The WWE has announced the second inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame and it’s Leon White, better known as Big Van Vader.
Vader was a former NFL lineman and played for the Los Angeles Rams, earning a NFC Conference Championship ring before they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19 in 1980.
After his playing career ended due to a torn patella, he eventually made his way into professional wrestling after he was spotting in a gym working out.
Vader quickly made a name for himself and is widely considered one of the best super heavy weights in wrestling history as he accumulated 12 world championship titles over various promotions, but more notable WCW.
In 1996, Vader was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, and is now joining the WWE’s 2022 Hall of Fame class with the Undertaker.
BREAKING: As first reported by @BleacherReport, Vader will be posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022. #WWEHOF https://t.co/TUhbKIzUgQ pic.twitter.com/L3lizCgCcl
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2022
One of the toughest
Vader worked for the WWE from 1996 to 1998 and made other various appearances over the years, but he never achieved the notoriety he had in WCW, NJPW, and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
He’s also known for his toughness in the ring as Stan Hansen accidentally knocked Vader’s eye out of the socket. Instead of ending the match, Vader popped his eye back in the socket and finished the match.
It’s one of the most badass moments in history, and it gave him a reputation among wrestlers and fans that helped make him even larger than life.
Vader and Hansen were friends and on April 2, 2016 Vader indicted his friend into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, Vader suffered health concerns during the later years of his life before he passed away from pneumonia at the age of 63 in June of 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyTis_VC8C4
Vader’s legacy lives on as his finisher, the Vader Bomb, is used by several wrestlers, albeit under different names depending on the company they’re working for.
He was one of the few wrestlers that could scare fans with a look, but by all accounts he was one of the kindest and gentlest guys around. Unless you were a reporter claiming wrestling was fake.
With so many matches throughout his career, one we would’ve loved to see was Vader and King Kong Bundy facing off when both were in their prime.
They were monsters that imposing and awesome to watch.
We’re sure Leon’s looking down and smiling at being recognized once again. It’s a shame he didn’t receive this honor before his passing, but we’re glad the WWE is honoring him.
Thank you for everything, Vader. You were one of a kind and will always be remembered.
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