Exclusive ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ Segment: Check Out Big Van Vader’s Wild Debut in Professional Wrestling
Season 6 of the heart-wrenching documentary series VICE TV’s Dark Side of the Ring continues with a deep exploration of the impactful life of Leon Allen White — known to fans and in the ring as Big Van Vader. In an exclusive clip from the latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring, we witness the initial steps of Vader’s journey from a pro football player to a wrestling icon. The narration is provided by WWE and AEW star Chris Jericho, featuring firsthand insights from Vader’s son Jesse, wrestling historian Jim Cornette, and fellow pro wrestler Stan Hansen.
Vader wasn’t merely large; he was Japan’s kaiju personified — a super heavyweight who moved with surprising agility but struck with the force of a collapsing building. His tenure in Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) redefined the notion of terror in spandex. There’s a reason his name is still spoken with admiration. Fans continue to mention it with awe: Vader was the greatest of all time.
If you’ve yet to experience Vader’s impact, we encourage you to set aside an evening to watch Dark Side of the Ring. You’ll understand the legacy we speak of. He was both brutal and beautiful in his craft. Even though Leon Allen White passed away in 2018 at the age of 63, his legacy as Vader endures, defined not only by his actions but also by the unforgettable way he performed.
Be sure to catch the full episode “Big Van Vader” on VICE TV on April 8, from 10:00-11:00 PM ET, or stream it on Hulu. New episodes are released weekly.
