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. No cause of death has been given for the Oklahoma star, although he had been battling dementia in recent years. The former 7x National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Junior Heavyweight Champion was 88 years old.
Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away.
Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, I’ve ever been around. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) December 26, 2020
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. Due to his collegiate wrestling accomplishments, in 1995, the Danny Hodge Trophy was created to recognize the nation’s top collegiate wrestler, similar to football’s Heisman Trophy. 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. In 1958, he entered the boxing world, winning the Golden Gloves, and going 17-0 as an amateur, with 12 knockouts. 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. He was trained by former NWA champions Leroy McGuirk and Ed “Strangler” Lewis and debuted in October of the same year.
Danny Hodge became a mainstay in McGuirk’s 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 Muchnik‘s St. Louis Club, Ed McLemore‘s Southwest Sports in Texas (better known as WCCW in the 1980s), and Cowboy Luttrall‘s Championship Wrestling From Florida. Hodge became a huge star in the NWA’s 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. He would hold the title for 1,450 days, finally losing it in 1964. 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. 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. He was also a 6x NWA United States Tag Team Champion and NWA Tri-State North American Champion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vy-RHcJTK0
One of Danny Hodge’s most famous abilities was that of his vice-like grip, attributed to the fact he had double tendons. His grip was so severe that he could crush whole apples in one hand in seconds, a feat he would continue to accomplish well into his 80s. Hodge was also a continuous mentor to other aspiring pro wrestlers, training at the UFWi Snake Pit in Tokyo alongside Billy Robinson.
Danny Hodge in his early 80s could still crush an apple in one hand. His grip in his prime was near mythical, allegedly because he had double tendons. ##RIPHodgepic.twitter.com/04pnIfZUrJ
— Catch Wrestling U (@CatchWrestling) December 26, 2020
WWE is saddened to learn that Danny Hodge passed away today at age 88. https://t.co/hKWUuiMZ7r
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/IUyw9Z6ywm
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 26, 2020
Legitimately one of the toughest guys in a boxing or wrestling ring, Danny Hodge was a mentor to many and a groundbreaking competitor. No apple stood a chance in his hands!!
Rest In Peace, Danny. https://t.co/SZyZXTSVYi— Triple H (@TripleH) December 26, 2020
I’ve just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. I always loved talking to him. My deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 26, 2020
I'm honored to have known the greatest American wrestler ever. Danny Hodge was also an incredibly kind man. Rest in Peace Sir!🙏#RIPDannyHodge pic.twitter.com/LyMkSETKtF
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) December 26, 2020
Last Word on Pro Wrestling sends its condolences to Danny Hodge’s family, friends, and fans during this time.
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