Indie Wrestler of the Week No. 002: Danhausen

FanSided’s new series “Indie Wrestler of the Week” continues with an interview with one of the hottest acts on the American indie scene.

In an indie scene filled with similar gimmicks and oversaturated characters, a diamond in the rough has to be the enigma known as Danhausen.

FanSided: How has indie wrestling changed since you first started out?

Danhausen: Honestly I think people are more open to just being themselves rather than trying to be what they think people want them to be. It’s fun and less stressful.

A comically painted face, black leather pants, and a cape with a pentagram on it: the character of Danhausen is instantly recognizable with over-exaggerated mannerisms and a dark persona.

FS: Where did you get the inspiration for your Danhausen character?

Danhausen: My character came from frustration of trying to please everyone else by trying to be something I’m not. I was sick of just being a guy who wrestles, I didn’t care anymore what people thought of me, I just wanted to make sure I was enjoying what I loved doing again. Inspiration wise, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Batman (1989), What We Do In The Shadows, The Simpsons, Conan O’Brien.

Many fans were introduced to Danhausen through his online presence, posting videos of himself speaking backwards, showing off humans covered in plastic bags and smiling menacingly into the camera were among the images that stood out. Recently, Danhausen has also introduced an element of dark comedy into his videos which has captured an even larger amount of views from the indie fans. Danhausen has even recently introduced a jar of human teeth into his overall character.

FS: Where did you get the idea to introduce teeth into your matches?

Danhausen: I had posted a picture of me pulling another wrestler’s (Bobby Beverly) mouth apart while in a surfboard stretch, and captioned it “I want to eat my opponents teeth” and it grew from there. People wanted to see it. Teeth gross me out. I want my enemies to share my disgust. The rest is a mystery, but I will say thank you Clayton.

Making his home in companies like AIW, Black Label Pro, Glory Pro and Limitless Wrestling while breaking into others like Beyond Wrestling and Freelance Underground, Danhausen is on a hot streak right now and is in high demand as he makes his way up the ladder of indie wrestling.

FS: What are your goals for the rest of the year?

Danhausen: I’ve actually, to my surprise which is great, hit a lot of them. My goal by the end of the year is to really just gain more fans and followers, and travel way more for wrestling. I love the companies I’m working for now but I always want to expand. I would love to wrestle on the west coast. Lucha Va Voom is a goal, where I’d like to perform with my wife, Lou Lou la Duchesse de Riere, who’s a burlesque queen.

From his dark basement cutting promos to now making his mark in some of the biggest indie promotions in the United States, Danhausen is one of the top talents fans should keep their eyes on. His character could take him anywhere and could manifest itself in almost any way that the man behind it can think.

FS: Who is on your bucket list to face off against in the near future?

Danhausen: If it’s possible I want Orange Cassidy, I want Effy again, I want WARHORSE, Ethan Page, Jake Something, Kevin Blackwood, Curt Stallion. The list goes on and on. I love wrestling my friends.

Follow Danhausen on Instagram and Twitter; you can also support his work via Patreon.

And be sure to catch Danhausen live: Oct. 4: Freelance Underground Wrestling, Chicago, IL; Oct. 6: Four Chords Music Festival in Pittsburgh, PA and Sanctuary Fight Club In Hamtramck, MI; Oct. 11: Mouse’s Wrestling Adventures Presents Fright Night In Jeffersonville, IN; Oct. 12: Rival Showdown in Bloomington, IN; 10/13: Bizarro Lucha in Indianapolis, IN.

In the remainder of October, he’ll be wrestling for Limitless, Dreamwave, Mr Chainsaw Pro and, on Halloween, will be part of Beyond Wrestling’s Uncharted Territory, which you can stream live on IWTV.

Our Indie Wrestler of the Week series continues next week with one of the hottest up-and-comers from the burgeoning Scotland scene.