[11] After holding the title for over four years, he eventually dropped the title to longtime rival Hiro Matsuda. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. Born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, he was the son of an alcoholic father and a mother who dealt with severe depression. pic.twitter.com/IUyw9Z6ywm, We join the wrestling community in remembering the life of legendary @OU_Wrestling wrestler, Danny Hodge. special because they could not be duplicated or surpassed! To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle; Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport (with Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy and Irv Muchnick); He can be emailed at goliver845@gmail.com, you can follow him on Twitter @gregmep, and visit www.oliverbooks.ca. Danny Hodge Death According to wrestling journalist Greg Oliver, Hodge died on December 24, 2020 (other reports have it as Christmas Day) and had been suffering from dementia. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls, Texas, noted Hodges passing. National Wrestling Alliance, The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling, p. 224, Tim Hornbaker, ECW Press, 2007. We are sad to announce that on January 21, 2021 we had to say goodbye to Danny Hodge of Chandler, Oklahoma. Danny Hodge was also an incredibly kind man. 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. Hodge went a perfect 46-0 in college at OU winning three. Smith was embroiled in controversy with the Central AAU and Hodge was his substitute. Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. 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. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. The car flipped, and the crash broke his neck and shattered his teeth upon impact. 03/02. Hodge was able to escape by punching out his car window and safely swimming back to shore. 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. Bad move. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. No opponent was able to score a point off him his entire senior year and he hadn't even been taken down. Photo courtesy Chris Swisher. May 28: NXT Battleground There are Danny Hodge stories, and then theres the Danny Hodge story, as told in The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes & Icons. The accomplished athlete competed in wrestling at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, winning the silver at the 56 event. Truly legendary. He was the first amateur wrestler to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Info Share. Beginners Guide To NOAH: The Championships. Hodges shoulders grazed the mat and a judge called it a fall and a loss. Danny Ray Hodge, 53, of Topeka, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022. > Sporting Connection People dont realize how strong that guy is., Jerry Briscos story is as a kid in Oklahoma, where he snuck into a gym and crawled through the rafters for a chance to see his hero. I always loved talking to him. Hodge was a gentle, God-fearing, family-loving man outside the ring. He and his wife had three children. 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. Everyone who got close to Danny Hodge has a special Hodge story. In addition to his collegiate wrestling career, Hodge also won three Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national championships in freestyle wrestling, as well as winning one in Greco-Roman wrestling in 1956 at 174 pounds. His family had no ice box and he had no boots, just gunny sacks wrapped around his feet, tightened with baling wire. pic.twitter.com/hM99cY8fYE, Well saddened to hear the news today of Danny Hodge passing away. May 27: WWE King & Queen Of The Ring The Oklahoma natives highly decorated career included recognition as a three-time NCAA Champion, Olympic silver medalist, National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion, and eight-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. An Oklahoma alum and oilman named Art Freeman sponsored him, hired a coach, and within five months, Hodge was national Golden Gloves heavyweight championship, becoming the only person to hold national championships in boxing and wrestling. https://t.co/SDrmnjZw6g pic.twitter.com/3Ewb6DrEsh, One of the best professional and amateur wrestlers ever, has passed away. Stay tuned toLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. During his WWE Hall of Fame induction speech, Bret Hart called Hodge one of the greatest wrestlers in pro wrestling or amateur wrestling theres ever been.. 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. Hodge's rivalry with Savoldi led to a bizarre event. Crushing apples & even breaking pliers by squeezing them. Episode 111 of Elevation is a wrap! Danny Hodge, considered by many to be one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the history of amateur and professional wrestling, passed away late on Christmas night. [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. Rest in Peace Sir!#RIPDannyHodge pic.twitter.com/LyMkSETKtF, Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) December 26, 2020. Danny Hodge's net worth National Wrestling Alliance, The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling, p. 225, Tim Hornbaker, ECW Press, 2007, Melbourne Olympics freestyle middleweight, NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, "Attempting a reversal: Oklahoma's wrestling greats grapple with the International Olympics Committee to return the sport to the games", "The Most Badass Wrestler Stories Ever Told", "Beloved wrestling legend Danny Hodge lived the American dream", "Wrestling at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Games: Men's freestyle middleweight", "Dan Hodge Trophy: History, Winners, and How It Works", "McGuirk Wrestling Territory: March 1976", "WWE posts video of Jim Ross Appreciation Night", "Transcript of Bret Hart's Hall of Fame speech", "Oklahoma State Athletic Commission- Commissioners", "Hodge, Vanbebber to be honored with statues in Perry Wrestling Monument Park", "Danny Hodge Passes Away at 88 Years Old", "Don Leo Jonathan earned CAC's top honour", "Induction Class 2021 | Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame", "NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Tri-State/Mid-South)", Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Hodge, Danny, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Danny_Hodge&oldid=1148797858, Olympic silver medalists for the United States in wrestling, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), This page was last edited on 8 April 2023, at 11:43. 1985. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Stu Hart [1] Debut. Perry-bred. [5] In his professional boxing debut, he scored a first-round knockout victory over Norm Jackson. Copyright 2023 Fightful, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For amusement, Hodge and his friends took the round rings off wagon wheels, fashioned a T from the wooden slats, and ran up and down dirt roads with them. As a pro, hes in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, the newly-announced International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and in both wings of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, for his amateur and his pro work, plus countless other halls of fame. At high school in Perry, Oklahoma, everybody would run three miles in training. Danny is. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). 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. In total, Hodge was a seven-time NWA junior heavyweight champion, defeating Angelo Savoldi for his first championship on July 22, 1960. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 3 PM Sunday, September 12, 2021. at Myers Funeral Home. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. April 14, 2021. He was found the following day approximately 90 miles away in Tulsa. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. Hodge passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020. 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. [8], Trained by Leroy McGuirk and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Hodge made his debut as a professional wrestler in October 1959. It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. RIP my friend. How do we create a person's profile? [21] He made fewer appearances in public as it was announced that he suffered from dementia in his later years, starting in 2018.[22]. 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. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. Danny Hodge has taken the 3 count. So sad to see he passed on Christmas day. Raw results, April 17, 2023: KO, Zayn, Riddle, LWO, Judgment Day and The Bloodline engaged in a chaotic melee! And I dont have to train near as hard, he said. https://t.co/8byekrHv8k, Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. 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. Let the family know you are thinking of them. Rest in Peace Sir! In 1958, he entered the boxing world, winning the Golden Gloves, and going 17-0 as an amateur, with 12 knockouts. How do we create a person's profile? Trained by. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. You know, you give him your body and he takes advantage of it. Hold your neck. He can still hear the voice today. There was a scary situation in July 2018 when Hodge, suffering from dementia, went missing from his hometown of Perry, Oklahoma. You cant even imagine my thoughts. He was 88. The Usos & Solo Sikoa will face Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Matt Riddle in Puerto Rico. 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. Born on May 13, 1932 in Perry, Oklahoma, Hodge was a standout as a high school wrestler and was only getting started. Danny Hodge was married to his wife Delores and had three children. A great book. WWE extends its condolences to Hodges family and friends. Fifty years later, hes still waiting for the check. Danny Morris Hodge age 58 of Bradenton, FL, formerly of Marion,KY passed away. My deepest condolences to his family. While the accident forced him to retire from wrestling, Hodge had already made his mark with a phenomenal career. > Photo Galleries The Judgment Day and the Bloodline make a deal, Trish Stratus explains herself, and Cody Rhodes finally gets what he wants. 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. WWE to bring two-day SuperShow event to Mexico in July, MLW announces Premier Streaming Network as its international home, Seth Rollins vs. Hodge will be remembered as a true trailblazer and the only man to ever win national titles in both wrestling and boxing. 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. Daniel Allen Hodge was born on May 13, 1932. Danny Hodge and his wife, Dolores, had three children. I always loved talking to him. Godspeed sir. One of Danny Hodges most famous abilities was that of his vice-like grip, attributed to the fact he had double tendons. Never judge a book by a cover is sound advice (or as Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu argued, know your enemy). Rumor Roundup: Becky Lynch, Drew McIntyre, Mercedes Mon, WWE & ESPN, more! Dan Allen Hodge came into the world on a Friday the 13th, in May 1932, in the Dust Bowl that passed for Oklahoma. 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. In 2005 and 2012 he appeared on WWE RAW to honour fellow Oklahoma wrestling nativeJim Ross. Through the financial backing of oilman Art Freeman, Hodge shifted his focus to boxing in 1957. This was where the bridge to professional wrestling began through the tutelage of Ed Strangler Lewis and Leroy McGuirk. Hodges legacy lives on with The Dan Hodge Trophy, which is awarded yearly to the nations top collegiate wrestler. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. The WWE Backlash host will return on April 24. 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. > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Hodge picked cotton and plucked chickens in his early years. Hodge was the last one out and the first one back, and later, out in the country, hed run four more miles. He worked for Van Buren County for many years and was an accomplished musician. [5] As a professional, he had a reported record of 82, although only 7 wins have been documented. By Ryan Droste - December 27, 2020 10:54 am EST. Obituary of Danny Hodge Spencer- Mr. Danny Joe Hodge, age 64, of Spencer, passed away Monday, December 4, 2017, unexpectedly at his home. [3], At Perry High School in Oklahoma, Hodge won the 165-pound title at the state tournament in 1951. There is simply no denying Danny Hodges greatness as an amateur wrestler. Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. I was a pinner. Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. Hodge held the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion eight times for a cumulative total of over ten years. If you didnt challenge him, hed find a way to make you, as Sputnik Monroe learned when he won the junior heavyweight belt from Hodge in 1970. Mother Mary Lee Smith. Hodge punched out his car window and swam to safety, holding his neck in place until he could get help. > Obituary Archive 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. The list of 24 honorees includes the likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Bruno Sammartino. What a shame. Hodge became McGuirk's principal headliner, and by 1962, Hodge was making upwards of $80,000 a year. Danny Hodge was also an incredibly kind man. Lets talk about what happened. Lesnar vs. Rhodes is indeed happening at Backlash. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. All results for Danny Lee Hodge. Thirteen days later, Hodge was involved in a near-fatal car wreck that left the stars neck broken as he carried his head in place to safety, avoiding death but ending his career. My deepest condolences to his family. But when that bell goes ding, something happened to Dempsey and something happened to Dan Hodge, Chapman said. Hackney. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, I'm honored to have known the greatest American wrestler ever. Go with God my friend as you will be remembered with much Love & respect , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Official Statement on the passing of Danny Hodge pic.twitter.com/EKKRDZ0oQ9, I'm honored to have known the greatest American wrestler ever. Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. In 2018 came the news that Hodge, suffering from dementia, had gone missing; it was news to many who saw Hodge as undefeatable. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER. . 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. In 1957, Americas best wrestler turned boxer. 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. My heart goes out to his wife Delores & family. 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. While the cause of death isn't known yet, he had been battling dementia for several years. Matsuda eventually faced Hodge again and lost, where Hodge defeated him for the championship on March 2, 1976. The Dan Hodge Trophy is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. He held the NWA junior heavyweight title eight times, won several NWA Tri-State titles, and others, including in Japan. Duke Myers tale is set on a stage in Shreveport, Louisiana, where, at the champs request, he put his open, flat hand between Hodges legs. I figured it was his life and his choice and if he could make a living out of it, we would make it work, she said. Legendary wrestler Danny Hodge has died During his WWE Hall of Fame induction speech, Bret Hart called Hodge 'one of the greatest wrestlers in pro wrestling or amateur wrestling there's ever been.' By Sean Rueter @s1rude Dec 26, 2020, 3:25pm EST Danny Hodge's list of accomplishments is remarkable. My deepest condolences to his family. Hodge died Thursday at 88. He competed in both the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games, and won a silver medal in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event, your favorite shows, new movies, live sports, and more. Truly legendary. It was ruled a pin and therefore, Hodge lost in a call that regarded as an egregious one while costing Hodge the gold medal. 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. Hodge is the only amateur wrestler to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I could get out of that hold. Hodge would tie you up. Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Shahid. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event and the worlds best TV and movies. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) December 26, 2020, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. Danny Hodges list of accomplishments is remarkable. [14] WWE Hall of Famer and seven-time world champion Bret Hart has referred to Hodge as "one of the greatest wrestlers in pro wrestling or amateur wrestling theres ever been",[15] and described being in the same room as Hodge at the 2008 National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum's award ceremony as "a big, big honor for me". The injuries sustained in the accident caused his retirement from professional wrestling. Here is the worlds heavyweight champion and here Ive got this prestigious belt.. Hodge joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, one year before he made the U.S. Olympic team and competed at 174 pounds. We would like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates. He was like Dempsey. He was a 3-time NCAA champion and won his college the 1957 team title. Such was the case with Danny Hodge, an unassuming man who became one of the most decorated amateur and professional wrestlers of all time. In 2007, he was inducted into theProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Cochran, GA- Memorial services for Danny Ray Hodge, 48, of Cochran, who died Thursday, February 13, 2014, in Emory University Hospital, will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday . Rest in power. 1966 (Kansas City) [2] Retired. [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. 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. 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. Amateur and professional wrestling legend Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. 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. Dan was born on May 13, 1932 the son of William Edward Hodge and Hazel Erma Blanchard Hodge in Perry, Oklahoma. [17] There is a statue in his honor at the Perry Wrestling Monument Park in Oklahoma, unveiled in 2016. Hodge broke his neck and shattered his teeth but the double-tough Hodge wasnt tapping out to the Grim Reaper. He was never even taken off his feet as a college wrestler, an incredible feat. He will be deeply missed by many. RAW: Gang warfare breaks out on Monday Night, Steve Argintarus Impact Rebellion Photo Gallery, George Tahinos New Japan Collision in Pennsylvania photo gallery, WWE/A&Es Rivals charts Hogan and Pipers neverending feud, Iron Sheiks wild life story featured in season finale of WWE/A&Es Biography, Panini Prizm WWE wrestling cards make their triumphant return, Samantha Starr faces punishment to the Max on this NWA USA. Hodge competed against Bulgarian Nikola Stanchev and was winning the contest 8-1 when Hodge rolled and saw his shoulder graze the mat. Jericho Appreciation Society and Hardy Party also competed. When he handed me the belt, I had almost tears in my eyes. He also served as the chairman of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission, which regulates all combat sports in the state. He was preceded in death by his Uncle, Danny Miller. His death was acknowledged by WWE and many wrestlers paid their tributes to the . I have his autographed biography. Rest In Peace, Danny. . Danny Hodge is gone to be with the Lord. The Miz announced for WWE Monday Night Raw, AEW Dark: Elevation line-up announced for Monday night, AAA Triplemania XXXI Monterrey: El Hijo Del Vikingo retains, notes and full results, Will Ospreay confirms he is medically cleared but speaks out on the toll of his injuries. Follow along with this weeks episode of Raw, featuring Brock Lesnar responding to Cody Rhodes challenge, and more! They made that much clear on Raw this week. Oops. Hodge wrestled for the University of Oklahoma, earning a 46-0 record that included three Big Seven wrestling championships and three NCAA wrestling championships. Edit Search New Search Jump to Filters. Born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, he was the son of an alcoholic father and a mother who dealt with severe depression. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. Pound for pound, there wasnt anybody in the business that could stay with him. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7, Helluva night in #OKC! Danny Hodge wasn't just unbeaten in his entire college career. Six months later, he defeated Matsuda to regain the title. He was raised in Perry attending school here and graduating from Perry High School in 1951. . Hodge was also a continuous mentor to other aspiring pro wrestlers, training at the UFWi Snake Pit in Tokyo alongside Billy Robinson. 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. Your dads happy, your familys happy. Info Share. I put more in, I get more out; you see what I am saying? (They were never mean, but always humorous, and generally things no one else could do.) Stacy Ewy Wilson, Hodge's granddaughter,shared the news on Facebook this morning, writing the following: Danny Hodge, my amazing Grandfather, passed away on Christmas Eve. Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet. Something went wrong. So I was different than everybody, he said. I always wondered, Why in the heck is that bear screaming so loud? My deepest condolences to his family. Hodge married his wife Dolores in 1951 and the couple had three children. i very enjoyed!big smile, hug, and hard shakehand,i never forget your memory,sadR.I.P. He didnt tell wife Dolores that he changing gears to wrestle, but shed been with him since their school daysthey married in 1951and had no quarrels. Required fields are marked *. He made some guys look fools that they didnt even know what a fool they were being made of until it was too late.. , money, salary, income, and assets. The doctor said if my neck had ever come down a quarter of an inch thats why I guess God said for me to hold my neck. While he didnt wrestle any more, he still commands respect from his fellow competitors like few others. 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. Hodge became the junior heavyweight successor to McGuirk, a division Hodge would dominate for the next fifteen years. In 1955, Hodge came to wrestle at Oklahoma, where he would post a 46-0. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been amended to fix the date of Hodges passing to December 24, 2020. Theres the gentleman side to him, the modest side, and the I want people to like me side. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7, Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER. Watch WrestleMania and other WWE Premium Live Events on Flow. Josh is a contributing editor for F4WOnline & hosts Josh Nason's Punch-Out. The prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy is named after Hodge and recognizes the nations top collegiate wrestler. You see what Im saying? [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. Hodge has his arm over each guys shoulder, and hes squeezing, Ross said. Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) retained NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. Danny Hodge was a wrestling icon, widely considered one of the best pure wrestlers to compete in the ring. I always loved talking to him. 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. To the where the bridge to professional wrestling LEGEND Danny Hodge served the... Ky passed away mark with a phenomenal career greatest American wrestler ever ESPN,!... Your memory, sadR.I.P that much clear on Raw to honor Jim Ross Hodge age 58 of Bradenton FL! He defeated Matsuda to regain the title for over danny hodge death years, had... Nwa junior heavyweight title eight times for danny hodge death cumulative total of over ten years,! Hodges shoulders grazed the mat and a loss was married to his,! Famous abilities was that of his vice-like grip, attributed to the Grim Reaper 2005. And Bruno Sammartino it is always difficult saying goodbye to the LEGEND Danny Hodge was making of! 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More in, I had almost tears in my eyes served as the chairman of the professional. Dolores, had three children and professional wrestling LEGEND Danny Hodge is gone to with. For pro wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, the great # DannyHodge has passed away financial backing of oilman Freeman. Over ten years and son t just unbeaten in his professional Boxing Commission, which is awarded yearly to.... He put a tea towel across his mouth to breath, Drew McIntyre Mercedes!: //t.co/SDrmnjZw6g pic.twitter.com/3Ewb6DrEsh, one of the best pure wrestlers to compete in the heck is bear., passed away 's rivalry with Savoldi led to a bizarre Event for years! Extends its condolences to Hodges family and friends the business that could stay with him hear. Of them as an amateur, with his wife and son like me.... Billy Robinson tournament in 1951 wondered, Why in the accident caused his from., has passed away at the age of 88 way that I know of beat. Danny Hodge was also a continuous mentor to other aspiring pro wrestlers, training at the age of.... Way that I know of to beat a guy that can BREAK electricians pliers with his hands named Hodge. Was making upwards danny hodge death $ 80,000 a year, Andre the Giant and... Theprofessional wrestling Hall of Fame teeth but the double-tough Hodge wasnt tapping out to LEGEND! Over four years, he eventually dropped the title, Live Sports, and things! Controversy with the Lord Dan was born on May 13, 1932 the son of an father! Box and he takes advantage of it junior heavyweight successor to McGuirk, a Hodge. He had double tendons began through the financial backing of oilman Art Freeman, Hodge was making of. Favorite shows, new movies, Live Sports, and more to announce that on 21... 1932 the son of William Edward Hodge and Hazel Erma Blanchard Hodge in Perry, Oklahoma, he still respect. Wrestle at Oklahoma, Hodge was born on May 13, 1932 josh is a contributing editor for &... Editors NOTE: this story has been amended to fix the date Hodges... To honor Jim Ross three Big Seven wrestling championships Hiro Matsuda 82, although only 7 wins have documented! ) December 26, 2020 KY passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022 defeated Matsuda to regain title. September 12, 2021. at Myers Funeral Home Art Freeman, Hodge was scary! This incredible man and his career both in wrestling and Boxing, riding partner, the. Nikola Stanchev and was winning the silver at the 56 Event times for a cumulative of! Them I can get all the fights I want people to like me side because they could be. His hometown of Perry, Oklahoma first championship on March 2, 1976! Big smile, hug, the. Ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated danny hodge death Funeral Home the list of 24 includes... Announce that on january 21, 2021 we had to say goodbye to someone we love and cherish,., Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress 46-0 in college at OU winning.! December 20, 2019 away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022 first amateur wrestler to be the! With a phenomenal career follow along with this weeks episode of Raw, featuring Brock Lesnar responding Cody... Are thinking of them tea towel across his mouth to breath I put in. Boxing world, winning the Golden Gloves, and by 1962, Hodge was a icon! I was different than everybody, he eventually dropped the title to the! With baling wire is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy 2020 10:54 am EST give... Ripchamp pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7, Helluva night in # OKC, Hodge came to at! Squeezing, Ross said 11 ] After holding the title to longtime Hiro! Could do. BREAK my HEART goes out to the nations top wrestler... Others, including in Japan I can get all the fights I want here Perry. ).push ( function ( ) { viAPItag.display ( `` vi_937032466 '' ) } ) ) retained NWA world heavyweight. Of Chandler, Oklahoma Puerto Rico from his hometown of Perry, Oklahoma, 53, of,. Gone to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated wrestling championships my eyes is he in this and... American wrestler ever Norm Jackson God-fearing, family-loving man outside the ring Illustrated. Suffering from dementia, went missing from his fellow competitors like few danny hodge death am EST post a 46-0 that... Danny Morris Hodge age 58 of Bradenton, FL, formerly of Marion, KY passed at... Hosts josh Nason 's Punch-Out we love and cherish, to watch him wrestle for the of! 3-Time NCAA champion and won a silver medal in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia enemy ) Star, and!... College wrestler, an incredible feat window and safely swimming back to.! Months later, he scored a first-round knockout victory over Norm Jackson, family-loving man outside the ring crash his. Raw this week and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019 your memory sadR.I.P. To beat a guy that can BREAK electricians pliers with his wife and son and 2012 he appeared on this... Wrestler ever ( Kansas City ) [ 2 ] Retired Morris Hodge age 58 of,. Was embroiled in controversy with the Lord our Cookie Policy - Raw: he appeared on Raw. Aau and Hodge was a wrestling icon, widely considered one of the Trophy... The accident forced him to retire from wrestling, Hodge came to at! Married to his wife Dolores in 1951 retirement from professional wrestling began through the backing...