IT'S TIME: How Vader Went From WWF Jobber to AJPW Champion

[@akumaku7930]

He's honored in Japan. Before WWF and WCW (I think) he defeated Inoki's streak in NJPW , despite how it crowd was despised it at the time, it grew a massive respect.

[@aye_its_karate6169]

“Despited how it crowd was despised” What in the actual fuck did you just try to say?🤣🤣🤣 did you have a stroke while typing your comment?🥴🥴😂😂😂😂

[@akumaku7930]

@@aye_its_karate6169 I don’t know, I typed it fast, I guess editing will help.

[@MrStupidarmy]

Ah yeah , the day NJPW fans turns into ECW fans

[@MarkPollard-yx8qg]

Vader was kept down by Shawn Michaels who thought he was a threat to his career and did not like how stiff Vader was

[@Thundarr100]

@@MarkPollard-yx8qg I always preferred wrestling with stiff wrestlers. It ensured our matches would look like shoots and not be obvious works. That’s the whole point of the business, to sell the illusion that what you’re watching is real.

[@lawrencejohnson8128]

May you rest in peace Vader Leon White

[@aye_its_karate6169]

I thought RIP stood for “Rot In Piss”🤣🤣💦💦🍆

[@Turnheadcough]

Nobody cares about his real name nobody is impressed you Wikipedia it

[@brianbrewer8346]

He lost both legs before he passed.

[@brianbrewer8346]

​@@Turnheadcoughthat is so SAVAGE and I like it.

[@MichaelThomas-ll1hw]

I’m sure he really appreciates you saying that on a KZbin comment about his declining career, very thoughtful of you

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

Even as a huge Sting mark, Vader won me over for just how impressively he mauled my hero. It's pretty incredible that WWF was the one major company that never made the most of him. Shawn could have had a perfect nemesis to overcome if his ego and attitude didn't get the better of him.

[@SagatHyoga]

He is really the perfect "Final Boss" on wrestling

[@mattjindrak]

Nooooo it's The Rock 🙄

[@serpentlord285]

​@@mattjindrak Nah, I love the Rock but Vader was an absolute monster in the ring and anytime I see him walk down the aisle I get excited to see him tear a man to pieces.

[@Edyime]

Gifted Glen Gilbertti was the true goat

[@joshuabryant9845]

​@@EdyimeHow is he gifted?

[@mrf19741]

I always have and will be a Fan of Big Van Vader. His matches against Antonio Inoki, Sting, and Mitsuharu Misawa are Legendary. To this day, I can't get over how the WWF wasted some of Vader's prime years because of backstage politics. RIP, Leon "Big Van Vader" White.

[@markwrenn5965]

Vader in WCW is one of my earliest memories of watching wrestling as a child. He holds a very special place in my heart, and is very likely the reason I gravitated so much to my favorite wrestler, Sting (who is still my favorite wrestler to this very day, always has been).

[@BlankoMitzi]

Sting!! Where are you sting!?

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

I met Vader at a local indy show near where I live sometime in the 2000's after he had come home from Japan. My friend and I got to chat with him for quite some time. I can honestly say, that in real life, he was absolutely nothing like who he was in the ring. He was super nice and respectful. He was constantly checking with the younger fans, asking them if they were having fun. He was one of the friendliest and nicest wrestlers I ever met, and he didn't mind hanging out and chatting with fans. If you had met him outside the ring, without knowing his job, it probably would have been a stretch to envision him as the terrifying monster that he was in the ring. He was that much different than who he was in the ring.

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

The WWE neutered Vader, everywhere else he was a huge star and champion.

[@A_YouTube_Commenter]

Shawn Michaels got in Pat Patterson's ear. After Pat got into Shawn's ***.

[@orlandob9958]

Is it true that that’s how Shawn blew up ?

[@themadviking5746]

He wasn't a WWF creation so he had to be buried , that's the WWE's favorite game to play with outside guys. Oh you like this guy fuq him , let's make him a joke ....

[@arostwocents]

​@@themadviking5746He was on the way to being a champion until Shawn ruined things. The kliq were some of the most negative people for wrestling we have ever seen

[@KozyKool2287]

​@@themadviking5746Austin & HHH were WCW guys too. But they came in during their late 20's & early 30's. Vader was middle aged and out of shape when he got to WWF. He got lost in the youth movement that was going on at the time.

[@The_Sage_of_Rage]

Love how Vader handled the interview to be honest

[@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick]

Yeah, that’s one thing about Vader that I think is greatly underrated about him as a wrestler. For being such a gigantic and imposing figure, he was eerily well-spoken when he wanted to be.

[@matiasvillalobos1316]

I’m saying they should’ve used that to make look like a killer

[@jackburton2680]

His matches against Misawa and the 2 against Kenta Kobashi are some of the greatest matches of all time, fucking awe inspiring. Exhausting honestly to witness, you can feel both dudes just draining themselves in there, amazing stuff. Feels like an actual fight, a legit athletic contest. It is incredible he so quickly went on to deliver those performances after how lame his time in WWF ended. One of the biggest, "fuck, did we mismanage or not see the treasure we had on our hands?" type of situations in wrestlign history

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Yes sir ! I wish more fans that dont know , could see these gems ! If all they knew was WWE and WCW could see this ? It would blow their minds !

[@hughjass5756]

Vader was just one example of talent not being used right or being taken seriously in the WWF/E. It didn't help that Vince didn't take talent seriously which was why a lot of them ended up in WCW or some other kind of bs

[@aye_its_karate6169]

Wow! You can say Japanese names! So cool! You are a real Mark💯💯

[@jackburton2680]

@@aye_its_karate6169 That's so low effort trolling. Do better

[@Brando-Lee3725]

@@aye_its_karate6169 im a mak because i know their names ? Im a mark for great wrestling ! No shame there .

[@guitarguru.3572]

It’s kind of a shame that he didn’t unleash some of that Kuwait fury on Shawn Michaels.

[@jjdillon1207]

Couldn’t agree more

[@rayvenkman2087]

Considering the amount of shit HBK pulled and got away with in the 90's, most of Vader's backstage heat would have left had he taught the prick a lesson in humility and earn himself the admiration of everyone who had problems with 90's HBK.

[@ericYg909]

Vader's run in Japan was incredible, a real unstoppable monster, and that metal helmet was cool as hell

[@ryanjohnson7563]

This was damn amazing. I was always a HUGE fan of Vader, even when he was jobbing in the fed, his Matches with Sting rent constant space in my memory. Very good video, kudos sir.

[@kokobwild2413]

i'm not telling Ryan.

[@jazzygeofferz]

Vader & Sting are two of my favourites, and their feud in WCW was amazing. I definitely need to find his All Japan run.

[@therealangelalexander1858]

​@Geoffrey Walsh His matches in NOAH and All Japan are all over the internet, even on KZbin. If you've seen them by now tho then I hope you've enjoyed!

[@jonedepth9164]

I think the writing was on the wall for Vader after that Michaels title shot, apart from some sporadic highlights like his match with Owen Hart, the stiff fest with Shamrock, the match against Kane, and a not bad match against an unusually motivated Sid (who carried himself well but was a lazy worker as soon as the bell rung.) But both Shawn and Bret hated working with him, the matches with Taker were mostly unmotivated slogs, not helped by the fact Taker was coming off a vicious feud with Mankind where that sort of violence hadn't been seen in WWF in a while, and then that feud with The Artist Formely Known As Goldust. Outside things like the Kuwait incident, I think he became unmotivated because of backstage politics, whereas Sid just kind of waded through it and stayed on the top guys good side, kept his character and got over naturally with the audience despite being 100th of the worker Vader was. It's almost a shame for Vader that Foley was an out and out heel at the time, because renewing their WCW feud could've been exactly what the Vader character needed. It was a blessing going back to Japan and dealing with the likes of Kawada, Misawa, Kobashi and Taue who had earned their stripes by getting beaten up by Hansen, grumpy Tsuruta, grumpy Tenryu, Gordy and Dr Death Steve Williams.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Shawn Michaels is everything I hate about wrestling. Vader deserved better.

[@terryarmbruster9719]

Writing was on wall when he broke down and sobbed like a baby at two events and locker room.

[@hrshsln6768]

The 2 years Vader spent at All Japan is the best run he had in Japan in my opinion, the match when he beat Misawa & became the triple crown heavyweight champion was so awesome especially that post match promo, Vader in Japan is just 10 times cooler than Vader in the US

[@piscinaiv7937]

I always felt this way back in the day as well. In Japan, Vader was really able to show off what kind of story he was capable of telling.

[@joshfuller5076]

Thank you for this video. Even as kid in the early 90's Vader was one of my favorites. His look was like no one else. Like he looked so strong, but moved like a cruiserweight sometimes. So awesome.

[@armandotorres8962]

Ah that Vader promo. Brian Zane did a great vid about Vader's time in the WWF and i loved the part that while Vader is cutting that promo, Brian is doing the burying thing. The most accurate way to describe that promo. Honestly, if he's gonna cut a promo like that, the least you can do is keep him off TV. Maybe have the story that he's trying to build himself back up again and retrain. I don't know, SOMETHING.

[@giangarciamusic]

40:25 has to be the cutest Vader moment ever, haha. RIP Leon

[@lion_son1]

“OH ITS TIME, ITS TIME, ITS VADER TIME” still give me chills to this day

[@FactsoftheMatters]

It's awesome you put such a great tribute together for the big guy!

[@Markyd123]

Good video. Be careful with njpw stuff they are brutal.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Shove. It. Maaaaaaaaaaaan!

[@Edyime]

*A wild slapnuts appears* Double J, Jeff Jarrett

[@HudsonValleyVHS]

I was one of your super early subscribers, congrats on the all the success!!!

[@Ripcookiethief]

I never knew about the Kuwait interview fiasco. How fun! Aw, Vader winning the titles in Japan and looking so happy made me tear up.

[@andrewbryce2707]

You forgot to mention he was the first wrestler to win triple crown, IWGP heavyweight championship and UWF-i world title. Vader mentioned that on his interview with the media after he won the triple crown.

[@Rjensen2]

Vader was literally the only person that counts them, and certainly the only one who cares.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Kawada was originally my favorite of the 4 Pillars when i first TRULY grabbed on and could find tapes of AJPW in 94 . Then the more i watched i grew to eventually gravitate to others . Thank God for the internet and youtube ! I didnt have to spend hundreds of dollars to keep up ! But Ive been a fan since 85 and i love NWA , WCCW , Memphis and all in between . Nothing beats AJPW from the mid 80s till the exodus .

[@AAVVVAAADDAAAKAAADAVRAAA]

Vader was world champion in WCW AJPW he became a job or in WWF later in his career but that man was a world champion and companies for years before WWF got him

[@aram5127]

That Shamrock slam was so freakin nice.

[@oceancycloneblue5356]

When kane cracked him with that huge wrench i legit was worried for vader as a kid, a guy that big with a giant wrench? Kane was straight up scary back then.

[@shv3t]

Extremely underrated! I remember seeing him as a kid on TV and thought it was the most intimidating presence I had ever seen from a wrestler. His skillset was impeccable.

[@PhilMiCoochie]

Definitely not underrated... Everyone praises him for being one of the best big men to ever grace the ring. The fella in the video even said that modern big men always get compared with Leon

[@Rjensen2]

Lmao, someone else that doesn't know what underrated means. 😂

[@BluThundr]

I think the match between Kane and Vader at No Way Out 1998 is a fucking outstanding affair, it makes Kane look such a badass, it's a shame it's at an expensive of Vader and Kane getting fed to Undertaker constantly.

[@jipsumies3435]

32:34 Damn... ECW champion Big Van Vader just sounds good

[@JohnSmithAprilMay]

There's a lot of nostalgia here for me. That Vader-Kobashi match VHS, which also had a lot of the buildup (including that brutal Kawada-Misawa match and Baba's funeral) was the first tape I ever imported from Japan. I opened my first checking account to buy it.

[@maldust7438]

Vader legit scared me when I was young. I honestly believed he walked around with that mask on just beating people up.

[@gesarts3625]

I needed this. I always felt like Vader got dealt a shit hand, but this made me feel a lot better. Thank you man. RIP to the best big man to ever do it.

[@jordanbrown4221]

Great video, it was worth the watch. Vadar never received the love he deserved in the WWE.

[@generalkhan5569]

Great video I've watched 3 times already but there's a couple of parts you got wrong, when Vader first left WCW in September '95 his first choice was to go back to New Japan but after working 2 shows Inoki didn't have any spots open. So Vader decided to use that opportunity to take some much needed time off to repair his shoulder and manage his real estate properties, but he had an incompetent agent who made a botched deal with the WWF that wasn't in Leon's favor at all. Vader wanted to make his WWF debut after Wrestlemania to give his shoulder time to heal, but Vince wanted Vader to show up at Royal Rumble and his agent didn't stand firm which was an inconvience for Vader. Fast forward to All Japan in '98 the May 1st show wasn't inter-promotional with AJPW and WWF, there was a clause in Vader contract where he could work one show a year in Japan and Stan reached out to Vader to work that show so Vader was able to exercise that clause. After that show Baba was so impressed with Vader's performance he had Stan to call him with the offer to join All Japan, but Vader turned it down bc Vince promised him a world title run, which he lied and still had Vader jobbing in the mid-card, in August of '98 baba extended another offer to Vader and this time he took it. This time Vader stood firm and negotiated his own release and as a result Vince had him to job on his way out, but gottdammit it was worth it bc he accomplished more in 6 moths in Japan than he did the entire 2 1/2 years in WWF.

[@MadPanicGaming]

My favorite super heavy weight. All of the various video game and anime characters inspired by him just further shows how popular he was in Japan back in the day. It was always fun to see him pop up in other media, like when he was on Boy Meets World and his appearance in the Fist of the North Star movie.

[@jonathanjackgoodman2764]

He was one of the only wrestler action figures I ever had as a kid. His battles with Earthworm Jim and Jurassic Park dinosaurs though unknown were epic indeed.

[@declanoneill9604]

I was unaware of this incredible All Japan run. Great video!

[@dacronicspotgaming6104]

Great mini documentary on Vader, keep up the awesome work

[@arizonawrestlinginterviews1040]

Great awesome video! The story of Vader is truly one of the greatest redemption stories in wrestling history.

[@michaelknight2753]

Super job in the journalism of this video. This is the best Japan wrestling channel in KZbin Thank you for your effort

[@marsil1472]

Thank you for making this video, really really enjoyed it. Vader time

[@gameplayer1980]

Up until the table flip, Vader did a great job expressing his point. Never seen that part of the interview before.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Defending kayfabe.

[@Mr.Majestic77]

Vader had a great run in WCW as well.

[@QBall-me6zh]

yeah, until Hogan got there

[@Brenc623]

Your videos are so easy to watch, hats off to you my friend

[@mistere9099]

Great video and great channel. I read about a lot of this stuff back in the day but never saw most of it and this does a great job catching me up on what I missed.

[@pro-wrestlingichibanbrazil8016]

Vader and Hansen appeared in Ultimate Muscle (kinnikuman)

[@Paranoida]

This video was great. Real eye-opening look at a career I've always been interested in but never deep dived into. I'll definitely have to check out the rest of your videos

[@WhitegirlslayerX]

Please do a video on Japanese Shoot Style. It doesn't get that much coverage in the West and it's my favorite facet of Japanese wrestling.

[@Rjensen2]

Since this channel thinks Vader was a jobber in the WWF, are they really the goofs that you want to do a video about Japanese wrestling?

[@rd6931]

Thank you for the video. It made me appreciate Vader even more.

[@kidgruesome407]

great vid. do bam bam next. Merry Christmas Wes.

[@JoeLunsford-e8c]

It blows me away, thinking about how WWF/WWE completely wasted Leon's talent. 😢 But we know they are known as the company that turns monsters into jokes. It's sad.....

[@eastcoasteric]

Vader was the first ‘nimble’ big man in wrestling - and he rarely gets the credit he deserves.

[@MattCalamia]

This ruled. I can't wait to watch your other two videos and hope you continue making content.

[@TheJDough1]

This is a great video. Well done. I love the commentary.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

That entrance with the steam spitting helmet was the t!ts. Blew my mind that he didn’t do it more. I know he didn’t wanna carry the mask everywhere and other issues with it, but damn, that entrance alone was money.

[@Rjensen2]

Yeah, like he's really going to travel with that thing to use it in front of 1500 people. 😂

[@browns1ism]

Great documentary on a guy who I’m a huge fan of great job!!!!!!

[@Nick_Fade]

Incredible video!!! If the rest of your content is like this then this is quite the heavily underrated channel! Easily earned a sub from me👍🏼

[@Brando-Lee3725]

LOVED this vid ! And your last statements i agree without a shadow of a doubt ! Thank you . Such a great in depth vid . I really appreciate it . Sorry i commented so much !!!

[@WitherianSkull]

This was a really good video, I didn't know all this stuff about Vader in new Japan, I definitely subscribed to your channel for more videos like this or other videos you make in the future

[@ivanvukasovic1371]

I'll always be in awe of wrestlers who push 350+ pounds, and are able to have 20 minute barnburners, really makes you question the human body. As for Vader himself, he's one of my fave wrestlers ever, I've once downloaded 40+ GB of his matches, from 80s AWA, his entire NJPW and WCW runs, some great WWE and NOAH matches as well. But nothing comes close to the 98-99 AJPW run, coincidentally one of my favorite eras for any wrestling promotion ever. Thank you so much, Mastodon, I hope you're trampling opponents beyond the Pearly Gates for all eternity ❤🖤

[@shakeandjake_1]

Quickly becoming my new favorite channel

[@misterelom]

This is a great comeback story for Vader. Didn't follow much of his post-WWF run back then but loved his WCW & NJPW runs so much of this was pretty new to me (especially him and Steve Williams winning the tag titles....that's a hell of a duo!). When Vader first came to WWF it seemed like they were really going to push him as the beast he had been in the previous companies but sadly it fell apart later on. Great to see him having got his swagger back in All-Japan. He's in my top 5 big men of all time in wrestling. R.I.P. to a legend.

[@Halbared]

I watched Canadian Stampede live, it is one of my fave PPVs.I remember the Raw appearance of Sid, I loved the new set of 5 we had to face the Hart Foundation, sadly it didn't work out.

[@M.S.Fitness]

Anybody remember when Vader used to sometimes come out wearing is ring gear back to front 🤣

[@rdtworld9720]

That's how he originally wore it in WCW

[@M.S.Fitness]

@@rdtworld9720 doesn't stop the fact that it was being worn the wrong way around

[@ramseydoon8277]

21:42 what a beautiful finish 😮

[@anonluxor470]

Thank you for mentioning aja Kong she is literally the female vader

[@coolhandcurtj7055]

I gave a thumbs up....but I always try to comment on your vids... So, I came back for a second watch! Cheers bro! Love your content!

[@pauldarwinpicklesimer3430]

Another great video. Thanks so much for your excellent content!

[@bensonwu6120]

Thank you for this video, it’s greatness

[@JayceeGenocide]

Excellent & Thorough Documentary

[@MatheusB.SdeFreitas-sn3pj]

Rip Vader wrestling Legend God bless you.

[@andrewstevens2133]

How humble he is in Japan. Amazing

[@sithvsjedi9696]

Great video mate 👍🏼. I look forward to more.

[@kerrycaldwell2519]

shamrock was a former king of pancrase you dont even mention that when talking about his experience he knew quite a bit about pr wrestling catch wrestling and amature wrestling waaay more than mark henry...

[@KozyKool2287]

Just in time for the holidays. Love your content.

[@MR-in8bl]

Flash Funk took a better Kane bump than Kane on Triple H's pedigree. 8:11

[@Buffalobryan82]

Keep up the great work Kim Justice !

[@yamazaky2k2]

I remember when wwf came to kuwait. I was such a great memory.i don't any of the wrestlers will be in any trouble because of the good relationship between kuwait and the American army.

[@JustMe-ts8bn]

Got to say your videos are a thing of joy.

[@hihowareyouhi]

Awesome video. I watched from beginning to end and was not disappointed 😎.

[@glenhayman8722]

Vader was both a monster from your nightmares, but then you hear how others and contemporaries view and respect him you know that he was a true legend

[@clintsaines9274]

When wcw showed promos of him before GAB 1990 I was immediately interested.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

He was WcW champ and NJPW chamb before going to WWF so the dude already was made

[@rasslinempire126]

Amazing video man,you should make more of these

[@Xanthro2]

Damn man, great video! Thank you for making it :D Loved Vader, I'm just mad I only got to see him during the end of his WWE run. I knew he was YUGE in JP, so much so he had a parody of him n a fighting game from SNK, but sadly, I've never got to see any of those matches. I know of some places to look, just unsure if I can find a "All Vader, All JP" content pack.

[@herbjacobs3839]

Great video. I can really tell you do your research and you really enjoy wrestling and not just a WWE fan reading a wiki

[@antoniocollier52]

That stiff hard-hitting style was perfect in Japan, he was a victim of the backstage politics during his WWF run

[@penskepc2374]

I love how awkwarded out the undertaker is, like "damn, glasses were a good call" 😂😂😂

[@CaosProphet]

Its kinda sad that the HBK match is only a small notion in that video even though Michaels running to Vince afterwards and crying about Vader was the beginning of his burrial (confirmed by HHH, Jim Cornett and Bruce Prichard)

[@bozazz]

Man, having to keep redoing this video must have given you so many headaches - hope it finally stays up 🤞

[@McDraivid]

Amazing work as always. Greetings from Germany 😎

[@Me_AV]

Vader was my total favorite when I was in HS during his WCW run...he was a monster! I loved it!

[@orllyfools14X8]

Do a video on Mike Awesome!

[@dary0097]

4:35 At this time Mark knew things were gonna Heat up 😆

[@VeryStupid4547]

Great Sasuke vs Taka Michinoku at IYH: Canadian Stampede = Must watch

[@Halbared]

He was my fave for a long time. He’s in my top three with Bam Bam and Earthquake.

[@guywilliams6569]

I love Jim Woss and Ken Shamwok...

[@Ryclak]

This video is amazing, please keep up the great work.

[@anjetto1]

Vader's hook felt real. Like Leon was tired of Shamrock's stiff kicks so he just hauled off and punched him to teach a lesson