Theres really no way that I know of to beat a guy that can break electricians pliers with his hands. To Hodge, that was because Monroe and a few others failed to mix it up. He won the Big Seven title three times, and the NCAA title three times at 177 pounds. [15], Danny won the 1958 Chicago Golden Gloves at Heavyweight, then won a Chicago-NY Intercity bout in October, beating Charley Hood. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 13 May. Danny Ray Hodge, 53, of Topeka, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022. May 28: NXT Battleground The native of Perry, Oklahoma died earlier this week, although no cause of death has been revealed. The Judgment Day and the Bloodline make a deal, Trish Stratus explains herself, and Cody Rhodes finally gets what he wants. Mother Mary Lee Smith. Hodge joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, one year before he made the U.S. Olympic team and competed at 174 pounds. Hodge will be remembered as a true trailblazer and the only man to ever win national titles in both wrestling and boxing. DANNY BUBBA YOU WERE AS GOOD IN THE RING AS IT GETS AND AN EVEN BETTER FRIEND OUTSIDE OF THE RING. [11] He held the belt for several months until he lost it to Lorenzo Parente; they both continuously lost and regained the title in the span of a year during their feud. Last Word on Pro Wrestling sends its condolences to Danny Hodges family, friends, and fans during this time. But inside, he could be a handful; sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. Today, the NCAA awards the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy to the top college wrestler in the country as a tribute. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc, Very saddened to learn of the loss of Danny Hodge. Hodge is the only amateur wrestler to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. https://t.co/SZyZXTSVYi, AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary hall of fame wrestler Danny Hodge, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. Born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, he was the son of an alcoholic father and a mother who dealt with severe depression. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls, Texas, noted Hodges passing. WWE is saddened to learn that Danny Hodge passed away today at age 88. After all, who would expect an 80-year-old man to be capable of crushing an apple with one hand? GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER. Ill be there before daylight! Hodge eagerly replied. But those parlor tricks fail to capture the seething sense of purpose that drove Hodge to become the greatest amateur wrestler in U.S. history. He and his wife had three children. Id ask him, You want to wrestle or not? The people paid to see me wrestle. Gil Hayes, who called Hodge an absolute gentleman, recalled another incident: I worked with him and he made me look like a million dollars, but he potatoed me so hard that I woke up when the referee untangled our legs from the figure-four [leglock]. July 15: Impact Slammiversary "I have always felt the state of Oklahoma, because Danny was in pro wrestling, kind of cooled off on him," Ross said. Truly legendary. No apple stood a chance in his hands!! He was a legend in Australia.. Perry-bred. Danny Hodge became a mainstay in McGuirks NWA Tri-State territory (that encompassed Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and became Mid-South in 1979), as well as competing in other NWA territories such as Sam Muchniks St. Louis Club, Ed McLemores Southwest Sports in Texas (better known as WCCW in the 1980s), and Cowboy Luttralls Championship Wrestling From Florida. https://t.co/SDrmnjZw6g pic.twitter.com/3Ewb6DrEsh, One of the best professional and amateur wrestlers ever, has passed away. He will be remembered as a pillar of amateur wrestling in the United States, twice representing the country at the Olympics and claiming the silver medal in 1956. RIP dear friend! The championship revolved around Hodge, who would win and lose the title through 1976. His long-time friend, Jerry Brisco, simply wrote My HERO RIPDAN on Twitter. Hodge's father entered the ring during a boxing match on May 27, 1960, between Hodge and Savoldi, and stabbed Savoldi with a penknife. Hodge became McGuirk's principal headliner, and by 1962, Hodge was making upwards of $80,000 a year. Daniel Allen Hodge was born on May 13, 1932. He was born Wednesday, April 06, 1955 in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be held Tuesday,. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. His amateur wrestling career in the includes a silver medal at the 1952 Olympics and three NCAA championships in the 177 pound weight class. Hodges amateur skills made him a natural for the pro ranks and he proved to be a talented performer in the ring, finding stardom. Our loss, Heavens gain. His final reign was short-lived, beating Matsuda on March 2, 1976. [10] On July 22, 1960, Hodge defeated Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship at the Stockyards Coliseum in Oklahoma City. Danny Hodge (Dan Allen Hodge) was born on 13 May, 1932 in Perry, Oklahoma, USA, is an Actor. A career with the pros wasnt on his mind, but by 1949, he was analyzing their moves on TV on Saturday nights. 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! 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. > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. While the cause of death isn't known yet, he had been battling dementia for several years. While the accident forced him to retire from wrestling, Hodge had already made his mark with a phenomenal career. He was also blessed to have Delores, his earth angel as his wife. For the last number of years, Hodge had suffered from dementia, and had not been out in public much. When he handed me the belt, I had almost tears in my eyes. Through the financial backing of oilman Art Freeman, Hodge shifted his focus to boxing in 1957. 1985. Hodge got top billing from the start and a helping hand from Ed Strangler Lewis, the great champ who saw him on TV and asked if to help manage him. (They were never mean, but always humorous, and generally things no one else could do.) I was privileged to get to know Danny personally when I got into pro-wrestling. Leroy McGuirk, the promoter in our area teamed me with Danny often, and Hodge took me under his wing and yes, he loved to pull pranks, so I got my share. Get the occasional email with the latest wrestling tributes and memorials, Search by ring name, real name, cause of death, organization, time period (2000s, etc) or specific year, WWE Hall of Famer Ravishing Rick Rude was an amazing individual in and out of the ring. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. Danny Hodge Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight 227 lbs (103 kg) Born May 13, 1932 Birth Place Perry, Oklahoma Died December 25, 2020 (aged 88) Death Place Perry, Oklahoma Trainer Ed Lewis Debut October 7, 1959 Retired March, 1976 Daniel Allen "Danny" Hodge (May 13, 1932 - December 25, 2020) was a retired American wrestler and boxer. Danny Hodge set the standard that could never be duplicated or surpassedand continued to raise the bar nationallyeven internationally. [8], Trained by Leroy McGuirk and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Hodge made his debut as a professional wrestler in October 1959. Danny Ray Hodge, 53, of Topeka, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022. Something went wrong. Photo by Joyce Paustian. 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 fourth reign would prove to be his longest, at 1,532 days, when he won it in 1966 and held it until into 1970. And I was never happy with a win. > Obituary Archive (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); No spam. 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. Robert Carson (born Robert Beier, July 4, 1940 - February 10, 2017 [1] ), better known by his ring name Bob Sweetan, was a Canadian professional wrestler. That night, Victor was screaming. In 2005 and 2012 he appeared on WWE RAW to honour fellow Oklahoma wrestling nativeJim Ross. He retired on July 9, 1959.[5]. Theres the gentleman side to him, the modest side, and the I want people to like me side. He is from USA. In 2007, he was inducted into theProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jim Ross has often stated that Danny Hodge was his hero growing up and in life, and there is good reason for that. It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Hodge has his arm over each guys shoulder, and hes squeezing, Ross said. Danny Hodge in his early 80s could still crush an apple in one hand. He was like Dempsey. Required fields are marked *. Earlier today, William Regal reflected on Hodges incredible career and friendship in a social media post. He won a judgment in court. By Ryan Droste - December 27, 2020 10:54 am EST. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. Father Luther Lee Hodge. Sign up for the Even when I was in high school, he was a hero to me. We used to drive to Norman, OK., to watch him wrestle for the Sooners. His accomplishments are well-documented here. Here is Danny Ray Hodge's obituary. Hodge was born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, where he continued to live. [5] Hodge finished outside the top seven in the Helsinki Olympics freestyle middleweight, losing two of his three bouts. 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 captured back-to-back national AAU titles in 1953 and 1954 at 174 pounds. I always loved talking to him. April 14, 2021. In April 1957, Hodge appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. 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. Rest in power. Dan Allen Hodge, 88, of Perry has gone to heaven. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. Joplin, MO - Memorial Hall. Hodge passed away in his native Perry, Oklahoma on December 24th. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc, Very saddened to learn of the loss of Danny Hodge. He was born on September 14, 1968 in St. Joseph, MO, the son of Herman Hodge and Judy (Miller) Burgett. The Perry, Oklahoma, native was a member of the Professional Hall of Fame; the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame; the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for both amateur and pro wrestling, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996), and more. Discover Danny Hodge's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. RIP Danny Hodge. Ive never heard a bear scream so loud. [11] Once again regaining the title a few months later, Hodge found himself as an ex-champion again when he eventually faced "Nature Boy" Roger Kirby. Rest In Peace, Danny. 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 won the National Golden Gloves tournament to launch his professional campaign where it is believed he went 8-2, although BoxRec only lists him at 7-2. Celebs Wiki > Gaming Our loss, Heavens gain. Here is Danny Hodge's obituary. Legendary Oklahoma wrestler Danny Hodge has died at the age of 88. Among other titles, he was the NWA Junior Heavyweight champ seven times. They told me, Danny boy, we need you. No, you dont need me. I told them I can get all the fights I want here in Perry, Oklahoma, for nothing. On behalf of Fightful, we sendour deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Danny Hodge. [5] Hodge's first major feud was with National Wrestling Alliance Junior Heavyweight Champion Angelo Savoldi. Photo courtesy Chris Swisher. The young man drowned during his Manitoulin Island honeymoon, after an accidental explosion forced the wedding party to attempt to flee to a hospital by boat. He was famous for the ability to crush apples with one hand,[1] a feat which he demonstrated live on ESPN during the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships. > Music The Oklahoma state wrestling champion went to the University of Oklahoma and amassed a sterling 46-0 record with three Big Seven titles, and three NCAA titles at 177 pounds. Hodge, then aged 80, crushing an apple with one hand at the. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home - Laurel Danny Richard Hodge Danny Richard Hodge (April 6, 1955 - April 9, 2017) Danny Richard Hodge, 62, of Taylorsville, MS died Sunday, April 09, 2017 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. Known for abnormal hand strength due to being born to two sets of tendons in his hands, he went into the pro wrestling world following training from Leroy McGuirk and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, debuting in the fall of 1959 and become a major star, especially in the McGuirk's midwest territory and in the parts of the southern U.S. He would hold the title for 1,450 days, finally losing it in 1964. As a collegiate wrestler for the University of Oklahoma, Hodge was undefeated at 460, with 36 pins and reportedly was never taken off his feet during his collegiate career. [12] On September 1, 1983, Hodge returned to the ring facing against SWCW USA Junior Heavyweight Champion Eric Embry which Embry won. Raw results, live blog: Brock Lesnar responds. Born on a Friday, John Pollock is a reporter, editor & podcaster at POST Wrestling. Edit Search New Search Jump to Filters. Death 5 January 1974 - Marion, Florida, United States. Due to his collegiate wrestling accomplishments, in 1995, the Danny Hodge Trophy was created to recognize the nations top collegiate wrestler, similar to footballs Heisman Trophy. . A man who promoted the sport his entire life, even down to his iron-grip handshake. Danny Hodge Car Accident - Obituary / Death : We mourn with the family of Danny Hodge, we understand how disheartening they could be right now, so we are sending our thoughts and prayers to the. Jericho Appreciation Society and Hardy Party also competed. Hodge became the junior heavyweight successor to McGuirk, a division Hodge would dominate for the next fifteen years. He was also a 6x NWA United States Tag Team Champion and NWA Tri-State North American Champion. I always loved talking to him. While wrestling at 177 pounds for the Olympics, he would have fought at welterweight, and given how quickly he picked up boxing to add to his world-class wrestling foundation, he would have been well served for success several decades later. When I stepped into the mat, when I shook hands with you, it was limper than a dishrag, Hodge said. My feeling is hes a small-town kid who just had an insatiable desire to be somebody and to be respected., So theres the Danny Hodge story, but then there are Danny Hodge stories, like the one he tells on himself. A great amateur and professional wrestler who is an absolute credit to our business. He runs and owns POST Wrestling alongside Wai Ting. With that kind of legacy, while many modern fans may not be aware of Hodge, he left a huge impression on the business. Among the Hall of Fames that have inducted Hodge include the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, the inaugural class of the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, and honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club with multiple awards. I think he was born, and it was nurtured by his upbringing, with an incredible desire to never lose a fight.. As news broke today that he died yesterday (Dec. 25, 2020) at age 88, memorial and remembrances have filled the web. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. Do yourself a favor & read this. He remains the only amateur wrestler to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. The only man to win national titles in wrestling and boxing, Danny Hodge is widely . Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results Danny Lee Hodge (1955 - 1975) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. 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. What are your favorite memories of Danny Hodge? If I wasnt with Danny, the people hated me that much more. To say I am heartbroken is an understatement. > Collectibles This man was my hero.my everything! My heart goes out to his wife Delores & family. Danny Hodge, the skilled wrestler and boxer who never lost a match while wrestling at Oklahoma in the late 1950s, died this past Thursday, the OU wrestling program announced. Legitimately one of the toughest guys in a boxing or wrestling ring, Danny Hodge was a mentor to many and a groundbreaking competitor. #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. He competed at two Olympics, winning the silver medal in Australia in 1956. WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco announced this morning that one of the greatest amateur and professional wrestlers who ever lived, Danny Hodge, passed away yesterday at 88 years old. Hodge held the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion eight times for a cumulative total of over ten years. Stu Hart [1] Debut. I have never met anyone more thankful, humble and kind than my grandfather. Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). I always loved talking to him. The Oklahoma native held national titles in wrestling and boxing and was a three-time NCAA Champion while also winning a silver medal in the Olympics. 03/02. He and his wife had three children. 1974 He was an actor, known for The Wrestler (1974), WWE Raw (1993) and Wednesday Night Fights (1955). A daily roundup of all your pro wrestling news from Cageside Seats, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Cageside Seats, for Pro Wrestling and MMA fans. Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. SmackDown results, April 14, 2023: Solo Sikoa unleashes a brutal post-match attack on Matt Riddle, WWE NXT results, April 11, 2023: Grayson Waller wins Fatal-4 Way to face Carmelo Hayes at Spring Breakin', Roman Reigns survives Cody Rhodes with controversial victory at WrestleMania, The Bloodline vs. Matt Riddle rivalry history, Liv Morgans most outrageous moments: WWE Top 10, April 13, 2023. The list of 24 honorees includes the likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Bruno Sammartino. The prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy is named after Hodge and recognizes the nations top collegiate wrestler. Legendary collegiate and professional wrestler Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. 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. Lesnar vs. Rhodes is indeed happening at Backlash. It is pretty easy to list Hodges accomplishments: But to get to know Danny Hodge, its best to listen to those who knew him on the roadbecause everyone has a Danny Hodge story. The Dan Hodge Trophy is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. My deepest condolences to his family. newsletter, NXT results, live blog: Two title matches. Even after retirement, Hodge made occasional appearances in wrestling, including two on RAW. He was raised by his grandfather in later years. Fifty years later, hes still waiting for the check. See, when I did that, though, I wasnt happy. Let the family know you are thinking of them. Dan was born on May 13, 1932 the son of William Edward Hodge and Hazel Erma Blanchard Hodge in Perry, Oklahoma. After graduating Perry High School in Perry, Oklahoma, where he had been state champion in 1951, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, where he went 46-0, never even taken off his feet. Hodge pinned the first in about thirty seconds, but the fellow protested the pinfall. He made appearances in WWE on Raw in 2005 and 2012 in which he honored fellow Oklahoman Jim Ross. He competed in both the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games, and won a silver medal in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia. Jul 1: Money in the Bank 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. > The Artist Canvas EDITORS NOTE: This story has been amended to fix the date of Hodges passing to December 24, 2020. Bad move. The native of Perry, Oklahoma died earlier this week, although no cause of death has been revealed. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. He had a championship tag team with Skandor Akbar in 1967 and 1968, and though he was top dog, hed gladly take an initial whipping before tagging out, to build up his partner. May 27: WWE King & Queen Of The Ring Danny is. 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Is a reporter, editor & podcaster at POST wrestling alongside Wai Ting Angelo Savoldi, live blog Brock! Mcguirk, a division Hodge would dominate for the next fifteen years the loss of Danny Hodge be remembered a.