Dino Bravo Strongman Challenge
Air Date: November 11th 1989
Venue: Wheeling, West Virginia
Jesse Ventura and Vince McMahon are at the announcers table to witness Dino Bravo's latest strongman challenge. "The worlds strongest man" Dino Bravo is in the ring with his manager Jimmy Hart and announcer Mean Gene Okerlund. They need a volunteer from the audience to showcase Bravo's strength. After scanning the arena they finally points someone out and with a little coaxing from the crowd the selected audience member, a rather robust looking bearded gentleman, cagily makes his way to the ring.
Once inside the ring he is approached by Okerlund:
MGO: Sir, What is you name?
???: John.
MGO:Your name is John. I assume you're from West Virginia
J: Yes sir.
MGO: Turn around here John. Do I dare ask how much you weigh?
J: 460 pounds.
This brings a big pop from the crowd. And Vince McMahon on commentary gasps "Woah! Bravo's in trouble! This is one time when Jimmy Harts mouth has gotten Bravo in trouble. Big trouble!" Bravo seems to think so too as he looks worried.
Bravo gets down into press-up position. Hart directs John to sit on Bravos back. John does so but just as he settles his huge 460 pound frame down Bravo signals frantically for him to get back up again. Bravo walks around the ring stretching his back. He wastes time doing various stretching excercises until Mean Gene asks Hart:
MGO: Is your man ready?
JH: He is ready baby! C'mon Dino.
Bravo again assumes press-up position and "Big John," as Jesse Ventura has taken to calling him, settles down on him once more. Amazingly Bravo completes five press-ups with this huge mans weight on his back. An ecstatic Jimmy Hart jumps around the ring like a jackass.
VKM: I'm impressed.
JV: You better be.
VKM: That was some feat of strength on the part of Dino Bravo.
Bravo then roars into Okerlunds mic:
DB: Nobody else in the whole world can do this. NOBODY!
MGO: Well wait a minute. Tonights challenge, here is the answer. The reigning Intercontinental Champion, The Ultimate Warrior!
Warriors music hits and the crowd pop. Warrior, as always full of intensity, runs to the ring, shakes the ropes and beats his chest.
Big John backs into a corner and cowers as Warrior approaches him.
MGO: Don't be frightened sir.
UW: Fear not the Ultimate Warrior big man. For I come to cause you no harm. I only come to destroy the challenges of you Dino Bravo.
MGO: Alright you heard him. He is not here to harm you in any way. He is only here to dispel the challenge of Dino Bravo. Ultimate Warrior, down on the mat.
Warrior gets into position on the canvas.
MGO: Again I repeat the weight of this man is 460 pounds.
John lowers himself onto Warriors back. Jimmy Hart who had left the ring when Warrior entered now reenters and gestures to John.
MGO: What's this?
On Harts command John jumps and brings his full 460 pounds crashing down on Warrior. Bravo follows up immediately with elbow drops to Warrior. Ventura and McMahon argue about the events with Ventra saying Warrior couldn't even complete one press-up. The assault continues with John splashing Warrior a couple of times.
JV: He learned to wrestle pretty quick.
VKM: Yeah no kidding I smell a rat.
Bravo and Hart finally end the assault and leave joined by Big John. Inside the ring Warrior slowly recovers. He pumps up as all the little Warriors in attendance cheer him on. Eventually, fully recovered he begins shaking the ropes as his music sounds out around the arena.
For those of you who never saw this segment or can't remember it, Big John subsequently wrestled in WWF as none other than Earthquake, John Tenta.
Return To Match Reports