Today's highlighted wrestler is "The Lariat" Stan Hansen

One of wrestling's unknown legends. Hansen first found fame after inadvertantly breaking the neck of Bruno Sammartino. Although a Powerslam technically caused the injury, the announcers blamed it on Hansen's Western Lariat, and thus, a feared, and now legendary finisher was born. Hansen would also enjoy a reign as AWA Heavyweight Champion before heading over to Japan, where he would find his greatest acheivement. Hansen held All Japan's Triple Crown Heavyweight Title on multiple occasions, and can lay claim to defeating many of the top stars of All Japan, past, present, and future. His Western Lariat is perhaps the most feared Lariat in wrestling history. As a wrestler, Hansen was well known for his stiff wrestling style, which he attributes to poor eyesight, as he is nearly blind without glasses. Hansen is also considered to be among the most successful and popular gaijins in history, becoming more well known in Japan than in the United States.

Here he challenges Terry Gordy for the Triple Crown

Here we go: Terry Gordy vs Stan Hansen



Western Lariat

Stan Hansen avoids an aerial attack from Mitsuharu Misawa, and then proceeds to nearly decapitate Misawa with the ever so stiff Western Lariat.



Western Lariat Doubleshot

Twice, in separate matches, no less, Kenta Kobashi goes for a Shoulderblock against Stan Hansen. Well, that doesn't exactly work out real well, as you'll see here



Turnbuckle Western Lariat

Undoubtedly one of the sickest Lariats I've ever seen in wrestling history. Stan Hansen and Kenta Kobashi have been damn near killing one another for thirty minutes at this point. Kobashi thinks he has Hansen beat and goes for the Moonsault. Hansen stops him up there, and a struggle ensues. The finish to this struggle is simply indescribable.



Stan Hansen Slams The Giant

Andre ducks his head too early, and Hansen catches him with a kick. With the big man stunned, Hansen adds his name to the list as he picks Andre up, and slams him beautifully with a textbook Bodyslam



Western Lariat

Stan Hansen is in the corner, and he's got Jay Youngblood in his sights. He charges, and floors Youngblood with the Western Lariat.



Western Lariat

Even Andre the Giant isn't immune to the destructive force of the Western Lariat. He sends Stan Hansen to the ropes, but Hansen evades the Big Boot. Andre turns around, and is sent out of the ring with a Western Lariat.



Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody Destroy Everyone

Pure destruction here. Bruiser Brody sends Jumbo Tsuruta to the floor, and Stan Hansen has Giant Baba well in hand. Baba is dropped with a Western Lariat. However, Hansen isn't finished, and nails Jumbo with one as well. Brody adds the final touch with the King Kong Kneedrop



The Top 10 Moves of Stan Hansen



Thanks for watching and of course I hope you enjoyed

I'll be back tomorrow with Jack Evans