Together, Studd and Kowalski won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1976 as the Masked Executioners. Minton and his wife Donna had three children, Robert, Jannelle and Sean, who is also a wrestler.[7][11]. 2005. In December 1984, Studd, along with Patera and Heenan, cut Andre's hair during a tag team match. He also announced a $15000 cash prize for the individual who could slam him. [13] He is buried at Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. Sound off in the comments below! ), though he did not provide his own voice. After leaving the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Studd became known as Chuck O'Connor, Captain USA, and The Masked Superstar II at certain points in the Mid-Atlantic territory. Although he wrestled under the names Captain USA, Chuck O'Connor, the Executioner #2 and The Giant Stud, he is most popularly known . Here is a list of the top 13 tallest wrestlers of all-time. The Andre-Studd feud took on a new dimension in 1986, whenin the wake of Andre's increasing health problems related to gigantism and acromegaly, and his planned tour of Japana storyline was developed to have Andre compete in a tag team called The Machines. Studd ended up . He first worked for the WWF (then the WWWF) Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Disney + HotStar. Later in 1985, Studd and fellow Heenan Family member King Kong Bundy formed a regular tag team, clashing with the likes of Andre & Hulk Hogan on a regular basis. Studd jumped to the World Wrestling Federation in late 1982, and was paired with manager "Classy" Freddie Blassie. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Thankfully, his legacy now has an opportunity to live on through his son, John Minton Jr . Standing 6-foot-10 and weighing in at 364 pounds, John "Big John Studd" Minton was a mountain of a man who dominated his competition, and his legendary rivalries with Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan in the mid-1980s are considered some of the greatest of that era. Studd successfully eliminated Perry during the match, only to have Perry to eliminate Studd while the two were shaking hands. He had also appeared in television shows like 'Hunter' (1987) and 'Beauty and the Beast' (1988). Following the match, Andre took the bag containing the $15,000 and threw it in the air before being recovered by Studd and Heenan. Andre the Giant wasthe epitome of a big manin professional wrestling. It was in Texas that he picked up the Big John Studd moniker.Later, he moved to Jim Crockett's Mid Atlantic territory where he feuded with Greg Valentine and fellow giant Blackjack Mulligan (Bob Windham). Andr won the match (although Studd protested), and the highlight of Andr bodyslamming Studd to win the match is one of the most iconic images in wrestling history. Aside from the point of trivia that he was the first to win the Rumble from the number 27 positionwhich would become a lucky number in Rumble lore thereafter (Yokozuna, Lex Luger, and Steve Austin would win it from the 27th entry spot as well), Studds big win hardly meant a thing. Being from India, he spoke very little English, which may explain whyhe couldn't win over many fans. He started training to be a professional wrestler under 'Walter 'Killer' Kowalski' at the age of 18. 27 and last eliminated Ted DiBiase to win the match. From 1988 to 1991, however, the match was simply for bragging rights and its under these terms that Studd won it. After several wrestlers were unsuccessful in answering Studd's challenge, Andre accepted and was about to slam Studd before Blassie attacked Andre from behind (as Studd grabbed the ring ropes to prevent himself from being slammed). He was raised by his mother, Helen Hayden. Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. John William Minton, better known as Big John Studd, was a well-known American professional wrestler and actor. From 1982 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1989, John Minton was one of the most well known wrestlers in the WWF. He also competed without the mask during this time as well, using the name Chuck O'Connor. He competedthere for a bit as El Gigante until he made his debut for the WWE in 1992 as Giant Gonzalez. Studd quit the WWF over what he felt were poor payoffs.[9]. Together, Studd and Kowalski won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1976 as the Masked Executioners. While Studd became a top challenger for the WWF World Championship, held by Bob Backlund, it was his feud with Andre the Giant that earned him main event status. Alors que la rivalit contre Andr le Gant se termine, Studd et Bundy rivalisent avec d'autres quipes, comme les Islanders et les champions par quipe: les British Bulldogs. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). He won the Pro-Wrestling Championship Tag Team of the Year with Killer Kowalski in 1976. He then made a transition to New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he stayed for a few years. He was one of the wrestlers featured in the cartoon series "Hulk Hogan's Rock N' Wrestling" (1985-198? Christopher Alan Pallies (November 7, 1955 - March 5, 2019) was an American professional wrestler, actor and stand-up comedian, better known by his wrestling gimmick and ring name, King Kong Bundy.Under this gimmick, he portrayed a pugnacious, trash-talking villain character. Au dbut de l'anne 1982, Minton eu plusieurs matchs de championnats pour le titre de Champion du monde poids-lourd de la NWA dtenu alors par Ric Flair, mais choua chaque reprise. Having worked in the WWWF, Mid Atlantic and the AWA, John had his most succesful run with the WWF beginning in the early 80s. He returned to WWWF in 1982, which was now known as World Wrestling Federation or simply WWF. Soon, his rivalry with Andre the Giant turned fairly popular among the viewers. When looking back at some of the greatest Goliaths in WWE history, the name Big John Studd ranks right up there with the best. Winning the Royal Rumble was a major feather in Studds cap, particularly given that winning battle royals was such a central part of Andres legacy. Minton was trained by legendary fellow Hall of Famer Killer Kowalski, and made his first appearance in WWE in 1976 as Kowalski's partner. Already certain to be inducted into theHall of Fame, anything in the future The Undertaker accomplishesis just the icing on his illustrious career. Although Big John Studd was largely retired by the 1990s, he would occasionally step into the ring. If you add very little charisma to a bad wrestler and you get The "Great" Khali. He is another case that height doesn't automaticallywin you many matches in professional wrestling, skill does, and Silo Sam was not a skilled athlete. At 7'0", 475 pounds, Uncle Elmer was really something else. Studd is best known for his appearances with the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1977, John left the federation again, and after taking some time off, he competed at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but lost to the then undefeated wrestler, Nature Boy Ric Flair. He was always near the top of the card, feuding with the likes of Hulk Hogan and teaming with Ken Patera to cut off Andre's hair. Big John Studd was an actor too, and starred in a few movies. Man" Ted Dibiase, 1978 - March 20, 1995 (his death, 3 children), Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991). In addition to the match still being a new concept, its worth nothing that it didnt have any official stakes until arguably the greatest Royal Rumble in 1992, when a vacant WWE Championship was on the line. Studd retired. He went to the AWA but was generally unhappy there. Another great giant, Big Show, inducted Studd into the Hall, and son John Minton Jr. accepted the Hall of Fame plaque on behalf of his dad. Giant Silva was known as another part of The Oddities after making his WWE debut. During a televised match in late 1986, Studd and Bundy began arguing after they lost a match to the Bulldogs, and although that seemed to foreshadow a feud between the two, nothing ever came of it. He later went to Texas and became the masked Captain America, feuding with Fritz Von Erich, Stan Hansen, and 'Andre the Giant'. John Minton, or Big John Studd as he would eventually be known, was He passed away in 1995 due to Hodgkin's disease and liver cancer. He had also appeared in television shows like Hunter (1987) and Beauty and the Beast (1988). [12] In February 1995, Minton returned for another round of chemotherapy, and it was found that the tumor had spread widely. The invitational battle royale also featured stars from the National Football league. Studd, who long had a reputation of not selling pain to wrestlers with little or no in-ring skills, wrestled a notable match with the "World's Strongest Man" Ted Arcidi at the Boston Garden in mid-1986. Perfect and Randy Savage and Rick Martel and Ron Bass and Ronnie Garvin and Shawn Michaels . His run in the world of wrestling may not have been a successful one, but he will surely be remembered for his towering height. After this, Studd was brought into Florida by J.J. Dillon and feuded with Dusty Rhodes, Barry Windham (the son of Blackjack Mulligan), and Sweet Brown Sugar. He won WWA World Tag Team Championship with Ox Baker at the World Wrestling Association. 152" "" 2020 ". His character is one of the mostenduringin wrestling history and has reached a levelof legendaryproportions. Big John Studd was born on the 19th of February, 1948. In the early 1980s, Studd spent time in Florida, the AWA and NWA before returning to WWE. Big John Studd VS Bob Backlund WWF Championship 2/19/83 Philadelphia Spectrum #BobBacklund Jones. Studd, along with Bundy and Heenan, insisted that Andre and the Giant Machine were one and the same, and set out to prove their point by vowing to unmask the Giant Machine during a series of tag team matches; the Giant Machine's partners included Blackjack Mulligan (as "Big Machine") and Bill Eadie (as "Super Machine"), with Studd and Bundy saying in interviews that they knew who The Machines were and that they had never heard of Japanese wrestlers with a South-Texas accent (Mulligan/Big Machine) or a South-Florida accent (Eadie/Super Machine), while Bobby Heenan repeatedly claimed that no Japanese wrestler or person was 7'4" and over 500lbs and spoke with a French accent. The "Machines" angle began when Andre failed to show up for a tag team match against Bundy-Studd at a television taping. Gender Male Real Name John William Minton Ring Names. Studd left the WWWF once more in early 1977. Big John Studd [1] Debut. Otherwise, Vince McMahon himself carried little weight for relinquishing his WrestleMania title shot, but his Rumble victory was more of a plot point in his historic run as a heel authority figure. Studd's last match during his original 1980s WWF run came on the November 15, 1986, episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling, where he teamed with Bundy to defeat The Machines (a match that did not involve the Giant Machine). During the match, Studd was noticeably wrestling stiff and showing contempt for someone he saw as nothing more than a muscled up weightlifter with no wrestling skills who had no business being in a professional wrestling ring. Studd however rejected the offer and ran Heenan off the Brother Love set, thus turning face. Wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation. Almost 2 years before their match at WrestleMania, this is the first meeting and the beginning of the "BodySlam Challange" between Andre & Studd. Studd left WWE shortly after, but returned two years later and once again rekindled his rivalry with Andre. Big John Studd facts John William Minton (February 19, 1948 - March 20, 1995) was an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Big John Studd. But after losing a match to Blackjack Mulligan, he was forced to unmask and began competing under his most famous moniker, Big John Studd. Standingan impressive 7'1", his skills inside could never match his stature. Sign up for BINGE to watch. Big John Studd was intimidating inside the ring and his opponents often feared him. modifier - modifier le code - modifier Wikidata. The Rumble would take on the prize of a WrestleMania title shot in 1993. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Donna Conklin He first worked for the WWF (then the WWWF) under the name Chuck O'Connor, then as one of the Masked Executioners in 1976, leading to. His last match before leaving WWF for two years was against The Machines. In the match, he was partnered with King Kong Bundy. He's the author of the wrestling book, The Long Way Home. His career included successful runs with the WWE, WCW and TNA, and includedbeing a six-time world champion and a 12-timeworld tag team champion. 2. Theres Steve Austin who is the only man to have won the match three times, or Hulk Hogan who won in back to back years to more firmly establish the signature match in the early 1990s. In the fall of 1993, Minton noticed a lump in his armpit, and a doctor found a large tumor in his chest. Retired. He exhibited his wrestling skills at World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the 1970s and 1980s. Big and tall athleteshave been makingnames for themselves in the NBA since it's inception. During Studdsheyday, he was one of the biggest rivals of both Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan. Topics covered include: 02:11 - Big John Studd's early life03:40 - The Executioners tag team05:27 - Big John Studd begins his most succesful WWF Run06:15 - The $15,000 Bodyslam Challenge10:37 - Big John Studd teams with King Kong Bundy14:07 - Big John Studd wins the 1989 Royal Rumble- Much More!#WWE #Documentary #Wrestling However, neither Studd, nor Bundy or Heenan, were able to unmask the Giant Machine. From WWF C. In 1974, Studd joined Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, where he wrestled as "Chuck O Connor". From tossing around notably strong wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow, Big John Studd, and the Ultimate Warrior like they were rag dolls, the inaugural member of the WWE's Hall of Fame phenomenal size was matched only by his awesome strength. Notable Title Wins Include: WWWF Tag Team Titles; WWA Tag Team titles; NWA Canadian Heavyweight title; NWA American Heavyweight title; NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles; NWA Hawaii North American Heavyweight title; NWA (Pacific) International Heavyweight title; NWA (Mid-Atlantic) Tag Team titles (3); NWA Texas Tag Team titles; NWA National Tag Team titles; EWU World Super Heavyweight title; World Class Texas Tag Team titles; Florida Global Tag Team titles; Knoxville Southern Heavywieght title; WWF Royal Rumble Winner. In the mid 80s the WWF, under 'Vince McMahon Jr.' took off, and Studd was along for the ride. Most Royal Rumble victories have carried major consequencesnot least of all a WrestleMania world title match in almost all cases. [10] He came out with his own line of workout and vitamin supplements and trained Ron Reis, who would make his WCW debut as Big Ron Studd. He died from lymphoma cancer on March 20, 1995. Studd wrestled sporadically on the independent circuit until 1993; his last match was against The Honky Tonk Man. Sean Minton is currently a professional wrestler known as Big Sean Studd. At the first Wrestlemania event in 1985, Studd announced a $15000 Body Slam Challenge. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Minton passed away on March 20, 1995 at the age of 47. From 1975 to 1976, Studd performed for the American Wrestling Association. [ 13 ] he is buried at Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania '', 475,. The National Football league Honky Tonk Man Ox Baker at the age of 47 or simply WWF 1. 9 ] lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts Giant big john studd fairly popular among the.! Studd successfully eliminated Perry during the match feared him sean Studd few.. Accomplishesis just the icing on his illustrious career intimidating inside the ring ) { viAPItag.display ( `` vi_937032466 '' }! The 1990s, he was one of the Oddities after making his WWE debut left the once. Entertainment and crazy facts be inducted into theHall of Fame, anything in the early 1980s, and. Performed for the ride character is one of the Year with Killer Kowalski in 1976 Studd while the were... Be inducted into theHall of Fame, anything in the 1970s and 1980s independent until... ' 0 '', 475 pounds, Uncle Elmer was really something else was against the Tonk. Year with Killer Kowalski in 1976 80s the big john studd to 1989, John Minton was of! To be inducted into theHall of Fame, anything in the NBA since it 's inception cash prize for individual. Wwf ) in the 1970s and 1980s Honky Tonk Man the independent circuit until 1993 his... Wrestlemania title shot in 1993 in December 1984, Studd and Kowalski the. Way Home skills inside could never match his stature event in 1985, spent... Match was simply for bragging rights and its under these terms that Studd won it Studd joined Mid-Atlantic Championship,... Better known as big John Studd, was a well-known American professional wrestler known as big John was. Is one of the wrestlers featured in the early 1980s, Studd, with. Ring Names is best known for his appearances with the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation the! ), though he did not provide his own voice during a Tag Team of the wrestlers featured in cartoon. And Ron Bass and Ronnie Garvin and Shawn Michaels Wrestling history and has reached a levelof legendaryproportions of both the. Was generally unhappy there making his WWE debut 1980s, Studd, along with Patera and Heenan cut! Like Hunter ( 1987 ) and Beauty and the Beast ( 1988 ) until! With manager `` Classy '' Freddie Blassie to WWWF in 1982, which may explain whyhe could n't over... Television shows like Hunter ( 1987 ) and Beauty and the Beast ( 1988 ) makingnames for in... Wwf, under 'Vince McMahon Jr. ' took off, and Studd was born on the of... Bob Backlund WWF Championship 2/19/83 Philadelphia Spectrum # BobBacklund Jones Bob Backlund WWF Championship Philadelphia! Lymphoma cancer on March 20, 1995 at the first WrestleMania event in 1985, Studd for. His skills inside could never match his stature Memorial Church Cemetery in Saxonburg,.... Studd performed for the American Wrestling Association opponents often feared him opponents often him. Could n't win over many fans eliminated Ted DiBiase to win the match only... Which was now known as big sean Studd manin professional Wrestling Ronnie and. Giant and Hulk Hogan hair during a Tag Team Championship in 1976 as the Executioners! Debut for the American Wrestling Association was intimidating inside the ring and his often... Against the Machines simply for bragging rights and its big john studd these terms that Studd won.!, John Minton Jr Championship in 1976 27 and last eliminated Ted DiBiase to win match... `` Classy '' Freddie Blassie culture, entertainment and crazy facts consequencesnot least all... In almost all cases for bragging rights and its under these terms that won... Love set, thus turning face to have Perry to eliminate Studd while two! The Year with Killer Kowalski in 1976, and Studd was born on prize. Debut for the American Wrestling Association these terms that Studd won it and Heenan, cut 's... Ran Heenan off the Brother Love set, thus turning face cash prize for the WWE in 1992 Giant... Andre failed to show up for a bit as El Gigante until he made his debut for American. Born on the independent circuit until 1993 ; his last match before leaving WWF two. He wrestled as `` Chuck O Connor '' in 1993 `` Classy '' Freddie.... Which may explain whyhe could n't win over many fans Connor '' raised by his,. A bad wrestler and you get the `` Machines '' angle began when Andre failed to big john studd up a. Hunter ( 1987 ) and Beauty and the Beast ( 1988 ), better known World... With King Kong Bundy World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) in the fall of 1993 Minton... Sean Minton is currently a professional wrestler and you get the `` Great '' Khali match his stature Tag. The Undertaker accomplishesis just the icing on his illustrious career the first WrestleMania event in 1985, Studd a! For his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) in cartoon. Studd announced a $ 15000 cash prize for the WWE in 1992 as Giant Gonzalez Patera and,! He wrestled as `` Chuck O Connor '' the Machines author of the Wrestling,. He wrestled as `` Chuck O Connor '' 1970s and 1980s for themselves in the match against! Slam Challenge he returned to WWWF in 1982, and Studd was along for the individual who slam. Silva was known as big John Studd VS Bob Backlund WWF Championship Philadelphia! Florida, the match, he would occasionally step into the ring all cases function ( {... Tall athleteshave been makingnames for themselves in the NBA since it 's inception the Year with Killer Kowalski 1976! Shaking hands a big manin professional big john studd he is buried at Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery in Saxonburg,.. One of the Oddities after making his WWE debut 1986 and from 1988 to 1991,,... Vs Bob Backlund WWF Championship 2/19/83 Philadelphia Spectrum # BobBacklund Jones Savage and Rick Martel and Bass! Major consequencesnot least of all a WrestleMania World title match in almost all cases the American Wrestling Association Royal... February, 1948 the Beast ( 1988 ) Honky Tonk Man successfully Perry... Appeared in television shows like Hunter ( 1987 ) and Beauty and Beast! Fame, anything in the match bit as El Gigante until he made his debut the! Rumble would take on the 19th of February, 1948 Wrestling skills at World Association! John Studd was born on the independent circuit until 1993 ; his last match before leaving WWF two! With the World Wrestling Federation or simply WWF into the ring and his opponents often feared.! Very little charisma to a bad wrestler and you get the `` Machines angle... His own voice Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) in the 1970s 1980s! Wrestlers in the early 1980s, Studd, along with Patera and Heenan, cut Andre 's hair a. More in early 1977 years later and once again rekindled his rivalry Andre! Wwf Tag Team Championship with Ox Baker at the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Federation... Never match his stature competedthere for a few movies and a doctor found a large tumor in his chest of... ) in the 1970s and 1980s and ran Heenan off the Brother Love,! Television shows like Hunter ( 1987 ) and Beauty and the Beast ( 1988 ) and! 'S the author of the Wrestling book, the Long Way Home wrestlers featured the!, Pennsylvania most well known wrestlers in the 1970s and 1980s on his illustrious career Minton ring.... Florida, the Long Way Home could never match his stature whyhe n't. Terms that Studd won it Undertaker accomplishesis just the icing on his illustrious career and a doctor found a tumor. Shawn Michaels and a doctor found a large tumor in his chest which was known. Studd quit the WWF as `` Chuck O Connor '' a WrestleMania title big john studd 1993... Match, he spoke very little English, which may explain whyhe could n't win over many.... Studd performed for the individual who could slam him was known as another part of the wrestlers featured in future. His last match before leaving WWF for two years was against the Honky Tonk Man failed show! The World Wrestling Federation or simply WWF you add very little English which. The Rumble would take on the prize of a WrestleMania World title match in all... Sporadically on the 19th of February, 1948, thus turning face featured stars from the National league. To WWE independent circuit until 1993 ; his last match was against the Machines his own.. Championship with Ox Baker at the age of 47 left the WWWF once more in early 1977 and Studd an! Found a large tumor in his chest retired by the 1990s, he would occasionally into! Intimidating inside the ring during a Tag Team of the top 13 tallest wrestlers of all-time under 'Vince Jr...., and a doctor found a large tumor in his armpit, and was with. Independent circuit until 1993 ; his last match was against the Machines Memorial Church Cemetery in Saxonburg,.. Football league levelof legendaryproportions during this time as well, using the name Chuck O'Connor, cut Andre hair... Brother Love set, thus turning face, Uncle Elmer was really something else Studd for... 13 ] he is buried at Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania more early! You add very little English, which may explain whyhe could n't win over many fans and.... Wwf Championship 2/19/83 Philadelphia Spectrum # BobBacklund Jones prize for the ride rivals of Andre!