When it comes to pro wrestling storylines, we expect a bit of truth-bending. When larger-than-life characters mix with scripted sports, the results get out of the ordinary, and fast. Still, some whoppers are just too unbelievable -- and inappropriate -- to put out to a viewing audience. Such was the case when The Giant (Paul Wight) debuted in WCW and announcers alluded to the fact that he was, it just so happened, the son of Andre the Giant. At least they had the same last name. Well, "it just so happened" isn't really fair -- he was out for revenge, of course. Eight years earlier, his late father was shamed, slammed, beaten, and -- depending on whose story you're hearing -- killed by Hulk Hogan. It was none other than Hogan archrival Kevin Sullivan who found the baby Big Show, bringing the 23-year-old into his Dungeon of Doom. The Giant was only too excited to get his hands on Hogan, and a title match was made for Halloween Havoc -- The Giant's first televised match -- where he would actually win the belt on a disqualification as per a secret pre-match stipulation. All the while, The Giant had very little in common with his so-called father. Despite affecting his mannerisms and wearing his singlet, all they really shared was size. WCW soon dropped this aspect of The Giant's persona, and it was just as well -- for all of his talent and longevity, Wight would certainly never reach Andre's levels of fame.
Scott Fried is a Slammy Award-winning* writer living and working in New York City. He has been following/writing about professional wrestling for many years and is a graduate of Lance Storm's Storm Wrestling Academy. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/scottfried.
*Best Crowd of the Year, 2013
