10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (April 13)

5. André The Giant Told Vince McMahon He "Was Done"

Andre The Giant HBO
HBO

HBO's documentary on the legendary André The Giant wasn't perfect, and yet there was enough insight into his fading health to make it essential viewing. Seeing Vince McMahon crack up as he discussed André's death was poignant, and it seems the doc wouldn't have aired had Vince not agreed to appear.

Bill Simmons, the man responsible for talking both McMahon and WWE into him letting him make a film on The Giant's life, told EPSN that Vince's involvement was a deal-breaker. Not only that, he didn't know the full extent of a fractured relationship between wrestler and promoter that would never fully mend.

One of the most emotional parts of the film was when Vince revealed André came to him and told him he "was done".

The Giant didn't mean he was retiring, he meant he believed his time on the planet had come to an end. This happened in between André's last few showings for the WWF in the early-90s. Hearing such a strong man utter those words must have crushed McMahon.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.