André the Giant died on January 28, 1993, and many people across the Internet noted his death on its 30th anniversary.
Podcaster John Arezzi did too, on his Pro Wrestling Spotlight show.
However, he went a little further.
Arezzi was a long-time fan and was actually there when André made his New York City debut at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 1973, facing Buddy Wolfe. He was there when Chuck Wepner tried to box with André at Shea Stadium in 1976. Arezzi had his original Pro Wrestling Spotlight broadcast from 1993 and wanted to have guests join him to discuss that archived episode.
With the help of the world’s leading André the Giant collector, Chris Owens, Arezzi brought on Jackie Bernard (McAuely), who is the widow of Frenchy Bernand. They are the couple in Ellerbe, North Carolina, who managed André’s sprawling ranch and knew the Giant better than almost anyone, as that’s where he went to get away from it all and just be André Roussimoff.
Patrons of Arezzi’s show have already gotten a chance to hear the show, but it’s debuting here and on YouTube:
TOP PHOTO: Gorilla Monsoon lifts André the Giant’s arm in victory after André defeated boxer Chuck Wepner in Shea Stadium in 1976. Photo by John Arezzi
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