As Eric the Red, a modern-day Viking, Hanson faced veterans such as Dutch Momberg, The Assassin, Wild Bull Curry and Tiger Jeet Singh during his first year and also formed a short-lived tag team with Whipper Billy Watson.

After becoming a "heel" in early 1969, he would face the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion in a series of matches throughout the year as well as some of the most popular wrestlers in the territory such as Paul Diamond and Edouard Carpentier.

Later that year, he also appeared in the World Wide Wrestling Federation facing "The Canadian Wildman" Gene Dubois, Tony Altomare and Jack Vansky although he was mainly used as a preliminary wrestler and had left the promotion by late 1970.

After a brief tour of the Maritimes in June, he also headlined several events at the Maple Leaf Gardens facing Leo Burke, The Sheik and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco on September 23.

In early 1975, Hansen began his first tour of the southeastern United States competing for Dick Steinborn in Atlanta, Georgia where he very quickly becoming one of the promotions top "heels".

By the end of the year however, following the takeover of Johnny Powers after Eric Einhorn pulled out, Hansen remained with the IWA as it attempted to survive as a regional promotion in the Carolinas.

Capturing both the Puerto Rican and WWC North American titles, he also became involved in a violent feud with Carlos Colon which would result in several riots during late 1976.

Leaving the WWC in April 1977, Hansen returned to Toronto for a short while before moving on to World Class Championship Wrestling where he feuded with the Von Erich family for several months.

After losing Killer Kox & The Grahams a 6-man tag team elimination match with Pak Song and Sonny King in St. Petersburg three days later, he later interfered in the main event helping NWA Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeat Dusty Rhodes.