Leon White

Born: 1955-05-14

Leon Allen White better known by his ring names Big Van Vader or Vader, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler. White is best known for his time with New Japan Pro Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, WWE and All Japan Pro Wrestling in the 1990s. A super-heavyweight wrestler capable of aerial maneuvers such as the moonsault and the dropkick, White was both a face and a heel in several professional wrestling promotions. During his career, he became an eight time world champion, having won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship three times, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship three times and the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship twice. Vader returned to Japan, wrestling at a NJPW Wrestle Land show. He also worked in the independent circuit as Big Van Vader, including a tag match against Samoa Joe and Dan Maff in Jersey All Pro Wrestling with Mike Awesome as his tag team partner. On May 12, 2007, Vader faced Brutus Beefcake at Spartan Slamfest, a World Wrestling Coalition charity show. The match was held at the Kingston Armory in Kingston, Pennsylvania. After wrestling his last match in 2007, White began working as a high school football coach. O April 29, 2010, White made a return to wrestling under his Vader ring name at the event Vader Time 5 Return of the Emperor. At the event, he teamed with his son Jesse and former tag team partner 2 Cold Scorpio to successfully defeat Makoto Hashi, Tamon Honda and Tatsumi Fujinami in the main event. In May 2016, Will Opsreay and Ricochet faced each other during the NJPW tournament Best of the Super Juniors. During the match, both wrestlers performed a high flying, fast paced sequence. When Vader saw the sequence, he complained in social media about the current direction pro wrestling is taking. During the following weeks, Vader and Ospreay feuded in Twitter, so England-based promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) booked a match between them. The match took place on August 12, 2016, where Vader defeated Ospreay. Two days later, he made an appearance in Colchester, England for the XWA Wrestling (XWA) promotion, where he defeated "Savvy" Sid Scala. On April 20, 2017, Vader made an appearance in Japan at Korakuen Hall as part of the Dradition show to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the debut of Tatsumi Fujinami. Following a six-man tag team match, Vader collapsed due to being dropped on his head during the match, but he was able to walk backstage under his own power and he remained in Japan as he was scheduled to work two more shows in Fukuoka and Osaka.[On April 22, Vader, Takuma Sano, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara lost a six man tag team match to Koji Kanemoto, Shiro Koshinaka and Tatsumi Fujinami. On April 23, Vader, Riki Choshu, and Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Shiro Koshinaka, Takuma Sano, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. The final match of his career took place May 25, 2017 at WrestleJam V, where Vader defeated The Ironman. Return to AJPW (2011–2012) In the aftermath of the 2011 natural disasters in Japan, Vader and his son Jesse wrestled on special tribute cards for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Pro Wrestling Zero1. On December 7, 2012, Vader returned to AAJPW, teaming with Keiji Mutoh and Kenso to defeat Bambi Killer, Franz Dynamite and Mazada in a six-man tag team match.


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WCW'S Greatest Pay-Per-View Matches Volume 1

as Vader
Released: 2014-03-12

Take a journey through the greatest Pay-Per-View Matches in WCW History with names including...

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WWE In Your House 13: Final Four

as Vader
Released: 1997-02-16

The Rock defends the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Triple H. The Nation of...

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WWE In Your House 9: International Incident

as Vader
Released: 1996-07-21

In Your House 9: International Incident took place on July 21, 1996 at General Motors Place in...

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Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection

as Vader
Released: 2013-03-19

A collection of the greatest matches from one of WWE's all time greatest superstars, with...

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WCW SuperBrawl IV

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-02-20

Ric Flair goes toe-to-toe against Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship inside the...

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Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows

as Vader
Released: 1998-12-20

This documentary follows superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF. The film documents...

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WWE WrestleMania 13

as Vader
Released: 1997-03-23

The Undertaker takes on "Sycho" Sid Vicious in a No Disqualification Match with the WWE...

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WCW Slamboree 1993

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-05-23

Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion was the first annual Slamboree professional wrestling...

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WWE Royal Rumble 1997

as Vader
Released: 1997-01-19

Thirty Superstars compete in the annual Royal Rumble Match with the winner advancing to...

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WCW Slamboree 1995

as Vader
Released: 1995-05-21

Join the stars of yesterday and today as they gather in Florida for Slamboree '95: A Legends...

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WWE: Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '90s

as Vader
Released: 2009-04-14

This retrospective program takes a look back on the most dramatic and memorable professional...

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WWE Royal Rumble 1998

as Vader
Released: 1998-01-18

Thirty Superstars compete in the annual Royal Rumble Match with the winner advancing to...

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WWE Badd Blood: In Your House

as Vader
Released: 1997-10-05

The Road Warriors battles The Nation of Domination. The Headbangers defend the WWE World Tag...

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The Rise & Fall of WCW

as Big Van Vader
Released: 2009-12-17

WCW grew out of a southern promotion, into a giant that battled World Wrestling Entertainment...

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WWE Fully Loaded: In Your House

as Vader
Released: 1998-07-26

Fully Loaded features a huge tag team main event when Stone Cold Steve Austin & The Undertaker...

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WWE In Your House 11: Buried Alive

as Vader
Released: 1996-10-20

In Your House: Buried Alive features The Undertaker vs Mankind a Buried Alive Match. Stone Cold...

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WWE King of the Ring 1998

as Vader (Appearance)
Released: 1998-06-28

Stone Cold Steve Austin puts the WWE Championship on the line against the demonic Kane in a...

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WWE Royal Rumble 1996

as The Man They Call Vader
Released: 1996-01-21

Thirty Superstars compete in the annual Royal Rumble with the winner advancing to WrestleMania...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1992-09-02

The Clash of the Champions XX was a major professional wrestling supercard produced by World...

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WWE SummerSlam 1996

as Vader
Released: 1996-08-17

The temperature is on the rise as WWE's annual Summer Spectacular comes your way. Shawn Michaels...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXX

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1995-01-25

WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan teams with "The Macho Man" Randy Savage to reform The...

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WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary

as Vader
Released: 2007-12-26

A collection of the greatest moments of the first 15 years of Monday Night Raw.

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WWE Survivor Series 1997

as Vader
Released: 1997-11-09

The storied rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Bret "The Hitman" Hart comes to a shocking and...

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The Best of WCW Clash of the Champions

as Vader
Released: 2012-05-22

For close to a decade, professional wrestling fans loved Clash of the Champions, a series of...

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WWE In Your House 8: Beware of Dog

as Vader
Released: 1996-05-26

In Your House: Beware of Dog features Shawn Michaels vs. "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith...

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WWE King of the Ring 1996

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1996-06-23

King of the Ring (1996) was the fourth annual King of the Ring. The event took place on June 23,...

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WWE: Starrcade - The Essential Collection

as Big Van Vader
Released: 2012-01-03

For close to two decades, it was the signature event – first in NWA, then WCW. Some of the...

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WWE In Your House 7: Good Friends, Better Enemies

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1996-04-28

In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies features Goldust defending the WWE Intercontinental...

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WWE Survivor Series 1996

as Vader
Released: 1996-11-17

A traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match puts The Rock, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Barry...

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WCW Beach Blast 1993

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-07-18

Beach Blast 1993 took place on July 18, 1993 and emanated from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in...

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WCW SuperBrawl III

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-02-21

SuperBrawl III took place on February 21, 1993 from the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville,...

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WWE WrestleMania XII

as Vader
Released: 1996-03-31

Shawn Michaels and Bret "Hit Man" Hart battle it out in an epic, hour long Iron Man Match with...

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Best Of Raw • Volume Four

as Vader
Released:

This is the fourth instalment from the hit T.V. Show 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘙𝘢𝘸! Watch the Best of The...

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WWE In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede

as Vader
Released: 1997-07-06

In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede took place on July 6, 1997 at the Saddledome in Calgary,...

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WWE Breakdown: In Your House

as Vader
Released: 1998-09-27

Kane, The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin slug it out in a Triple Threat Match for the...

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WCW Uncensored 1995

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1995-03-19

Hulk Hogan and Big Van Vader go to war in a Leather Strap Match. "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes...

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WCW Bash at the Beach 1994

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-07-17

Hulk Hogan battles Ric Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Pretty Wonderful faces...

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WCW Fall Brawl 1994

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-09-18

Team Rhodes, comprised of The Nasty Boys, Dustin Rhodes & Dusty Rhodes, battles The Stud Stable...

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Biography: Shawn Michaels

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2021-05-16

Chronicles the wild life of one of WWE's greatest performers and most enduring villains. After...

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WCW Battle Bowl

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-11-20

WCW stars are forced to randomly team up through a Lethal Lottery. Unusual pairings include...

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WWE No Way Out of Texas: In Your House

as Vader
Released: 1998-02-15

WWE No Way Out features a wild 8-Man main event featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin, Cactus Jack,...

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WCW Bash at the Beach 1995

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1995-07-16

Hulk Hogan defends the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Van Vader in a Steel Cage...

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Biography: Chyna

as (archive footage)
Released: 2023-03-05

Known as the Ninth Wonder of the World, Joanie Lee Laurer transcended all traditional boundaries...

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WCW/New Japan Supershow II

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1992-01-04

WCW/New Japan Supershow II (known as Starrcade 1992 in Tokyo Dome in Japan) took place on...

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WCW The Great American Bash

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1992-07-12

The 1992 WCW Great American Bash took place on July 12, 1992 at the Albany Civic Center in...

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WCW Halloween Havoc 1994

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-10-23

Halloween Havoc 1994 took place on October 23, 1994 from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit,...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXIX

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-11-16

WCW Clash of The Champions XXIX features a huge Six-Man Tag Team Main Event pitting Hulk Hogan,...

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WWE Hall Of Fame 2022

as Vader
Released: 2022-04-01

Undertaker leads the Class of 2022 inductees, including Vader, The Steiner Brothers, Sharmell...

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WWE: Mick Foley's Greatest Hits & Misses - A Life in Wrestling

as Big Van Vader
Released: 2004-01-20

Call him Cactus Jack, Mankind or Dude Love; by any name, there's never been anyone in or out of...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXIV

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-08-18

WCW Clash of The Champions XXIV occurred on August 18, 1993 in Daytona Beach, Florida from The...

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Deadly Venom: The Best of Sting

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-11-09

Sting battles "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff in a Russian Chain Match, struggles to...

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WCW Starrcade

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1992-12-28

Starrcade '92: Battle Bowl II: The Lethal Lottery took place on December 28, 1992 from The Omni...

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AWA The Brawl in St. Paul

as "Baby Bull" Leon White
Released: 1986-12-25

It's Christmas chaos in The St. Paul Civic Center with an all-star card!

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WWE Unforgiven: In Your House

as Vader (Appearance)
Released: 1998-04-25

The temperature is rising as Kane faces The Undertaker in the first ever Inferno Match. Dude...

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WWE One Night Only

as Vader
Released: 1997-09-20

WWF One Night Only took place on September 20, 1997 at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England. ...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXXI

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1995-08-06

Big Van Vader takes on Ric Flair & Arn Anderson in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. Harlem Heat & Sister...

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WWE: The Best of Sting

as Vader
Released: 2014-09-23

a film by Kevin Dunn.

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WCW SuperBrawl V

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1995-02-19

Hulk Hogan squares off against Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Sting & "The...

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WWE In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1997-05-11

A Cold Day In Hell features Hunter Hearst-Helmsley vs. Flash Funk, The Rock vs. Mankind and The...

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Best Of Raw • Volume Six

as Vader
Released: 1997-07-01

Featuring matches from May & June 1997! • Stone Cold Steve vs. Jim "The Anvil" Niedhart •...

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WWE Taboo Tuesday 2005

as Vader
Released: 2005-11-01

Taboo Tuesday (2005) was a professional wrestling PPV event produced by World Wrestling...

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WWE: The History Of The World Heavyweight Championship

as Vader
Released: 2009-12-15

It’s one of the most distinctive and storied championships in the world of sports entertainment...

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WWE Action Zone!

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1997-01-01

WWE Superstars in Action!

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXVI

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-01-27

World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair teams with Sting to battle Big Van Vader and the...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXV

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-11-10

Ric Flair challenges Big Van Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. "Ravishing" Rick...

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NOAH: Great Voyage

as Vader
Released: 2000-12-23

December 23rd, 2000 :: Pro Wrestling Noah presents The Great Voyage. In the wake of the great...

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WWE Over the Edge: In Your House

as Vader
Released: 1998-05-31

Stone Cold Steve Austin and Dude Love compete for the WWE Championship in a No Disqualification...

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WCW WrestleWar 1991

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1991-02-24

WCW WrestleWar 1991: WarGames took place on February 24, 1991 from the Arizona Veterans Memorial...

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WWE: Shawn Michaels - Boyhood Dream

as Vader
Released: 2004-09-14

In 1996, Shawn Michaels won the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row. It set the stage for...

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WCW Starrcade 1991

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1991-12-29

Starrcade '91: Battlebowl: The Lethal Lottery was the ninth annual Starrcade professional...

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WCW Halloween Havoc

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1992-10-25

WCW Halloween Havoc '92 took place on October 25, 1992 from the Philadelphia Civic Center in...

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WWE United We Slam: The Best of The Great American Bash

as Vader
Released: 2014-07-15

One of sports-entertainment's most patriotic traditions, The Great American Bash brought...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XVIII

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1992-01-21

WCW Clash of The Champions XVIII took place on January 21, 1992 at The Expo Center in Topeka,...

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WWE: The Best Of In Your House

as Vader
Released: 2013-05-27

In the mid-90’s, no pay-per-view series produced more epic matches, historic moments or...

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WCW Fall Brawl 1993

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-09-19

WCW Fall Brawl '93: War Games took place on September 19, 1993 from the Astro Arena in Houston,...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXII

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-01-13

January 13, 1993 in Milwaukee. This was the last Clash for announcer Jim Ross who shortly after...

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WCW Great American Bash '90: New Revolution

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1990-07-07

The Great American Bash '90 took place on July 7, 1990 at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore,...

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WCW Halloween Havoc 1993

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-10-24

Spin The Wheel...Make The Deal II. Cactus Jack and Big Van Vader battle in a match type...

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Sting: Into the Light

as Vader
Released: 2015-10-13

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the man behind the black and white face paint with Sting: Into...

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WWE Ground Zero: In Your House

as Vader
Released: 1997-09-07

Two WWE icons go at it in the main event when Shawn Michaels takes on The Undertaker. Bret "The...

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Best Of Raw • Volume Three

as Vader
Released:

This is the third installment from the hit T.V. Show 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘙𝘢𝘸! Watch the Best of The...

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WWE: Presents True Giants

as uncredited
Released: 2014-12-09

WWE presents True Giants, an in-depth look at sports entertainment's most successful gargantuan...

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WCW Slamboree 1994

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-05-22

WCW Slamboree '94 took place on May 22, 1994 from the Philadelphia Civic Center in Philadelphia,...

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Best Of Raw • Volume One

as Vader
Released: 1996-12-01

This is it! The BEST Matches from the hit T.V. Show Monday Night Raw! Watch the Best of The Best...

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WCW Starrcade 1993

as Vader
Released: 1993-12-27

In the tenth annual Starrcade, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair battles Big Van Vader for the WCW...

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WCW Starrcade 1994

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-12-27

Starrcade '94: Triple Threat took place on December 27, 1994 from the Nashville Municipal...

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WCW Clash of The Champions XXIII

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1993-06-16

WCW Clash of The Champions XXIII (23) took place on June 16, 1993 in Norfolk, Virginia at The...

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WCW Spring Stampede 1994

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1994-04-17

Ric Flair defends the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat....

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WCW Halloween Havoc '91

as Big Van Vader
Released: 1991-10-27

WCW Halloween Havoc '91 took place on October 27, 1991 from the UTC Arena in Chattanooga,...

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RevPro: Uprising 2016

as Vader
Released: 2016-08-12

RevPro Uprising 2023 was a professional wrestling event promoted by Revolution Pro Wrestling...

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Timeline: The History of WCW – 1993 – As Told By Vader

as Himself
Released: 2014-02-01

Two organizations, two Heavyweight titles, dipping business and a whole lot of confusion comes...

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JCW Bloodymania 6

as uncredited
Released: 2012-08-12

Bloodymania 6 was the sixth installment of the Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) event...

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Ringside with Big Van Vader

as BIg Van Vader
Released: 2009-03-16

Go back in time with Leon White and relive the birth of the Vader character, the creation of his...

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WWE Raw

as Vader (archive footage)
First aired: 1993-01-11

A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.

TV Show page

WWE Raw

as Big Van Vader
First aired: 1993-01-11

A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.

TV Show page

WWE Raw

as Vader
First aired: 1993-01-11

A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.

TV Show page

WWE Raw

as Bull Power
First aired: 1993-01-11

A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.

TV Show page

WWE Heat

as Vader
First aired: 1998-08-02

WWE Heat is a professional wrestling television program that was produced by World Wrestling...

TV Show page

Biography: WWE Legends

as Big Van Vader (archive footage)
First aired: 2021-04-18

The stories behind some of the most memorable WWE Superstars of all time.

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WWE Heat

as Vader
First aired: 1998-08-02

WWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling...

TV Show page

WWE Table For 3

as Vader
First aired: 2015-08-06

Three WWE personalities share stories over dinner.

TV Show page