Report From The Q&A With Stan Hansen

Credit: Mike Johnson and Pwinsider.com

The NWA Legends Fanfest featured a Q&A Session with Stan Hansen. Hansen said that Georgia was a special place for him because Georgia Championship Wrestling was a hotbed for wrestling, naming Ole Anderson, Tommy Rich, and Thunderbolt Patterson as great wrestlers.

He said that four years ago, he set out to tell some stories about some of the unique characters, which is why he’s releasing a book. He joked it’s “another Goddamned book” and wanted talk about all the great wrestlers and talents he was involved in over the last 30 years. He said it wasn’t about dirty laundry but about the guys who worked and performed over the last few decades.

Hansen was asked about meeting the Funks at West Texas State University. He said that he ended up there because he had bad grades but it was a place with really great pro prospects. He said that he had family in Canyon, Texas and went there to play football. He met Terry Funk, who was already wrestling and was famous at the University. That’s how Hansen got into the business. He mentioned that The Funks, Bobby Duncum, Bruiser Brody, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Tully Blanchard and others all played there. He said that a number of the guys that he played with all became heels and they were all proud of that fact.

Hansen was asked about Bruiser Brody’s death. Hansen said Brody was his best partner and a close friend. He said that he still doesn’t like talking about his death, but things happen and you have to go on. He said that he was in Japan when it happened and it was a bad deal.

Hansen was asked about injuries. He said he was part of a very small percentage of people in the United States that have had four artificial joints. He said that wrestling is thought about as entertainment but when you hit the mat, the ground and the turnbuckles, that’s real.

Hansen was asked if Tim Woods had anything to do with his training. Hansen said that was false.

Hansen was asked about his feuds with Bruno Sammartino and Rick Martel. Martel was a Tommy Rich type young guy who was a great talent. Hansen was working in the middle of the card for World Class and was the number two or three heel. He put in a lot of time with Martel. The main events would go on in the middle and the semis would close the show. For whatever reason, the last match would go a long time so they ended up going 30-40 minutes night after night.

Bruno was a class act. He said that there have been a lot of big stars that have come across since then but there was no one more over in 1976. He said that was when he first wrestled Bruno. The Living Legend moniker was given to a lot of people but he really was one.

Hansen was asked what it was about his work that connected with the Japanese audiences. Hansen said that you’d have to ask the Japanese. He said that he was there a long time and worked hard and never took it easy, He believes that is what a lot of the Japanese fans liked about his character.

Hansen was asked about titles. He said he liked the chase for the belts but never really saw himself as a championship type guy. He had some tag title runs in different areas.

Hansen was asked about refusing to drop the AWA title. He said that he didn’t want to say anything too negative about Verne Gagne. He said that in his time, Verne was great. It was a business decision on Hansen’s part and he made that decision because he made it.

Hansen was asked about his feud with Big Van Vader. Hansen said that he was the real deal. “I was a flea holding onto an elephant.” He said that Vader was quick and had a football background but also knew how to box and could hit. In the match where he knocked Vader’s eye out, it was one of those deals where they got carried away on both ends. He certainly didn’t mean to knock his eye out.

Hansen was asked about the WCW vignettes where Stan Hansen would berate Missy Hyatt when she would try to conduct locker room interviews. Hansen said that the fan who asked the question made the story so much better than it really was. He said that his one altercation with her was the same Phoenix PPV where he worked Vader. He said it was one of those things where he was heading out of the company because he didn’t like the direction the company was going in. He didn’t remember the vignettes themselves.

Who came up with the tobacco juice gimmick? “Was that a gimmick?” He said that he chewed it since he was in college and there was a tendency with fans to suddenly cheer the heels, which is human nature. He decided he was going to be foulest thing so that no one would get behind him as a favorite. He said that he had a conflict with the TV people over it because he was too nasty.

Hansen was asked his favorite Japanese talents to work with. Hansen said there were so many, like Inoki and Baba and Tenryu and Misawa and Kawada and Kobashi. He said that at the end, he couldn’t have stayed there because they were all young and hungry and trying to get over on him, but he wasn’t going to let them get over on him. He said that’s where real competition comes in into the business.

Hansen was asked if he really ran over the AWA title with his truck. He sidestepped the story.

Hansen was asked why his run in Memphis ended. He said that he beat up Austin Idol and Idol got him fired. He said that Idol was a friend and he deserved to get fired.

Hansen was asked why he worked so much in Japan in the 1990s. He said that it was partially because he couldn’t get booked in the States. He said that he missed out on a lot of money but that was his choice and he doesn’t regret it.

Hansen was asked inducting Antonio Inoki into the WWE Hall of Fame. He said that he’s old school and everything changes. He said that they went out of their way to show him respect backstage. Hansen said that the old school wrestling is the type of wrestling that a lot of people booked and presented and liked. Inoki asked Hansen to induct him into the Hall, which is why he did it. WWE handled Inoki’s wishes. Hansen said he was really impressed with how they ran things and it’s a different type of wrestling from his day.

Ole Anderson told a funny story about asking for more money when he worked Japan and thinking he did well for himself, until he found out how much more Hansen was making. He praised Hansen’s work.

A fan asked about wrestling and slamming Andre the Giant. Hansen said that Andre was indeed the giant. Hansen said that he owed a hell of a lot to Andre. They hit a nerve with their matches in Japan and people really got into them. Andre was sometimes moody, but “aren’t we all?”

Hansen was asked about teaming with Ted DiBiase in All Japan. Hansen said that he was finishing his degree when he first met DiBiase as a Freshman. He knew the DiBiase name because Ted’s father was a wrestler in the area and had died in the ring. He didn’t really get to know Ted too well because they were in different promotions in Japan. DiBiase was in the Funk clique, which really helped him. After Brody passed away, Baba put him and DiBiase together and they worked well together.

Hansen was told he didn’t look much different from when he wrestled. Hansen joked that’s why he’s got clothes on.

Hansen was asked about the cowbell and ropes. He said some of his stuff was lent out to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in New York but those are still in his garage.

Hansen was asked if there was still anyone that he watches. He said that sometimes when he flips through channels, he’ll see those he had relationships with. He doesn’t follow it but there are some great guys.

Hansen was asked if he still would have made it in the business if he was breaking in today. He said that he would have to say yes, but he doesn’t know what that would mean.

A fan asked Hansen about nailing a fan during the NWA Battle of the Belts event in Florida while facing the Road Warriors. Hansen said that he never hit any fan. He and Harley Race were working against the Warriors. Hansen explained that he could control his rope and wouldn’t hit people with it like he would in Japan, since he couldn’t get away with it. He told a story about nearly shoving the rope in a woman’s mouth that night as she was about to yell and she sat down shocked. He told a story about Hawk telling Hansen to hit him and Hansen finally nailed him with the belt, busting him open.

Hansen was asked about the night he broke Bruno Sammartino’s neck. He said the business was different back then and there was a lot of controversy about him coming into the WWWF because he was green. Bruno always went out of his way to help the younger guys because he always needed new blood to draw. Hansen was following several major names who had programs with Bruno so there was controversy over a guy who was only in the business a few years working with the top guy. He never meant to hurt Bruno. There were guys upset about it since Bruno was the main draw for the territory.

Hansen was asked about memories of Georgia Championship Wrestling. Hansen said that there was tons of talent in Georgia during that time period. Ole was one of the best talents and Hansen ended up being his partner against Tommy Rich. Later on, he and Rich did a program against Ole and Ivan Koloff. Hansen said he enjoyed being with Rich as a good guy and those tag matches because they were breakneck speed for 60 and sometimes 90 minutes. They were some great talents.

Hansen was asked if there were ever discussions of him going back to the WWF. He said that he was a NWA guy. He said that he appreciated getting the chance to work there and work Madison Square Garden, but he was a Texas kid and was born and raised Texan and broke in by Texans. The NWA represented more of his style, the South. He fit in and felt more at home in the NWA.

Hansen was asked about his memories of Terry Gordy. Hansen said that Dick Murdoch was probably the best big man there ever was. Gordy was probably second. Gordy could do it all. Hansen often though that Gordy was going to inherit Hansen’s spot when the time came and they were in the process of establishing that when he passed away and it was a shame.

Hansen was asked about Abdullah the Butcher. Abby and Tiger Jeet Singh were before Hansen and Brody. No one worked his character more than Abby and he really had something special.

Hansen was asked about Dr. Death. He said that Steve Williams wasn’t someone he considered a big big guy at 300 lbs. since he was only 280. Williams was the strongest guy Hansen ever wrestled. He had great faith and fought and fought and fought. He still has messages that he’s saved on his phone from Williams and will always save.

Wahoo McDaniel. “My God, he could chop.” Hansen said that Wahoo could draw blood on his best and was wild and crazy. McDaniel never backed down or slowed up.

Hansen was asked about working for Ole Anderson. He said that Ole called him dumb and a lot of names and Hansen would come right back on him. Ole’s personality is that he’s pretty harsh and doesn’t pull any punches but Hansen would always come back on him. A lot of people wouldn’t realize that Ole was ribbing people, even if the things he said were like sticking a knife into you. Ole always liked when people went back at him. He said Ole paid him well.

Hansen said Georgia was one of the best places he ever worked and was on fire. He said that they were selling out without the NWA World champion, so they didn’t need him. The champ would come in and they’d make less since they had to cover the champ’s pay.

Hansen said that he never thought he’d be world champion, much less the NWA title. There were a lot of guys who deserved to the World champion and he never saw himself on that same list.

Dusty was one of those classic West Texas stars. He said he was one of the best stars of all time.

Hansen was asked about his feud with Lex Luger in WCW over the United States title. Hansen said there were some titles that were important that you wanted because it meant you were involved. He said that he’d take the U.S. title and make some money as the champion, but it wasn’t his personality. There were guys who went to bed dreaming they’d be champion.

Hansen was asked his most memorable match. It’s impossible to pinpoint because you’d bring up another name and he’d say, “Oh yeah, him too.”

Bill Watts was a my way or the highway type guy. Watts promoted him well and it helps when you are someone who has the experience of a wrestler. He said that Watts gave a lot of good things to Brody and himself even, if they don’t always talk about it.

Hansen was asked about Thunderbolt Patterson. He had a unique character that will never be duplicated ever again. You couldn’t make sense out of what he was saying but his fans believed in him and came out to see him. They adjusted to each other and had some good matches.

Hansen was asked about Nick Bockwinkel. Hansen said he’s a great guy and counseled Hansen when he was going through some hard times. He said that he has a lot of respect for Nick. On the business side, they butted heads and things didn’t work out, but that didn’t evolve into issues on the personal side.

Hansen was asked about memories of Bad News Allen. Hansen said that he was a real Judo guy who went to Japan and trained. He said that placed in a real big Judo tournament. Allen was the real deal and had a semi-position with New Japan for a long, long time. They got along well and worked a lot.

Hansen said he and Bruiser Brody were cut from the same mold with the same background. They went through the same experiences and were really frugal. He said when you grow up poor, you learn to go without. That was one of their connecting points.

Hansen was asked about his new book. He said that it covers his life and all the people he met along the way. He writes about Japan and the culture there and how much he loves it. He said that the money was nothing compared to what WCW was paying some of those guys but he took less money and enjoyed his life.

Hansen said that he never really learned how to work and that was his big failing. He said that he’s banged up but feels good.

Hansen said, “No way” when asked about one more match.

Hansen pushed his children away from wrestling so they could find their own paths. One of them is now a minor league baseball player.

Hansen was asked if he stays in touch with anyone from the business. Pete Roberts from England is his best friend in the world. Wrestling was different because there were so many people going off to do their own things. Friends were hard to develop but you’d have a lot of acquaintances. He liked Ole Anderson, Roberts and Bruiser Brody.

Dick Slater was a guy who was on top early and was the real deal.

Hansen was asked about working as a Commissioner in Japan. Hansen used to make fun of Lord Blears for doing that role and then when he retired, he was pushed into that role.

Hansen said that his biggest regret was not learning fluent Japanese because if he knew it, he’d be there and not here.

Hansen said that his favorite NWA champion was Terry Funk. He said that Funk isn’t retired, Hansen is.

Hansen was asked about the death of Mitsuharu Misawa. Hansen said he wasn’t surprised because the style in Japan is a different thing. The stars take those bumps on the back of their neck and eventually it’s going to get to you. Every bump takes its toll on every inch of your body. He hates the work fake because the business ain’t fake. In Japan and in the way Hansen worked, there weren’t too many airballs.

Hansen was asked about beating Inoki in Japan. He was happy to be able to beat him but Inoki beat him a lot more.

Hansen talked about never having a guarantee ever, except for a short run with WCW. He always wanted the chance to go in there with his style, try to get over and find someone to make money with.

Hansen was asked about Giant Baba. Baba was the dream boss. They didn’t talk a lot, maybe a few times a year. Hansen wanted to go somewhere where he didn’t have to fight about money and that’s what working there allowed.

Hansen said his issues with Verne were business, never personal.

Hansen was asked about working with John Lauirinaitis. He said that Ace was a smart guy who found his niche.

Today, Hansen is trying to beat the heat in Texas.

On Ric Flair, no one has done it longer and better then Flair. Hansen was asked if there should be a certain age when wrestlers retire and Hansen said that is a question for Flair.

Hansen was asked his memories of his retirement show. Hansen said it was a great honor and really humbling. Hansen said that he never took things too seriously. When he went to the ring, he took his glasses off and there was a little bit of change. It was nice to be paid that little bit of respect by the promotion. He had just had both knees replaced and then had to walk into the ring in the Tokyo Dome. Mrs. Baba really took a lot of time to promote that and give him that moment.

The greatest professional wrestler of all time? Lou Thesz, The Crusher, The Bruiser, Nick Bockwinkel come to mind but you really can’t name one greatest of all time.

Hansen was asked about the Desperadoes gimmick in WCW where he was mentioned but never seen. Hansen said it was nothing against those guys, but that’s one of the reasons he was heading out of the door. He said they were trying to develop something that wasn’t really for him.

How is Hansen the wrestler different from Hansen the man? Hansen said that he’s been called a lot of things but never a wrestler. Hansen said he would come home and turn it off. His wrestling personality was a lot different from his everyday personality, but that didn’t mean his traits in the ring were real traits that he didn’t have to fight sometime.

Hansen was asked about his interviews. In the United States, they were so important. For a long time, his weren’t very good because he was so nervous. He said that he got into the point where he took off his glasses and cut his promo. In Japan, it was very different in that you never did TV interviews other than what you did for the press. What you did in the ring was your promo.

Hansen was asked about moving from New Japan to All Japan. Things happen and you get caught up with promotional wars.

Hansen was asked what his legacy was going to be. He said that if there was something, it was that he tried to go out and do his job no matter what the size of the house was. He said that based on the feedback, he did his job.