8 Important Wrestling Events That Happened When Great Balls Of Fire Was Released

Two years before making his professional wrestling debut, Danny Hodge graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, the only amateur wrestler to ever do so.

Obviously, that means he was the man. Hodge went undefeated at the University of Oklahoma, gaining 36 pins and never being taken down from a standing position. He was a three-time Big Seven conference champion at 177 pounds, and dominated that weight class three consecutive years at the NCAA championships. Along with Oklahoma A&M’s Earl McCready, Hodge is the only three-time NCAA Division 1 Champion to pin all three of his finals opponents. He also has a trophy named after him which is the equivalent of the Heisman.

Although he’d later go on to become a Golden Gloves boxer and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, Hodge’s legacy remains carrying amateur wrestling into the mainstream spotlight.