He trained with George Tragos and debuted in WWWF (now World Wrestling Entertainment) in Paterson, New Jersey, against Miguel Torres in 1957.

[8] They also competed in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, where they became the inaugural NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Champions.

Hanson and Hawk used their friendship with the Mafia member to help Flair escape from being killed in revenge.

He unsuccessfully challenged World champion Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden in October of that year.

Hanson and Hawk later reformed their team and competed together in the Amarillo, Texas-based NWA Western States Sports.

Using the gimmick of a redneck, complete with long hair and a Confederate flag, he competed for the WWF as a face until his retirement in 1986.

Then he married a woman named Doris, which brought him another daughter and son, Luana and Bobby.

He also gained a stepson, Billy Roy and two adopted children, Mary and Carol, through his second marriage.

After divorcing his second wife, he remained living in a double-wide mobile home on five acres of land in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

[5] He was hospitalized in Columbia, South Carolina, in October 2001 due to dementia and died from sepsis, on February 19, 2002.

The character he portrayed was hated by many fans, but Hanson was different from many heel wrestlers because he did not cheat to win matches.

[7] Writers who have looked back on his career have noted that he wrestled with "heart" and always worked his hardest in the ring.

[2][7] Hanson has had a lasting impact on the business, as he was willing to put over other wrestlers, including Blackjack Mulligan and Angelo Mosca to help boost their careers.

[7] He and Hawk also helped popularize the quick tag, which saw them trading places in the ring every few seconds to remain energized while their opponents became worn down.