In the world of wrestling, there’s an unwritten rule akin to “never pulling Superman’s cape,” and that rule is never to get on the bad side of Andre the Giant. Known both inside and outside the ring for his generosity and love of a good time, Andre was often described as a gentle giant by his close friends, yet he could be unpredictable depending on the person.
Andre wasn’t always in harmony with everyone—Randy Savage, for example, reportedly annoyed Andre by using too much baby oil. However, it was Kamala who had real issues with Andre, and those conflicts ultimately worked out in Kamala’s favor. Kamala, who is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Heritage Building in 2025 for his impact on wrestling, first encountered Andre in mid-South wrestling in early 1983. Their initial match was highly anticipated and went smoothly, but trouble arose during a rematch on January 24, 1983. A miscommunication in the match’s finish led Andre to call Kamala a “silly sob,” a remark Kamala never forgot.
Despite acknowledging his mistake in the match, Kamala wasn’t okay with Andre’s harsh words and wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. On the “Wrestling Two Power Trips” podcast, Kamala shared that he brought a gun to a Mid-South event in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, intending to confront Andre. He approached Andre in the locker room, keeping his gun concealed but with fingers on the trigger, telling Andre not to treat him that way again. Rather than escalating the situation, Andre immediately raised his hands, apologized, and called Kamala “boss,” even phoning someone to back him up. Over the next two years, they worked together both in Mid-South and WWE, forming a friendship and delivering memorable matches.
Kamala’s boldness paid off. In a 2017 interview with “The Memorabilia Guy,” Kamala revealed that he had shown his gun to Andre after the locker room incident, which made a lasting impression. Inspired by Kamala’s courage, Andre helped book him for shows nationwide, proving that standing up for oneself—even against someone as imposing as Andre the Giant—can lead to respect and opportunity.
Fan Take: This story offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics between wrestling legends, illustrating how respect and courage can shape careers. For WWE fans, it underscores the humanity of their heroes and the intense personalities that have made the sport so captivating over the years.
