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As one of wrestling’s most iconic big men, Vader accomplished feats that are considered incredible even for men half his size. Despite few of those taking place during his limited WWE run, “The Mastodon” was involved in some of the best matches of the 1990s, and his place in the pantheon of professional wrestling is securely locked.
With news recently breaking that Vader has been told he has just two years to live and Mick Foley publicly pleading that he be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017, it seems to be an appropriate time to list five of the moments that have helped him etch his name into the history books.
#5 Ripping off Cactus Jack’s EEvery so often in a generation, there is a moment that is so gruesome and near impossible, that when it occurs it immediately achieves legendary status. Though it was a freak accident and Vader was actually helping to prevent catastrophe, he will forever go down as “the man who ripped off Mick Foley’s ear.”
The incident, which was the result of the ropes being wound too tightly by the turnbuckles, took place during a match in Vader’s white-hot feud with Foley’s Cactus Jack persona. The battles between the two had been noted for brutality, including an instance where Vader knocked Jack unconscious, with a power bomb on the concrete.
Their encounters eventually became so violent that WCW refused to put the two in matches against each other, on pay-per-view. The subtraction of Jack’s ear only added to the mysticism surrounding the feud.
#4 Injuring Sting
While Vader was first signed by WCW in 1990, he didn’t appear there on a full-time basis until 1992. When he did go full-time, he quickly ascended to the World Heavyweight Championship picture against Sting in April of that year.
During a match, The Mastodon took to the top rope and came crashing down with his massive 450-plus pound frame across the torso of the bleached blond icon, cracking Sting’s ribs and rupturing his spleen in the process. Though he failed to gain the championship that evening, he made it known to all wrestling fans that he would be a force to be reckoned with.
#3 Attacking WWE President Gorilla Monsoon
For months leading up to his debut, WWE teased audiences with vignettes featuring Vader. His manager, James E. Cornette, would preach Vader’s accolades in a warning for all in the WWE to take notice. After debuting in the Royal Rumble the previous night, Vader crushed Savio Vega in his singles debut on Monday Night Raw.
Following the victory, Vader would continue to assault Vega, before assaulting officials in retaliation for interfering with his assault of Vega. Enter longtime fan favourite and WWE President, Gorilla Monsoon.
Monsoon, a legendary big man in his own right, put his hands on Vader and verbally berated him, before turning his back to check on a fallen official. Vader retaliated by assaulting Monsoon in the corner and taking him out with multiple Vader Bombs.
While he would be suspended for his actions, Vader’s Monday Night Raw debut, established him as a man who showed no respect or remorse for anyone, who dare step in his path.
#2 Match vs. Stan Hansen AJPW - NJPW February 1990
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Big Van Vader and Hall of Famer Stan “The Lariat” Hansen were, perhaps, the two most highly regarded gaijin (foreigners) in Japanese professional wrestling, and both men were top draws in their respective promotions of All Japan Pro Wrestling (Hansen) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (Vader).
The match started ominously with Vader’s nose being broken by Hansen’s bullrope and would only become more harrowing for the former Colorado Golden Buffalo when an exchange of punches dislodged Vader’s eyeball.
In a moment that could make even the hardiest of men sick to his stomach, Vader was able to place his eye back into the socket and continue the match, which ended in a no contest. This match, as well as his prior success in the Orient, was said to have caught the attention of WCW and led to his signing with the company later that year.
#1 Defeating Antonio Inoki and getting NJPW banned from Ryogoku Sumo Hall
In December 1987, Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki rode a year-long undefeated streak in which he bested a veritable who’s who of wrestling, including a victory over WWE Champion Bob Backlund. Inoki was revered by New Japan Pro Wrestling fans.
After earning a disqualification victory over Riki Choshu, Inoki accepted a challenge from the then unknown monster of a man from the Rocky Mountains. Vader made short work of the legend, pinning him in under three minutes and sending Ryogoku Sumo Hall into a state of shock.
The shock soon turned to anger, and that anger quickly got out of control as the fans quickly began to rebel and riot. The raging mob caused so much damage to the venue that a few days later, the Sumo Hall barred New Japan from promoting shows at the building.
The suspension would stay in effect for more than a year. Vader would eventually claim the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first man from outside Japan to hold the championship.
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