Big Van Vader’s life, career and his self destruction were covered on Dark Side of the Ring.
Vader’s name conjures images of a monstrous figure, a super heavyweight capable of incredible feats of athleticism, and an aura of intimidation that few could match. As Chris Jericho noted, “In the world of professional wrestling, every hero needs a villain, and few villains were tougher, scarier or more dangerous than Big Van Vader.” His impact on the wrestling world was undeniable, but behind the fearsome mask and the dominant in-ring persona lay a man, Leon White, who faced his own battles both inside and outside the squared circle.
Vader’s journey to wrestling stardom was unconventional, transitioning from a promising NFL career derailed by injury. Yet, his innate physicality, remarked upon by his friend and former NFL player Dave Logan, made him a natural fit for the wrestling business. Jim Ross, a long-time admirer, considered him “the most amazing super heavyweight that I’ve ever seen, ever,” a testament to his unique combination of size and agility, famously including a breathtaking moonsault.
It was in Japan that Leon White truly transformed into the iconic Big Van Vader. Under the guidance of Antonio Inoki, he became a monstrous heel, a dominant force unlike anything seen before. His debut, defeating the legendary Inoki in under three minutes, sparked a riot, a testament to the immediate impact of this imposing figure. Vader became a sensation, revered and feared in equal measure, even earning the moniker of “the Hulk Hogan of Japan,” as his wife Debra White recalled.
Japan also bore witness to one of the most gruesome moments of Vader’s career – his match against Stan Hansen. Their encounters were legendary for their brutality, with both men pushing the boundaries of physicality. As Stan Hansen himself described, they were “hammering” each other hard in a truly “real deal” contest. This intensity led to the infamous incident where Hansen’s thumb accidentally dislodged Vader’s eyeball. Jim Cornette’s blunt description, “Stan Hansen knocked Vader’s eyeball out of his head,” encapsulates the shock of the moment. Yet, in a display of incredible toughness that became synonymous with his name, Vader pushed his eye back into its socket and continued the match, solidifying his reputation as one of the toughest men in the industry.
Returning to the United States and joining WCW, Vader continued his reign of dominance, capturing championships and main-eventing shows. Jim Ross recognized his potential, bringing him in as a “human demolition machine.” However, his stiff, realistic in-ring style, while captivating for many, also led to unfortunate consequences. Jesse White, Vader’s son, noted the trail of destruction his father sometimes left behind, including breaking Sting’s ribs and, more tragically, ending Nikita Koloff’s career.
Mick Foley, a frequent opponent, had firsthand experience with Vader’s physicality, calling him “the stiffest wrestler I’ve ever been in the ring with.” Foley recounted being “pummeled by Vader on many occasions” and suffering multiple concussions as a result of their intense matches. He poignantly described Vader’s ability to make every match feel like a life-or-death struggle.
The most devastating consequence of Vader’s in-ring style was the accidental career-ending injury to Joe Thurmond. Thurmond, a young wrestler living his dream, faced Vader in what should have been a quick match. However, a mistimed or careless powerbomb resulted in Thurmond breaking his back in two places, leaving him temporarily paralyzed and ending his wrestling aspirations. Thurmond vividly recalled the moment, the carelessness he perceived, and the profound impact the injury had on his life. While Mick Foley mentioned Vader felt terrible and visited Thurmond in the hospital, Vader’s own later comments, “That man is lucky. That’s all he got with a broken back,” revealed a complex and perhaps hardened perspective on the inherent risks of their profession.
Vader’s time in WCW also saw clashes with other top stars, most notably Hulk Hogan. Debra White described their relationship succinctly: “Talk about two people that didn’t like each other.” Their contrasting styles and egos reportedly led to creative frustrations and matches that didn’t always live up to their potential. Vader himself felt that his matches with Hogan were a “watered down version” of what he could do.
Behind the scenes, Vader’s intensity and difficulty separating his on-screen persona from his personal life led to further issues. An altercation with Paul Orndorff, a WCW producer, proved to be a turning point. Following a perceived disrespect, Orndorff, despite having a bad arm and wearing flip-flops, reportedly punched Vader, leading to a locker room brawl. This incident ultimately resulted in Vader’s release from WCW. Debra White viewed this as a critical juncture, stating, “That was the beginning of him making bad decisions and bad mistakes. That was the beginning of the end, pretty much.”
A new chapter began in WWF, where Jim Ross, still a believer in Vader’s talent, brought him into the company. However, creative differences and Vader’s own struggles soon emerged. Vince McMahon reportedly didn’t fully grasp the Vader character and even suggested a name change to “The Mastodon.” Vader also battled weight issues, which drew the ire of management. Jim Cornette recalled the infamous story of Vader and Yokozuna being sent to a weight loss clinic at Duke University, only to be caught smuggling in fried chicken.
A particularly challenging dynamic developed with Shawn Michaels, who was being groomed as the top babyface. Michaels reportedly disliked working with Vader due to his stiff style. Debra White described the situation as Michaels being “Vince’s boy” while Leon was “nobody’s boy,” leading to a “pretty nasty situation on both sides.” Jesse White recounted an instance where Michaels threatened to get his father fired for being too rough in the ring. Their SummerSlam match became a source of frustration, with reports of Michaels being unprofessional and dictating the match in a way that undermined Vader’s dominance. Ultimately, Michaels reportedly convinced Vince McMahon that Vader wasn’t the right opponent to drop the title to, effectively derailing his main event push in WWF. Mick Foley believed that Vader’s career as a main event player ended in that moment.
An ill-fated incident in Kuwait further tarnished Vader’s reputation and standing in WWF. During a talk show appearance with The Undertaker, Vader took extreme offense to the host questioning the legitimacy of professional wrestling. In a moment of uncontrolled anger, Vader physically assaulted the host, leading to his detention by Kuwaiti authorities. Jim Cornette emphasized the gravity of the situation in a foreign country with different laws. Debra White recounted the terrifying experience of having no communication with her husband and fearing for his safety. While the company eventually managed to secure his release, the incident significantly damaged Vince McMahon’s faith in Vader.
As his career progressed, the physical and emotional toll of the business began to manifest. Debra White noted, “When you play that hard, it catches up to you,” referencing the accumulated injuries and pain. Jesse White pointed to the era where pain medication was readily available, contributing to Vader’s own struggles with substance abuse. Vader himself admitted to taking multiple Percocets just to sleep, highlighting the constant pain he endured. Debra White poignantly stated that “pain will change you,” and Nick Patrick believed Leon had fallen into depression, becoming “self-destructive.”
The pressures of his career also deeply affected his personal life. Debra White spoke candidly about the challenges of being married to Big Van Vader, stating, “Pretty soon he just lost Leon, you know, and he just became the character. And that’s not who I fell in love with.” She described how he would bring the “tough man” persona home, leading to a difficult and sometimes volatile environment. Ultimately, the strain proved too much, and their marriage ended. Debra White reflected, “There was a lot of bad, but, gosh, there was a lot of good too, and it was a lot of fun to be able to be part of that.”
In his later years, Leon faced significant health challenges. Jesse White revealed that his father had been diabetic for some time without knowing it. A trip to Japan resulted in a life-threatening diabetic coma. Upon his return, his health continued to decline, leading to a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Vader underwent quadruple bypass surgery, but his health remained fragile. He later contracted an aggressive case of pneumonia and had to be placed in a medically induced coma.
In his final years, Jesse White became his father’s primary caregiver, demonstrating immense love and dedication. He described the heartbreaking experience of witnessing the decline of the once-mighty Vader. Dave Logan commended Jesse for his unwavering support. In a poignant moment, the day after Father’s Day, Vader spoke for the first time in weeks, telling his son, “I love you.” Their final conversation echoed this profound connection.
Debra White revealed a difficult agreement she had with Leon to end life support if necessary. Ultimately, she made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw treatment. Jesse White reflected on his father’s life, acknowledging its brevity but also its fullness, allowing him to experience extraordinary things.
In the end, the monstrous Big Van Vader faded, and Leon White emerged. As Debra White shared, “He actually became Leon white at the very end. He felt very bad about how our life could have been and how it ended up.” Despite the controversies and personal struggles, Vader’s impact on professional wrestling remains undeniable. Jim Ross fittingly concluded, “Big Van Vader was the greatest monster heel, the greatest big man that I ever saw.” His legacy is a complex one, a testament to the captivating power of his on-screen persona and the very human struggles faced by the man behind the mask.
You can watch new episodes of Dark Side of the Ring on Tuesday night’s at 10 pm Eastern. The episode on Vader is streaming at different times through the week. Check your TV listings for re-airings.
