Andre the Giant's 1991 WWF Comeback

[Bigelow34]

Since Andre would have been 70 today, I wrote up a piece looking at his 1991 comeback in the WWF and thought maybe it could spark some discussion about his career in general or even what could have happened if he was able to hold up a little longer. Either way, thanks for reading!

 

http://placetobenation.com/andre-the-giants-lost-1991-comeback/

[El Boricua]

I remember that in Puerto Rico at this time one of the channels for the cable company (I think it was channel 10) was basically an add for the PPVs that were coming up played on a continuous loop. The wrestling PPVs would have this control center show that would play hyping up the PPVs.It basically went over the announced card and recapped the feuds where there was one. For the Rumble 91 one, Mean Gene would run down the entrants into the Royal Rumble with certain people getting to cut a short promo after they were mentioned. One of the ones to actually cut a promo was Andre. I was pumped for Andre coming back, but alas it was not to be. I've always wondered how exactly would he have been booked if he had been able to appear.

[Boondocks Kernoodle]

WWF didn't have any intention of using Andre after 1990, but Herb Abrams was going to start booking him for UWF shows and I guess Vince couldn't have that, hence the aborted comeback. I'm surprised WCW didn't make a run for Andre around that time: him vs El Gigante might be the hypothetical worst match in wrestling history, but it would have been interesting to see.

[sek69]

Given that it was touch and go that Andre's back could make it to WM3, it's amazing he was still active (kinda) at this point. It must have burned Vince's ass that Andre's last appearance in the US was on a WCW show.

[flyonthewall2983]

I only learned recently that his last match was just like a month before he died. I'm amazed that he worked at all those final years.

[JRH]

I remember that in Puerto Rico at this time one of the channels for the cable company (I think it was channel 10) was basically an add for the PPVs that were coming up played on a continuous loop. The wrestling PPVs would have this control center show that would play hyping up the PPVs.It basically went over the announced card and recapped the feuds where there was one. For the Rumble 91 one, Mean Gene would run down the entrants into the Royal Rumble with certain people getting to cut a short promo after they were mentioned. One of the ones to actually cut a promo was Andre. I was pumped for Andre coming back, but alas it was not to be. I've always wondered how exactly would he have been booked if he had been able to appear.

They probably would have had Andre eliminate a few low level heels (ie, demolition, haku) before having all the guys push him out of the ring.

[Jingus]

I only learned recently that his last match was just like a month before he died. I'm amazed that he worked at all those final years.

Unbelievably, Cagematch lists 44 matches for him in 1992. Sure, most of them were six-man tags where he would mostly just lean on the ropes the whole time, but even walking to and from the ring must have been pure hell.

[Al]

 

 

I only learned recently that his last match was just like a month before he died. I'm amazed that he worked at all those final years.

Unbelievably, Cagematch lists 44 matches for him in 1992. Sure, most of them were six-man tags where he would mostly just lean on the ropes the whole time, but even walking to and from the ring must have been pure hell.

And that he had to fly to Japan or Mexico City to do it.

[RCS1988]

I think the reason they most likely were going to have him for the 91 Rumble was to encounter the Undertaker. Monsoon alluded to it on an episode of Prime Time Wrestling. I think it would have been a sight to see, having the 8th Wonder of the World going up against the deadman. I know one of Andre's last matches he shat all over Bad News Allen. I think if he did compete in the 91 Rumble, I think they would have given him the win by eliminating Earthquake.

[PeteF3]

I used to think that, but thinking about it more--after already punching the fans in the gut by having Warrior lose to the evil Iraqi sympathizer, I don't see any way you can further have Hogan eliminated from the Rumble. Even if Slaughter interferes or something to set up WM7. Andre winning wouldn't have made up for that--you needed the best feelgood ending possible.

 

I suspect Andre and Undertaker would have had their big face-off with Andre putting over the new monster by being eliminated by him. That's almost exactly what they did down to the letter in 1993 when Earthquake faced off with Yokozuna.

[RCS1988]

Thinking about it, you are right about that. Have Undertaker eliminate Andre without any help.

[flyonthewall2983]

He missed the Rumble due to a leg injury.

[flyonthewall2983]

I suspect Andre and Undertaker would have had their big face-off with Andre putting over the new monster by being eliminated by him. That's almost exactly what they did down to the letter in 1993 when Earthquake faced off with Yokozuna.

 

In how Undertaker himself was eliminated (double-teamed by The Legion of Doom), they kind of achieved that. But yeah having him face off with Andre would have been a moment for sure.