> Canadian Hall of Fame 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. 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. 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. Theres the gentleman side to him, the modest side, and the I want people to like me side. The Judgment Day and the Bloodline make a deal, Trish Stratus explains herself, and Cody Rhodes finally gets what he wants. Hodge will be inducted into theInternational Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame as part ofits inaugural class on August 28, 2021. His wife is Susan Mathis (16 July1957 - 25 December2020)( his death)( 4 children). [1] Sweetan was nicknamed "Bruiser" and "Mr. Piledriver ", the latter in reference to his finishing maneuver. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. 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. 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. How do we create a person's profile? Jun 25: AEW Forbidden Door He was preceded in death by his mother, Lula Belt Hackney and stepfather, J.D. For figures involved in the contemporary efforts to revive catch-as-catch-can wrestling as a legitimate art, Hodge, who died on December 24, 2020 at 88, was considered one of the art's last great figureheads following the passing of Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch, Billy Robinson, and Billy Wicks. Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. 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. Brodie Lee passes away after battling lung issue. No opponent was able to score a point off him his entire senior year and he hadn't even been taken down. He runs and owns POST Wrestling alongside Wai Ting. A three-time NCAA champion at OU, in a career in which he never was taken down. 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. May 27: WWE King & Queen Of The Ring The Dan Hodge Trophy is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away. Please enter a valid email and try again. [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. His accomplishments are well-documented here. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1 PM Sunday. Very saddened to learn of the loss of Danny Hodge. Wichita Falls, TX - 4-H Arena. He is from USA. Hodge boxed professional for a short time before spending 18 years as a professional wrestler. 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. His home burned down when he was 9, and his mother suffered severe burns over 70 percent of her body, necessitating blood transfusions. We are sad to announce that on January 21, 2021 we had to say goodbye to Danny Hodge of Chandler, Oklahoma. He was the first amateur wrestler to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. 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. In 1955, Hodge came to wrestle at Oklahoma, where he would post a 46-0. But inside, he could be a handful; sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. 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. Jack Nasworthy ran a carnival based out of Hutchinson, Kansas, and once offered the cash-starved youngster $100 to take on all comers. 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. Rumor Roundup: Becky Lynch, Drew McIntyre, Mercedes Mon, WWE & ESPN, more! 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. [3], At Perry High School in Oklahoma, Hodge won the 165-pound title at the state tournament in 1951. He was married to Susan Mathis. [13] In 2007, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. On behalf of Fightful, we sendour deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Danny Hodge. He promptly offered to give it back. He is only amateur wrestler to appear on the cover of. Danny Hodge has taken the 3 count. Father Nathan William Hudson. Oops. Let the family know you are thinking of them. 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. Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. All results for Danny Lee Hodge. Discover Danny Hodge's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Danny Hodge wasn't just unbeaten in his entire college career. [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. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. He made appearances in WWE on Raw in 2005 and 2012 in which he honored fellow Oklahoman Jim Ross. Hackney. (They were never mean, but always humorous, and generally things no one else could do.) He never made the big money, he never made the huge money. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER. Hodge's father entered the ring during a boxing match on May 27, 1960, between Hodge and Savoldi, and stabbed Savoldi with a penknife. Stratus also confirmed that she was the person who attacked Lita last week. Hodge married his wife Dolores in 1951 and the couple had three children. He also earned the Cauliflower Alley Club lifetime achievement award (2004) and the Lou Thesz Award (2007). He was born on September 14, 1968 in St. Joseph, MO, the son of Herman Hodge and Judy (Miller) Burgett. Hodge was an acclaimed collegiate wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, where he went a perfect 46-0. This year while we are hurtingGrandpa is experiencing the ultimate Christmas with our God. Danny Morris Hodge age 58 of Bradenton, FL, formerly of Marion,KY passed away. I always absolutely loved spending time with him and sitting under his learning tree. 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. He was like Dempsey. A REAL SHOOTER AND WORLD CLASS GENTLEMAN. 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. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 88 years old group. > Photo Galleries DANNY BUBBA YOU WERE AS GOOD IN THE RING AS IT GETS AND AN EVEN BETTER FRIEND OUTSIDE OF THE RING. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. I think he was born, and it was nurtured by his upbringing, with an incredible desire to never lose a fight.. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Erma, and brothers William Hodge . Hodge passed away in his native Perry, Oklahoma on December 24th. [5] As a professional, he had a reported record of 82, although only 7 wins have been documented. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc, William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 26, 2020, I'm honored to have known the greatest American wrestler ever. pic.twitter.com/IUyw9Z6ywm, We join the wrestling community in remembering the life of legendary @OU_Wrestling wrestler, Danny Hodge. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) December 26, 2020, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. April 14, 2021. Raw results, live blog: Brock Lesnar responds. Rest In Peace, Danny. Christmas was his favorite time of year! newsletter, NXT results, live blog: Two title matches. He made some guys look fools that they didnt even know what a fool they were being made of until it was too late.. Truly legendary. 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.. Police in Oklahoma issued a Silver Alert on Saturday for wrestling legend Danny Hodge, who suffers from dementia, but hours later he was found.. Danny loved to cook, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and spending his free time with family, especially his nieces and nephews. Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) W (2-1) retained NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. Danny Hodge, perhaps the greatest amateur wrestler in the history of the United States, and a long-time professional wrestler, has died. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7. 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. 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. You have no idea how many miles Id run, he said. Death 5 January 1974 - Marion, Florida, United States. Dan was born on May 13, 1932 the son of William Edward Hodge and Hazel Erma Blanchard Hodge in Perry, Oklahoma. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. July 15: Impact Slammiversary If you do just what the coach says, thats fine. 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. Hodge and his wife, Dolores, had three children, Linda Marie and Danny Hodge Jr. On March 29, 2005, Hodge was honored by Oklahoma state lawmakers as an "Oklahoma Sports Hero". He would hold the title for 1,450 days, finally losing it in 1964. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. And I dont have to train near as hard, he said. Dave Meltzer will have more on Hodge's life and career later today. Edit your search or learn more. U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019 Preview. A great book. He. Hodge broke his neck and shattered his teeth but the double-tough Hodge wasnt tapping out to the Grim Reaper. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11am at First Assembly of God. 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. 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.