FULL SEGMENT: Ricky Saints signs his NXT contract: NXT, Feb. 18, 2025Ricky Saints signs his NXT contract despite chaos caused by Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans and Wes Lee. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT02/18/2025 - 21:29
Ricky Steamboat’s dad once attacked his opponent?!: A&E Biography: Legends — Ricky SteamboatRicky “The Dragon” Steamboat recalls the time his dad grabbed a steel chair and attempted to come to his rescue during his match against Ernie Ladd.Watch Biography: Legends featuring Ricky Steamboat tomorrow at 8/7C on A&E on WWE Superstar Sunday. Stream WWE on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else.05/30/2024 - 12:57
Ernie Ladd brutally punishes Bill Irwin (WWE Network Hidden Gem)WWE Hall of Famer Ernie Ladd shows no remorse against Bill Irwin in Georgia Championship Wrestling action from Aug. 12, 1978: Courtesy of WWE Network.04/15/2019 - 17:53
Ernie Ladd gets heated with Vince McMahon: All-Star Wrestling, January 7, 1976 (WWE Network Exclusive)Ernie Ladd targets Bruno Sammartino and other Superstars before turning his vitriol toward Vince McMahon: Courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.03/02/2018 - 11:46
Celebrating Black History: 2018 (WWE Network Collection intro)Get a preview of the "Celebrating Black History: 2018" collection, available now on the award-winning WWE Network.01/29/2018 - 13:00
WWE honors Black History Month 2015: Ernie Ladd tributeWWE pays homage to Ernie Ladd and others who have paved the way for African-American athletes.02/02/2015 - 23:25
Greatest Superstars Who Played Football: WWE Top 10, January 31, 2015From the gridiron to the ring, check out these football stars who made it in Sports Entertainment, including Brian Pillman, Ernie Ladd, Goldberg, and more.01/22/2015 - 18:39
Ernie Ladd runs down the entire WWE roster: All-Star Wrestling, January 10, 1976Ernie Ladd runs down the entire WWE roster including Bruno Sammartino.04/24/2014 - 15:30
WWE honors Black History Month: Ernie Ladd tributeWWE pays homage to Ernie Ladd and others who have paved the way for African-American athletes.02/03/2014 - 23:33
"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd: 1995 WWE Hall of Fame InducteeErnie Ladd, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995, used a tough upbringing and his NFL experience to develop the ability to compete at the highest levels of WWE during his storied career.02/10/2012 - 13:34
FULL MATCH: The Shield vs. John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus: Elimination Chamber 2013The Shield come up against fierce competition as they look to show dominance over John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus.02/10/2025 - 10:30
FULL MATCH: CM Punk defends WWE Title inside Elimination Chamber: Elimination Chamber 2012CM Punk defends the WWE Title inside the gruesome Elimination Chamber against The Miz, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler and R-Truth.11/30/2023 - 16:32
Full NXT highlights: Feb. 18, 2025Check out all the action from NXT, featuring an epic contract signing, a Six-Woman Tag Team Match and more. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT02/18/2025 - 23:09
Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer & Jordynne Grace defeat Fatal Influence: NXT highlights, Feb. 18, 2025NXT Women’s Champion Giulia teams with NXT Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer and Jordynne Grace to battle Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT02/18/2025 - 22:27
TNA’s Moose is coming for Oba Femi and the NXT Championship: NXT exclusive, Feb. 18, 2025TNA X-Division Champion Moose has his eyes set on Oba Femi after his shocking arrival in NXT. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more.02/18/2025 - 21:49
Ashante “Thee” Adonis sends a message on Karmen Petrovic’s behalf: NXT exclusive, Feb. 18, 2025Ashante “Thee” Adonis gives an update on Karmen Petrovic’s status and about her future match against Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more.02/18/2025 - 21:38
Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson: NXT highlights, Feb. 18, 2025Sol Ruca and Zaria once again team together to take on Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT02/18/2025 - 21:34
FULL SEGMENT: Ricky Saints signs his NXT contract: NXT, Feb. 18, 2025Ricky Saints signs his NXT contract despite chaos caused by Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans and Wes Lee. Catch WWE action on Netflix, Peacock, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT02/18/2025 - 21:29
Ricky Steamboat’s dad once attacked his opponent?!: A&E Biography: Legends — Ricky SteamboatRicky “The Dragon” Steamboat recalls the time his dad grabbed a steel chair and attempted to come to his rescue during his match against Ernie Ladd.Watch Biography: Legends featuring Ricky Steamboat tomorrow at 8/7C on A&E on WWE Superstar Sunday. Stream WWE on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else.05/30/2024 - 12:57
Very few athletes reach the pinnacle of one sport, let alone two, but Louisiana's own Ernie Ladd is one of those special few to master multiple arenas. A dominating football player before transitioning into sports-entertainment, Ladd used his size, strength and natural talent to become a force both on the gridiron and in the squared circle.
A star defensive lineman for Louisiana's Grambling State University in the late 1950s, the 6-foot-9, 300-plus pound Ladd was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 1961 AFL Draft. Over seven AFL seasons with the Chargers, Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs, Ladd became a four-time AFL All-Star and appeared in three AFL Championship Games, winning titles in 1963 (Chargers) and 1967 (Chiefs). Although he was one of the largest players of his era, Ladd had amazing quickness for a man his size, earning the nickname "Big Cat" as a result.
As dominant as he was on the gridiron, Ladd found his second calling while still playing for the Chargers. As a publicity stunt, some San Diego-area wrestlers challenged the Big Cat to a private workout session in the ring, and that's where he found his second passion.
Ladd soon began competing part time in the Los Angeles promotion during the football offseason. Due to his notoriety as a pro football player, Ladd quickly became one of sports-entertainment's hottest draws and was eagerly sought out by promoters across the nation. As if his mainstream name wasn't enough, Ladd also caught mat fans' attention by becoming one of the sport's most despised villains, often stirring up crowds with his cocky and colorful interviews and through the use of his infamous taped thumb.
The Big Cat first made his way to WWE in 1968, and the company would become his home base for the next decade. Managed by the Grand Wizard, he was a persistent challenger to WWE Champions Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund, although he never won the title. His rivalries with fellow behemoths Andre the Giant, Haystacks Calhoun and especially Gorilla Monsoon are also legendary in their own right. After leaving WWE in 1980, Ladd spent the final few years of his career in the Mid-South region, where he once managed fellow Hall of Famers Afa & Sika, The Wild Samoans. When he finally retired in 1986, Ladd had amassed numerous championships all over the United States and Puerto Rico to go with his two AFL Championships.
Long a supporter of the Republican Party, Ladd transitioned into politics following his retirement. A friend of the Bush family since the 1960s, Ladd campaigned for both Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, with the junior Bush making Ladd a special deputy to his Presidential Inaugural Committee. In addition to his political activity, Ladd was part of a Christian ministry that provided services to prison inmates, and even owned his own restaurant -- Big Cat Ernie Ladd's Throwdown BBQ -- in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina devastated the "Big Easy" in 2005.
Having already been inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame in 1981, Ladd added one more accolade to his resume when he was called to the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995. Ladd was inducted by long-time colleague Bobo Brazil, whom the Big Cat had himself inducted one year earlier.
Unfortunately, Ladd was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. On March 10, 2007, the Big Cat lost his three-year battle with the disease, passing away in his native Louisiana at the age of 68. Though gone, he will never be forgotten, as Ernie Ladd made a name for himself in every field he chose to endeavor into.