How to build a giant: The making of WWE's Andre the Giant statue

In the beginning, Andre the Giant was just pieces of plaster.

Three months out from the unveiling of WWE’s larger-than-life tribute to “The Eighth Wonder of the World” at WrestleMania Axxess, the giant’s sculpture was still in parts in the studio of New York City’s ATTA Inc. There were boots as big as two toddlers, a mighty hand on a paint-splattered table that looked capable of gripping the Statue of Liberty’s torch and a replica of the famous Frenchman’s head that, when placed next to a likeness of New York Giant Eli Manning, made the dome of the 6-foot-4 quarterback look like that of a child.

This was February, not long after Triple H had gotten inspired while touring East Rutherford, N.J.’s MetLife Stadium in preparation for WrestleMania. While walking through the facility’s Legacy Club — a quasi hall of fame celebrating some of the most integral figures in Giants history — WWE’s COO was struck by a row of bronze busts depicting Big Blue greats like Phil Simms and Frank Gifford. The renderings were striking, the craftsmanship flawless. The statues made these men seem eternal, important, historic — more than just athletes, they appeared as icons.

It seems obvious now, but WWE had never honored its Hall of Famers in this way and Triple H immediately set about changing that. They would commission a statue — big and bronze and beautiful — and put it where everyone in the WWE Universe could see it, interact with it and have their picture taken with it. And the sculpture would be of the biggest Superstar — both figuratively and literally — in WWE history, Andre the Giant...More?