Boogeyman feels the pressure against Big Daddy V at Philips Arena in Atlanta on September 18, 2007, as Big Daddy V shows no fear in a brutal grudge match against his opponent.
The 25 best big men ever!
May 13, 2010
The bigger they are, the harder they hit. At least that's true of the 25 men on this list. From towering giants to earthshaking behemoths, these Superstars possess uncommon size and strength backed by the power and ability to win. What makes a giant? For the purpose of this Top 25, it's a Superstar who is either 6-foot-7 and up or more than 300 pounds. Many of them are both. All of them are destroyers.
25
Big Daddy V
He's gone by many different names in WWE, but whether this 1995 King of the Ring winner obliterated opponents as Mabel, Viscera or, most recently, Big Daddy V, one label always applies - intimidator. Under the tutelage of Matt Striker, Big Daddy V entered ECW in 2007, lording over the Land of the Extreme by dominating fierce opponents such as The Boogeyman and Tommy Dreamer. When you weigh nearly 500 pounds, this isn't exactly difficult to do.
24
Mike Awesome
Weighing in at nearly 300 pounds, Mike Awesome was feared in squared circles as far-reaching as Japan before he became an ECW Champion in the late '90s. Following a successful stint in WCW, Awesome made his WWE debut in 2001, quickly becoming Hardcore Champion. The gladiator's most lasting impression was made in an emotionally charged bout with Masato Tanaka at One Night Stand in 2005. During the confrontation, he Awesome Bombed his longtime rival through a table as chants of "This match rules" echoed throughout New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom.
23
Haystacks Calhoun
A household name at the peak of his popularity, Haystacks Calhoun's uncommon girth made him a major box-office attraction throughout the 1950s and '60s. Born in Arkansas in 1934, the 600-pounder stayed true to his farm boy roots during his career, sporting a white T-shirt and blue overalls in his battles with the likes of Mr. Fuji and Happy Humphrey. This unique look made the behemoth a sensation in many different promotions, but his biggest success in WWE came in 1973 when he captured the World Tag Team Championships with Tony Garea, making him the heaviest man to ever hold that title.
22
Kamala the Ugandan Giant
Hailing from the wilds of Africa, the bizarre Superstar known as Kamala used his 375-pound frame and unorthodox offense to intimidate and destroy opponents in both WWE and WCW. Always barefoot with war paint all over his body, the Ugandan Giant competed in many twisted bouts, including a Steel Cage Match with Andre the Giant and a Coffin Match with Undertaker during his lengthy career. Kamala's most memorable moment, however, occurred outside the ring when he ate a live chicken on WWE's Tuesday Night Titans. No wonder opponents were afraid to step in the ring with him.
21
One Man Gang
The name says it all. A near 500-pound hard hitter from the mean streets of Chicago, One Man Gang was an army unto himself. Standing at 6-foot-9 with his hair shaved into a wild Mohawk, Gang's appearance was intimidating enough, but it was his 747 Splash that opponents truly feared. From his early days in the legendary World Class Championship Wrestling to his time in WWE under the tutelage of Slick, the powerhouse left behind a long line of victims. Gang would shock the WWE Universe in 1988 when he underwent a personality crisis and became Akeem, but the giant's considerable size never went away.
20
The Great Khali
If you haven't seen The Great Khali in person then you truly haven't experienced the awe-inspiring mass that is the Punjabi Titan. Standing at a dizzying 7-foot-3 and weighing 420-pounds, the Indian-born goliath is one of the few giants who can back his size up with serious muscle. An award-winning powerlifter before stepping in the ring, Khali debuted in WWE in 2006 and immediately set his sights on big dogs like Undertaker and John Cena. Luckily for those men, the former World Heavyweight Champion has become a friendlier Superstar in recent years, because no one can stop Khali when he's focused.
19
King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy liked making statements. That's why the 445-pound mountain of a man would demand that the official count to five after Bundy had flattened an opponent with his devastating Avalanche splash. Often referred to as a "walking condominium" by Gorilla Monsoon, the Atlantic City-native made history when he pinned S.D. Jones at the inaugural WrestleMania in nine seconds. The following year, Bundy would experience yet another milestone in his career when he battled WWE Champion Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 2 in a Steel Cage Match. Bundy never captured the title, but his size and aggression made him a serious danger in the ring.
18
Bruiser Brody
Considered by many to be the most dangerous and unpredictable brawler of all time, Bruiser Brody battled his way across the globe throughout the 1970s and early '80s, leaving behind a path of destruction that few Superstars have equaled. Revered in Japan for his wild matches with the likes of Abdullah the Butcher and Terry Funk, Brody is best remembered by WWE fans for his gory battles with legendary WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino, which cemented his reputation as a serious tough guy who was willing to do anything to win. This mix of size and smarts earned the big man the moniker of the "intelligent monster."
17
Umaga
Dubbed "The Samoan Bulldozer," this relentless tattooed titan debuted in WWE in 2006, utterly flattening his opponents as he set his sights on top Superstars such as John Cena and Triple H. Armed with his sadistic Samoan Spike and surprising agility given his nearly 400-pound frame, this former Intercontinental Champion is remembered as one of the most dangerous Superstars in WWE history.
16
Big John Studd
A major basketball star in his youth, Big John Studd entered professional wrestling under the tutelage of fellow giant Killer Kowalski in the mid-70s. A legitimate 7-foot-1, Studd had the mass of an NFL linebacker with hands like baked hams. This size would help the Los Angeles-native in his many battles with Andre the Giant throughout the mid-80s. The crowning moment of Studd's career, however, came in 1989 when he won the second-ever Royal Rumble. This huge win was one of the many reasons the enormous grappler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
15
Rikishi
The 400-plus pound Samoan emerged in WWE as one-half of the Headshrinkers, but it wasn't until he joined forces with Too Cool in 1999 that this bleached blonde behemoth endeared himself to WWE fans everywhere with his funky dance moves and fun-loving attitude. But Rikishi's success extended beyond the dance floor. During his career he captured the World Tag Team Championship, the Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship. Still, he is perhaps best known for using his dimpled posterior to humiliate opponents with his signature maneuver, the Stink Face.
14
Earthquake
A successful sumo wrestler in Japan before making the move to sports-entertainment, the massive Earthquake first built his reputation as a destructive force in the Land of the Rising Sun before making his way to WWE. Weighing almost 500 pounds, Earthquake would literally shake the ring when he stomped on the mat. His Earthquake Splash was even more destructive, squashing everything from Hulk Hogan's ribcage to Jake Roberts' python, Damien. Quake's size doubled in the '90s when he formed The Natural Disasters with Typhoon, capturing the World Tag Team Championships and flattening countless competitors.
13
Killer Kowalski
A perennial contender to Bruno Sammartino's WWE Championship throughout the 1960s and '70s, the reviled villain known as Killer Kowalski left an indelible mark in the minds of the WWE Universe thanks to his bloodthirsty attitude and his fearsome size. Standing at 6-foot-7 during a time when big men were a rarity, Killer earned repute as a dangerous competitor in 1952 when he tore off the ear of Yukon Eric. The reputation would follow him through his lengthy career. Even after he retired, Kowalski continued to influence the industry through the training of future legends like Big John Studd and Triple H.
12
Bam Bam Bigelow
Often touted by Bret "Hit Man" Hart as the most talented big man in wrestling history, Bam Bam Bigelow was one of the rare behemoths who could literally throw his weight around. Surprisingly agile for a near 400-pounder, The Beast from the East used his massive frame to achieve success in WWE, WCW and other promotions all across the globe. The tattooed New Jersey-native once disposed of King Kong Bundy and One Man Gang in the same match and battled in the main event of WrestleMania XI, but his biggest victory came in ECW when he won that promotion's championship.
11
Sid
At 6-foot-9, 309 pounds, Sid's size was intimidating enough, but it was his certifiably insane behavior that made him one of the most feared Superstars of the '90s. A major force in both WWE and WCW, Sid controlled the ring with a mixture of unbridled intensity and devastating maneuvers, including his destructive powerbomb. The madman would use this backbreaking arsenal to defeat the likes of Bret "Hit Man" Hart and Shawn Michaels on his way to picking up two WWE Championships in the mid-90s. He would experience similar championship success in WCW when he returned there at the dawn of the decade.
10
Mark Henry
They don't call him The World's Strongest Man for nothing. The former Olympic super-heavyweight division weightlifter shook the very foundation of WWE when he made his debut in 1996, and has since waged war with Superstars such as Batista, Kane and Big Show. Henry even challenged the Undertaker to a Casket Match at WrestleMania 22, nearly ending The Phenom's winning streak on The Grandest Stage of Them All in the very match Taker made famous. At nearly 400 pounds, this hulking former ECW Champion is one of the most feared contenders on the WWE roster.
9
Big Van Vader
The shout of "It's Vader time!" announced the arrival of one of the most dominating big men of the 1990s. Known as "The Mastodon" for good reason, Vader captured three World Heavyweight Championships during his time in World Championship Wrestling thanks to his ample size and aggressive style and came close to winning the WWE Championship on multiple occasions. A player with the Los Angeles Rams before entering sports-entertainment, Vader rushed his opponents like a defensive end, smashing everyone from Ric Flair to The British Bulldog.
8
Diesel
Entering WWE in 1994 as Shawn Michaels' massive bodyguard, Diesel's full-throttle ascent was fueled by his thirst for championship gold. In his debut at the1994 Royal Rumble, Diesel eliminated seven opponents in just 18 minutes, requiring five Superstars to hoist this 300-pound seven-footer over the top rope. Later that year, Diesel captured the Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship with his partner, The Heartbreak Kid. But it was Diesel's WWE Title victory against Bob Backlund that would destroy that partnership, leading to a clash at WrestleMania XI where Diesel laid Michaels flat with a Jackknife Powerbomb.
7
"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd
Before becoming one of the most revered Superstars of his era, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd was a gridiron great, playing with teams like the San Diego Chargers and the Houston Oilers during the 1960s. In the early '70s, Big Cat shifted his focus to the ring where his 6-foot-9, 300-plus pound bulk intimidated opponents and his trademark taped thumb put them out for the count. Dominating and charismatic, the WWE Hall of Famer was a major star who stomped through legends like Abdullah the Butcher and Ox Baker. It doesn't get any tougher than that.
6
Yokozuna
Consider this - with his weight of 589 pounds, Yokozuna weighed literally twice as much as the massive Batista. This earthshaking mass served the dominant sumo wrestler very well during his time with WWE as the giant stomped his way past Hall of Famers like Bret "Hit Man" Hart and Hulk Hogan on his way to two WWE Championships. Managed by Mr. Fuji for the majority of his career, Yokozuna was deceptively agile for a man of his size. And his Banzai Splash, in which he plunged from the second rope onto the chest of his prone opponent, always guaranteed victory.
5
Gorilla Monsoon
Best known to younger fans as the beloved voice of WWE in the 1980s, Gorilla Monsoon first rose to fame as a ferocious villain who terrorized rings in the 1960s and '70s. A standout amateur wrestler, the massive Monsoon used a mix of experienced grappling and serious power to smash the likes of Bruno Sammartino and "Superstar" Billy Graham during his decades in WWE. Gorilla even got into a scuffle with boxing legend Muhammad Ali during a match in Philadelphia and quickly disposed of The Greatest with his famous Airplane Spin.
4
Kane
When it comes to monsters, few are as big and as sadistic as Kane. The Big Red Monster first made a chilling impression at Bad Blood in 1997 where he tore off the cage door during the first-ever Hell in a Cell Match between his half-brother, Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels. Kane would face The Phenom in a series of memorable matches, but inflicting pain in the ring isn't just a family matter for this 7-foot tall, 300-pound juggernaut. Kane racked up a record-breaking 11 eliminations at the 2001 Royal Rumble and is a former WWE, ECW, Intercontinental, World Tag Team, WCW Tag Team and Hardcore Champion.
3
Big Show
Let's get one thing clear about Big Show - The World's Largest Athlete isn't just a clever nickname, it's a fact. Standing at a towering 7-foot tall and weighing more than 400 pounds, the titan is one of the most imposing men to ever enter a wrestling ring and perhaps most athletically gifted Superstar to ever be called a giant. Dominating from the very beginning, Show won the WCW Championship in his very first match in 1995. He would continue to collect gold, becoming the only man to win the ECW, WWE and WCW Championships.
2
Andre the Giant
A key figure in the storied history of sports-entertainment, Andre the Giant rose from humble beginnings in Grenoble, France, to become one of the most recognizable men in the world. His stats are gospel amongst longtime wrestling fans - 7-foot-4, 520 pounds. His unquenchable thirst has become the stuff of Internet legend - cases and cases of red wine, 120 beers in one sitting. Rumors aside, what remains true is that Andre is a legitimate folk hero and a WWE Hall of Famer thanks to his major matches with Hulk Hogan, Big John Studd and many other Superstars.
1
The Undertaker
Perhaps the single most destructive force in the history of WWE, Undertaker possesses the size to intimidate his rivals and the in-ring ability to back it up. Not only can The Demon from Death Valley beat opponents with power, but he knows submissions (Hell's Gate), high-flying maneuvers (Old School) and has been called the best pure striker in WWE. The majority of the giants on this list have fallen to The Deadman at one time or another. The ones who didn't are lucky they never had to step in the ring with him. That's why the former WWE Champion is the greatest big man of all time.
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