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Stan Hansen

In the world of Professional Wrestling, few finishers are more feared than Stan 'The Lariat' Hansen's Western Lariat.

Just as 'The Bad Man from Borger Texas' was beginning his in-ring career, Hansen feuded with Bruno Sammartino in 1976 for the WWWF title. A matchup that culiminated with Hansen legitimately botching a Powerslam against Sammartino, breaking the legend's neck in the process.

At the time, promoters decided to claim that Sammartino had actually suffered the injury at the hands of Hansen's Lariat instead; solidifying Hansen as a bonafide heel on American soil.

In the land of the rising sun, Hansen would go on to become one of Japan's top gaijin talent. Nicknamed 'The Unsinkable Battleship' overseas, Hansen entered the All Japan Pro-Wrestling with his eyes set on dethroning Terry and Dory Funk Jr. as the promotion's top foreign competitor. With Texas Longhorns raised, Hansen's 'YOOOOOOUTH' battle cry was The Lariat's
declaration that The Funks' reign was over, and that the next generation led by Hansen was about to take over.

To this day, Hansen's impact in the squared circle continues to resonate with Wrestlers and fans alike. Often imitated but never duplicated, The Lariat remains a popular technique in Puroresu, and the pairing of Hansen and fellow alley Bruiser Brody is considered by fans as one of Japan's greatest tag team formations; inspiring the creation of the Miracle Violence Connection ('Dr. Death' Steve Williams and Terry 'Bam Bam' Gordy) a decade later.