McDaniels was on a waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. Bush. [6][4] Though he was a problematic teenager, he was accepted to the University of Oklahoma by Bud Wilkinson. Nick Bockwinkel, and Sgt. He paved the way for legitimate Native wrestlers like Jay Youngblood, Mark Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania Whether it was [heat rub] in the jockstraps or critters in your shoes, Wahoo did it all.'. McDaniel was brought up in Midland, Tex., became an all-state fullback in high school and played at the University of Oklahoma. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Weve updated the security on the site. He was a popular wrestler in the . Now for the first time, we have listed all major Old School Wrestling Stars who are no longer with us, including their date & cause of death: R.I.P. He never set down real roots anywhere.". In his first year as a full-time wrestler, McDaniel became involved in NWA Texas and won the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. > The Artist Canvas McDaniel's last Philadelphia area appearance was at the 1994 Slamboree PPV at LIST Frank Gotch - December 16, 1917 - Uremic Poisoning "The French Angel" Maurice Tillet - August 4, 1954 - Heart Disease Rikidozan - December 15, 1963 - Stabbed "He was bigger than life. cartoon character image often associated with other such characters. That year, the Rebels beat rival Odessa Permian twice, including in a regional final, before falling to Converse Judson in the Class 5A state final. Mid-Atlantic and Mid- South territories. But most of all it was a chance for his hometown to honor him after all these years. "He was a good father, and he loved his two little girls, and later in his life he had a son," White said. McDaniel is survived by two daughters and a son. Posted by Greg "Count Grog" Mosorjak | Feb 21, 2022, There have been a lot of books written about pro wrestlers, some by the wrestlers themselves, some by writers without much knowledge of wrestling, and some by wrestling historians. His regular partners included not only pro golf legend Lee Trevino, but also baseball legend Mickey Mantle, daredevil Evel Knievel, and country singer Charley Pride. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. During a contract dispute with the Jets in his second season with the team, he said he could earn more money from wrestling $3,500 a week than he could playing football. About Bishop: Bishop, 55, was originally a defensive lineman for the Rebels and he was a good one. When his football career ended in 1969, McDaniel became a full-time wrestler. Dick Slater, the former professional wrestler and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Champion, died this week, WWE confirmed. Slater was accidentally shot by colleague Wahoo McDaniel after the Native American legend pistol-whipped a fan who'd drawn a knife on wrestler Tommy Rich. I only saw McDaniel only a few times live, including at one of the first In his opening game, he made 10 tackles from his middle linebacker position. See the article in its original context from. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? He could do anything. The funeral home has stated that the service is open to public and it is It became something that lasted for quite some time.. Verify and try again. 2. McDaniel is often compared to his contemporary, Chief Jay Strongbow, due to both portraying similar Native American gimmicks. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. There are lots of road drinking stories in the book, from drunken brawls in bars, near fatal car wrecks, and the women he met on the road. So from January to June, he wrestled six nights a week. Dodson also has the honor of being the first high school trainer chosen to work the Olympic Games when he went to Munich in 1972. Also on a dare and $100 he ran from Norman to Chickasha in Oklahoma in the heat of summer. Slaughter, Paul Jones, to his 1984 heel turn and run with the US Title and his matches with Magnum T.A. Eddie Guerrero's cause of death released, TNA Turning Point. . . from the classic era of wrestling, and more recent names ranging from Ernie Ladd to Brian Harley Race, Ray Stevens, Lou Thesz, Mr. Wrestling II, and Tommy Young. I've never been anywhere I couldn't go back.''. In a 2001 Sports Illustrated article, McDaniel admitted that when he played at Oklahoma he drank motor oil and a jug of jalapeno peppers, both on dares. Day of death: 18.04.2002 (at the age of 63) Cause of death: Nierenversagen Gender: male Height: 5' 11" (180 cm) Weight: 251 lbs (114 kg) Background in sports: Football, Ringen, Baseball Career Data Alter egos: Wahoo McDaniel Roles: Singles Wrestler Tag Team Wrestler Booker Beginning of in-ring career: 1961 End of in-ring career: 1996 Mar 5: AEW Revolution Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Wahoo McDaniel (6522480)? Kiick said he remembered a moment from his rookie year in 1968, McDaniel's After being traded to the NY Jets, he worked briefly for Vince McMahon's WWWF and made his Madison Square Garden debut in January of 1965, defeating Boris Malenko. McDaniel was brought up in Midland, Tex., became an all-state fullback in high school and played at the University of Oklahoma. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. With your free account at foundagrave.com, you can add your loved ones, friends, and idols to our growing database of "Deceased but not Forgotten" records. "He was the toughest son of (a gun) that I knew, and also, if you could believe this, at the very same time he was one of the nicest people you could run across," said longtime friend and former professional wrestler Dory Funk Jr. "He had a heart of gold, but at the same time if you crossed him he'd fight you at the drop of a hat. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Wahoo began splitting his time between football and wrestling, eventually transitioning to wrestling full time by the late 60s. Apr 16: Impact Rebellion (Theres Linda Hogans book and one from Bruiser Brodys widow.). McDaniel's football career ended after the 1968 season, but it was early in his pro career that he began wrestling, and it didn't take him long to become a box office draw. ''Well-liked. communicate in a match. Learn more about managing a memorial . Failed to report flower. [13] He also worked in independent shows until retiring in 1996. McDaniel, known as Little Wahoo as a youngster, moved around with his family to the oil fields that beckoned his father, a welder. It will leave you informed and maybe with a smile or a look of shock if you didnt know of the tale of Wahoo McDaniel already. McDaniel became a popular figure on the wrestling circuit. [4], McDaniel began his career as a professional football player in 1960, playing for the Houston Oilers during their inaugural AFL Championship-winning season. Wahoo also was a star behind the scenes, booking shows with his keen sense of how angles worked and what would make money. Date Of Death: Apr 18th 2002: Cause of Death: diabetes: Place of Death: Houston, Texas, United States : He wore a full Native American head dress that Funk said was his way of showing that they could be good guys, and be heroes. Their feud has such meaning to long-time fans, and those who only got to view Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The Jets paid McDaniel $15,000 a season. About Dykes: Dykes, 74 and a native of Ballinger, was already a successful coach when he came to Lee in 1980, with an extensive background in college and high school coaching. A lot of times they didn't tackle him, and they'd hit him and (get dragged) five yards before they could get him down. and Ricky Steamboat. But in every generation, there is only one immortal, someone who not only changed history, but in many ways, was history. His financial model was the wrestler Bruno Sammartino, who earned $125,000 a year. He died in 2002 of complications from diabetes. McDaniel eventually settled in the Charlotte, N.C., area, where he raised his son, Zach, who was from his fourth marriage. Soon, the public-address announcer proclaimed, Tackle by . [2] Valentine then infuriated fans (thus building up the demand for a rematch) by parading around in T-shirts which read "I Broke Wahoo's Leg" and "No More Wahoo. After his professional career ended, Bishop returned to Baylor to finish his degree in 1990 and then went to work for the Drug Enforcement Agency. The Jets paid McDaniel $15,000 a season. The good, the bad and the ugly are all documented here and, after doing years of research on Wahoo myself, that is really all needed to piece together the violent and complicated life of this wrestling legend. McDaniel's feuds over a 20 plus year career included Blackjack Mulligan, Ric You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. of us at PWBTS.com. Streaming now http://TitleMatchNetwork.com Thank you for 1.9M s. players received $50 apiece for playing exhibition games. He is notable for having held the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship five times. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Long before there was The Lunatic Fringe, there was Dirty Dick Slater, a roughhouse redneck who brawled in and out of the ring; proving he didnt live his gimmick he was his gimmick. . During his time in pro football, McDaniel began his career in pro wrestling and later became one of its most popular stars as "Chief Wahoo." McDaniel died in 2002 after complications from. What does it mean to be inducted into the Hall of Legends: Its a real thrill anytime youre inducted into a hall of honor, especially in a place like Midland. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. So as this is going on, I'm looking at Wahoo and he's getting mad because he But looking back, no one was bigger on a world wide stage. Bush. McDaniel was born in Louisiana as the son of an oil patch welder and earned the nickname "Wahoo" because his father, Hugh, was "Big Wahoo." There was an error deleting this problem. On May 23, 1999, in Kansas, Missouri, during the Over the Edge PPV, Owen Hart fell 78 feet into the ring and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Truman Medical Center. He also was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1986 and 1987. ", He grabbed headlines nearly every time he played, and one player in a book about the Abilene High teams said McDaniel would come through the line with a "war whoop.". "He was a wild, crazy Indian," said his daughter, Nicky Rowe. Try again later. > Collectibles You can always change this later in your Account settings. The younger McDaniel took the name as his own, using it as not only his ring name but . In an era where sports entertainment wins out over the art of But he was the nicest guy in the world, and if anybody needed anything you could count on Wahoo. Some were more famous in specific countries. Health problems plagued Slater during the later years of his life and he was confined to a wheelchair. His stint in the DEA included a 38-month tour in Afghanistan working for the agency prior to his retirement. He was an affable fellow away from the football field. [4], McDaniel was born in the small town of Bernice, Louisiana in 1938. If you want to get a complete picture on what Chief Wahoo McDaniel was really about, this is the book for you. ", "Believability, storytelling made pro wrestling great", NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) history, NWA United States Tag Team Title (Florida) history, NWA World Tag Team Title (Florida) history, NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title history, NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Title history, NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history, "NWA Hall of Fame Class for 2011 announced", "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (1967-1968/05) - American Heavyweight Title (1968/05-1986/02)", SCW Southwest Television/Heavyweight Title history, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wahoo_McDaniel&oldid=1141935529, ACW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA United States Championship Tournament (1984), This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 17:07. Wow, I could feel those beatings all the way down in my ringside seat at the What made Wahoo tick and what ticked Wahoo off. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? This is a carousel. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. ). Nellie [Nelson Royal], Swede [Hanson] and now Chief, I'm not sure how much The hardest part in assessing Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel's life is to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. McDaniel was a major star in prominent National Wrestling Alliance affiliated promotions such as Championship . McDaniel's exploits on the playing fields of Midland are sometimes overshadowed by his time playing college and professional football and as a popular professional wrestler. He's been in Pro Football for six years. And those in his family said he always talked glowingly about Midland. McDaniel's health started to deteriorate in the mid-1990s, [6] which led to his retirement in 1996, and he eventually lost both kidneys in 2000. After his stint with the Air National Guard, he returned to Midland and spent the rest of his career at MHS, working numerous sporting events and becoming one of the most well known trainers in West Texas. We had a fantastic faculty and our school administration was second to none., Linebacker Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel of the New York Jets posed with this expression as the American Football League team opened its training camp July 15, 1965 at Peekskill Military Academy in Peekskill, N.Y. This book also shines the light on Wahoo, and how he helped many young wrestlers, from Ric Flair to Magnum T.A. [4][7][8], While with the Houston Oilers, McDaniel also trained with NWA Amarillo wrestling promoter Dory Funk Sr. and became a professional wrestler as a way to supplement his income[8] by the time he was traded to the Denver Broncos in 1961. McDaniel Photo Albums, Title history from Professional Wrestling Online Museum and Drag images here or select from your computer for Wahoo McDaniel memorial. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. It closes with his final runs in Florida, the AWA and Mid-Atlantic before retiring and working a shorter schedule on the independents where he again championed the cause for those who were not getting a fair shake. > Obituary Archive McDaniel was on the waiting list to receive a kidney when he died because of complications arising from renal failure, the National Football League Players Association said. guess who?''. Edward McDaniel was born in Burnice, La., on June 19, 1938. By Ryan on October 25, 2016 2000s 2002 Kidney Failure camaro_mang 5 years ago McDaniel's sister, Margaret White, said Johnson, also an MHS grad, worked tirelessly to bring more recognition to her brother through the years to give people a chance to find out who he was and what he'd done. Along with Johnny Valentine, Superstar Billy Graham was regarded as one of McDaniel's earliest and bitter rivals. Bishop was part of the Broncos teams that participated in Super Bowls XXI, XXII and XXIV. Ive never been anywhere I couldnt go back.. Of the tens of thousands of names that have graced this profession over the past 100 plus years, there have been stars too numerous to mention. Wahoo McDaniel: Bio Whether in the ring or on the gridiron, few athletes have ever matched the sheer toughness of "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? > Sporting Connection [11] McDaniel won the Mid-Atlantic title from Valentine on June 29, 1975, in Asheville, North Carolina. 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. York Jets, and a college career with the University of Oklahoma during the late 1950s. [2][6][8], McDaniel's health started to deteriorate in the mid-1990s,[6] which led to his retirement in 1996, and he eventually lost both kidneys in 2000. He is notable for having held the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship five times. Its a new award and a new honor and the people have just been fantastic in my stay in Midland., Dodson on the best part of his job as trainer: I guess it was the camaraderie with the athletes, the parents and the student body. In 2019, Wahoo McDaniel was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Johnson said two of his biggest accomplishments as baseball coach was helping to establish the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association and helping start the annual Tournament of Champions. White credits much of his success to the mentoring of former MHS coach Thurman "Tugboat" Jones, and said it was because of him that McDaniel became the athlete that he was. He was once dealt to the New York Jets in a nine-player trade, and was the only player in the AFL to have his first name on the back of his jersey. 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), 8 Things You May Not Have Known About Rick Rude. He'd give you his last dime.". Day of death: 18.04.2002 (at the age of 63) Cause of death: Nierenversagen Gender: male Height: 5' 11" (180 cm) Weight: 251 lbs (114 kg) Background in sports: Football, Ringen, Baseball Career Data Alter egos: Wahoo McDaniel Roles: Singles Wrestler Tag Team Wrestler Booker Beginning of in-ring career: 1961 End of in-ring career: 1996 '', ''But I know right from wrong,'' he said. Author: F4W Staff. "[10], McDaniel also worked for World Championship Wrestling's Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion on May 23, 1993, where he teamed with Blackjack Mulligan and Jim Brunzell and fought Dick Murdoch, Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka to a no-contest. While many people think of wrestling as an entertaining stage show, there is one thing about the sport that isn't funny: the alarmingly high death rate. His financial model was the wrestler Bruno Sammartino, who earned $125,000 a year. [2][8] After he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1966, McDaniel began wrestling for Eddie Graham's Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). Kingston's announcement aired on Twitter after Wednesday's Dynamite. Unfortunately for Slater, McDaniels gun accidentally discharged, hitting Slater. McDaniel was a major star in the American Wrestling Association and prominent National Wrestling Alliance affiliated promotions such as Championship Wrestling from Florida, Georgia Championship Wrestling, NWA Big Time Wrestling and, most notably, Jim Crockett Promotions. Fiercely proud of his Chickasaw Indian heritage, he always entered the ring with his trademark feather headdress. Date Of Death: Apr 18th 2002: Cause of Death: diabetes: . I happened to be at the right place at the right time, and we had a great staff. Dick Slater battles Ric Flair. Vintage Wahoo McDaniel. [2][5][6] The name "Wahoo" actually came from his father Hugh, who was known as "Big Wahoo". About Dodson: Dodson, 76 and a Fort Worth native, didnt waste much time after graduating from Texas Christian University in making his way to Midland. McDaniel became a popular figure on the wrestling circuit. Professional wrestling has always lived in its own world and Dick Slater worked at a time when public sensibilities were much different than now. He formally retired in 1989. Slater was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to one year of house arrest, two years probation, ordered to stay away from Halbert, and assessed with $18,000 in restitution. "I'm not sure that with our linebackers, that (coach Chuck) Moser didn't tell them to tackle him whether he had the ball or not. In his first season with the Jets, he described himself in an interview as: ''Robust, jolly, outspoken. Bush's ties to pro wrestling", "WAHOO MCDANIEL HE WAS A FLAMBOYANT FOOTBALLER AND A WACKO WRESTLER. [9] He was also an avid golfer and hunter. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. He wrestled until 1989. McDaniel spent time with various territories including the WWWF, NWA, Mid-Atlantic, AWA, WWC, and CWF. Spike was affable and very well thought of, and he ramped up the rivalry there is no question about that. And this weekend was a chance for those who didn't know him to find out who he was, and for those who did know him to remember some old stories. > Video All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. He later played for Baylor in 1978 and 1979 in the early years of the Grant Teaff era. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. After McDaniels last season playing football, he became one of wrestlings enduring good guys, facing opponents like Ric Flair, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Bobo Brazil. McDaniel was on the waiting list to receive a kidney when he died because of complications arising from renal failure, the National Football League Players Association said. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. "He was absolutely a legend in his own way.". Asheville, NC Civic Center on Sunday afternoons. 28.05.1996. [6][10] In 1974, McDaniel came to Mid-Atlantic to wrestle for Jim Crockett Promotions and help build up the territory as a singles territory in a feud with a rival from Texas, Johnny Valentine. He was 63. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Bush, to a football career that began here in Midland, and finally in his long career as a professional wrestler, the stories about McDaniel are many and legendary.