Danhausen (wrestler)
Donovan Danhausen (born August 17, 1990), better known mononymously as Danhausen, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he is a member of the Best Friends stable. Danhausen was previously known for his tenures with Ring of Honor (ROH) and Full Impact Pro (FIP) under the same name. Also he is currently performing for Game Changer Wrestling under the same name.[3][4]
| Danhausen | |
|---|---|
Danhausen in 2019 | |
| Birth name | Donovan Danhausen |
| Born | August 17, 1990 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Lauren Jiles (m. 2018) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Danhausen Donovan Danhausen Kid Gorgeous[1] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in[2] (178 cm) "Claiming to stand 6 ft 7 in tall " (231 cm) |
| Billed weight | 180 lb[2] (82 kg) "Over 300 lb" (136 kg) |
| Billed from | "Someplace far away" |
| Trained by | Jimmy Jacobs Truth Martini |
| Debut | October 18, 2013 |
Early life edit
Donovan Danhausen was born in Detroit[5] on August 17, 1990.[6]
Professional wrestling career edit
Independent circuit (2013–2022, 2024-present) edit
Danhausen was trained by Jimmy Jacobs and Truth Martini.[7] He made his debut on October 18, 2013, becoming known for sticking to a gimmick illustrated by his spooky attire and painted face. He competed at BLP Slamilton 2, an event produced by Black Label Pro Wrestling, where he teamed up with Ethan Page and Swoggle to defeat Blood Diamond (Jake Lander, Joshua Bishop and Tre Lamar) for the BLP Tag Team Championship.[8] He competed for Capital City Championship Combat at C4 Combat Shock - 12th Anniversary on November 21, 2019, where he defeated Tony Deppen.[9]
At FU/Freelance I Don't Think We're In Chicago Anymore from October 10, 2020, an event produced by Freelance Underground Wrestling, Danhausen teamed up with Warhorse as Warhausen, defeating The Brothers Of Funstruction (Ruffo The Clown and Yabo The Clown) by disqualification, therefore failing to capture the FU Tag Team Championship.[10] At F1RST Wrestling Saturday Night Nitro, an event produced by F1RST Wrestling on March 7, 2020, Danhausen fought Orange Cassidy into a no-contest.[11]
Ring of Honor (2019–2021) edit
Danhausen made his first appearance for Ring Of Honor at ROH Wrestling #429 on November 2, 2019, where he unsuccessfully challenged Shane Taylor for the ROH World Television Championship.[12] He continued to make sporadic appearances such as at ROH Wrestling #437 where he fell short to Rhett Titus on January 11, 2020,[13] and at ROH Honor Reigns Supreme 2020 on January 12, where he scored a defeat against Dak Draper.[14] At ROH Free Enterprise on February 9, 2020, Danhausen participated in a 20-man battle royal to determine the no.1 contendership for the ROH World Championship, where he competed against the winner Flip Gordon, Gangrel, PJ Black, Tracy Williams and others.[15] At ROH Final Battle 2020 on December 18, he defeated Brian Johnson by disqualification, earning him an ROH contract[16] (behind the scenes, Danhausen credits Alex Shelley with convincing ROH brass to sign him).[17] At ROH 19th Anniversary Show on March 26, 2021, Danhausen competed in a four-way match, falling short to the winner, Brian Johnson, Eli Isom and LSG.[18]
All Elite Wrestling (2022–present) edit
Danhausen made his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut during a special episode of Dynamite called Beach Break on January 26, 2022. He appeared during the Lights Out match between Orange Cassidy and Adam Cole. Hours later, AEW President Tony Khan announced that Danhausen had signed with the company.[19] He began having interactions with Hook.[20] On the May 11, 2022 episode of Dynamite, Danhausen wrestled in his first ever AEW match, losing to Nese following a distraction from Sterling. After the match, Hook would align with Danhausen after saving him from a beatdown from Nese and Sterling.[21] The new tag team would make their debut on May 29 at the Double or Nothing Buy-In, defeating Nese and Sterling. Since then, Danhausen has allied himself with Orange Cassidy and the Best Friends.
Professional wrestling style and persona edit
Danhausen has described his character as "Conan O'Brien possessed by a demon". In April 2021, he appeared as a guest on O'Brien's podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend to discuss this concept.[22] The character wears horror-themed face paint and believes he has supernatural powers, such as shooting lightning from his fingers and the ability to put curses on his enemies. The voice for his character is based on O'Brien and Mark Hamill's Joker.[23] He often refers to himself in the third person, adds the suffix "-hausen" to words, is interested and motivated by money and power, chastises other wrestlers if they use profanity, and describes himself and things he likes as "very nice, very evil".[24] He is also known for nonchalantly dancing a "Pee-wee Herman dance" to the song "Tequila" in the middle of matches.[25]
Other ventures edit
In collaboration with the Rootless Coffee Company, Danhausen launched a signature coffee blend called Danhausen Coffeehausen in 2021.[26] Like many wrestlers, Danhausen has trademarked his ring name[27] and catchphrases ("Love that Danhausen"[28] and "Very Nice Very Evil"[29]). In addition, he has trademarked the design of his face paint.[30] The attorney who represented him in this matter, Michael Dockins (who works in conjunction with wrestlers so often he is nicknamed the "Gimmick Lawyer"),[31] believes this to be the first time a wrestler has trademarked his physical appearance.[32]
Personal life edit
Danhausen married Canadian burlesque dancer Lauren Jiles, known professionally as Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière, in 2018. He is the stepfather of her daughter.[33][34]
Championships and accomplishments edit
- All Elite Wrestling
- Casino Tag Team Battle Royale (2023) – with Orange Cassidy
- Black Label Pro
- BLP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ethan Page and Swoggle
- Full Impact Pro
- Metro Wrestling Alliance
- MWA Michigan Championship (1 time)[36]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ring of Honor
- ROH Year-End Award (1 time)
- Best New Star (2020)[38]
- ROH Year-End Award (1 time)
References edit
- ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Donovan Danhausen • Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "Danhausen - Gerweck.net". Gerweck.net. 7 February 2020.
- ^ Haulotte, Kellie (October 31, 2020). "ROH officially signs Danhausen". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin (April 19, 2020). "Coronavirus Shutdown Leaves Independent Wrestlers Struggling to Make a Living—and Find Purpose". si.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Danhausen/General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Danhausen [@DanhausenAD] (August 17, 2020). "What a wonderful 3030th birthday this has been! Thank you to all of Danhausens nice and evil friends, family, Fanhausens and of course Danhausens lovely wife @missloulou514 who made this terrific cakehausen" (Tweet). Retrieved June 29, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Danhausen-Personal Data". cagematch.net (in German). Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Greer, Jamie (November 12, 2019). "Preview: Black Label Pro – Slamilton 2 (11/16/19)". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Capital City Championship Combat (December 4, 2019). . Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ DuBay, Dennis (October 8, 2020). "The Collective: Freelance Wrestling Presents "I Don't Think We're In Chicago Anymore," preview". bumwinebob.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Smart Mark Video. "F1RST Wrestling March 7, 2020 "Saturday Night Nitro" - Roseville, MN". smartmarkvideo.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (December 19, 2019). "ROH Wrestling Television Results for 12/6/19 Episode #429 ROH World Television Championship Match". fightful.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ White, Chris (February 6, 2020). "Three-Way Boogie – ROH Wrestling – Episode 437 Review". wrestlingsc.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ The Smackdown Hotel (January 12, 2020). "ROH Honor Reigns Supreme 2020". thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Haulotte, Kellie (February 9, 2020). "ROH Free Enterprise (2/9) Results: Marty Scurll & PCO Vs. Nick Aldis & RUSH". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Ring Of Honor (December 2020). . rohwrestling.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Chris Van Vliet (14 May 2021). "Danhausen - Out of Character Interviewhausen". Simplecast (Podcast). Audio Ventures, Inc. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ Jason Powell (March 26, 2021). "3/26 ROH 19th Anniversary PPV results: Powell's live review of Rush vs. Jay Lethal for the ROH Title, Jonathan Gresham vs. Dak Draper for the ROH Pure Championship, Matt Taven vs. Vincent, EC3 vs. Jay Briscoe, Kenny King and Bestia del Ring vs. Tracy Williams and Rhett Titus for the ROH Tag Titles". prowrestling.net. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Khan, Tony. "Danhausen is All Elite". Twitter.
- ^ "Danhausen attempts to put a curse on Hook". 9 April 2022.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (2022-05-11). "5/11 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Darby Allin vs. Jeff Hardy, Adam Cole vs. Dax Harwood, and Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter in Owen Hart tournament matches, Ricky Starks vs. Jungle Boy for the FTW Title, CM Punk vs. John Silver, Danhausen vs. Tony Nese, MJF and Wardlow contract signing for Double Or Nothing". ProWrestling.net. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ^ "Conan Inspired This Fan's Wrestling Character - "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan"". YouTube.
- ^ Harris, Jeffrey (May 11, 2021). "Danhausen Explains How His Character Is Based in Reality". 411Mania.com. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Jericho, Chris (July 16, 2021). "Danhausen Has Teeth". Spotify. from the original on 2021-07-16.
- ^ "Meet & Greet with Danhausen".
- ^ "The Story of Danhausen". 15 August 2021.
- ^ "DANHAUSEN Trademark of Donovan Danhausen Serial Number: 90301133". Trademarkia. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "LOVE THAT DANHAUSEN Trademark of Donovan Danhausen Serial Number:90861201". Trademarkia. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "VERY NICE VERY EVIL Trademark of Donovan Danhausen Serial Number: 90904754". Trademarkia. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "(NO WORD) Trademark of Donovan Danhausen Serial Number: 90303521". Trademarkia. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ Guzzo, Paul (5 April 2021). "Tampa's 'Gimmick Attorney' helps wrestlers trademark their characters". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ Chris Jericho (23 March 2022). "Trademark Everything! Pro Wrestling Patent Lawyer Mike Dockins". SimpleCast (Podcast). Audio Ventures, Inc. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "MEET THE NEW BURLESQUE QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS". 21st Century Burlesque Magazine. October 3, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Rowe, Daniel J. (June 5, 2020). "COVID-19 has closed burlesque curtains everywhere. When and how can it come back?". CTV News. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Wrestling Titles (November 1, 2019). "Full Impact Pro Florida Heritage Title (Florida)". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2021-10-03.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020". profightdb.com. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ TESSIER, COLIN (8 February 2021). "Complete List of 2020 ROH Award Winners". www.wrestlezone.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.