Vader destroyed - and practically ended the career of - Yokozuna. Annihilated him. It wasn't a close feud at all.
Yokozuna lost the rematch to Vader, having won the first match. And this was the Yokozuna that was past his prime, the one not too far for being sent home for good because of his weight issues. It's hardly an accomplishment.
Vader's second IWGP Title was won in a tournament in which he wrestled for well over 30 minutes, 4 different matches. His four wins actually saw him wrestling longer than Randy Savage wrestled at Wrestlemania 4, and despite that, people still think Vader doesn't have endurance because they are biased against 400-lb men.
It was actually an 8 man tournament, so it would be 3 matches. And I'm going to preface this by saying that I'm not doubting Vader's ability to go 30 minutes, but he barely did here in three matches. 3 matches, breaks in between. That's hardly the same animal as a 30 minute IronMan match, in which there are no breaks.
Andre wrestled
two sixty minute time limit draws before his WWF days, against Harley Race and Nick Bockwinkel. Both, men far above Vader's pedigree or So while you can speculate that Vader is capable of going thirty minutes, I know Andre can.
They'd go home disappointed, just like the fans at the Sumo Hall who watched Vader debut by defeating Antonio Inoki. They rioted.
I believe it, they were on Inoki's home turf. But what you fail to mention is that this was Inoki's second match of the night-in a row at that- and Vader's first.
These fans can riot to after Vader breaks Andre's knee.
Which would get him disqualified.
That is provided Andre is sober for the match.
Yes, I know, late in his career he came to the ring drunk or drank on the apron during tag matches with Haku. But what does Andre being sober for the match have to do with anything?
Vader is 3-1 vs Sting in major matches.
How does a loss by DQ and two pinfall losses equal 3-3? He was 3-3, if my memory serves me correct.
This bears no weight at all, mate. They've both lost to Hogan.
Andre, past his prime, beat Hogan. Vader in his prime never did.
Andre was crushed by the Ultimate Warrior, and Vader owned Sting. Take from that what you will.
Their matches were at house shows-Andre's and Warrior's-and again, they were contested when Andre was past his prime. Having a 3-3 record against a man isn't "owning" him.
The 2nd greatest Super Heavyweight of all time beating the Greatest Super Heavyweight of all time? It could happen.
Vader was formidable in Japan and left one of the greatest legacies there then almost any other wrestler. There's no denying that. But Andre had a greater legacy, and especially as a prime babyface, was a bigger draw. People paid to see him win, which he almost always did.
As for Vader being #2 and Andre #1 in terms of Super Heavyweights? I'm not going to argue that. And #2 beating #1 certainly happens in professional wrestling. I just don't believe it happens here.
I will, of course, be voting Vader.
Voting for your favorite wrestler? I'm shocked!