Andre The Giant Celebration Set for Saturday
This weekend is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Andre The Giant.
The legendary Andre Roussimoff, who passed away 30 years ago, will be honored at “A Giant Tribute”, an event taking place tomorrow in Ellerbe, North Carolina.
“Andre was such a big part of our town,” says Brett Webb, the president of Ellerbe’s Rankin Museum of American Heritage. “He lived in Ellerbe at the AFJ Ranch for the final 12 years of his life. When he wasn’t on the road, he was just another guy in Ellerbe. So to be able to honor him, it’s really special for the community.
“Andre was larger-than-life here. We’re honored to hold a giant celebration here.”
Courtesy Brett Webb
During the celebration, the Rankin Museum is hosting an Andre The Giant exhibition. The feature items include Andre’s size-26 red wrestling boots, his pink ring jacket, his Giant Machine mask, one of his famed black singlets, and Andre-inspired pictures drawn by Bret Hart. Photos from Andre’s personal life and career will be on display, as famed Andre historian Chris Owens brought many pieces of his collection to Ellerbe.
“I am bringing around 50-60 photos for a display that will showcase Andre’s career in and out of the ring,” says Owens. “The majority of these photos will not have been seen before by the general public. The photos will show Andre at home in Ellerbe, as well as various photos from his time in Montreal, Japan, and the territories in the 1970s and 80’s.”
Courtesy Chris Owens
Owens has been an Andre The Giant collector since 1981, and he is always honored to share his collection with Andre’s fans and peers.
“I have a lot of personal pieces of his, which are all special to me,” says Owens. “I also have collected programs and posters from the start of his career to his very last match. I cherish the photos I took as a teenager of him from when I first saw him in person. It always reminds me of that great feeling of a young fan whose appreciation and admiration of Andre hasn’t wavered in over 40 years.”
The celebration also includes a street fair, a wrestling show, and a chance to meet Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, who is Andre’s daughter. There will also be a meet-and-greet with stars of Andre’s era.
Dave Mucciariello from Lelands Auctions coordinated talent, and those in attendance will include “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Haku, Warlord, and the Barbarian. “Cowboy” Bob Orton will also be present, and he is honored to share memories of Andre.
Courtesy WWE
Orton, one of the preeminent heels of the early 1980s, shared a personal connection with Andre outside of the ring.
“Andre dated my little sister,” says Orton, who is the father of WWE star Randy Orton. “They dated for a long time. And he was one of the nicest men you’ve ever met.”
Orton and Andre wrestled each other in various territories, later reconnecting in WWE.
“Whenever I was in the ring with Andre, I never felt a stronger pair of hands,” says Orton. “He didn’t even know his own strength.”
Andre The Giant and a young Randy Orton
Pro wrestling is in the midst of another boom era, but it would not have reached this point without giant-sized contributions from past eras. While much of Andre’s best work took place before he was in the WWE, his work at WrestleMania, especially WrestleMania III and WrestleMania VI, has stood the test of time.
“It’s great that people still recognize our era,” says Orton. “That means a lot. And there was no one like Andre. He was one of the best ever, and especially gifted for his size.
“There will never be another like him. Andre was one of a kind.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
