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Many remember the rough and ornery Texan for breaking Bruno Sammartino's
neck, but his legend goes far beyond that. He began his career in the early
1970s in Texas and in the WWF territory. He began feuding with Ivan Putski,
Tito Santana and other WWF standouts before challenging WWF Champion Bruno
Sammartino and putting him out of wrestling with his Lariat clothesline.
Sammartino returned to ignite one of the hottest feuds of both careers,
climaxing in Shea Stadium in 1976. Hansen went on to feud with Pedro Morales
as the 1980s began, and also with WWF Champion Bob Backlund, who defeated
Hansen inside a Steel Cage in 1981.
Stan Hansen went to Japan and became one of the most famous American wrestlers to ever wrestle in Japan. He formed an impressive team with Bruiser Brody and became the first American wrestler to defeat both Antonio Inoki and the Giant Baba in singles bouts. In 1989, Hansen took part in Hulk Hogan's movie "No Holds Barred" and was rumoured to be headed into the WWF but only ended up wrestling Hogan for the WWF Title in a match in April of 1990 in Japan. Hansen went on to become the All Japan Triple Crown Champion in April of 1990, defeating Terry Gordy. Stan Hansen popped up in WCW in 1990, attacking Lex Luger and defeating him for the United States Heavyweight Title, but lost it back to Luger as part of Starrcade 1990. Hansen returned to Japan and ended his career in the mid 1990s, only returning for special appearances. It's quite a shame that Hansen is not better known in North America! His ability to put on tremendous angles with virtually all comers, coupled with his rugged wrestling style that influenced many future superstars, make him a worthy inductee to the UWOW Hall of Fame. |
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Hansen moved on to the American Wrestling Association under Verne Gagne
and instantly began feuding with the AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick
Martel in 1985. He defeated Martel in December of 1985 and began a tough
title defense schedule against former champions Martel and Bockwinkel before
defending the title in Japan. Verne Gagne had not given Hansen permission
to defend in Japan and decided to have Hansen drop the belt to Curt Hennig,
but an irate Hansen stormed out of the AWA instead, forfeiting the gold.