INQUISITR.COM / Sports

The Wrestling World Pays Tribute To And Honors Big Van Vader After His Passing

By Danny Cox
Published on: 07:50 PST, Jun 20, 2018

For the last two years, there have been a number of moments when the world of professional wrestling thought it was going to lose one of the all-time greats but his life was extended. Big Van Vader (real name Leon White) has been dealing with a number of heart-related conditions and other illnesses for a while now, but it all finally caught up to him. After his passing, the wrestling community took to social media to pay honor and respect to the man they call “Vader.”

Big Van Vader was just 63-years-old.

As reported by Pro Wrestling Sheet, Vader wrestled in both WWE and WCW, but he was known all around the world. He was also greatly respected by promoters, wrestlers, announcers, ring crews, fans, and virtually every single person who is associated with the world of professional wrestling.

In a very classy move, the official website of WWE paid tribute to the man known as Big Van Vader and let everyone know that it will always be “Vader Time.” From there, tributes started pouring in from all promotions and just about anyone who knew Vader or knew of him.

If only he had lived long enough to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. That may still happen for the big man, but for now, he has the tributes of so many and the respect shown to him on Wednesday afternoon is enough to bring anyone to tears.

Inquisitr reported back in November of 2016 that Big Van Vader revealed he had less than two years to live due to problems with his heart. Despite knowing that, Vader continued to travel the world and wrestle as he wasn’t yet ready to hang up his boots.

While he never won a title of any kind in WWF/WWE, Big Van Vader still had a huge presence in the world of professional wrestling. Here are just a few of his many accomplishments:

  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship – three times
  • Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship – two times
  • WCW World Heavyweight Championship – three times
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated “Wrestler of the Year” – 1993

In April of last year, Vader wrestled at an event in Japan where fans saw him collapse and pass out in the middle of the ring after the match. Word began to spread on social media that it was due to his health and his heart issues, but he confirmed that it was due to being dropped on his head during the match.

Vader made sure everyone knew that it had nothing to do with his heart, but things were not getting any better for him. Heart problems were eventually going to get the better of Big Van Vader as he even referred to himself as a “walking time bomb” earlier this year.

The man they call Vader accepted that he had health issues, but he wasn’t going to let them hold him back. The tributes being paid to him show that everyone knew just how tough he was throughout his life and to the very end.

Now, the world of professional wrestling has lost a multi-time former world champion, a legend, and one of the most talented big men to ever set foot inside of a ring. He was a monster heel that could fly through the air despite his massive size and superstars looked up to Big Van Vader for almost four decades. It is obvious that he will never be forgotten and these tributes show that the respect for him will never fade.

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