1. Danno O'Mahony was an Irish professional wrestler who enjoyed a brief but meteoric rise to massive popularity in the mid-1930s following a successful introduction to the Boston regional wrestling scene.
21 Facts About Danno O'Mahony
1. 2.
Danno O'Mahony's surname was usually spelt "O'Mahoney" during his wrestling career.
3.
Danno O'Mahony's signature move was the Irish Whip, which acquired its name due to its association with O'Mahony.
4.
In 1933, while serving in the Irish Defence Forces, Danno O'Mahony distinguished himself as an athlete, setting military records for the hammer throw and the 56-lb.
5.
Danno O'Mahony boxed and wrestled, with his repertoire relying heavily on standup grappling and throws.
6.
Danno O'Mahony was brought to America in 1934 by Boston promoter Paul Bowser.
7.
Danno O'Mahony signed O'Mahony to a $100,000 contract, and promoted him as the strongest man in the world, and the Irish champion who was looking for international competition.
8.
When Danno O'Mahony knocked both men down, along with the referee, the crowd cheered.
9.
On 27 June 1935, at Boston's Fenway Park, Danno O'Mahony beat Londos to win the New York State Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Championship, which was recognized by the National Wrestling Association.
10.
Danno O'Mahony went on to win the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Ed Don George at Boston's Braves Field on 30 July 1935.
11.
Danno O'Mahony had been knocked out of the ring, but the inexperienced referee failed to make the count.
12.
On 7 October 1935, Danno O'Mahony married Esther Burke, whom he'd met in Boston.
13.
Danno O'Mahony was having visa problems, and there was speculation about how long he might remain in the country before having to drop the title.
14.
Danno O'Mahony was stripped of his title in the Texas jurisdiction, and the National Wrestling Association soon did the same.
15.
Shikat used his wrestling ability to genuinely hurt and punish Danno O'Mahony, who tried to quit twice before the finish of the match.
16.
Danno O'Mahony continued to be recognised as champion by the AWA in Boston, though his own popularity was on the wane and he was planning a return to Ireland.
17.
Danno O'Mahony told reporters that he'd been cheated of the title, which allowed him to bill himself as the AWA champion upon his return.
18.
Danno O'Mahony was met by thousands of supporters who greeted him at the dock and lined the streets.
19.
The effort was short-lived, and Danno O'Mahony again returned to America to fulfill his contract with Bowser.
20.
Danno O'Mahony moved to Los Angeles, where he ran a restaurant and wrestled locally.
21.
Danno O'Mahony died from injuries suffered in a road accident near Port Laoise, County Laois, in Ireland, on 3 November 1950.