He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Erma, and brothers William Hodge . He was 88. For three consecutive years from1955-1957, he won theBig Seven Conference and NCAA Championships at 177 pounds. 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]. The collegiate wrestling equivalent of footballs Heisman trophy is named for him. We will update Danny Hodge's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Jun 3-4: NWA Crockett Cup > Music His wife is Susan Mathis (16 July1957 - 25 December2020)( his death)( 4 children). > The Artist Canvas Danny Hodge and his wife, Dolores, had three children. Danny Hodge was also an incredibly kind man. Hodges accomplishments led to his induction into the George Tragos / Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and several awards from the Cauliflower Alley Club including its Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award. I have no doubt that he will receive his job well done. His final reign was short-lived, beating Matsuda on March 2, 1976. Hodge held the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship an amazing eight times and by the early 1960s, was earning over $80,000 a year, quite the sum for the time. Hodges shoulders grazed the mat and a judge called it a fall and a loss. He transitioned to the world of professional wrestling, debuting in 1959 after being trained byLeroy McGuirkandEd "Strangler" Lewis. Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. Danny Ray Hodge, 53, of Topeka, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022. Aug 27: Impact Emergence, > Archives He finished his college career unbeaten, 46-0. By Ryan Droste - December 27, 2020 10:54 am EST. So sad to see he passed on Christmas day. 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. While its been debated how certain legendary tough men would have fared if MMA existed, its almost a guarantee that Hodge would have tried it, if the sport was around in the late 50s or early 60s. The best wrestler Ive ever met and Ive met a hell of a lot of wrestlers, said Harley Race. Danny Hodge died last Friday. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. His accomplishments are well-documented here. Smith was embroiled in controversy with the Central AAU and Hodge was his substitute. He made frequent world tours but, devoted to his home life, primarily spent his time in the brutally sprawling McGuirk territory, from Oklahoma City and Joplin, Missouri to the Louisiana bayous and the Mississippi Delta. Hodge was the last one out and the first one back, and later, out in the country, hed run four more miles. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hodge after a show in Oklahoma years ago and was fortunate enough to experience the infamous handshake. RIP dear friend! He remains the only amateur wrestler to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. The Dan Hodge Trophy is presented to the NCAAs best college wrestler each year. Sign up for Peacock to watch. [21] He made fewer appearances in public as it was announced that he suffered from dementia in his later years, starting in 2018.[22]. WWE is saddened to learn that Danny Hodge passed away today at age 88. The pro fisticuffs lasted after about a year; in July 1959, two months after losing to Cuban Nino Valdes, Hodge quit boxing and filed a $116,000 lawsuit against his backers, saying they breached a contract that was supposed to provide him with about 35 percent of the gate after expenses. Rest In Peace, Danny. Stay tuned toLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Hodge was able to escape by punching out his car window and safely swimming back to shore. 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 was 88. Danny Hodge, perhaps the greatest amateur wrestler in the history of the United States, and a long-time professional wrestler, has died. Hodge was 88 years old. It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. He was raised in Perry attending school here and graduating from Perry High School in 1951. . So I was different than everybody, he said. 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. Beginners Guide To NOAH: The Championships. Let us know in the comments below. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7. Amateur and professional wrestling legend Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. Ive never heard a bear scream so loud. As news broke today that he died yesterday (Dec. 25, 2020) at age 88, memorial and remembrances have filled the web. Laughing for memories, crying for loss. His career ended in 1976 after a car accident nearly cost him his life. Do yourself a favor & read this. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. I always loved talking to him. He was an actor, known for The Wrestler (1974), WWE Raw (1993) and Wednesday Night Fights (1955). Among other titles, he was the NWA Junior Heavyweight champ seven times. To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. Id have tracks and Id have to go across these ruts and once in while I would run into one and itd knock the wind out of me, but that was my car; that was my toy. When the dust storms kicked up, he put a tea towel across his mouth to breath. All I can say it was pleasure to share my life with last years of his life. > Collectibles There was a scary situation in July 2018 when Hodge, suffering from dementia, went missing from his hometown of Perry, Oklahoma. Rest in Peace Sir!--#RIPDannyHodge pic.twitter.com/LyMkSETKtF. Danny Hodge was married to his wife Delores and had three children. My deepest condolences to his family. He was 88. Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) retained NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. He was found the following day approximately 90 miles away in Tulsa. It wasn't a loss only felt in the Perry native's home state. He got a job in Perry at a Conoco filling station, and raced after work to the house of a coworker who owned a TV set. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 3 PM Sunday, September 12, 2021. at Myers Funeral Home. Hodge picked cotton and plucked chickens in his early years. He was never even taken off his feet as a college wrestler, an incredible feat. He finished his amateur career with 17 wins, no losses and 12 KO's. For the last number of years, Hodge had suffered from dementia, and had not been out in public much. [5] In his professional boxing debut, he scored a first-round knockout victory over Norm Jackson. Danny Hodge is gone to be with the Lord. 25 December 2020) (his death) (4 children) Trivia (6) He began training under Ed "Strangler" Lewis during his early days as a professional. Rest in power. 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. His mat wrestling brought to him to two Olympics Games he placed 5th in Finland in 1952 but captured the Silver Medal in 1956 in Australia. He got out and the other kid wouldnt come in to wrestle., Bill Watts gets the last word on Danny Hodge. He showed me the leverage of the headlock, Hodge explained. 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. It was ruled a pin and therefore, Hodge lost in a call that regarded as an egregious one while costing Hodge the gold medal. Mike Chapman, the Iowa author and wrestling historian who worked with him on his biography, Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story, recalled how the normally agreeable Hodge got very direct when talking about the beatings he endured as a youth. [18][19], Hodge is also the subject of four books written by Mike Chapman: Two Guys Named Dan (Hodge and Dan Gable, 1976), The Toughest Men in Sports (1984), Legends of the Mat (2006) and Oklahoma Shooter: the Dan Hodge Story (2009). He won the Big Seven title three times, and the NCAA title three times at 177 pounds. Now you know why Im here and I want all these people to let you watch the ceiling. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. https://t.co/SDrmnjZw6g pic.twitter.com/3Ewb6DrEsh, The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) December 26, 2020, One of the best professional and amateur wrestlers ever, has passed away. He will be deeply missed by many. The only people that ever had trouble with him were maybe the people that didnt respect him. 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. He clamped down on my hand and at that time I was pretty stout and I picked him three feet up off the ground and he never flinched. He traveled with me and he would go to the towns and do the interviews with a radio station or TV and he says, I have a young man here that the world is going to want to see. Oklahoma promoter Leroy McGuirk had built his career on the National Wrestling Alliance junior heavyweight title, and Hodge, at about 220 pounds, held it regularly from 1960 to 1976. [5] At the Melbourne Olympics freestyle middleweight, he won the silver medal, losing the final to Bulgarian Nikola Stanchev. Stu Hart [1] Debut. From speaking to him youd never know all that he accomplished. You see what Im saying? Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results Danny Lee Hodge (1955 - 1975) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. City & Area Directories. pic.twitter.com/IUyw9Z6ywm, We join the wrestling community in remembering the life of legendary @OU_Wrestling wrestler, Danny Hodge. 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. Here is Danny Hodge's obituary. > Career Records Then he heard a voice. Hodge passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020. Hodge will be remembered as a true trailblazer and the only man to ever win national titles in both wrestling and boxing. A scholarship to the University of Oklahoma followedthe straight arrow never cut class, of courseand he became an undefeated, three-time All-American at 177 pounds. He is only amateur wrestler to appear on the cover of. July 15: Impact Slammiversary The AEW announcer, along with other industry greats shared their sadness over the news. People dont know what its like growing up in the atmosphere like this. I always absolutely loved spending time with him and sitting under his learning tree. 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! The native of Perry, Oklahoma died earlier this week, although no cause of death has been revealed. I wanted to be happy for me., There wasnt a lot of happiness in his childhood. Hes been inducted into every hall of fame that amateur and pro wrestling can dream up, and had the ultimate honor bestowed on him in 1995, when the Hodge Trophy became wrestlings version of the Heisman Trophy, annually given to the top collegiate performer. Mother Wilma Dean Meadows. Something went wrong. Sign up for BINGE to watch. Jun 25: AEW Forbidden Door Death 17 Jan 1975 - Jacksonville, Onslow, North Carolina. Through the financial backing of oilman Art Freeman, Hodge shifted his focus to boxing in 1957. His home burned down when he was 9, and his mother suffered severe burns over 70 percent of her body, necessitating blood transfusions. Jack Nasworthy ran a carnival based out of Hutchinson, Kansas, and once offered the cash-starved youngster $100 to take on all comers. This year while we are hurtingGrandpa is experiencing the ultimate Christmas with our God. He was literally Mr. Oklahoma and later on, when I turned against him, I had some very, very close calls with fans and things because they loved Danny Hodge. What Hodge calls one of the greatest thrills of life came in January 1968, when he defeated Lou Thesz for the short-lived Trans World Wrestling Association championship in Japan, becoming the only man to claim a world junior heavyweight title and a heavyweight title at the same time. The stories of Hodges toughness are legendary from the numerous examples of his non-human grip strength being showcased in the forms of apples and pliers being crushed. Crushing apples & even breaking pliers by squeezing them. Six months later, he defeated Matsuda to regain the title. You know, you give him your body and he takes advantage of it. > Canadian Hall of Fame 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. A $5,000 pot to anyone who could last ten minutes with him lured a couple of hopefuls from Chattanooga, Tennessee, with wrestling backgrounds. March 2, 1976: He defeated Hiro Matsuda to win his sixth NWA World Jr. Heavyweight title in St. Petersburg, FL. Susan Mathis (16 July1957 - 25 December2020)( his death)( 4 children). A great book. So, how much is Danny Hodge worth at the age of 88 years old? Hodge died Thursday at 88. Jim Ross has often stated that Danny Hodge was his hero growing up and in life, and there is good reason for that. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event, your favorite shows, new movies, live sports, and more. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. The only reason I got my hand out was because he loosened it up. Hodge was an acclaimed collegiate wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, where he went a perfect 46-0. 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. [11] After holding the title for over four years, he eventually dropped the title to longtime rival Hiro Matsuda. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hodge is enshrined in multiple Halls of Fame, and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement and the Lou Thesz Award by the Cauliflower Alley Club. "Danny Hodge was a legend in Japan. The accomplished athlete competed in wrestling at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, winning the silver at the 56 event. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Danny Ray Hodge of Gray, Kentucky, who passed away on May 30, 2021. [8], Trained by Leroy McGuirk and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Hodge made his debut as a professional wrestler in October 1959. 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. I always loved talking to him. To say I am heartbroken is an understatement. One of Danny Hodges most famous abilities was that of his vice-like grip, attributed to the fact he had double tendons. Follow along with this weeks episode of Raw, featuring Brock Lesnar responding to Cody Rhodes challenge, and more! i very enjoyed!big smile, hug, and hard shakehand,i never forget your memory,sadR.I.P. A career with the pros wasnt on his mind, but by 1949, he was analyzing their moves on TV on Saturday nights. 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. Fifty years later, hes still waiting for the check. Discover Danny Hodge's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Visit Sony LIV to sign in or sign up and enjoy WWE's premium content. No apple stood a chance in his hands!! In eighth grade, Hodge found he had a knack for wrestling. He was a mans man. A crash jolted him awake; he had hit a bridge, felt his teeth breaking, and was overwhelmed by excruciating pain. Pound for pound, there wasnt anybody in the business that could stay with him. You have no idea how many miles Id run, he said. Danny Hodge has taken the 3 count. [10] On July 22, 1960, Hodge defeated Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship at the Stockyards Coliseum in Oklahoma City. 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. Professional boxing debut, he scored a first-round knockout victory over Norm Jackson the world of wrestling, as develop... 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