The Big Show and Mike Chioda in a nightclub …
During the most recent episode of the “Monday Mailbag” podcast, former WWE referee Mike Chioda told an interesting story about his encounter with The Big Show before signing with WCW. It turns out that WWE had the opportunity to sign him, and Vince McMahon was furious when he found out that WCW had signed him. This is how Mike told the story:
“We were in North Carolina at the show [de Raw is War]. Of course Vince [McMahon] and Pat [Patterson] they always looked at the monitors to see what WCW was doing. “
“Some time ago, I would say 3-6 months ago, I met The Big Show. I was in a nightclub in Philadelphia. He lived in South Jersey, and was in a nightclub in Philadelphia. Who approaches me? The Big Show. It approaches me. I turn around and this guy is huge. I’m like oh my gosh this is another Andre [The Giant]”.
“I talked to Show for a while at the club and he knew who I was. I mean, his hands, hair, great shape, the guy was huge. I ask for your name and number. He gives it to me. I gave it to Pat Patterson behind the scenes of the WWF during a show.»
“Then I said to Pat, ‘You have to see this guy. It’s another Andre The Giant. Incredible, good form. Long hair. Huge hands like Andre’s. I was going crazy with Pat telling him he has to call this guy. “
“A couple of months go by, and that’s when I stop by Vince’s office. Suddenly I saw Big Show on the WCW monitor. Vince and Pat had their eyes on the monitor, like it was holy shit. Who is this boy? I passed by and saw it on the monitor ”.
“As Pat and Vince were sitting there, I said, ‘Hi Pat. What happened to this guy? Didn’t it work? Did you call him or did he not want to come here because he was not interested? ‘ Vince looks at me, then looks at Pat, and Pat says, ‘What do you mean?’ I replied, “I gave you that guy’s phone number a few months ago. I told you I met him at a nightclub in Philadelphia. It was a gorilla ‘.”
“After this, Vince says, ‘What the fuck, Pat?’ Pat looks at me and says, ‘Was this guy Mike? I responded positively. I turned around and walked out of there because Vince said, ‘Excuse me Mike’ and closed the door. “
According to this account, months later The Big Show arrived at the WWF (now WWE) and thanked Mike Chioda for “giving his phone number.”
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