WWE’s “jets” and “giants”

WWE’s “jets” and “giants”

The biggest event in sports-entertainment history, WrestleMania 29, emanates from East Rutherford, N.J.’s MetLife Stadium on April 7. The world famous, 82,000-plus seat venue not only regularly hosts the biggest acts in music and entertainment, but is also home to the National Football League’s New York Jets and New York Giants.

WWE’s premier pay-per-view event occurring at one of the NFL’s premier stadiums is fitting, particularly considering the names of the teams that call MetLife Stadium home. After all, WWE fans have seen plenty of “jets” and “giants” grace the squared circle through the years, even if they are slightly different than the Jets and Giants typically seen playing on Sundays.

After pouring over the game tape, WWE.com takes the field with five fast, explosive speedsters whose athleticism and agility make them WWE’s versions of “jets” and five towering, enormous Superstars whose gargantuan size makes them “giants.” Read on to see who’s on the depth chart!

WWE “jet” — Evan Bourne

Evan Bourne's breathtaking Shooting Star Press

Perhaps no maneuver in sports-entertainment is as difficult or dangerous as the Shooting Star Press.

With his spectacular “Air Bourne” Shooting Star Press, Evan Bourne may possess the most impressive, breathtaking aerial assault of any Superstar currently on the WWE roster. Since his debut in 2008, the exciting highflier has made up for weighing only 170 pounds by consistently being faster and more agile than his competition. A former WWE Tag Team Champion, this “jet” will hopefully return from injury soon and resume his gravity-defying antics in the squared circle.

WWE “giant” — Andre the Giant

In this WrestleMania classic, Andre the Giant and Big John Studd collide in a $15,000 Body Slam Challenge

In this WrestleMania classic, Andre the Giant and Big John Studd collide in a $15,000 Body Slam Challenge

Measuring 7-foot-4 and weighing well larger than 500 pounds, Andre the Giant is in a class all his own. Quite possibly the most physically intimidating individual ever to step in the squared circle, the native of Grenoble, France, redefined what it meant to be a “giant.” During his legendary career, the “Eighth Wonder of the World” was rarely beaten, going undefeated for an unbelievable 15 years. While his pure size was terrifying, Andre also possessed an incredible physical strength, even for such a large man. In 1993, Andre became the first inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame, guaranteeing he will forever be the benchmark against which any other WWE “giant” is compared.

WWE “jet” — Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy's daring Swanton Bomb

The Charismatic Engima throws caution to the wind with his risky Swanton Bomb.

What else can be said about Jeff Hardy? “The Charismatic Enigma” pioneered the art of high-risk wrestling and has entertained sports-entertainment fans for years with his exhilarating, adrenaline-fueled feats. Never the biggest or most powerful Superstar in the ring, Hardy made his name by going to unprecedented heights, literally and figuratively, as he did time and time again, like at SummerSlam 2009 against CM Punk. ( WATCH) Vertigo-inducing Swanton Bombs aside, Hardy always sped around the ring and his larger foes, giving him the distinction of being one of WWE’s “jets.”

WWE “giant” — Big Show

Relive the earth-shattering  impact, as Big Show showcases the unfortunate "group of victims" that has suffered the WMD: SmackDown, Oct. 5, 2012

Big Show uses the WMD on countless victims in his path of desctruction.

It’s no secret that Big Show is a massive human being. The astonishing measurements are already well-documented: He weighs 441 pounds, stands a mighty 7-feet tall, wears a 22 EEEEE size shoe and boasts a 64-inch chest. In the tradition of Andre the Giant, The World’s Largest Athlete is a truly intimidating goliath. The first Superstar to capture the WWE, WCW and ECW Championships, Big Show possesses the nasty mean streak to match his monstrous size. The question isn’t if Big Show is one of WWE’s “giants,” but instead if he’s actually WWE’s definitive giant.

WWE “jet” — Eddie Guerrero

As dazzling with technical grappling as he was with risky aerial maneuvers, Eddie Guerrero was a Superstar who WWE fans couldn’t peel their eyes away from. Whether he was lying, cheating and stealing or executing a top-rope assault, Guerrero was a performer who exuded excitement and action. Not only physically fast but also quick-witted and quick to flash his winning smile, the Superstar with the gut-busting Frog Splash is at home on any list of WWE’s speediest, most explosive Superstars.

WWE “giant” — The Great Khali

The Great Khali is a 7-foot-1, 347-pound skyscraper, towering over his opposition in WWE. The Punjabi Giant has a uniquely intimidating presence in the squared circle and he can boast victories over iconic Superstars like The Undertaker, John Cena and Kane on his road to becoming a one-time World Heavyweight Champion. With the devastating Punjabi Plunge and the crushing Khali Vise Grip, this supersized Superstar stands tall as one of WWE’s most immense competitors.

WWE “jet” — Dolph Ziggler

A look at "The Showoff" Dolph Ziggler: WWE Main Event, October 24, 2012

Take a special look at Dolph Ziggler before his big match against Ryback.

With his slick-backed blond locks and stunning athleticism, Dolph Ziggler often succeeds in doing just what he sets out to do: stealing the show. WWE’s resident Showoff isn’t afraid to test his substantial skills against any Superstar in WWE, including the likes of John Cena, CM Punk and Randy Orton. Sometimes compared to “do-it-all” Superstars like Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, Ziggler has consistently shown what an exciting competitor he is, from his victory in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match in 2012 to eliminating a Superstar he’s often compared to in the 2013 Royal Rumble Match: Jericho. Dolph Ziggler is one of WWE’s “jets” and also one of WWE’s fastest-rising Superstars. He’d be more than happy to tell you all about it.

WWE “giant” — Yokozuna

The Undertaker vs. Yokozuna: Survivor Series 1994 - Casket Match

The Undertaker rises up against Yokozuna at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, TX on November 23, 1994 despite Irwin R. Schyster sneaking past special referee Chuck Norris to meddle in the match.

One of the greatest big men in sports-entertainment history, Yokozuna left behind a legacy as large as he was. Debuting in WWE in 1992, the sumo-trained competitor immediately made his enormous presence felt. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing nearly 600 pounds, Yokozuna powered his way to victory in the 1993 Royal Rumble Match. Physically dominant and massively powerful, this “giant” went on to win the WWE Championship twice and became a 2012 inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame. “Banzai!”

WWE “jet” — Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio isn’t just one of WWE’s fastest and most exciting Superstars, he’s an inspiration to the WWE Universe. The 5-foot-6 Master of the 619 has faced size and strength deficits in nearly every match throughout his entire career. But the incomparable Mysterio hasn’t let that stand in his way or stop him from becoming a WWE Champion and two-time World Heavyweight Champion. The Ultimate Underdog is an expert at aerial attacks and WWE fans are thrilled when the masked dynamo goes off the ropes. Flying around the squared circle and frequently battling opponents twice his size, Mysterio embodies the role of underdog and, yes, WWE “jet.”

WWE “giant” and “jet” — Bam Bam Bigelow

Despite checking in at a massive 6-foot-4 and 390 pounds, Bam Bam Bigelow was capable of executing moonsaults and diving headbutts from the top rope with the grace of a man half his size. Although he resembled an extra from “OZ” or “Sons of Anarchy” with flame tattoos on his bald head and the wardrobe of a Hells Angel, Bigelow was as nimble and athletic as anyone on the WWE roster and rightfully earned his reputation as one of sports-entertainment's all-time most gifted big men.

More than any other Superstar in history, Bam Bam Bigelow could be classified as both a “jet” and “giant.” But the super heavyweight from Asbury Park, N.J., might take issue with being called the latter. After all, he disappointingly lost a highly publicized WrestleMania XI main event against New York Giants great Lawrence Taylor. Even if he couldn’t overcome L.T. on that occasion, Bigelow was a “jet,” “giant” and all-time great big man.

What do you think of WWE.com’s list of “jets” and “giants”? Did we miss someone? Let us know in the comments section below or on WWE’s official Facebook and Twitter!

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