What makes a great "Super-Heavyweight?" Super-Heavyweights are different from giants in the perspective that these are BIG guys not based on height but weight. I decided to make a list of "Super-Heavyweights" that included the best BIG men in wrestling. For the record, I have eliminated giants such as Andre, Big Show, or the Giant Gonzalez (not that he'd make the list anyways). I'm looking at the guys who surpassed the normal definition of a heavyweight and contributed the most in their role. So, without further ado, a short 5-person list of the best "Super-Heavyweights" in wrestling history in my opinion.
5) Earthquake- In the 1990s, there were several great big men in wrestling. Earthquake was an instant hit when he debuted in WWF. After a few months in the undercard, he moved to main event level for a program with Hulk Hogan and his future Natural Disaster partner, Tugboat (Typhoon). From there, Earthquake shifted into a program with Jake Roberts where he "squashed" his snake, Damien. Then, once the Natural Disaster team came together, they became a major tag team in the company from 1991-beginning of 1993, winning the Tag Team Championships from Money Inc. in the progress. He also famously had a program with Yokozuna that resulted in a Sumo Match on Raw. Later, he'd have a run in WCW that basically was a result of getting nostalgia for his run with Hogan in WWF. But Earthquake should be remembered for being one of the best "Super-Heavyweights" ever.
4) Mark Henry- WELCOME TO THE HALL OF PAIN! Mark Henry didn't exactly have a great start to his career. Even having a membership in The Nation didn't help Henry get over the stigma of being at best a comedy act, at worst a pushover. And we won't even go into his tryst with Mae Young. But Henry reinvented himself gradually during the 2000s becoming more of a serious monster to deal with, eventually getting a WrestleMania match with Undertaker and an ECW Championship run. But his best work would come much later in his career in 2011 when Mark Henry was pushed to the moon on SmackDown, taking out The Big Show and destroying all others who faced him. He then shockingly defeated Randy Orton to win his first (and only) World Championship, a run that would last until December that year. Henry would then have one last great moment: The retirement angle with John Cena in which he had everyone convinced that he was retiring, even coming out in a salmon-colored suit. But then, he turned on Cena and built a program leading to a WWE Championship Match at Money in the Bank. For his longevity, range of character, and impact on WWE, Mark Henry is making this list.
3) Yokozuna- How can this guy not be on this list? Yokozuna entered into WWE in late 1992 and immediately was pushed to the moon, winning the Royal Rumble of 1993, and winning the WWF Championship from Bret Hart at WrestleMania IX (for 2 minutes, granted). He left bodies in his wake, including Macho Man Randy Savage, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and eventually even Hulk Hogan when he regained the WWF Championship at King of the Ring 1993. Yoko would also have a big program with The Undertaker that resulted initially with Yoko using every other heel in the company to defeat The Undertaker in a Casket Match. Yoko's weight would eventually spiral out of control in late 1994-his exit in 1996. And it would eventually contribute to his death in 2000. But his impact on the business was legendary while it lasted.
2) Bam Bam Bigelow- One of the most underrated big men in wrestling history, Bam Bam Bigelow had a lengthy memorable career. Considering his work in America alone, he worked with legends in the height of WWF's Hogan-era, such as being the last man standing for his team against Andre's team at the first-ever Survivor Series. He was also worked with Hogan, DiBiase, and others during this run. He eventually returned to WWF in 1992, having several big feuds against the likes of Bret Hart, Doink the Clown, and, most famously, Lawrence Taylor in the main event of WrestleMania XI. The fact that the match was watchable and not remembered as the worst WrestleMania main event level speaks volumes about what Bigelow (and Taylor) did that night. Bigelow would continue after his WWF run and have a great ECW run, including membership in the big stable The Triple Threat, winning the ECW World Championship, having an amazing feud with Taz, and helping get over Rob Van Dam for his legendary TV Championship reign. Bam Bam Bigelow was always someone to pay attention to, and he should be remembered as one of the all-time great big men ever.
1) Vader- It's Vader Time. I could write more than I did earlier on UnWrest #2 (cheap plug for that blog post). But let's just wrap it up like this, ladies and gentlemen: Vader was the monster's monster in wrestling. Whether you are talking about wrestling past a popped-out eye in Japan or a busted open eye in WWF's Final Four, facing the biggest stars in WCW or WWF, doing sick maneuvers men his size should not be able to do, or appearing on TV shows like Baywatch and Boy Meets World, Vader became the measuring point upon which all super heavyweights are compared to. Vader created a legacy that anyone of my age (early to mid 30s) remembers fondly.
My Top 5 Super Heavyweights in Wrestling
1) Vader
2) Bam Bam Bigelow
3) Yokozuna
4) Mark Henry
5) Earthquake
What are your Top 5? Share them below. Remember to share this page with your friends, leave comments, and continue to check in. I'll be updating this continuously as more thoughts come into my mind.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and spread some awesomeness.
5) Earthquake- In the 1990s, there were several great big men in wrestling. Earthquake was an instant hit when he debuted in WWF. After a few months in the undercard, he moved to main event level for a program with Hulk Hogan and his future Natural Disaster partner, Tugboat (Typhoon). From there, Earthquake shifted into a program with Jake Roberts where he "squashed" his snake, Damien. Then, once the Natural Disaster team came together, they became a major tag team in the company from 1991-beginning of 1993, winning the Tag Team Championships from Money Inc. in the progress. He also famously had a program with Yokozuna that resulted in a Sumo Match on Raw. Later, he'd have a run in WCW that basically was a result of getting nostalgia for his run with Hogan in WWF. But Earthquake should be remembered for being one of the best "Super-Heavyweights" ever.
4) Mark Henry- WELCOME TO THE HALL OF PAIN! Mark Henry didn't exactly have a great start to his career. Even having a membership in The Nation didn't help Henry get over the stigma of being at best a comedy act, at worst a pushover. And we won't even go into his tryst with Mae Young. But Henry reinvented himself gradually during the 2000s becoming more of a serious monster to deal with, eventually getting a WrestleMania match with Undertaker and an ECW Championship run. But his best work would come much later in his career in 2011 when Mark Henry was pushed to the moon on SmackDown, taking out The Big Show and destroying all others who faced him. He then shockingly defeated Randy Orton to win his first (and only) World Championship, a run that would last until December that year. Henry would then have one last great moment: The retirement angle with John Cena in which he had everyone convinced that he was retiring, even coming out in a salmon-colored suit. But then, he turned on Cena and built a program leading to a WWE Championship Match at Money in the Bank. For his longevity, range of character, and impact on WWE, Mark Henry is making this list.
3) Yokozuna- How can this guy not be on this list? Yokozuna entered into WWE in late 1992 and immediately was pushed to the moon, winning the Royal Rumble of 1993, and winning the WWF Championship from Bret Hart at WrestleMania IX (for 2 minutes, granted). He left bodies in his wake, including Macho Man Randy Savage, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and eventually even Hulk Hogan when he regained the WWF Championship at King of the Ring 1993. Yoko would also have a big program with The Undertaker that resulted initially with Yoko using every other heel in the company to defeat The Undertaker in a Casket Match. Yoko's weight would eventually spiral out of control in late 1994-his exit in 1996. And it would eventually contribute to his death in 2000. But his impact on the business was legendary while it lasted.
2) Bam Bam Bigelow- One of the most underrated big men in wrestling history, Bam Bam Bigelow had a lengthy memorable career. Considering his work in America alone, he worked with legends in the height of WWF's Hogan-era, such as being the last man standing for his team against Andre's team at the first-ever Survivor Series. He was also worked with Hogan, DiBiase, and others during this run. He eventually returned to WWF in 1992, having several big feuds against the likes of Bret Hart, Doink the Clown, and, most famously, Lawrence Taylor in the main event of WrestleMania XI. The fact that the match was watchable and not remembered as the worst WrestleMania main event level speaks volumes about what Bigelow (and Taylor) did that night. Bigelow would continue after his WWF run and have a great ECW run, including membership in the big stable The Triple Threat, winning the ECW World Championship, having an amazing feud with Taz, and helping get over Rob Van Dam for his legendary TV Championship reign. Bam Bam Bigelow was always someone to pay attention to, and he should be remembered as one of the all-time great big men ever.
1) Vader- It's Vader Time. I could write more than I did earlier on UnWrest #2 (cheap plug for that blog post). But let's just wrap it up like this, ladies and gentlemen: Vader was the monster's monster in wrestling. Whether you are talking about wrestling past a popped-out eye in Japan or a busted open eye in WWF's Final Four, facing the biggest stars in WCW or WWF, doing sick maneuvers men his size should not be able to do, or appearing on TV shows like Baywatch and Boy Meets World, Vader became the measuring point upon which all super heavyweights are compared to. Vader created a legacy that anyone of my age (early to mid 30s) remembers fondly.
My Top 5 Super Heavyweights in Wrestling
1) Vader
2) Bam Bam Bigelow
3) Yokozuna
4) Mark Henry
5) Earthquake
What are your Top 5? Share them below. Remember to share this page with your friends, leave comments, and continue to check in. I'll be updating this continuously as more thoughts come into my mind.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and spread some awesomeness.
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