15 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Vader
11. Stan Hansen Told Him “Take It Easy”
Yeah, Stan Hansen did tell an over-eager Vader to "take it easy" during their infamous match on the 10 February 1990 NJPW/AJPW supershow, but only after hitting Leon so hard his eye literally popped out of socket earlier on. No, that is not a joke, and footage of the eye pop isn't for those with a weak stomach. This writer nearly hurled Muller Rice everywhere.
Hansen told VICE’s cameras that the dream match could’ve been considered “a nightmare” by some, if only because it was so stiff and uncompromising. He added: “After 10 minutes of exchanging blows, I can remember saying take it easy, Leon”. The legendary cowboy had a bit of a cheek there! He'd reportedly broken Vader's nose before the bout even really started, and that was long before punching the guy's eye out for his next party trick.
It's also slightly unnerving how Stan comes across as such a gentleman during these talking heads bits, especially when one knows he was such an animal inside the ring. What is it with these wild man wrestlers being so tame and soft spoken outside the business? Terry Funk was the same, and Mick Foley came across as every bit the genteel family man during his own 'Dark Side Of The Ring' special a few weeks ago.
There's something off-putting about it with Hansen in particular.
Imagine genuinely socking somebody so hard in the eye during a staged wrestling match that they had to stuff it back into the socket, then having the gall to turn around and tell them to lighten up on some of their own shots. Staggering.