During his long-term teaming with RIP HAWK.SWEDE's about to feed a VON STROHEIM a knuckle sandwich.
HANSON near the end of his ring career.
SWEDE in his 'rebel' gear while working in the W.W.F.
HANSON even teamed with ANDRE THE GIANT.
HANSON near the end of his ring career.
SWEDE in his 'rebel' gear while working in the W.W.F.
HANSON even teamed with ANDRE THE GIANT.---
Big, rugged ROBERT 'SWEDE' HANSON had a remarkable career.
He wrestled in four decades and was as tough at the end of his wrestling tenure as when he began.
There's no question the apex of his career was when he teamed with RIP HAWK for an incredible sixteen years, during which time they captured virtually every tag team award in the business.
"I'll never forget my years together with Rip. He was quite a character, and you can't imagine all the crazy things we got involved in. Most established teams in the business didn't stay together half as long as we did. Personal goals were never an issue. With us, it was what was best for the team." (Swede Hanson, 1984)
But nothing lasts forever, and they eventually went their separate ways, working for different wrestling organizations.
Around 1973, RIP went to the newly-formed I.W.A., and SWEDE stayed in JCP and soon began teaming with THE SUPER DESTROYER (DON JARDINE). But things soon went sideways, and at this point, HANSON turned 'babyface' and began a bloody war with his masked partner.
Following this program, SWEDE dropped to mid-card status, teaming with the likes of JOHNNY WEAVER, TIGER CONWAY JR. and PAUL JONES.
After a while, he headed north to work for the then-WWF but returned to the MID-ATLANTIC territory near the end of his career. Upon his arrival, he was back to being a 'bad guy' and worked as a mid / lower card single or teamed with ruffians like BRUTE BERNARD, GENE ANDERSON or SGT.JACQUES GOULET.
SWEDE HANSON was like a fine wine. Throughout his career, he became better and better until time caught up with him, as it does with all of us.
I, like many others, had the pleasure of attending the 2007 N.W.A. FANFEST banquet when SWEDE (and RIP) were inducted into the HALL OF HEROES. The two were inducted by their long-time manager, the late 'Playboy' GARY HART. SWEDE's award was accepted by his two children, Bobby and Luana.
When it comes to the history of JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS, 'Big' SWEDE HANSON made an impact very few can match.
He wrestled in four decades and was as tough at the end of his wrestling tenure as when he began.
There's no question the apex of his career was when he teamed with RIP HAWK for an incredible sixteen years, during which time they captured virtually every tag team award in the business.
"I'll never forget my years together with Rip. He was quite a character, and you can't imagine all the crazy things we got involved in. Most established teams in the business didn't stay together half as long as we did. Personal goals were never an issue. With us, it was what was best for the team." (Swede Hanson, 1984)
But nothing lasts forever, and they eventually went their separate ways, working for different wrestling organizations.
Around 1973, RIP went to the newly-formed I.W.A., and SWEDE stayed in JCP and soon began teaming with THE SUPER DESTROYER (DON JARDINE). But things soon went sideways, and at this point, HANSON turned 'babyface' and began a bloody war with his masked partner.
Following this program, SWEDE dropped to mid-card status, teaming with the likes of JOHNNY WEAVER, TIGER CONWAY JR. and PAUL JONES.
After a while, he headed north to work for the then-WWF but returned to the MID-ATLANTIC territory near the end of his career. Upon his arrival, he was back to being a 'bad guy' and worked as a mid / lower card single or teamed with ruffians like BRUTE BERNARD, GENE ANDERSON or SGT.JACQUES GOULET.
SWEDE HANSON was like a fine wine. Throughout his career, he became better and better until time caught up with him, as it does with all of us.
I, like many others, had the pleasure of attending the 2007 N.W.A. FANFEST banquet when SWEDE (and RIP) were inducted into the HALL OF HEROES. The two were inducted by their long-time manager, the late 'Playboy' GARY HART. SWEDE's award was accepted by his two children, Bobby and Luana.
When it comes to the history of JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS, 'Big' SWEDE HANSON made an impact very few can match.
