Jan. 25, 1965 - Chief Wahoo McDaniel is on the warpath again. Minus his helmet and shoulder pads but carrying his “trusty tomahawk,” Wahoo made his New York debut as a professional wrestler tonight at Madison Square Garden.
The New York Jets’ middle linebacker is no novice in the wrestling ring. He showed the 13,874 fans how an Oklahoma Indian can handle himself in the big city. It took him only 6:32 to dispose of Boris Malenko.
“I’ve been wrestling for five years,” he said before the match. “Last week, I had matches in Washington, Lancaster, and Baltimore. But this fight means a lot to me.”
Before Wahoo could continue, Gene Kiniski, a Canadian wrestler, yelled: “Hey Injun, you rookies should dress in the washroom! My name is on the marquee.”
But Wahoo could not be baited. When he heard that Sonny Werblin, the millionaire owner of the Jets was coming to watch him perform, he shouted to Bobo Brazil: “It’s pretty nice to have a man with $70 million come and see you wrestle!”
Then he said: “I remember when I first got a call from a promoter in Indianapolis five years ago. He said he needed an Indian. I’ve wrestled the whole tank-town circuit, and this is my big opportunity.
So, the 26-year-old Choctaw donned his feathered headdress, did his “death dance,” and applied the crushing blow, a tomahawk chop, to Malenko.
“I have to admit that I’ve gotten my share of bruises,” he said. “I was once gored by a Viking horn in Odessa, Texas. I required 30 stitches in the chest.
“However, it can be a lot more painful bringing down Cookie Gilchrist [of the Bills]. You have to remember, he has 10 guys blocking for him. When I get in the ring, it’s just me and the other guy. And the mat is softer than Shea Stadium.” That Joe Namath, the Jets’ $400,000 rookie quarterback, may be able to sit back during the off-season and merely catalogue his investments doesn’t bother Wahoo.
“I don’t begrudge a guy getting whatever he can,” he said. “If Namath can get $400,000, more power to him.
“All I care about is that the guys on the team who did well last year get the raises they deserve.”
Asked if he had had contract with Werblin, he remarked: “Not till I talk to Joe Namath. He’s the new boss.”
At the request of Al Mitchell, ring announcer at the Garden, the crowd, which paid $41,154, stood in one minute’s silent prayer for Sir Winston Churchill.

Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Comments