Biography

John Stanley Hansen II is an American former professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Stan Hansen. Hansen is renowned for his stiff wrestling style, which he attributes to his poor eyesight. He is also known for his gimmick of a loud, violent cowboy who wanted to fight everybody, which he further emphasized by appearing in interviews with a cowboy hat, leather vest and bullrope while often chewing on tobacco. Considered to be among the most successful and popular gaijins in professional wrestling history, Hansen became more well known and revered in Japan than in his native United States. Despite this, Hansen still found championship success in both countries, as he became a five time world champion upon winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship once and the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship four times.