Professional wrestling is known for its larger-than-life characters and dramatic storylines, but occasional anecdotes blur the line between myth and reality. One of the more curious tales involves the legendary wrestler André the Giant, who, according to various accounts, fell asleep during matches on two notable occasions. Fans and historians alike have sought to uncover the truth behind these tales, with varying degrees of success.
André’s Sleepy Matches: Fact or Fiction?
The first incident reportedly occurred during a match with Sgt. Slaughter, who shared his experience on a podcast hosted by Sam Roberts. Slaughter claimed that after returning from a tour in Japan, he faced André in a small town in New Jersey. He applied a front facelock early in the match, only to find that the massive Frenchman had dozed off. Slaughter recounted waking him up, which led to a furious André chasing him out of the ring and through the locker room.
Despite the colorful nature of Slaughter’s story, attempts to verify the specifics have proven challenging. Research into the match history of Slaughter and André shows no record of a bout in New Jersey following André’s return from Japan. In fact, there appears to be no documented match between the two wrestlers during that time frame. While it is possible that a similar incident occurred, the details as recounted by Slaughter do not seem to align with historical records.
The second incident is more substantiated and took place on June 4, 1983, at the Philadelphia Spectrum. During a match against John Studd, André found himself in a front facelock that lasted an astonishing eight-and-a-half minutes. Commentary during the match suggested that André appeared to be asleep, although this claim was quickly dismissed by fellow commentator Gorilla Monsoon. This match has become the primary reference for those who believe André fell asleep while wrestling.
According to an obituary in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the incident has been mentioned in the context of André and Studd’s rivalry, though it was suggested to have occurred during their time in the WWF in 1989 rather than the earlier encounter in 1983. This discrepancy adds another layer of intrigue to the story.
Exploring the Themes of Wrestling Entrance Music
The conversation also delves into the unexpected choice of entrance music by hardcore wrestling icon Terry Funk. Funk famously used “Desperado” by the Eagles as his entrance theme in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The song’s lyrics resonate with Funk’s journey in wrestling, portraying themes of struggle and resilience.
At the age of 50, Funk continued to wrestle despite the toll it took on his body. The lyrics reflect his internal conflict, where the allure of wrestling often pulls him away from a stable home life. The metaphor of the “queen of diamonds” symbolizes the allure of fame and glory, while the “queen of hearts” represents the stability and comfort of home.
In a genre typically dominated by high-energy rock and rap, the choice of a soft rock ballad is both surprising and fitting, highlighting the complexity of Funk’s character and the emotional weight behind his wrestling persona.
Rey Mysterio Jr.’s Mask and Identity
Another subject of interest is the fate of Rey Mysterio Jr.‘s mask in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Mysterio was compelled to unmask after losing a tag team match at Superbrawl IX on February 21, 1999, where he teamed with Konnan against Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Following this loss, Mysterio participated in 13 pay-per-view matches without his mask. Some fans might count this as 12, as one of these matches occurred at a German-exclusive event.
This transition marked a significant shift in Mysterio’s career, as masks are a vital part of luchador culture and identity. His ability to maintain popularity without the mask is a testament to his skill and adaptability in the ring.
The world of professional wrestling is filled with stories that often straddle the line between fact and fiction. As fans continue to explore these narratives, the allure of the ring remains as captivating as ever. Whether André truly fell asleep during a match is a mystery that may never be fully resolved, but the legacy of such tales adds to the rich tapestry of wrestling history.
Questions about wrestling history and current events continue to arise, and fans are encouraged to submit their inquiries for further exploration.
