Danny Hodge was a former amateur-turned-pro wrestler whose reputations precedes him. A respectful competitor those who treated him the same way, he would not tolerate those who bullied others in the locker room or mistreated the men that helped make the shows possible. Longtime friend recalled an instance in which Hodge stood up for his fellow Oklahoman early in the WWE Hall of Famer's career. Ross had been taken advantage of the ring, bloodied and beat up by "Bruiser" Bob Sweetan, as he discussed in a 2014 article for Fox Sports.
Hodge had been bullied as a kid, and he wasn't tolerant of such behavior. As fate would have it, Hodge wrestled Sweetan soon after his return. Hodge saw my black eye and was filled in by other wrestlers of Sweetan's conduct regarding rookies and people the real-life villain could intimidate and bully. In the match with the 220-pound Hodge, Sweetan was humbled, physically gassed, and punished while being made to look far from invincible in his casting as the territory's top antagonist. Ironically, the booking that night called for Hodge to lose, which he did.
There is no story that better exemplifies the toughness of the former three-time NCAA champion (who never lost a single fall!) than the one involving a car accident that nearly ended his life. Told in his own words to John Molinaro of SLAM! Wrestling, it is a vivid depiction of what a real tough man will do when his life is being threatened.
It got cold and I turned the heater up and I fell asleep. I hit this bridge and turned upside down. My car was on its rooftop going along the rock banisters and every time it hit one I could feel my teeth and neck break. My first thought was 'God how much more can I take.'" I'm waiting for the car to come to a stop and hoping I don't hit anybody," continued Hodge. "It's like 3 a.m. and then all of a sudden my car went off the east edge of the bridge down into the water and the water covered it. As I lay there I felt this water gush over me. I said to myself this was an awful way to go. I got out through the dash window, although my car was bent down to the dash and the seat, you can't imagine what little space there was but I got out through there and swam to the shore.
The admiration Ross and so many others who know and have spent time around Hodge is obvious. Not only is he as tough as the day is long, he is a good man on top of it. In an industry not always recognized for the strength of the quality of its people, having someone who is able to mix the toughness and badassery with humility and character is refreshing.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
