e-mail at bobmagee1@hotmail.com). Penny Banner, Red Bastein, Tully Blanchard, The Crusher, Don Curtis, Terry Funk, Verne He was an affable fellow away from the football field. [10] The feud evolved into a tag feud with McDaniel and Paul Jones taking on Valentine and Ric Flair, who McDaniel met in the AWA. 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 was a two-time all-state player and led the state in rushing in 1954. In his first season with the Jets, he described himself in an interview as: ''Robust, jolly, outspoken. Unfortunately for Slater, McDaniel's gun accidentally discharged, hitting Slater. May 6, 2002 Observer Newsletter: Deaths of Lou Thesz and Wahoo McDaniel. Jim Kiick, who were McDaniel's teammates shared colorful remembrances in the Miami Herald. really believed in wrestling. And those in his family said he always talked glowingly about Midland. The Jets paid McDaniel $15,000 a season. But what is undeniable is the man who was simply known as "Wahoo" for much of his life to those outside his family, and either Daddy or Edward to his family, he was an American original. Wonderful Orndorff. 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. Photo by Howard Baum. Greg is a wrestling historian and avid collector of wrestling results and memorabilia. "[4][3] After two seasons with the Jets, McDaniel went to the Miami Dolphins in 1966,[2] and played with this team until his retirement after the 1968 season. What's that going to be at Pagosa Shopping Center? 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. Eddie Guerrero's cause of death released, TNA Turning Point. After McDaniel's last season playing football, he became one of wrestling's enduring good guys, facing opponents like Ric Flair, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Bobo Brazil. Wahoo began splitting his time between football and wrestling, eventually transitioning to wrestling full time by the late 60s. CT at the Pipkin Funeral Home, located at 2508 North Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas [10][6], McDaniel was married four times to three different women. He was 63. Wahoo McDaniel Dead at 63. photo: wwe.com. well as others,' Csonka said. McDaniel, whose real name was Ed, was a linebacker who returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown against Iowa State in 1958. Center, pinning Dick Murdoch. [4], McDaniel began his career as a professional football player in 1960, playing for the Houston Oilers during their inaugural AFL Championship-winning season. Please reset your password. A system error has occurred. Every day was a learning experience with Ernie.. Mid-Atlantic and Mid- South territories. the Cy-Fair Medical Clinic in Houston as a result of longtime complications from renal [9] He was also an avid golfer and hunter. Sorry! Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. According to one account, Slater was working with Sting in Bill Watts Mid-South Wrestling when he punched out a young Sting, dunking Stings head into a toilet for Stings alleged alliance with Dark Journey. 2. Whether it was [heat rub] in the jockstraps or critters in your shoes, Wahoo did it all.'. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. characters. He was athletically gifted, but was also a great promoter for himself both in football and in wrestling, and also had a reputation for doing some wild things that sometimes got him in trouble. Part one of a series of videos.This is a revised video with all graphics included. Dykes went on to a successful career at Texas Tech where was the head coach from 1986-99. He was just amazing.". Wahoo was also a skilled fisherman and his love of fishing especially in his later years is also well chronicled here. So from January to June, he wrestled six nights a week. Dirty Dicks life included some bizarre wrestling-related incidents. McDaniel started his pro football career with the Houston Oilers in the American Football Leagues debut season of 1960, and ended it, after stops in Denver and New York, with the Miami Dolphins in 1968. There was an error deleting this problem. His feud with Johnny Valentine is part of wrestling legend, and he also went into the ring with the likes of Funk, Ric Flair and Rowdy Roddy Piper. 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. He still holds the universitys record for the longest punt, 91 yards. Ive never been anywhere I couldnt go back.. His father was a Choctaw Indian known as Big Wahoo. 'He was colorful, and he was especially hard on the rookies. Les Thatcher had told me after Wahoo told him he lost a lot of money playing Trevino, he asked Wahoo if Trevino would wrestle him for money; you can guess the answer. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. [2][8] After he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1966, McDaniel began wrestling for Eddie Graham's Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). The 252-page book digs deep into the beginnings of Ed McDaniel, with help from his sisters and childhood friends. 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. Wahoo had a long career and shed a lot of blood and so much of that blood was lost against Johnny Valentine. Slater would team with Cowboy Bob Orton to kayfabe break Slick Rics neck with a devastating spike piledriver, just one of many heinous acts on Slaters resume as a heel. Valentine. boys' and hearing a lot of Chief's war stories. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? There have been Hall of Famers and even a few true icons. McDaniels sister Margaret Smith on what it means for him to be elected into the Hall of Legends: I think its been a long time coming. 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. The younger McDaniel took the name as his own, using it as not only his ring name but . What does it mean to be inducted into the Hall of Legends: I feel bad in a way because there are so many people more deserving than me on that. He later played for Baylor in 1978 and 1979 in the early years of the Grant Teaff era. Dick Slater was also known for his brutality outside the ring. He was 63. 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 Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. The Jets paid McDaniel $15,000 a season. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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." Search above to list available cemeteries. Date Of Death: Apr 18th 2002: Cause of Death: diabetes: Place of Death: Houston, Texas, United States : York Jets, and a college career with the University of Oklahoma during the late 1950s. About Bishop: Bishop, 55, was originally a defensive lineman for the Rebels and he was a good one. complications from diabetes and renal failure, Cremated, Ashes scattered in a lake in Del Rio, Texas. suffering from severe kidney problems for over four years, which required dialysis. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? [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. Longtime friend Tommy "Flat Top" Johnson championed McDaniel's cause for years, helping to let people know who McDaniel was and what he did. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. McDaniel's last Philadelphia area appearance was at the 1994 Slamboree PPV at Slater was accidentally shot by colleague Wahoo McDaniel after the Native American legend pistol-whipped a fan whod drawn a knife on wrestler Tommy Rich. > Books [2][7] After he started playing as a linebacker for the New York Jets in 1964, McDaniel started wearing a custom jersey which had the name "Wahoo" sewn on the back above jersey 54, and whenever he made a tackle as a Jet, the public address announcer would ask the crowd WHO made that tackle, in which the crowd would shout, "Wahoo! He paved the way for legitimate Native wrestlers like Jay Youngblood, Mark Proud to be a Southerner, Slater used his Southern heritage as part of his gimmick, including the Confederate flag. Edward Hugh McDaniel[2] (June 19, 1938 April 18, 2002) was an American Choctaw-Chickasaw[3] professional American football player and professional wrestler better known by his ring name Wahoo McDaniel. The Internet Wrestling Database. New Wrestling Observer Newsletter plus tons of downloadable podcasts every week, Get breaking news alerts & weekly roundups sent to your inbox. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. 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. Danielson said he hasn't even discussed the idea with Khan yet. Jul 1: Money in the Bank I made a bunch of friendships with both Midland High and Lee kids. Anyone can read what you share. "I think it's awesome," Blank said. His father was a Choctaw Indian known as Big Wahoo. "Anybody who knows anything about football in West Texas, they knew about Wahoo," said former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes, who is a native of Ballinger. Anderson, Nellie, Swede, Tex, Rufus and Jay Youngblood. Even though Wahoo died in 2002, he seems to be a participant in the book because Karen was right there. As time went on, McDaniel's prowess on the fields of Midland was somewhat forgotten in his hometown. Wahoo McDaniel: Bio Whether in the ring or on the gridiron, few athletes have ever matched the sheer toughness of "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel. Click here to submit your listings. He'd give you his last dime.". 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. Another ex-Jet makes the Hall of Fame: The late Wahoo McDaniel, who played linebacker for the #Jets in 1964-65, has been named a @WWE Hall of Fame legacy inductee. At this time, A.F.L. Well-liked. Wherever he went Wahoo drew money, but that came at a price. watching yet one more time. 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. ", "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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. His stint in the DEA included a 38-month tour in Afghanistan working for the agency prior to his retirement. Bush's ties to pro wrestling", "WAHOO MCDANIEL HE WAS A FLAMBOYANT FOOTBALLER AND A WACKO WRESTLER. McDaniel was on. McDaniel was born on June 19, 1938, in Louisiana to Hugh "Big Wahoo" McDaniel and Catherine McDaniel. > Career Records (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). "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. He wrestled until 1989. 'We went out drinking in Buffalo, me and Wahoo and John Bramlett,' Kiick The tag team match has been building for a few weeks. appropriate to send flowers. Spike was affable and very well thought of, and he ramped up the rivalry there is no question about that. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Wahoo McDaniel (6522480)? From left, Zac McDaniel and Cindi Blank accept an award on behalf of their father the late Wahoo McDaniel, Doc Dodson, Keith Bishop, Ernie Johnson and Spike Dykes. Crockett/WCW shows at the Philadelphia Civic Center. The pistol went off and burned Dory Funk Sr.'s pants, and Funk Jr. said by the time his father was through chastising McDaniel, he had tears in his eyes for feeling so bad. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Date Of Death: Apr 18th 2002: Cause of Death: diabetes: . Wahoo also was a star behind the scenes, booking shows with his keen sense of how angles worked and what would make money. He was a popular wrestler in the . [13] He also worked in independent shows until retiring in 1996. Capitalizing on his stardom from the gridiron, he became one of the country's most popular and beloved wrestlers. Soon, the public-address announcer proclaimed, ''Tackle by . 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Jungle Boy would be the eighth match official for Sunday's PPV. That was kind of neat., Bishop on playing for former Lee coach Jim Acree: Being a starter, coach Acree was such a motivation for me and I was really blessed to have him as a coach during those formative years in high school.. By then he had established a name in wrestling, bounding into the ring in his signature feathered headdress, toting a tomahawk and doing a caricatured version of a war dance. 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. McDaniel then worked the 1995 Slamboree at St. Petersburg, Florida's Bayfront Soon, the public-address announcer proclaimed, Tackle by . In 2019, Wahoo McDaniel was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. April 27 for Wahoo McDaniel 2:00 pm CT at the Pipkin Funeral Home, located at . The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Try again later. Some of these bouts included Indian Strap Matches and also tag team matches which pitted McDaniel and The Crusher against Superstar and Ivan Koloff. Add to your scrapbook. [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. [9] He was awaiting a kidney transplant [8] when he suffered a stroke and died of complications from diabetes and kidney failure on April 18, 2002 in Houston, Texas. The Destination opens for 2023 season, JC BASEBALL: Chaps suffer first loss after DH split with NCTC, JC MENS BASKETBALL: Chaps can end postseason drought against SPC, Hikers may encounter temporary closures at Big Bend, Region 18 Education Service Center hosts school safety summit. Edward McDaniel was born in Burnice, La., on June 19, 1938. An easygoing guy, no angel. Lou Thesz passed away at about 7:35 a.m. on 4/28, 19 days after undergoing open heart surgery in Orlando, FL, and four days after his 86th birthday. This is a carousel. Try again later. Dick Slater, the former professional wrestler and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Champion, died this week, WWE confirmed. That byplay was part of McDaniel's fame with the Jets, even though he was with them only one more season. 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