The world of professional wrestling has seen its fair share of champions throughout history. From the early days of rival promoters to the unification of titles during the Great Depression, the quest for an undisputed champion has always been a focal point in the industry. In this installment of our series, we delve into the story of Danno O’Mahoney, the master of the Irish Whip, and his controversial reign as the undisputed champion.
In late 1934, promoter Paul Bowser was on a mission to find the next big draw in wrestling. He had already established Jim Londos as a top attraction, but due to some unfavorable circumstances, Londos was losing his popularity. Bowser set his sights on Ireland, where Irish wrestlers and boxers were known to be huge draws in the northeast region. It was there that he discovered Danno O’Mahoney, the inventor of the Irish Whip.
Bowser wasted no time in pushing O’Mahoney to the top. In June 1935, O’Mahoney faced Jim Londos for the NWA World title in a match that was hailed as one of the most scientific of its time. Londos put over O’Mahoney in a match that showcased his skills and solidified his status as the next great champion.
The unification of titles was the ultimate goal for Bowser and his partners, Jack Curley and “Toots” Mondt. They wanted to create a unified world champion who could draw massive crowds and bring legitimacy to the sport. O’Mahoney’s rise to the top seemed to be the realization of that vision.
However, it was during the unification match against Ed Don George that things took a turn for the worse. The inclusion of boxing champion James Braddock as the special guest referee added an element of legitimacy to the match. But the match itself turned out to be one of the most confusing nights in wrestling history.
After an hour-long match that saw George win a fall, confusion ensued when Braddock allowed O’Mahoney back into the ring. George, thinking he had won, celebrated with the crowd, only to be thrown out of the ring by O’Mahoney. Braddock then declared O’Mahoney the winner and undisputed champion, much to the anger of the crowd.
O’Mahoney’s reign as champion was marred by controversy and the crowd’s refusal to accept him as a legitimate champion. Despite winning matches against top contenders like George and Ed “the Strangler” Lewis, the fans couldn’t forgive the way he won the title. His popularity dwindled, and his matches drew fewer and fewer spectators.
The final blow to O’Mahoney’s reign came in a match against Dick Shikat on March 3, 1936. The match turned out to be a shoot, with Shikat legitimately defeating O’Mahoney. This exposed the business and reignited debates about the legitimacy of wrestling.
O’Mahoney’s title reign came to an end, and the title was once again split among different promotions. The NWA title history lost legitimacy as champions vacated the title after winning it. It wasn’t until 1947 that the title was unified with the “new” NWA World title.
In conclusion, Danno O’Mahoney’s reign as the undisputed champion was a tumultuous one. Despite his in-ring abilities and victories over top contenders, the controversial circumstances surrounding his title win and the fan’s refusal to accept him as a legitimate champion ultimately led to his downfall. The wrestling business had to pick up the pieces and find a way to regain the trust of the audience.
For more on the history of the undisputed championship and the world of professional wrestling, stay tuned for the next installment of our series.
This article was originally posted on Wrestling Headlines.