Giant Haystacks

Wrestler

Giant Haystacks was born in Camberwell, England, United Kingdom on October 10th, 1946 and is the Wrestler. At the age of 52, Giant Haystacks biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.

Date of Birth
October 10, 1946
Nationality
United Kingdom
Place of Birth
Camberwell, England, United Kingdom
Death Date
Nov 29, 1998 (age 52)
Zodiac Sign
Libra
Profession
Professional Wrestler
Giant Haystacks Height, Weight, Eye Color and Hair Color

At 52 years old, Giant Haystacks has this physical status:

Height
211cm
Weight
311kg
Hair Color
Not Available
Eye Color
Not Available
Build
Not Available
Measurements
Not Available
Giant Haystacks Religion, Education, and Hobbies
Religion
Not Available
Hobbies
Not Available
Education
Not Available
Giant Haystacks Spouse(s), Children, Affair, Parents, and Family
Spouse(s)
Not Available
Children
Not Available
Dating / Affair
Not Available
Parents
Not Available
Giant Haystacks Career

Ruane began wrestling in 1967, initially for the independent WFGB as Luke McMasters (later incorrectly reported as being his legal name). In the early 1970s, Ruane worked for Wrestling Enterprises (of Birkenhead), where he was billed as Haystacks Calhoun, after the American wrestling star William Calhoun who had wrestled under that name in NWA: All-Star Wrestling and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Ruane's name was subsequently modified to Giant Haystacks.

In summer 1975, he moved to Joint Promotions, where he formed a heel tag team with Big Daddy (also a heel at this point). Haystacks' TV debut came in July that year, when he and Daddy teamed up against the brothers Roy and Tony St Clair, losing by disqualification. Although mainly known as brutal superheavyweight heels who crushed blue-eye opponents, they also had a major feud with masked fellow heel Kendo Nagasaki.

Daddy in particular heard cheers during this feud and eventually completed a turn to blue eye. This was cemented when Haystacks and Daddy broke up their tag team in 1977 and feuded with each other, with Haystacks remaining as the heel, resulting in high ratings on Britain's ITV any time they battled one another and establishing Haystacks as a household name during the 1970s and 1980s. The feud began on television when the two reached the finals of a four man knockout tournament only for Haystacks to walk out in the opening seconds of the final match. It would continue on and off until Daddy's retirement in 1993.

Haystacks also wrestled all over the world. Ruane wrestled in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion as the Loch Ness Monster, managed by J.R. Foley from Wigan, England (alias John Foley, alumnus of Billy Riley's Wigan Snakepit wrestling school). He also worked for the CWA in Germany and Austria, winning several trophy tournaments there, including in India and Zimbabwe, where he was made an honorary citizen.

In January 1996, after spending time in a short retirement as a debt-collector in Manchester, selling cars, and undergoing knee surgery, Ruane debuted in the United States for World Championship Wrestling, under the ring name Loch Ness. His only pay-per-view appearance was a loss to The Giant at Uncensored. He served as a member of The Dungeon of Doom who were at that time, feuding with Hulk Hogan. However, the feud was short-lived, ending abruptly when Ruane contracted lymphoma and returned to Britain.

Source

As Kendo Nagasaki returns to ring, what happened to the other wrestling heroes of ITV's 1970s World of Sport? Grappling's golden era - when more watched than the FA Cup Final (including the Queen Mother!)

www.dailymail.co.uk, August 28, 2024
Between 1955 to 1988 British wrestling reigned supreme and was so popular it drew bigger crowds than the FA Cup Final. In fact, the Queen Mother was said to be a fan of ITV's World of Sport Wrestling, which saw legendary fighters such as Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Mark 'Rollerball' Rocco slug it out. Today there is still a demand for Great British wrestling as in June it was announced World Of Sport Wrestling will return with a taping at Epic Studios, Norwich on Saturday, September 14. Even legendary villain Kendo Nagasaki has announced he is training for a return to the ring at the ripe age of 82, which will make him the world's oldest professional wrestler. Although the performers are less recognisable today we take a look at the cream of UK talent who entertained millions on World of Sport - which aired every Saturday at 4pm.

The golden age of British wrestling, from Giant Haystacks to Big Daddy

www.dailymail.co.uk, June 11, 2023
Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy (both photographed left in 1981), to Mick McManus (right), the heyday of British wrestling was a world of colorful characters. The hulks of a bygone age entertained millions between 1965 and 1985, and the hulks of a bygone age appeared on ITV's primetime show World of Sport. Big Daddy, who had a 64-inch chest, was known for his signature leotard, which carried a letter "D" sewn on by his wife Eunice. Giant Haystacks, his tag teammate-turned-opponent who weighed 48 stones at his heaviest weight, was also afraid and was known for his trademark beard and costume. Mick McManus, on the other hand, was much smaller, standing at just 5ft 6in, but he was regarded as the 'guy you hate to hate' due to the way he was bent the rules to his advantage. Kendo Nagasaki (actually Peter Thornley of Stoke) who was known for his signature 'Kamikaze Crash' slam) will not have been forgotten by World of Sport fans. The family-friendly games are a far cry from some violent modern wrestling matches, including one last year (inset) where competitors competed against each other with glass lighting tubes and wooden sticks. Last week, MPs said wrestling is desperately in need of proper legislation to increase control and drive out 'cowboys.'