Former WWE Star Giant Gonzales Dead At 44

[Dr. Stinger A. Zoidberg]

Former WWE performer Jorge González (a/k/a Giant González) passed away Wednesday in San Martin, Argentina, reports Argentinian news outlet Impulso Baires. He was 44 years old.

Sources from González' hometown, El Colorado, confirm that he was taken to San Martin after "suffering a decompensation."

González had been suffering from poor health for years as he was confined to a wheelchair and used a dialysis machine to treat kidney failure. It was announced last year that González would return to the United States in May 2010 for an appearance at the "Legends of the Ring: wrestling convention in Monroe, New Jersey. Ultimately, he was forced to cancel the appearance due to ongoing health problems.

Originally a basketball player, González was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft. When his NBA career didn't pan out, Hawks owner Ted Turner offered González a job as a professional wrestler with another of his ventures, World Championship Wrestling. After a year of training, González was introduced to fans as "El Gigante" on May 19, 1990 at the WCW pay-per-view, Capital Combat. He enjoyed a lengthy run as a fan favorite before parting ways with the organization in 1992.

González' jumped ship to the World Wrestling Federation the very same year and debuted as "Giant González" at the 1993 Royal Rumble, where he eliminated The Undertaker from the Rumble match despite not being an official participant. The move laid the foundation for a rivalry that lasted the length of Gonzalez' WWE career as he parted ways with the organization shortly after being put to rest at the hands of "The Deadman" at the 1993 SummerSlam.

González wrestled in New Japan Pro Wrestling before retiring in 1995 due to ongoing health problems. His last match took place on February 8, 1995 against The Great Muta.

González is the fourth former WWE talent to pass away within the past seven weeks, following Lance Cade, Luna Vachon and Mike Shaw (a/k/a Bastion Booger).

This sucks. RIP

 

[X]

Well that's a shame, 44 is too young. He had a much more memorable run in WCW than he did in the WWF, so I'll always remember him for that. Absolutely ATROCIOUS wrestler, but it's always sad to see anyone pass away at that age.

RIP.

 

[Father Uncle Oscar]

Lance Cade... Luna Vachon... Bastion Booger... now Giant Gonzales? Not a good time for pro wrestling right now.

Rest in peace, Giant. You will be missed by all.

 

[klunderbunker]

Considering he was about 3 inches taller than Khali I think his lack of talent is a bit understandable.

 

[Joe's Gonna Kill You]

RIP

 

[X]

Considering he was about 3 inches taller than Khali I think his lack of talent is a bit understandable.

Hey if Andre could have great matches that's no excuse. Granted Gonzalez was taller, but still, you get my point.

 

[klunderbunker]

Gonzalez > Andre, period.

Spoiler

In height of course.

 

[mrbrownstone]

Wow, this has been a terrible for wrestling related deaths. This sucks. RIP.

 

[X]

You know every single year I hear "This has been a terrible year for wrestling deaths". It's sad that this is normal. Hopefully this new generation of wrestlers are learning from the mistakes of past wrestlers.

 

[klunderbunker]

Gonzalez was ill due to his size I thought. I'm pretty sure wrestling had little to do with it.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Rest in Peace Jorge. You had the ugliest wrestling tights in history.

 

[Vincent Michaels]

I wonder what it would've been like to meet him if he did make it to the convention here in NJ. I was gonna go just to meet him......

This is very sad.

RIP Jorge González

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

May He Rest in Peace.

 

[Super Hans]

May He Rest in Peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy0u5XtkZIk

I guess Undertaker won.

 

[Coco]

Huge loss.

 

[TLC]

It always sucks when a wrestler passes, RIP.

 

[Super Hans]

Huge loss.

Lulz, but on a serious note, i would like to thank El Gigante Gonzales on all the memorable matches and joy he gave me while growing up.

Rest In Peeeeeeeeaaaaceeee.