Eric the Red 

Real Name - Ib Solvang “Erik” Hansen

Lifespan - 8/1/34 - 11/16/78

6’1” 340 lbs. - Odense, Denmark

Athletic Background - Boxing

Teacher(s) - n/a

Aliases - Eric Hansen, Viking Hanson, Eric the Animal

Peak Years - `70-`76

Place in History - It is curious how countries without any pro-wrestling have actually produced some very successful talent.  Apparently, the future Erik Hansen was a handful as a youth and was sent to Canada by his father.  He took an interest in pro-wrestling and wanted to give it a try.  According to legend, he was sent to Japan and was not even smartened up.  While that probably is not the case, Erik developed reputation as a hard-drinking and bar-fighting wildman outside of the ring.  By the late 1960s, Hansen had established himself as “Eric the Red,” taken from the 10th century Norseman and he relished playing a viking.  His long blond hair, full red beard and the thick build certainly fit.  He often wore a large horned helmet to the ring and a cape or some furry costuming, but his most memorable prop came later on in his career.  Eric the Red established himself on the Toronto undercards in the late 1960s.  His size and style matched with his barbarian character was an ideal for a short-term heel run.  Befitting a viking, Eric the Red pound,  gouge and choke opponents relentlessly.  It might not have been the most exciting approach, but it was convincing and drew heat.  Eric had worked all over Canada from Vancouver to the Maritimes before he started doing shots for the WWWF.  Coming off his success in Toronto, Eric the Red, like many others jumped over the border to Buffalo.  The NWF, based in Buffalo, was expanding and needing quality heels to work on top.  He transformed into Eric the Animal in 1973 and began carrying a large bone to the ring.  It was hung on the turnbuckle and used when the time was right, he used it to smash opponents.  Although the name didn’t stick, the bone gimmick did.  Eric feuded with Johnny Powers and was a reliable talent as the group expanded and stayed with them when they transformed into the IWA in the mid-70s.  The company was overflowing with talent and yet Eric was used in the top mix, much to his credit.  Unfortunately, the IWA was opposition to the NWA and he was amongst those who struggled to find a regular home afterward.  He spent more than a year in Puerto Rico in a feud with Carlos Colon on top.  Eric the Red finally returned to the States bounced around Southern promotions before landing in the Florida.  Under the management of Sonny King and teaming up with Pak Song, Eric the Red was working with Dusty Rhodes, Killer Karl Kox, Steve Keirn and Mike Graham on top all around the horn.  He was north of forty, but Eric the Red was still effective in his role as a vicious foreign menace.  Tragically, he was struck by a car while seeking help when his own car stalled and died a week later.  Eric the Red was a unique heel who was able to take an almost ridiculous character and get it over in a big way.  He was able to work it in a way that John Nord, Scott Irwin and Tony Halme were unable to years later.