Vader Time

KINDLE EBOOK EDITION

By: Leon White, Kenny Casanova

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Leon White grew in Compton before taking on the world. His impressive college football days led him to the NFL and ultimately the Super Bowl. Reinventing himself as a wrestler, he battled monsters in the ring like Bruiser Brody and Jerry Blackwell, until given his own monster-like gimmick in Japan. As “Big Van Vader," he defeated Antonio Inoki for the IWGP title and had his eyeball knocked out of his head by Stan Hansen, initiating his own legendary status. Taking on all the top names and winning titles around the world, this mastodon became “The Greatest Super Heavyweight of All Time.” Read how his reign of terror continued even after being hit with an expiration date of only “two years to live.” This is the story of his life …and a legacy that will last forever. This is Vader Time.

Great Insight

Great, honest insight into Vader's career. it covers everything you've ever read about him in depth. I'm a big fan of books like this because you don't get a lot of Vader coverage elsewhere and he's one of the best big men to ever wrestle. Highly recommended.

Loved it

This was a great listen. It was great to hear the Big Man's side of the story.

It's time, it's Vader Time...

The book opens with a question WWE fans had for quite some time. When will Vader finally be inducted into the WWE hall of fame. Vader would posthumously be inducted in 2022. The man they called Vader reflected in "Vader Time," that his WWF stint wasn't his favorite run. Heck, the boss, Vince McMahon, wanted to change his ring name to the Mastodon, but Jim Cornette convinced McMahon to relent.

Vader played college football at the University of Colorado and was drafted by the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. While his NFL career would be cut short due to an injury, his team would face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. After impressing the Gagne's, Vader was able to bypass the wrestling territories, and signed with the AWA. He would learn the ropes from veterans such as Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen.

While he was successful in the AWA and wrestling in Germany, it would be signing with New Japan Pro Wrestling that would turn him into a megastar. Antonio Inoki gave him the Big Van Vader gimmick, which was based on a comic book character. World Championship Wrestling would eventually sign him and allow the big man to moonlight in Japan. Here, Vader shares many WCW road stories, and sets the record straight on his manager, Harley Race.

Vader minces no words and is refreshingly honest about his WCW stint. He shares what really happened during a backstage incident with Paul Orndorff, which would seal his fate with the company. Vader discusses the now infamous Sid Vicious-Arn Anderson stabbing incident, and his perspective on the match with Mick Foley resulting in Foley's gruesome ear injury. Vader also reveals why he didn't want to work with Hulk Hogan.

Vader was present for the Montreal screw job. Was it work or a shoot? Vader dissects both viewpoints and gives him personal opinion on the subject. Additionally, Vader discusses the incident in Kuwait, and how the situation was finally remedied. He reveals how he finally made up with Shawn Michaels, and his health issues. I am glad Kenny Casanova offered this captivating work as audiobook!