Donald Clyde Drake, a renowned American addictions counselor, retired professional wrestler, and former promoter, is best known for his appearances on the northeastern independent circuit under the ring name DC Drake.
Born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Drake is the eldest of four children. He attended Phillipsburg High School, where he competed in amateur wrestling and American Legion Baseball. After his father suffered a severe back injury, Drake began working in a filling station to supplement his family's income.
Drake initially majored in criminal justice in college before switching to psychology and mental health. He worked as a corrections officer at the Mountainview Correctional Facility in Annandale, New Jersey, from 1977 to 1987.
Drake's passion for professional wrestling began at a young age, and he trained under Tito Torres while working as a corrections officer. He made his debut in 1980, facing The Hangman in Jersey City, New Jersey, and went on to wrestle on the independent circuit in New Jersey and New York.
In 1982, Drake founded the Continental Wrestling Alliance (CWA),a promotion that aired shows on cable television and had a roster of approximately 50 wrestlers. He was the promotion's main babyface and was managed by Uncle Bob, a local radio personality.
Drake sold the CWA to Robert Raskin in 1986 and became the booker and television producer for the newly renamed National Wrestling Federation. He continued to wrestle, adopting a hardcore wrestling style and developing the character of DC "Mad Dog" Drake.
As DC "Mad Dog" Drake, he won the NWF Heavyweight Championship on June 7, 1986, and held the title on two further occasions. He feuded with wrestlers such as Jules Strongbow, Larry Winters, and Bruiser Brody.
Drake left the NWF in 1988 due to a series of injuries and frustration with the promotion's management. He then founded ProStar Championship Wrestling, which staged shows at county fairs and featured multiple NWF wrestlers.
In 1990, Drake was contacted by Joel Goodhart to wrestle for the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA). He rekindled his feud with Larry Winters, facing him in a series of stipulation matches, including dog collar matches and stretcher matches.
