~Maz~
09-26-2010, 01:10 PM
~ Giant Gonzalez dies, 44!! ~
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01132/gonzales2_13_280x3_1132969a.jpg
GIANT ... Gonzalez with Undertaker
GIANT GONZALEZ, the tallest professional wrestler in the history of the business, has died aged 44.
The 7ft 7ins star, real name Jorge Gonzalez, passed away in his hometown of San Martin, Argentina, due to complications from diabetes.
The former WWE performer was wheelchair bound, due to the effects of his long battle with the illness, and this year had to cancel convention appearances in the States due to his poor health.
Gonzalez first moved from Argentina to the US in the late 1980s to play basketball.
But when his dreams of an NBA career went up in smoke, he discovered wrestling and signed for Ted Turner's WCW playing the role of gentle giant El Gigante.
He enjoyed a two-year run as a babyface - feuding with the Four Horseman at points - before leaving the promotion and joining WWE, then called WWF.
Debuting as Giant Gonzalez at the 1993 Royal Rumble, he eliminated The Undertaker from the Rumble match in possibly the highest profile moment of his career.
That move led to a rivalry that lasted the length of Gonzalez's WWF stay. He parted ways with the company shortly after losing a 'Rest in Peace' match to Taker at SummerSlam 1993.
Gonzalez continued wrestling in Japan before retiring in 1995 due to sciatic nerve pain. He returned to Argentina in 1998 to settle in his hometown, where he had been living ever since.
Gonzalez is the fourth wrestler to pass away at a young age during a horrendous two months for the business - following Lance Cade, Luna Vachon and Bastion Booger.
~ Story from The Sun newspaper, UK!! ~
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01132/gonzales2_13_280x3_1132969a.jpg
GIANT ... Gonzalez with Undertaker
GIANT GONZALEZ, the tallest professional wrestler in the history of the business, has died aged 44.
The 7ft 7ins star, real name Jorge Gonzalez, passed away in his hometown of San Martin, Argentina, due to complications from diabetes.
The former WWE performer was wheelchair bound, due to the effects of his long battle with the illness, and this year had to cancel convention appearances in the States due to his poor health.
Gonzalez first moved from Argentina to the US in the late 1980s to play basketball.
But when his dreams of an NBA career went up in smoke, he discovered wrestling and signed for Ted Turner's WCW playing the role of gentle giant El Gigante.
He enjoyed a two-year run as a babyface - feuding with the Four Horseman at points - before leaving the promotion and joining WWE, then called WWF.
Debuting as Giant Gonzalez at the 1993 Royal Rumble, he eliminated The Undertaker from the Rumble match in possibly the highest profile moment of his career.
That move led to a rivalry that lasted the length of Gonzalez's WWF stay. He parted ways with the company shortly after losing a 'Rest in Peace' match to Taker at SummerSlam 1993.
Gonzalez continued wrestling in Japan before retiring in 1995 due to sciatic nerve pain. He returned to Argentina in 1998 to settle in his hometown, where he had been living ever since.
Gonzalez is the fourth wrestler to pass away at a young age during a horrendous two months for the business - following Lance Cade, Luna Vachon and Bastion Booger.
~ Story from The Sun newspaper, UK!! ~