In the mid-1980s, a fierce bidding war unfolded between WWE and WCW, both vying to secure the talents of the towering 8-foot athlete, Jorge Gonzalez. A former NBA draftee forced to exit the basketball scene due to a knee injury, Gonzalez eventually opted to ink a deal with WCW. His journey commenced with rigorous training at the WCW’s Power Plant, culminating in the grand unveiling of the wrestler as El Gigante at the Capital Combat pay-per-view event in 1990. This marked his swift elevation to the main event tier as a virtuous protagonist, aligning himself with Sting and Lex Luger in their ongoing feud against the Four Horsemen.
In subsequent chapters, Gonzalez found himself entangled in a fierce rivalry with Ric Flair, contending for the coveted WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Battles ensued with Sid Vicious and One-Man Gang, aiming to determine the true “giant of WCW.” Despite WCW’s efforts to integrate Gonzalez as a focal point, fan reception was less than enthusiastic. Reflecting on Gonzalez’s WCW tenure, Jim Ross dissected the reasons behind the Argentine giant’s struggle to make a mark in the realm of professional wrestling.
“Jorge is an amiable soul, a genial individual, yet he lacked essential product knowledge,” declared Ross during the “Grilling Jr.” episode. “He failed to grasp the subtleties of the wrestling industry. Understanding what to avoid is crucial, and he lacked that necessary discernment. Even basic grappling posed a significant challenge, necessitating my constant collaboration for promotional activities. It wasn’t apathy on my part, but rather an unremarkable experience. He exuded decency and likability, but the essence of the sport eluded him. Wrestlers are astute; encountering someone unskilled and untrained leaves them at a loss.”
Gonzalez eventually parted ways with WWE in 1993, rebranded as Giant Gonzalez. Sadly, in 2010, at the age of 44, he succumbed to complications arising from diabetes and heart issues.
