Jeep Swenson

**Robert Alexander "Jeep" Swenson Jr.** (January 5, 1957 – August 18, 1997) was an American professional wrestler, stuntman and actor.

## Professional wrestling career

Robert Alexander "Jeep" Swenson Jr. was born on January 5, 1957 in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Patricia Maxine (née Wells) and Robert Alexander Swenson Sr. His nickname, "Jeep", was derived from his dad (a soldier known as "Tank"), whose logic was that every tank needed a Jeep.

Swenson began his professional wrestling career for World Class Championship Wrestling in 1987 as **Jeep Swenson**, and was one of many clients of manager Gary Hart (who he reportedly disliked managing).

He debuted on March 7, 1987, defeating Perry Jackson in a 2-minute challenge match. His main feud was with Bruiser Brody, who was wrestling as the masked "Red River Jack". Brody defeated him at the Parade of Champions 1987 event.

According to Swenson, he had the largest biceps in the world at that time (they were recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records). He was billed as being from South Africa, although he was clearly an American.

From 1993 to 1994, he wrestled for Global Wrestling Federation in Texas, where he feuded with Ahmed Johnson. Swenson returned to wrestling for a match at World Championship Wrestling's Uncensored pay-per-view on March 24, 1996. He performed as a member of the "Alliance to End Hulkamania".

He was originally named **The Final Solution**, but following complaints from Jewish organizations to the Turner corporate offices, his character was renamed **The Ultimate Solution**.

WCW claimed they were unaware that The Final Solution was the name Adolf Hitler gave to his plan to destroy the Jews. The Alliance consisted of the Dungeon of Doom, the Four Horsemen, The Ultimate Solution and Z-Gangsta, all working to end Hulk Hogan's career.

Swenson boxed as an amateur middleweight and later had a short career as a professional boxer. He won his first two bouts by knockouts, but his third fight was stopped in round one after he was knocked down twice by Frankie Garcia in his pro debut.

Swenson's first role was as an uncredited thug in early Jackie Chan movie **The Big Brawl**. Swenson also appeared as pit fighter "Lugwrench" Perkins in the 1989 Hulk Hogan film *No Holds Barred*. He also played James Caan's bodyguard Bledsoe in the Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler film *Bulletproof*, before playing possibly his best known character Bane in the 1997 film *Batman & Robin*.

His actual blood vessels were outlined in ink for “Batman” by the makeup experts at Warner Bros. He was also featured in many magazines and television commercials, and every movie he was in featured another professional wrestler. He was married to Erin Hillsman; the couple had a daughter named Kayleigh.

## Death

On August 18, 1997, Swenson died of a heart attack at the UCLA Medical Center at the age of 40. Hulk Hogan, Davey Boy Smith, and James Caan gave eulogies at his funeral. He was an avid user of steroids who started to use them in his early 20s, and reportedly could not take a shower properly, put on a shirt, or walk up stairs. His death also shocked George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Uma Thurman, who starred in the *Batman & Robin* film.