WWE History Vol. 4: The Olympians

Kurt Angle, so far the only Olympic gold medalist in amateur wrestling to work in WWE.
Kurt Angle, so far the only Olympic gold medalist in amateur wrestling to work in WWE.

#3 Giant Silva

Not even both members of Kaientai can lift Giant Silva off his feet.
Not even both members of Kaientai can lift Giant Silva off his feet.

Born Paulo Silva in his native Brazil, the man who would eventually be known as Giant Silva began his career playing basketball.

The towering Silva stood at a legit seven foot two and a half inches. His height served him well in the sport of basketball, and he played for Brazil in the 1988 Olympic games, though he failed to earn a medal.

Silva eventually transitioned to pro wrestling and made his way to the WWE in 1997. Silva was huge. Unfortunately, he lacked much dexterity or coordination. He flitted around between promotions after his WWE career ended, and also tried his hand at MMA, having a 2-6 record overall.

Most fans know Giant Silva from his time in the Oddities stable, where he teamed up with other big men Kurrgan and Golga -- formerly known as Earthquake.

It still baffles us as to how a stable like the Oddities failed to deliver despite having men of such enviable physiques.

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