REAL NAME: Dennis Turner
Dirty Dan Denton
started out in pro wrestling in 1985. His first big break came working the
AWA shows in Winnipeg. From there, he landed a role in
Al Tomko's All-Star
Wrestling out of Vancouver. It was there that he became both a champion,
but also a well-know public figure. And it was there that he became being
interested in film and filmmaking, working on the film We're No Angels
with Robert DeNiro and Sean Penn.
In Vancouver, Denton wrote a newspaper column and hosted a daily
radio show, taping the shows when he was out of town or sometimes even
done on the road. In 1988, he was the promotion's Canadian champion.
Besides Vancouver, Denton also travelled across Canada wrestling,
including time on the east coast with
Emile Dupre's Grand Prix Wrestling
or other touring shows; time in Winnipeg for
Tony Condello's West Four
promotion; and time with Eddie Sharkey's Minneapolis promotion. He spent
1990 in Mexico with the EMLL promotion. He was billed as Canadian champion
there for a time, and wrestled tag as Los Animales with
Eddie Watts and
Rick Patterson (aka Leatherface in Japan).
Despite retiring from wrestling in 1991, Denton still finds time to
wrestle every so often in Winnipeg or Vancouver.
Since ending his mat career, Denton has done a number of
media-related jobs. He wrote a column for a newspaper in Mexico City, and
covered Mexico for CNN. In 1993, he picked up and moved to New York where
he wrote for Billboard magazine, among other things.
He later formed a film and TV production company called Frozen
Pond Productions.
Stories & columns
Feb. 29, 2012: The many stories of that 'f---in' madman' Sonny Meyers
Sep. 8, 2011: Losing Little Tokyo, and other fond memories
Dec. 27, 2010: I shared so many laughs with Mad Dog Rex
Dec. 28, 2007: Guest column: Saying goodbye to my friend Greg Gillies
Jan. 25, 2001: Sundance shines on Canadian wrestling film
Jan. 21, 2000: Wrestler/producer Dan Denton set for B.C. Body Slams
Memories
Dan could push very hard. I remember one night at the Grant hotel when Dan had had enough of a mark who was nattering at him all night. Dan sure pushed him very hard. Unfortunately the area of the floor onto which the mark was pushed was covered with broken beer bottle glass, so the mark bled very much. We all agreed this was very funny (it was). Later someone (might have been me) pointed that it was a good thing that the broken glass was covered in alcohol, because this would minimze the chances for infection as the mark lay convalescing in his hospital bed.
Dave Levinsky, Wpg. Mb.
On July 30th, ECCW put on a show in Penticton. My brother Dave and I, got to hang out with the wrestlers, help put the ring together and do security. An hour before the show, Dan realized he had forgotten his shaving kit. So My brother, Dirty Dan (completely dressed in his wrestling attire, which I thought was incredibly funny) And I, walked through the front door, through the group of fans waiting in line, got in my car, and drove to the other side of town, and while driving to his motel, he commented on how beautiful my town is.
During the show he was telling all the fans how much Penticton Sucked and how much he hated it. Dan is a pretty nice guy out of the ring, But in the ring, he is as tough as nails and a very angry guy the fans loved to hate.
Steve Gibbs, Penticton BC
