Daniel Hollie

Last updated

Daniel Hollie
Danny Holly in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.jpg
Hollie as WWE Tag Team Champion in 2005
Birth nameDaniel Richard Hollie
Born (1977-10-03) October 3, 1977 (age 46)
Seymour, Indiana, U.S. [1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) The Damaja [1]
Danny Basham [1]
Danny Holliday
Billed height6 ft 3 in (191 cm) [2]
Billed weight250 lb (113 kg) [2]
Billed from Columbus, Ohio
Trained by Jim Cornette [2]
Nightmare Danny Davis [2]
Debut1998 [2]
Retired2008

Daniel Richard Hollie [3] (born October 3, 1977) [2] is an American retired professional wrestler. Hollie is best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between 2003 and 2006 under the ring name Danny Basham, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Damaja.

Contents

Professional wrestling career

Ohio Valley Wrestling (1998–2003)

Hollie made his wrestling debut in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), as the Damaja. On January 6, 1999, he and David C. were awarded the OVW Tag Title when Nick Dinsmore no-showed and Rob Conway was counted out. [1] He was also a three-time OVW Champion, defeating the likes of Dinsmore, Flash Flanagan, and Nova. [1]

In 2000 Danny Hollie made a few appearances on WWF Jakked and in dark matches under the ring name Danny Holliday. In 2003, he was given the managerial services of Tough Enough II winner Shaniqua. [1]

World Wrestling Entertainment

Tag Team Champions (2003–2004)

In late 2002 through early 2003 Hollie worked dark matches before the Raw and SmackDown tapings under his OVW gimmick and ring name, The Damaja. On May 29, 2003, Danny made his WWE television debut (as Danny Basham), teaming with Doug Basham to form the heel tag team, the Basham Brothers. The Bashams were later aligned with the valet, Shaniqua. As well as being portrayed with a bondage-based S&M gimmick, the "brothers" often switched places mid-match, so the "fresher" wrestler was always in the ring. [4] In almost all cases, the referee acted oblivious to the switch, despite their easily differentiated faces and they won their first WWE Tag Team Championship from Los Guerreros on the October 23 episode of SmackDown!, after they switched places behind the referee's back, and hit Eddie Guerrero with a foreign object. [1] [4] The team lost the titles in February 2004 to Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty. The Basham Brothers and Shaniqua faced Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi at No Way Out in a handicapped match for the tag team titles but lost when Shaniqua was pinned. [5] Right after this match, Shaniqua was sent to OVW for training and was eventually released. [1]

The Cabinet (2004–2005)

The Basham Brothers in 2005 Basham Brothers Live in Rosemont.jpg
The Basham Brothers in 2005

The Basham Brothers joined John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL)'s cabinet stable on November 25, 2004. [1] They were known as JBL's Co-Secretaries of Defense. The Bashams once again won the WWE Tag Team Championship by defeating four other teams including Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam, Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak, and Eddie Guerrero and Booker T on January 13, 2005, in a four team elimination match by last eliminating Mysterio and Van Dam. [1] [6] [7] The Basham Brothers lost the titles to Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero at No Way Out on February 20, 2005. [8] From here on, The Bashams either acted as jobbers on SmackDown! or defeated any team that came in their path on Velocity. The Basham Brothers quit JBL's Cabinet on the June 16 episode of SmackDown!, claiming that they were tired of being "JBL's crash test dummies" and not getting enough respect. [1] [9]

Raw (2005–2006)

On June 30, 2005, Basham became one of the last-minute trades in the 2005 WWE Draft, which saw him leave SmackDown! for Raw. [1] [10] This marked the end of the partnership with his "twin brother," who remained on SmackDown!. [10] On the July 18 episode of Raw, Basham made his first appearance on the Raw brand as one of Chris Jericho's hand picked lumberjacks in the Lumberjack match between John Cena and Gene Snitsky.

In August 2005, Hollie worked dark matches during Raw tapings under his former gimmick, The Damaja and made his televised debut on the September 11 episode of WWE Heat (as Danny Basham) under his Damaja gimmick, only more gothic and Raven-like. Danny came out with new music, black face paint, and ring attire consisting of black boots and baggy black pants with hooks and chains on them.

Hollie soon disappeared from television to grow his hair but continued to work squash matches under this gimmick very sporadically at house shows or in dark matches over the next several months before completely disappearing from in-ring competition in 2006 before signing a new deal with WWE in April of that year.

ECW and departure (2006–2007)

The Bashams in 2006, as Paul Heyman's personal security Basham Brothers - Personal Security.jpg
The Bashams in 2006, as Paul Heyman's personal security

Danny and Doug reunited in WWE's revived ECW brand during July 2006 at several house shows. They re-debuted on television on the July 18 episode of ECW, as personal security guards under helmets. [11] However, when Danny was injured with a torn biceps, he was later replaced by Derek Neikirk, who continued Danny's role as the second masked enforcer. [1] Danny's final WWE appearance was on the December 12 episode of ECW, where he and Doug were quickly defeated by Bobby Lashley. [12] Hollie was released by WWE on January 18, 2007. [13]

Return to Ohio Valley Wrestling (2006–2007)

On November 18, 2006, Hollie made a surprising return when OVW owner Danny Davis introduced Danny Basham as the "OVW TroubleShooter" (similar to a General Manager), granting him the power to direct each OVW show. [2] On March 7, 2007, The Basham Brothers returned to OVW and defeated Wyatt Young and Mike Tolar in a dark match. [14]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)

On April 20, 2007, Damaja and Doug Basham took on Rhino in a Derby City Street Fight, which Doug Basham lost. Basham and Damaja both appeared alongside Christy Hemme at the April 30 TNA Impact! TV Tapings. They were then revealed on the May 10 Impact! to be the mystery team facing the Voodoo Kin Mafia at Sacrifice 2007 in a match which they won. [2] [15] [16]

Later career (2007–2008)

They would participated in the Chris Candido Cup 2007 tournament in IWA Mid-South defeating Silas Young and Dysfunction on May 25, and Axl Rotten and Mickie Knuckles on May 26 before losing to the Thomaselli Brothers in the semi-finals that same night.

That same year they appeared in Juggalo Championship Wrestling losing in an eight team elimination match for the JCW Tag Team Championships to Necro Butcher and Mad Man Pondo on August 11, 2007. [17] Their last match together was on April 26, 2008, as they defeated Adam Rich and Shorty Biggs at JCW Slam TV Tour in Sauget, Illinois. [18]

He wrestled his last match for Insanity Pro Wrestling, unsuccessfully challenging Joey Owens for the IPW Mid-American Championship on July 5, 2008. [19]

Other media

He appeared in video games WWE Day of Reckoning and WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 as Danny Basham alongside his then in-ring tag team partner Doug Basham.

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Layfield</span> American professional wrestler

John Charles Layfield, better known by the ring name Bradshaw or JBL, is an American professional wrestling commentator and retired professional wrestler and football player. He is currently signed to WWE, where he is an ambassador for the company. Layfield is currently a financial commentator and is featured regularly on Fox News and Fox Business. He is also employed by Northeast Securities as its senior vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvain Grenier</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Sylvain Grenier is a Canadian TV host and retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WrestleMania 21</span> 2005 World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

WrestleMania 21 was the 21st annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown! brand divisions. The event took place on April 3, 2005, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Nicholas David Dinsmore, better known by his ring name Eugene, is an American retired professional wrestler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Basham</span> American professional wrestler

Lyle Douglas Basham Jr. is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between 2002 and 2007, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Basham in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cabinet (professional wrestling)</span> Professional wrestling team

The Cabinet was a professional wrestling stable that was part of World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) SmackDown! brand. It was created by John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) shortly after he won the WWE Championship at The Great American Bash in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Rumble (2005)</span> World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

The 2005 Royal Rumble was the 18th annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown! brand divisions. The event took place on January 30, 2005, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble match winner received a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania. For the 2005 event, the winner received their choice to challenge for either Raw's World Heavyweight Championship or SmackDown!'s WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basham Brothers</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The Basham Brothers were a professional wrestling tag team, composed of Doug Basham and Danny Basham. The team is best known for their work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Mercury</span> American professional wrestler

Adam Birch, better known by the ring names Joey Mercury and Joey Matthews, is an American professional wrestler who is best known for his two tenures in WWE. Birch was most recently signed to Ring of Honor, where he worked as a producer, trainer, and member of the creative team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World's Greatest Tag Team</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The World's Greatest Tag Team was an American professional wrestling tag team, which also used the name Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team. The team consisted of Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. Originally formed in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), they started out captained by Kurt Angle, during which time they were known as Team Angle. They also wrestled for several other independent promotions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MNM (professional wrestling)</span> Professional wrestling stable

MNM were a professional wrestling stable in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) who consisted of Joey Mercury, Johnny Nitro, and their manager Melina Perez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Burchill</span> English professional wrestler

Paul Birchall, better known by his ring name Paul Burchill, is an English professional wrestler, currently making appearances for the National Wrestling Alliance under the ring name Burchill. He is best known for his time with WWE. Prior to joining WWE, Burchill wrestled for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance and other promotions in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Jeter</span> American professional wrestler

John Jeter is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2006 as Johnny, a member of The Spirit Squad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Lewington</span>

Steven Paul Lewington is an English professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he performed under the ring name DJ Gabriel on the ECW brand. Lewington currently wrestles independently as "The Swole-verine" Bronson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Compton</span> American professional wrestler

Cliff Treiber is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names Domino and Cliff Compton. He is best known for his work in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deuce 'n Domino</span> Professional wrestling tag team

Deuce 'n Domino is an American professional wrestling tag team consisting of Deuce Shade and Dice Domino, who were managed for the majority of their run by Cherry and briefly by Maryse. The pair teamed together in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) from 2006 through 2008, capturing the WWE Tag Team Championship on one occasion and the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on three occasions. In addition, they also won the Deep South Wrestling Tag Team Championship on one occasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Way Out (2005)</span> World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

The 2005 No Way Out was the seventh No Way Out professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown! brand division. The event took place on February 20, 2005, in the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Way Out (2004)</span> World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

The 2004 No Way Out was the sixth No Way Out professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown! brand division. The event took place on February 15, 2004, at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The event is best remembered for its final match, which saw Eddie Guerrero defeat WWE Champion Brock Lesnar to win the title, his top wrestling achievement before his death in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judgment Day (2005)</span> World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

The 2005 Judgment Day was the seventh Judgment Day professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown! brand division. The event took place on May 22, 2005, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armageddon (2004)</span> World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

The 2004 Armageddon was the fifth Armageddon professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown! brand division. The event took place on December 12, 2004, at the Gwinnett Center in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth, Georgia. Nine professional wrestling matches were scheduled on the event's card.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Danny Basham". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "OWW:Danny Basham". OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
  3. ↑ Gerweck. "Danny Basham". Gerweck. Archived from the original on June 17, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 "History of the WWE Tag Team Championship - Basham Brothers (1)". World Wrestling Entertainment. October 23, 2003. Archived from the original on September 23, 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  5. ↑ Roopansingh, Jaya (February 16, 2004). "Guerrero crowned at No Way Out". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ↑ Plummer, Dale (January 14, 2005). "Smackdown: Angle's plan comes together". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. 1 2 "History of the WWE Tag Team Championship - Basham Brothers (2)". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 13, 2005. Archived from the original on July 21, 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  8. ↑ Sokol, Chris (February 21, 2005). "JBL finds another Way Out". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ↑ Plummer, Dale (June 16, 2005). "Smackdown: Sweet revenge for Orton in Hershey". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. 1 2 Waldman, Jon (July 1, 2005). "WWE announces trade to finish draft lottery". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ↑ Hunt, Jen (July 18, 2006). "Deadman's fate in jeopardy". WWE. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  12. ↑ "ECW on Sci-Fi — December 12, 2006". Online World of Wrestling.
  13. ↑ "WWE releases Superstars". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 19, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
  14. ↑ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - March 7, 2007 – OVW TV Tapings in Louisville, Kentucky". Online World of Wrestling. March 7, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  15. ↑ Sokol, Chris (May 11, 2007). "Impact: Last stop before Sacrifice". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ↑ Sokol, Chris (May 14, 2007). "World title picture muddied after good Sacrifice". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ↑ "JCW Bloodymania 07".
  18. ↑ "JCW Slam TV Tour 2008 - Day 4".
  19. ↑ "IPW Crowning Point".
  20. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2003". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.