Real Name - John Stanley HansenBirthdate - 8/29/49
6'2" 280 lbs. - Borger, TX
Athletic Background - Football (Professional)
Teacher(s) - The Funks
Professional Background - Texas(`73-`7?), New Japan(`75-`81), WWWF(`76), All Japan(`81-`00), GCW(`81-`83), SWCW(`83), GCW(`84), UWA(`84) Memphis(`85), AWA(`85-`86), WCW(`90), ECW(`93)
Aliases - none
Groups - Blassie's Army
Peak Years - `81-`94
Finisher(s) -
- Western Lariat (Left-Arm Lariat) - Texas Brazos (Boston Crab)
Favorites -
- Powerbomb
- Second Turnbuckle Splash - Bodyslam
- Bionic Elbow into Reverse Chinlock
- Soccer Kick
Ringwork Rating -
| Move Set |
10 |
| Science |
3 |
| Aerial |
3 |
| Power |
8 |
| Strikes |
10 |
Intangibles Rating -
| Entertainment |
10 |
| Selling |
9 |
| Bumping |
9 |
| Carrying |
7 |
| Heat |
9 |
| Legacy |
9 |
Place in History - One of the meanest, toughest characters to ever come to Japan, Stan Hansen and his Lariat terrorized the country for more than 25 years. A free spirit with a stiff style and self-centerness, once Hansen was established he never looked back. In the US, he bounced around until a feud with Bruno Sammartino essentially made him a bona-fide top heel. He had runs in Georgia and the AWA with some success, but Japan became his priority once he was a regular there. Hansen went to New Japan first and was a success battling the natives and gaijins alike. His jump to All Japan along with long-time friend and partner Bruiser Brody was a huge deal. In Giant Baba's traditionalist company, Hansen & Brody became the top gaijin team.. After Brody's death, Hansen continued and took over his partner's top foreigner spot. The 1990s were very kind to Hansen, who despite being in his 40s was consistantly good and had his share of big matches. Known for physicality and endurance, Hansen was one of the very best workers in the world and paired with the best for legendary showdowns. After his retirement, Stan Hansen was celebrated and as Japan's pro-wrestling declined it seems that perhaps no other gaijin had the impact, quality of matches and lasting legacy of this man.
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