THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT - Andrew "Tiny" Johnson
It’s been quite some time since we’ve done a THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT here on HardwayHQ.com. Sometimes time does fly and other HQ responsibilities happen, but I want to do more of a better job of supporting some of the veterans that have come across independent wrestling.
One of those guys was a super-heavyweight, but had the comedic chops and smart-alecky attitude that made him endearing to ACE Pro Wrestling fans.
This Thursday’s veteran is none other than ANDREW “TINY” JOHNSON.
The first time I knew of Tiny, a 6’3, 360 lbs monster, he dominated the playboy Eddie Escobar within three minutes. I thought he was just a monster, but he had much more depth to him.
In many senses, he lived to rib and bust balls. Consistently taking the piss out of a plethora of situations in a, at-times, tense locker ACE locker room. One night on Action Zone in 2008, he pretended he was then-ACE commentator Fallon and truly won everyone over, mixing Fallon with the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
Also, there was the infamous spoof of The Midnight Hour, the 2009-2010 talk show of “the Complex” Chris Rockwell and “Sharp” Sam Shields. Tiny and the late, great Vince Steele did a hilarious job of spoofing the Midnight Sensations and their alien lifestyle.
One of Tiny's best maneuvers was due to a situation of circumstance. After taking a massive shot to the cranium, the out cold Tiny would be knocked out due to a weak equilibrium and FALL FORWARD onto his opponent, forcing a pinfall due to over 300 pounds of dead weight onto an unsuspecting victim. He also used the Johnson Stampede, a variation of the Oklahoma Stampede, made famous by the legendary “Dr. Death” Steve Williams.
In ACE, Tiny was a two-time Diamond Division Champion, defeating ACE legend Stockade and Dickie Rodz to begin both reigns. He was also a Tag Team Champion with Brian Johnson, who was in ROH and now with TNA, as Johnson 2 Johnson. He also won two Chance of a Lifetime Rumbles in 2011 and 2013, which is no small feat. And in one of his final matches, he defeated his former friend William Wyeth at Crossroads XI.
Jon Harder, the founder of HQ, had this to say about Tiny.
“Andrew “Tiny” Johnson…what can you say? Dude was an excellent ribber and a legendary ball buster. I remember he and Brian Johnson baby-powdered the Hell out of me when I interviewed them backstage in 2009. He would rib countless guys in the locker room. Harmless, but fun.
One of my personal favorite deals, in hindsight, goes back to 2017, after I released the initial Project: Diverge video, he called me ‘Fat Kenny Omega’ in the post. I remember holding that grudge for years, for no other reason than I was sensitive as a piece of Charmin Toilet Paper. It took Mike Lewis, the Rodent Scumbag of all people, years later to tell me Tiny was ribbing me, or that I really looked like a fat Kenny Omega.
It was the curls. And I was fat. Tiny was right.
On top of that, I actually liked Tiny as the super heavyweight that was beloved by fans, but could still go in the ring. Whether in Union City or Wallington, Tiny had a magnetic appeal to the fans. There was never a Tiny match where I could and say that the fans sat on their hands for. His fun-loving personality just clicked with the fans. Also, maybe the Gary Carter dedicated Mets singlet got the fans going too.
I haven’t seen him in forever, but I heard he lost a boatload of weight and looks fantastic. I hope he is well and that I’m happy he is being remembered in the THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT.”
We congratulate Andrew “Tiny” Johnson on being the latest on the THURSDAY VETERAN SPOTLIGHT. Continued success, sir.
Bankie Bruce
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