10 Failed WWE Stars Who Re-Invented Themselves In Japan

2. Stan Hansen

Stan Hansen left WWE under very adverse circumstances after he botched a bodyslam on Bruno Sammartino, injuring the champion€™s neck. When Bruno returned from his injury, he gained his revenge on the man who had injured him, and Hansen left WWE soon thereafter. Barred from returning to WWE, Hansen went to Japan, where he became the greatest €˜gaijin€™ wrestler of all-time. Thanks to WWE creating a storyline suggesting that Sammartino€™s injury was caused by Hansen€™s lariat, the Japanese bookers and press presented him as a dangerous wrestler who could cripple his opponents with ease. n the world of Japanese pro wrestling, where athleticism and toughness are a priority, these were golden tickets to the main-event. This, coupled with his poor eyesight, overall stiffness and training in the NWA style of wrestling and storytelling, ensured that he became a top heel in All Japan Pro Wrestling. For over a decade, Hansen was the most feared and accomplished foreigner in AJPW. He achieved considerable success in that promotion, winning the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship four times, AJPW€™s World Tag Team Championship eight times, the Champion€™s Carnival (AJPW€™s KOTR) twice, and the World€™s Strongest Tag Determination League (a tag team KOTR tournament) on four occasions. He€™s the only foreign wrestler to achieve so much, and is widely considered a legend among Japanese wrestling enthusiasts.