STAN HANSEN VS. ANDRE THE GIANT

Stan Hansen vs. Andre The Giant

NEW JAPAN
Sept 23, 1981 Denen Colosseum (Tokyo)


Probably it was Inoki's idea that Andre should fight a single match with a star wrestler.
In fact, Inoki put the idea into practice, and in USA, Hulk Hogan did it, too.

And that night, an amazing match came true.
It was very impressive fight for us, what is called 'PURORESU' boys.

Hansen became the fifth man who threw Andre with Body Slam.
Incidentally, the four men were Harley Race, Roland Bock, Hulk Hogan, and Antonio Inoki.
Karl Gotch had thrown Andre with German Suplex, but at that time Andre had been comparatively thin. (may be)

The result of this match,
Both of them were out of the ring, and the referee (Mr. Takahashi) declared a draw on count-out.
(I don't know a wrestling term which express this situation, but in Japan, we call it simply 'double ring-out'.)

Hansen and Andre didn't consent this decision, and the match went into extra round.
After that, the highlight was a fighting spirit of Hansen.
Hansen's Western Lariat struck Andre harshly. Andre became frenzied, and attacked Mr.Takahashi.  (It was Takahashi's misfortune.)

Of course, Andre lost on a foul, he saved his honer narrowly, but we were deeply impressed by Hansen's power.