DANHAUSEN IS WRESTLING'S VERSION OF ADAM WEST'S BATMAN
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- 3 min read
I’ll be straight-up honest. I love me some Danhausen.
I genuinely loved his work in AEW, particularly bringing out some personality with Hook with their short term union Hookhausen.
But I always felt that the company should’ve done more with him. Within the world of AEW, where the promotion has a lot of cult, hardcore wrestling fans that have a quirky sense of humor. However, Danhausen unbelievably got lost in the pack, with a pectoral injury in 2023 and not being used until ROH Final Battle 2024 and then gone from television again.
Finally, after his AEW contract had finally expired, Danhausen made his unexpected debut at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 on February 28, 2026. For weeks, there was a wooden crate that was being carried to Raw and SmackDown each event, and many people were speculating on what could possibly be inside. Many believed it was something involving Chris Jericho.
However, when the crate was finally opened, the “Very Nice, Very Evil” demon popped out with a plethora of female dancerhausens and made his way to the ring.
However, the fans booed.
The fans on the internet vocalized their disappointment.
Sitting on the couch in Stately Bruce Manor, or my apartment, I absolutely loved it. I knew that the disappointment that it WASN’T Chris Jericho was why the reaction was how it was. Danhausen was going to get his due.
The following Raw, Danhausen was vindicated. After a brief discussion with Raw GM Adam Pearce with his demands, he came face-to-face with Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio and the Judgment Day. Following a few insults from “Dirty” Dom, Danhausen “cursed” him.
The fans LOVED it.
The curse was real, as Mysterio lost his IC Title moments later to rising star Penta.
Over the next several weeks, Danhausen got himself all involved in WWE programming, from cursing the Miz, Kit Wilson, Dan “Rudy Charles” Engler (accidentally), and ESPN First Take host Stephen A. Smith, to “uncursing” the New York Mets (hasn’t worked yet), shooting t-shirts into the crowd, getting a blimp, and always failing to escape from the arena after a majestic display of darkness and explosion.
Ironically, the same fans that universally panned Danhausen online were the same ones loving his antics. In the world of serious pro wrestling, Danhausen was a breath of fresh air, in the same vein of R-Truth and Santino Marella.
And then, there was WrestleMania last night.
WrestleMania 42 host John Cena announced the two-night attendance of over 106,000 fans, and was beginning to provide a special thank you to the audience, when the dastardly Miz and the non-toxic Kit Wilson entered the ring and demanded their WrestleMania moment. Miz’s method of Master, Inspire, Zone-in was apparently needed for the mass of humanity in Allegiant Stadium.
As Miz began his soliloquy, a familiar theme hit the stadium.
“YOU…ARE…CURSED!”
Out came a plethora of mini-Danhausens and Danhausen himself, complete with a customized Danhausen-mobile.
I was browsing on Twitter when I saw a post that made me ponder. As Danhausen was halfway down the aisle, I had a moment of clarity. The post was spot on. I finally realized who Danhausen reminded me of.
Danhausen was the modern-day version of Adam West’s Batman.
As I’ve written about previously on the site, I fell in love with Batman ‘66. I literally binge watched the entire series on DVD, as well as the 1966 feature film. I even got myself a copy of the cartoon sequel, complete with Mr. West and Burt Ward’s voices.
The way Adam West portrayed Batman was so ridiculously over-the-top. It was campy, dramatic, and hilarious. Mr. West’s dry humor for the ludicrous really sold it. I genuinely believe that Adam West’s version of the Dark Knight might be the best version.
As I went back and rewatched a boatload of Danhausen clips, preparing for this article, it’s just so similar. The quick wit, the unique look, the over-the-top situations that always end up in his favor due to some quirky happenstance. It is every situation that Bruce Wayne in 1966 would overcome.
I know that Danhausen has said that he is if “Conan O’Brien was possessed by a demon”, but there are worlds more elements of Batman ‘66 in this than anything else.
I know that the sky is the limit for the “Very Nice, Very Evil” superstar, but I truly hope Danhausen becomes the greatest character of the modern WWE era. As the kids say, let him cook.
However, if he decides to pull off a Batusi, Danhausen style, I will fall down.
Bankie Bruce
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