Wahoo McDaniel (1938-2002)

Favorites - 

- Tomahawk Chop (Overhead Chop)

- Butterfly Suplex

- Suplex 

- Headbutt 

- Chop 

Ringwork Rating - 

Intangibles Rating - 

Place in History - Though Chief Chewacki, Chief Don Eagle and Chief Jay Strongbow carried that "Chief" title and were good in their own way, it seems that Wahoo McDaniel was just in a class all his own. Though he was only 1/18 of the Native American heritage, emphasizing that portion made him a superstar and perhaps no other in the latter half of the century was more famous than Chief Wahoo McDaniel. An outstanding athlete, McDaniel used to wrestle in the NFL's off season and soon he made it a full-time occupation. Wildly popular wherever he went (and he went practically everywhere), McDaniel was a perpetual top-of-the-card kind of wrestler. He worked so many great programs, but the standouts were with Johnny Valentine, for it's off-the-charts physicality; Ric Flair, the feud that put the youngster on the map; and Superstar Billy Graham, which was highlighted by leather strap matches. One could argue for numerous others, but the first one is without a doubt his greatest and the latter two were so important in establishing those up-and-coming heels. McDaniel's tight style was his trademark and perhaps no one thing was more feared in the sport than Wahoo's chop. It didn't leave much to the imagination. Probably the greatest Native American wrestler to ever lace 'em up and true credit to the sport was the late Chief Wahoo McDaniel.