This title reign lasted less than a day and was really less of a belt change and more of a storyline or angle, but I find it interesting as a good example of professional wrestling storytelling. The truth is that, for the most part, title belts dont actually mean that much in pro wrestling. Of course, every wrestler wants to be the champ (who wouldnt?) and some title reigns genuinely qualify as historic moments - but the reality is that title belts are really just built up in the minds of the fans to mean much more than they actually do. Originally, Championships only existed so that something would be at stake in the matches. A lot of wrestlers, such as The Undertaker, Bruiser Brody, The Original Sheik, Abdullah The Butcher and others never really needed a championship belt around their waist in order to earn credibility with the fans. Neither did Andre. By the time he was feuding with Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior in the late 1980s and early 1990s, health problems related to gigantism had taken their toll on The Giant. A genuinely great worker in his prime, Andre had been a star all over the world and he was booked as a kind-hearted and gentle giant, as well as a one-of-a-kind attraction. Now, however, his career was winding down and his ring work was, for the most part, sloppy and a little bit sad to watch. Still, Andre knew better than anyone how to use his size in order to appeal to a crowd and how to work a main event matchup like no one else. It was these skills, as well as his genuinely larger-than-life charisma that Andre used to credibly defeat Hulk Hogan for the belt (together with some help from Earl Hebners evil twin Dave). Immediately after winning his first ever World Championship, Andre sold the belt to WWFs biggest heel, The Million Dollar Man Ted BiBiase. Sadly, DiBiase was not allowed a run with the belt at this time (the heat on The MDM would have been unbelievable) and the title ended up in the - wholly deserving - hands of superworker Macho Man Randy Savage instead. However, as an example of shock & awe storytelling, in my view, at least, this odd little title change is right up there. Surprises can be good in pro wrestling and this one certainly sold tickets. Youd never see something like this in a legitimate sport, which is part of pro wrestlings appeal, as far as most fans are concerned.
I am a professional author and lifelong comic books/pro wrestling fan. I also work as a journalist as well as writing comic books (I also draw), screenplays, stage plays, songs and prose fiction.
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