Big John Studd
John William Minton ( born February 19, 1948 in Butler, Pennsylvania, † March 20, 1995 in Burke, Virginia ) was an American professional wrestler, best known under the name of Big John Studd. He is one of the few people who are member of both the WCW Hall of Fame and the WWE Hall of Fame. He became famous especially in the WWF Wrestling League, where he was seen regularly in their shows. In addition, he appeared in several films as a supporting actor.
Career
Minton was a relatively successful basketball player before he was discovered and trained by Killer Kowalski. Minton joined afterwards with Kowalski as a tag team called The Executioners with a mask on. In 1976 they were allowed to win the WWWF World Tag Team title. After Kowalski resigned in 1977, Minton left the WWWF back and worked for various regional leagues. It was left to the Mid Atlantic Tag Team winning it in 1978 with Ken Patera as a partner title. Also for Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling in Canada, he stepped on. He had in the early 1980s feuds with wrestlers such as Blackjack Mulligan, Dusty Rhodes and Barry Windham. He even got some title fights against NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, but the title was not allowed to win. His most famous feud but should still follow.
The mid-1980s Minton returned to the WWF and allowed to so-called Bodyslam Challenges discourage. At his side he had initially " Classy " Freddy Blassie as a manager, the money offered to that wrestler who managed to lift his protégé and throw to the mat. Actually succeeded loud storyline in the WWF wrestlers not to perform this. Until the day when Chief Jay Strongbow really should try his luck, but suddenly André the Giant replaced this. Blassie sabotaged his attempts, and started the feud of the giants.
Studd emphasized in the following interviews again and again that he was the real giant of wrestling. He had some matches, including cage matches against Andre, but the latter of which won the overwhelming number. Shortly before the first Wrestlemania cut Minton André from his hair after he had this overwhelmed with Ken Patera. The feud should it reach its climax at the first Wrestlemania. Minton's new manager Bobby Heenan put U.S. $ 15,000 in cash that André would not make it, his wrestlers to put a body slam, André, however, should use his active career. André won, and the feud the two had officially ended. But Minton made now with the also managed by Bobby Heenan and over 200 kg King Kong Bundy a tag team, and feuded against the then champion Hulk Hogan.
After Studd left the WWF back to 1989 back one last time but this time as an audience favorite. He eventually won the Royal Rumble in 1989 and teamed with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. His last major appearance was at WrestleMania V, where he served as a guest referee in the match of Jake " The Snake" Roberts against his old arch-rival Andre the Giant.
In 1995, he died of Hodgkin's disease.
In 2004, his son John Minton Jr. the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony for his father opposed.
Achievements
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion
- WWF Tag Team Champion
- 1989 - WWF Royal Rumble winner
- 1995 - Introduction to the WCW Hall of Fame
- 2004 - Introduction to the WWE Hall of Fame