During the 1980s, referee/wrestler “Dangerous” Danny Davis was a wrestling bad guy that was in high demand. Davis shares his life story, from the fight for survival, to reaching the heights of success in professional wrestling. Davis recounts his days in reform school, and family struggles resulting in desperate measures to find his next meal. He remembers skipping school, and surviving gang life, and offers the many life lessons he learned along the way.
His first exposure to Vince McMahon, the wrestling promoter that would one day be his boss, was during stuntman Evil Knievel’s Snake River Canyon jump. The future heel referee was hooked on wrestling after witnessing his first live event. From there, he became a valued member of the ring crew, which was responsible for setting up the ring, dismantling, and transporting it the next show.
Davis discusses his decision to train as a boxer, and the event that nearly resulted in him being locked up in prison. Davis also recalls learning that wrestling was scripted entertainment. During Davis’s long and successful stint with the future WWF, the company transitioned from Vince McMahon Sr. to Vince McMahon Jr. The new boss took the regional WWWF, and expanded into the national WWF powerhouse.
Along the way, Davis talks about becoming a referee, in an attempt to earn more money to support his family. He also shares his journey to becoming a wrestler, and competing on wrestling’s big stage – Wrestlemania. Success has its drawbacks, as Davis regularly missed family holidays and birthdays due to his demanding work schedule. In the book, Davis is proud he became the first father to win child custody in New Hampshire.
For the wrestling fan, Davis shares road stories, and interacting with some of the biggest stars of the time, Hulk Hogan, the Hart Foundation, Randy Savage, Bruno Sammartino, and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Davis also shares a not so fun episode involving the Nasty Boys.. When his wrestling days were over, the former referee talks about life after wrestling. “Dangerous Danny Davis, Mr. X” is an entertaining listen, which I do recommend!
By: Danny Davis, Kenny Casanova
Narrated by: Virtual Voice
Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 02-28-24
Publisher: Walking On Hot Waffles