Big John Studd

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1974–1983)

As Chuck O'Connor, Minton joined Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in January 1974. In 1977, he got the ring name Big John Studd from promoter Paul Boesch, who said "My God, you look like a stud." Studd left the WWWF once more in early 1977.

American Wrestling Association (1975–1976, 1980–1981) From 1975 to 1976, Studd performed for the American Wrestling Association. He returned in 1980 and feuded with Mad Dog Vachon and The Crusher before leaving in 1981.

While Studd became a top challenger for Bob Backlund's WWF World Championship, it was his feud with , André the Giant over who was professional wrestling's 'true giant' that earned him main event status. Studd and Blassie had issued a "Bodyslam Challenge," offering $10,000, and later, $15,000, to any wrestler who could slam Studd before boasting that he could not be slammed. By 1984, with his feud with Andre still raging, Studd was challenging then-new champion Hulk Hogan, who was also successful in slamming Studd, for the title.

Studd then formed an alliance with fellow Heenan Family member King Kong Bundy, injuring André's sternum in August. Their feud continued for the rest of that year and into 1986, with André recruiting faces such as Hulk Hogan, Tony Atlas, Junkyard Dog and Hillbilly Jim to team with him.

The AndreStudd feud took on a new dimension in 1986, when, in the wake of Andre's increasing health problems related to gigantism and acromegaly, his role as Fezzik in the movie The Princess Bride, and his planned tour of Japan, a storyline was developed to have André compete in a tag team called The Machines. The "Machines" angle began when André did not show up for several tag team matches against Bundy and Studd.

Despite leaving the WWF, Studd's presence was still made known in a WWF Magazine article published shortly before WrestleMania III, where he supported André in his upcoming match against Hogan, contending that Hogan's friendship with André was a ruse, to duck him as a potential challenger to the title. Studd retired from wrestling to focus on his acting career. Studd went on to feud with several members of the Heenan family, including André, who had turned heel during Studd's absence, and Haku. He then served as a special guest referee in the match between Jake "The Snake" Roberts and André at WrestleMania V on April 2, which Roberts won when he disqualified André, who attacked Studd from behind. Studd's last match with the WWF took place on June 4, with Hillbilly Jim wrestling in Studd's place later that month. Studd quit the WWF over a financial dispute with Vince McMahon. He also came out with his own line of workout and vitamin supplements. In 1989, Minton said that his left knee, shoulder and lower back were all damaged from wrestling.

In February 1995, Minton returned for another round of chemotherapy, and it was found that the tumor had spread widely. He died after a battle with liver cancer and Hodgkin's disease on March 20, 1995.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1984 Micki & Maude Himself 1985 The Protector Huge Hood 1987 Double Agent Igor 1989 Hyper Space Psycho 1990 Caged in Paradiso Big Man 1991 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man Jack Daniels 1991 The Marrying Man Dante

Television Year Title Role Notes 1985 The A-Team Himself Episode: "Body Slam" 1987 Hunter Randy Episode: "Bad Company" or "Bad Companions" 1988 Beauty and the Beast Erlick Episode: "To Reign in Hell"

Championships and accomplishments European Wrestling Union World Super Heavyweight Championship ( 1 time )

50th State Big Time Wrestling NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (1 time) NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Buddy Rose Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Florida Global Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jimmy Garvin Georgia Championship Wrestling NWA National Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Super Destroyer Maple Leaf Wrestling NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (1 time) Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Ric Flair (1), Ken Patera (1), Masked Superstar #1 (1), and Roddy Piper (1) NWA Big Time Wrestling NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bull Ramos NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time) NWA Southern Championship Wrestling NWA Tennessee Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI Tag Team of the Year (1976) – with Killer Kowalski PWI ranked him #60 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003 World Championship Wrestling WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1995) World Wrestling Association WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ox Baker World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Executioner #1 Royal Rumble (1989) WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Most Overrated (1984) Worst Feud of the Year (1984) – vs. Andre The Giant Worst Feud of the Year (1986) – with King Kong Bundy vs. The Machines