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Well, after the last disastrous column that I wrote ("Don't Cross the Boss"), which got nothing but negative reactions, I thought I'd go back to my strong point: writing about the hardcore lunatics that have graced the wrestling ring. This column is about one of the most hardcore tandems to have ever existed in the wrestling ring: the terrible twosome of Stan "the Lariat" Hansen and Bruiser Brody. Stan Hansen was one of the top monster heels in the business during the '80s and '90s, and he was very successful on both the singles and the tag team circuits. During his storied career, Hansen would get several shots at the WWE title, facing such legends as Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund and (most notoriously) Bruno Sammartino, who would have his neck broken by Hansen's vicious lariat during their title bout in 1976. Hansen would also hold the AWA World Heavyweight Title with his victory over Rick Martel, and would defend that belt successfully against the AWA legends Nick Bockwinkel and Jerry Blackwell, as well as a young Leon White, who would himself go on to become the monstrous heel known as Vader. Hansen was later stripped of the title when he defended it in Japan without permission from the AWA to do so. Whilst in Japan, Hansen would engage in a bloody feud with the man who would later become his tag team partner, Bruiser Brody.

Brody was also a monster heel, and he would go to almost any lengths to defeat his opponents, which often meant a wild brawl all over the arena, with all manner of foreign objects coming into play.

Brody was often described as a wild man, and his shaggy beard and flyaway hair often contributed to that description. During his career, Brody feuded with the most dangerous men that the business had to offer, most notably Abdullah the Butcher in blood-soaked Puerto Rico.

When Brody and Hansen eventually stopped their feud and joined forces, they became almost unstoppable on the Puerto Rican circuit, having bloody wars with all of their top tandems and even forcing bitter rivals Carlos Colon and Abdullah the Butcher to team together just to provide the two giants with some decent competition. They were also successful in Japan, winning the 1983 All Japan Real World Tag Team Tournament together.

Unfortunately for the wrestling world, Bruiser Brody was stabbed to death in Puerto Rico by Jose Gonzales, a former professional wrestler (he was Invader 1) and (at the time) the booker of the promotion. He has left behind a legacy of memorable battles and brawls, and has inspired a number of wrestlers, including Mick Foley.

Stan Hansen has also inspired a number of today's professional wrestlers, most noticeably John "Bradshaw" Layfield, who has everything from Hansen's look to his build to his finisher.

These two men, along with the Funk Brothers and Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik, introduced and popularised hardcore tag team wars and, in doing so, changed the face of the wrestling business forever.

by James Watts ..