Raw recap & reactions: When factions feud. Actually, his matches never lasted long before he pinned his opponent. Hodge became a huge star in the NWAs Junior Heavyweight division throughout the 1960s and 1970s, capturing his first NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1960, defeating champion Angelo Savoldi for the title less than a year into his pro wrestling career. pic.twitter.com/BsdnvXmGyt, The great DANNY HODGE has passed awayTuff as nails.. As of this writing, Hodge is the only amateur wrestler to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which should tell you all you need to know about how big he was as an amateur competitor. Stacy Ewy Wilson, Hodge's granddaughter, shared the news on Facebook this morning, writing the following: Related Article MLW Fusion Returning For A New Season In 'Just A Few Weeks', Will Feature 2023 Super Series And I was never happy with a win. Trained by. He went pro, but after an 8-2 start to his pro boxing career, he retired from the sport, opting to try his hand in professional wrestling instead. [11] After holding the title for over four years, he eventually dropped the title to longtime rival Hiro Matsuda. DANNY BUBBA YOU WERE AS GOOD IN THE RING AS IT GETS AND AN EVEN BETTER FRIEND OUTSIDE OF THE RING. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hodge after a show in Oklahoma years ago and was fortunate enough to experience the infamous handshake. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. He held the NWA junior heavyweight title eight times, won several NWA Tri-State titles, and others, including in Japan. Watch WrestleMania and other WWE Premium Live Events on Flow. The latest rumors, including two WWE stars stirring up intrigue as they deal with real injures & expiring contracts, one of their old co-workers possibly sticking around with New Japan a while longer, another content deal Nick Khan & team are working on, and more! I always loved talking to him. Hodge was 88 and. Danny Hodge, a legend in the world of wrestling and combat sports, has passed away at the age of 88. No opponent was able to score a point off him his entire senior year and he hadn't even been taken down. Hold your neck. How he managed to hold his head in place and get out of the car, well, only God knows how that, Hodge said. Chapman thinks Hodges profile is an intriguing parallel to that of boxing champ Jack Dempsey, another product of a rural, impoverished childhood who rose to unimaginable heights. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc. Hodge became McGuirk's principal headliner, and by 1962, Hodge was making upwards of $80,000 a year. They made that much clear on Raw this week. The police officer seen on video being crushed in a doorway by pro-Trump rioters inside the US Capitol last week is "recovering and doing well" after the horrifying ordeal, cops . His eyes narrowed and he glared at me and he said, Mike, I made up my mind that I was never going to lose a fight again, ever, Chapman said. No BS. Matsuda eventually faced Hodge again and lost, where Hodge defeated him for the championship on March 2, 1976. There was a scary situation in July 2018 when Hodge, suffering from dementia, went missing from his hometown of Perry, Oklahoma. He was also a Gold Gloves boxer and had professional success in the 50s. He was also a 6x NWA United States Tag Team Champion and NWA Tri-State North American Champion. very entertaining! Hodge picked cotton and plucked chickens in his early years. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. Today, the NCAA awards the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy to the top college wrestler in the country as a tribute. > Career Records pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7, Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. Danny Hodge in his early 80s could still crush an apple in one hand. He is only amateur wrestler to appear on the cover of. He was trained by former NWA champions Leroy McGuirk and Ed Strangler Lewis anddebuted in October of the same year. Truly legendary. Rest in Peace Sir!--#RIPDannyHodge pic.twitter.com/LyMkSETKtF. 1966 (Kansas City) [2] Retired. WWE extends its condolences to Hodges family and friends. The list of 24 honorees includes the likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Bruno Sammartino. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. His grip was so severe that he could crush whole apples in one hand in seconds, a feat he would continue to accomplish well into his 80s. [13] In 2007, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Daniel Allen Hodge was born on May 13, 1932. [16] He served as chairman of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission, which regulates professional boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts in Oklahoma. [11], On March 5, 1976, and just three days after defeating rival Matsuda for the championship, Hodge was driving his car when he fell asleep at the wheel causing him to crash through a bridge and into a lake. While the cause of death isn't known yet, he had been battling dementia for several years. > Obituary Archive Discover Danny Hodge's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Despite no training in boxing, Hodge decided to learn the sweet science, winning the Golden Gloves title in 1958, becoming the first amateur athlete to win a national title in wrestling and boxing. He said, I want you to pick me up. This is without crossing his legs, just the muscles in his legs. Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented him with its Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and the Lou Thesz Award in 2007. He transitioned to the world of professional wrestling, debuting in 1959 after being trained byLeroy McGuirkandEd "Strangler" Lewis. Please enter a valid email and try again. I always loved talking to him. This year while we are hurtingGrandpa is experiencing the ultimate Christmas with our God. Professional wrestling has seen some incredible amateur wrestlers make the transition to the pros, but few with as decorated a wrestling background as Danny Hodge. He was raised in Perry attending school here and graduating from Perry High School in 1951. . He was born in Pikeville on April 19, 1953 to Antha Drake and the late James Hodge. I could get out of that hold. So, how much is Danny Hodge worth at the age of 88 years old? #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7. [3], At Perry High School in Oklahoma, Hodge won the 165-pound title at the state tournament in 1951. If I wasnt with Danny, the people hated me that much more. Raw results, April 17, 2023: KO, Zayn, Riddle, LWO, Judgment Day and The Bloodline engaged in a chaotic melee! His wife is Susan Mathis (16 July1957 - 25 December2020)( his death)( 4 children). He was preceded in death by his Uncle, Danny Miller. Smith was embroiled in controversy with the Central AAU and Hodge was his substitute. Rest in Peace Sir! pic.twitter.com/hM99cY8fYE, Well saddened to hear the news today of Danny Hodge passing away. Danny is. The 20-year old finished fifth in the freestyle wrestling tournament. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls, Texas, noted Hodges passing. Rest in power. A standout high school and collegiate wrestler with the University of Oklahoma, Danny Hodge was a 3x NCAA Division I Champion and went undefeated at 46-0 during his collegiate career. Amateur and professional wrestling legend Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. Regarded as one of the best amateur wrestlers of all-time in addition to an extensive pro wrestling career, Danny Hodge passed away at the age of 88 on Christmas day. He was separated from the title until he defeated Dr. X, who was holding the title, and Hodge held his title once again for two more years before being upset by Ken Mantell on December 19, 1973. A man who promoted the sport his entire life, even down to his iron-grip handshake. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc, William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 26, 2020. [11] After Parente lost the belt to Hodge again, Hodge held the belt for another four months until eventually losing it to Sputnik Monroe on July 13, 1970. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. And heres one from Jim Ross, who was awed as a young ref in early-70s Oklahoma to be on the road with his idol. In 2007, he was inducted into theProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been amended to fix the date of Hodges passing to December 24, 2020. In 2005 and 2012 he appeared on WWE RAW to honour fellow Oklahoma wrestling nativeJim Ross. This was where the bridge to professional wrestling began through the tutelage of Ed Strangler Lewis and Leroy McGuirk. https://t.co/Svv9MmeMLU, Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. Let the family know you are thinking of them. Then he heard a voice. 00:25. He was also blessed to have Delores, his earth angel as his wife. The accomplished athlete competed in wrestling at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, winning the silver at the 56 event. Danny loved to cook, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and spending his free time with family, especially his nieces and nephews. https://t.co/SDrmnjZw6g pic.twitter.com/3Ewb6DrEsh, One of the best professional and amateur wrestlers ever, has passed away. #RIPDannyHodge pic.twitter.com/LyMkSETKtF. He won the state title in 1951 at 165 pounds and headed to the 1952 Olympics out of high school, placing fifth. I love each of you and appreciate all of your kind words. From speaking to him youd never know all that he accomplished. You would respect him one way or another, he would get your respect. Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results Danny Michael Hodge (1950 - 1974) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. There is simply no denying Danny Hodges greatness as an amateur wrestler. Rest in power. My heart goes out to his wife Delores & family. We would like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates. Then be sure to inform others of Danny Hodge. He also served as the chairman of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission, which regulates all combat sports in the state. [5] At the Melbourne Olympics freestyle middleweight, he won the silver medal, losing the final to Bulgarian Nikola Stanchev. I had the pleasure of meeting Danny once, and he was a real gentleman and somebody my Grandfather Stu and my mentor Billy Robinson had a lot of respect for. I always wondered, Why in the heck is that bear screaming so loud? What a shame. So I was different than everybody, he said. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. From speaking to him youd never know all that he accomplished. Danny Hodge was married to his wife Delores and had three children. Rest in power. Dan Allen Hodge came into the world on a Friday the 13th, in May 1932, in the Dust Bowl that passed for Oklahoma. [11] Mantell eventually lost the title to Hiro Matsuda, Hodge's rival. He was a mans man. IMPACT Wrestling TV Spoilers From Toronto, Ontario, Canada (4/17). Fifty years later, hes still waiting for the check. Both will defend their titles this weekend at All Star Grand Queendom. The WWE issued a statement honoring his life and career while wrestlers and others in the industry took to social media to applaud him, including William Regal, Jim Ross, Ted DiBiase, Edge, and the Iron Sheik. However, there was , Weve profiled 40 wrestlers who sadly, didnt make it to see age 40, including many enhancement talent names of the , Heart Attack / Heart Failure / Heart Disease, Comprehensive Deceased Wrestlers List (text-only), Comprehensive Deceased Managers List (text-only), crashing through a bridge and into a lake, 8 Things You May Not Have Known About Rick Rude. Hackney. The car flipped and suddenly Hodge was underwater with a broken neck, facing death at the bottom of a cold creek in the middle of the night. May 28: NXT Battleground STILLWATER, Okla. - Dan Hodge, a Distinguished Member inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in the Charter Class of 1976, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 88. In 1955, Hodge came to wrestle at Oklahoma, where he would post a 46-0. 02/28. Danny Hodges income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. The annual award given to the NCAA's best wrestler every year is named after him. > Music He is in both the U.S. amateur wrestling Hall of Fame, for his three NCAA titles and Olympic silver medal, and the pro wrestling Hall of Fame, as a seven-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. [17] There is a statue in his honor at the Perry Wrestling Monument Park in Oklahoma, unveiled in 2016. Legends of the territories: Danny Hodge (left) with Eddie Graham, outside the Sportatorium in Dallas. 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danny hodge death