the contract?”

  But André just rocks against the ropes, staring at Hogan.

  “I get the impression that we are playing mind games in anticipation of this big February 5, date in Indianapolis. I won’t ask again, but, André, please.”

  Finally, the Giant steps toward the table, then stops. After a pause, he proceeds, never letting go of his stare-down with Hogan. He stands at the table and stretches his hands, making fists, rubbing the palms together, and intertwining his thick fingers, as DiBiase chuckles.

  The crowd begins to chant the champion’s name, “Ho-gan! Ho-gan! Ho-gan!” At last, André pounds a fist upon the table and takes a seat, his eyes constantly on the Hulkster.

  “Now I believe we can get down to the business at hand,” Mean Gene says. “I believe Mr. Hogan’s signature goes on page two. . . .”

  DiBiase reaches for the mic. “Go ahead, go ahead, Hogan, sign it. Sign it. Why’re you hesitating? What are you waiting for? Are you having second thoughts, Hogan? Are you thinking maybe you should’ve accepted that generous offer I made? Why do you hesitate? You look a little nervous. This is what you wanted, isn’t it? You wanted to prove to all the Hulkamaniacs that your pride and your integrity means more to you than money! So why do you hesitate, Hogan? Are you getting cold feet? Are you thinking maybe that’s not just a contract for World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight title in front of you? No, Hogan, that’s a career-ending contract, and you know it! Because you know this man right here just about a year ago at WrestleMania III beat you, in just under three minutes, he beat you, Hogan! That’s it, sign it! Go ahead, sign it!”

  Shaking his head, Hogan puts pen to paper and signs the contract, shoving it at Tunney as he stares up at a gloating DiBiase. “You just signed your career away, Hogan, because as of February 5, this man will have all the money in the bank! That title will be bought and paid for around my waist! And you, you will be history!”

  The Million Dollar Man restores his hands to his lapels as he laughs heartily. Tunney places the contract before André.

  “All right,” says Mean Gene, attempting to restore order, “André the Giant, yet to affix his signature to the contract that will sign and seal the meeting of these two men for the first time since Wrestle-Mania III. André the Giant challenging Hulk Hogan on Friday night, February 5 in Indianapolis, for the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship.”

  André studies the contract as Hogan returns the pen to Tunney, who then attempts to pass it to the Giant. “Mr. Rousimoff, please.”

  André shows something in the document to DiBiase, who laughs. “That’s a little extra money. You know me, that’s just a little incentive money, ha ha ha!”

  “Apparently something in the contract being pointed out to André by the Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase,” Okerlund explains. Tunney continues to try to get André to sign, but the Giant holds up his hand. “He wants to take his time as he peruses the contractual materials. The preeminent title in all of professional sports today, the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship.”

  Hogan seethes with anger, and André further consults with DiBiase. “I don’t know what’s going on here. Ted DiBiase, you’ve had an opportunity to read this material through, this contract—”

  “Let me tell you something, little man!” the Million Dollar Man replies. “He can take all the time he wants! This man has waited for almost a year for this opportunity. He was robbed of this title just about a year ago, he can take his time, he is savoring the moment! You just hold the mic and shut up!”

  “Is there any kind of a problem, Mr. Tunney?”

  “There shouldn’t be.”

  “There’s nothing here that’s gonna prevent us from signing this contract here tonight, live in front of an audience all over the country?”

  “I certainly hope not.”

  André drops the documents onto the table and grins at Hogan. At last, he signs.

  “Finally, André the Giant is signing the contract for the big one, February 5, Friday night—”

  DiBiase grabs the mic again. “Now that you’ve signed the contracts, André, put your official stamp of approval on it!”

  The Giant rises, as does Hogan, who tosses his chair aside, knowing what is sure to follow. The two competitors lock eyes across the table. “Go ahead, André,” rants DiBiase, “put the official stamp of approval on it!”

  Hogan lunges for DiBiase, who backs away, giving André the chance to grab the champ’s shoulders and plant his face into the tabletop. He then flips the rather flimsy-looking table over onto Hulk, who sells while lying under the overturned furniture.

  “Ha, ha, ha! Look at your champion!” brags DiBiase, as André climbs out of the ring. “Look at him! Take a long, hard look
! Because that’s what you’re gonna see on February fifth!”

  He tosses the mic to the mat and joins André on the aisle. Hogan sits stunned as the crowd boos its disapproval, and then chants their hero upright.

  January 25, 1988: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

  TED DIBIASE & VIRGIL (W/ANDRÉ)

  VS. HULK HOGAN & BAM BAM BIGELOW

  Ring announcer Howard Finkel introduces DiBiase and Virgil by noting that “they make their winter residence in the Netherlands Antilles.”

  Vince McMahon—doing his first commentary in five years, subbing for Gorilla Monsoon, who had suffered a minor heart attack— calls André “the most awesome creature that walks the face of this Earth today.”

  DiBiase and Virgil put the boots to Hogan and Bigelow immediately, but the babyfaces get up and manage to knock the heels’ heads together. DiBiase is sent into the ropes for a double boot. Hogan stands over him, tears off his shirt, and throws the belt to the mat. He takes DiBiase around the ring, smashing his head into the buckles. Bam Bam places his big bald noggin on the buckle, and Hogan slams DiBiase’s head into it. The Million Dollar Man finally falls flat on his face. Hogan lifts him up, chops him hard, whips him into the buckle for a clothesline. Again, DiBiase goes face-first to the canvas.

  Hogan grabs DiBiase’s hair and grinds his face into the canvas. Bigelow is tagged in, and the beatdown on DiBiase continues, with a big clothesline followed by headbutts and elbows. Tag is made, and Hogan comes in with a boot to DiBiase’s midsection. The Million Dollar Man goes down, and Hogan walks across him, stepping on his back. He lifts DiBiase up, sends him into the ropes, barely connects with an elbow to the forehead, but DiBiase sells it anyway. He gets up, and Hogan punches him into Bigelow’s corner. Their faces ping-pong DiBiase with shots to the forehead, but the Million Dollar Man eventually drops. He rolls back against the corner and begs Hogan for mercy. Hulk stomps his midsection, while André protests from outside.