10 Greatest WTF Swerves In Wrestling History

By Jack Morrell /

5. Andre The Giant Turns Heel On Hulk Hogan

In 1987, the €˜undefeated€™ Andre The Giant (he€™d never been pinned or submitted in a WWF ring at the time) was the best friend of top babyface Hulk Hogan. On the week that Hogan was given a trophy on the Piper€™s Pit interview segment for being WWF Champion for three years (three years!), Andre would come out to congratulate his friend. The following week was a different story. Andre would be the next honoured on Piper€™s Pit, with a (slightly smaller) trophy commemorating his undefeated streak. When Hogan came out to return the favour and congratulate his best friend, Andre would become irritated that Hogan appeared to be stealing the spotlight from him, and walked out of the interview. On Piper€™s Pit on February 7th, fans got the payoff €“ and what a beauty it was. Accompanied to the interview by renowned heel manager Bobby €˜The Brain€™ Heenan (who was in the eighties what Paul Heyman would become in the 21st century €“ a motormouth heat magnet of genius proportions), Andre would establish that he believed that Hogan was only friends with him to avoid giving him the title shot he deserved, and that he wasn€™t going to put up with it any longer. Ripping off a gobsmacked Hogan€™s shirt, Andre challenged him to a match at Wrestlemania III, and professional wrestling history was made.