The 'Singlet Version' represents the iconic late-career look of WWE Hall of Famer André the Giant, defined by his custom black one-shoulder wrestling singlet. Debuting on WWF television in early 1987 alongside his famous heel turn on Piper's Pit, this attire accompanied his legendary main-event run at WrestleMania III and remains his most recognized silhouette in wrestling history.
La Scena
This signature appearance debuted on WWF television in early 1987, highlighted during a historic segment on Piper's Pit in February 1987. Flanked by manager Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, André executed a shocking heel turn, ripping off Hulk Hogan's shirt and crucifix pendant to demand a WWF World Heavyweight Championship match. The black one-shoulder singlet became the defining look of his villainous main-event run, culminating in his match against Hogan at WrestleMania III in the Pontiac Silverdome. Throughout 1987 and 1988, André wore this ring gear during major events, including captaining his team to victory at the inaugural Survivor Series, defeating Hogan for the WWF Championship on NBC's The Main Event I, and main-eventing SummerSlam 1988 as part of The Megabucks with Ted DiBiase. He maintained the look through his WWF World Tag Team Championship reign in The Colossal Connection alongside Haku, his emotional face turn at WrestleMania VI in 1990, and his final matches across Japan through late 1992.
Significato
Beyond symbolizing one of professional wrestling's most iconic heel turns and rivalries, the singlet version held crucial practical significance for André's career. Following major spinal surgery in late 1986, André required a heavy-duty leather back support brace to safely return to action. The asymmetrical one-strap singlet was specifically designed to conceal this protective brace, enabling him to participate in high-profile matches during the WWF Golden Era. Visually, the design overhauled his ring image, shifting him away from his classic 1970s trunks into a darker, imposing aesthetic. This appearance has been immortalized across generations of pop culture, documentaries like HBO's André the Giant (2018), Box Brown's graphic novel Andre the Giant: Life and Legend, and decades of wrestling video games from WWF WrestleMania (1989) to WWE 2K26.
Design
The Singlet Version is defined by a custom black, single-strap asymmetric wrestling singlet paired with black laced wrestling boots. The distinctive cut leaves one shoulder bare while covering his entire torso down to the upper thighs. Although the solid black attire is the canonical version seen throughout his late-1980s and early-1990s WWF televised run, alternate color variants in blue and green were occasionally utilized during ring tests, international tours with All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and special gimmick tag team matches. The attire's cut was functionally tailored to hide his rigid medical back brace while presenting a towering, muscular silhouette.
