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{{Short description|Argentina athlete and actor (1966–2010)}}
{{Otherpeople2|Jorge González}}
{{BLP unsourced|date=May 2007}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox Wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Jorge Gonzales
|name = Jorge González
|birth_name =

|names = Giant Gonzalez<br>El Gigante
|names = El Gigante<ref name="WWEBio"/><br />Giant Gonzalez<ref name="WWEBio"/><br />El Yeti<ref name="WWEBio"/>
|image = File:Gigante Jorge Gonzalez con Leon Najundel (cropped).jpg
|image_size =
|img_capt =
|image_size = 200px
|height = {{height |ft=8|in=0}}
|caption = González in 1988
|alt =
|real_height = {{height |ft=7|in=6}}
|height = 8ft 0 in<ref name="WWEBio"/>
|weight = {{convert|463|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|weight = 460 lb<ref name="WWEBio"/><ref name="encyclopedia"/>
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|1|31|mf=y}}<ref name=OWoW/>
|birth_date = {{birth date|1966|1|31|df=yes}}<ref name=warned/>
|birth_place = [[Formosa, Argentina]]<ref name=warned>{{cite web|url=http://www.warned.net/GiantGonzalez.html|accessdate=2008-01-25|title=Giant Gonzales's Warned Profile|publisher=Warned}}</ref>
|birth_place = [[El Colorado]], [[Formosa Province|Formosa]], Argentina<ref name=warned>{{cite web|url=http://www.warned.net/GiantGonzalez.html|access-date=25 January 2008|title=Giant Gonzalez's Warned Profile|publisher=Warned|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220015431/http://www.warned.net/GiantGonzalez.html|archive-date=20 February 2008}}</ref>
|death_date =
|death_date = {{death date and age|2010|9|22|1966|1|31|df=yes}}
|death_place =
|death_place = [[General José de San Martín, Chaco|San Martín]], [[Chaco Province|Chaco]], Argentina<ref name="Ole">{{cite news|url=http://www.ole.com.ar/basquet/dolor-Gigante_0_341365990.html|title=Un dolor Gigante|newspaper=[[Olé (sports newspaper)|Olé]]|language=es|date=24 September 2010|access-date=25 September 2010|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023310/http://www.ole.com.ar/basquet/dolor-Gigante_0_341365990.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|resides =
|billed =
|death_cause =
|billed = The [[Andes Mountains]]<br />Argentina<ref name="WWEBio"/>
|trainer =
|trainer = [[WCW Power Plant]]<ref name="Remembrances 2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.1wrestling.com/2010/12/31/ringside-remembrances-r-i-p-2010/|title=Remembrances 2010|access-date=23 September 2011|publisher=1wrestling|archive-date=20 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220190539/http://www.1wrestling.com/2010/12/31/ringside-remembrances-r-i-p-2010/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
|debut = 1989
|debut = 1990<ref name="WWEBio"/><ref name="Remembrances 2010"/>
|retired = [[February 8]], [[1995]]
|website =
|retired = 1996
}}
}}
'''Jorge González''' (31 January 1966 – 22 September 2010)<ref name=Clarin>{{cite news|url=http://www.clarin.com/deportes/Murio-Jorge-Gigante-Gonzalez-basquetbol_0_341366126.html|title=Adiós al Gigante González, un personaje de leyenda del básquet argentino|newspaper=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]]|language=es|date=25 September 2010|access-date=25 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="Rajah">{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/20284|title=WWE News, Rumors, Results & InformationFormer WWE Star Giant Gonzalez Passes Away|publisher=Rajah.com|access-date=28 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928021446/http://rajah.com/base/node/20284|archive-date=28 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> was an [[Argentines|Argentine]] professional wrestler, basketball player and actor best known for his appearances in [[World Championship Wrestling]] under the [[ring name]] '''El Gigante''' and in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] under the ring name '''Giant Gonzalez'''.<ref name="OWoW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/g/giant-gonzales.html|access-date=25 January 2008|title=Jorge Gonzales|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name="WWEBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/giant-gonzales|title=Giant González|publisher=[[WWE]]|work=[[WWE]].com|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> González remains the tallest man to have competed for both companies and the tallest Argentinian to have ever lived.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rlist.io/data/ujz4jko1/jorge-gonz--lez |title=Data view of Jorge González from Tallest Men dataset }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


== Early life ==
'''Jorge González''' (born January 31, 1966 in [[Formosa, Argentina]]) is a former [[basketball]] player and [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] who competed in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] in the early 1990s under the [[ring name]], '''Giant González'''.<ref name=OWoW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/g/giant-gonzales.html|accessdate=2008-01-25|title=Jorge Gonzales OWoW Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
Jorge González was born in [[El Colorado]], [[Formosa Province|Formosa]], [[Argentina]] on 31 January 1966.<ref name=warned/> González suffered from [[gigantism]].


==Basketball==
== Basketball career ==
González was billed as being {{height|ft=8}},<ref name="WWEBio"/><ref name="Ole"/><ref name="Clarin"/> making him the tallest WWE wrestler and Argentine basketball player in history; his true height was {{convert|2.31|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, which still made him the tallest in wrestling and a tie for first place in basketball.<ref name="Clarin"/><ref name="Telam"/> He started his career with the youths of Hindú Club de Resistencia at the age of 16, standing {{height|m=2.19|precision=0}} tall.<ref name="Clarin"/> Subsequently, [[León Najnudel]], then coach of the [[Argentina national basketball team|Argentine national team]], recommended the board of [[Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (sports club)#Basketball|Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata]] to sign the player for the team's Argentine second division roster.<ref name=Clarin/> During 1986, González helped Gimnasia achieve promotion to the [[Liga Nacional de Básquet|Argentine first division]].<ref name="Clarin"/> He then signed for Sport Club Cañadense, but saw little action due to an injury that left him off the court for nine months.<ref name="Clarin"/>


=== National team ===
He successfully played in Argentina's first division league for the [[Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata]] and also for the [[Argentina national basketball team]]. He did not, however, appear at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] as some sources claim. He was drafted by the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in the 3rd round of the [[1988 NBA Draft]] but apparently couldn't handle the pace of the American game, and had trouble maintaining a proper, athletic weight.
Coach [[León Najnudel]] included González in the Argentine national team who took part of the 1985 [[South American Basketball Championship]] (bronze medal) and the [[1988 Tournament of the Americas]] (5th place), where he attracted the attention of the Atlanta Hawks' scouts.<ref name="Clarin" /><ref name="Telam">{{cite news |url=http://www.telam.com.ar/vernota.php?tipo=N&idPub=199169&id=378180&dis=1&sec=1 |title=Falleció el basquetbolista más alto de Argentina |newspaper=Télam |language=es |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=25 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629221708/http://www.telam.com.ar/vernota.php?tipo=N&idPub=199169&id=378180&dis=1&sec=1 |archive-date=29 June 2011 }}</ref>


=== NBA career ===
==Professional Wrestling==
González took part in the [[1988 NBA draft]], being chosen by the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in the third round (#54 selection). Along with [[Hernán Montenegro]] (drafted #57), they became the first Argentine players drafted in the [[NBA]]. The Hawks bought the player's rights from his Argentine team for a 30,000 [[Argentine austral]]es fee.<ref name="Ole"/><ref name="Clarin"/> However, he was unable to adapt to the physical demands of NBA basketball, partly due to a serious knee injury.<ref name="Clarin"/>
===World Championship Wrestling===
In 1989, Hawks owner [[Ted Turner]] offered González a job as a [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] with another of his ventures, [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]]. After a year of training, Gonzales was introduced to fans as '''El Gigante''' on [[May 19]], [[1990]] at the [[List of WCW pay-per-view events|pay-per-view]] [[Capital Combat]]. Wearing shorts, he competed as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]], and was billed as being close to eight feet tall while he was measured at 7 ft 7 in by the Guinness Book of Records in 2000.


== Professional wrestling career ==
Over the next two years, he feuded with [[Ric Flair]] over the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Title]], participated in the [[Halloween Havoc#1991|'Chamber Of Horrors']] match in 1991 and also had a date on [[TBS (TV network)|TBS]] with [[Missy Hyatt]]. However, many fans did not take to him as intended due to his overall lack of wrestling skills and the English language. Later, he gained some popularity and credibility with a cross-promotional stint in the [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] promotion, and then defected to the [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWF) in 1993.


===World Wrestling Federation===
=== World Championship Wrestling (1988-1992) ===
In 1988, Hawks owner [[Ted Turner]] offered González a job as a [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which Turner also owned. After over a year of training, González was introduced to fans as El Gigante on 19 May 1990 at the [[List of WCW pay-per-view events|pay-per-view]] [[Capital Combat]]. Wearing shorts, he competed as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] and was billed as being close to eight feet tall.
González competed as the "Giant Gonzales" during his brief [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]] tenure as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]; managed by [[Bruno Lauer|Harvey Wippleman]]. González grew a beard and wore a bizarre, memorable, full-body suit that featured airbrushed muscles with bushy hair attached. He was introduced at the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1993, where he quickly overpowered and eliminated Wippleman's nemesis the Undertaker from the Rumble match despite not being an official participant. Gonzalez lost to the Undertaker at [[WrestleMania IX]] via disqualification after he knocked Undertaker unconscious using [[chloroform]].


Over the next two years, he feuded with [[Ric Flair]] for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]], participated in a [[Professional wrestling match types|Chamber of Horrors]] match in 1991 and also had a date on [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] with [[Missy Hyatt]]. He also participated in a feud with [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sid Vicious]] who stood 6&nbsp;ft 9 in and [[One Man Gang]] who stood at {{convert|6|ft|7|in|m}}. The point of the feud was to determine who the real "giant of WCW" was. He also had a cross promotional stint in the [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW) promotion before signing with the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) in 1993.
After another loss to the Undertaker at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam 1993]], Wippleman berated Gonzalez; this ended their relationship and [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] Gonzalez into a pseudo-[[Face (professional wrestling)|face]]. Though the foundation was later set for a feud with Wippleman and [[Bryan Clark|Adam Bomb]], it never truly began, as Gonzales left the WWF in October 1993.


According to [[Ron Reis]], Gonzalez was set to make a return to the company at their 1995 pay-per-view [[Halloween Havoc (1995)|Halloween Havoc]] in the role of "The Yeti", an insurance policy put in place to make sure [[Hulk Hogan]] did not retain the WCW Championship against [[Paul Wight|The Giant]]. The plan behind his return was to set up an idea [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]] (who was the booker of the promotion at the time) had for the pay-per-view [[World War 3 1995]] the following month. It would be a three ring, 60 man, over the top rope battle royal, with a giant occupying each of the three rings. But the idea fell through as González had a diabetes attack during preparation for his return at the Halloween Havoc pay-per-view leading him to having to be flown back to his native Argentina and Ron Reis had to take his spot in the role.<ref name="PWI">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/43214/the-yeti-ron-reis-reveals-wcws-original-plans-for-the-yeti-character-the-famous-star-he-replaced-in-the-booking-plans-yeti-returning-to-wwe-or-tna-and-more.html?p=1|title="The Yeti" Ron Reis reveals WCW's original plans for the Yeti character, the famous star he replaced in the booking plans, Yeti returning to WWE or TNA, and more|publisher=Pro Wrestling Insider|date=24 November 2009|access-date=9 December 2012}}</ref>
His last match was on [[February 8]], [[1995]], against [[Keiji Mutoh|The Great Muta]] in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He then had to retire due to health issues.
[[File:Jorge González (wrestler).jpg|thumb|172x172px|González (left) performing at [[Wrestlemania IX]] against [[The Undertaker]] in 1993]]


=== World Wrestling Federation (1993) ===
He spends his life in a wheelchair. Gonzalez is currently unmarried and has no children. His health is currently still not very good and he cannot do much these days with his bad health.
González competed as Giant Gonzalez during his time in the WWF. González grew a beard and wore a full body suit that featured airbrushed muscles with bushy hair attached. He was introduced at the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1993, where he eliminated [[Harvey Wippleman|Harvey Wippleman's]] nemesis [[The Undertaker]] from the Royal Rumble match despite not being an official participant.<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|author=Shields, Brian and Kevin Sullivan|publisher=DK/BradyGAMES|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/112 112]|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/112}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania IX]], González [[The Streak (professional wrestling)|lost to The Undertaker]] by disqualification after he knocked out the Undertaker using [[chloroform]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full WrestleMania IX Results|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/9/results|access-date=28 September 2021|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref> After another loss to The Undertaker at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Event Results|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1993/results|access-date=28 September 2021|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref> the feud came to an end, and after the match, Wippleman berated him, before González [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turned]] on Wippleman himself, turning [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] in the process.<ref name="encyclopedia"/> He lost to [[Randy Savage]] on WWF on TSN on 1 September.


The foundation was later set for a feud between González and [[Bryan Clark|Adam Bomb]], but it never truly began. His last appearance in WWF was on 4 October episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' in a 20-man battle royal match for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. González was the first eliminated by [[Randy Savage|"Macho Man" Randy Savage]], [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]], [[Mike Shaw|Bastion Booger]], [[Sean Waltman|1-2-3 Kid]], [[Marty Jannetty]], [[Bryan Clark|Adam Bomb]] and [[Bam Bam Bigelow]]. Three days later, WWF announced that González left the company after his WWF contract had expired on 7 October 1993.
==In wrestling==
*'''Finishers and only moves'''
**'''''The Claw''''' ([[professional wrestling holds#clawhold|Clawhold]])
**'''[[Chokeslam]]'''
**'''[[Cutter (professional wrestling)|Cutter]]'''
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|Big boot]]
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Overhead chop|Overhead chop]]
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]'''
**[[Bruno Lauer|Harvey Wippleman]]
**[[Bert Prentice]]


=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WAR (1994–1995) ===
==Championships and accomplishments==
After his departure from the WWF, González wrestled in the Japanese promotions [[NJPW]] and [[WAR (wrestling promotion)|WAR]] (Wrestle and Romance) until his retirement from wrestling, and used his old ring name El Gigante. His last singles match was on 8 February 1995, when he lost to [[Keiji Mutoh|The Great Muta]]. On 8 December 1995, González wrestled his final match, teaming with [[Kōji Kitao]] in a loss to [[Akio Sato (wrestler)|Shinja]] and [[Fred Ottman|Typhoon]] by countout.
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Feud of the Year|Worst Feud of the Year]] (1993) <small>versus [[The Undertaker]]</small>


==Notes==
== Acting career ==
González played the role of Manny, a carnival sideshow giant in a 1993 episode of ''[[Baywatch]]'', who befriends Hobie, but later falls into the water and his large size makes it difficult to be rescued. González also had roles in the 1993 and 1994 ''[[Thunder in Paradise]]'' double-episode turned movies. In 1994 González made a short appearance as Eryx the Boxer in ''[[Hercules in the Underworld]]'', a television prequel film from the television series ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]''.
{{reflist}}


== Retirement and personal life==
==External links==
{{Wikinews|Former professional wrestler Giant González dies aged 44}}
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
In January 1996, González retired from professional wrestling due to serious health issues and returned home to Argentina.
*{{imdb name|id=0327854}}

*[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/02/11/sociedad/s-05101.htm Jorge González at 40 years old] (in Spanish)
After his retirement from wrestling, González lived on a ranch in Argentina in his later years.<ref name="pohn">{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/node/17493|title=Whatever Happened To Giant Gonzalez?, Jim Cornette Speaks Out, Paul Orndorff|publisher=Rajah.com|access-date=28 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101032335/http://www.rajah.com/base/node/17493|archive-date=1 November 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> His former manager Harvey Wippleman would send his own money to maintain González and his family.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/jim-ross-harvey-wippleman-was-sending-money-go-giant-gonzalez-before-his-death-so-he-and-his-family-could-eat/ | title=Jim Ross: Harvey Wippleman was sending money to Giant Gonzalez before his death so he and his family could eat| newspaper=Wrestling News &#124; Wwe and Aew Results, Spoilers, Rumors & Scoops| date=17 November 2019}}</ref> In October 2009, he began using a wheelchair, and also had to use a dialysis machine due to his failing kidneys.<ref name="pohn"/> The [[Argentine Basketball Federation]] also helped Gonzalez with finances in his final years, including donations of appliances for his house, clothes and medicine.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 September 2010|title=El Gigante / Giant Gonzalez passes away|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/09/24/el-gigante-giant-gonzalez-passes-away/|access-date=3 June 2021|website=Slam Wrestling|language=en-US}}</ref> González was married and had one step-daughter.

==Death==
González died due to complications from [[Type 1 diabetes|diabetes type 1]] and heart issues on 22 September 2010, in his hometown of [[General José de San Martín, Chaco|San Martin]], Argentina at the age of 44.<ref name=Clarin/><ref name="Rajah"/>

==Reception==
The Undertaker, who worked with González in WWF, was very vocal about him. Undertaker criticised González's lack of wrestling ability.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lambert |first1=Jeremy |date=15 May 2024 |title=The Undertaker: Giant Gonzalez Made Great Khali Look Like Lou Thesz |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/undertaker-giant-gonzalez-made-great-khali-look-lou-thesz |work=Fightful |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpDNE2NWJ7o |title=When Undertaker Flipped On Giant Gonzalez #13 |date=17 May 2024 |last=Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway |access-date=6 June 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He also revealed that, during their match at WrestleMania 9, Undertaker shot on González after González was careless in the ring.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duarte |first1=Jon |date=15 May 2024 |title=The Undertaker y sus problemas con Giant González |url=https://superluchas.com/undertaker-recuerda-sus-problemas-con-giant-gonzalez/ |work=Superluchas |language=es |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref> He also mentioned his feud with him "took years off my career".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rovere |first1=Marco |date=24 June 2020 |title=The Undertaker Says Matches With Giant Gonzalez "Took Years Off My Career" |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/06/the-undertaker-says-matches-with-giant-gonzalez-took-years-671768/ |work=Wrestling Inc. |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1992|| ''[[Swamp Thing (1990 TV series)|Swamp Thing]]'' || M'tama || Episode: "This Old House of Mayan"
|-
|1993|| ''[[Thunder in Paradise]]'' || Terremoto ||
|-
|1993|| ''[[Baywatch]]'' || Manny/Pelican Man || Episode: "Blindside"
|-
|1993|| ''[[Thunder in Paradise]]'' || Mortador / Terremoto || 4 episodes
|-
|1994|| ''[[Hercules in the Underworld]]'' || Eryx the Boxer || Television film
|-
|1994|| ''Thunder in Paradise II'' || Mortador ||
|}

== Championships and accomplishments ==
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** PWI ranked him No. 112 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 1991<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1991.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
** PWI ranked him No. 498 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 1993<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616064424/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |archive-date=16 June 2008 }}</ref>
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Feud of the Year|Worst Feud of the Year]] (1993) {{small|vs. [[The Undertaker]]}}<ref name=WON2010>{{cite journal |last=Meltzer |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=26 January 2011 |title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue| periodical=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |location=Campbell, CA |pages=1–40 |issn=1083-9593}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of premature professional wrestling deaths]]
* [[List of tallest people]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180930162746/http://www.thetallestman.com/jorgegonzalez.htm The Tallest Man: Jorge González]}}
* {{WWE superstar|giant-gonzales|Giant González}}
* {{IMDb name|0327854|Jorge González}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=668|wrestlingdata=450|iwd=jorge-gonzalez-157}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzalez, Jorge}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzalez, Jorge}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Argentine basketball players]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:Argentine professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century Argentine male actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Olympic athletes who wrestled professionally]]
[[Category:Argentine expatriate basketball people in the United States]]
[[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Argentine male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Argentine men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Argentine male television actors]]
[[Category:Atlanta Hawks draft picks]]
[[Category:Deaths from diabetes in Argentina]]
[[Category:Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata basketball players]]
[[Category:People from Formosa Province]]
[[Category:People from Formosa Province]]
[[Category:People with gigantism]]
[[Category:People with gigantism]]
[[Category:Fictional giants]]
[[Category:People with paraplegia]]
[[Category:Wheelchair users]]

[[Category:20th-century Argentine sportsmen]]
[[de:Giant Gonzáles]]
[[es:Jorge "Giant" González]]
[[fr:Jorge Gonzáles]]
[[it:Jorge Gonzales]]
[[pt:Jorge Gonzalez]]
[[fi:Giant Gonzáles]]
[[sv:Giant Gonzales]]

Latest revision as of 02:18, 21 December 2024

Jorge González
González in 1988
Born(1966-01-31)31 January 1966[1]
El Colorado, Formosa, Argentina[1]
Died22 September 2010(2010-09-22) (aged 44)
San Martín, Chaco, Argentina[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)El Gigante[3]
Giant Gonzalez[3]
El Yeti[3]
Billed height8 ft 0 in (244 cm)[3]
Billed weight460 lb (209 kg)[3][4]
Billed fromThe Andes Mountains
Argentina[3]
Trained byWCW Power Plant[5]
Debut1990[3][5]
Retired1996

Jorge González (31 January 1966 – 22 September 2010)[6][7] was an Argentine professional wrestler, basketball player and actor best known for his appearances in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name El Gigante and in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Giant Gonzalez.[8][3] González remains the tallest man to have competed for both companies and the tallest Argentinian to have ever lived.[9]

Early life

[edit]

Jorge González was born in El Colorado, Formosa, Argentina on 31 January 1966.[1] González suffered from gigantism.

Basketball career

[edit]

González was billed as being 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m),[3][2][6] making him the tallest WWE wrestler and Argentine basketball player in history; his true height was 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in), which still made him the tallest in wrestling and a tie for first place in basketball.[6][10] He started his career with the youths of Hindú Club de Resistencia at the age of 16, standing 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in) tall.[6] Subsequently, León Najnudel, then coach of the Argentine national team, recommended the board of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata to sign the player for the team's Argentine second division roster.[6] During 1986, González helped Gimnasia achieve promotion to the Argentine first division.[6] He then signed for Sport Club Cañadense, but saw little action due to an injury that left him off the court for nine months.[6]

National team

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Coach León Najnudel included González in the Argentine national team who took part of the 1985 South American Basketball Championship (bronze medal) and the 1988 Tournament of the Americas (5th place), where he attracted the attention of the Atlanta Hawks' scouts.[6][10]

NBA career

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González took part in the 1988 NBA draft, being chosen by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round (#54 selection). Along with Hernán Montenegro (drafted #57), they became the first Argentine players drafted in the NBA. The Hawks bought the player's rights from his Argentine team for a 30,000 Argentine australes fee.[2][6] However, he was unable to adapt to the physical demands of NBA basketball, partly due to a serious knee injury.[6]

Professional wrestling career

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World Championship Wrestling (1988-1992)

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In 1988, Hawks owner Ted Turner offered González a job as a professional wrestler in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which Turner also owned. After over a year of training, González was introduced to fans as El Gigante on 19 May 1990 at the pay-per-view Capital Combat. Wearing shorts, he competed as a fan favorite and was billed as being close to eight feet tall.

Over the next two years, he feuded with Ric Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, participated in a Chamber of Horrors match in 1991 and also had a date on TBS with Missy Hyatt. He also participated in a feud with Sid Vicious who stood 6 ft 9 in and One Man Gang who stood at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). The point of the feud was to determine who the real "giant of WCW" was. He also had a cross promotional stint in the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion before signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1993.

According to Ron Reis, Gonzalez was set to make a return to the company at their 1995 pay-per-view Halloween Havoc in the role of "The Yeti", an insurance policy put in place to make sure Hulk Hogan did not retain the WCW Championship against The Giant. The plan behind his return was to set up an idea Kevin Sullivan (who was the booker of the promotion at the time) had for the pay-per-view World War 3 1995 the following month. It would be a three ring, 60 man, over the top rope battle royal, with a giant occupying each of the three rings. But the idea fell through as González had a diabetes attack during preparation for his return at the Halloween Havoc pay-per-view leading him to having to be flown back to his native Argentina and Ron Reis had to take his spot in the role.[11]

González (left) performing at Wrestlemania IX against The Undertaker in 1993

World Wrestling Federation (1993)

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González competed as Giant Gonzalez during his time in the WWF. González grew a beard and wore a full body suit that featured airbrushed muscles with bushy hair attached. He was introduced at the Royal Rumble in January 1993, where he eliminated Harvey Wippleman's nemesis The Undertaker from the Royal Rumble match despite not being an official participant.[4] At WrestleMania IX, González lost to The Undertaker by disqualification after he knocked out the Undertaker using chloroform.[12] After another loss to The Undertaker at SummerSlam,[13] the feud came to an end, and after the match, Wippleman berated him, before González turned on Wippleman himself, turning face in the process.[4] He lost to Randy Savage on WWF on TSN on 1 September.

The foundation was later set for a feud between González and Adam Bomb, but it never truly began. His last appearance in WWF was on 4 October episode of Monday Night Raw in a 20-man battle royal match for the Intercontinental Championship. González was the first eliminated by "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Diesel, Bastion Booger, 1-2-3 Kid, Marty Jannetty, Adam Bomb and Bam Bam Bigelow. Three days later, WWF announced that González left the company after his WWF contract had expired on 7 October 1993.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WAR (1994–1995)

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After his departure from the WWF, González wrestled in the Japanese promotions NJPW and WAR (Wrestle and Romance) until his retirement from wrestling, and used his old ring name El Gigante. His last singles match was on 8 February 1995, when he lost to The Great Muta. On 8 December 1995, González wrestled his final match, teaming with Kōji Kitao in a loss to Shinja and Typhoon by countout.

Acting career

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González played the role of Manny, a carnival sideshow giant in a 1993 episode of Baywatch, who befriends Hobie, but later falls into the water and his large size makes it difficult to be rescued. González also had roles in the 1993 and 1994 Thunder in Paradise double-episode turned movies. In 1994 González made a short appearance as Eryx the Boxer in Hercules in the Underworld, a television prequel film from the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.

Retirement and personal life

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In January 1996, González retired from professional wrestling due to serious health issues and returned home to Argentina.

After his retirement from wrestling, González lived on a ranch in Argentina in his later years.[14] His former manager Harvey Wippleman would send his own money to maintain González and his family.[15] In October 2009, he began using a wheelchair, and also had to use a dialysis machine due to his failing kidneys.[14] The Argentine Basketball Federation also helped Gonzalez with finances in his final years, including donations of appliances for his house, clothes and medicine.[16] González was married and had one step-daughter.

Death

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González died due to complications from diabetes type 1 and heart issues on 22 September 2010, in his hometown of San Martin, Argentina at the age of 44.[6][7]

Reception

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The Undertaker, who worked with González in WWF, was very vocal about him. Undertaker criticised González's lack of wrestling ability.[17][18] He also revealed that, during their match at WrestleMania 9, Undertaker shot on González after González was careless in the ring.[19] He also mentioned his feud with him "took years off my career".[20]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Swamp Thing M'tama Episode: "This Old House of Mayan"
1993 Thunder in Paradise Terremoto
1993 Baywatch Manny/Pelican Man Episode: "Blindside"
1993 Thunder in Paradise Mortador / Terremoto 4 episodes
1994 Hercules in the Underworld Eryx the Boxer Television film
1994 Thunder in Paradise II Mortador

Championships and accomplishments

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Giant Gonzalez's Warned Profile". Warned. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Un dolor Gigante". Olé (in Spanish). 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Giant González". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Shields, Brian and Kevin Sullivan (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK/BradyGAMES. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  5. ^ a b "Remembrances 2010". 1wrestling. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Adiós al Gigante González, un personaje de leyenda del básquet argentino". Clarín (in Spanish). 25 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  7. ^ a b "WWE News, Rumors, Results & InformationFormer WWE Star Giant Gonzalez Passes Away". Rajah.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  8. ^ "Jorge Gonzales". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  9. ^ "Data view of Jorge González from Tallest Men dataset".[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ a b "Falleció el basquetbolista más alto de Argentina". Télam (in Spanish). 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  11. ^ ""The Yeti" Ron Reis reveals WCW's original plans for the Yeti character, the famous star he replaced in the booking plans, Yeti returning to WWE or TNA, and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Full WrestleMania IX Results". WWE. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Full Event Results". WWE. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Whatever Happened To Giant Gonzalez?, Jim Cornette Speaks Out, Paul Orndorff". Rajah.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Jim Ross: Harvey Wippleman was sending money to Giant Gonzalez before his death so he and his family could eat". Wrestling News | Wwe and Aew Results, Spoilers, Rumors & Scoops. 17 November 2019.
  16. ^ "El Gigante / Giant Gonzalez passes away". Slam Wrestling. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  17. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (15 May 2024). "The Undertaker: Giant Gonzalez Made Great Khali Look Like Lou Thesz". Fightful. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway (17 May 2024). When Undertaker Flipped On Giant Gonzalez #13. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Duarte, Jon (15 May 2024). "The Undertaker y sus problemas con Giant González". Superluchas (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  20. ^ Rovere, Marco (24 June 2020). "The Undertaker Says Matches With Giant Gonzalez "Took Years Off My Career"". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". Archived from the original on 16 June 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  23. ^ Meltzer, Dave (26 January 2011). "Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, CA: 1–40. ISSN 1083-9593.
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