Nicknamed 'The Lariat', Hansen, whom wrestled in the United States during the 70s and more prominently in Japan during the 80s, became renowned for his extremely stiff style, due in part to his dreadful eyesight, meaning he had little to no depth perception and often ended up blasting the bumper, whom was far closer than he'd imagined. In particular, his Lariat became legendary in Japan and it is the father of the clothesline/Lariat being used as a finishing manoeuvre. In 1976, he wrestled in a famous match against Bruno Sammartino where it was believed he broke Sammartino's neck with his Lariat finish. It later became known that the break actually occurred from a botched powerslam and the incident was spun to attempt to get over Hansen's Lariat as a dangerous move. No spin was really necessary though as the reports from numerous workers of the power behind Hansen's arm, thrown pretty much without restraint, was enough to break a jaw if you didn't take the shot properly. There's really no doubt in chronicled wrestling history: Hansen made the clothesline what it is today.