Martin Ruane
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| Martin Ruane | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Giant Haystacks Loch Ness The Loch Ness Monster Luke McMasters |
| Billed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Billed weight | 672 lb (305 kg/48.0 st) |
| Born | October 10, 1946 [1][2] Camberwell, London, England[1][2] |
| Died | November 29, 1998 (aged 52) |
| Debut | 1967 |
Martin Ruane, better known as Giant Haystacks (October 10, 1946 - November 29, 1998) was an English wrestler. Giant Haystacks wrestled in such places as England, the USA, Canada, India and Zimbabwe amongst many others. He was known for his huge size, weighing over 48 st (672 lb) at his heaviest.
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[edit] Early life
His family originated from Kiltimagh, County Mayo in Ireland and wanted him to become some sort of musician. At the age of 3, Martine Ruane and his family moved to Manchester in England, which remained his home. Ruane's mountainous size caused him to be tormented as a child but he soon learned to defend himself.
Ruane worked as a labourer, building motorways and resurfacing roads, and as a nightclub bouncer before a friend suggested he take up professional wrestling as a career.
[edit] Career
Under the promoter Brian Dixon he was named "Haystack Calhoun" after the US wrestling star William Dee Calhoun who had wrestled in NWA All-Star Wrestling and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. This evolved into 'Giant Haystacks' because of the massive size of Martin Ruane, as he was sometimes billed in wrestling as being 7 feet tall.
Martin Ruane had a long running feud between himself and fellow wrestler Big Daddy, resulting in high ratings on ITV in Britain, every time the two fought each other. He also had a long feud with the legendary Peter Thornley, better known by his wrestling name of Kendo Nagasaki.
Giant Haystacks wrestled in Calgary for the Stu Hart wrestling school known as the Calgary Stampede as "The Loch Ness Monster" and was managed by John R. Foley from Liverpool, England. Other notable wrestlers that emerged from the Calgary Stampede included Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Brian Pillman and Michael Alphonso.
Martin Ruane began wrestling in 1967, becoming a household name during the 1970s and 1980s wrestling all over the world. In 1995 he appeared in the United States in World Championship Wrestling under the title The Loch Ness Monster as a member of Dungeon of Doom to create a long running feud with Terrence Gene Bollea, better known by his wrestling name, as Hulk Hogan; however this was short-lived, and the tour was called off when Martin Ruane was diagnosed with cancer and returned to the United Kingdom. He invested, unsuccessfully, in the motor trade for a few years and then managed with more success, a debt-collection agency.
[edit] Finishing and signature moves
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- Joint Promotions
-
- 1-time British Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time European Heavyweight Champion
- Stampede Wrestling
- Stampede International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Thomas Billington, better known as the Dynamite Kid, who was part of the tag team called the British Bulldogs.
[edit] Personal life
Ruane was a deeply religious man and refused to fight on Sundays. He reputedly ate 3 lb of bacon, 12 eggs every morning to maintain his strength, and flew all over the World.
In addition to his wrestling career, he also appeared in the 1984 movie "Give My Regards To Broad Street", written by Sir Paul McCartney who was a noted fan of his.[3]
Martin Ruane invested, unsuccessfully, in the motor trade and ran, more successfully, a debt-collection agency. He died on November 29, 1998 at the age of 52, following a two year battle with cancer.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Matthew, Henry Colin Gray; Brian Howard Harrison (2004). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: In Association with the British Academy. Oxford University Press, 63. ISBN 0198613989.
- ^ a b Ayto, John; Ian Crofton; Paul Cavill (2005). Brewer's Britain & Ireland: The History, Culture, Folklore and Etymology of 7500 Places in these Islands. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 191. ISBN 030435385X.
- ^ Szreter, Adam. "Obituary: Giant Haystacks", The (London) Independent, December 3, 1998. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
