by Brack Beasley
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor
This poster is from the famed Greensboro Coliseum and dated June 6, 1974. It represents Andre the Giant's first appearance in Greensboro, during his first tour of the Mid Atlantic territory.
Can you imagine the reaction of the fans that night to seeing the Giant in person? I know I'll never forget the first time seeing Andre in the late 1970s, also in a battle royal.
The layout is pretty simple on this one with black print standing out against a light orange background but as usual, it promotes a loaded Greensboro card.
While Johnny Valentine is most remembered for his singles work, the team of himself and the Super Destroyer Don Jardine appears quite intimidating. Other Mid-Atlantic legends such as Rip Hawk, Swede Hanson, Johnny Weaver, Abe Jacobs, Sandy Scott, and Danny Miller are also featured.
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| Andre the Giant, announcer Big Bill Ward, and Andre's friend, driver, and interpreter Frank Valois. |
Notice Frank Valois is in an early match vs. Sandy Scott. Valois was Andre's driver and interpreter (and great friend.)
My apologies in advance if any of these posters have been posted on the Gateway in the past but maybe some of the newer visitors will see them for the first time.
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For more on Andre the Giant's first tour of the Mid-Atlantic area, see the following articles by Dick Bourne and Les Thatcher:
- Andre The Giant's First Tour Through the Mid-Atlantic Area - Part One
- Les Thatcher's Lost Opus: Andre the Giant Arrives - Part Two
- Andre The Giant's First Tour Through the Mid-Atlantic Area - Part Three
- Andre the Giant's First Night in Charlotte
Previous poster: Flair/Valentine vs. Wahoo/Steamboat (Winston-Salem 1977)
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