Kevin Sullivan on Andre The Giant Abusing John Studd

Kevin Sullivan on Andre The Giant Abusing John Studd
Former WCW Head Writer and legendary wrestler/manager "The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan discusses "WWE Hall of Famer" Andre The Giant's habit of abusing wrestlers in the ring who he didn't like including fellow Hall of Famer Big John Studd who Sullivan gives specific examples of why Studd was dreaded working with Andre.
www.TheHannibalTV.com
Facebook: / great-north-wrestling-...
Twitter & Instagram @TheHannibalTV
Subscribe to the Great North Wrestling Podcast on ITunes: podcasts.apple...
Patreon: / thehannibaltv
www.amazon.ca/...

[@mfrost228]

I remember seeing Studd vs Andre live, Studd came out first and looked huge, then Andre came out, got in the ring and started throwing Studd around, on the way back Studd seemed a lot smaller to me.

[@GESSO217]

There's an interview with George "The Animal Steel" where he talks about Stud stepping over the top rope and Andre telling him not to. "You're no Giant. Giant steps over Top rope, you step underneath." And Stud would step over the top rope and Andre would kick his ass.

[@southsideman4891]

Seem like he always had a reason to mistreat people

[@etodd568]

@@southsideman4891 Not really Andre only disliked only a few wrestler's and Big John Studd was one and Macho Man was the other. If you disrespected the Giant you were put into your place...Treat him with respect and you were close to him

[@southsideman4891]

@@etodd568 did you see him stand full weight on the back of Iron Sheik? Did you see him pull a patch of hair from Jake Roberts? Did you hear Kamala say he had to take a knife with him in a ring with Andre? Step #1 to do with abusers: Acknowledge that they are abusers.

[@billlewis1829]

@@southsideman4891 Acknowledge the fact they all stepped into the ring with a 7 1/2 foot tall 500 Lbs. human being that was more than capable of seriously injuring or worse and paid to do so. Will be tested by peers in any athletic sport. Also, keep in mind in shoots, what is still kayfabe and real.

[@southsideman4891]

@@billlewis1829 yes, sir. I understand all of that. He wasn't a footer either, they said 7'4 but next to Wilt listed at 7'1 he was shorter. There's no way a man would lie about talking a knife in the ring with a guy or have a reason to it there was great truth to the lot of these stories said about Andre. He had a good side, I am not discounting it; but he did do great harm to people and the ones hurt got a right to be heard too .

[@johngallagher72]

I heard the entering the ring in another shoot . Might have been Bobby Heenans . Someone said Andre felt he was the only one who should climb over the ring to get into it.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

it was George The Animal you were either on Andre's good or sh*t list I blame Studd

[@SeanRankin2]

Ernie Ladd used to step over the top rope too. But I never heard of Andre having issues with him

[@Scyllax]

@@SeanRankin2 He didn’t mind him or that Japanese giant going over the top, either.

[@rescareguy]

John was wrestling in a small place in West Virginia. He spoke highly of Andre.

[@lordtimothy9740]

Had the opportunity to meet John on a independent show worked on promoted by Dick Kerikofe had his son with him seemed like a good man.

[@J-Colt]

He talks about Orlando. My favorite memories is going to Eddie Graham Sportatorium to the wrestling matches and roller derby. When Terry Funk was NWA champ he wrestled Dusty there. Funk pulled out brass knucks and pinned Dusty. First riot I ever seen. My brother in law who was 15 years older than me was walking past ring side after getting a beer and heard Funk say, Dusty, get up! Their going to kill me! lol.

[@dansmith8912]

Ha!me to brother,I was there.still love here. But it ain't the same anymore! Sad.those were good days!

[@AJH3518]

Great place to see matches .

[@etodd568]

The good old days of Roller Derby and the M-word Wrestling....my Pops would take us on Sat to the San Jose Civic

[@AJH3518]

I grew up watch Florida Championship wrestling in the 80s. Kevin Sullivan and his characters were so great I still think that era of wrestling was the best so many legends and of course Gordon solie

[@peterisnardi1197]

I wonder if John Studd was stepping over the rope on orders from Vince? I mean, he was doing a Giant gimmick vs Andre...

[@davidgraham8299]

Peter Isnardi This was in Orlando Florida in the territory days, so pre-vince.

[@mosheguerrier5967]

I saw Hillbilly Jim stepping over the third rope entering the ring and André and himself got along pretty well.

[@michaelallanrubin2376]

@@davidgraham8299 andre and studd had a love hate relationship in real life even Billy graham says so

[@briandubbeld5665]

I agree with Kevin on John studd being a nice in real life 👍👍👍👍👍in 1981 my friend and were walking Atlantic Blvd in Daytona beach fl we mr.studd and he the most friendly person we had meant shook hands he acted Almost like best friends 🙂🙂🙂🙂 we were very impressed by this because he was a heal in the ring and on t.v but super nice in real life so it made have respect for the wrestlers because we would see them in Tampa fl at armory tell Kevin thanks for the great & AWSOME entertainment 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@snakeman6124]

English....Do you know it?

[@synthonaplinth5980]

@@snakeman6124 English, yes. Use of punctuation, not so much.

[@snakeman6124]

@@synthonaplinth5980 Lmfao props for being honest with it brotha

[@Holden308]

This isn't the first time I've heard the story that Andre's biggest beef with Studd was that Big John stepped OVER the ropes like he did instead of through them. And apparently a lot of people did tell Studd that he should step through the ropes. But the promoters, including Vince McMahon, wanted him to step over and that put a bee in Andre's bonnet. Maybe it was deliberate by the promoters hoping an angry Giant would see better matches between two guys who in most wrestling terms were fairly limited in their movement.

[@jamalsoward72]

Andre had it in his mind, no one step over the ropes but me. Big John Studd had that fuck Andre I'm the giant of wrestling. He wasn't Andre was the giant of wrestling

[@Millwall77]

Heard a lot of stories of Andre being mad at Studd for walking over the top rope, but Hillbilly also did that but Andre seemed to be fine with that?

[@randybarnett2308]

Sid Vicious used to walk over the top rope too.

[@Millwall77]

@@randybarnett2308 Yes but when Sid came in Andre was in a bad state and I guess he couldnt have done much about it, even if he would have wanted to.

[@jordandill7863]

i like hearing how Andre called everyone "Boss"

[@sendit1158]

Call everyone Boss then u don't have to remember names

[@jordandill7863]

@@sendit1158 but remember he calls you "boss" you BETTER make sure to call him "Boss" back

[@JAY-zd7vu]

Andre liked to be called boss back to.

[@etodd568]

I heard if you called him BOSS and respected him he treated you like family

[@lawerencethergood1137]

Wow I was just thinking the same thing and just then I looked down and saw your comment that's crazy

[@Mister75199]

Ken Patera said Big John idolized Andre. It would suck to find out the person u admired was terrible

[@VolkColopatrion]

True but there was also the disrespect of stepping over the top rope. Wasn't there?

[@VolkColopatrion]

Andre the Giant was a gentleman through and through. He seldom if ever had a bad word to say about anybody. The thing is John had to respect the theater that was wrestling. Big John said over the top rope and that was a big disrespect

[@VolkColopatrion]

@Energetic Coach insecure? Stop saying bs. Wrestling is a bit of showmanship. You don't steal someone's routine

[@DeeDee-en3oe]

@@VolkColopatrion but he would have been told to do that, that kind of stuff gets approved by the higher ups. Vince would’ve known about it nothing gets past him.

[@VolkColopatrion]

@@DeeDee-en3oe I don't think so.

[@TerrickTerran]

Never get tired of Sullivan stories.

[@freedomisntfree2089]

I'll always have respect for Big John.. I think he was a great guy. Andre on the other hand I think was an obnoxious bully to a lot of people

[@jonfranks6902]

I think Andre kept everyone in line

[@craigwilson3532]

@@jonfranks6902 by bullying them lol

[@craigwilson3532]

Yea everything I've heard, Studd was a real nice guy

[@stndrds79]

I agree

[@criticalbill2090]

Bad news Brown had something to say about Andre’s ways 😂

[@AgeofReason]

Show starts at 1:18 Everything before 1:18 is boring bullcrap that doesn't matter.

[@wileecoyote5749]

Thanks

[@wethriveIn425]

Andre was The Giant, as he saw younger, more athletic, better built guys coming up, it’s only natural that he’d feel that he’s working with his eventual replacement, and he was shitty to them. He did it with Stud. He did it with Hogan. He’d of done to Paul Wight if they’d of been in the same era. Andre was a hero to all of us, but he was a human.

[@VolkColopatrion]

He was not shitty to them. Those people have nothing but good things to say. Puts a whole in your crap theory

[@wethriveIn425]

@@VolkColopatrion Mark.

[@briandavidson1946]

@@wethriveIn425 Luke

[@coyote311]

John went over the top on orders from the office. He was told to do it to appear to be larger than he was in order to appear to be a real threat to Andre. Andre was simply being petty and also a bully by taking advantage of a man who was simply to nice and had too much respect to fight back.

[@hbleslmh7940]

we always look for excuse for the people (wrestler) we love.

[@terrelparris8642]

I remember Andre destroying John Stud. Stud was totally juiced on steroids. John was asked by Andre not to step over the ropes, but Stud would not listen. Andre beat the crap out of Stud.

[@Lantern72]

You would think Andre would have liked that stud did the things he did-(claiming to be the only giant, stepping over the top rope, ect). That drew heat- and only amplified the feud. Everyone knew who the real giant was. If im andre- id WANT stud to get as much heat on himself as possible. Doesnt make sense to dislike stud for that. I would have encouraged it. Stud would never be a bigger star than andre- so that shouldve never been a comcern. It couldve been one of those international rivalries that couldve drawn in any territory- like the Brody/Abdullah fued.

[@bigj6143]

Andre didn't seem to mind when Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd stepped over the top rope in their matches. I guess in those days Andre could move alot better. A shame when all that was left is ego and big body. Andre treated Savage poorly over baby oil. Why? Because he didn't want to shower after the match? It got so Andre wanted to drink Crown Royal, play cards, walk to the ring, walk back from the ring, drink more Crown Royal, play more cards then hit the bars. Savage had a gimmick to play that he perfected and the baby oil enhanced his muscle tone and appearance. From his catch phrases to his outfits, his voice, mimic and hand gestures, and yes even the baby oil. He wasn't seven feet 500 pounds.

[@johngallagher72]

Bobby Heenan said the same thing about BJS

[@dwaynestankowski6916]

I don't see why John Stud so scared of Andre John almost as big as him. And faster.

[@BNatoAk]

Don't believe Andre was ever jealous of another wrestler but if he was,it was Big John Studd!!

[@TheLesnar28]

Big John studd surely could hurt Andre if he hit him . He’s not fucking weak , he used to bench 700 lbs ffs .

[@etodd568]

I remember going to Oakland Arena to see Hulk wrestler Mr. Wonderful and this was way before Hulk was as big as he was after all the WrestleMania's. Anyway Andre the Giant was the main event against Big John Studd and let me tell you we were 3 rows back and Andre put a hurting on John Studd so bad you would of never thought it was not real because not even 10 mins in Studd ran out of the ring holding his side and he was hurting bad the slaps and body slams Andre put on him and this was 1982-83? It wasn't until I seen recently that Vince said Andre didn't like him and Hulk even said Andre couldn't stand Studd.

[@mikewagner6396]

Didn’t Andre also hate the Iron Sheik?

[@TheStuport]

Andre really hated Randy Savage as well...especially because Randy would oil up his body before their match and Andre hated getting that goo all over himself....he really took it out on The Macho Man in The Squared Circle!

[@shannonharrel1388]

@@michaelallanrubin2376 if that were true he would have hated most of the wrestlers back then

[@shannonharrel1388]

@@michaelallanrubin2376 I am not saying she did, I just dont think he hated steroids that much seeing as most used them. I could be wrong, but I think bruce prichard said andre hated how savage was controlling of his wife.

[@markjackson6431]

well we heard this from Hogan sooo

[@billlewis1829]

'NO BABY OIL! GET OUT! NO BABY OIL!"

[@TheStuport]

@@billlewis1829 LOLOL....Spot On!

[@Pennshitz]

From most accounts. Andre was a bully.

[@davidkosach3095]

Yes they both became friends in Japan. They were a tag team winners in Japan and Andre even raises John’s hand in victory!! John had to wear a mask to hide his ID lol John showed Andre a lot of respect after he got tossed around like a rag doll lol However the top rope gag was used as an insult towards Andre as a way to upset him lol but in the back room John stated to Andre he did it to honor him 👍 no other reason for doing it so in the PR room with the powers that be, they all agreed to use it a sign of disrespect instead of the real reason. Lol joke was all on us. lol

[@millspgh]

I have heard this over the top rope story forma few guys, wonder why Studd just didn't quit going over the top rope? Then maybe him and Andre could have had something special.

[@ThereIsNoLord]

I wish I heard more about Andre getting introduced to other wrestlers girlfriends!

[@unclestinky6388]

I had heard that Andre did not like that Studd stepped over the top rope. I also heard that Studd would bend over backward otherwise to appease Studd including bringing Andre bottles as gifts. Studd should have stopped stepping over the rope if Andre had a problem with it, rather than unsuccessfully trying to appease Andre otherwise.

[@mj-7444]

Andre was gentle in everyone of the matches that I saw.It must have happened off aire.

[@arlichar11]

i dont buy that andre did that because of the rope thing, thats something the company would control or it would have been discussed .. and john wouldnt do if he knew was gonna get him hurt ... i always liked john way more... he had a good look and name and looked realistic in ring.. andre was awkward and not believable

[@christopherbako]

Andre seems to be a bully, using his political power to push guys away.

[@TeranIcer]

I think most of it was from a disrespect angle. Like when Macho Man was being a jackass in the locker room, so Andre put it on him in the ring.

[@shawnsdr3406]

Andre was an alcoholic

[@durden2480]

I’d like to see a Sullivan- perry Saturn shoot.

[@gregamania1327]

Hannibal used to visit a local glory hole here in Calgary years ago.

[@ontourwtk]

I remember kevin in the 70s nwa he was a good guy in wrestling terms Remarkable the career he made for himself

[@Slop_Dogg]

andre would take dumps on other wrestlers too, just big craps

[@jpbart1390]

if andre hated studd going over the top rope, imagine what he would've done to kevin nash! but in all ferity, kev's legs are longer than andre's was, despite being shorter than andre.

[@vincegedeon6583]

Big John Studd is a Legend in his own right who in the hell wouldn't be afraid of Andre😱😂🤘💕💪

[@thespaceram2879]

Stop doing satan's horn sign. Unless you want to end up in hell later for representing him. Denounce satan and willingly accept God=Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior while there is time.

[@maxmirkin7238]

@@thespaceram2879 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 Hail Satan, baby! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

@@thespaceram2879 Asmodeus rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thespaceram2879]

@@maxmirkin7238 if you keep praising satan you are going to end up with him in hell later

[@maxmirkin7238]

@@thespaceram2879 Fingers crossed. 🤘

[@randybarnett2308]

Would've loved it if The Undertaker fought Andre, I don't think Andre would intimidate The Undertaker in his prime👍💪🤠

[@mikeclontz5774]

The undertaker would be like a fly on Andre's chest .

[@bryguy2694]

You do realize that wrestling is fake?They would’ve had great matches but Andre would squash Taker like a bug in real life. Andre wouldn’t be able to feel it. It’d be like my 2yr old hitting me

[@randybarnett2308]

@Sean Clarke alright what about Andre The Giant vs Negan with or without Lucille?👍💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@Wadzillia]

People don't realize Andre was past his prime in 80s. Andre was quick for giant in the 70s. His hand balled up in a fist was like bowling ball. Undertaker would get his ass whooped by Andre.

[@rickrick5041]

Mike Clontz How would Andre have done in the UFC?

[@siltstrider6812]

John studd wasn't afraid of Andre.. get real... maybe respected him, but not fear him.

[@shawnm4189]

Maybe in a professional sense he was. Andre had a ton of stroke with the McMahons and could make your life miserable if you crossed him. Andre was physically tough and strong sure but as King Kong Bundy said in a shoot he could wreck you professionally as bad or worse than in the ring. Just ask Bam Bam Bigelow or Michael PS Hayes. Big John Studd probably bent over backwards to appease Andre for business reasons more than anything because Big John was a big guy who could take it as well as dish it in the ring. But in real life Big John was very nice whereas Andre could be more ruthless professionally as well as working stiff in the ring. My guess is Big John was protecting his spot. Plus you just know it was VKM telling Big John to step over the top rope to egg Andre on. If the boss tells you to do it, what choice do you have if you want to keep your spot?

[@michaelmccrory6688]

Hell I'm wondering what happened to the girl.

[@Jay-lh2nt]

Kevin Sullivan, My neighbor and friend! We our Boston -brother

[@Fultonfalcons86]

Man he hated the sheik but he really hated Stud.....

[@steveinnh9]

The Sheik could have tied this idiot in knots any time he wanted to. Andre was legit scared of the SheiK

[@Takemura77]

@@steveinnh9 Sure bud

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

@@steveinnh9 yeah that's why Shiek "allowed" Andre to hit him with real shots Shiek was the a-hole abusing jobbers several wrestlers confirmed it

[@joshuac5537]

When you start a story and finish two others 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@saprissa30]

Remember....john was 6'9 Think what king fucking monster you have to be to intimate a guy like that. Andre was like 7'4 and veeeeery heavy

[@rodneypettis1720]

Hey Kevin great shirt you have on I'm Pat's fan my self and are great wrestlers too!!!!!

[@PureBleachFilms]

I feel like these wrestlers just lie a lot, I mean their whole profession is about acting and pretending.

[@TheHannibalTV]

The do very true

[@shawngreene1225]

Kevin Sullivan with the patriots shirt on👍👍👍

[@GRADGRAD-jq9nk]

Andre backed down from Bad News Allen!

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

his colon didnt...................

[@joesmuckatelly8282]

I will tell ya a funny story

[@donaldbeckett9223]

Gamesmaster Kevin Sullivan, he is great.

[@Me-qp8vz]

Andre the Giant Cartman. What a childish little ....

[@JAY-zd7vu]

Andre was 7,4 in 1969 , his disease shrunk him.

[@aaronduncan8737]

No evidence Andre was ever any taller than 7'

[@JAY-zd7vu]

@@aaronduncan8737 Skip his France Army papers .

[@TheRydog61]

Thumbs up

[@bigdaddydiesel5520]

What does this have to do with Kevin introducing Andre' to his girlfriend? lol

[@VolkColopatrion]

Oh good sir, he did not abuse them. Such language would suggest that Andre was anything but a gentleman.

[@zombiefulci3301]

That grotesque sideshow ogre hated John because there was no difference in height between them. There was no reason to abuse another performer, wrestling was not a real combat sport, it's an entertainment exhibition. There are stories of Andre the Ogre absconding from the scene when taller men were on the scene. Manute Bol wanted to meet Andre and I heard Andre the Ogre hid in the dressing room cause he didn't want to look like a squat man chowing monstrosity that he was

[@aaronduncan8737]

Wow. How dehumanizing.