In 1955, Hodge came to wrestle at Oklahoma, where he would post a 46-0. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls, Texas, noted Hodge's passing. Dan Allen Hodge, 88, of Perry has gone to heaven. His strength he possessed in his hands was legendary. Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) retained NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. Danny Hodge (Dan Allen Hodge) was born on 13 May, 1932 in Perry, Oklahoma, USA, is an Actor. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. He would win his seventh and final NWA Junior Heavyweight title in March of 1976 and two weeks later, retired from the sport still champion. 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. Discover Danny Hodge's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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. . Brodie Lee passes away after battling lung issue. Raw results, live blog: Brock Lesnar responds. Born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, he was the son of an alcoholic father and a mother who dealt with severe depression. [5] As a professional, he had a reported record of 82, although only 7 wins have been documented. Danny Hodge, a legend in the world of wrestling and combat sports, has passed away at the age of 88. Here is Danny Ray Hodge's obituary. Adam Pearce made the match official on Monday's Raw. Photo by Joyce Paustian. #RIPDannyHodge pic.twitter.com/LyMkSETKtF. Legitimately one of the toughest guys in a boxing or wrestling ring, Danny Hodge was a mentor to many and a groundbreaking competitor. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Hodge was 88 years old. Amateur and professional wrestling legend Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. It wasn't a loss only felt in the Perry native's home state. We send our condolences and well wishes to the family and friends of Danny Hodge. Godspeed sir. They get him back up the steps to the back of the stage behind the curtain, and they are absolutely tormented and in anguish. Backstage, Bill Watts dressed down the playful Hodge, but found himself on the receiving end when Hodge snatched off a hot water faucet, leaving Watts to shower in the cold. Edit your search or learn more. Father Luther Lee Hodge. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7. Danny Ray Hodge, 53, of Topeka, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 28th 2022. 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. The collegiate wrestling equivalent of footballs Heisman trophy is named for him. Hodge joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, one year before he made the U.S. Olympic team and competed at 174 pounds. Sign up for the 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. Aug 27: Impact Emergence, > Archives Hodge passed away in his native Perry, Oklahoma on December 24th. [4], His reputation as a high school wrestler preceded him when he joined the US Navy in 1951. [5] In his professional boxing debut, he scored a first-round knockout victory over Norm Jackson. I was a pinner. Pound for pound, there wasnt anybody in the business that could stay with him. Actually, his matches never lasted long before he pinned his opponent. 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. To say I am heartbroken is an understatement. 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. In three years, he was never taken down and his 78 percent collegiate pinning percentage is regarded as the best ever. Hodges first title reign lasted four years, ending when he was defeated by Hiro Matsuda in July 1964. Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! Oops. https://t.co/SDrmnjZw6g pic.twitter.com/3Ewb6DrEsh, One of the best professional and amateur wrestlers ever, has passed away. very entertaining! July 15: Impact Slammiversary > Photo Galleries Then be sure to inform others of Danny Hodge. He was also a 6x NWA United States Tag Team Champion and NWA Tri-State North American Champion. 1974 He was an actor, known for The Wrestler (1974), WWE Raw (1993) and Wednesday Night Fights (1955). Leave a sympathy message to the . Danny loved to cook, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and spending his free time with family, especially his nieces and nephews. Raw results, April 17, 2023: KO, Zayn, Riddle, LWO, Judgment Day and The Bloodline engaged in a chaotic melee! WWE is saddened to learn that Danny Hodge passed away today at age88. He retired on July 9, 1959.[5]. [10], Hodge was a perennial NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, holding the title eight times for a total of over ten years, longer than anyone else. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); No spam. While the cause of death isn't known yet, he had been battling dementia for several years. He was the first amateur wrestler to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Danny Hodge died last Friday. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. He was born on September 14, 1968 in St. Joseph, MO, the son of Herman Hodge and Judy (Miller) Burgett. [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. I always wondered, Why in the heck is that bear screaming so loud? No cause of death has been given for the Oklahoma star, although he had been battling dementia in recent years. > Gaming The prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy is named after Hodge and recognizes the nations top collegiate wrestler. 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. I always loved talking to him. 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]. > Sporting Connection Hodge was 88 and. To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. May 28: NXT Battleground Danny is. I love each of you and appreciate all of your kind words. 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. 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. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Erma, and brothers William Hodge . I think he was born, and it was nurtured by his upbringing, with an incredible desire to never lose a fight.. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. > Canadian Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc, William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 26, 2020, I'm honored to have known the greatest American wrestler ever. In total, Hodge was a seven-time NWA junior heavyweight champion, defeating Angelo Savoldi for his first championship on July 22, 1960. The only reason I got my hand out was because he loosened it up. From speaking to him youd never know all that he accomplished. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event, your favorite shows, new movies, live sports, and more. The list of 24 honorees includes the likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Bruno Sammartino. 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. 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. . April 14, 2021. > Video On March 15, 1976, Hodge was driving his car when he fell asleep at the wheel, crashing through a bridge and into a lake. Jul 1: Money in the Bank Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. Hodge could squeeze apples until they burst into bits and break steel pliers with his gifted double-tendon strength. [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. 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. Hodge is enshrined in multiple Halls of Fame, and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement and the Lou Thesz Award by the Cauliflower Alley Club. Here is Danny Hodge's obituary. At 88 years old, Danny Hodge height not available right now. Hodge's father entered the ring during a boxing match on May 27, 1960, between Hodge and Savoldi, and stabbed Savoldi with a penknife. 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. Matsuda eventually faced Hodge again and lost, where Hodge defeated him for the championship on March 2, 1976. Danny Hodge's passing at the age of 58 has been publicly announced by Myers Funeral Home in Marion, KY. Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Danny in the Guest Book. He was never even taken off his feet as a college wrestler, an incredible feat. Hold your neck. He can still hear the voice today. Jericho Appreciation Society and Hardy Party also competed. 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. Skandor Akbar and Danny Hodge. Here is Danny Hodge's obituary. In later years, he served as the Chairman of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission that oversaw combat sports including MMA in the state. Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results Danny Lee Hodge (1955 - 1975) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. 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. Bad move. Father Nathan William Hudson. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. 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. At high school in Perry, Oklahoma, everybody would run three miles in training. Sign up for Peacock to watch. January 24, 2005 - RAW: He appeared on Raw to honor Jim Ross. Wrestling ring, Danny Hodge Height not available right now at Oklahoma, he! 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