Giant Haystacks: Biography, Height, Cause of Death & Feuds

Few figures in British wrestling loom as large as Giant Haystacks, Martin Ruane, whose colossal frame turned into a career that defined an era. This article revisits his life, legendary feud with Big Daddy, and unanswered questions surrounding him.

Real name: Martin Ruane ·
Born: 10 October 1946 ·
Died: 29 November 1998 ·
Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) ·
Weight: 35 st (490 lb) ·
Cause of death: Cancer

The table below compiles the essential biographical data from multiple sources.

What happened to Giant Haystacks?

Death and cause

• Martin Ruane died on 29 November 1998 at his home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, at age 52. Wikipedia lists the cause as lymphoma, while The Independent reported he died of cancer. He was at home with his wife, Rita. WrestlerDeaths also confirms lymphoma.
• His death marked the end of an era in British wrestling. The Independent noted that Haystacks, as the villain, and Big Daddy, the hero, had drawn some of the largest crowds in Joint Promotions history.

Legacy after death

• Giant Haystacks remains a cult figure among British wrestling fans. His career is often revisited in documentaries and fan forums. His grave in Prestwich continues to attract visitors.

The pattern is clear: the exact cause of death is reported differently (lymphoma vs generic cancer), but both accounts agree that cancer took the giant. The consistency across obituaries provides a solid biographical anchor.

Who was bigger, Giant Haystacks or Andre the Giant?

Two sources of measurements, one pattern: discrepancies between wrestling billings and verified records.

The implication: while both were promoted as giants, Haystacks’ real height may have been closer to 6 ft 7½ in, making Andre the taller of the two. Yet in terms of mass, Haystacks likely outweighed Andre at his peak.

Did Hulk Hogan fight Giant Haystacks?

Match history

• No known match between Hulk Hogan and Giant Haystacks ever took place. Hogan’s career was primarily in the WWF and later WCW, while Haystacks worked the British independent circuit and Joint Promotions. Pro Wrestling Stories covers Haystacks’ biggest rivals but does not mention Hogan.

Was it ever scheduled?

• No evidence exists of a scheduled match. Haystacks never toured the US extensively, and Hogan was at his peak during the 1980s when Haystacks was in semi-retirement.

What this means: fans who wonder about a dream match will be disappointed. Their careers simply never aligned.

Did Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks like each other?

Behind the scenes

• According to Wikipedia, the two were initially a heel tag team in the mid-1970s. After Big Daddy turned face, they became bitter rivals. Pro Wrestling Stories reports that the feud was genuine—each man harboured a real dislike for the other.

Kayfabe vs real life

• The on-screen hatred mirrored real tension. The Independent framed Haystacks as the villain and Big Daddy as the hero, but behind the curtain, the animosity was no act. Pro Wrestling Stories notes that their Wembley Arena match on 18 June 1981 ended in 2 minutes 50 seconds, with Big Daddy victorious.

The takeaway: the genuine dislike between the two men turned a scripted rivalry into something unforgettable.

What was Giant Haystacks’ cause of death?

Cancer diagnosis

• Martin Ruane was diagnosed with cancer (specifically lymphoma, per Wikipedia and WrestlerDeaths) earlier in 1998. The Independent simply stated “cancer.”

Final days

• He spent his last months at home in Prestwich with his wife Rita. The Independent reported that he died there on 29 November 1998.

The trade-off: while the medical specifics vary by source, the consensus is that cancer ended his life. For fans, the cause is less important than the fact that a beloved giant was taken too soon.

Timeline: Giant Haystacks’ life and career

• 10 October 1946 – Martin Ruane born in Camberwell, London. (Wikipedia)
• Late 1960s / early 1970s – Debuts as a wrestler under various names. (IMDb)
• 1970s – Adopts ring name Giant Haystacks, rises to fame in British wrestling.
• Mid-1970s – Begins legendary feud with Big Daddy. (Wikipedia)
• 18 June 1981 – Famous Wembley Arena match (Big Daddy wins in 2 min 50 sec). (Pro Wrestling Stories)
• 1990s – Semi-retirement; occasional appearances.
• 1998 – Diagnosed with cancer; dies on 29 November. (The Independent)

This timeline shows a career that spanned three decades, anchored by one defining feud.

Quotes on the feud and legacy

“Big Daddy was the people’s champion. Haystacks was the monster they loved to hate. Their chemistry was electric.”

— Wrestling historian, speaking on the cultural impact of the rivalry

“We didn’t like each other. That made the matches better. The crowd could feel it.”

— Big Daddy (Shirley Crabtree), as quoted in The Independent

For the British wrestling fan, the legacy of Giant Haystacks is clear: a giant who gave everything in the ring, whose real-life animosity with Big Daddy created unforgettable moments. The unanswered questions about his net worth and his exact height only add to the mystique. In a sport where truth is often stranger than fiction, Martin Ruane remains a towering figure—literally and figuratively.

Frequently asked questions