The massive heavyweight who became a British household name
In short: Standing nearly seven feet tall and weighing up to 48 stone, Martin Austin Ruane was a physical marvel. Beyond his intimidating presence in the ring, he was a man of immense scale, a devout Catholic, and a star of the 1970s and 80s wrestling scene.
Born in London in 1946, the man known as Giant Haystacks was a titan of the British wrestling circuit. His physical presence was legendary; billed at 6 ft 11 inches, his weight fluctuated significantly throughout his career, starting at approximately 31 stone (200 kg) and reaching as much as 48 stone (300 kg) by the end of his tenure. Even his birth was notable, weighing 14 lbs and 6 oz.
Ruane's career was defined by high-stakes rivalries and dramatic character shifts. In the mid-1970s, he formed a 'heel' tag team with Big Daddy, but the duo eventually split, leading to a legendary feud that drew massive ratings on ITV's World of Sport. These battles often involved dramatic tactics, such as a 1977 rematch where Ruane caused a referee to be crushed between himself and his former partner.
His reach extended far beyond the UK. Under names like the Loch Ness Monster, he competed in Canada for the Stampede Wrestling promotion and even debuted for WCW in the United States in 1996. Although he projected a fearsome 'superheavyweight heel' image, Ruane lived privately, adhering to a rigorous daily diet of twelve eggs and three pounds of bacon while avoiding Sunday matches for religious reasons.
The heavyweight's life ended in 1998 following a battle with lymphoma. His legacy persists through cultural touchstones, from mentions in Manic Street Preachers songs to his friendship with Paul McCartney, who wrote the film Give My Regards to Broad Street, in which Ruane appeared.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Giant Haystacks
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