[12] At Slamboree on May 23, 1995, he defeated Murdoch. Soon, the public-address announcer proclaimed, Tackle by . Wahoo takes on Colone Debeers. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). From the time McDaniel roamed the playing fields of Midland as a young teenager playing for a baseball team coached by George H.W. He was 63. [3][4] He has four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren from Dustin (Vayda and Bo Wayne) and Brittany through Nikki and twins, Morgan and Taylor, through Cindi. 'another big tomahawk chop by McDaniel'.". Home; Cards; PWI. When his football career ended in 1969, McDaniel became a full-time wrestler. failure and diabetes, finally succumbing to a stroke on Thursday. McDaniels was on a waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. A talented worker, he proved equally talented at brawling as well as technical wrestling. Denise covers the final edition of Dynamite before Sunday's pay-per-view event. 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. 79705. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. characters. [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. McDaniel was one of the most well known legitimate Native American wresters, as Those stories, though, for his friends and family overshadowed what type of person he was when he was not on the football field or in the wrestling ring. Despite a wild life, Dick Slater lived to the age of 67, passing away on October 18, 2018. may have found a path, and Miz finds a social media superstar partner. If youre a wrestling fan, its all here the history and the stories, both inside and outside the ring. Verify and try again. His father worked in oil and he moved to several towns before settling down in Midland, Texas, while McDaniel was in middle school. Your email address will not be published. quotes from Miami Herald and Wrestling Classics.com), _________________________________________________________, (If you have comments or questions, I can be reached by When Dodson retired, he went to work with the Southwest Orthopedic and Spine Center and Dr. Don Floyd, and started a Saturday morning injury clinic for athletes. Even though Wahoo died in 2002, he seems to be a participant in the book because Karen was right there. [10], While wrestling in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), McDaniel engaged in a feud with Superstar Billy Graham. 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. While co-author John Cosper does an excellent job filling in the historical significance of Wahoo McDaniels career, in both football and pro wrestling, its Karens insight into what Wahoo was thinking or doing and his reactions to things that make the book even better. "I knew he loved it and liked coming back there," said Cindi Blank, his youngest daughter who lives in Rowlett. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. [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. I happened to be at the right place at the right time, and we had a great staff. "He was bigger than life. Dick Slater, the former professional wrestler and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Champion, died this week, WWE confirmed. 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. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Try again later. [10][2], McDaniel and Valentine had a historical feud remembered for the sheer force of their punch/chop exchanges, both men widely known for their hard-hitting style. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. His financial model was the wrestler Bruno Sammartino, who earned $125,000 a year. 4. The online apartment guide reported in its National Rent Report that the Petroplex cities rank Local music, an outdoor workout class and the Cousins Maine Lobster traveling food truck: here's Blong: The Permian Basin should solve the issue of produced water and show the nation and the "Its not just a place to go hear music but an experience.. 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.. The Native American Superstar, a proud member of the Choctaw-Chickasaw tribe, lettered in football and wrestling at the University of Oklahoma before turning pro in the American Football League. classic strap matches against Ric Flair, Angelo (Big Nasty) Mosca and the late Johnny Obituaries for April 26. 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. Before he knew it, he was teaming with stars such as Dusty Rhodes, Bruiser Brody, Dick Murdoch, Jimmy Golden, and Greg Valentine working in promotions such as Championship Wrestling from Florida, Jim Crockett Promotions, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and Mid-South Wrestling. 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. I loved sitting in the locker room with 'the SCW - Event @ Cowboys Nightlife Club in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. He wrestled for a number of years, continuing to wear the full Native American head dress. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. In his first season with the Jets, he described himself in an interview as: Robust, jolly, outspoken. No matter where he went, Funk said, McDaniel was cheered. Unfortunately for Slater, McDaniel's gun accidentally discharged, hitting Slater. 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. So as this is going on, I'm looking at Wahoo and he's getting mad because he But its ultimately his wrestling career that wrestling fans want to hear about and it is well covered in this book, including his long run in Jim Crocketts Mid-Atlantic Wrestling with all the in-depth stories from Greg Valentine breaking his leg, his feuds with Ric Flair, Sgt. 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. 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. Funk said McDaniel would be a big draw even today, and even if he tried he could never be a "heel," the wrestling term for the bad guy. Even against Abilene High in 1954 he still found a way to gain more than 100 yards but the Bulldogs ultimately fell in that game. 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 Johnson: Johnson, 80 and a native of Dublin, pursued a professional baseball career in the early 1950s after he served in the Army but later settled on teaching and coaching. McDaniel, known as Little Wahoo as a youngster, moved around with his family to the oil fields that beckoned his father, a welder. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram, Wahoo McDaniel in 1959, Oklahoma starting left end, who kicked longest punt in nation in 1958, 91 yards against Iowa State. Wahoo was also a skilled fisherman and his love of fishing especially in his later years is also well chronicled here. His family followed the oil booms, and ended up in Midland in the late 1940s. appropriate to send flowers. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. McDaniel became a popular figure on the wrestling circuit. Pillman; McDaniel made the move from professional football to wrestling, after a career Condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of Wahoo McDaniel from all Teams schemed to stop McDaniel, and most didn't. [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. Some people were bigger television stars over a shorter period of time. In 2018, with the help of Mark James, I put together the Wahoo McDaniel Record Book, which included a few of the stories and anecdotes in this book but really barely scratched the surface into the career and inner workings of the man, the myth and the legend of Wahoo McDaniel and it was mainly wrestling, little football. 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. Florida native Richard Van Slater showed his toughness wrestling and playing football at the University of Tampa, playing alongside future grappling great Paul Mr. > Books in pain, and can throw those stiff chops and punches againamazing everyone that's 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. Recruited by wrestler Mike Graham, Slater (like many athletes) heard the siren call of quick cash and entered the squared circle. Karen is just one of several wives McDaniel had over the years, and, good or bad, his family is detailed, as well as his up and down relationships with his peers. If you want a good read about a wrestling legend and an American football hero, I highly recommend Wahoo by Karen McDaniel and John Cosper. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He then was a defensive player in the old American Football League. 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. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. What does it mean to be inducted into the Hall of Legends: Its just so nice because Ive got so many great memories of growing up in Midland. Bush. 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. The late senior McDaniel, who had operated McDaniel Welding Works in Midland, was "very known . About Bishop: Bishop, 55, was originally a defensive lineman for the Rebels and he was a good one. Wahoo also was a star behind the scenes, booking shows with his keen sense of how angles worked and what would make money. [6] With his first wife, Monta Rae, he had two daughters, Nikki, born in June 1963 and living in Houston and Cindi, born in October 1965 and living in Azle, Texas. 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. McDaniel being inducted into the Midland ISD Athletics Hall of Legends this weekend is sort of the culmination of a campaign by some in Midland to bring recognition to him for his exploits both in Midland and the rest of his career. Spike was affable and very well thought of, and he ramped up the rivalry there is no question about that. Unfortunately for Slater, McDaniels gun accidentally discharged, hitting Slater. Once described as the football Jets first real hero, McDaniel joined them in 1964, their first year at Shea Stadium. McDaniel later went to play nine seasons in the American Football League with Houston, Denver, New York and Miami. He married his wife Gayle in 1963 and they have two daughters, and have four grandchildren. 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. Edward McDaniel was cremated. Location unknown. (Theres Linda Hogans book and one from Bruiser Brodys widow.). Every day was a learning experience with Ernie.. WAHOO MCDANIEL? Current subscribers click here to continue reading. [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. You will also hear about a man who had lots of demons and anger issues and what they did to his friends and family. really believed in wrestling. Wahoo McDaniel: def. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. to Sam Houston. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. '', ''But I know right from wrong,'' he said. 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. He is also the author of the Wahoo McDaniel Record Book: 1962-1996. 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. He earned all-district and all-state honors and was on Lees first district championship team in 1974, which also included fellow Hall of Legends member Junior Miller. 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. Karen doesnt pull the punches on what she had to deal with from the fights and heartbreak she endured living with Wahoo. There will be a memorial service Saturday, April 27 for Wahoo McDaniel 2:00 pm © 2023 Found a Grave, All rights reserved. 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. > Canadian Hall of Fame Wahoo McDaniel Dead at 63. photo: wwe.com. 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Click here to submit your listings. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function(){viAPItag.display("vi_937032466")}). That byplay was part of McDaniels fame with the Jets, even though he was with them only one more season. His widow does an amazing job helping the reader understand the toll that wrestling took on Wahoo, and not just physically. last year on the team. That byplay was part of McDaniel's fame with the Jets, even though he was with them only one more season. Wahoo McDaniel Birth name Edward McDaniel Born June 19, 1938 Bernice, Oklahoma Died April 18, 2002 (aged 63) Houston, Texas Cause of death Kidney failure Professional wrestling stats Known as Wahoo McDaniel Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Weight 265 lb (120 kg) Trained by Dory Funk Sr. A system error has occurred. guess who?. The 252-page book digs deep into the beginnings of Ed McDaniel, with help from his sisters and childhood friends. Failed to remove flower. "You never knew what you were going to get with Wahoo," Funk said. . McDaniel started his pro football career with the Houston Oilers in the American Football League's debut season of 1960, and ended it, after stops in Denver and New York, with the Miami Dolphins in 1968. Dick Slater was also known for his brutality outside the ring. ). > Gaming Along with Johnny Valentine, Superstar Billy Graham was regarded as one of McDaniel's earliest and bitter rivals. Bishop is now the vice president of Security for the Denver Broncos. 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