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Major Events In Wrestling Timeline (1880-1985)

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  1. 1880
  2. 01-18-1880: William Muldoon wins the American Greco-Roman championship from Thiebaud Beauer in New York City at the Gilmore Gardens in front of 3,000 fans. Muldoon also founds the Police Athletic Association that same year. In addition to that honor, Muldoon is also credited with creating the medicine ball work out device.
  3.  
  4. 03-16-1880: John McMahon wrestles H.M. Dufur to a six hour draw after the building curfew expires as 2:30AM in the morning without a fall in Boston, MA.
  5.  
  6. 07-16-1880: After wrestling to what must have been a excruciatingly boring six hour draw month's earlier, John McMahon defeats James Owens after three hours in Boston, MA to win Owen's World Collar & Elbow championship. Owens and McMahon were cousins.
  7.  
  8. 10-11-1880: Duncan C. Ross wins the American Collar & Elbow title from H.M. Dufur in Providence, RI (Wrestling Title Histories Vol. IV states that this date may be incorrect as it is also given as the date for a tournament which Ross is credited with winning in Rochester, NY).
  9.  
  10. 11-18-1880: H.M. Dufur recaptures the American Collar & Elbow title in Providence, RI.
  11.  
  12. 12-16-1880: John McMahon wins the American Collar & Elbow title from H.M. Dufur in Boston.
  13.  
  14. 1881
  15.  
  16. 03-03-1881: William Muldoon defeats Edwin Bibby in New York. The match was suppose to start at 3:30pm, but Muldoon was unable to get off patrol before 7:00pm. When he arrived he quickly won two falls. He soon quit the Police force to concentrate on full time wrestling.
  17.  
  18. 04-1881: Mike Horagan defeats Viro Small in New York and soon becomes Viro's trainer in collar & elbow style. Between 1882 and 1892 Small won 63 matches and the Vermont Collar & Elbow championship and became the first African-American wrestling champion.
  19.  
  20. 12-09-1881: Joe Acton defeats Tom Conners to become recognized as the European Catch-as-Catch Can champion.
  21.  
  22. 1881: William Muldoon wrestles to an eight hour draw with Clarence "Kansas Demon" Whistler in New York. Apparently Whistler had a personal hatred for police officer Muldoon and the two wrestled what was described as a brutal and grueling match that left both men bloodied and battered and with Whistler missing most of his right ear. The match was the dangerous catch as catch can style. Muldoon accused Whistler of purposely wearing his fingernails long as to inflict cuts to Muldoon and accused Whistler of wetting his hair with ammonia which cause blisters to Muldoon. The New York Herald called the match a "torture marathon".
  23.  
  24. 1882
  25.  
  26. 1882: Jigorou Kanoh has formed an off-shoot self defense style from jujitsu he calls "judo". He opens the Koudoukan, the first judo institute.
  27.  
  28. 09-03-1882: Edwin Bibby, billed as the American Mixed style champion , faces William Muldoon, billed as world champion in Elmira, NY.
  29.  
  30. 12-28-1882: Col. James H. McLaughlin defeats Edras Lambert, a Canadian champion, two out of three falls at Volk Garden in New York.
  31.  
  32. 1883
  33.  
  34. 04-04-1893: Joe Stecher is born in Dodge, NE.
  35.  
  36. 04-07-1883: Joe Acton defeats Tom Conners to win the world Catch-as-Catch Can title in Philadelphia, PA.
  37.  
  38. 10-11-1883: Duncan C. Ross wins a tournament in Rochester, NY to gain recognition as the American mixed style champion.
  39.  
  40. 12-13-1883: H.M. Dufur recaptures the American Collar & Elbow title from John McMahon in Boston.
  41.  
  42. 1883: Sorakichi Matsuda, a Japanese Sumo wrestler, travels to the United States and competes as a professional wrestler, the first Japanese ever recorded as doing so. Another sumo wrestler Sangokuyama (Shokichi Hamada) also travels to the U.S. to wrestle.
  43.  
  44. 1883: Some time in late 1883 or perhapes 1884, "Solid Man" William Muldoon faces Clarence "Kansas Demon" Whistler in a rematch of their eight hour "torture marathon", this time in San Francisco. This time the match again goes to a draw after Whistler's collar bone is broken. According to Muldoon's written statements later after becoming New York Atheletic Commission President, he was told that Whistler had intended to push him off of the stage in amongst his thug friends who would then cripple Muldoon. Muldoon was pushed off the stage and kicked in the eye, but made it back on stage and secured a fall against Whistler breaking his collar bone. Whistler refused to accept a defeat, but the referee called the match a draw at one fall apiece.
  45.  
  46. 1883: William Muldoon becomes the first promoter to begin setting time limits for matches. The first time limit match was a draw between Muldoon and Edwin Biddy in New York.
  47.  
  48. 1884
  49.  
  50. 01-14-1884: Sorakichi Matsuda has his first catch-as-catch-can style wrestling match and is defeated by Edwin Bibby, losing the first of three falls in only 32 seconds, and losing the second fall in two hours and nineteen minutes.
  51.  
  52. 01-29-1884: James H. McLaughlin recaptures the American Collar & Elbow title in Detroit, MI from H.M. Dufur and making about $2500 in winnings after winning two out of three falls.
  53.  
  54. 03-24-1884: James H. McLaughlin faces Duncan C. Ross in Cleveland, OH. The first fall is under Greco-Roman rules which Duncan Ross wins, the second fall is collar & elbow rules which McLaughlin wins, and the third fall is Catch as Catch can rules which Ross wins.
  55.  
  56. 04-10-1884: James H. McLaughlin recaptures the American Collar & Elbow title from Duncan Ross.
  57.  
  58. 05-03-1884: H.M. Dufur defeats James H. McLaughlin for the American Collar & Elbow title in Chicago, Il.
  59.  
  60. 06-06-1884: James H. McLaughlin recaptures the American Collar & Elbow title from H.M. Dufur in Boston, MA.
  61.  
  62. 07-30-1884: H.M. Dufur recaptures the American Collar & Elbow title from James H. McLaughlin in Boston, MA.
  63.  
  64. 10-15-1884: John McMahon would become the last American Collar & Elbow champion by defeating H.M. Dufur in Boston, MA.
  65.  
  66. 1885
  67.  
  68. 1885: George Decker defeats George William Flagg for the Vermont Collar & Elbow championship. Flagg stands 6'4" 220 pounds while Decker is a mere 5'4" 160 pounds and is 22 years younger than Flagg.
  69.  
  70. 09-26-1885: What is reported to be the first Australian professional wrestling match is held in Melbourne with Clarence Whistler defeating William Miller. Allegedly Whistler died following the match after performing a glass eating stunt which caused internal bleeding.
  71.  
  72. 1886
  73.  
  74. 1886: Jigorou Kanoh accepts a challenge from the Totsuka-Yoshin-Ryu. The contest is held at the Tokyo Police headquarters. There are 15 bouts of which 13 were won by the Kodokan (Kanoh's students), the other two were a draw. Saigo Shiro is reported to have defeated his much larger opponent with Yama Arashi, a throw he picked up from the Daito-Ryu.
  75.  
  76. 1887
  77.  
  78. 04-11-1887: Evan "Strangler" Lewis defeats Joe Acton for the Catch-As-Catch-Can title in Chicago, Il.
  79.  
  80. 06-01-1887: Shokichi Hamada brings twenty American wrestlers to Tokyo, Japan for a pro wrestling show. The event fails to catch on, despite a first day sell out.
  81.  
  82. 11-10-1887: Ed Decker wins the Richard K. Fox National Police Gazette wrestling title from H.M. Dufur in Swanton, VT. Decker is called "The little wonder from Vermont" for he stood only 5'4" and weighed 160 pounds. George Ed Decker was managed by, and wrestled for P.T. Barnum and the Barnum, Bailey, & Hutchins circus (later shortened to Barnum & Bailey). Allegedly the circus offered $100 to anyone who could throw Decker and $50 to anyone who could remain unthrown by him for three minutes. Supposedly no one was ever able to collect the prize money.
  83.  
  84. 1887: William Muldoon battled legendary boxer John L. Sullivan in a wrestler verses boxer match to a no contest in Gloucester, MA. There is a near riot following the bout. Later in 1887 Muldoon retires from active wrestling and manages Sullivan leading to questions surrounding the legitimacy of their boxer vs. wrestler match. Muldoon also began doing some acting, including playing the role of "Charles the Wrestler" in the stage presentation of As You Like It.
  85.  
  86. 1888
  87.  
  88. 1888: Ghulum Mohammed (AKA: Gama the Great) is born in Amritsar, Punjab. He would become the most famous wrestler ever out of India and one of the biggest legends in wrestling history.
  89.  
  90. 1891
  91.  
  92. 06-30-1891: Ed "Strangler" Lewis (Robert Friedrich) is born.
  93.  
  94. 12-31-1891: William Muldoon retires as the American Greco-Roman champion.
  95.  
  96. 1891: Richard K. Fox, head of The National Police Gazette and one of the most influential figures in early professional wrestling organizes a womens championship tournament in New York. Two of the participants were Alice Williams and Sadie Morgan.
  97.  
  98. 1891: Tom Jenkins has his first professional match battling Al Woods to a draw at a benefit show for steel workers families. Jenkins worked at the plant and was a last minute replacement. Jenkins, who had only one eye stemming from a fireworks accident as a child, went on to become one of the most instrumental pioneers of early American wrestling. Following his retirement from wrestling, then President Theodore Roosevelt, appoints him as the boxing and wrestling trainer at West Point Military Academy, a position he held for 37 years.
  99.  
  100. 1892
  101.  
  102. 12-1892: Tom Connors is recognized as the English heavyweight champion after defeating Tom Clayton.
  103.  
  104. 1893
  105.  
  106. 03-02-1893: Evan "Strangler" Lewis unifies the American Greco-Roman title and the Catch-As-Catch-Can titles into the American heavyweight title, professional wrestling's first true championship by defeating American Greco Roman champion Ernest Roeber in New Orleans, LA in a mixed Greco-Roman and Catch-As-Catch-Can match, best of five falls.
  107.  
  108. 1893: Dr. Benjamin F. Roller is recognized as the first light heavyweight champion, with a weight limit of 175 pounds. He claims the title until 1911.
  109.  
  110. 1894
  111.  
  112. 08-22-1894: European Greco-Roman title founded with Tom Cannon as champion following his defeat of Tom McInernery in Liverpool, England. This title was later used to help justify the first true pro wrestling world championship.
  113.  
  114. 09-05-1894: Carl Abs wins the European Greco-Roman championship in Hamburg, Germany from Tom Cannon.
  115.  
  116. 09-26-1894: Ernest Roeber is awarded the European Greco-Roman title in Hamburg, Germany.
  117.  
  118. 1895
  119.  
  120. 02-18-1895: Former European Greco-Roman champion Carl Abs dies.
  121.  
  122. 04-20-1895: Martin "Farmer" Burns wins the American heavyweight title from Evan "Strangler" Lewis in Chicago, Il, winning the last two falls of a best of three falls match.
  123.  
  124. 10-24-1895: Francisco "El Charro" Aguayo (Francisco Aguayo Escobosa) is born in the United States. Aguayo, no relation to later Mexican star Perro Aguayo, becomes one of the most instrumental forces in the early days of Mexican "lucha libre" wrestling.
  125.  
  126. 1896
  127.  
  128. 09-1896: George "The Russian Lion" Hackenschmidt makes his pro wrestling debut.
  129.  
  130. 1897 1887: The Allen & Ginters Tobacco company releases "sports cards" featuring various athletes with their cigarettes. The wrestlers included in the set were Joe Acton, William Muldoon, Thiebaud Bauer, Matsuda Sorakicm, James H. McLaughlin, John McMahon, and Young Bibby. Baseball players, oarsmen, boxers, rifleist, billiards, and pool players were also featured. These cards are now fetching a small fortune in auctions.
  131.  
  132. 01-02-1897: Jim Londos (Chris Theopelos) is born in Argos, Greece.
  133.  
  134. 03-16-1897: In a match which may or may not have been for the American heavyweight title in Cleveland, OH, Farmer Burns took on Tom Jenkins in a match where Burns had to throw Jenkins twice to win. He failed to so.
  135.  
  136. 08-28-1897: Evan "Strangler" Lewis defeats Tom Clayton in London for the British version of the world championship.
  137.  
  138. 10-26-1897: Dan McLeod defeats Farmer Burns in Indianapolis, IN for the American heavyweight title.
  139.  
  140. 1898
  141.  
  142. 03-26-1898: The first recorded sell out of Madison Square Garden in New York for wrestling takes place for a match between Ernest Roeber and Ismael "The Terrible Turk" Yousouf.
  143.  
  144. 06-20-1898: Ismael "The Terrible Turk" Yousouf defeats Evan "Strangler" Lewis in an exhibition match in Chicago, IL. According to a news paper report following the match, "...followers of wrestling were on tip toe as to what the Turk would do in the event Lewis got his famous strangle hold at work. Fortunately for Yousouf, he had no observable neck, his head being so close to his chest there was no apparent chance for a throat hold. This baffled the Strangler, who was soon on the defensive. But the Turk had no intention of trying for a strangle hold. He knew a much better one, that he had used in his dear Constantinople. It was the ankle hold, and he managed to get a clutch on Lewis' ankle quite early in the fray. Lewis feared the Sultan's favorite was about to twist the ankle, but that was far from the fact. Jack Curley, the promoter, witnessed the Chicago battle, and said: 'As soon as Yousouf got a good clutch on Lewis' ankle he began to swing about in a circle and gradually the Strangler's body was free of the floor and swinging like a windmill. Faster and faster whirled the Turk, until Lewis' body was performing a merry-go-round. When Yousouf decided that Lewis had had sufficient swinging, he was dropped to the floor and lay there in a daze. Lewis was not fit for any more wrestling then, and was dizzy for two weeks afterward.'.
  145.  
  146. 07-04-1898: European wrestler Ismael "The Terrible Turk" Yousouf is killed when the La Bourgogne ocean liner sinks following a U.S. wrestling tour. 549 people died when the French steamer collided with a British ship off of Nova Scotia. Journalist Bill Brown described Yousouf in this manner in a 1930 article on the wrestler, "A physical giant, six feet 1-2 inch tall and weighing 250 pounds, he had an obtrusive paunch and his muscular development was hidden by several layers of fat. Yet he stood forth as one of the toughest of modern grapplers."
  147.  
  148. 11-05-1898: Tom Jenkins battles another "Terrible Turk" Hali Adali to a draw for what was billed as a "world title".
  149.  
  150. 12-1898: Kara Ahmed wins a world tournament in Paris, France.
  151.  
  152. 12-25-1898: Paul Pons of France wins the first European World Greco-Roman heavyweight championship tournament.
  153.  
  154. 1899
  155.  
  156. 04-02-1899: Frank Gotch defeats Marshall Green in his wrestling debut in Humboldt, IA.
  157.  
  158. 09-26-1899: William Barton Wright brought over to the United States Yukio Tani and his brother to tour the music halls giving Jiu-Jutsu demonstrations and challenging all comers. Barton Wright had been a civil engineer in Japan and had studied at the Kodokan. On returning to Britain he had started to teach his own style of martial art called "Baritsu". Yukio Tani's brother returned to Japan and was replaced by Raku Uyenishi. Tani had studied at the Yoshin Ryu. Tani became quite a star and defeated the British Boxing and "Catch as Catch can" wrestling champions.
  159.  
  160. 11-30-1899: Kara Amed of Turkey wins his second World Greco-Roman heavyweight tournament in Paris, France.
  161.  
  162. 1899: George Bothner is awarded the world lightweight title in New York and claims the title until 1914.
  163.  
  164. 1900
  165.  
  166. 02-1900: Paul Pons wins the World Greco-Roman championship tournament in Germany.
  167.  
  168. 03-28-1900: Beck Olsen wins the European Greco-Roman title from Ernest Roeber in New York City.
  169.  
  170. 05-23-1900: "Wildcat" Stanley Pinto, one of the top New Zealand stars ever, is born in Bohemia.
  171.  
  172. 06-1900: 22 year old George Hackenschmidt becomes the champion of the Russian Czar's invitational tournament by defeating Belgian champion Constant le Boucher, Petroff the Bulgarian Giant, Peytouse the Tiger of France, Michailoff the Might Cossack, Spanish champion Shorella (in 29 seconds), German champion Emil Fengle, and by forfeit over Frenchman Laurent le Beaucairois.
  173.  
  174. 09-12-1900: Ernest Roeber recaptures the European Greco-Roman title from Beck Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  175.  
  176. 09-1900: George Hackenschmidt wins a Budapest tournament defeating William Muldoon (US), Robinet (France), Nollys (Belgium), Sandorft (Hungary), Webber (Germany), and Kara Ahmed (Turkey).
  177.  
  178. 1901
  179.  
  180. 01-24-1901: The European World Greco-Roman heavyweight championship tournament is not completed, however, George Hackenschmidt was leading the tournament when it was called off.
  181.  
  182. 05-03-1901: Tom Cannon defeats Antonio Pierre in London, England for the vacant European Greco-Roman title.
  183.  
  184. 07-05-1901: Tom Jenkins, who was possibly being billed as a wrestling champion in some areas, defeats Ernest Roeber in a "unification" match in St. Louis, MO.
  185.  
  186. 07-29-1901: Dan McLeod defeats Ed Atherton in Buffalo, NY to win recognition as world middleweight champion.
  187.  
  188. 11-07-1901: Tom Jenkins defeats Dan McLeod to win the American heavyweight title in Indianapolis, IN. with Charley Wittner as referee.
  189.  
  190. 11-1901: George Hackenschmidt wins tournaments in France, Germany, and Russia to become recognized as world heavyweight wrestling champion.
  191.  
  192. 12-19-1901: George Hackenschmidt wins the European World Greco-Roman heavyweight championship tournament.
  193.  
  194. 1901: Tag team matches have their origin in the San Francisco area during this year. It was a gimmick by the promoters to boost interest in their shows. Later in the 20th century tag team wrestling is credited with beginning in Australia, and many regional areas called tag team matches "Australian rules" matches, this was mainly as a gimmick for the legendary Fabulous Kangaroos tag team to give tag matches a more exotic flavor.
  195.  
  196. 1902
  197.  
  198. 05-27-1902: Turkish wrestling champion Kara Ahmed dies in Constantinople, Turkey.
  199.  
  200. 09-04-1902: George Hackenschmidt defeats Tom Cannon in Liverpool, England for the European Greco-Roman title, which becomes one of the components of the undisputed world heavyweight championship.
  201.  
  202. 12-25-1902: Dan McLeod recaptures the American heavyweight championship from Tom Jenkins in Worcester, MA. Jenkins suffers from blood poisoning in his leg and forfeits the third and deciding fall of the match.
  203.  
  204. 12-1902: Paul Pons wins a tournament in south east France.
  205.  
  206. 1903
  207.  
  208. 02-22-1903: Tom Jenkins defeats Frank Gotch in two straight falls in Cleveland, OH in a match that went over an hour and a half.
  209.  
  210. 04-03-1903: Tom Jenkins recaptures the American title for the second time by defeating Dan McLeod in Buffalo, NY.
  211.  
  212. 04-08-1903: The National Police Gazette world lightweight champion George Bothner defeats Tom Riley in New York to retain the title.
  213.  
  214. 05-02-1903: Buttan Singh defeats Gunga Brahm in Melbourne, Australia for the Australian title.
  215.  
  216. 1904
  217.  
  218. 01-27-1904: Frank Gotch wins his first American heavyweight championship from Tom Jenkins in New York. Gotch wins two straight falls, the second one by foul (DQ).
  219.  
  220. 01-30-1904: George Hackenschmidt defeats Ahmed Madrali in London, England to be recognized as Greco-Roman champion.
  221.  
  222. 04-11-1904: Frank Gotch defeats the man billed as Cornish-Style world champion, Tim Harrington in Butte, MT.
  223.  
  224. 1905
  225.  
  226. 02-02-1905: Frank Gotch again defeats Tom Jenkins after losing the first fall, and capturing the last two.
  227.  
  228. 03-15-1905: Tom Jenkins defeats Frank Gotch to recapture the American heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was Jenkins third American heavyweight championship reign.
  229.  
  230. 04-01-1905: Samuel Stein is born. Stein grows up to be a pro wrestler and appears in several movies in the 1940's and 1950's.
  231.  
  232. 05-04-1905: George Hackenschmidt defeats American heavyweight champion Tom Jenkins in New York, NY to finally become recognized as undisputed world heavyweight champion in the United States.
  233.  
  234. 05-19-1905: Despite his loss to George Hackenschmidt just two week earlier, Tom Jenkins again defeats Frank Gotch to retain the American heavyweight championship, winning the first and third falls in a match that lasted over two hours. An exhausted Gotch had to be carried from the ring.
  235.  
  236. 06-15-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Beck Olson in Kansas City.
  237.  
  238. 07-04-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Alex Samuelson in Minneapolis.
  239.  
  240. 08-10-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Duncan McMillan in Spokane, WA.
  241.  
  242. 08-1905: J.C. "Kid" Nichols wins recognition as U.S. Middleweight champion following a victory over Jimmy Parr in Iowa City, IA.
  243.  
  244. 09-04-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Jack Carkeek in Butte, MT.
  245.  
  246. 10-15-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Doc Fillmore in Des Moines, IA.
  247.  
  248. 10-30-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Hilding Ardahl in Des Moines, IA.
  249.  
  250. 11-14-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Emil Klank in Rockford, Il.
  251.  
  252. 12-15-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Yankee Rodgers in Utica, NY.
  253.  
  254. 12-22-1905: Frank Gotch defeats Dan McLeod in Montreal.
  255.  
  256. 12-27-1905: Frank Gotch wins a fifty man tournament in Montreal, Canada in Greco-Roman style, defeating Emil Maupas in the finals
  257.  
  258. . 1906
  259.  
  260. 01-09-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Hackenschmidt in Des Moines, IA.
  261.  
  262. 01-12-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Appollo in Montreal.
  263.  
  264. 01-25-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Farmer Burns in Kansas City.
  265.  
  266. 01-27-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Hackenschmidt in Kansas City.
  267.  
  268. 02-02-1906: Frank Gotch defeats John Voss in Ft. Dodge, IA.
  269.  
  270. 02-06-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Charles Kaiser, George Gray, and Con Albright, throwing each twice in Rochester, NY.
  271.  
  272. 02-23-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Hackenschmidt in St. Louis.
  273.  
  274. 02-26-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Jim Parr in Kansas City.
  275.  
  276. 02-27-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Hank Rogers in Kansas City.
  277.  
  278. 03-23-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Olson in Asheville, NC.
  279.  
  280. 04-06-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Karakanoff (spelled Karahanoff in some sources) in Montreal, Canada.
  281.  
  282. 04-30-1906: Frank Gotch fails to throw J. Perelli and Appollo in a handicapped match in Kansas City.
  283.  
  284. 05-14-1906: A match between Frank Gotch and Pietro is stopped by Police in Montreal.
  285.  
  286. 05-23-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Tom Jenkins in two straight falls to avenge his 1903 and 1905 losses in a match that last just over thirty minutes in Kansas City, MO to win the American heavyweight title.
  287.  
  288. 06-09-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Farmer Burns in St. Louis.
  289.  
  290. 07-04-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Jim Parr in Humboldt, IA.
  291.  
  292. 07-20-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Olson in New Orleans.
  293.  
  294. 08-27-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Hjalmar Lundin in Des Moines, IA.
  295.  
  296. 09-28-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Jim Parr in Chicago.
  297.  
  298. 10-07-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Olson and Yankee Rogers in Kansas City.
  299.  
  300. 10-12-1906: Frank Gotch draws with Dr. Benjamin F. Roller with no falls in an hour in Seattle.
  301.  
  302. 11-19-1906: Clarence Weber defeats Buttan Singh for the Australian title in Melbourne... Frank Gotch defeats Alex Seanson and Fred Bartle in Lima, OH.
  303.  
  304. 11-23-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Leo Pardello in Chicago.
  305.  
  306. 12-01-1906: Fred Beell upsets Frank Gotch for the American heavyweight championship in New Orleans, LA using the hip toss still known as the "Beell throw" to throw Gotch from the ring. The most often recounted version of the match ending has Gotch striking his head on the ring post which knocked him out. This story has borne out as the most often repeated, but least likely to have happened. Wrestling rings in this era rarely had ring ropes or posts and were most often mats, bare ground, or sand. Newspaper accounts which seem more likely have Gotch thrown to the ground (or possibly mat) hard, striking his head leading to Beell winning the second fall. Gotch was knocked out and had to be revived, but was still groggy leading to Beell quickly gaining the pin in the third fall. Beell, who was much smaller than Gotch, with some reports giving him as a fifty pound underdog, was still considered by many to have been one of the best wrestlers of the day. Gotch told an interviewer years later that he was out of shape and thrown into "an orchestra pit". This story also seems unlikely.
  307.  
  308. 12-03-1906: Stanislaus Zbyszko wins the World Greco-Roman championship tournament in France.
  309.  
  310. 12-17-1906: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell for the American heavyweight championship in their rematch in Kansas City, MO. This is Gotch's third reign as champion.
  311.  
  312. 12-1906: Clarence Webber becomes the Australian champion and holds the title until his retirement in 1913.
  313.  
  314. 1907
  315.  
  316. 01-1907: Stanislaus Zbyszko wins the European heavyweight championship tournament in Belgium.
  317.  
  318. 04-26-1907: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in Chicago.
  319.  
  320. 08-23-1907: Frank Gotch defeats Emil Klank in Denver, CO.
  321.  
  322. 09-13-1907: Joe Arena, who later became an impostor "Gorgeous George" and was sued over the name and lost in the 1950's, is born. Following the lawsuit loss he becomes known as "Baron Arena".
  323.  
  324. 10-04-1907: Leopold McLaglan battles T.H. Kanada in a wrestling vs. Jui Jitsu match in British Columbia, Canada in what was most likely a true shoot since the referee called for a no contest after two hours of dull action. McLaglan, however, bills himself afterward as World Ju Jitsu champion.
  325.  
  326. 10-27-1907: Frank Gotch defeats both Emil Klank and War Eagle in Kansas City.
  327.  
  328. 12-06-1907: Frank Gotch defeats War Eagle in Chicago.
  329.  
  330. 12-09-1907: Paul Pons wins the World Greco-Roman championship tournament in France.
  331.  
  332. 1907: Joe Turner is recognized as world welterweight champion after his defeat of Harvey Parker.
  333.  
  334. 1908
  335.  
  336. 01-21-1908: Frank Gotch defeats Hjalmar Lundin in Lowell, MA.
  337.  
  338. 01-24-1908: Frank Gotch defeats Albert Solomon in Utica, NY.
  339.  
  340. 02-07-1908: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in Chicago, IL.
  341.  
  342. 03-06-1908: Frank Gotch fails to throw Joe Rogers the required five times in one hour to meet his handicap. He does throw Rogers twice.
  343.  
  344. 04-03-1908: Frank Gotch, the American heavyweight champion, defeats George Hackenschmidt, the undisputed World heavyweight champion to unify the titles. Hackenschmidt leaves the ring and refuses to return, thus the referee awards the match to Gotch after two hours and three minutes. This is the first time the two had met and the event was promoted by W.W. Wittig and took place in Chicago, IL. Hackenschmidt, who out lived Gotch by many years, had throughout his life told his version of being cheated out of the championship, including claims that Gotch had covered himself in oil. Whether or not any or all of Hackenscmidt's claims were true is debatable, but many experts feel that the match was heavily tilted in Gotch's favor by a partial referee and questionable tactics by Gotch. Marcus Griffen, author of a 1937 book entitled Fall Guys (which is quite unreliable) described the first match this way, "It was one of the most disgraceful exhibitions ever witnessed by a capacity audience of enthusiastic mat devotees, and it started the ball rolling toward the general discrediting of wrestlers and grapplers.".
  345.  
  346. 05-08-1908: Frank Gotch defeats Hjalmar Lundin in Kansas City.
  347.  
  348. 07-15-1908: Frank Gotch throws three men in 19 minutes (? Williams, Emil Klank, and ? Jones) in Dallas, TX.
  349.  
  350. 1909
  351.  
  352. 03-25-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Raoul De Reuen in Kansas City.
  353.  
  354. 03-26-1909: Frank Gotch defeats John Perrelli in Omaha, NE.
  355.  
  356. 04-14-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Yussiff Mahmount in Chicago in two straight falls in another W.W. Wittig promoted event.
  357.  
  358. 04-17-1909: Frank Gotch defeats H. Lundin in Chicago.
  359.  
  360. 04-20-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Dan McLeod in Waterloo, IA.
  361.  
  362. 04-22-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Ben Reeves in Boone, IA.
  363.  
  364. 04-27-1909: Max Luttberg defeats Albert Wassen in a Chicago tournament to be recognized as American lightweight champion... Frank Gotch defeats Dr. Benjamin F. Roller in Kansas City.
  365.  
  366. 04-29-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Hackenschmidt in Memphis, TN.
  367.  
  368. 05-06-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in Denver, CO.
  369.  
  370. 05-21-1909: Frank Gotch defeats both Ed Ferguson and M. Yokel in Salt Lake City, UT.
  371.  
  372. 05-27-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Oscar Wassem in Sioux City, IA.
  373.  
  374. 05-29-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Dan McDonald, Joe Ackron, and Professor Miller in Sioux Falls, SD.
  375.  
  376. 06-04-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Henry Ordeman in Minneapolis, MN.
  377.  
  378. 06-14-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Tom Jenkins in Des Moines, IA.
  379.  
  380. 11-06-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Frank Prindle in Chicago, IL.
  381.  
  382. 11-09-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Giovanni Raicevich in Chicago, Il.
  383.  
  384. 11-10-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Hilding Ardahl in Ottumwa, IA.
  385.  
  386. 11-11-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Tom Challender in Decatur, IL.
  387.  
  388. 11-15-1909: Frank Gotch defeats Dr. Benjamin F. Roller in Kansas City.
  389.  
  390. 11-25-1909: The first meeting between Stanislaus Zbyszko and Frank Gotch takes place in Buffalo, NY with Zbyszko winning. The match went one hour with no fall. It was a handicap rules match, thus Gotch needed to secure a fall to win.
  391.  
  392. 1910
  393.  
  394. 1910: Americus (Gus Schoenlein) claims the world lightweight title.
  395.  
  396. 01-15-1910: Tom Chaaker dies following a match with Yousouf the Terrible Turk (not the original, he died in a shipwreck in 1898) in Montreal, Quebec.
  397.  
  398. 02-28-1910: Frank Gotch defeats Jim Essen in Chicago.
  399.  
  400. 04-1910: Wrestling promoters John C. Maybray, Joe Carroll, and Bert Warner are indicted by a Federal Court for fixing wrestling matches via the U.S. mail... Alexander Aberg wins the world Greco-Roman championship tournament in Russia.
  401.  
  402. 05-13-1910: Frank Gotch defeats Chris Pearson in Houghton, MI.
  403.  
  404. 06-01-1910: Frank Gotch defeats Stanislaus Zbyszko in six seconds of the first fall in Chicago, IL. Gotch wins the second fall in just over twenty-seven minutes. It was supposedly Zbyszko's first loss in over 945 matches. Stanislaus had defeated Gotch in 1909.
  405.  
  406. 1911
  407.  
  408. 02-1911: A wrestler known as McRay dies in Texas following a match with Charley Olson. He was reportedly the second person to die wrestling Olson.
  409.  
  410. 02-06-1911: In Sioux City, IA Frank Gotch defeated Kara Osmon (also recorded as "Kalefosman")
  411.  
  412. 02-07-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in Des Moines, IA.
  413.  
  414. 02-08-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Americus in Kansas City.
  415.  
  416. 02-20-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Americus in Boston, MA.
  417.  
  418. 02-22-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Peter Nogert in Hartford, CT.
  419.  
  420. 03-02-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Paul Schmidt in Buffalo, NY.
  421.  
  422. 03-07-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Carl Lehts in Duluth, MN.
  423.  
  424. 03-09-1911: Frank Gotch defeats George Eberg in Winnipeg, Canada.
  425.  
  426. 03-15-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Ernest Koch in Kansas City.
  427.  
  428. 03-16-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Henry Barn in Chicago.
  429.  
  430. 03-17-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Chas. Cutler in Lincoln, NE.
  431.  
  432. 03-18-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Demetral in Omaha, NE.
  433.  
  434. 03-20-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in Wichita, KS.
  435.  
  436. 03-25-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Tom Jenkins in Denver, CO.
  437.  
  438. 03-27-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Jack Leon in Salt Lake City, UT.
  439.  
  440. 04-12-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Henry Ordemann in San Francisco.
  441.  
  442. 04-17-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Jess Westergaard in Los Angeles.
  443.  
  444. 05-05-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in Knoxville, TN.
  445.  
  446. 09-04-1911: Frank Gotch defeats George Hackenschmidt in their rematch from 1908. Gotch wins two straight falls with a live gate of over $87,000 in front of a reported crowd of 25,000 in White Sox (Comiskey, whom the park was later named after was President of the ball field at the time.) Hackenschmidt badly injures his knee prior to the match allegedly at the hands of Ad Santel who was paid to "hook" Hackenschmidt and protect Gotch's title. In a 1998 A&E television special on the history of professional wrestling entitled "The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling", the legendary Lou Thesz alleges that Santel was paid to injure Hackenschmidt. Gotch was paid $21,000 for the match and Hackenschmidt $9000.
  447.  
  448. 10-13-1911: Frank Gotch defeats George Padoubny in Kansas City.
  449.  
  450. 10-14-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in St. Joseph, MO.
  451.  
  452. 10-17-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Emile Pietro in Des Moines, IA.
  453.  
  454. 10-28-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Jess Westergaard in Denver, CO.
  455.  
  456. 10-30-1911: Frank Gotch defeats William Demetral in Salt Lake City.
  457.  
  458. 11-03-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Jack Leon in Seattle, WA.
  459.  
  460. 12-01-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Chas Hackenschmidt in Minneapolis, MN.
  461.  
  462. 12-27-1911: Frank Gotch defeats Alex Monroe in Kansas City.
  463.  
  464. 1911: Richard K. Fox's National Police Gazette recognizes Joe Turner as the 160 pound middleweight champion.
  465.  
  466. 1912
  467.  
  468. 01-1912: Frank Gotch announces he will retire after defeating British wrestler Alex Munrue the previous night. Gotch stated that the only American he wished to face was Dr. Benjamin Roller and stated that he would pin Roller "six times in an hour".
  469.  
  470. 01-22-1912: Jess Westegaard defeats Henry Ordemann in Omaha, NE for what is billed as being for the American championship.
  471.  
  472. 03-12-1912: Frank Gotch defeats Joe Geshtowt and Paul Martinson in Chicago.
  473.  
  474. 03-13-1912: Frank Gotch fails to throw Henry Ordeman in Minneapolis, MN.
  475.  
  476. 03-14-1912: Frank Gotch defeats Marvin Plestina in St. Paul, MN.
  477.  
  478. 03-15-1912: Frank Gotch again draws with Henry Ordeman, failing to throw him in Chicago.
  479.  
  480. 03-17-1912: Frank Gotch defeats Marvin Plestina in Milwaukee.
  481.  
  482. 03-22-1912: Frank Gotch draws with Henry Ordeman for the third time after failing to throw him in Omaha, NE.
  483.  
  484. 06-13-1912: Frank Gotch defeats Americus in Baltimore, MD.
  485.  
  486. 08-22-1913: Frank Gotch defeats George Lurich in Kansas City.
  487.  
  488. 10-02-1912: Paul Boesch is born in Brooklyn, NY.
  489.  
  490. 1912: Ad Santel defeats William Demetral in Oklahoma and claims the world lightweight championship, a belt he defends until 1928.
  491.  
  492. 1912: American wrestling pioneer John McMahon dies.
  493.  
  494. 1913
  495.  
  496. 01-07-1913: Frank Gotch referees a match where Jess Westergaard defeats Henry Ordemann in Minneapolis.
  497.  
  498. 01-13-1913: In Chicago, IL Stanislaus Zbyszko defeated Charles Cutler 2 falls to 0.
  499.  
  500. 01-20-1913: In Chicago, IL George Lurich defeated Dr. Benjamin F. Roller 2 falls to 0.
  501.  
  502. 01-24-1913: In Louisville, KY Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeated Bob Fredericks.
  503.  
  504. 01-26-1913: In Duluth, MN Stanislaus Zbyszko defeated Jess Westergaard 2 falls to 0.
  505.  
  506. 01-31-1913: In Louisville, KY William Demetral defeated Ed "Strangler" Lewis.
  507.  
  508. 02-06-1913: In Lexington KY Ed "Strangler" Lewis battled Bob Fredericks to a draw under handicap rules.
  509.  
  510. 02-07-1913: Frank Gotch referees a match where Stanislaus Zbyszko defeats Raymond Cazeaux in Chicago, IL.
  511.  
  512. 02-19-1913: In Lexington KY Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeated Jack Stone.
  513.  
  514. 02-20-1913: In Boston, MA George Lurich defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko when Zbyszko couldn't continue.
  515.  
  516. 03-14-1913: In Louisville, KY Ed "Strangler" Lewis battles Young Olsen to a draw.
  517.  
  518. 03-28-1913: In Louisville, KY Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Young Olsen.
  519.  
  520. 04-09-1913: Frank Gotch defeats George Lurich and announces on of many retirements as undisputed world champion. Immediately several people claim the championship. An alleged title match takes place between Henry Ordemann and Jess Westegaard for the title. Dr. Benjamin F. Roller also claims to be champion.
  521.  
  522. 05-24-1913: In Montreal, Quebec Canada Constant Le Marin defeats Stanislaus Zbyszko when Zbyszko can not continue.
  523.  
  524. 09-18-1913: In Lexington KY Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Dr. Benjamin F. Roller.
  525.  
  526. 11-26-1913: In Chicago, IL Charles Cutler defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis.
  527.  
  528. 12-13-1913: In Chicago, IL Gus Schoenlein defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis 2 falls to 0. Also Gustav Fristensky defeated Max Miller, Ted Tonneman defeated Young Beell, John Meyers defeated George Dietz ($1,652.25 house, Lewis received a check for $330.50). The show also included a wrestler named The Mysterious Horseshoer.
  529.  
  530. 1913: Mike Yokel claims to be world middleweight champion. Joe Turner also continues to claim the title.
  531.  
  532. 1913: Paul Bowser defeats Joe Turner for the world middle weight title and defends it for the next six years.
  533.  
  534. 1913: Clarence Webber retires as Australian heavyweight champion.
  535.  
  536. 1914
  537.  
  538. 01-29-1914: Frank Gotch writes to a reporter at the New York Times announcing again his intended retirement; "Please announce positively that I am through with wrestling forever. My wife and myself have gone over the matter thoroughly and nothing will induce me to change my mind. The call of the foreigners and the offer of the big New York purses, $25,000 for three bouts, will never make me leave the farm again. I would suggest that (Fred) Beell and Americus get together and then let the winner of this match defend the title. I will willingly waive my rights to the title in favor of the winner of the Beell-Americus match."
  539.  
  540. 12-12-1914: Instrumental lucha libre wrestler and boxer Carlos "Gorilla" Ramos is born.
  541.  
  542. 1914: World lightweight champion Ad Santel defeats fifth degree Judo black belt Takugoro Itoh and claims to be World Judo champion. Another Judoka, fourth degree black belt Daisuke Sakai is sent to avenge the loss, but he too is defeated by Santel.
  543.  
  544. 1914: Elmer "Pet" Brown claims to be world middle weight champion.
  545.  
  546. 1915
  547.  
  548. 05-19-1915: Alexander Aberg wrestles Wladek Zbyszko (brother of Stanislaus) to a draw in a Greco Roman tournament final in New York, though wrestlers didn't have to wrestle in the Greco Roman style.
  549.  
  550. 06-25-1915: Wladek Zbyszko defeats Alex Aberg in three hours and forty minutes in New York.
  551.  
  552. 07-04-1915: Joe Stecher defeats Charlie Cutler for the undisputed world championship, to become the first truly recognized undisputed world champion following Frank Gotch's retirement. Gotch is in attendance for the match.
  553.  
  554. 10-13-1915: Joe Stecher defeats Paul Sass with his famous "leg scissors hold" when the match is stopped because Sass is bleeding from the "ears, mouth, and nose" from the hold. Stecher retains the world title.
  555.  
  556. 10-20-1915: Joe Stecher defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in just over two hours in Evansville, IN to retain the World championship. Lewis is thrown over the ropes, striking his head on a chair. Doctor's announce that Lewis is not injured to any major extent, but Lewis does not continue the match anyway. The next day it is announced that Lewis has suffered a groin injury.
  557.  
  558. 10-21-1915: Mayor Bosse of Evansville, IN confiscates the $2,756 in ticket sales from the previous nights Ed "Strangler" Lewis verses Joe Stecher match on the basis that he believed the match was "not on the square" (worked). He stated that he and the Sheriff had taken the money because they felt the match had been "rigged". They then told the local news paper that Lewis and Stecher would be paid from the money the amount they would have made had ticket prices not been increased, and that the rest of the money would go to "the poor of the town". Mayor Bosse then proclaimed that there would be no more wrestling in Evansville. Show promoter William F. Barton was left with just $13 after the incident and claimed to owe $400 to the wrestlers.
  559.  
  560. 10-25-1915: Alexander Aberg defeats Wladek Zbyszko to lay claim to the world Greco-Roman title in New York. The two had wrestled to a draw earlier in the year.
  561.  
  562. 11-18-1915: Kansas City promoter W.D. Scoville announces that Frank Gotch will return to wrestling to face Joe Stecher for $25,000. Gotch would wrestle "two or three men in the west" before wrestling the match with Stecher.
  563.  
  564. 11-30-1915: Ed "Strangler" Lewis draws with Wladek Zbyszko in New York.
  565.  
  566. 12-02-1915: Ed "Strangler" Lewis draws with Sulo Hevonpaa in New York.
  567.  
  568. 12-07-1915: Ed "Strangler" Lewis draws with Charles Cutler in New York.
  569.  
  570. 12-10-1915: Ed "Strangler" Lewis draws with Wladek Zbyszko in New York.
  571.  
  572. 12-11-1915: Ed "Strangler" Lewis draws again with Wladek Zbyszko in New York.
  573.  
  574. 12-29-1915: Alex Aberg defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in New York.
  575.  
  576. 1915: Gorgeous George (George Wagner) is born.
  577.  
  578. 1915: Earl Caddock wins a national amateur wrestling championship.
  579.  
  580. 1916
  581.  
  582. 01-17-1916: Joe Stecher defeats The Masked Marvel (Mort Henderson) at Madison Square Garden in two straight falls.
  583.  
  584. 01-1916: Alex Aberg wins a major tournament at the Manhattan Opera house which began in November 1915. He defeats Wladek Zbyszko in the finals. The tournament had also included Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Dr. Benjamin F. Roller, The Masked Marvel (Mort Henderson), and Charles Cutler.
  585.  
  586. 06-13-1916: Frank Gotch signs contract with owners of Sells-Floto Circus, which includes a scheduled autumn match with Joe Stecher, to be held either in Omaha, Kansas City, or Chicago, and for which Gotch will receive $15,000.
  587.  
  588. 07-04-1916: Joe Stecher wrestles Ed "Strangler" Lewis to a five hour draw in Omaha, NE in front of 18,000 fans, in what was describe as one of the most boring matches ever with Lewis stalling for most of the match trying to wear out Stecher. (Note: Numerous dates have been given for this infamous five hour match including April 5, 1916, and several versions of the story give the date as July 4, 1926. However, numerous news paper accounts give this as the actual date, though it is likely that Stecher and Lewis could have had other seemingly endless matches on other dates as well that are confused with this most infamous one.).
  589.  
  590. 07-12-1916: Billy Sandow, manager of Ed "Strangler" Lewis puts up a $1,000 bond to bind a match with Frank Gotch. The match never takes place.
  591.  
  592. 07-18-1916: Frank Gotch wrestles his last match against Bob Managoff, Sr. (father of later wrestler and champion Bobby Managoff) during a circus exhibition during which Gotch's leg is broken.
  593.  
  594. 12-11-1916: In a match considered a major upset at the time, John Olin defeats world champion Joe Stecher when he is unable to continue after allegedly injuring his shoulder during the match. Olin doesn't claim the title of world champion, though Ed "Strangler" Lewis later defeats Olin and claims the title of world champion based on this victory by Olin.
  595.  
  596. 1916: Al Haft claims to be world middle weight champion after defeating Thor Olsen in Columbus, OH.
  597.  
  598. 1916: Joe Turner wins two middle weight tournaments, one in Richmond, VA and another in New York City and again claims to be world middle weight champion.
  599.  
  600. 1917
  601.  
  602. 02-18-1917: "Classy" Fred Blassie (Fred Blassman) is born in Missouri.
  603.  
  604. 04-09-1917: Joe Stecher forfeits the World championship to Earl Caddock after refusing to finish the match in Omaha, NE. Caddock serves in the U.S. Infantry during World War I, thus the title lies inactive.
  605.  
  606. 04-20-1917: Frank Schuler, a San Francisco promoter, sues Ad Santel and Joe Stecher, alleging he had overpaid them $150.
  607.  
  608. 04-25-1917: Ad Santel defeats Farmer Stanton in San Francisco, CA. Following the match Santel is accosted by an IRS agent for not paying state taxes.
  609.  
  610. 05-02-1917: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats John Olin for a version of the "world title" in Chicago, IL. His billing as "world champion" is based on a December 11, 1916 win by Olin over Joe Stecher. Frank Gotch served as special referee for the match.
  611.  
  612. 06-05-1917: Wladek Zbyszko defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis for a controversial version of the world title in San Francisco, CA after winning one fall of a best of three falls match.
  613.  
  614. 07-04-1917: Ed "Strangler" Lewis recaptures a controversial version of the world title by defeating Wladek Zbyszko in Boston, MA when Zbyszko can not continue.
  615.  
  616. 09-14-1917: Clarence Eklund defeats Elmer "Pet" Brown in Houston, TX to become recognized as World Lightweight champion.
  617.  
  618. 12-16-1917: Frank Gotch dies of uremic poisoning at the age of 39. Some sources list the cause of death as syphilis infection and his age as 41.
  619.  
  620. 12-19-1917: Frank Gotch is buried in Humboldt, IA with Iowa Governor W.L. Harding delivering the eulogy. Gotch was buried in a mausoleum at Union Cemetery in Humboldt, IA.
  621.  
  622. 12-22-1917: Wladek Zbyszko wins a tournament in New York, pinning Ed "Strangler" Lewis in the finals, in doing so he lays claim to a version of the world title.
  623.  
  624. 1917: Jim Londos makes his pro debut.
  625.  
  626. 1918
  627.  
  628. 02-08-1918: Earl Caddock defeated Wladek Zbyszko in Des Moines, IA to retain the World heavyweight championship and unify it with a controversial version that had been floating around since 1915, though Zbyszko continues to claim the title.
  629.  
  630. 03-14-1918: Young Hackenschmidt (Neil Olsen) defeats Louis Nelson in New York City to become recognized as World welterweight champion.
  631.  
  632. 05-08-1918: Earl Caddock again retains the World heavyweight championship over Wladek Zbyszko, this time in Chicago, IL... A new title belt costing $2250 was shown to news papers to be awarded to the winner of the May 10 Ed "Strangler" Lewis verses Wladek Zbyszko match. Promoters from different parts of the country contributed to the cost of the belt, which would become the private property of the champion after five successful defenses... Ed "Strangler" Lewis marries Dr. Ada Scott in Mercer, PA.
  633.  
  634. 05-10-1918: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Wladek Zbyszko by referees decision in Louisville, KY.
  635.  
  636. 06-21-1918: Earl Caddock defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Des Moines, IA to retain the World heavyweight championship by referees decision. Lewis continues to bill himself as world champion based on another version of the title.
  637.  
  638. 1919
  639.  
  640. 01-05-1919: Jim Londos defeats William Demetral in New York City to win the Greek heavyweight title.
  641.  
  642. 06-1919: Jack (could be John?) Pesek defeats Wladek Zbyszko and bills himself as world champion.
  643.  
  644. 09-23-1919: El Santo (Rodolfo Guzman Huertes) is born in Tulancingo, Mexico.
  645.  
  646. 1919: Cora Livingston is recognized as world womens champion.
  647.  
  648. 1919: Billy Riley is recognized as the British World middleweight champion.
  649.  
  650. 1919: Gibborne Katene is recognized as New Zealand champion following his defeat of Frank Findley.
  651.  
  652. 1920
  653.  
  654. 01-1920: Joe Malcewicz double crosses world champion Earl Caddock in a match in Utica, NY, but Caddock remains recognized as champion, though Malcewicz also claims the championship. Important correction: The following is from wrestling historian Steve Yohe: Karl, I just started looking over your history out line & started at 1920. The famous Caddock/Malcewicz match that supposedly happen in Utica on Jan 1920, and covered up by promoters of the Caddock / Stecher title unification match, did not happen in 1920. The match took place on Jan. 14, 1921. Almost a year after Caddock lost his claim to the title. Historians were never able to find the 1920 match and it took master historian Don Luce to find the real date about a year ago. It's a super find by the greatest researcher wrestling has. Seems the whole story was made up around 1926 after Stecher took the world title from Stan Zbyszko. We think that it was made up & published by Ed Lewis people....I'm thinking Toots Mondt or Billy Sandow..,to make Stecher look bad. Sence most of wrestlings history has come from the lies of this group, the story lived a long life. It was publish in RING MAGAZINE in 1931. Luce has produced the report of the 12-14-1921 match & it clearly states that it was the first time Caddock had wrestled in Utica.--Steve Yohe
  655.  
  656. 01-16-1920: Joe Stecher defeats one of the most highly feared wrestlers of the era John Pesek in a match that lasted well over two hours in Omaha, NE.
  657.  
  658. 01-27-1920: Helmar Myre becomes recognized as world lightweight champion.
  659.  
  660. 01-30-1920: Joe Stecher becomes a two time champion when he defeats Earl Caddock for the undisputed world title in New York City at Madison Square Garden. The show drew what was likely the second highest gate in history to that point at $80,000. Caddock is said to have taken home $15,000 and Stecher an amazing $25,000. The match was said to be a classic, and unlike many "super matches" actually lived up to it's hype.
  661.  
  662. 02-13-1920: Joe Stecher defeats Joe Malcewicz to erase any doubt as to the true world champion.
  663.  
  664. 12-13-1920: Ed "Strangler" Lewis wins the undisputed world title from Joe Stecher in New York City. Lewis is managed by Billy Sandow. According to Lou Thesz and his biography "Hooker", this was a legitimate contest (shoot) and was likely the last major world title shoot match in history (until the modern era of mixed martial arts and Pancrase fighting), although some wrestling historians dispute this claim.
  665.  
  666. 1920: Nat Pendleton and Fred Meyer finish second and third in the 1920 Olympics and later turn pro.
  667.  
  668. 1920: Chris Jordan claims to be world middleweight champion.
  669.  
  670. 1920: The Wrestling News names Chris Jordan the leading claimant to the world middleweight championship.
  671.  
  672. 1921
  673.  
  674. 01-11-1921: Salvador "Gory" Guerrero is born in Kearney, Arizona.
  675.  
  676. 03-04-1921: Stanislaus Zbyszko returns from Europe to defeat Joe Stecher in New York to put Zbyszko back into contention for the world title.
  677.  
  678. 03-05-1921: After his defeat of two high ranking black belt Judoka in 1914 and claiming the title of "World Judo Champion", World lightweight wrestling champion Ad Santel defeats fifth degree judo black belt Reijiro Nagata by technical knock out. Santel then battles fifth degree judo black belt Hikoo Shoji to a one hour draw.
  679.  
  680. 05-03-1921: Black Shadow (Alejandro Cruz) is born in Guanajuato, Mexico.
  681.  
  682. 05-06-1921: Stanislaus Zbyszko defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the Undisputed world heavyweight championship in New York City.
  683.  
  684. 05-27-1921: Stanislaus Zbyszko retains his newly won world title over Joe Stecher in New York.
  685.  
  686. 10-04-1921: In a battle of the two top world title contenders, Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Joe Stecher via decision in a close match. Correction: From Steve Yohe: On the title history, you have the wrong winner listed for the 10-4-21 Stecher/Lewis match in S.F. Stecher won a close decision over Lewis. Joe beat Lewis in his home town. To me, Stecher is superior to Lewis in the ring until the 2-20-28 match, when Joe sells everything including the title to Ed. Stecher then quit & when back to the farming game. The depression & the need for money brought him back in 1929 to do jobs for Lewis & Sonnenberg. Lewis never, in his lifetime, defended the title vs Stecher. He ran from Joe. The only thing Lewis had over Joe was talk.---Steve Yohe.
  687.  
  688. 11-14-1921: John Pesek, infamous "policeman" in the ring "polices" (ie: stretches, shoots, makes a general example of) Marin Plestina at Madison Square Garden in New York.
  689.  
  690. 12-10-1921: Charley Hansen battles Stanislaus Zbyszko to a three hour draw in Nashville, TN.
  691.  
  692. 12-26-1921: Mat legend Martin "Farmer" Burns gives this interesting article to the Wichita Eagle, ˜Old Farmer Burns, the famous old wrestler who has wrestled 6,000 times and lost but seven matches, has discovered a new world's champion -- or, rather, Farmer Burns is developing a new world's champion. Farmer Burns picked up Frank Gotch, an unknown Iowa farm hand, and made him the champion wrestler of the world. Now the Farmer has gotten another farm hand and says he is going to develop a new champion. The Farmer's new find is Charley Hansen. Burns found him working in a lumber camp in Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, 90 miles from a railroad. That was something over two years ago. Burns has been training and developing him off and on ever since he discovered him making railroad cross ties with an axe. On December 10, Hansen went up against Stanislaus Zbyszko, the world's champion, (in) Nashville, TN, and stayed in the ring with Zbyszko for three hours until the referee called off the match because it was midnight. "Next time Hansen goes up against Zbyszko, he's going to throw that champion," says Farmer Burns. "Hansen is the only man, with the exception of Frank Gotch, to whom I ever gave the 'inside' stuff I developed in my half-century of wrestling," says Burns. "I taught those things to Frank Gotch and they made him world champion. I have taught them to Charley Hansen and they are going to make Hansen the world's champion. "In some ways, Hansen is stronger than Gotch was. "Stanislaus Zbyszko was never thrown on his two shoulders but once in all his career and that was by Frank Gotch. But in three hours at Nashville he was unable to throw Hansen. Yet Zbyszko has thrown Joe Stecher twice, Strangler Lewis twice, (John) Pesek, Earl Caddock and all the rest of the big fellows." Hansen is a real farm hand. He was born on a farm near Crookston, MN. He is 20 years old, 5 feet 10 1/2 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds now, and Farmer Burns says he will weight 200 pounds shortly. He moved to British Columbia some years ago and secured a homestead. To keep things going until his homestead became productive, Hansen went to work in the lumber camps of the northwest and is a regular lumberjack. As a wrestler Hansen gained considerable success among the other lumberjacks. Then he wrote Farmer Burns in Omaha and asked the Farmer about training him. Later, Hansen came to Omaha to see Burns. Burns was delighted with Hansen. But Hansen had no money from which to live while he was being made into a professional wrestler. So he got a job as an ordinary day laborer and for two years or so has worked as carpenter, painter, cook, or anything else he could get to do. And all the time old Farmer Burns was driving his tricks into the younger fellow's head. He was training his muscles, his brain and his heart. "Hansen is on the level, he don't chew, smoke, drink, nor swear," says Farmer Burns. "He is the coming American champion. I am going to continue to train him and I will make him throw Zbyszko and all the rest of the champions before I'll say he is the finished article."
  693.  
  694. 1922
  695.  
  696. 01-03-1922: Paul Bowser wins the world middleweight title from Joe Turner in Boston, MA... Wladek Zbyszko defeats Joe Stecher in New York at Madison Square Garden. A despondent Stecher sits out the next two years. Correction: From Steve Yohe: The Wladek Zbyszko/Stecher MSG match you have listed as 01-03-1922 should be 02-21-1922. It was part of a elimination tournament to find a new American champion (I don't know what followed or who won). I don't think Stecher was dispondent over the worked result (maybe you know more than me) and the lack of Stecher results in the next few years may be because historians have not researched the period well and because it was a down period for wrestling in the US, regaurdless of what you may have read in the book FALL GUYS. New rules such as Rolling falls hurt NY and much of the rest of the country didn't really take form until around 1925. For the above Wladek/Stecher match, MSG was only half full. Other factors were a feud between promoters Jack Curley & Tex Richard, bad booking by the Lewis group who breaks with Curley, and Lewis attemp to set up a mix match with Jack Dempsey. I also think Stecher was playing baseball in Dodge, Neb. too.---Yohe. Note from Karl Stern: If I remember correctly the despondent Stecher story came from a 1920's era news paper article which could have easily been that reporters version of the story.
  697.  
  698. 02-20-1922: Clarence Eklund regains the world lightweight title over Helmar Myre in Sheridan, WY.
  699.  
  700. 03-03-1922: Ed "Strangler" Lewis recaptures the undisputed world heavyweight championship from Stanislaus Zbyszko in Wichita, KS for promoter Tom Law.
  701.  
  702. 03-04-1922: Stanislaus Zbyszko's manager tells the Wichita Eagle news paper, "We were not beaten in a fair manner," said Herman. "Neither of the last two falls were secured according to the wrestling rules. I have $5,000 to post any time for a return bout with Lewis and will insist that he give us a match soon. Zbyszko can beat Lewis and we'll prove it once and for all in another match."
  703.  
  704. 03-13-1922: Peter Sauer (Ray Steele) wins the world lightweight title from Clarence Eklund.Correction: Karl, You have Sauer beating Eklund on 03-13-1922 for the lightweight title. That's all wrong. They were both not lightweights & Peter Sauer was in San Francisco for a match he lost to Ad Santel in 2 straight falls on 03-14-1922. The Sauer / Eklund match your talking about was on 10-09-1922 in Santa Paula CA. Sauer won but he weighted 192 lbs. So he didn't win Eklund's Lightheavyweight title. At least not in Santa Paula. Sauer did claim the title in Phoenix, his home town. The problem in 1922 was the fact that no one could agree what the Light heavyweight limit was. Eklund claimed 178 lb, Santel 185 lbs and Steele/Londos 190 lbs. I feel Eklund was the best Lightweight of his time.--Steve Yohe
  705.  
  706. 03-26-1922: In Kansas City, MO Ed "Strangler" Lewis retained the World heavyweight wrestling title, throwing his opponent, Yussiff Mahmount, two falls, both by use of the headlock. The first fall came in 44 minutes and two seconds, the second in one minute and two seconds.
  707.  
  708. 04-22-1922: The Blue Demon (Alajandro Munoz) is born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
  709.  
  710. 12-30-1922: Ed "Strangler" Lewis challenges boxing champion Jack Dempsey and puts up a reported $10,000 bond to do so.
  711.  
  712. 1923 01-03-1923: In Portland, OR Ted Thye had to "extend himself to the limit" to defeat the "Russian Lion" Al Karasick at the Heilig Theater. After about two hours and one fall apiece referee Roy Freilinger gave the decision to Thye on aggressiveness. Also Basanta Singh, billed as welterweight champion of the world, defeated Henry Burke in just over 46 minutes.
  713.  
  714. 01-04-1923: Charlie Rentrop wins the world lightweight title in Sheridan, WY from Clarence Eklund.
  715.  
  716. 01-06-1923: Sam Hanna defeats Kid Ross in Yorkton, Saskatchewan for the Canadian Welterweight title.
  717.  
  718. 01-17-1923: In Portland, OR Ted Thye, who for many years was unthrown in Portland, was defeated by Mike Yokel of Salt Lake, a stocky veteran, whom the news paper called "one of the toughest man men alive and almost as old as the great Stanislaus Zbyszko". Yokel flipped Thye on his back in a throw after their match had gone exactly one hour and 52 minutes of its scheduled two hours at the Heilig Theater. It was the first time Thye had lost a wrestling match in Portland in the nearly ten years. Nearly 2000 were in attendance... In Tokyo, Japan the Japanese sumo wrestlers strike was settled through the mediation of the Chief of Police of Tokyo. Onishiki, the super champion of Japan retired following the strike.
  719.  
  720. 01-25-1923: Amateur wrestling champion National G. Pendleton faces a wrestler known only as "The Unknown", in what was apparently a shoot match for Paul Bowser. Pendleton was a national collegiate wrestling champion, had put up a large bond to face any challenger and the challenge was accepted by "The Unknown". The match took place under Police Gazette catch as catch can rules and "The Unknown" turns out to be legendary "policeman" (a promoters enforcer to deal with problem wrestlers) John Pesek, who forces Pendleton into submission, breaking his ankle in the process.
  721.  
  722. 01-26-1923: Clarence Eklund regains the world lightweight title from Charlie Rentrop.
  723.  
  724. 02-18-1923: A case before Judge James S. Baldwin to hear the case of A.B. Snyder of Sioux Rapids, IA who alleged that a wrestling match was "fixed" invalidates a bet he made. He was seeking to collect $1,600 he deposited with a stake holder in April, 1922. The money was bet on the Johnny Meyers vs. Ralph Parcaut wrestling bout. Snyder bet on Parcaut and the referee gave the decision to Meyers.
  725.  
  726. 03-11-1923: Mohammed Ali Sunni wins the New Zealand title from Alex Anderson in Napier, New Zealand.
  727.  
  728. 03-26-1923: In Chicago before Ed "Strangler" Lewis, would wrestle Boston wrestler Renato Gardini, he demanded a guarantee of $10,000, win, lose or draw. His wife Mrs. Gardini, the daughter of a Boston banker put up the money and Lewis agreed to the match.
  729.  
  730. 04-16-1923: Wallace Dugid, a Canadian wrestler is hospitalized in Nashville, TN following a match with Ed "Strangler" Lewis following Lewis' famed headlock. He sustained a concussion and a straining of his neck muscles and nerves. The match had lasted 1:32:00 and Dugid was the victim of a reported 19 headlocks in the match.
  731.  
  732. 04-23-1923: Antonio Rocca (Antonio Biasetton) is born in Treviso, Italy. This date is also given as April 13, 1927 in some sources, though I believe this to be the correct date.
  733.  
  734. 12-31-1923: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Taro Miyake for the "jujitsu championship of the world" in Chicago, IL.
  735.  
  736. 1924
  737.  
  738. 1924: Rikidozan (Mitsuo Momota) is born in North Korea.
  739.  
  740. 05-08-1924: In Boston, MA Ed "Strangler" Lewis retained the world heavyweight championship over Stanley Stasiak (the original, not the 1970s WWWF champion obviously) by DQ after winning the first fall. Stasiak was accused by the referee of having stepped on Lewis' neck and striking him after throwing him to the mat when the men had resumed wrestling after the first fall.
  741.  
  742. 05-17-1924: In Toronto, Canada after winning the first and third falls, Stanislaus Zbyszko, former world's heavyweight wrestling champion, defeated George Walker, the reported Canadian champion.
  743.  
  744. 12-02-1924: Nick Gotch defeats lightheavyweight boxing champion Battling Siki in a boxer vs. wrestler match in Philadelphia, PA.
  745.  
  746. 1925
  747.  
  748. 01-08-1925: Wayne Munn wins the undisputed world heavyweight championship from Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Kansas City, MO. This is the beginning of a promotional war with Lewis claiming to have been fouled when thrown over the top rope by Munn. Lewis keeps the physical belt and continues to be promoted as world champion by Billy Sandow and Ed White. The whole war was a booking angle to reunify the two titles in a big money match scheduled for May. However a shoot double cross by Stanislaus Zbyszko and promoter Tony Stecher messes things up considerably in April. The two separate world championships are reunified again in 1928.
  749.  
  750. 02-11-1925: Stanislaus Zbyszko puts over Wayne Munn to help build up Munn for the big title reunification in May against Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Zbyszko is to put Munn over again in April. 03-12-1925: Leo L'Heureux defeats Scotty McDougall in Winnipeg, Canada to win the Western Canada title.
  751.  
  752. 03-17-1925: Ike Robin defeats Mohammed Ali Sunni for the New Zealand title in Auckland.
  753.  
  754. 04-15-1925: Stanislaus Zbyszko defeats Wayne Munn for the undisputed world heavyweight title in Philadelphia, PA when promoter Tony Stecher double crosses promoters Billy Sandow and Ed White. Zbyszko shoots on Munn and takes the title. The referee, who was on Sandow-White-Lewis (Goldust Trio) pay roll is forced to count two falls after Zbyszko pins Munn numerous times in the match just to keep the crowd from rioting. Munn remains recognized in some areas as world champion, though Munn loses that version of the world title to Ed "Strangler" Lewis with the "undisputed" world title in 1928. Munn claims to have been very ill during the match.
  755.  
  756. 04-16-1925: Wayne Munn is hospitalized with "severe tonsillitis and influenza". Munn's manager Gabe Kaufman says that Munn had entered his world title defense the night before against Stanislaus Zbyszko with a high fever. Munn was hospitalized with a "104 degree fever".
  757.  
  758. 05-30-1925: Stanislaus Zbyszko drops the undisputed world heavyweight championship to Joe Stecher in St. Louis... Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Wayne Munn for the off shoot world heavyweight championship recognized in Michigan and Illinois in Michigan City, IN. This is a rematch from their April 15 match where Lewis, in a disputed loss, dropped the main world title to Munn.
  759.  
  760. 07-08-1925: Ted Thye defeated Sailor Jack Wood in two straight falls in their wrestling match at the Heilig theater in Portland, OR.
  761.  
  762. 09-16-1925: Matty Matsuda retains the world welterweight title over Joe Sylvio in Dallas, TX.
  763.  
  764. 1926
  765.  
  766. 02-01-1926: After allegedly being undefeated for "25 years", French wrestling champion Ivan "The Terrible" Maximovich Poddubny loses to Joe Stecher in New York, NY.
  767.  
  768. 02-10-1926: Ted Thye wins the world lightweight title in Columbus, OH over Clarence Eklund.
  769.  
  770. 04-29-1926: Joe Stecher retains the world title over "Tiger Man" John Pesek via count out in St. Louis, MO.
  771.  
  772. 05-12-1926: Clarence Eklund wins the world lightweight title back from Ted Thye in Portland, OR.
  773.  
  774. 06-02-1926: Clarence Eklund again defeats Ted Thye, this time in Columbus, OH.
  775.  
  776. 08-25-1926: World champion Joe Stecher goes to a draw with John Pesek in Los Angeles, CA.
  777.  
  778. 10-06-1926: A match is set up in Los Angeles to unify the world titles between Joe Stecher and Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Lewis no shows and is replaced by John Pesek. The match is split at one fall apiece going into the final fall and Pesek gets Stecher in a wrist lock. Stecher is obviously beaten, but the referee steps in and disqualifies Pesek for using an "illegal choke" hold, thus saving Stecher's title.
  779.  
  780. 12-01-1926: A match to finally unify the two world titles between the Goldust Trios Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Tony Stecher-Jack Curley's champion Joe Stecher falls apart when Lewis doesn't appear, forfeiting a $2,500 bond.
  781.  
  782. 1927
  783.  
  784. 01-01-1927: Ira Dern wins the world lightweight title over Clarence Eklund in Columbus, OH.
  785.  
  786. 08-25-1927: Promoter Al Haft awards the world lightweight title back to Clarence Eklund.
  787.  
  788. 10-05-1927: Jim Londos defeats Milo Steinborn in Seattle, WA.
  789.  
  790. 10-12-1927: At a boxing show, a boxer vs. wrestler match is held at the White Center Athletic Club in Burien, WA., a south Seattle suburb. Moose Norbeck, boxing, was pinned by George Barnes, of Tacoma (and a brother to Pete Sauer, AKA Ray Steele), in three rounds in the main event on an otherwise all-amateur boxing card.
  791.  
  792. 10-27-1927: Wrestler Joe Shimkus defeats boxer John Mack in Fort Hayes, OH in two straight falls.
  793.  
  794. 1928
  795.  
  796. 02-20-1928: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Joe Stecher for the undisputed world heavyweight title in St. Louis, MO. Lewis had been recognized as world champion in Michigan and Illinois already following a split of the world title in 1925. This match had been on again off again: since 1925, including two matches set up in 1926 and no showed by Lewis. Now both championships are again unified, although the athletic commissions in both New York and Illinois still refuse to recognize Lewis as champion. The New York State Athletic commission recognizes their own "world champion" in Hans Steinke. However, in 1929 in Philadelphia Dick Shikat wins that version of the "world title". This was a "dream match" of sorts between the two biggest stars of the era who were in different promotional camps, and though many believed at the time, and up until present day, that this match was a legitimate contest, it was in fact, worked.
  797.  
  798. 09-28-1928: Clarence Eklund defeats Ad Santel in a Dick Lean promoted match.
  799.  
  800. 10-31-1928: Catalina George Drake is born.
  801.  
  802. 11-10-1928: Clarence Eklund becomes the undisputed world lightweight champion after winning a tournament in Melbourne, Australia.
  803.  
  804. 11-31-1928: Stanislaus Zbyszko travels to Paddulo, India where he is beaten by Gama the Great in a reported four seconds.
  805.  
  806. 1928: United States wrestler Taro Miyake returns to his home in Japan and tours the country with three other American wrestlers, but professional wrestling fails to catch on... Earl McCready wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Oklahoma State.
  807.  
  808. 1929
  809.  
  810. 01-04-1929: Gus Sonnenberg is awarded the main line world heavyweight title after champion Ed "Strangler" Lewis is knocked out of the ring by flying tackles and refuses to return. Sonnenberg is managed by Paul Bowser.
  811.  
  812. 01-26-1929: Legendary wrestling television commentator Gordon Solie is born in Minneapolis.
  813.  
  814. 01-28-1929: Hassen "The Terrible Turk" Nuhammed dies at the age of 38 in a car accident near Phoenix, AZ.
  815.  
  816. 03-08-1929: Hugh Nichols wins the world middleweight title from Gust Kallio.
  817.  
  818. 05-01-1929: After attempting a retirement to work his farm, a drop in grain prices forces Joe Stecher to return to wrestling. He is now employed by the Goldust Trio and loses to Ed "Strangler" Lewis in a title defense by Lewis.
  819.  
  820. 06-07-1929: Managing great The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) is born in Canton, OH.
  821.  
  822. 06-27-1929: Dick the Bruiser (William Frederick Afflis) is born.
  823.  
  824. 07-21-929: Bob Orton, Sr. is born.
  825.  
  826. 08-01-1929: Wrestler Matty Matsuda dies of tuberculosis in Battle Creek, MI.
  827.  
  828. 08-23-1929: Dick Shikat defeats Jim Londos in Philadelphia, PA and the National Boxing Associations wrestling division recognizes Shikat as world wrestling champion. This division would later become known as the National Wrestling Association.
  829.  
  830. 09-15-1929: Wilbur Snyder is born.
  831.  
  832. 12-16-1929: Dr. Jerry Graham is born in Phoenix, AZ.
  833.  
  834. 1929: Earl McCready wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Oklahoma State.
  835.  
  836. 1930
  837.  
  838. 04-04-1930: Hugh Nichols wins a tournament in Cincinnati, OH to become the world lightweight champion defeating Joe Banaski in the finals. The event was promoted by Al Haft.
  839.  
  840. 04-21-1930: Pepper Gomez (Joseph Serapio Palemino Gomez) is born.
  841.  
  842. 05-18-1930: Promoter and wrestler Lee Fields is born in Oklahoma.
  843.  
  844. 06-06-1930: Jim Londos defeats Dick Shikat in Philadelphia, PA to win the National Wrestling Associations recognition as world heavyweight champion. He is also recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission as world champion.
  845.  
  846. 07-11-1930: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) is born.
  847.  
  848. 11-14-1930: English wrestler Shirley "Big Daddy" Crabtree is born.
  849.  
  850. 12-05-1930: Rudy Dusek battles Jim Londos to a two hour draw in Houston, TX.
  851.  
  852. 12-10-1930: Ed Don George wins the undisputed world heavyweight championship from Gus Sonnenberg in Los Angeles, CA.
  853.  
  854. 1931
  855.  
  856. 01-09-1931: Former world heavyweight champion Wayne "Big" Munn dies at the age of 35 in San Antonio, TX.
  857.  
  858. 01-24-1931: Jim Londos defeats Jim McMillen at the Madison Square Garden to retain his version of the world title. Londos is presented with a "$10,000 diamond studded belt" which would become Londo's own property after three title defenses.
  859.  
  860. 02-12-1931: In St. Petersburg, FL Ed Don George defeats Joe Dominguez.
  861.  
  862. 02-18-1931: Jim Londos defeats George Zaharias to retain the world title and earn his second of three victories need to retain the $7,500 (previously reported as $10,000) diamond belt in Chicago, IL.
  863.  
  864. 02-27-1931: In Miami, FL Jim Londos defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko.
  865.  
  866. 03-18-1931: In Chicago, Il Jim Londos defended his world's heavyweight wrestling championship at the Coliseum before a crowd of 6,500 by defeating Kola Kwariani, from Russia, who forfeited the match after one fall with a fractured shoulder. The finish came after 1 hour 24 minutes and 54 seconds.
  867.  
  868. 03-19-1931: In a New York Times article about professional boxing drawing poorly and making little money, journalist Westbrook Pegler writes about the success of Jack Curley's wrestling promotions saying, "Mr. Curley produced 14 contests or exhibitions in New York, pairing and cross-pairing the members of his own herd without once going outside the fold for talent, and the winter has been for him a season of successive happy surprises. Jim Londos, the champion of his firm, in his first appearance in the Garden, established a new high for a championship wrestling bout indoors -- $37,000 -- and continued to establish new highs at each of four subsequent appearances, finally reaching the resounding figure of $61,000, at which point the Garden turnstiles, no longer accustomed to such pressure, had to be packed in ice... The gross takings from six shows at the Garden were $268,000 and beyond this there were the receipts of eight comparatively modest operas at the 71st Regiment Armory, in town, and the house royalty on the other appearances of Mr. Curley's wrestlers under lease to promoters in other cities. The proprietors of the Sandow - (Paul) Bowser herd, offering Ed Don George, the former Michigan football player, as champion, and Gus Sonnenberg, the Dartmouth-Detroit football player, as first vice champion, were taken somewhat by surprise by this unexampled business in New York. It is only fair to add that Mr. Curley was so taken by surprise, too, with this difference, however, that he was well prepared to clamp a combination three-quarters Nelson and one-quarter Samson hold on the opportunity, shake well and serve.
  869.  
  870. 03-21-1931: John Pesek defeats Marin Plestina to win the first Midwest Wrestling Association title. Al Haft & Heywood Allen are promoters.
  871.  
  872. 04-13-1931: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Ed Don George for the "undisputed" world heavyweight title in Los Angeles, CA. Lewis doesn't have the approval of Paul Bowser of the AWA for the change, which was intentional on Lewis part for Bowser's role in an earlier title change done with out the approval of Billy Sandow. This was the famous "easy way or hard way" match.
  873.  
  874. 05-04-1931: Henri Deglane defeats undisputed world champion Ed "Strangler" Lewis by disqualification in Montreal, Canada after allegedly being bitten by Lewis. Deglane then claims the Paul Bowser recognized American Wrestling Association world championship and it splits off from the main line of "undisputed" world champions. This match has become legendary through out the years with many speculating that Deglane actually bit himself in the locker room between falls and then hid the bite until the match restarted thus getting the DQ win over Lewis.
  875.  
  876. 06-10-1931: Ira Dern was declared the winner over Stanislaus Zbyszko by DQ in the main event at the Auditorium in Portland, OR.
  877.  
  878. 06-30-1931: 45,000 fans turn out to New York's Yankee Stadium to see World champion Jim Londos defeat Ray Steele in a match that went just over 69 minutes.
  879.  
  880. 07-20-1931: George Walker defeats Kara Pasha in Wellington, New Zealand. Walker won by the sudden application of a back scoop slam. Pasha had been a major drawing card in New Zealand for the last year, however, according to a later news paper account from this point forward, Pasha's drawing power waned and he was subsequently twice defeated by Walker, and the feature called him "the first of the showmen."
  881.  
  882. 09-09-1931: Ida Mae Martinez is born.
  883.  
  884. 09-13-1931: Stan Stasiak (the original, not the 1970's WWWF champion) dies after acquiring an infection from an injury sustained in a match against Ed Don George in Canada.
  885.  
  886. 09-15-1931: Boxer Jack Dempsey defeats wrestler Bill Longson in a boxer verses wrestler match in Salt Lake City, UT by knock out. Both men wore boxing gloves.
  887.  
  888. 1931: Leroy McGuirk wins the NCAA championship at 155 lbs. out of Oklahoma State University.
  889.  
  890. 1932
  891.  
  892. 01-02-1932: Benji Ramirez, later known as the Mummy and the Aztec Mummy of 1960's fame is born in Cali, Colombia, South America.
  893.  
  894. 02-01-1932: Ed "Strangler" Lewis is suspended by the Missouri Athletic Association for failing to meet John Pesek.
  895.  
  896. 02-25-1932: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats John Maxos in Pittsburgh, PA and breaks his neck. Lewis is arrested for breaking Maxos' neck and posts a $500 bond to be released from jail.
  897.  
  898. 05-09-1932: Dimitri Demetroff dies at the age of 37 from blood poisoning.
  899.  
  900. 06-08-1932: Ray Steele defeats Vic Christy to become the first California state champion in Los Angeles.
  901.  
  902. 06-09-1932: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Dick Shikat at Madison Square Gardens, NY in front of 25,000. The winner is to face New York State Athletic Commission recognized world champion Jim Londos. However Londos refuses to wrestle Lewis and Londos is stripped of world title recognition in New York.
  903.  
  904. 07-13-1932: Jim Londos defeats Dr. Karl Sarpolis in two straight falls at Dreamland Auditorium in San Francisco, CA in front of 7,700 fans.
  905.  
  906. 07-1932: Former world champion Gus Sonnenberg hits and kills a Lawrence, MA Policeman named Richard L. Morrissey. Sonnenberg is arrested and stands trial for killing the officer while driving drunk.
  907.  
  908. 09-13-1932: Jim Londos defeated Rudy Dusek to keep the World title in Baltimore, MD.
  909.  
  910. 09-15-1932: Dick Shikat defeated George Hagen in Baltimore, MD.
  911.  
  912. 09-23-1932: Dick Shikat breaks his arm in a car accident in New York.
  913.  
  914. 09-27-1932: Wrestler Berio Assiratti was reinstated by the Maryland Boxing Commission. Two months earlier Assiratti had been suspended indefinitely and fined $50 after getting into an altercation with referee Ed Brockman. Assiratti wrote a letter stating he was very sorry. (By: Steve Yohe)
  915.  
  916. 10-04-1932: Jim Londos defeated Gino Garibaldi to retain the World title.
  917.  
  918. 10-10-1932: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Jack Sherry in New York City to win the New York State Athletic Commission recognition as world heavyweight champion.
  919.  
  920. 10-17-1932: Wrestler Cliff White defeats boxer Ed Petich in Portland, OR.
  921.  
  922. 10-18-1932: Johnny Richthoff, a three time Swedish heavyweight Free Style champion in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics makes his pro debut in Baltimore, MD defeating Floyd Marshall. (By: Steve Yohe)
  923.  
  924. 10-25-1932: Paul Boesch makes his debut, defeating Benny Ginsburg New York.
  925.  
  926. 11-02-1932: Jim Londos defeats Abe Coleman to retain the World title in Baltimore, MD. Also on the show Everett Marshall defeated George Vassell.
  927.  
  928. 11-22-1932: During a match in Baltimore, MD between Rudy Dusek and Dick Davis, one of the men lost their dentures. Davis rolled over on them and claimed he was bitten. The referee picked them up and put them in his pocket. The match went to a draw. (By: Steve Yohe)
  929.  
  930. 11-29-1932: Jim Londos defeated George McLeod in Baltimore, MD.
  931.  
  932. 1932: Japanese wrestler Hikoo Shoji represents Japan in the Los Angeles Olympic games, he has trained with Ad Santel.
  933.  
  934. 1933
  935.  
  936. 01-13-1933: Hy Sharmon defeats Jack O'Hara in a tournament final in Salt Lake City to win the Western Welterweight title.
  937.  
  938. 02-09-1933: Ed Don George defeats Henri Deglane after Deglane breaks his collar bone in their match in Boston, MA to become the American Wrestling Association world champion.
  939.  
  940. 02-20-1933: Jim Browning defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in New York City to become recognized as world champion by the New York State Athletic Commission in just over 57 minutes.
  941.  
  942. 03-14-1933: Wrestler Jack Hurley falls to his death from a fourth floor window in Manhattan, NY.
  943.  
  944. 03-20-1933: Jim Browning again defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis at Madison Square Gardens in New York.
  945.  
  946. 04-07-1933: "Jumping" Joe Savoldi defeats National Wrestling Association world champion Jim Londos in Chicago, IL in a double cross with Bobby Managoff as referee. Londos claims the title is not on the line and the National Wrestling Association agrees that Illinois is not in their territory and Londos remains recognized as world champion.
  947.  
  948. 04-11-1933: Jim Browning again defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Chicago, IL.
  949.  
  950. 04-19-1933: Respected wrestler Dr. Benjamin F. Roller dies of pneumonia in New York at the age of 57.
  951.  
  952. 05-10-1933: Gorgeous George defeats Jack Lipscomb in Eugene, OR to win the Northwest Pacific lightweight title.
  953.  
  954. 05-15-1933: Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Joe Savoldi in New York, NY. Savoldi held a disputed victory over NWAssociation champion Jim Londos.
  955.  
  956. 05-17-1933: Ed Don George defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Boston, MA.
  957.  
  958. 05-22-1933: Joe Savoldi defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in New York.
  959.  
  960. 05-24-1933: Gus Sonnenberg defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Milwaukee, WI.
  961.  
  962. 06-03-1933: Legendary wrestling pioneer William Muldoon dies at the age of 88 in Purchase, NY.
  963.  
  964. 06-07-1933: Stanislaus Zbyszko files for bankruptcy... Jim Browning defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Los Angles.
  965.  
  966. 06-08-1933: After losing five of his last six matches, Ed "Strangler" Lewis breaks the streak by defeating Glen Wade in Long Beach, CA.
  967.  
  968. 06-29-1933: Future wrestler Primo Carnera wins the world heavyweight boxing championship by knocking out Jack Sharkey in the 6th round of a bout in Long Island City, NY.
  969.  
  970. 07-06-1933: Jim Londos defeated Ray Steele in Washington, DC.
  971.  
  972. 07-12-1933: Sam Stein defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Los Angeles.
  973.  
  974. 07-13-1933: La Costa Billy Severe is killed and Walter Podolak (AKA: Golden Superman) injured in a car accident near Boardman, OR.
  975.  
  976. 08-03-1933: Jim Londos drew with Ray Steele with 1 fall apiece at two hours in Washington, DC.
  977.  
  978. 09-15-1933: Nick Lutze defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Salt Lake City, when Lewis suffers a knee injury and can not continue.
  979.  
  980. 10-22-1933: World boxing champion who later turned wrestler Primo Carnera defends the world boxing title against Paulino Uzcudun in what was until April 2000 the heaviest world boxing title match ever at a combined weight of 488 3/4 pounds with Carnera weighing in at 259 1/2 pounds.
  981.  
  982. 12-18-1933: Ed Don George battles Jim Browning to a one hour and forty minute draw at Madison Square Garden.
  983.  
  984. 1934
  985.  
  986. 01-02-1934: The New York state athletic commission investigates Rudy Miller, Jack Curley, Jim Londos, Toots Mondt, Ed White, Tom Packs, and Dick Shikat on charges of "fixing" matches.
  987.  
  988. 01-15-1934: Jack Pfeffer goes to the New York Times revealing several "inside secrets" about professional wrestling specifically reporting that Jim Londos victory over Dick Shikat in 1929 was "prearranged".
  989.  
  990. 01-26-1934: The New York state athletic commission issues a ruling banning "syndicate agreements" between promoters and outlawing the dropkick.
  991.  
  992. 02-08-1934: Promoter John Krone dies of a heart attack in Chicago, IL.
  993.  
  994. 02-21-1934: Joe Stecher wrestles his last match before finally retiring for good to Jim Browning in Chicago. Browning had grown up idolizing Stecher. Following Joe Stecher's retirement, he suffered from a variety of mental illnesses, most notably depression and was institutionalized and cared from by his brother, promoter Tony Stecher. Joe lived to be 80 years old.
  995.  
  996. 02-25-1934: After wrestling a reported 80 minute match against Harry Kent in Kalispell, MT, The California Red Devil (Jack Lewis) dies of an apparent heart attack.
  997.  
  998. 03-01-1934: In Kansas City, MO Ed "Strangler" Lewis, world heavyweight champion, is disciplined by the Missouri State Athletic Commission when Lewis knocked down referee Charley Rentrop of Memphis twice at the Arena after he had been disqualified for slugging his opponent, Dick Shikat. The first Arena guards to reach the ring also got punched, but police restored order. Ed's display of "temperament," said Commissioner Seneca Taylor, will cost him $100 of his purse and "indefinite suspension."
  999.  
  1000. 03-05-1934: Leroy McGuirk defeats Hugh Nichols for the world lightweight title in Tulsa, OK... Hugh Winn defeats Fred Lassiter for the Atlanta City wrestling title.
  1001.  
  1002. 03-11-1934: Tex Wright (28) dies after a match with Harry Ekizian (wrestling at that time as Ali Yumid, later better known as Ali Baba) in Greeley, CO.
  1003.  
  1004. 04-12-1934: Former world middleweight champion Jack Reynolds is indicted by an Ohio Grand Jury in the death of James Meyers & Philip Citron in a Cincinnati murder in March. Reynolds is later acquitted in the trial.
  1005.  
  1006. 04-29-1934: Les Thornton is born.
  1007.  
  1008. 06-13-1934: Jim Londos defeated Pete Sauer in Atlanta, GA.
  1009.  
  1010. 06-14-1934: Future wrestler Primo Carnera loses the world heavyweight boxing championship by 11th round knock out to Max Baer in Long Island City, NY.
  1011.  
  1012. 06-17-1934: Mario Nunez defeats Tony Canales for the vacant Mexican National Welterweight title in Mexico City. Mexico.
  1013.  
  1014. 06-21-1934: Francisco "El Charro" Aguayo defeats Manuel Hernandez to win the vacant Mexican National heavyweight title in Mexico City, Mexico in the Salvador Lutteroth run EMLL promotion.
  1015.  
  1016. 06-25-1934: Jim Londos, the National Wrestling Association recognized world champion, defeats Jim Browning in New York City to become recognized as world champion there as well.
  1017.  
  1018. 06-28-1934: Jack O'Brien defeats Dientes Hernandez to become the first Mexican National lightweight champion.
  1019.  
  1020. 07-18-1934: Fenway Park with an attendance of 28,000 and a gate of $60,115: Sam Cordovano over Pete Tingus... Bull Martin drew Red O'Dell (10 mins)... Bibber McCoy drew Billy Bartush (10 mins)... Pat O'Hara over Mike Romano... John Spellman over George Saunders... Karl Pojello drew Len Macaluso (15 mins)... Hans Steinke over Boris Demetroff... Everett Marshall over Fred Caroni... Joe Malcewicz drew Ernie Dusek (20 mins)... Henri DeGlane drew Nick Lutze (30 mins)... NBA & NY World title vs AWA World Title: Jim Londos drew Ed Don George 2/3 Falls: 1st fall--George in 27:57: 2nd fall--Londos in 34:09: 3rd fall--called a draw after 2 hrs 12min 9 seconds: Total Time= 3hrs 14 mins 11 seconds. Match started at 11:00 PM ended 2:38 AM. These results from Steve Yohe
  1021.  
  1022. 08-03-1934: Haystacks Calhoun (William D. Calhoun) is born in McKinney, TX.
  1023.  
  1024. 09-20-1934: Jim Londos defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis at Wriggly Field in Chicago drawing 35,256 and a record gate for the time of $96,302. This match was called by many "the last great shooting match in history", but it was, in fact, a worked outcome.
  1025.  
  1026. 10-09-1934: Wrestler Abe Kashey defeats boxer Charlie Retzlaff in a wrestler verses boxer match with Jack Dempsey as referee.
  1027.  
  1028. 12-06-1934: Nick Bockwinkle (Warren Nick Bockwinkle, Jr.) is born. He is the son of Warren Bockwinkle.
  1029.  
  1030. 12-17-1934: Man Mountain Dean is sued by a Los Angeles man, James Gordon for $60,000 in damages for allegedly being beaten up in a street fight with Dean.
  1031.  
  1032. 1935
  1033.  
  1034. 01-23-1935: In a match in Portland, OR, wrestler Jack Washburn places a metal plate in his knee pad to use against Paul Boesch. Police investigate and arrest Washburn following the match.
  1035.  
  1036. 02-02-1935: The Missouri State Athletic commission bars Jim Londos' "Strangulation hold" after protests from Ed "Strangler" Lewis that the hold is illegal.
  1037.  
  1038. 02-05-1935: In Portland, OR municipal Judge Donald E. Long gave judgment against wrestler Jack Washburn, 35, who was fined $250 for conviction of using a metal pad on his knee in a wrestling match on January 23. Washburn was arrested following his match with Paul Boesch, and then released on $50 bail. Washburn failed to appear in court and Judge Long refused to accept forfeiture of his bond and ordered his arrest.
  1039.  
  1040. 02-11-1935: Ray Steele defeats Henry Field in a match refereed by former world boxing champion Jack Dempsey.
  1041.  
  1042. 03-07-1935: In Lincoln, NB Paul Jones defeated Buck Weaver, in two straight falls. Also Emil Dusek fought Jim Browning to a draw taking one fall each. Gus Sonnenberg defeated Jules Strongbow two out of three falls. Ted Cox defeated Jack Washburn two out of three falls.
  1043.  
  1044. 05-06-1935: Ernie Dusek defeats Joe Savoldi in Los Angeles, CA.
  1045.  
  1046. 05-20-1935: Gorilla Poggi defeats Gene LeBell for the Texas Junior title in San Angelo.
  1047.  
  1048. 06-27-1935: Danno O'Mahoney defeats Jim Londos in Boston, MA to win the New York State Athletic Commission recognized world heavyweight championship. The National Wrestling Association also recognizes him as world champion at their annual meeting... Everette Marshall defeats Young Gotch in Denver, CO and is recognized by the Colorado Athletic Commission as world champion and is presented a belt by the Governor of Colorado.
  1049.  
  1050. 07-03-1935: Everette Marshall gains recognition as Midwest Wrestling Association champion.
  1051.  
  1052. 07-24-1935: Vincent Lopez defeats Man Mountain Dean in a tournament final to win recognition as world champion in California.
  1053.  
  1054. 07-30-1935: Danno O'Mahoney defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the World heavyweight title in Boston, MA by count out. James Braddock is special referee. O'Mahoney is recognized not only for that title, but also holds the recognition of the New York State Athletic commission and the National Wrestling Association, creating once again the closest thing to a true "undisputed" world champion in years... Paul Jones defeats Harry Ekizian in Los Angeles, CA.
  1055.  
  1056. 07-31-1935: Ed "Strangler" Lewis announces he will retire from wrestling to train Vincent Lopez.
  1057.  
  1058. 08-06-1935: Paul Jones defeats Brother Jonathan in Los Angeles, CA.
  1059.  
  1060. 09-05-1935: Ray "Crippler" Stevens is born in Point Pleasant, WV.
  1061.  
  1062. 09-20-1935: Red McKim, later the tag team partner of Mike Clancy and Danno O'Shocker is born in Tulsa, OK.
  1063.  
  1064. 09-24-1935: Vincent Lopez defeats Nick Lutze to retain his version of the world title in Los Angeles, CA.
  1065.  
  1066. 10-06-1935: Bruno Sammartino is born in Abruzzi, Italy.
  1067.  
  1068. 11-05-1935: Vincent Lopez defeats Milo Steinborn to retain his version of the world title in Los Angeles, CA.
  1069.  
  1070. 1936
  1071.  
  1072. 01-07-1936: Casey Columbo defeats Mayes McLain in Ventura, CA.
  1073.  
  1074. 01-14-1936: A wrestling promoter offers former world boxing champion Max Baer an undisclosed amount of money to wrestle. But Baer's wife tells the United Press that there is no way she'll allow Baer to wrestle... Vincent Lopez defeats Casey Columbo to retain the Los Angeles version of the world title in Ventura, CA.
  1075.  
  1076. 01-21-1936: Sandor Szabo defeats George Wilson substituting for Casey Columbo in Ventura, CA.
  1077.  
  1078. 02-16-1936: The National Wrestling Association withdraws their recognition of Danno O'Mahoney as world champion after he fails to show for a scheduled title defense in Galveston, TX.
  1079.  
  1080. 02-01-1936: Tiger Daula, from India defeats Bob Kruse in Seattle, WA.
  1081.  
  1082. 02-04-1936: Vincent Lopez defeats Casey Columbo in Ventura, CA to retain the Los Angeles version of the world title.
  1083.  
  1084. 02-07-1936: Danno O'Mahoney defeats Daniel Boone Savage in a match in Houston, TX when he is thrown from the ring by O'Mahoney and injured. The Texas State Athletic Commission orders a rematch to which O'Mahoney no shows and Texas strips him of world title recognition in Texas and names their own champion in May.
  1085.  
  1086. 02-08-1936: In Vancouver, British Columbia, Tiger Daula, a massive Hindu from India, undefeated since his return from Australia, defeated Ed "Strangler" Lewis, after pulling him back into the ring in the fifth round and forcing the match. After a slow first round, Lewis put his famous headlock on Daula, and he was unable to wiggle free. Lewis finally won the fall. Lewis tried a strangle hold in the fourth round and when he persisted after being warned, the referee awarded a fall to Daula. When they came back for the fifth round, Lewis delayed in entering the ring and was grabbed by Daula and pulled bodily through the ropes. Daula took the winning fall shortly after with a body slam.
  1087.  
  1088. 02-28-1936: Dean Detton defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in a tournament final in Philadelphia, PA.
  1089.  
  1090. 03-02-1936: Dick Shikat defeats Danno O'Mahoney in a shoot in New York City forcing a submission with a hammerlock in front of 9,000 at 18:57. Promoters Jack Pfeffer and Al Haft are behind the double cross. This match causes another split in the "undisputed" world championship with Shikat recognized in some areas and O'Mahoney in others. This match actually spawned a court case and was a major issue at the time. Wrestling historian Royal Duncan has transcripts of the court case and stated to me that "It was a very big deal at the time".
  1091.  
  1092. 03-31-1936: Wrestler George Zaharias defeats boxer Art Shires in a boxer verses wrestler match in Indianapolis.
  1093.  
  1094. 04-08-1936: Count Tsutao Higami, the alleged "welterweight champion of Japan" defeats Lord Percival Lansdowne in Stockton, CA.
  1095.  
  1096. 04-20-1936: Albion Britt wins a tournament final over Ted Christy in Hollywood, CA to become the World Junior heavyweight champion, a title that would eventually become recognized by the NWA and last virtually unbroken until 1988.
  1097.  
  1098. 04-24-1936: Ali Baba (Harry Ekizian) defeats Dick Shikat for the "undisputed" world heavyweight championship, but is not recognized in New York State.
  1099.  
  1100. 05-05-1936: Ali Baba defeats Dick Shikat in New York City to become recognized as "World Champion" in New York. Fans and news writers in California question whether the new world champion is former Ventura promoter Harry Ekizian, many believing he isn't (he is)... In Ventura, CA Jimmy Lott defeated Ted Christy via DQ with referee former world boxing champion Max Baer, also Tuffy Cleet drew with Red Lyons, Danny Savich drew with Stanley Rogers, and Gorilla Poggi beat Tatsura Sato with referee Bull Montana.
  1101.  
  1102. 05-10-1936: Texas State Athletic Commission names Daniel Boone Savage as their World Champion
  1103.  
  1104. 05-12-1936: In Columbus, OH Dick Shikat, twice the world's heavyweight wrestling champion, took the stand in U.S. federal court making good a promise by his counsel that he would "blow the lid off the wrestling trust." Shikat, who was dethroned by Ali Baba, told of the alleged manipulations of wrestlers which led to his "jumping" a contract with Joe Alvarez, Boston promoter.
  1105.  
  1106. 05-18-1936: Rudy Dusek proclaims himself world champion after a DQ loss to world champion Danno O'Mahoney is reversed. Dusek's claim to the world title is not recognized by any of the major promoters.
  1107.  
  1108. 06-09-1936: Man Mountain Dean beat Dick Daviscourt in Ventura, CA.
  1109.  
  1110. 06-10-1936: In Bridgeport, CT Ali Baba, retains the world heavyweight title over Pat McClary, 275, Ireland in two straight falls
  1111.  
  1112. 06-12-1936: Dave Levin defeats world champion Ali Baba via DQ in Newark, NJ and begins to bill himself as world champion. The state of New York withdraws their recognition of Ali Baba as world champion.
  1113.  
  1114. 06-19-1936: Former world champion Jim Browning dies of a pulmonary embolism in Rochester, MN.
  1115.  
  1116. 06-23-1936: Bill Longson beat Tiny Roebuck via DQ in Ventura, CA.
  1117.  
  1118. 06-25-1936: Wrestler Mike Romano dies following a match with Jack Donovan. Donovan is charged with Romano's death, but an autopsy reveals that Romano died of chronic heart disease, and Donovan is cleared of any charges.
  1119.  
  1120. 06-26-1936: Everette Marshall defeats Ali Baba for the "undisputed" world heavyweight title in Columbus, OH. He was the reigning MWA champion at the time.
  1121.  
  1122. 06-30-1936: Bill Longson draws with George Kondelis in Ventura, CA.
  1123.  
  1124. 07-01-1936: In Columbus, OH Billy Sandow, manager of Everette Marshall, lifted heavyweight wrestling championship recognition from Ali Baba following Marshall's defeat of Baba on June 26, issued a press release stating; "Marshall is ready to meet anyone, any time, any place for any amount. The trust has three wrestlers it is booking as champions. Dave Levin is one. Another is Danno O'Mahoney. The third is Vincent Lopez of California, billed as champion out there."
  1125.  
  1126. 07-07-1936: Bill Longson draws with Bill Bartush in Ventura, CA
  1127.  
  1128. 07-09-1936: In St. Louis, MO in response to press statements made by Billy Sandow on July 1st Dave Levin, 23-year-old claimant of the world championship, announced he; "is ready to take on all challenging aspirants to the title that went along with my victory over Ali Baba.". He was with his manager, Joe "Toots" Mondt, to discuss a possible match with local promoters, Levin expressed willingness to meet Everette Marshall, another claimant to the crown. Tom Packs, matchmaker, said a match between the pair in St. Louis late this summer depends upon the final word of Billy Sandow, Marshall's manager.
  1129.  
  1130. 07-13-1936: Yvon Robert defeats Danno O'Mahoney in Montreal, Canada to win the American Wrestling Association world title.
  1131.  
  1132. 07-21-1936: Hans Steinke beat Nick Lutze in Ventura, CA.
  1133.  
  1134. 07-23-1936: In Stockton, CA Ted Cox beat Jake Patterson, Ray Steele beat Harry Jacobs, Brother Jonathan beat Benny Ginsberg, and Lou Thesz drew with Ed Helwig.
  1135.  
  1136. 07-28-1936: Ed Don George defeated the Masked Demon, and Juan Oliquivel defeated Bill Longson via DQ in Ventura, CA.
  1137.  
  1138. 07-30-1936: Ivan Managoff defeats Rudy Dusek in Washington DC to end Dusek's claim to be "world champion".
  1139.  
  1140. 08-19-1936: In what may have been a shoot, Dave Levin defeats the California claimant of the world heavyweight title Vincent Lopez at Wriggly Field. Following the match Lopez claims he is going to complain to the state athletic commission and will probably "quit wrestling"... Dutch Hefner is hospitalized following a match in Cleveland, OH against Everette Marshall after breaking his ribs... Ted Cox beats and unmasks the Masked Mauler (Hank Metheny) in Stockton, CA.
  1141.  
  1142. 09-1936: With the "undisputed" world heavyweight title again having been split into many factions following the March shoot match in New York, the National Wrestling Association decides to hold a tournament to crown a new world champion. The association requires a $1000 bond be posted for the tournament.
  1143.  
  1144. 09-28-1936: Dean Detton defeats Dave Levin in Philadelphia, PA to win an off shoot version of the "world title" by submission... Everette Marshall defeats Ali Baba in Cleveland, OH to retain the world title.
  1145.  
  1146. 10-13-1936: Vincent Lopez defeats Benny Ginsberg to retain the Los Angeles version of the world title
  1147.  
  1148. 10-30-1936: In St. Louis, MO wrestling fan Charles Norwood of Evansville, Ind., filed suit for $15,000 damages against George "The Crying Greek" Zaharias, alleging he was injured at Evansville on February 4th, when Zaharias engaged him in a fight.
  1149.  
  1150. 11-02-1936: Abduallah the Butcher (Larry Shreeve) is born. NOTE: There are numerous disputed dates of birth for Abduallah the Butcher. However, this date and 01-16-1941 are the two most common given.
  1151.  
  1152. 11-03-1936: Billy Hanson defeats Nick Lutze in a tournament final for the Joe Malcewicz Pacific Coast title in San Francisco.
  1153.  
  1154. 11-12-1936: Yvon Robert breaks his leg during a match with Cliff Olsen in Washington DC and the match is ruled a no contest. As with most title changes in this era, Olsen begins billing himself as world champion.
  1155.  
  1156. 11-20-1936: Everette Marshall defeats Ali Baba in Chicago, IL to become recognized as "world champion" in Illinois.
  1157.  
  1158. 11-24-1936: Kimon Kudo defeats Frank O'Brien via DQ in Ventura, CA when Frank's brother, the wild Buddy O'Brien interfered causing a riot which resulted in Bubby O'Brien being arrested and later fined $100 by the local Judge for inciting the riot. Frank was arrested for allegedly hitting the Police Chief during the riot. The bloody brawl made front page news in the local news paper
  1159.  
  1160. 12-21-1936: Dude Chick defeats Albion Britt in Hollywood, CA for the World Junior title.
  1161.  
  1162. 1937
  1163.  
  1164. 01-05-1937: In Chicago, IL Everette Marshall threw Jim McMillen, 225, of Antioch, Ill., in a one-fall match to retain recognition in Illinois as world's heavyweight wrestling champion. Marshall won the fall after 1:11:39 with a back body drop... In Ventura CA at the Athletic Club arena, Sandor Szabo battled Nick Lutze to a draw.
  1165.  
  1166. 01-08-1937: Legendary wrestler Martin ÒFarmerÓ Burns dies in Council Bluffs, IA at the age of 75.
  1167.  
  1168. 01-12-1937: Brother Jonathan loses a match to Man Mountain Dean in San Francisco after which he had to shave his beard off. At ringside was Brother Jonathan's seven year old son who went on to become Don Leo Jonathan.
  1169.  
  1170. 01-22-1937: Sandor Szabo defeats Billy Hanson for the Pacific Coast title in Oakland.
  1171.  
  1172. 01-28-1937: Mildred Burke (Mildred Bliss) becomes the world womens wrestling champion in Chattanooga, TN.
  1173.  
  1174. 02-02-1937: In Dallas, TX Cardiff Giant defeats Marv Westenberg.
  1175.  
  1176. 02-05-1937: Ray Steele wins the Midwest title by reverse decision over Everette Marshall in Columbus, OH.
  1177.  
  1178. 02-09-1937: Billy Wolfe defeats Clara Mortensen via DQ in a man verses woman match in Atlanta, GA.
  1179.  
  1180. 02-11-1937: Clara Motenson defeats Mildred Burke for the world womens title in Chattanooga, TN.
  1181.  
  1182. 02-16-1937: In Dallas, TX Everette Marshall defeats Juan Humberto with Sam Muchnick as referee.
  1183.  
  1184. 02-28-1937: The Missing Link (Byron Dewey Robertson) is born... Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Cliff Olsen in New York to end Olsen's claim to be "world champion".
  1185.  
  1186. 02-1937: Red Devil (Elmer Guthrie) wins the Florida heavyweight title defeating Dobie Osbourne in Jacksonville, FL.
  1187.  
  1188. 03-09-1937: In Chicago, Il Everette Marshall retained the world heavyweight wrestling championship by pinning Oki Shinkina in 23 minutes 19 seconds with a body slam.
  1189.  
  1190. 03-11-1937: Ray Steele is injured in a car accident forcing him to vacate the Midwest title.
  1191.  
  1192. 03-15-1937: Orville Brown defeats Lee Wyckoff in Kansas City, KS for the Kansas version of the World title.
  1193.  
  1194. 03-30-1937: In Dallas, TX Cardiff Giant defeats Sol Slagel in a match where the loser had to push the winner down Main Street in a wheelbarrow the next day.
  1195.  
  1196. 03-1937: "Wildcat" Stanley Pinto takes only a "record five seconds" to pin "The Utica Panther" Joe Malcewicz, according to a New Zealand news source.
  1197.  
  1198. 04-02-1937: In Chicago, IL Everette Marshall retained the world heavyweight wrestling championship over Osley "Chief" Saunooke. Saunooke was disqualified after 16 minutes 45 seconds when he went on a rampage. He floored Emil Thirty, veteran referee; threw Marshall onto the concrete floor. He then worked the 2,096 fans into a riot which resulted in a barrage of bottles, filled with beer, toward the ring. Others threw chairs. One struck Tom Tuite, secretary of the Illinois athletic commission, and opened a cut on his forehead. Another chair struck a newspaper man and almost knocked him out. Joe Triner, chairman of the commission, who was seated behind Tuite, turned around in time to see who hurled the chair that struck Tuite and just missed him. As the chair thrower was winding up again, Triner seized him and turned him over to a policeman. While Saunooke was being escorted to the dressing rooms, first aid was given to Marshall, Thiry, Tuite, and others injured during the riot.
  1199.  
  1200. 04-30-1937: Little Beaver (not the famous midget star) defeats Karl Davis in Houston, TX to win the Texas Athletic Commission world title after champion Daniel Boone Savage leaves the building.
  1201.  
  1202. 05-04-1937: In Ventura CA, Gus Sonnenberg beat Buddy O'Brien.
  1203.  
  1204. 05-11-1937: In Ventura CA, Sandor Szabo beat Buddy O'Brien, Gus Sonnenberg (sub for Golden Terror) drew with Jules Strongbow, Gus Sonnenberg beat Sonny O'Brien, Leo Numa beat Wild Man Zimm.
  1205.  
  1206. 05-14-1937: Eddie Baker dies following a match with Ray Welch in Corinth, MS. Baker is believed to have died of a heart attack, he was 36 years old... Everett Marshall wins the Texas version of the world title by defeating Little Beaver in Houston.
  1207.  
  1208. 05-19-1937: Hugh Nichols defeats Bobby Chick in Tulsa, OK for the world lightweight title.
  1209.  
  1210. 05-31-1937: Wild Red Berry wins the world lightweight title from Hugh Nichols in Oklahoma City, OK.
  1211.  
  1212. 06-04-1937: Gorilla Monsoon (Robert James Marella) is born.
  1213.  
  1214. 06-13-1937: In Ventura, CA., Leo (Daniel Boone) Savage beat Golden Terror (unmasked and identified as "Bruce Mondt, Chicago, brother of promoter Toots Mondt" although later known as Bobby Stewart), Leo Numa beat Count Von Busing.
  1215.  
  1216. 06-16-1937: Bronko Nagurski defeats Dean Detton for an off shoot world championship in Minneapolis, MN. Leading wrestling and boxing magazine The Ring recognizes Nagurski as world champion.
  1217.  
  1218. 06-29-1937: Bronko Nagurski is recognized as world champion in Maryland.
  1219.  
  1220. 06-30-1937: Lee Wyckoff claims the Kansas version of the World title when champion Everett Marshall misses a title defense.
  1221.  
  1222. 07-12-1937: Veteran promoter Jack Curley dies.
  1223.  
  1224. 07-13-1937: In Ventura, CA, Leo Numa beat Gus Sonnenberg, Jules Strongbow beat Pat Fraley.
  1225.  
  1226. 08-13-1937: Alan Eustace defeats Jack Evans in Jacksonville for the Florida heavyweight title.
  1227.  
  1228. 09-13-1937: John Pesek is awarded the National Wrestling Association world heavyweight title when he becomes the only wrestler to post the required $1000 bond to enter... Salvador "Gory" Guerrero makes his pro wrestling debut at Arena Mexico in Mexico City defeating Rafael Rojo.
  1229.  
  1230. 09-29-1937: A pro wrestling show is held in Tokyo, Japan's Susaki baseball stadium with former Japanese Olympian Kiyoshi Kose defeating Ken Gen of Korea in two straight falls.
  1231.  
  1232. 10-1937: Bronko Nagurski is stripped of world title recognition in Maryland when he refuses to defend the title against Jim Londos.
  1233.  
  1234. 10-03-1937: "Bullet" Bob Armstrong (Robert "Pep" James, Sr.) is born.
  1235.  
  1236. 10-04-1937: Jim Londos defeats George Pencheff for recognition of the Maryland based world championship in Baltimore, MD.
  1237.  
  1238. 10-07-1937: Boxer King Levinsky knocks out wrestler Jack Conley in a boxer verses wrestler match in Dubuque, IA.
  1239.  
  1240. 10-11-1937: Danny McShane defeats Red Berry in Hollywood, CA for the world lightweight title.
  1241.  
  1242. 11-11-1937: Dale J. Greif sues Sandor Szabo, claiming to have been beaten up by the famous shooter following an October match in Santa Monica, CA. He sues for $24,000 claiming a variety of injuries from being "stretched".
  1243.  
  1244. 11-16-1937: Ray Steele is suspended for 60 days by the New York state athletic commission for using an illegal knee on Bronko Nagurski during a match.
  1245.  
  1246. 12-29-1937: Lou Thesz becomes the "undisputed" world heavyweight champion by defeating Everette Marshall in St. Louis, MO. He is awarded the Paul Bowser AWA World title based on this victory. Also on the show Danno O'Mahoney defeated Paul Jones. Yvon Robert refuses to face Thesz and is stripped of the AWA title by Bowser, but continues to defend the title in Montreal, Canada.
  1247.  
  1248. 1938
  1249.  
  1250. 01-23-1938: Shohei "Giant" Baba is born in Niigata, Japan.
  1251.  
  1252. 01-1938: Lou Thesz is awarded the American Wrestling Association world title when champion Yvon Robert refuses to wrestle him. Robert remains recognized as champion in Montreal, Canada.
  1253.  
  1254. 01-1938: In a match against Man Mountain Dean in San Francisco, CA, The Purple Shadow (Bill Longson) is thrown out of the ring to the floor, suffering a broken back which is feared to have ended his career.
  1255.  
  1256. 02-03-1938: Stanislaus Zbyszko announces the debut of his new protege' Wladyslaw Talun who is reported to be seven foot tall and 262 pounds. Zbyszko tells a news paper that Talun "is the nearest thing to Yousouf the Terrible Turk I have ever seen...".
  1257.  
  1258. 02-06-1938: Octavio Gaona defeats Black Guzman for the Mexican National Middleweight title in Mexico City.
  1259.  
  1260. 02-11-1938: Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Lou Thesz in Boston, MA to win the "undisputed" world heavyweight title. Casey is not recognized as world champion by the National Wrestling Association. Casey continues to reign as Paul Bowser's AWA World champion. Yvon Robert continues to defend the AWA title in Montreal.
  1261.  
  1262. 02-23-1938: Jim Londos defeats The Red Shadow in Portland, OR with the Boston Crab. After the match the Red Shadow unmasks as Leo "Numa" Anderson.
  1263.  
  1264. 03-03-1938: Vic Christy defeats Yvon Robert for the Montreal AWA World title in Toronto.
  1265.  
  1266. 03-18-1938: Lofty Bloomfield wins a tournament in Auckland, New Zealand to win the rights to come to the United States and wrestler for the world title.
  1267.  
  1268. 04-06-1938: A record attendance of 12,099 is set in St. Louis, MO to see Lou Thesz defeat Steve "Crusher" Casey.
  1269.  
  1270. 05-25-1938: AWA world champion Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Everette Marshall via DQ in St. Louis, MO.
  1271.  
  1272. 05-31-1938: World hammer throwing champion Dr. Patrick O'Callaghan makes his pro wrestling debut defeating Cy Williams.
  1273.  
  1274. 06-09-1938: The Masked Marvel (Ted Cox) defeats Vic Christy for the Montreal AWA World title in Toronto.
  1275.  
  1276. 06-10-1938: Frank Speers dies of pneumonia in Atlanta, GA at the age of 32.
  1277.  
  1278. 06-19-1938: Wahoo McDaniel is born.
  1279.  
  1280. 06-20-1938: Lee Wyckoff defeats Everett Marshall to solidify his claim to the Kansas version of the World title.
  1281.  
  1282. 08-02-1938: Everett Marshall defeats Kansas World champion Lee Wyckoff in Colorado Springs, CO in a non title match. Wyckoff, however, relinquishes his claim to the title.
  1283.  
  1284. 08-08-1938: Man Mountain Dean withdraws from his run for Legislature in Georgia.
  1285.  
  1286. 08-17-1938: The National Wrestling Association withdraws their recognition of John Pesek as world heavyweight champion.
  1287.  
  1288. 08-22-1938: Dean Detton wins the New Zealand title from Lofty Bloomfield in Auckland.
  1289.  
  1290. 08-23-1938: Bronco Nagurski unmasks The Purple Shadow in San Francisco revealing him to be Bill Longson.
  1291.  
  1292. 09-05-1938: Bob Kenaston defeats John Swenski in Hollywood, CA for the World Junior title.
  1293.  
  1294. 09-09-1938: After suffering what was believed to be a career ending broken back injury against Man Mountain Dean, Bill Longson makes a return to the ring, wrestling for promoter Ad Santel.
  1295.  
  1296. 09-10-1938: Lofty Bloomfield wins the New Zealand title over Pat Fraley in Auckland.
  1297.  
  1298. 09-14-1938: Everette Marshall is awarded world title recognition by the National Wrestling Association at the association's 1938 annual meeting... The AWA title splits further. Yvon Robert had taken a version of the title in 1935 to Montreal which has been defended there and in Toronto. Now Robert defeats the Masked Marvel (Ted Cox) for the title and continues it still in Montreal, but Cox takes a new version to Toronto and is billed as champion there.
  1299.  
  1300. 11-1938: John Pesek is awarded recognition as Midwest champion.
  1301.  
  1302. 11-11-1938: Eddie Williams wins the Southern lightweight title from Young Londos in Atlanta, GA.
  1303.  
  1304. 11-14-1938: Jack McAdams wins the Southern lightweight title from Eddie Williams in Atlanta, GA.
  1305.  
  1306. 11-15-1938: Bill Longson defeats Sandor Szabo for the Pacific Coast title in San Francisco.
  1307.  
  1308. 11-18-1938: Jim Londos defeats Bronco Nagurski in Philadelphia, PA to win an off shoot version of the "world title"... Betty Nichols wins the world womens title from Mildred Burke in Columbus, OH.
  1309.  
  1310. 12-01-1938: Mildred Burke regains the world womens title from Betty Nichols. Burke would hold the world womens title until a controversial 1954 shoot match in Atlanta, GA.
  1311.  
  1312. 12-05-1938: Danny McShain defeats Leroy McGuirk in Hollywood, CA to win the world lightweight title.
  1313.  
  1314. 12-10-1938: Ray Steele wins the British Empire title from Lofty Bloomfield in Auckland, New Zealand.
  1315.  
  1316. 12-12-1938: NFL and college football star and world champion wrestler Bronko Nagurski is granted his U.S. citizenship. Nagurski had lived virtually his whole life in the United States, but was born and lived just a few miles into Canada. Nagurski, despite the numerous accolades laid on him by the latter day wrestling press was one of the most hypocritical wrestlers ever. He always had something disdainful to say about wrestling and told anyone in the press who would listen how he hated wrestling. Despite that fact he made a hefty income off the business for many years.
  1317.  
  1318. 1939
  1319.  
  1320. 01-1939: John Swenski defeats Bob Kenaston in Tulsa, OK for the World Junior title.
  1321.  
  1322. 01-20-1939: George Becker defeats Steve Passas in Bridgeport, CT to win that areas version of the world junior title.
  1323.  
  1324. 02-14-1939: Golden Terror (Bob Weatherly) is awarded the Maryland World title when Jim Londos no shows.
  1325.  
  1326. 02-17-1939: Iben Seleem (Charles Halvey) dies at the age of 27 in a car accident near Hot Springs, NM.
  1327.  
  1328. 02-23-1939: Lou Thesz defeats Everette Marshall for the National Wrestling Association world heavyweight title in St. Louis, MO.
  1329.  
  1330. 02-26-1939: Jim Londos is reinstated as world champion in Maryland after paying a $100 fine. He wrestles appointed world champion Golden Terror to a draw.
  1331.  
  1332. 03-02-1939: The Shadow (Marv Westenberg) defeats Steve "Crusher" Casey for the American Wrestling Association world title in Boston, MA.
  1333.  
  1334. 03-10-1939: Dave Levin wins the Connecticut version of the world junior title from George Becker in Bridgeport
  1335.  
  1336. 03-15-1939: The Iron Sheik (Karasow Vazari) is born.
  1337.  
  1338. 03-16-1939: Gus Sonnenberg defeats The Shadow (Marv Westenberg) for the American Wrestling Association world title in Boston, MA... Wrestler Gene Barutha defeats boxer John Wrobell in Milwaukee, WI.
  1339.  
  1340. 03-29-1939: Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Gus Sonnenberg for the American Wrestling Association world title in Boston, MA.
  1341.  
  1342. 04-14-1939: George Becker wins the Connecticut version of the world junior title from the second time from Dave Levin.
  1343.  
  1344. 04-18-1939: Ed Don George defeats Steve "Crusher" Casey for the American Wrestling Association world title by decision. Casey continues to claim the title.
  1345.  
  1346. 05-05-1939: Bill Watts is born.
  1347.  
  1348. 06-19-1939: Leroy McGuirk defeats John Swenski for the world Junior title in Hollywood, CA. This victory by McGuirk is recognized by the NWAssociation. McGuirk would reign unbroken as champion until 1950.
  1349.  
  1350. 06-23-1939: Bronko Nagurski defeats Lou Thesz in Houston, Texas to win the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1351.  
  1352. 08-08-1939: Ernie Dusek defeats Danno O'Mahoney in a Montreal tournament to win the Montreal AWA title.
  1353.  
  1354. 08-16-1939: Leo Pardello, former wrestler, dies at the age of 72 in New York.
  1355.  
  1356. 11-03-1939: Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Ed Don George for the American Wrestling Association world title to avenge an earlier decision to give the title to George.
  1357.  
  1358. 11-10-1939: Bobby Bruns wins the Connecticut version of the world junior title from Maurice Boyer in Bridgeport.
  1359.  
  1360. 12-14-1939: Roger "Rip" Kirby (Willis Kirby) is born.
  1361.  
  1362. 12-19-1939: Billy Weidner wins a tournament in Dayton, OH to win the first Midwest Junior heavyweight title.
  1363.  
  1364. 12-21-1939: The state of Rhode Island bans Gus Sonnenberg due to a heart condition.
  1365.  
  1366. 1939: Hikoo Shoji and Kiyoshi Kato form the Japan Pro-Wrestling Alliance, but again, pro wrestling fails to draw in Japan.
  1367.  
  1368. 1940
  1369.  
  1370. 01-19-1940: George Simpson & Orville Brown crown their first Mid West champion when Bobby Bruns defeats Brown to become the first champion. When the National Wrestling Alliance is formed in 1948 it is Brown, who is the Mid West champion at the time that is chosen as the first champion.
  1371.  
  1372. 02-12-1940: Frankie Talaber wins the MWA Junior title to become the first champion defeating Leo Wallick in Detroit, MI.
  1373.  
  1374. 03-07-1940: Ray Steele defeats Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, MO to win the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1375.  
  1376. 05-13-1940: The French Angel (Maurice Tillet) defeats Steve "Crusher" Casey by DQ for the American Wrestling Association world title in Boston, MA.
  1377.  
  1378. 05-24-1940: Richard Smith, 28 years old, dies in the ring during a match with Swede Hansen in Pleasant Green, MO after Hansen applied what amounts to a sleeper hold on Smith. No charges are filed.
  1379.  
  1380. 06-12-1940: Lou Thesz defeats Leo Numa for the Montreal AWA title.
  1381.  
  1382. 06-13-1940: Orville Brown defeats Bobby Bruns for the Mid West title in Kansas City.
  1383.  
  1384. 06-15-1940: John Pesek is stripped of the Midwest title.
  1385.  
  1386. 06-27-1940: Orville Brown defeats Dick Shikat for the Midwest title in Columbus, OH.
  1387.  
  1388. 07-15-1940: Boxer Jack Dempsey defeats Bull Curry in a boxer verses wrestler match in Detroit, MI.
  1389.  
  1390. 08-07-1940: Lofty Bloomfield wins the British Empire title from John Katan in Wellington, New Zealand.
  1391.  
  1392. 09-02-1940: Wild Red Berry wins the world lightweight title in Hollywood, CA over Jesse James.
  1393.  
  1394. 09-24-1940: Earl McCready wins the British Empire title from John Katan in Duendin, News Zealand.
  1395.  
  1396. 10-16-1940: "Bulldog" Bob Brown is born.
  1397.  
  1398. 10-28-1940: Les Thatcher (Les Maladay) is born.
  1399.  
  1400. 11-16-1940: Rex Mobley defeats Herb Welch in Paducah, KY for the "world" lightweight title.
  1401.  
  1402. 1941
  1403.  
  1404. 01-21-1941: Ivan Putski is born.
  1405.  
  1406. 01-23-1941: In Hillsboro, TX, Billy Edwards, 51 years old, whom the news paper reporter called, "one of pro wrestling's most picturesque figures for twenty years", was killed from multiple injuries; massive brain concussion, wrenched back, and severe lacerations, received when an auto he was riding in collided with a truck. The paper went on to say that Edwards, a long time heel, once took a swing at boxing legend Jack Dempsey "just for the hell of it".
  1407.  
  1408. 02-19-1941: Dory Funk, Jr. (Dorrance Funk, Jr.) is born.
  1409.  
  1410. 02-24-1941: Roy Dunn claims a version of the World title by claiming Ray Steele will not face him.
  1411.  
  1412. 03-03-1941: Roy Dunn defeats Everett Marshall in Wichita, KS to retain his version of the world title.
  1413.  
  1414. 03-11-1941: Bronko Nagurski defeats Ray Steele in Minneapolis, MN for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1415.  
  1416. 04-04-1941: The Black Panther (Frank Sexton) defeats Bobby Managoff for the Pacific Coast title in Oakland, CA.
  1417.  
  1418. 04-17-1941: Lee Wyckoff defeats Orville Brown in Kansas City for the Mid West title.
  1419.  
  1420. 06-05-1941: Sandor Szabo defeats Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, MO for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1421.  
  1422. 06-19-1941: Though she claims to have began her career in 1939, and that is certainly possible. The oldest match result I could ever find of Mae Young was from the WAWLI Papers (by J. Michael Kenyen which are fantastic, you can link to his web site from ours) with this date which gave her a loss to Mildred Burke in Jacksonville, FL.
  1423.  
  1424. 06-30-1941: Rusher Kimura (Masao Kimura) is born.
  1425.  
  1426. 08-04-1941: Paavo Ketonen defeats Wild Red Berry in Hollywood, CA for the world lightweight title.
  1427.  
  1428. 08-23-1941: Jim Londos defeats Ignacio Martinez, promoted as "Mexican champion" in Cincinnati, OH in two straight falls. Also on the show Mildred Burke defeated Elvira Snodgrass, Dave Reynolds defeated Frankie Talaber, and Elmer Snodgrass (husband of Elvira allegedly) defeated Fred Carone.
  1429.  
  1430. 08-25-1941: Danny McShain defeats Paavo Ketonen in Hollywood, CA for the world lightweight title.
  1431.  
  1432. 08-29-1941: Former world boxing champion Primo Carnera announces he will become a professional wrestler.
  1433.  
  1434. 09-01-1941: Wild Red Berry defeats Danny McShain for the world lightweight title in Hollywood, CA.
  1435.  
  1436. 09-02-1941: Jack Claybourne wins the Kentucky Negro title from Hallie Samara in Louisville.
  1437.  
  1438. 09-17-1941: Yvon Robert wins his sixth Montreal AWA title defeating Lou Thesz.
  1439.  
  1440. 09-21-1941: Jack Brisco is born.
  1441.  
  1442. 10-16-1941: Orville Brown wins his second Mid West title defeating Lee Wyckoff in Kansas City.
  1443.  
  1444. 12-05-1941: Adrian Street is born.
  1445.  
  1446. 1942
  1447.  
  1448. 02-02-1942: Seiji Sakaguchi is born. Also given as February 27, 1942 in some sources
  1449.  
  1450. 02-12-1942: Nanjo Singh defeats Earl McCready in Toronto for the British Empire title.
  1451.  
  1452. 02-17-1942: Juan Humberto defeats Bobby Managoff in Dallas to win the Texas title. The belt would later become the NWA Texas title and have a long history lasting until 1990.
  1453.  
  1454. 02-19-1942: Bill Longson defeats Sandor Szabo in St. Louis, MO for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1455.  
  1456. 03-05-1942: Babe Kasaboski defeats Morris Sahpiro via DQ to win the Florida Junior heavyweight title... Tom Zaharias defeats Orville Brown for the Mid West title in Kansas City.
  1457.  
  1458. 03-10-1942: In Spokane, WA Private Broni Smalenski of Fort McArthur, CA., challenged any man in the army to a wrestling match which was accepted by Sergeant Steve "Crusher" Casey, who was acting as a coast artillery sergeant stationed with Portsmouth, RI harbor defenses. Officers said his acceptance was forwarded to the west coast.
  1459.  
  1460. 03-30-1942: Ed Virag, a 1936 Olympian, defeats Edward Marshall two out of three falls in Wichita, KS. Virag uses the reverse nelson both times. In winning the match, Virag established himself as the number one challenger to Roy Dunn's NWA title.
  1461.  
  1462. 04-06-1942: Ed Virag defeats Karl L'Ogre in Wichita, KS. In other matches Fred Peterson defeated Steve Brody, and Fred Florence defeated Al Goetz, and Tom Collins defeated Danny Anderson.
  1463.  
  1464. 04-08-1942: An attendance record is set for St. Louis, MO with a crowd of 12,896 to see Bill Longson (managed by Ray Steele) retain the NWAssociation title over Ed "Strangler" Lewis by pinfall with Jack Dempsey as referee. The news paper called Lewis "fat and 50".
  1465.  
  1466. 04-13-1942: Ed Virag defeats Fred Florence in Wichita, KS. In other matches: Fred Peterson defeated Steve Brody, Jack Suzek defeated Al Goetz, and Wladek Zbyszko went to a 30 minute draw with John Plummer with no falls.
  1467.  
  1468. 04-21-1942: Superman II defeats Orville Brown for the Midwest title. Superman II is unmasked during the match revealing himself to be NWAssociation champion Bill Longson.
  1469.  
  1470. 04-27-1942: Ed Virag defeats Roy Dunn for the NWA title in Wichita, KS. Dunn wins the "Diamond studded belt" in front of 4,400 fans at the Wichita Forum. Dunn uses the reverse nelson to win. In other matches: Bobby Bruns defeated Johnny Plummer, Wladek Zbyszko defeated Seelye Samara, and Jack Suzek defeated Jack Ryan.
  1471.  
  1472. 04-30-1942: Whipper Billy Watson defeats Nanjo Singh in Toronto, Canada for the British Empire title.
  1473.  
  1474. 05-01-1942: King Kong Clayton wins the Kentucky Negro title from Jack Claybourne in Louisville.
  1475.  
  1476. 05-08-1942: George Wagner (AKA: Gorgeous George) wins the California light heavyweight title from Wild Red Berry in Santa Monica.
  1477.  
  1478. 05-13-1942: Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats The French Angel (Maurice Tillet) for the American Wrestling Association world title in Boston, MA.
  1479.  
  1480. 05-19-1942: Dick Slater is born.
  1481.  
  1482. 06-21-1942: Black Shadow makes his wrestling debut under the name Jungla Cruz against Rito Romero.
  1483.  
  1484. 06-25-1942: Orville Brown wins his third Mid West title from Tom Zaharias in Kansas City.
  1485.  
  1486. 07-26-1942: Rodolfo Guzman Huertes, who had previously wrestled under several different names, debuts his new identity of the masked El Santo in an eight man battle royal at Arena Mexico, in Mexico City. El Santo won the battle royal and went on to become one of the most well known and respected Mexican luchadors in history.
  1487.  
  1488. 08-07-1942: Masa "Mr." Saito (Masanori Saito) is born.
  1489.  
  1490. 08-12-1942: John Grandovich wins an off shoot version of the world title from Ed Virag in Topeka, KS.
  1491.  
  1492. 08-19-1942: Rube Wright defeats Swedish Angel (Philip Olofson) in a Los Angeles match billed as for the "world title".
  1493.  
  1494. 10-07-1942: Yvon Robert defeats Bill Longson in Montreal, Canada for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1495.  
  1496. 10-13-1942: Herb Welch defeats Gus Johnson in Nashville for the Nick Gulas & Roy Welch promoted World Junior title.
  1497.  
  1498. 10-26-1942: Ed Virag wins his second off shoot version of the world title from John Grandovich in Wichita, KS.
  1499.  
  1500. 11-05-1942: Orville Brown meets Ed "Strangler" Lewis in Kansas City and loses to Lewis, but the out come is controversial. The match was for Brown's Mid West title and Brown is allowed to keep the title, but a rematch is set for November 26.
  1501.  
  1502. 11-10-1942: Hallie Samara defeats King Kong Clayton for the Kentucky Negro title in Louisville.
  1503.  
  1504. 11-26-1942: Ed "Strangler" Lewis wins the Mid West title from Orville Brown in Kansas City.
  1505.  
  1506. 11-27-1942: Bobby Managoff defeats Yvon Robert in Houston, TX for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1507.  
  1508. 1943
  1509.  
  1510. 01-14-1943: Lee Wyckoff defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the Mid West title in Kansas City.
  1511.  
  1512. 01-23-1943: John Pesek defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the Ohio Midwest title in Columbus, OH.
  1513.  
  1514. 02-18-1943: Orville Brown wins his fourth Mid West title from Lee Wyckoff in Kansas City.
  1515.  
  1516. 02-19-1943: Bill Longson defeats Bobby Managoff in St. Louis, MO for the National Wrestling Association world title. Managoff disputes the decision and bills himself as world champion on at least one occasion afterward.
  1517.  
  1518. 02-20-1943: Kanji "Antonio" Inoki is born in Yokohama, Japan.
  1519.  
  1520. 02-22-1943: Bobby Managoff defends a version of the "World title" in Texas based on his controversial loss to Bill Longson on February 19. He leaves Texas and disclaims the world title.
  1521.  
  1522. 04-26-1943: Gorilla Ramos defeats Billy Varga for the world lightweight title in Hollywood, CA.
  1523.  
  1524. 05-18-1943: Jimmy Snuka is born.
  1525.  
  1526. 06-17-1943: Orville Brown defeats Lee Wyckoff for the Mid West title in Kansas City.
  1527.  
  1528. 09-10-1943: "Superstar" Billy Graham (Eldridge Wayne Coleman) is born.
  1529.  
  1530. 09-22-1943: Ole Anderson (Al Rogowski) is born.
  1531.  
  1532. 10-11-1943: Wild Red Berry defeats Gorilla Ramos for the world lightweight title in Hollywood, CA.
  1533.  
  1534. 10-22-1943: Pedro Morales is born in Puerto Rico.
  1535.  
  1536. 10-24-1943: Bill Dundee (William Crookshankes) is born.
  1537.  
  1538. 12-03-1943: Swedish Angel (Phil Olofson) defeats Orville Brown for the Mid West title in Kansas City.
  1539.  
  1540. 12-08-1943: Jim Londos battled Frank Sexton to a one hour draw at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angles to retain the world title. Also on the show Wild Red Berry defeated Danny McShain to retain the lightweight title.
  1541.  
  1542. 12-09-1943: Orville Brown wins his sixth Mid West title from Swedish Angel (Phil Olofson) in Kansas City.
  1543.  
  1544. 12-27-1943: Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie: AKA: Demolition Ax) is born... Gray Mask defeats Wild Red Berry for the world lightweight title in Hollywood, CA.
  1545.  
  1546. 1944
  1547.  
  1548. 01-12-1944: The New York State Athletic Commission mails out a letter to all the deputy wrestling commissioners in the states proclaiming that $50 fines would be given to anyone who; "Throws his opponent out of the ring; uses the drop kick; ups with the knee; strikes with the elbow or closed fist; or uses tactics aimed at knocking an opponent's head against the steel turnbuckle connecting ropes and ring-post."
  1549.  
  1550. 01-21-1944: A War bond benefit wrestling show is held in Houston, TX along with a Symphony concert. In lieu of tickets war bonds were sold. The main event match pitted Lou Thesz against Bill Longson.
  1551.  
  1552. 01-23-1944: Steve "Crusher" Casey, debuted on the west coast in Fresno, CA defeating Ivan "The Terrible" Rasputin. Many eastern states recognized Casey as world champion.
  1553.  
  1554. 02-26-1944: During a match in Tampa, FL Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats NWA Florida champion Roland Kirchmeyer when Kirchmeyer's head strikes the floor knocking him out. Lewis refuses the Florida title.
  1555.  
  1556. 03-1944: Because the Paul Bowser AWA World champion Steve "Crusher" Casey is fighting in World War II, thus leaving the title inactive for months at a time, the group creates a "War Time Duration" title which is won by The Golden Terror.
  1557.  
  1558. 03-07-1944: Babe Sharkey wins a tournament to face Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the Maryland World title defeating Leo Wallick in the finals.
  1559.  
  1560. 03-13-1944: Gorilla Ramos defeats Gray Mask for the world lightweight title in Hollywood, CA.
  1561.  
  1562. 03-14-1944: Babe Sharkey defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis to become recognized as world champion in Maryland.
  1563.  
  1564. 03-22-1944: Sandor Szabo wins the Montreal AWA title from Yvon Robert.
  1565.  
  1566. 03-27-1944: Gray Mask regains the world lightweight title from Gorilla Ramos in Hollywood, CA.
  1567.  
  1568. 03-29-1944: Sandor Szabo wins the AWA War Time Duration title from The Golden Terror in Boston, MA.
  1569.  
  1570. 03-30-1944: Ronnie Garvin (Roger Barnes) is born.
  1571.  
  1572. 04-24-1944: Wild Red Berry regains the world lightweight title from Gray Mask in Hollywood, CA.
  1573.  
  1574. 04-27-1944: Dave Levin defeats Orville Brown in Kansas City in a one fall match. Levin claims the Mid West title, but Brown disputes it claiming the title can only change hands in three falls.
  1575.  
  1576. 05-04-1944: Dave Levin defeats Orville Brown in Kansas City for the Mid West title. This time the title change stands.
  1577.  
  1578. 06-15-1944: Yvon Robert captures the AWA World Time Duration title from Sandor Szabo in Montreal, Canada.
  1579.  
  1580. 06-29-1944: Lee Wyckoff wins his fourth Mid West title from Dave Levin in Kansas City.
  1581.  
  1582. 06-30-1944: Terry Funk is born the son of Dory Funk, Sr.
  1583.  
  1584. 07-19-1944: Frank Sexton defeats Yvon Robert for the Montreal AWA title.
  1585.  
  1586. 08-01-1944: The French Angel (Maurice Tillet) defeats Steve "Crusher" Casey for the American Wrestling Association world title.
  1587.  
  1588. 08-15-1944: Steve "Crusher" Casey wins the American Wrestling Association world title for a fifth time by defeating The French Angel.
  1589.  
  1590. 08-16-1944: Orville Brown wins his seventh Mid West title from Lee Wyckoff in Topeka, KS.
  1591.  
  1592. 08-18-1944: Lou Thesz defeats Ernie Dusek in Houston for the Texas title.
  1593.  
  1594. 09-12-1944: Former world heavyweight champion Gus Sonnenberg (Gustave Adolph Sonnenberg) dies at the age of 46 from leukemia.
  1595.  
  1596. 09-20-1944: A news paper article in Auckland, New Zealand had this interesting feature; "One of the most colossal characters in all of wrestledom is Ed "Strangler" Lewis. The 265 lb, 53-year-old ace of the world's mats was a visitor to Vancouver last month, after completing a 14-week tour of U.S. Army, Navy and marine bases, traveling night and day and giving two-hour shows every night. Lewis talks of 36 years of wrestling, explains that he retired about five years ago, stayed out of action for three years and finally weighed 365 pounds. "I came back then," he says with a chuckle, and his large head, nestling comfortably enough on a neck that takes a 20-inch collar, nods in full agreement with himself. He has traveled five times around the world, wrestled in India before thousands of the faithful. 'Over there the Majarajahs have their own stables of wrestlers, something like rich men have stables of horses here,' explained Lewis. However, in Calcutta and Bombay, there are private promoters of wrestling shows and, of course, it is the biggest sport of all. 'Are wrestlers harder to figure than horses?' we asked. 'I don't think so,' answered Lewis, 'I could never beat the horses.'"
  1597.  
  1598. 09-1944: Carlos "Gorilla" Ramos wins the EMLL National lightweight title.
  1599.  
  1600. 11-05-1944: Joe Louis, world heavyweight boxing champion, temporarily on furlough from the army, announced he would referee the feature bout of a wrestling show by promoter Paul Bowser at Boston Garden on November 16.
  1601.  
  1602. 11-16-1944: Referee Joe Louis presides over a War Duration title match in Boston which sees Sandor Szabo defeat Yvon Robert for the title.
  1603.  
  1604. 12-11-1944: Dick Trout wins the world lightweight title from Wild Red Berry in Hollywood, CA.
  1605.  
  1606. 1945
  1607.  
  1608. 01-07-1945: Former California recognized world champion Vincent Lopez unmasked the Masked Cougar at Ryan's Auditorium in Fresno, CA revealing his identity to be Pat Fraley, 240-pound Bostonian and victor in some 60 Fresno appearances.
  1609.  
  1610. 01-22-1945: Danny McShain wins the world lightweight title from Dick Trout in Hollywood, CA.
  1611.  
  1612. 01-27-1945: Bert Assirati defeats George Gregory for the British heavyweight title.
  1613.  
  1614. 03-03-1945: Professional wrestling suffered a major tragedy when the war department announced that an army transport plane had crashed in Europe killing 16 persons. Six of the victims were professional wrestlers. "That type of entertainment has gone over very big with service men," one U.S.O. official told the news papers, "and this definitely is not the first group of wrestlers to be sent overseas." He explained that the wrestlers had put on exhibition matches, participate in feats of strength and demonstrate the application and breaking of holds. Usually the shows ended with the entertainers challenging any and all comers in the audience. George Matkovich, known professionally as George Mack; Jack Ross; Lester "Kid" Chapman; H.A. "Al" Sabath; Gaius W. Young, and Ben Reuben were the six wrestlers to die in the crash. All except Young listed Chicago as their home. Young was from Minneapolis and played football with the St. Cloud, MN Teachers during his collegiate career.
  1615.  
  1616. 03-09-1945: John Mauldin wins the Atlanta City wrestling title from Son Almand in Atlanta, GA.
  1617.  
  1618. 03-14-1945: In Ft. Lewis, WA Man Mountain Dean (Master Sgt. Frank S. Leavitt) began his tour of duty in the Army as a fitness trainer. Dean, who had reportedly weighed 370 pounds had allegedly dropped 100 pounds. He had previously been discharged from the army due to a kidney disorder, but volunteered again and was accepted.
  1619.  
  1620. 03-26-1945: Dick Trout wins the world lightweight title from Danny McShain in Hollywood, CA.
  1621.  
  1622. 04-03-1945: Babe Ruth referees two shows for Paul Bowser in Boston, MA.
  1623.  
  1624. 04-04-1945: Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Sandor Szabo to unify the AWA World title with the AWA War Time Duration title in Boston, MA.
  1625.  
  1626. 04-25-1945: Sandor Szabo defeats Steve "Crusher" Casey for the American Wrestling Association world title.
  1627.  
  1628. 05-02-1945: Frank Sexton defeats Sandor Szabo for the American Wrestling Association world title.
  1629.  
  1630. 06-06-1945: Steve "Crusher" Casey defeats Frank Sexton for the AWA World title in Boston, MA.
  1631.  
  1632. 06-18-1945: In Portland, ME a fan gets out of hand and decks wrestler Manuel Cortez who is wrestling The Great Mephisto.
  1633.  
  1634. 06-27-1945: Frank Sexton regains the AWA World title from Steve "Crusher" Casey in Boston, MA.
  1635.  
  1636. 07-04-1945: Joe Savoldi defeats Yvon Robert for the Montreal AWA title.
  1637.  
  1638. 07-18-1945: Carlitos "Carlos" Colon is born.
  1639.  
  1640. 07-27-1945: Buddy Rogers defeats Dave Levin in Houston for the Texas title.
  1641.  
  1642. 08-16-1946: Dick Murdoch is born in Amarillo, TX. He is the son a local wrestler Frankie Hill Murdoch.
  1643.  
  1644. 08-24-1945: Rocky Johnson is born in Washington, D.C.
  1645.  
  1646. 09-04-1945: Herb Welch defeats Don Cortez for the "Mexican Junior title" in Nashville, TN.
  1647.  
  1648. 09-10-1945: Wild Red Berry wins the world lightweight title from Danny McShain in Hollywood, CA.
  1649.  
  1650. 09-25-1945: Gory Guerrero defeats Bobby Bonales for the EMLL National middleweight title in Mexico City.
  1651.  
  1652. 10-12-1945: Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Runnels) is born.
  1653.  
  1654. 10-22-1945: Portland, OR wrestler Martin "The Blimp" Levy, who reportedly weighs 640 pounds, is sued by his former wife claiming he doesn't support her. Levy produces an Alabama divorce decree and the case is dismissed.
  1655.  
  1656. 12-04-1945: Ray Steele defeats Johnny Walker (Dr. John Boncia, not the later Mr. Wrestling II) in Grays Harbor, WA after a 40 minute match.
  1657.  
  1658. 12-08-1945: Jim Londos defeats Johnny Walker (Dr. John Boncia) in Grays Harbor, WA after a 20 minute match.
  1659.  
  1660. 1946
  1661.  
  1662. 01-09-1946: Denver, CO. Police officer Frank A. "Tarzan" Florentine, 250-pounder who has a 60-inch chest and bends six penny nails with his bare hands, is fired from the police force because they deem that he isn't physically fit. According to them he's 40 pounds overweight. Florentine tells the United Press he would return to his old job as a professional wrestler.
  1663.  
  1664. 01-11-1946: Haruka Eigen is born.
  1665.  
  1666. 01-26-1946: John Mauldin wins the Atlanta City wrestling title from Jack Kelly in Atlanta, GA.
  1667.  
  1668. 01-29-1946: Frank Sexton defeats Babe Sharkey in Baltimore, MD to become recognized as world champion in Maryland.
  1669.  
  1670. 02-23-1946: Gory Guerrero defeats Tarzan Lopez for the NWA middleweight title in Mexico City.
  1671.  
  1672. 02-28-1946: Herb Welch is injured in a car accident forcing him to vacate the Tennessee World Junior title
  1673.  
  1674. 03-15-1946: El Santo defeats Pete Sancof in Mexico City for the NWA welterweight title.
  1675.  
  1676. 03-22-1946: Francisco "Firpo" Segura defeats The Gray Shadow in a mask verses hair match in Mexico City. The Gray Shadow unmasks and reveals himself as Daniel Aldana. Aldana goes on to hold several titles in Mexico including the Mexican National heavyweight title in the early 1950's.
  1677.  
  1678. 04-29-1946: Roy Dunn regains an off shoot version of the world title which he created in 1941 by defeating Ed Virag in Wichita, KS. Dunn continues to promote himself as "world champion" until his first retirement in 1948.
  1679.  
  1680. 04-30-1946: Cliff Gustafson wins an off shoot version of the world title from Ed Virag in St. Louis. Gustafson is managed by Ed "Strangler" Lewis.
  1681.  
  1682. 05-03-1946: Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Rogers in Houston for the Texas title.
  1683.  
  1684. 05-10-1946: Lou Thesz does probably his only job for Buddy Rogers for the Texas title in Houston.
  1685.  
  1686. 05-19-1946: Andre the Giant (Andre Rene Rousimoff) is born in Grenoble, France.
  1687.  
  1688. 06-18-1946: Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish) is born in Pennsylvania.
  1689.  
  1690. 06-20-1946: Bobby Bruns wins the Mid West title from Orville Brown via DQ in Kansas City.
  1691.  
  1692. 08-08-1946: Orville Brown wins his eighth Mid West title defeating Bobby Bruns in Kansas City.
  1693.  
  1694. 10-22-1946: Bronko Nagurski defeats Sandor Szabo for the Pacific Coast title.
  1695.  
  1696. 12-10-1946: Len Hall defeats Sandor Szabo for an off shoot world title in Minneapolis based on the National Wrestling Association title.
  1697.  
  1698. 12-17-1946: Sandor Szabo defeats Len Hall to regain an off shoot version of the National Wrestling Association title in Minneapolis.
  1699.  
  1700. 1946: George Bollas (AKA: Zebra Kid) wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Ohio State.
  1701.  
  1702. 1947
  1703.  
  1704. 01-07-1947: Mildred Burke tells the Newspaper Enterprise Association that she will start a tour that will include Australia, New Zealand, England and France.
  1705.  
  1706. 01-08-1947: Bushwhacker Luke (Luke Wickens, AKA Luke Williams) is born... Ashura Hara is born.
  1707.  
  1708. 02-21-1947: Whipper Billy Watson defeats Bill Longson in St. Louis, MO for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1709.  
  1710. 03-07-1947: Chic Donovan (Charles Donovan) is born.
  1711.  
  1712. 03-14-1947: Vic Christy defeats Orville Brown in Kansas City for the Mid West title.
  1713.  
  1714. 03-30-1947: Roy Graham defeats Vic Christy for the Mid West title in Kansas City.
  1715.  
  1716. 04-04-1947: Bert Assirati defeats Yvar Martinson in London, England for the British version of the World title.
  1717.  
  1718. 04-10-1947: Orville Brown wins his ninth Mid West title from Roy Graham in Kansas City.
  1719.  
  1720. 04-22-1947: Cliff Gustafson wins an off shoot version of the NWAssociation world title from Sandor Szabo in Minneapolis.
  1721.  
  1722. 04-25-1947: Lou Thesz defeats Whipper Billy Watson in St. Louis, MO for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1723.  
  1724. 06-17-1947: Sandor Szabo reclaims an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title in Minneapolis.
  1725.  
  1726. 10-17-1947: Ron Etchison defeats Sonny Myers in St. Joseph, MO for the Missouri state title.
  1727.  
  1728. 11-1947: Lord James Blears wins the world lightweight title in Phoenix, AZ.
  1729.  
  1730. 11-07-1947: Sonny Myers defeats Ron Etchison in St. Joseph, MO for the Missouri state title.
  1731.  
  1732. 11-11-1947: Black Venus (Jean Kirkland) is born.
  1733.  
  1734. 11-21-1947: Bill Longson defeats Lou Thesz in St. Louis, Mo for the National Wrestling Association world title.
  1735.  
  1736. 12-13-1947: Dino Bravo (Adolfo Brescino) is born.
  1737.  
  1738. 12-19-1947: Tug Carlson defeats Orville Brown in St. Joseph, MO for the Mid West title.
  1739.  
  1740. 12-26-1947: Orville Brown wins his tenth Mid West title from Tug Carlson in St. Joseph, MO.
  1741.  
  1742. 1947: Joe Scarpello wins the NCAA championship at 175 lbs. out of University of Iowa... Dick Hutton wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Oklahoma State.
  1743.  
  1744. 1948
  1745.  
  1746. 01-07-1948: In Jacksonville, FL Primo Carnera defeated Pete Managoff.
  1747.  
  1748. 01-30-1948: Yukon Eric defeats Sonny Myers for the Texas title in Houston.
  1749.  
  1750. 02-09-1948: European wrestler Artur Ackermann dies.
  1751.  
  1752. 03-19-1948: In Miami, FL Primo Carnera defeated Kola Kwariani.
  1753.  
  1754. 03-23-1948: Bronko Nagurski wins an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title from Sandor Szabo in Minneapolis.
  1755.  
  1756. 04-29-1948: Bobby Bruns wins his third Mid West title from Orville Brown in Kansas City.
  1757.  
  1758. 05-04-1948: Orville Brown wins his eleventh Mid West title from Bobby Bruns in Kansas City.
  1759.  
  1760. 05-07-1948: Danny McShain defeats Miguel Guzman in Houston for the Texas title.
  1761.  
  1762. 06-01-1948: Sandor Szabo regains an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title from Bronko Nagurski in Minneapolis
  1763.  
  1764. 06-22-1948: Cliff Gustafson wins an off shoot version of the NWAssociation World title from Sandor Szabo in Minneapolis.
  1765.  
  1766. 06-29-1948: Mike Chacoma & Red Roberts defeat Herb & Roy Welch to become the first Southern (TN) tag team champions in Nashville, TN for the Nick Gulas promotion.
  1767.  
  1768. 07-19-1948: The National Wrestling Alliance is formed in Waterloo, Iowa when promoters Sam Muchnick, Pinky George, Al Haft, Harry Light, Tony Stecher, and Orville Brown link their territories together under the NWA banner. Pinky George is named as the first NWA president.
  1769.  
  1770. 07-20-1948: Lou Thesz defeats Bill Longson for the National Wrestling Association world title in Indianapolis, IN.
  1771.  
  1772. 08-06-1948: Antonino Rocca defeats Dizzy Davis in Houston for the Texas title.
  1773.  
  1774. 08-27-1948: Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus) is born.
  1775.  
  1776. 09-08-1948: The Great Kabuki (Akihisa Mera) is born.
  1777.  
  1778. 09-21-1948: Mitsuo Momota is born. He is the son of Rikidozan.
  1779.  
  1780. 09-25-1948: Joe Lynam is killed in a plane crash in Oregon at the age of 31.
  1781.  
  1782. 09-26-1948: Kendo Nagasaki (Kazuo Sakurata) is born.
  1783.  
  1784. 10-1948: Eleven time Mid West champion and reigning Mid West champion Orville Brown is named the first National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World heavyweight champion.
  1785.  
  1786. 10-23-1948: Lou Klein defeats Johnny Demchuk for the Midwest Junior title in Columbus, OH.
  1787.  
  1788. 11-12-1948: Ho Chi Lau (Takao Tanaka) is born.
  1789.  
  1790. 11-15-1948: Bert Assirati wins the British version of the world title by defeating French Angel in London
  1791.  
  1792. 12-16-1948: A car accident involving Ali Baba (Larry LaBelle, not Harry Ezikian), Frankie Hart and Jackie Nichols results in the death of LaBelle who is 40 years old.
  1793.  
  1794. 1948: Verne Gagne wins the NCAA championship at 191 lbs. out of University of Minnesota... Dick Hutton wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Oklahoma State.
  1795.  
  1796. 1949
  1797.  
  1798. 01-1949: Paul Boesch announces he will begin televising wrestling shows in Houston, TX.
  1799.  
  1800. 01-28-1949: Wild Red Berry defeats Dizzy Davis for the Texas title in Houston.
  1801.  
  1802. 02-09-1949: Gorgeous George (George Wagner) wins a court case, preventing Milwaukee area wrestler Joe Arena from using the name "Gorgeous George".
  1803.  
  1804. 02-21-1949: Jim Londos, billed as "International champion" a belt he supposedly won twenty years earlier, defeated Red Koko before 4,000 wrestling fans at the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Londos was in action about 11 minutes during his two-fall stint. Also on the show "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers defeated Billy Darnell, who substituted for The Demon, who was reported ill. Pierre LaSartes defeated Frank Hickey, who was reportedly the "understudy" of Sheik Lawrence, who also was reported ill. Carlos Mojica defeated George Bruckman and Izzy Becker drew with Dude Chick.
  1805.  
  1806. 02-22-1949: The first wrestling show in twelve years is held at New York's Madison Square Garden featuring Gorgeous George defeating Ernie Dusek in front of 4,197 fans.
  1807.  
  1808. 02-25-1949: Ric Flair (Richard Morgan Fliehr) is born.
  1809.  
  1810. 04-12-1949: Mighty Inoue (Sueo Inoue) is born.
  1811.  
  1812. 04-18-1949: Verne Gange makes his pro wrestling debut, defeating Abe Kashey via DQ in Minneapolis, MN in front of 2,724.
  1813.  
  1814. 04-20-1949: Former world boxing champion turned wrestler Primo Carnera's undefeated winning streak is ended by Antonino Rocca at Madison Square Garden.
  1815.  
  1816. 04-26-1949: Jerry "Crusher" Blackwell is born.
  1817.  
  1818. 04-27-1949: Yoshiaki Fujiwara is born.
  1819.  
  1820. 05-20-1949: In a wrestling match in Italy, wrestler Adi Berber dies after receiving a broken neck.
  1821.  
  1822. 05-21-1949: Cliff Gustafson retires while holding an off shoot version of the NWAssociation title. The promotion rejoins the Association and discards any other world title claim.
  1823.  
  1824. 07-01-1949: Cavernario Galindo (Rodolfo Galindo) defeats Tarzan Lopez in Mexico City for the EMLL National Lightweight title. Lopez had held the title since 1947. Galindo eventually becomes an actor and in 1989 is the first person inducted into the lucha libre hall of fame.
  1825.  
  1826. 07-07-1949: George Bollas defeats Buddy Rogers for the Jack Pfeffer Ohio version of the world title in Toledo, OH.
  1827.  
  1828. 07-15-1949: Tom Mahoney defeats Al Massey in Atlanta, GA to win the Paul Jones, Fred Ward NWA Southern title.
  1829.  
  1830. 08-05-1949: Don McIntyre wins the NWA Southern title from Tom Mahoney in Atlanta, GA.
  1831.  
  1832. 08-08-1949: Former French wrestling champion Ivan "The Terrible" Maximovich Poddubny dies in Moscow.
  1833.  
  1834. 08-13-1949: Jim Brunzell is born.
  1835.  
  1836. 08-18-1949: Dave Levin wins the Ohio version of the world title from George Bollas in Toledo.
  1837.  
  1838. 09-16-1949: The Red Menace wins the NWA Southern title from Don McIntyre in Atlanta, GA.
  1839.  
  1840. 09-18-1942: Lizmark (Juan Banos) is born in Lano Grande, Mexico.
  1841.  
  1842. 09-26-1949: The first NWA Southern (Florida) champion is crowned when Danny Dusek wins a tournament final over Pedro Godoy in Tampa, FL. The group is promoted by Homer Hesterly and Bill Sallade. It is later sold to Clarence "Cowboy" Luttrell, then to Eddie Graham (Gossett), and ultimately to Duke Keomuka & Hiro Matsuda.
  1843.  
  1844. 10-12-1949: Stan "The Lariat" Hansen is born.
  1845.  
  1846. 10-19-1949: In Miami, FL Primo Carnera defeated Vic Christy.
  1847.  
  1848. 10-26-1949: Austin Idol (Dennis McCord) is born... El Satanico (Daniel Lopez) is born in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  1849.  
  1850. 10-29-1949: Paul Orndorff is born.
  1851.  
  1852. 11-01-1949: National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight champion Orville Brown is seriously injured in a car accident along with Bobby Bruns. The car they are riding in hits a stalled tractor trailer near Eaglesville, MO.
  1853.  
  1854. 11-12-1949: Jerry "The King" Lawler is born.
  1855.  
  1856. 11-25-1949: The unification match between National Wrestling Alliance World champion Orville Brown and National Wrestling Association world champion Lou Thesz doesn't take place due to serious injuries to Brown earlier in the month in a car accident... Danno O'Connor wins the NWA Southern title from Don McIntyre in Atlanta, GA.
  1857.  
  1858. 11-27-1949: The NWA awards the world heavyweight title to Lou Thesz.
  1859.  
  1860. 12-16-1949: Verne Gagne defeats Leo Newman in Houston for the NWA Texas title. George Flynn captures the NWA Southern title from Danno O'Connor in Atlanta, GA.
  1861.  
  1862. 12-23-1949: Ray Villmer wins the NWA Southern title from George Flynn in Atlanta, GA.
  1863.  
  1864. 1949: Verne Gagne wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of University of Minnesota.
  1865.  
  1866. 1950
  1867.  
  1868. 01-24-1950: The original Bull Montana (Luigi Montagna) dies in Los Angeles, CA.
  1869.  
  1870. 02-02-1950: Osamu Kido is born.
  1871.  
  1872. 02-07-1950: Leroy McGurik, who has reigned as NWA World Junior heavyweight champion since 1939 is blinded in a horrific automobile accident, thus ending his career. He goes on to be a historical mid south promoter.
  1873.  
  1874. 02-15-1950: Yukon Eric defeats Bobby Mangoff for the Montreal AWA title.
  1875.  
  1876. 03-10-1950: Tommy O'Toole defeats Sonny Myers in St. Joeseph, MO for the Missouri state title.
  1877.  
  1878. 03-14-1950: Rito Romero & Miguel Guzman win the NWA Texas tag team titles over Al Lovelock & Danny McShain to become the first champions.
  1879.  
  1880. 04-04-1950: Ray Eckert & Hard Boiled Haggerty defeat Ron Etchison & Larry Moquin for the California version of the NWA World tag team titles.
  1881.  
  1882. 04-18-1950: Andy Tremaine defeats Monte LaDue in El Paso, TX in the finals of a tournament for the world lightweight title as recognized by the NWAssociation. The NWAlliance doesn't recognize the title.
  1883.  
  1884. 05-09-1950: Mike & Ben Sharpe defeats Ray Eckhart & Hard Boiled Haggerty for the California NWA World tag team titles. This is the first of an eventual seventeen runs as champion the team had.
  1885.  
  1886. 05-18-1950: George Simpson opens up his NWA Heart of America (Central States) office out of Kansas City, MO. Eventually the group would sell to Gust Karras, Bob Geigel, and ultimately Jim Crockett, Jr. The office would become in later years the home office of the NWA just before the TBS era expansion. The first champion is crowned on this date when Bill Longson defeats Sonny Myers in a tournament final in Kansas City, KS.
  1887.  
  1888. 05-23-1950: Don Eagle defeats Frank Sexton in Cleveland, OH for the American Wrestling Association world title.
  1889.  
  1890. 05-25-1950: Buddy Rogers defeats The Demon (Jack O'Brien) for the Ohio version of the world title in Toledo.
  1891.  
  1892. 05-26-1950: Gorgeous George defeats Don Eagle in Chicago, Il when referee Earl Mollohan gives Eagle a fast three count. This is a double cross initiated by promoter Fred Kohler on Al Haft and Don Eagle. Eagle remains recognized as world champion.
  1893.  
  1894. 05-28-1950: Jim Harris, later known as Kamala the Ugandan Giant, is born in Sentobia, MS.
  1895.  
  1896. 07-07-1950: Art Nielson wins the NWA Southern title from Don McIntyre in Atlanta, GA.
  1897.  
  1898. 07-17-1950: Johnny Valentine defeats Danny Dusek for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Tampa.
  1899.  
  1900. 07-27-1950: Lou Thesz defeats Gorgeous George in Chicago, Il to retain the NWA World title. George had just won a double cross victory over AWA World champion Don Eagle and this was done to make the AWA title look inferior to the NWA title.
  1901.  
  1902. 08-01-1950: Jimmy Golden (AKA: Bunkhouse Buck) is born.
  1903.  
  1904. 08-03-1950: Dave Levin wins the Ohio version of the world title from Indian Nature Boy (Chief Lone Eagle) in Toledo, OH.
  1905.  
  1906. 1951
  1907.  
  1908. 01-07-1951: Chavo Guerrero (Salvador Guerrero) is born the son of Salvador "Gory" Guerrero.
  1909.  
  1910. 02-20-1951: Dos Caras (Jose Luis Rodriguez) is born. He is the brother of Mil Mascaras and El Sicodelico.
  1911.  
  1912. 03-25-1951: Jumbo Tsuruta (Tomomi Tsuruta) is born in Makioka, Yamanishi Prefecture, Japan.
  1913.  
  1914. 04-17-1951: Roddy Piper (Rodrick George Tombs) is born.
  1915.  
  1916. 05-1951: Spike Peterson (Curtis Peterson) dies after breaking his neck in a match against Sam Abraham in Richland, VA.
  1917.  
  1918. 07-1951: The eighteen year old adopted daughter of World Womens champion Mildred Burke dies from a blood clot on the brain following a tag team match in Ohio.
  1919.  
  1920. 09-16-1950: The Zainichi Torii Osasis Shriner's Club announces a wrestling show in Tokyo, Japan featuring former world boxing champion Joe Louis and wrestlers Bobby Burns, Andre Adori, Obira Asselin, Casey Parker, Dino Bagnone, Harold Sakata, and Dr. Lynn Hall.
  1921.  
  1922. 09-20-1951: Mike Graham (Michael Gossett) is born, he is the son of Eddie Graham.
  1923.  
  1924. 09-30-1951: The Shriner's Club card takes place in Tokyo, Japan at Ryogoku Hall.
  1925.  
  1926. 10-15-1951: Rikidozan and Judokas Masahiko Kimura, Toshio Yamaguchi, and Koukichi Endo begin training at the Shriner's Club for professional wrestling.
  1927.  
  1928. 10-24-1951: In one of the most legendary shooting matches in history, Masahiko Kimura a Ju jitsu master from Japan defeats Helio Gracie, the patriarch of the famous Gracie family in Brazil with the Brazilian President in attendance.
  1929.  
  1930. 10-28-1951: Rikidozan makes his professional wrestling debut battling Bobby Burns to a ten minute draw.
  1931.  
  1932. 11-18-1951: Joe Louis participates in a outdoor show at Korakuen Stadium which sees Rikidozan battle Obira Asselin to a ten minute draw.
  1933.  
  1934. 11-19-1951: Danny McShain defeats Verne Gagne in Memphis, TN for the NWA World Junior title.
  1935.  
  1936. 12-03-1951: Riki Choshu (Mitsuo Yushido) is born.
  1937.  
  1938. 1951: Masahiko Kimura, a Japanese Judoka defeats Helio Gracie by TKO in Brazil. The Brazilian President and Vice-President are in attendance.
  1939.  
  1940. 1952
  1941.  
  1942. 01-29-1952: In San Francisco, CA NWA World tag team champions Mike & Ben Sharpe, wrestled just few hours after their father had been killed in a fall at his Hamilton, Ontario, home, and defeated Leo Nomellini & Hombre Montana at Winterland arena before a standing room only crowd that grossed $12,159. Digby Sharpe, 58-year-old father of the champions, slipped on the basement steps the day before while going to tend the furnace and was killed.
  1943.  
  1944. 02-03-1952: Rikidozan travels to Hawaii and trains with Oki Shinkina.
  1945.  
  1946. 02-17-1952: Rikidozan wins his first United States match by defeating Chief Little Wolf at the Honolulu Civic Auditorium.
  1947.  
  1948. 05-21-1952: Lou Thesz, the NWA World champion, defeats Baron Michele Leone in Los Angeles, CA for another version of the World title, unifing yet another championship with the NWA World title. The match drew a reported gate of $103,277, supposedly the first $100,000 gate in wrestling.
  1949.  
  1950. 06-09-1952: Dan Severn is born.
  1951.  
  1952. 10-14-1952: Don Sugai is killed in a car accident in Ontario, Canada at the age of 39.
  1953.  
  1954. 11-15-1952: Randy Savage (Randy Poffo) is born. Randy is the son of Angelo Poffo.
  1955.  
  1956. 11-17-1952: One of the most famous mask vs. mask matches in Mexican wrestling history takes place at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City where El Santo defeats Black Shadow (Alejandro Cruz) in a 70 minute match to win his mask.
  1957.  
  1958. 11-1952: Don Eagle vacates the AWA World title due to back injuries.
  1959.  
  1960. 12-02-1952: Buddy Rogers defeats Killer Kowalski for the former AWA World title, now billed as the AWA Eastern states title in Boston, MA.
  1961.  
  1962. 12-13-1952: The Junkyard Dog (Sylvester Ritter) is born in Wadesboro, NC.
  1963.  
  1964. 1953
  1965.  
  1966. 01-06-1953: 1949 "Mr. California" and 1951 "Mr. Muscle Beach" bodybuilding champion Pepper Gomez makes his wrestling debut in El Paso, Texas. Gomez, who had been trained by Miguel "Blackie" Guzman injures his knee in his debut and is out of action for several months.
  1967.  
  1968. 01-14-1953: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan is born.
  1969.  
  1970. 01-25-1953: Honky Tonk Man (Wayne Farris) is born.
  1971.  
  1972. 02-28-1953: Ricky Steamboat (Richard Blood) is born.
  1973.  
  1974. 03-06-1953: What is believed to be the first "Brass Knux" match takes place between Danny McShain and "Wild" Bull Curry in Houston, TX with Curry winning on the Paul Boesch promoted show.
  1975.  
  1976. 05-10-1953: Tito Santana is born in Tocula, Mexico.
  1977.  
  1978. 05-11-1953: New York state lifts a ban on tag team wrestling.
  1979.  
  1980. 06-1953: June Byers wins a tournament in Baltimore, MD to win a version of the world womens title. It would be unified with the NWA World womens title in a historic shoot match in August 1954.
  1981.  
  1982. 07-10-1953: Billy Jack Haynes is born.
  1983.  
  1984. 07-25-1953: After unmasking the Blue Demon's brother Black Shadow (Alajandro Cruz) earlier in the year, El Santo now squared off against the Blue Demon seeking revenge for his brother with Santo's NWA Welterweight title on the line at Arena Mexico in Mexico City. Blue Demon wins the title in two straight falls.
  1985.  
  1986. 07-30-1953: Rikidozan founds Japan's first full time professional wrestling group, The Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and names Shinsaku Nitta as president.
  1987.  
  1988. 08-11-1953: Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea) is born.
  1989.  
  1990. 08-16-1953: Baron Michele Leone wins the NWA World Junior title from Danny McShain in Memphis, TN.
  1991.  
  1992. 09-01-1953: Rocco Rock (Ted Petty) is born.
  1993.  
  1994. 09-04-1953: Kengo Kimura (Takashi Kimura) is born.
  1995.  
  1996. 11-29-1953: Rikidozan wins an eight man tournament in Hawaii to win the rights to wrestle NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz.
  1997.  
  1998. 12-06-1953: Lou Thesz defeats Rikidozan at the Honolulu Civic Auditorium in a forty three minute match with the pile driver to retain the NWA World title.
  1999.  
  2000. 12-23-1953: Tatsumi Fujinami is born.
  2001.  
  2002. 1954
  2003.  
  2004. 01-24-1954: Masanobu Fuchi is born.
  2005.  
  2006. 02-06-1954: Toshio Yamaguchi and Kiyomikawa promote a two day wrestling show in Osaka, Japan called "Japan verses US Puroresu" under the name All Japan Pro-Wrestling Alliance.
  2007.  
  2008. 02-19-1954: The old Sumo Hall, Kuramae Kokugikan, sees three days worth of wrestling shows, the first day is broadcast on NHK and NTV television (Japan Broadcasting and Nippon Television) and featured Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura battling NWA World tag team champions Ben & "Iron" Mike Sharpe.
  2009.  
  2010. 07-11-1954: Butch Reed (Bruce Reed) is born.
  2011.  
  2012. 07-27-1954: "Ragin' Bull" Manny Fernandez is born.
  2013.  
  2014. 08-04-1954: The famed French Angel (Maurice Tillet) dies in Chicago, Il at the age of 51 from heart disease.
  2015.  
  2016. 08-20-1954: June Byers battles NWA World Womens champion Mildred Burke in a shoot match in Atlanta, GA. The match is best two out of three falls and a total shoot. Byers takes the first fall and Burke is injured. Still Burke continues to fend off Byers and the match is eventually stopped by the Georgia State Atheletic commission with Byers winning one fall to none. June Byers claims the title until her retirement in 1964, while Burke travels to California and bills herself as WWWA World womens champion. She holds the belt, presumably, until her retirement. Then in 1970, Marie Vagnone claims the title (she may have won a tournament) and travels to Japan where she loses the title to Akio Kyo and the belt remains there and is one of the most respected womens titles in history- the All Japan Womens WWWA World title.
  2017.  
  2018. 08-21-1954: Billy Wolfe, the top promoter of womens wrestling at the time, gets the Georgia State Atheletic commission to reverse it's ruling on the previous nights shoot match between Mildred Burke and June Byers and names Byers as the new world womens champion.
  2019.  
  2020. 11-1954: Mildred Burke, the WWWA World Womens champion, tours on a show in Japan promoted by Sankei Shinbun News paper along with six other American women and four Japanese and succeed in selling out Kuramae Kokugikan Hall for three shows. Several womens wrestling groups are soon formed including All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling Association, the predecessor to All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling.
  2021.  
  2022. 11-22-1954: Jesse McMahon, the Grandfather of Vince K. McMahon, and a legendary promoter in his own right, dies at the age of 72.
  2023.  
  2024. 12-12-1954: Former Sumo wrestler Toyonobori makes his wrestling debut in Japan.
  2025.  
  2026. 12-22-1954: Rikidozan defeats Masahiko Kimura to become the first Japanese heavyweight champion. According to a biography written by Kimura, the match was suppose to have been worked, however, Rikidozan began shooting on him, taking the victory.
  2027.  
  2028. 12-28-1954: Lanny Poffo is born. Lanny is the son of Angelo Poffo.
  2029.  
  2030. 1955
  2031.  
  2032. 01-01-1955: Jack Rush dies during a match in Daytona, FL.
  2033.  
  2034. 01-26-1955: Rikidozan defeats All Japan Pro-Wrestling Alliance star Toshio Yamaguchi to retain the Japanese heavyweight title.
  2035.  
  2036. 01-30-1955: Dennis Clarey dies of head injuries from a match with Ali Bey in Tucson, AZ.
  2037.  
  2038. 02-10-1955: Chris Adams is born in England.
  2039.  
  2040. 03-22-1955: Leo Nomellini defeats Lou Thesz via disqaulification and is given the NWA World title. However, the NWA decides not to allow title changes as a result of a disqaulification. A rule that remains in effect until this day.
  2041.  
  2042. 04-10-1955: Former Yokozuna class Sumo wrestler Azumafuji debuts in Honolulu, HI.
  2043.  
  2044. 04-11-1955: Ed Francis wins the NWA World Junior title from Baron Michele Leone in Galveston, TX. It is possible that this was a repeat of an earlier title switch in Tulsa, OK.
  2045.  
  2046. 04-17-1955: Rikidozan & Azumafuji defeat Bobby Bruns & Lucky Simunovich for the Hawaiian tag team championship in Honolulu, HI.
  2047.  
  2048. 05-30-1955: Jake Roberts (Aurlean Smith, Jr.) is born. Roberts is the son of Grizzly Smith (Aurlean Smith, Sr.)
  2049.  
  2050. 08-11-1955: Norio Honaga (Nobuo Honaga) is born.
  2051.  
  2052. 08-1955: The All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling Alliance is formed.
  2053.  
  2054. 11-15-1955: King Kong & Tiger Jokinder defeat Rikidozan & Harold Sakata to become the first All Asia tag team champions.
  2055.  
  2056. 11-22-1955: Rikidozan defeats King Kong to become All Asia champion.
  2057.  
  2058. 1956
  2059.  
  2060. 01-11-1956: Kuniaki Kobayashi is born.
  2061.  
  2062. 02-08-1956: Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart is born.
  2063.  
  2064. 02-25-1956: Tatsutoshi Goto (Tatsutoshi Gotoh) is born.
  2065.  
  2066. 03-15-1956: Whipper Billy Watson defeats Lou Thesz in Toronto, Canada by count out and is awarded the NWA World heavyweight title. The special referee for the match was boxing legend Jack Dempsey... Meanwhile in Uline arena in Washington DC, another former boxing legend Joe Louis, indebt to the IRS for a reported $1,243,097, makes his wrestling debut despite his families pleas that it is "beneath his dignity". Louis wins his first match over Rocky Lee, in a match refereed by another famous pro boxer also in financial trouble "Jersey" Joe Walcott. Lewis wrestling career didn't last long, in a match in Columbus, OH a mistimed move saw him break two ribs and bruise his heart. Just to show how wrestling was disdained as a sport even in the 1950's, his wife said that watching Louis wrestle was like "watching the President wash dishes".
  2067.  
  2068. 03-18-1956: Rick Martel (Rick Vignault) is born.
  2069.  
  2070. 04-1956: Mike Clancy defeats Mike DiBiase in Little Rock, AR for the NWA World Junior title.
  2071.  
  2072. 04-07-1956: Verne Gagne is awarded the NWA United States championship.
  2073.  
  2074. 04-23-1956: Tony Atlas (Anthony White) is born.
  2075.  
  2076. 06-02-1956: Joe Louis wrestles Rocky Lee in Huntington, WV and talks already of retirement, just three months after his debut, due to continued harassement from the IRS.
  2077.  
  2078. 07-16-1956: Buck Weaver collapses from a heart attack during a match in Montpelier, IN.
  2079.  
  2080. 07-18-1956: Buck Weaver dies as a result of a heart attack suffured during a match two days earlier.
  2081.  
  2082. 07-19-1956: Yoshiaki Yatsu is born.
  2083.  
  2084. 07-26-1956: Tommy Rich (Thomas Richardson) is born.
  2085.  
  2086. 08-04?-1956: El Gladiator (Luis Ramirez), a former top Mexican bodybuilder, defeats El Santo in Mexico City for the Mexican National Middleweight title. El Santo had held the title since 1946. This win marked the high point in El Gladiator's career as he was gunned down a few years later in a Mexican bar.
  2087.  
  2088. 09-08-1956: Boxing champion Archie Moore knocks out wrestler Roy Shire in a boxing verses wrestler match in Ogden, UT.
  2089.  
  2090. 09-14-1956: El Santo regains the Mexican National Middleweight title from El Gladiator in Mexico City.
  2091.  
  2092. 09-18-1956: Jack Pfeffer holds a womens world title tournament in Baltimore, MD which is won by Fabulous Moolah (then known as Slave Girl Moolah). The title is originally an outlaw belt, but eventually becomes recognized internationally and Moolah becomes one of the foremost women wrestlers ever.
  2093.  
  2094. 09-21-1956: "Rock & Roll Express" member Ricky Morton is born.
  2095.  
  2096. 11-02-1956: "Rock & Roll RPM" Mike Davis is born.
  2097.  
  2098. 11-09-1956: Lou Thesz defeats Whipper Billy Watson in St. Louis, MO to regain the NWA World heavyweight title.
  2099.  
  2100. 11-26-1956: Vince McMahon, Sr. promotes his first card at Madison Square Garden headlined by ethnic star Antonino Rocca and Dick the Bruiser. The crowd is said to have been a disappointing 10,400.
  2101.  
  2102. 12-14-1956: Dr. Jerry Graham defeats Bobby Wepner for the NWA Southern title in Atlanta, GA.
  2103.  
  2104. 1957
  2105.  
  2106. 01-24-1957: High School heavyweight wrestler Bill Watts scored a 10-4 decision over Jack Walcott to cap a high school wrestling victory for Putnam City, Oklahoma, over Northwest.
  2107.  
  2108. 02-04-1957: Madison Square Garden sells out to see Antonino Rocca & Verne Gagne verses Hans Schmidt & Karl Von Hess on top with an attendance of 19,300.
  2109.  
  2110. 03-30-1957: Vince McMahon crowns his version of the world tag team titles in New York with Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez defeating Wildman Fargo (Jackie Fargo) & Don Stevens (Donny Fargo). The belts are soon abandoned.
  2111.  
  2112. 03-26-1957: Fred Blassie and Mike Clancy battle to a disputed decision over the NWA World Junior title in Nashville, TN and the title is held up pending a rematch on April 9.
  2113.  
  2114. 04-01-1957: Technichal wrestling great Danny Hodge appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated, one of only two professional wrestlers ever to do so.
  2115.  
  2116. 04-09-1957: Mike Clancy defeats Fred Blassie in Nashville, TN to reclaim the held up NWA World Junior title.
  2117.  
  2118. 04-30-1957: Rikidozan signs a contract in St. Louis, MO to wrestle NWA World champion Lou Thesz for the NWA World title in Japan.
  2119.  
  2120. 05-07-1957: Hercules Hernandez (Ray Fernandez) is born.
  2121.  
  2122. 05-14-1957: Big Van Vader (Leon White) is born.
  2123.  
  2124. 05-22-1957: A record 12,000 fans turn out in Mobile, Al at Ladd Memorial Stadium to see the finals of the Gulf Coast title tournament. Edouardo Perez defeats Lee Fields for the title.
  2125.  
  2126. 06-14-1957: Edouard Carpentier defeats Lou Thesz in Chicago, IL when Thesz can not continue the match due to a back injury. Carpentier is given the NWA World title and announced as champion. The NWA, however, decides not to allow title changes due to injury and returns the title back to Thesz. Some territories continue to recognize Carpentier as world champion and this match eventually gave birth to the WWA World title based in Los Angeles, CA which became an important belt on the west coast and in Japan.
  2127.  
  2128. 08-09-1957: Babe Zaharias experiences head pains during a match with Bibber McCoy in Savannah, GA.
  2129.  
  2130. 08-10-1957: Babe Zaharias dies in Savannah, GA after a match the night before with Bibber McCoy.
  2131.  
  2132. 09-12-1957: Roadwarrior Hawk (Michael Hegstrand) is born.
  2133.  
  2134. 09-20-1957: Arn Anderson (Marty Lunde) is born.
  2135.  
  2136. 10-07-1957: Rikidozan battles Lou Thesz to a time limit draw for the NWA World title in front of 30,000 people at Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Korakuen Stadium was Tokyo's premier baseball stadium prior to the building of the Tokyo Egg Dome.
  2137.  
  2138. 10-09-1957: 7,000 people turn out to see Lee Feilds & Mario Galento defeat Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean for the Gulf Coast version of the world tag team titles.
  2139.  
  2140. 11-07-1957: King Kong Bundy (Chris Pallies) is born.
  2141.  
  2142. 11-14-1957: Dick Hutton defeats Lou Thesz in Toronto, Canada for the NWA World heavyweight title with an abdominal stretch submission. The match was advertised as Thesz vs. Whipper Billy Watson who was a major draw there, but changed to Hutton who was Thesz hand picked sucessor as champion.
  2143.  
  2144. 11-18-1957: At a WWWF show at Madison Sqaure Garden following a double disqualification match between Dr. Jerry Graham & Dick The Bruiser verses Antonio Rocca & Edouard Carpentier, a riot erupts. Several fans and police officers were injured in the riot and Graham and Bruiser had to literally fight their way out of the arena. The New York State Atheletic commission met as a result of the riot and fined Graham & Bruiser $1000 each and Rocca & Carpentier $500 each and banned children under 14 from attending wrestling shows and Dick The Bruiser was banned for life from wrestling in the state of New York.
  2145.  
  2146. 11-24-1957: Satoru Sayama (Original Tiger Mask) is born in Yamaguchi, Japan.
  2147.  
  2148. 1958
  2149.  
  2150. 01-10-1958: Jerry Estrada is born.
  2151.  
  2152. 02-1958: Angelo Savoldi wins the NWA World Junior title over Mike Clancy in Oklahoma City, OK.
  2153.  
  2154. 02-08-1958: Sister Sherri (Sherry Martel) (AKA: Sensational Sherri) is born.
  2155.  
  2156. 03-10-1958: Pierroth, Jr. is born in Mexico.
  2157.  
  2158. 03-28-1958: Curt Hennig is born the son of Larry "The Axe" Hennig.
  2159.  
  2160. 04-18-1958: Gordon McKinley dies following a match with Len Montana in Youngstown, OH.
  2161.  
  2162. 04-21-1985: Ed Leslie (AKA Brutus Beefcake, The Disciple, The Butcher, The Zodiac, Eddie Hogan, etc) is born.
  2163.  
  2164. 05-22-1958: Bobo Brazil & Whipper Billy Watson defeat Reggie & Stan Lisowski for the Canadian Open tag team championship.
  2165.  
  2166. 06-02-1958: Lex Luger (Larry Pfohl) is born.
  2167.  
  2168. 06-05-1958: Dory Funk, Sr. defeats Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior title in Amarillo, TX.
  2169.  
  2170. 07-11-1958: Angelo Savoldi recaptures the NWA World Junior title from Dory Funk, Sr. in Oklahoma City, OK.
  2171.  
  2172. 07-19-1958: "Rock & Roll Express" member Robert Gibson is born.
  2173.  
  2174. 08-14-1958: Bobby Eaton is born.
  2175.  
  2176. 08-22-1958: Stevie Ray (Lane Huffman) of Harlem Heat is born.
  2177.  
  2178. 08-27-1958: Rikidozan finally defeats Lou Thesz, this time for the NWA International title at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium. The title is now part of todays All Japan Triple Crown.
  2179.  
  2180. 09-01-1958: Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Mark Lewin & Don Curtis in Washington, DC.
  2181.  
  2182. 09-04-1958: Shiro Koshinaka is born.
  2183.  
  2184. 09-08-1958: The Barbarian (Sionne Vailahi) is born.
  2185.  
  2186. 10-15-1958: Jeff Gaylord is born.
  2187.  
  2188. 10-25-1958: Atsushi Onita is born in Nagasaki, Japan.
  2189.  
  2190. 12-11-1958: Mark Lewin & Don Curtis regain the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham in Washington, DC.
  2191.  
  2192. 1959
  2193.  
  2194. 01-09-1959: "Irish" Pat O'Connor defeats Dick Hutton in St. Louis, MO for the NWA World heavyweight title.
  2195.  
  2196. 01-24-1959: Akira Maeda is born in Osaka, Japan... In Salt Lake City, UT heavyweight boxer Lamar Clark, of Cedar City, Utah, kayoed Ox Anderson, 245, Salt Lake City, in 1:38 of the second round in a scheduled six-round bout. Lamar Clark fought numerous "boxer vs. wrestler" matches, all of which were worked bouts. In 1962 Clark was knocked out in a boxing match by Cassius Clay (AKA: Muhammad Ali).
  2197.  
  2198. 02-03-1959: Meng (Uliuli Fifita) (AKA: Haku, King Haku, King Tonga) is born.
  2199.  
  2200. 02-20-1959: Ivan the Terrible defeats Angelo Savoldi in Oklahoma City, OK for the NWA World Junior title.
  2201.  
  2202. 03-06-1959: Angelo Savoldi recaptures the NWA World Junior title from Ivan the Terrible in Oklahoma City, OK.
  2203.  
  2204. 03-07-0959: A crowd of 15,299 fill the Cincinnati Gardens for a pro wrestling card. In the main event, the team of Wilbur Synder & Yukon Eric defeat the team of Angelo Poffo & Bronko Lubich in two-out-of-three falls. The 15,299 sets a Gardens' attendance record. (Only three other events in the history of the Cincinnati Gardens - which opened in 1949 - later surpassed that night's attendance: Nixon/Lodge Campaign Rally in 1960, Goldwater Campaign Rally in 1964, and a Nixon Campaign Rally in 1968). (Thanks to John Perlin, OH for this addition).
  2205.  
  2206. 03-20-1959: Sting (Steve Borden) is born.
  2207.  
  2208. 03-29-1959: Michael Hayes (Michael Seitz) (AKA: Dok Hendrix) is born.
  2209.  
  2210. 04-15-1959: A riot breaks out in Milwaukee following a match between Verne Gagne & Hans Schmidt against Boris & Nicolai Volkoff. Wrestling is banned for about a year in Milwaukee following the event.
  2211.  
  2212. 04-17-1959: Nailz (Kevin Wacholz) AKA: Kevin Kelly, The Prisoner, etc.) is born.
  2213.  
  2214. 05-04-1959: Scott Armstrong (Scott James) is born... Boxer Lamar Clark knocks out both Tony Borne and Treach Phillips in the same night in "boxer vs. wrestler" matches in Salt Lake City, UT.
  2215.  
  2216. 05-21-1959: The original "World League" points tournament begins in Japan, the annual tournament continues until 1972.
  2217.  
  2218. 05-27-1959: Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham win their second WWWF U.S. tag team championship from Mark Lewin & Don Curtis in Bridgeport, CT.
  2219.  
  2220. 06-14-1959: Buzz Sawyer (Bruce Allen Moyan) is born in Gallipolis, OH.
  2221.  
  2222. 06-15-1959: Rikidozan wins the first annual World League tournament, defeating Jess Ortega in the finals.
  2223.  
  2224. 07-09-1959: Kevin Nash (AKA: Diesel) is born.
  2225.  
  2226. 07-14-1959: Leo Nomellini & Butch Levy defeat Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff for the NWA Minneapolis tag team titles.
  2227.  
  2228. 08-18-1959: Tom Pritchard is born.
  2229.  
  2230. 08-19-1959: Tim Horner is born.
  2231.  
  2232. 09-10-1959: Steve Keirn is born.
  2233.  
  2234. 09-29-1959: David Sammartino is born. He is the son of Bruno Sammartino.
  2235.  
  2236. 10-18-1959: John Nord is born.
  2237.  
  2238. 10-20-1959: Scott Hall (AKA: Razor Ramon) is born.
  2239.  
  2240. 10-23-1959: Bruno Sammartino makes his pro wrestling debut in White Planes, NY defeating Miguel Torres.
  2241.  
  2242. 11-1959: Eddie Graham retires, thus leaving the WWWF U.S. tag team titles vacant. He held them with his "brother" Dr. Jerry Graham.
  2243.  
  2244. 11-14-1959: Dr. Jerry Graham & Johnny Valentine win the vacant WWWF U.S. tag team titles over Mark Lewin & Don Curtis in West Hempstead, NY.
  2245.  
  2246. 12-16-1959: In Richmond, VA. Dr. Jerry Graham was ordered by the state athletic commission to show cause within 15 days why his Virginia license to wrestle should not be suspended. Graham had been subpoenaed by the commission to appear before it Tuesday at a public hearing on charges that a wrestling monopoly existed in the state. He did not show but sent a telegram from New York saying he had a commitment to wrestle elsewhere.
  2247.  
  2248. 12-30-1959: Lee Fields announces his retirement from wrestling to run the territory formerly run by Edward Welch.
  2249.  
  2250. 1960
  2251.  
  2252. 01-10-1960: Jose "Negro" Casas is born. He is the son of Pepe "Tropi" Casas.
  2253.  
  2254. 01-26-1960: Roadwarrior Animal (Joe Laurinidas) is born.
  2255.  
  2256. 03-1960: Eddie Graham returns to wrestling and replaces Johnny Valentine as half of the WWWF U.S. tag team champions with his "brother" Dr. Jerry Graham.
  2257.  
  2258. 04-02-1960: Red Bastien & Lou Bastien (Lou Klein) win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham in New Haven, CT.
  2259.  
  2260. 04-11-1960: Shohei "Giant" Baba, who had been playing baseball, as a pitcher, for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, joins the JWA.
  2261.  
  2262. 04-12-1960: Dirty White Boy (Tony Anthony) is born.
  2263.  
  2264. 04-16-1960: Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham win their third WWWF U.S. tag team championship from Red & Lou Bastien in New Haven, CT.
  2265.  
  2266. 04-23-1960: Red & Lou Bastien recapture the WWWF U.S. tag team championship from Eddie & Dr. Jerry Graham in Chicago, IL.
  2267.  
  2268. 04-29-1960: Paul Roma (Paul Centopani) is born.
  2269.  
  2270. 04-1960: After being contacted by Rikidozan, a seventeen year old Kanji "Antonio" Inoki leaves Brazil where he had been a national track and field star, to return to Japan to become a wrestler.
  2271.  
  2272. 05-11-1960: Hiromichi "Samson" Fuyuki is born.
  2273.  
  2274. 06-13-1960: Jacques Rougeau, Jr. is born.
  2275.  
  2276. 07-21-1960: The Fabulous Kangeroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) managed by Wild Red Berry capture the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Red & Lou Bastien in Bridgeport, CT.
  2277.  
  2278. 07-22-1960: Danny Hodge defeats Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior title in Oklahoma City, OK to begin his first of an eventual seven reigns as champion. Hodge is considered by most to have been the greatest junior heavyweight champion of all time, and among the greatest all around wrestlers ever.
  2279.  
  2280. 07-30-1960: Gory Guerrero defeats Rey Mendoza for the NWA lightweight title in Mexico City. The two begin a lengthy feud over the title.
  2281.  
  2282. 08-04-1960: Dean Malenko (Dean Simon) is born the son of Boris "The Great" Malenko (Lawrence Simon).
  2283.  
  2284. 08-08-1960: Red & Lou Bastein win their third WWWF U.S. tag team championship in Washington, DC from The Fabulous Kangeroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan).
  2285.  
  2286. 08-24-1960: The Fabulous Kangeroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) recapture the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Red & Lou Bastien in Bridgeport, CT.
  2287.  
  2288. 09-30-1960: Antonio Inoki makes his pro wrestling debut in Tokyo, Japan at Taito Ward gym and loses to Kintaro Oki (AKA: Il Kim). On the same show Giant Baba made his debut beating Y. Tanaka (later referee of Inoki's New Japan) via submission (5:15).
  2289.  
  2290. 11-19-1960: Johnny Valentine & Buddy Rogers defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Roy Heffernan & Al Costello) in Teaneck, NJ for the WWWF United States tag team titles.
  2291.  
  2292. 11-26-1960: The Fabulous Kangeroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) reclaim the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Johnny Valentine and his new partner Cheif Big Heart, who had replaced Buddy Rogers who walked away from the titles.
  2293.  
  2294. 1961
  2295.  
  2296. 07-01-1961: Giant Baba leaves Japan to tour the United States.
  2297.  
  2298. 07-11-1961: Gene Kiniski, a former NWA World champion, defeats Verne Gagne for the AWA World title.
  2299.  
  2300. 07-18-1961: Art & Stan Neilson win the Indianapolis AWA tag team titles from Red & Lou Bastien... In Orlando, FL Buddy Rogers defeated Mike Paidousis to retain the NWA world title.
  2301.  
  2302. 07-19-1961: Hard Boiled Haggerty & Gene Kiniski win the AWA World tag team championship for the second time from Wilbur Snyder & Leo Nomellini... In Jacksonville, FL Buddy Rogers defeats Boris the Great Malenko to retain the NWA world title... Dr. Jerry Graham wins the Gulf Coast title from Chief Little Eagle in Mobile, AL.
  2303.  
  2304. 08-08-1961: Verne Gagne regains the AWA World title from Gene Kiniski.
  2305.  
  2306. 08-14-1961: Eddie Gilbert is born in Lexington, TN. He is the son of Tommy Gilbert.
  2307.  
  2308. 08-15-1961: Eddie Graham & Ike Eakins win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Kurt & Karl Von Brauner in Tampa.
  2309.  
  2310. 08-17-1961: Buddy Landel (William Ansor) is born.
  2311.  
  2312. 08-18-1961: Buddy Rogers retained the N.W.A. Title by defeating The Sheik (Ed Farhat) in two out of three falls at the Cincinnati Gardens. Rogers takes the deciding third fall by using his figure-four leglock on the challenger.
  2313.  
  2314. 08-22-1961: Kurt & Karl Von Brauner win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Eddie Graham & Ike Eakins in Tampa... Tex Riley & Len Rossi defeat Great Mephisto (Lou Papneau) & Dante (Hans Steiner) for the Southern tag team titles in Nashville, TN.
  2315.  
  2316. 09-01-1961: Bam Bam Bigelow (Scott Bigelow) is born.
  2317.  
  2318. 09-16-1961: Verne Gagne wins the Omaha version of the world title from Don Leo Jonathan.
  2319.  
  2320. 09-25-1961: Nikolai Volkoff defeats Luther Lindsay for the NWA Pacific Northwest title.
  2321.  
  2322. 10-04-1961: "Fantastic" Bobby Fulton is born.
  2323.  
  2324. 10-17-1961: Jackie Fargo & Lester Welch defeat Great Mephisto & Dante for the Southern tag team championship in Nashville, TN.
  2325.  
  2326. 10-23-1961: Ron & Don Harris (AKA: Ron & Don Bruise, Skull & Eight-Ball, etc.) are born.
  2327.  
  2328. 11-16-1961: Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki win the Florida NWA U.S. tag team titles from Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn in Jacksonville.
  2329.  
  2330. 11-23-1961: Bob Geigel & Otto Von Krupp (Boris Malenko) win the AWA World tag team titles from Dale Lewis & Pat Kennedy (Bobby Graham).
  2331.  
  2332. 11-30-1961: Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn regain the Florida NWA U.S. tag team titles from Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki in Jacksonville.
  2333.  
  2334. 12-01-1961: Fritz Von Erich defeats Dick the Bruiser for the NWA U.S. title in Detroit.
  2335.  
  2336. 12-29-1961: Don Curtis defeats Karl Gotch for the Eastern States title in Columbus, OH.
  2337.  
  2338. 1961: Dale Lewis wins the NCAA championship in the heavyweight division and places as an All American for Oklahoma University.
  2339.  
  2340. 1962
  2341.  
  2342. 01-09-1962: Mr. M (Dr. Bill Miller) defeats Verne Gagne in Minneapolis, MN to win the AWA World heavyweight title.
  2343.  
  2344. 01-11-1962: Johnny Valentine & Bob Ellis defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) for the WWWF U.S. tag team titles in Washington, DC.
  2345.  
  2346. 01-15-1962: Larry Hennig & Duke Hoffman win a tournament final over Ivan & Nikita Kalmikoff to win the vacant AWA World tag team titles.
  2347.  
  2348. 01-22-1962: At New York's Madison Square Gardens in front of a reported 20,777 Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton defeated Bearcat Wright & Johnny Valentine. Also on the show Giant Baba & Mr. Suzuki defeated Bruno Sammartino & Argentine Apollo.
  2349.  
  2350. 01-26-1962: The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) defeat Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn for the Atlanta/Florida U.S. tag team titles in Atlanta.
  2351.  
  2352. 02-20-1962: Marty Jannetty is born.
  2353.  
  2354. 03-04-1962: Don Leo Jonathan defeats Killer Kowalski for the Ohio based AWA/MWA title.
  2355.  
  2356. 03-17-1962: Eddie Graham wins a tournament in Tampa, FL to win the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  2357.  
  2358. 03-28-1962: Rikidozan defeats Fred Blassie for the WWA World heavyweight title at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium.
  2359.  
  2360. 03-29-1962: Don Curtis & Joe Scarpa (AKA: Chief Jay Strongbow) win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Kurt & Karl Von Brauner in Jacksonville.
  2361.  
  2362. 04-10-1962: Jack Herman, the man who once managed Frank Gotch, Stanislaus Zbyszko, and Ed Don George, dies at the age of 92.
  2363.  
  2364. 04-12-1962: Nobuhiko Takada is born.
  2365.  
  2366. 04-18-1962: Steve Lombardi (AKA: Brooklyn Brawler, MVP, etc.) is born.
  2367.  
  2368. 04-20-1962: Former wrestler Joe Malcewicz dies at his home in San Francisco, CA.
  2369.  
  2370. 04-27-1962: Dick Beyer wrestles his first match under the mask of The Destroyer defeating Seymour King in San Diego, CA. The Destroyer became, along with El Santo, one of the two most famous masked wrestlers internationally of all time... Ray Gunkel & Cowboy Bob Ellis defeat The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) for the Atlanta/Florida U.S. tag team titles in Atlanta.
  2371.  
  2372. 05-18-1962: The Mummy (Benji Ramirez) wins the NWA Texas title from Dory Dixon in Houston.
  2373.  
  2374. 05-22-1962: Brian Pillman is born.
  2375.  
  2376. 05-24-1962: Eddie Graham is forced to vacate the NWA Southern (FL) title when he is injured by Boris Malenko in Jacksonville, FL.
  2377.  
  2378. 05-25-1962: Rikidozan defeats Lou Thesz in Tokyo to win the annual JWA World League tournament.
  2379.  
  2380. 06-02-1962: Dick the Bruiser wins his fourth NWA U.S. title over Wilbur Snyder in Detroit.
  2381.  
  2382. 06-15-1962: Scott Norton is born.
  2383.  
  2384. 06-18-1962: Mitsuharu Misawa is born.
  2385.  
  2386. 07-01-1962: Tom Magee is born.
  2387.  
  2388. 07-05-1962: Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend defeat Johnny Valentine & Bob Ellis for the WWWF U.S. tag team titles in Washington, DC. Arnold Skaaland had substituted for Ellis in the first fall of the match until Ellis arrived... The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Don Curtis & Joe Scarpa in Jacksonville.
  2389.  
  2390. 07-09-1962: Don & Luke Fields win the Southern tag team titles from Mephisto & Dante in Memphis, TN.
  2391.  
  2392. 07-20-1962: Danny Hodge pins wrestling great Lou Thesz in a best of three falls match.
  2393.  
  2394. 07-23-1962: Killer Kowalski wins his twelfth Montreal AWA title defeating Johnny Rougeau.
  2395.  
  2396. 07-25-1962: Fred Blassie defeats Rikidozan for the WWA title in Los Angeles, CA, but injures his leg in the process... Boris Malenko is awarded the NWA Southern (FL) title... Tiger Conway defeats Tex Brady in Houston, TX for the World Negro title.
  2397.  
  2398. 07-27-1962: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats the injured Fred Blassie for the WWA title in San Diego, CA... George & Sandy Scott win the Indianapolis AWA tag team titles from Art & Stan Neilson.
  2399.  
  2400. 07-29-1962: Scott Steiner (Scott Rechsteiner) is born.
  2401.  
  2402. 07-31-1962: Fritz Von Erich wins the Omaha version of the world title from Verne Gagne.
  2403.  
  2404. 08-02-1962: Bruno Sammartino defeats NWA World champion Buddy Rogers in Toronto, Canada but refuses to accept the title due to an injury to Rogers.
  2405.  
  2406. 08-04-1962: Lord Athol Layton wins the NWA U.S. title from Dick the Bruiser.
  2407.  
  2408. 08-10-1962: Ray Traylor (AKA: Big Bossman, Big Bubba Rogers) is born.
  2409.  
  2410. 08-15-1962: Kazuo Yamazaki is born.
  2411.  
  2412. 08-21-1962: Verne Gagne defeats Mr. M (Dr. Bill Miller) to retain the AWA World heavyweight title in Minneapolis, MN. Gagne turns Mr. M's mask around backwards, thus blinding him and then pins him for the win. Following the title loss, Mr. M unmasks himself.
  2413.  
  2414. 08-25-1962: Verne Gange wins the Omaha version of the world title for the third time, defeating Fritz Von Erich.
  2415.  
  2416. 08-30-1962: Great Malenko (Boris) & Russian Crusher defeat The Kentuckians and Len Montana & Mike Paidousis in a three man tournament in Jacksonville, FL to win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles.
  2417.  
  2418. 09-01-1962: An out of the ring fight occurs between NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers and Karl Gotch. Gotch allegedly was upset with Buddy Rogers over booking for Al Haft's promotion confronts Roger's in the dressing room. While Roger's allegedly tries to escape Gotch, Dr. Bill Miller slams the door to the dressing room shut, breaking Roger's arm.
  2419.  
  2420. 09-03-1962: Karl Gotch and Dr. Bill Miller turn themselves into the Franklin County, OH Sheriff's department on charges of assault filed by Buddy Rogers. Gotch & Miller each post a $25 bond and are released.
  2421.  
  2422. 09-08-1962: Raven (Scott Levy) is born.
  2423.  
  2424. 09-14-1962: Karl Krauser (AKA: Karl Gotch) wins the MWA title from Don Leo Jonathan in Columbus, OH.
  2425.  
  2426. 10-04-1962: Mad Dog Vachon defeats Luther Lindsay in Portland, OR for the NWA Pacific Northwest title.
  2427.  
  2428. 11-07-1962: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Gorgeous George (George Wagner) in a hair verses mask match in Los Angeles, CA. George is shaved bald. This would be Gorgeous George's last match.
  2429.  
  2430. 11-13-1962: Jackie Fargo & Tex Riley defeated The Medics for the Tennessee tag team titles.
  2431.  
  2432. 11-16-1962: Pat O'Connor defeats Lee Henning in St. Joseph, MO for the NWA Central States title.
  2433.  
  2434. 11-21-1962: Killer Kowalski (Walter Kowalski) defeats Buddy Rogers in Montreal, Canada when Roger's breaks his ankle during the first fall of a three fall match. Kowalski apparently wins the NWA World title. However, the NWA rules that the match was a best of three falls match and ruled it a no contest. Kowalski was billed in some areas as world champion after this match.
  2435.  
  2436. 11-22-1962: Kurt & Karl Von Brauner win the Indianapolis version of the AWA tag team titles over Art & Stan Neilson. The Indianapolis area almost entirely put the tag team titles on "brother" or "father & son" tag teams. Up to this change the titles had been held also by Roy & Ray Shire (Ray AKA Ray Stevens), Chris & John Tolos, Red & Lou Bastien (Lou AKA Lou Klein), Art & Stan Neilson, and George & Sandy Scott. In 1963 Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff would also hold the titles... Eddie Graham regains the NWA Southern (FL) title and revenge on Boris Malenko in Jacksonville, FL where he had been injured earlier in the year. Also on the show The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from Tony Ballargeon & Maurice Lapointe.
  2437.  
  2438. 11-27-1962: Davey Boy Smith (David Smith) (AKA: The British Bulldog) is born.
  2439.  
  2440. 12-16-1962: The team of "Mr. High & Mr. Low" Doug Gilbert & Dick Steinborn win the AWA World tag team championship from Art & Stan Neilson.
  2441.  
  2442. 12-23-1962: Keiji Muto (AKA: The Great Muta) is born.
  2443.  
  2444. 1963
  2445.  
  2446. 01-01-1963: Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff defeat Doug Gilbert & Dick Steinborn for the AWA World tag team championship.
  2447.  
  2448. 01-18-1963: Eddie Graham wins a version of the "world" title loosely based on the Los Angeles WWA World title in Atlanta, GA from Fred Blassie.
  2449.  
  2450. 01-24-1963: Lou Thesz defeats NWA World champion Buddy Rogers in a one fall match in Toronto, Canada to win the NWA World heavyweight title. World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) promoters, including Vince McMahon, Sr., dispute the title change and form their own world title, the WWWF (later just WWF) world heavyweight title and recognize Rogers as the first champion. Rogers is said by promoters to have "won" the new WWWF World title in a tournament final over Antonino Rocca in Rio de Janiro, Brazil, but no such tournament ever took place... In Florida Don Curtis & Yukon Eric win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from The Fabulous Kangaroos (Costello & Heffernan).
  2451.  
  2452. 01-29-1963: Don Curtis & Yukon Eric vacate the Florida NWA World tag team titles and a tournament is held in Jacksonville to fill them which is won by Kurt & Karl Von Brauner.
  2453.  
  2454. 02-07-1963: Despite questions regarding his first loss, Lou Thesz retains the NWA World title over Buddy Rogers, this time in a best of three falls match in Toronto, Canada.
  2455.  
  2456. 02-15-1963: The Crusher defeats Verne Gagne for the Omaha version of the world title.
  2457.  
  2458. 02-19-1963: Hiro Matsuda wins his first NWA Southern (FL) title over Eddie Graham in Tampa, FL.
  2459.  
  2460. 02-23-1963: Ray Stevens wins his third NWA US (CA) title defeating Pepper Gomez in San Francisco.
  2461.  
  2462. 03-07-1963: Buddy Austin & Great Scott win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend in Washington, DC. Buddy Austin replaced Pete Sanchez who had been injured in the first fall.
  2463.  
  2464. 03-15-1963: Archie Moore, a legendary boxer, knocks out "Iron" Mike DiBiase in a wrestler verses boxer match in Phoenix, AZ.
  2465.  
  2466. 03-17-1963: Giant Baba and Rikidozan return to Japan from a U.S. tour.
  2467.  
  2468. 03-24-1963: In one of the most unforgettable matches of the year Giant Baba draws with Wladek "Killer" Kowalski in Tokyo in a 45 minute match.
  2469.  
  2470. 03-28-1963: Vince McMahon, Sr. & Toots Mondt & Larry Atkins crown the first World Wide Wrestling Association champion in Cleveland, OH when Dory Dixon defeats Buddy Rogers to win the title.
  2471.  
  2472. 04-15-1963: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats boxer "Jersey" Joe Walcott in a boxer verses wrestler match in Memphis, TN.
  2473.  
  2474. 04-20-1963: Wilbur Snyder defeats Ray Stevens for the NWA US (CA) title in San Francisco.
  2475.  
  2476. 04-25-1963: In Toyooka, Hyogo Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.
  2477.  
  2478. 04-26-1963: Bill Watts defeats Sailor Art Thomas for the NWA Texas title.
  2479.  
  2480. 04-27-1963: Dick the Bruiser defeats Alex Karras in a wrestler verses football player match in Detroit, MI in front of approximately 10,000 fans. The feud had been heavily played up, including a bar fight erupting between the two. The match is brutally stiff with both men ending up injured and Dick the Bruiser needing stitches to close a wound over his right eye.
  2481.  
  2482. 05-02-1963: Karl Von Hess wins the World Wide Wrestling Association title from Dory Dixon in Cleveland, OH. The World Wide Wrestling Association is abandoned the same month, so Vince McMahon, Sr. & Toots Mondt could form the new World Wide Wrestling Federation and recognize Buddy Rogers as world champion. The group eventually becomes the WWF.
  2483.  
  2484. 05-10-1963: Fred Blassie recaptures the WWA title from The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) in Los Angeles, CA. Following the match, Blassie unmasks the Destroyer, however the Destroyer was able to cover his face with a towel.
  2485.  
  2486. 05-16-1963: Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Buddy Austin & Great Scott in Washington, DC.
  2487.  
  2488. 05-17-1963: Bruno Sammartino in front of 19,649 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City, defeats Buddy Rogers for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) World heavyweight title in 48 seconds with a back breaker. Roger's had suffered a heart attack several weeks prior to the match, thus the reason it was kept short... The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) comes to Japan for the first time... Rikidozan defeats Killer Kowalski to win the annual JWA World League tournament in Tokyo.
  2489.  
  2490. 05-18-1963: Gary Albright is born Quincent Point, RI.
  2491.  
  2492. 05-19-1963: The Destroyer defeated Rikidozan in Osaka, Japan. It marked the last match Rikidozan would ever lose. The match was huge in Japanese wrestling history and made the Destroyer an instant legend in the country.
  2493.  
  2494. 05-24-1963: Rikidozan battles the WWA World heavyweight champion The Destroyer to a draw in Japan in one of the most famous matches in Japanese history.
  2495.  
  2496. 06-05-1963: Rikidozan marries Keiko Tanaka in Tokyo, Japan.
  2497.  
  2498. 06-06-1963: Hiro Matsuda & Duke Keomuka win the Florida NWA World tag team titles from Alberto & Ramon Torres in Jacksonville.
  2499.  
  2500. 06-07-1963: Tarzan Tyler loses an off shoot version of the world title based in Atlanta, GA to NWA World champion Lou Thesz in Atlanta.
  2501.  
  2502. 06-08-1963: Fritz Von Erich wins his second NWA U.S. title from Lord Athol Layton in Detroit.
  2503.  
  2504. 06-16-1963: The Sandman (Jim Fullington) is born.
  2505.  
  2506. 06-22-1963: John Tenta (AKA: Earthquake, Golga, The Shark, Avalanche, etc) is born.
  2507.  
  2508. 06-29-1963: Ray Stevens wins his fourth NWA US (CA) title over Wilbur Snyder in San Francisco.
  2509.  
  2510. 07-08-1963: Enrique & Alberto Torres win the Atlanta based European tag team titles from The Infernos.
  2511.  
  2512. 07-09-1963: The Crusher defeats Verne Gagne for the AWA World title.
  2513.  
  2514. 07-16-1963: In Pensacola, FL Lou Thesz battles The Outlaw (Mike Paidousis) to a draw.
  2515.  
  2516. 07-18-1963: Al Snow (Alan Sarven) is born.
  2517.  
  2518. 07-19-1963: In Tokyo, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.
  2519.  
  2520. 07-20-1963: Verne Gagne defeats The Crusher for the AWA & Omaha versions of the World title in Minneapolis, MN.
  2521.  
  2522. 07-21-1963: Mark Youngblood (Mark Romero) is born.
  2523.  
  2524. 07-27-1963: Fritz Von Erich defeats Verne Gagne in Omaha, NE for the AWA & Omaha versions of the World heavyweight championship.
  2525.  
  2526. 07-28-1963: In Mishima, Shizuoka Japan Giant Baba beats Antonio Inoki in a best 2 out of 3 falls match. This is quite possibly the first time Inoki was allowed to pin Baba as he does in the second fall, however Baba wins the first and third.
  2527.  
  2528. 07-29-1963: In Orlando, FL Lou Thesz defeats Hiro Matsuda.
  2529.  
  2530. 08-01-1963: Eddie Graham regains the NWA Southern (FL) title from Hiro Matsuda in Jacksonville, FL.
  2531.  
  2532. 08-03-1963: In Osaka, Japan Giant Baba beats Antonio Inoki in a best two out of three falls match. Again Inoki pins Baba in the second fall.
  2533.  
  2534. 08-05-1963: Pat Tanaka is born.
  2535.  
  2536. 08-08-1963: Verne Gange regains the AWA World title from Fritz Von Erich in Amarillo, TX.
  2537.  
  2538. 08-09-1963: In Tokyo, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.
  2539.  
  2540. 08-16-1963: In Tokyo, Japan Giant Baba beats Antonio Inoki in a best two out of three falls, winning two straight falls.
  2541.  
  2542. 08-20-1963: The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser win their first AWA World tag team championship by defeating Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff.
  2543.  
  2544. 08-23-1963: Bearcat Wright defeats Fred Blassie for the WWA World title in Los Angeles.
  2545.  
  2546. 09-04-1963: In Kariya, Shizuoka Japan Giant Baba beats Antonio Inoki in a best two out of three falls match with Inoki winning the second via pinfall.
  2547.  
  2548. 09-07-1963: Verne Gagne defeats Fritz Von Erich in Omaha, NE to unify the Omaha version of the world title with that of the AWA.
  2549.  
  2550. 09-17-1963: Masahiro Chono is born.
  2551.  
  2552. 09-19-1963: Tony Borne defeats King Curtis for the NWA Pacific Northwest title in Portland, OR.
  2553.  
  2554. 09-23-1963: In Ohmagari, Akita Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.
  2555.  
  2556. 09-24-1963: Gory Guerrero defeats Ali Bey for the NWA lightweight title in El Paso, TX.
  2557.  
  2558. 09-28-1963: In Fukushima, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.
  2559.  
  2560. 10-02-1963: In Ashikaga, Gunma Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.
  2561.  
  2562. 10-04-1963: Gorilla Monsoon wins a tournament to face WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ. Monsoon wins via DQ... Chief Big Heart is named the Atlanta based Eastern champion.
  2563.  
  2564. 10-15-1963: Bobo Brazil defeats Tim Anderson in a match billed as "The first wrestling match between two black male participants". That was hardly the truth as there had been negro wrestling leagues in Texas and other areas as early as the 1930's, and certainly many other all African-American male matches in other areas of the country.
  2565.  
  2566. 10-21-1963: Gorilla Monsoon battles WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino to a draw at Madison Square Garden in New York City after the match is stopped just past the twenty minute mark.
  2567.  
  2568. 10-23-1963: Kurt & Skull Von Stroheim win the Florida NWA World tag team titles from Sam Steamboat & Ron Etchison in Tampa.
  2569.  
  2570. 10-25-1963: Chief Big Heart loses the Atlanta Eastern title to Mighty Hercules.
  2571.  
  2572. 10-30-1963: Nick Bockwinkle defeats Tony Borne for the NWA Pacific Northwest title in Portland, OR.
  2573.  
  2574. 11-14-1963: Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski defeat Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy in Washington, D.C. to win the WWWF United States tag team titles.
  2575.  
  2576. 11-18-1963: WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino narrowly escapes defeat, retaining his title over Gorilla Monsoon at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
  2577.  
  2578. 11-21-1963: Don Curtis & Mark Lewin win the Florida NWA World tag team titles from The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton).
  2579.  
  2580. 11-28-1963: The Crusher wins his second AWA World title from Verne Gagne in St. Paul, MN.
  2581.  
  2582. 11-29-1963: Eddie Graham wins the Atlanta Eastern title from Mighty Hercules.
  2583.  
  2584. 12-02-1963: In one of the most famous mixed martial arts- wrestling stories in history, "Judo" Gene LeBell chokes out the number five ranked light heavyweight boxer Milo Savage in Salt Lake City, UT. Supposedly (at least the most commonly told version), Kenpo legend Ed Parker had told LeBell that a boxer named Jim Beck had said he could knock out any wrestler. When LeBell entered the ring he found that Beck had been substituted by ranked fighter Milo Savage, who supposedly wore brass knucks under his gloves. He was choked unconscious in the fourth round.
  2585.  
  2586. 12-03-1963: Joe Blanchard wins the NWA Texas title from Billy White Wolf (Adnon Kaissey) in Dallas.
  2587.  
  2588. 12-07-1963: Rikidozan wrestles his last match, teaming with The Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura against The Destroyer & Buddy Austin & Ilio DiPaolo at the Hamamatsu City gym.
  2589.  
  2590. 12-08-1963: While at a Tokyo night club, Rikidozan is stabbed by the yakuza in a gangland style attack... Toshiaki Kawada is born.
  2591.  
  2592. 12-14-1963: Verne Gagne wins his sixth AWA World championship defeating The Crusher in Minneapolis, MN.
  2593.  
  2594. 12-15-1963: Rikidozan dies from stab wounds received on December eighth at the age of 39. The NWA International title, All Asian heavyweight title, and the Asian tag team titles are all declared vacant.
  2595.  
  2596. 12-16-1963: Edouard Carpentier is awarded the WWA title by forfeit when Bearcat Wright no shows a defense.
  2597.  
  2598. 12-26-1963: Gorgeous George (George Wagner) dies at his Hollywood apartment of an apparent heart attack at the age of 48.
  2599.  
  2600. 12-28-1963: John & Chris Tolos defeat Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski to win the WWWF United States tag team titles... Bob Orton (Sr.) wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Eddie Graham in Jacksonville.
  2601.  
  2602. 1964
  2603.  
  2604. 01-03-1964: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Mad Dog Vachon for the NWA Pacific Northwest title in Portland.
  2605.  
  2606. 01-10-1964: Toyonobori, Yoshinosato, Koukichi Endo, & Michiaki Yoshimura announce that the JWA will continue despite the death of Japanese superstar Rikidozan.
  2607.  
  2608. 01-25-1964: Dominic DeNucci defeats Ray Stevens in San Francisco for the NWA US (CA) title.
  2609.  
  2610. 1970
  2611.  
  2612. 01-01-1970: Dick Murdoch defeats The Lawman (Don Slatton) in Amarillo, Texas for the NWA Southwest title.
  2613.  
  2614. 01-03-1970: Andre the Giant makes his Japanese wrestling debut under the name Monster Rousimoff for the IWF group.
  2615.  
  2616. 01-10-1970: Marcus "Buff" Bagwell is born.
  2617.  
  2618. 01-13-1970: Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton) defeats Danny Miller for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Tampa.
  2619.  
  2620. 01-16-1970: The annual Los Angeles Battle Royal is held and Rocky Johnson wins the 22 man over the top rope battle royal last eliminating Oregon Lumberjack. Johnson then challenges Americas Champion Great Kojika to a title match and wins the title at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles... Rick Bogner (AKA: the fake Razor Ramon) is born.
  2621.  
  2622. 01-18-1970: Monster Rousimoff (AKA: Andre the Giant) & Michael Nador defeat Great Kusatsu & Thunder Sugiyama in Fukuoka, Japan for the IWE tag team championship.
  2623.  
  2624. 01-31-1970: Ben Justice & The Stomper (Guy Mitchell) win the Detroit NWA World tag team titles from The Skull Brothers.
  2625.  
  2626. 02-01-1970: Japan's IWE and America's AWA form a working relationship.
  2627.  
  2628. 02-03-1970: Great Kusatsu & Thunder Sugiyama defeat Monster Rousimoff (AKA: Andre the Giant) & Michael Nador for the IWE tag team titles in Hiroshima, Japan.
  2629.  
  2630. 02-05-1970: In the first AWA World title defense in Japan, Verne Gagne battles Shozo "Strong" Kobayashi a double knock out draw.
  2631.  
  2632. 02-10-1970: Jack Brisco wins the NWA Florida title from Mr. Saito in Tampa. Also on the show Great Mephisto & Dante win the Florida NWA Southern tag team titles from Buddy Fuller & Bob Roop.
  2633.  
  2634. 02-11-1970: Toyonobori retires at an IWE card.
  2635.  
  2636. 03-03-1970: Bob Orton wins his fourth NWA Southern (FL) title from Missouri Mauler in Tampa.
  2637.  
  2638. 03-06-1970: Fred Blassie defeats Rocky Johnson for the Americas title in Los Angeles, CA... Masao Inoue is born.
  2639.  
  2640. 03-07-1970: Baron Von Raschke wins the Indianapolis WWA World title from Dick the Bruiser. He is managed by Bobby Heenan.
  2641.  
  2642. 03-13-1970: Assassin I (Tom Renesto) wins the vacant NWA Georgia title in a tournament final over Joe Scarpa. The title had been vacated when The Professional (Doug Gilbert) was injured.
  2643.  
  2644. 03-20-1970: An attendance record for Chattanooga, TN Memorial auditorium is set at 6,430 to see The Interns managed by Dr. Ken Ramey battle The Spoilers managed by Saul Weingeroff to a no contest. Also on the show Tojo Yamamoto & Johnny Long defeated Mack Young & Mighty Yankee, Bob Armstrong & Bill Costello defeated Carlos Montes & Tony Russo. Some 2,000 fans are turned away.
  2645.  
  2646. 03-21-1970: The Texas Outlaws Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch win the Detroit NWA World tag team titles from Ben Justice & The Stomper (Guy Mitchell).
  2647.  
  2648. 03-23-1970: Skull Murphy (John Murphy) dies.
  2649.  
  2650. 03-29-1970: The NWA Georgia tag team titles are declared vacant after a controversial Atlanta match between champions The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) and Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller.
  2651.  
  2652. 04-11-1970: Dale Lewis wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Bob Orton in Jacksonville.
  2653.  
  2654. 04-12-1970: Bill Watts wins his first North American title over The Spoiler (Dan Jardine) in Tulsa, OK for the Leroy McGuirk promotion. Eventually Watts buys out McGuirk who is a former wrestler, now totally blind, and grows the Mid South promotion into one of the most powerful territorial groups in wrestling. Watt's eventually attempts to go national by changing Mid South into the UWF, but eventually sells to Jim Crockett, Jr. who sells to Ted Turner which eventually becomes the WCW.
  2655.  
  2656. 04-17-1970: Nick Bockwinkle defeats Assassin I (Tom Renesto) in Atlanta, GA for the NWA Georgia title.
  2657.  
  2658. 05-18-1970: Boris Malenko defeats Mil Mascaras in a Ft. Worth tournament final to become the new NWA American champion.
  2659.  
  2660. 05-29-1970: Giant Baba defeats Don Leo Jonathan to win the annual JWA World League tournament.
  2661.  
  2662. 06-15-1970: Bruno Sammartino verses Crusher Verdu at Madison Square Garden draws a record gate of $85,716. Also on the show The Mongols (Geeto: Newton Tattrie & Bepo: Nikolai Volkoff) win the WWWF International tag team titles from Tony Marino & Victor Rivera. The Mongols are managed by Tony Angelo & Lou Albano.
  2663.  
  2664. 06-16-1970: Hiro Matsuda wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Dale Lewis in Tampa.
  2665.  
  2666. 06-26-1970: Dick the Bruiser & Bill Miller win the WWA tag team titles from Jack & Jim Dillenger (Chris Colt) in Indianapolis.
  2667.  
  2668. 06-30-1970: Wrestling show in Florida.
  2669.  
  2670. 07-1970: Greg Valentine makes his pro wrestling debut in Calgary, Alberta losing to King Kong Mosca.
  2671.  
  2672. 07-03-1970: A tournament is held in Atlanta, GA to fill the Georgia tag team titles. In the tournament are The Professional (Doug Gilbert) & Bobby Shane, Paul DeMarco & Nick Bockwinkle, Rip Tyler & Rocket Monroe, Tito Torres & Bob Armstrong, Homer O'Dell & Buddy Colt, Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr, The Masked Invaders, and Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller. The Professional & Bobby Shane win the finals over Homer O'Dell & Buddy Colt.
  2673.  
  2674. 07-10-1970: Bruno Sammartino defeated Crusher Verdu at Madison Square Garden before 20,982 fans, a record for wrestling at the Garden. Also The Mongols defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Dr. Bill Miller. In a midget tag-team match, Jamaica Kid & Little Beaver defeated Billy the Kid & Frenchy Lamont. Jay Strongbow defeated Joe Turco, George "The Animal" Steele battled Mario Milano to a draw, Victor Rivera defeated Johnny Rodz, and Jose Rivera defeated Mike Conrad.
  2675.  
  2676. 07-11-1970: Ray Stevens defeats Pat Patterson in San Francisco for the United States title.
  2677.  
  2678. 07-13-1970: Danny Hodge loses the NWA World Junior title for the first time since 1966 to Sputnik Monroe in Shreveport, LA.
  2679.  
  2680. 07-17-1970: "The Fabulous Kangaroos" Al Costello & Don Kent win the WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & Bill Miller in Indianapolis, IN... Paul DeMarco defeats Nick Bockwinkle for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  2681.  
  2682. 07-24-1970: Nick Bockwinkle regains the NWA Georgia title from Paul DeMarco in Atlanta.
  2683.  
  2684. 07-27-1970: Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk team together in Japan for the first time and defeat All Asia tag team champions Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura in a non title match.
  2685.  
  2686. 08-02-1970: Dory Funk, Jr. battles Antonio Inoki to a one hour time limit draw to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.
  2687.  
  2688. 08-08-1970: Bobo Brazil & Lord Athol Layton win the Detroit NWA World tag team titles from The Outlaws Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch.
  2689.  
  2690. 08-13-1970: Great Mephisto wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Hiro Matsuda in Tampa.
  2691.  
  2692. 08-24-1970: Tojo Yamamoto & Johnny Walker (AKA: Mr. Wrestling II) defeat The Interns for the Southern tag team titles in Memphis.
  2693.  
  2694. 08-28-1970: The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) defeat Bobby Shane & The Professional for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta.
  2695.  
  2696. 09-05-1970: Buddy Colt defeats Nick Bockwinkle for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  2697.  
  2698. 09-14-1970: Satoshi Kojima is born.
  2699.  
  2700. 09-17-1970: Abduallah the Butcher wrestles for the first time in Japan... Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch "The Outlaws" win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Jose Lothario & Argentina Apollo in Jacksonville.
  2701.  
  2702. 09-22-1970: Paul Jones & Nelson Royal defeat Gene & Ole Anderson for the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles in Raleigh, NC.
  2703.  
  2704. 09-25-1970: The NWA Georgia tag team titles are declared vacant following an Atlanta match between The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) and Bobby Shane & The Professional which is won by Shane & The Professional because the headgear wore by the team during the match was determined to be illegal.
  2705.  
  2706. 10-04-1970: Heavy Metal (Erick Casas) is born the son of Pepe "Tropi" Casas and the brother of Negro Casas and Felino.
  2707.  
  2708. 10-08-1970: The first steel cage match in Japan takes place between Rusher Kimura and Dr. Death. Tokyo Broadcasting System bans the steel cage from television after this match.
  2709.  
  2710. 10-16-1970: The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) win a three team tournament over Mr. Ito & Great Ota and Bobby Shane & The Professional in Atlanta, GA to win the NWA Georgia tag team titles.
  2711.  
  2712. 10-29-1970: Tarzan Tyler defeats Jack Brisco in a Tampa, FL tournament final to win the NWA Florida TV title and become the first champion.
  2713.  
  2714. 11-09-1970: Chris Jericho (Chris Irvine) is born. He is the son of NHL hockey star Ted Irvine.
  2715.  
  2716. 11-13-1970: Fred Blassie defeats Buddy Colt for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  2717.  
  2718. 11-20-1970: Following a loss to NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr., masked wrestler The Crimson Knight unmasks himself in St. Louis, MO revealing himself to be former AWA World champion Dr. Bill Miller... In Atlanta, GA Buddy Colt defeats Fred Blassie for the NWA Georgia title.
  2719.  
  2720. 11-27-1970: Ray Gunkel wins the NWA Georgia title from Buddy Colt in Atlanta.
  2721.  
  2722. 11-30-1970: Rene Goulett wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Great Mephisto in Orlando.
  2723.  
  2724. 12-01-1970: Dusty Rhodes defeats Jose Lothario in Tampa for the Florida Brass Knux title.
  2725.  
  2726. 12-03-1970: Gene Kiniski defeats Giant Baba for the NWA International title in Osaka, Japan.
  2727.  
  2728. 12-15-1970: Tarzan Tyler defeats Jack Brisco for the NWA Florida title in Tampa.
  2729.  
  2730. 12-18-1970: Toru Tanaka wins the NWA American title from Fritz Von Erich in Houston.
  2731.  
  2732. 12-19-1970: Giant Baba regains the NWA International title from Gene Kiniski in Los Angeles, CA.
  2733.  
  2734. 12-23-1970: Mima Shimoda is born.
  2735.  
  2736. 12-26-1970: Wilbur Snyder & Moose Cholak win their second WWA tag team championship from "The Fabulous Kangaroos" Al Costello & Don Kent in Indianapolis.
  2737.  
  2738. 1971
  2739.  
  2740. 01-18-1971: Ivan Koloff managed by Lou Albano upsets Bruno Sammartino at Madison Square Garden for the WWWF World heavyweight title in one of the most famous Madison Square Garden matches in history. The sell out crowd is said to have fallen deathly silent following the amazing upset victory and is one of the most unforgettable moments ever in wrestling. Koloff comes off the top rope with a knee, pinning Sammartino.
  2741.  
  2742. 01-19-1971: Jack Brisco defeats Tarzan Tyler for the NWA Florida title in Tampa.
  2743.  
  2744. 02-05-1971: El Mongol wins his sixth NWA Georgia title from Nick Bockwinkle in a tournament final in Atlanta, GA.
  2745.  
  2746. 02-08-1971: Pedro Morales defeats Ivan Koloff at Madison Square Garden in front of 21,812 fans for the WWWF World heavyweight title.
  2747.  
  2748. 02-19-1971: Mil Mascaras (Aaron Rodriguez) wrestles his first Japanese match and defeats Kentaro Hoshino.
  2749.  
  2750. 03-02-1971: Satoru Asako is born.
  2751.  
  2752. 03-05-1971: Toru Tanaka loses the NWA American title to Wahoo McDaniel in Houston, TX.
  2753.  
  2754. 03-09-1971: Tiger Ali Singh is born. He is the son of Tiger Jeet Singh.
  2755.  
  2756. 03-15-1971: Pedro Morales makes his first defense of the WWWF World heavyweight title by defeating Blackjack Mulligan at Madison Square Garden in front of 21,430 fans.
  2757.  
  2758. 03-18-1971: Sports Illustrated runs an article examining a story about former world champion the late Ed "Strangler" Lewis challenging then world boxing champion Jack Dempsey to a mixed match... The Masked Texan defeats Buddy Austin for the NWA Florida TV title then unmasks as Terry Funk.
  2759.  
  2760. 03-23-1971: Hiroyoshi Yamamoto is born... The Grappler (Johnny Walker, AKA: Mr. Wrestling II) wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Rene Goulett in Tampa.
  2761.  
  2762. 03-26-1971: Antonio Inoki defeats John Tolos in Los Angeles, CA to become the NWA United National heavyweight champion.
  2763.  
  2764. 03-30-1971: Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Jack & Jerry Brisco in Tampa.
  2765.  
  2766. 04-02-1971: Ray Gunkel & El Mongol wins the NWA Georgia tag team titles over The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) in Atlanta.
  2767.  
  2768. 04-14-1971: Terry Funk wins his first NWA Southern (FL) title from The Grappler (Johnny Walker) in Miami, FL.
  2769.  
  2770. 04-21-1971: Dick Murdoch defeats Terry Funk in Miami, Florida for the NWA Southern (FL) title... Axl Rotten is born.
  2771.  
  2772. 05-09-1971: Tatsumi Fujinami makes his pro wrestling debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  2773.  
  2774. 05-15-1971: Red Bastien & Hercules Cortez win the AWA World tag team championship from Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon in Milwaukee, WI.
  2775.  
  2776. 05-19-1971: Giant Baba defeats Abduallah the Butcher to win the annual JWA World league tournament.
  2777.  
  2778. 05-20-1971: Antonio Inoki asks the Japan Pro Wrestling Commissioner for a shot a Giant Baba's NWA International title. The Commissioner says that the matter is a JWA matter... Roger "Rip" Kirby defeats Danny Hodge for the NWA World Junior title in New Orleans, LA.
  2779.  
  2780. 05-29-1971: The JWA refuses Antonio Inoki's request for a shot at Giant Baba's NWA International title... Bobo Brazil defeats The Sheik for the United States title in Cobo Arena in Detroit, MI ending the Sheik's near six year run as champion.
  2781.  
  2782. 06-1971: Luke Graham & Tarzan Tyler are recognized as the first WWWF world tag team champions. They allegedly defeated Dick the Bruiser & The Sheik in a tournament in New Orleans, LA to win the titles.
  2783.  
  2784. 06-08-1971: Jack Brisco wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Dick Murdoch in Tampa.
  2785.  
  2786. 06-13-1971: Alberto Torres suffers serious internal injuries during a match in Verdigre, NE when teaming with Cowboy Bob Ellis against Ox Baker & The Claw (Tom Andrews) while defending the Midwest tag team titles.
  2787.  
  2788. 06-16-1971: Alberto Torres dies as the result of injuries sustained in a match three days earlier at Emmanuel Hospital in Omaha, NE.
  2789.  
  2790. 06-18-1971: Bruno Sammartino & Dominic DeNucci win the WWWF International tag team titles from The Mongols (Geeto & Bepo) in Pittsburgh, PA... "The Fabulous Kangaroos" Al Costello & Don Kent win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Moose Cholak in Indianapolis.
  2791.  
  2792. 06-30-1971: Jumbo Miyamoto & Akio Kyo are awarded the first AJW WWWA tag team championship.
  2793.  
  2794. 07-02-1971: The Mongols (Geeto & Bepo) regain the WWWF International tag team titles from Bruno Sammartino & Dominic DeNucci in Pittsburgh, PA.
  2795.  
  2796. 07-13-1971: Former world heavyweight champion Yvon Robert dies.
  2797.  
  2798. 07-21-1971: Shinjiro Ohtani is born in Yokohama, Japan.
  2799.  
  2800. 07-23-1971: One half of the AWA World tag team champions Hercules Cortez is killed in a car accident. His partner Red Bastien later choses The Crusher to replace him as tag team title holder.
  2801.  
  2802. 07-31-1971: Lord Jonathan Boyd defeats Kurt Von Steiger for the NWA Pacific Northwest title... Peter Maivia defeats Paul DeMarco for the NWA US (CA) title in San Francisco.
  2803.  
  2804. 08-05-1971: Karl Stern is born in Winfield, AL... Larry O'Day & Ron Miller "The Australians" win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Ron Garvin & Ole Anderson in Jacksonville.
  2805.  
  2806. 08-21-1971: Wilbur Snyder & Paul Christy win the WWA tag team titles from "The Fabulous Kangaroos" Al Costello & Don Kent in Indianapolis.
  2807.  
  2808. 08-27-1971: Fred Blassie defeats John Tolos at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of 25,847 fans in a bloody match when the referee stops the match due to blood in one of the most famous matches ever in that part of the country. Also Black Gordman & Goliath defeat Kenji Shibuya & Mr. Saito for the Americas tag team titles.
  2809.  
  2810. 09-10-1971: Ramon Torres defeats Roger "Rip" Kirby for the NWA World Junior title in Monroe, LA.
  2811.  
  2812. 09-16-1971: Richard Slinger (Richard Acelinger) is born. Slinger is the cousin of Terry Gordy.
  2813.  
  2814. 09-23-1971: Osamu Nishimura is born.
  2815.  
  2816. 10-07-1971: Bobby Duncum wins a tournament in Tampa, FL for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  2817.  
  2818. 10-14-1971: Dick the Bruiser wins the Indianapolis WWA World title from Baron Von Raschke.
  2819.  
  2820. 10-15-1971: Joey Abs is born... Ray Gunkel wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Big John in Atlanta.
  2821.  
  2822. 10-23-1971: The Interns managed by Dr. Ken Ramey defeated Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown in Chattanooga, TN... Dick the Bruiser (Dick Afflis) promotes his first World Wrestling Association (WWA) show in Detroit, MI. Baron Von Raschke is recognized as the first champion and loses the title on the first show to Dick the Bruiser. This is a repeat of their Indianapolis title change on October 14.
  2823.  
  2824. 10-27-1971: Rudy Dusek (Rudy Hason) dies at the age of 70.
  2825.  
  2826. 11-05-1971: Rocky Johnson managed by Dr. Ken Ramey wins the NWA US (CA) title by defeating Paul DeMarco in San Francisco, CA.
  2827.  
  2828. 11-12-1971: Luke Graham & Tarzan Tyler win the WWWF International tag team titles from The Mongols (Geeto & Bepo) in Pittsburgh, PA.
  2829.  
  2830. 11-20-1971: Waldo Von Erich defeats Johnny Powers for the National Wrestling Federation (NWF) title in Akron, OH.
  2831.  
  2832. 11-23-1971: Bobby Shane wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from George Gaiser in Tampa.
  2833.  
  2834. 11-26-1971: A tournament is held in Atlanta, GA for the Georgia tag team titles. In the tournament are The Assassins, Flash Monroe & Oki Shina, Klondike Bill & Great Scott, Big Bad John & Mr. X, Buddy Colt & Billy Spears, El Mongol & Jimmy Dancing Bear, and Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong. The Assassins win the tournament in the finals over Bob Armstrong & Bill Dromo... Baron Von Raschke defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Detroit WWA title. Also Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan win the WWA tag team titles over Wilbur Snyder & Paul Christy.
  2835.  
  2836. 11-29-1971: Baron Von Raschke defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Indianapolis WWA World title.
  2837.  
  2838. 12-03-1971: Dr. X (Jim Osbourne) defeats Ramon Torres in Oklahoma City for the NWA World Junior title.
  2839.  
  2840. 12-06-1971: Karl Gotch & Rene Goulett win the WWWF World tag team titles from Luke Graham & Tarzan Tyler at Madison Square. Gardens.
  2841.  
  2842. 12-07-1971: Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk defeat Giant Baba & Antonio Inoki for the NWA International tag team titles. This would be Inoki's last JWA match.
  2843.  
  2844. 12-08-1971: Dominic DeNucci defeats Waldo Von Erich for the NWF title in Buffalo, NY... Mike York & Frank Monte "The Alaskans" win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Larry O'Day & Ron Miller.
  2845.  
  2846. 12-13-1971: Antonio Inoki is fired from the JWA for planning a coup attempt. Inoki forms New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  2847.  
  2848. 12-17-1971: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller win their third NWA Georgia tag team championship over The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton).
  2849.  
  2850. 12-18-1971: "The Fabulous Kangaroos" Al Costello & Don Kent win the Detroit NWA World tag team titles from Ben Justice & The Stomper (Guy Mitchell) to gain the vacant titles... Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Paul Christy in Indianapolis. They are managed by Bobby Heenan.
  2851.  
  2852. 12-24-1971: Oro is born in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  2853.  
  2854. 1971: Greg Wojokowski (Great Wojo) wins the NCAA championship as a heavyweight out of Toledo University.
  2855.  
  2856. 1972
  2857.  
  2858. 01-05-1972: Waldo Von Erich defeats Dominic DeNucci for the NWF title in Buffalo, NY.
  2859.  
  2860. 01-10-1972: Brian Christopher (Brian Lawler) is born the son of Jerry & Kay Lawler.
  2861.  
  2862. 01-14-1972: Bruno Sammartino wins the annual Los Angeles battle royal last eliminating Ripper Collins to win.
  2863.  
  2864. 01-20-1972: Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkle defeat Red Bastien & The Crusher for the AWA World tag team titles.
  2865.  
  2866. 01-22-1972: Ray Stevens eliminates Pat Patterson to win the famous Cow Palace battle royal in San Francisco.
  2867.  
  2868. 01-31-1972: Wrestling card in New York.
  2869.  
  2870. 02-01-1972: Baron Mikel Scicluna & King Curtis Iaukea win the WWWF World tag teams from Karl Gotch & Rene Goulett in Philadelphia, PA. Iaukea & Scicluna are managed by Lou Albano.
  2871.  
  2872. 02-08-1972: The Big Show (Paul Wight, AKA: The Giant) is born, and contrary to what World Championship Wrestling (WCW) first claimed, he is in no way related to Andre the Giant (Andre Rousimoff).
  2873.  
  2874. 02-12-1972: Pat Patterson defeats Rocky Johnson for the NWA US (CA) title in San Francisco, CA.
  2875.  
  2876. 02-29-1972: Tim Woods defeats Bobby Shane for the NWA Southern title in Tampa.
  2877.  
  2878. 03-06-1972: Antonio Inoki's New Japan Pro Wrestling organization has it's first show at Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo. Karl Gotch defeats Antonio Inoki in the main event with Tatsumi Fujinami, Kotetsu Yamamoto and Osamu Kido also appearing on the card. Retired Japanese star Toyonobori also makes an appearance.
  2879.  
  2880. 03-12-1972: Little Guido (James Stone) is born.
  2881.  
  2882. 03-20-1972: Danny Hodge regains the NWA World Junior title for a sixth time in Shreveport, LA defeating Dr. X (Jim Osbourne).
  2883.  
  2884. 03-21-1972: Chris Candido (Chris Candito) is born.
  2885.  
  2886. 03-31-1972: Johnny Weaver & Art Nelson defeat Larry Hamilton & Brute Bernard for the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles in Raleigh, NC.
  2887.  
  2888. 04-03-1972: JWA breaks a contract with Nippon TV, letting NET television broadcast a match involving Giant Baba. The contract had said that NET could not broadcast any of Baba's matches and Nippon TV could not broadcast any of Antonio Inoki's matches.
  2889.  
  2890. 05-05-1972: Roberto Soto (AKA: Invader II) wins the NWA Georgia title from Buddy Colt in Atlanta.
  2891.  
  2892. 05-11-1972: Donnie Fargo & Johnny Fargo (AKA: Greg Valentine) win the NWF tag team titles from Tony Parisi & Dominic DeNucci.
  2893.  
  2894. 05-12-1972: Giant Baba defeats Gorilla Monsoon to win the annual JWA World league tournament.
  2895.  
  2896. 05-15-1972: Nippon TV cancels broadcasting JWA cards.
  2897.  
  2898. 05-16-1972: Paul Jones wins the NWA Florida title from Jack Brisco in Tampa.
  2899.  
  2900. 05-17-1972: Masakazu Fukuda is born. Fukuda, later a New Japan lower card wrestler dies of ring related bleeding in the brain at the age of 27 of April 19, 2000.
  2901.  
  2902. 05-22-1972: Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King win the WWWF World tag team titles from Baron Mikel Scicluna & King Curtis Iaukea at Madison Square Garden.
  2903.  
  2904. 06-03-1972: Baron Von Raschke defeats Art Thomas for the Detroit WWA title.
  2905.  
  2906. 06-09-1972: Ernie Ladd wins the NWF title from Waldo Von Erich in Cleveland, OH.
  2907.  
  2908. 06-24-1972: Abduallah the Butcher defeats Ernie Ladd for the NWF title in Cleveland, OH... The Zodiac (Bob Orton) defeats Tim Woods for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  2909.  
  2910. 06-27-1972: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji win the WWWF World tag team titles from Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King Philadelphia, PA.
  2911.  
  2912. 06-29-1972: Zodiac (Bob Orton) & Taurus (Dennis Hall) win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Boris Malenko & Johnny Walker (AKA: Mr. Wrestling II) in Jacksonville.
  2913.  
  2914. 07-05-1972: Tatsuhito Takaiwa is born.
  2915.  
  2916. 07-13-1972: Sean Waltman (AKA: 1-2-3 Kid, Lightning Kid, Syxx, X-Pac) is born.
  2917.  
  2918. 07-21-1972: Shinjiro Ohtani is born.
  2919.  
  2920. 07-23-1972: At a sanctioned weight lifting meet in San Francisco, CA, Ken Patera over head presses 500 pounds, becoming the first American to do so.
  2921.  
  2922. 07-26-1972: Wrestling show in Indiana.
  2923.  
  2924. 07-28-1972: Ernie Ladd defeats John Tolos for the WWA Americas title.
  2925.  
  2926. 07-1972: Mitsuo Yoshida (later known as Riki Choshu) is eliminated in the first round of the Olympics in freestyle wrestling representing Japan. Wilfred Dietrich who competed as a professional in Europe wins the silver medal in Greco-Roman. Anton Geesink wins the gold medal in Judo for the Netherlands.
  2927.  
  2928. 08-02-1972: Wrestling show in Indiana.
  2929.  
  2930. 08-07-1972: Johnny Valentine defeats Billy Red Lyons for the NWA American title.
  2931.  
  2932. 08-12-1972: The "Superbowl of Wrestling" is held in Cleveland, OH featuring a tag team tournament won by Tony Marino & Tony Parisi by default, a womens tournament won by Sue Green & Lily Thomas over Tippy Wells & Peggy Patterson, a midget tournament won by Sky Low Low & Little Brutus over Frenchy Lamont & Haiti Kid, U.S. champion Bobo Brazil retaining his title over Killer Brookes, and North American champion Johnny Powers defeating Johnny Valentine... Tim Woods defeats The Zodiac (Bob Orton) for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Tampa.
  2933.  
  2934. 08-16-1972: Wrestling show in Indiana.
  2935.  
  2936. 08-22-1972: Bob Armstrong & Argentina Apollo defeat The Assassins (Renesto & Hamilton) for the NWA Macon Georgia city tag team titles.
  2937.  
  2938. 08-23-1972: Wrestling show in Indiana.
  2939.  
  2940. 08-25-1972: Kintaro Ohki challenges Giant Baba for the NWA International title and Baba refuses.
  2941.  
  2942. 09-02-1972: Giant Baba vacates the NWA International title in order to form All Japan.
  2943.  
  2944. 09-05-1972: Buddy Colt defeats Tim Woods for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Tampa.
  2945.  
  2946. 09-06-1972: The Sheik defeats Seiji Sakaguchi for the JWA United National title.
  2947.  
  2948. 09-08-1972: 1/2 of the NWA Georgia tag team champions Assassin I (Tom Renesto) announces his retirement and unmasks.
  2949.  
  2950. 09-16-1972: Harley Race wins a St. Louis tournament final over Pak Song to become the first NWA Missouri champion.
  2951.  
  2952. 09-19-1972: Jimmy Golden & Ron Fuller win the NWA Florida tag team titles in a tournament final over Paul Jones & Dick Murdoch in Tampa.
  2953.  
  2954. 09-30-1972: In a battle of two of the greatest ethnic heroes of the era at New York's Shea Stadium, WWWF World champion Pedro Morales wrestled Bruno Sammartino to a seventy five minute draw. Also on the card Jack Brisco defeated Mr. Fuji, and world womens champion Fabulous Moolah defeated Debbie Johnson.
  2955.  
  2956. 09-1972: Paul Jones who has been the NWA Florida TV champion for about five months "retires" the title and creates the "Paul Jones TV Trophy". Jones presents the trophy to Jack Brisco who destroys it.
  2957.  
  2958. 10-04-1972: Antonio Inoki wins the "Real World title" from Karl Gotch in Tokyo, Japan.
  2959.  
  2960. 10-10-1972: Karl Gotch regains the "Real World title" from Antonio Inoki.
  2961.  
  2962. 10-13-1972: Rock Hunter defeats Bob Armstrong for the NWA Georgia Brass Knux title in Atlanta.
  2963.  
  2964. 10-16-1972: The Momota family, the family of the late Rikidozan, present Giant Baba with Rikidozan's old NWA International heavyweight title belt. Baba announces that he will found a World heavyweight title with the belt. The belt eventually becomes the PWF heavyweight title.
  2965.  
  2966. 10-19-1972: Johnny Valentine defeats Abduallah the Butcher for the NWF title in Cleveland, OH.
  2967.  
  2968. 10-20-1972: Dick Steinborn & Argentina Apollo win the NWA Georgia tag team championship from Skandor Akbar & Ox Baker in Atlanta.
  2969.  
  2970. 10-21-1972: Giant Baba founds All Japan Pro Wrestling with the support of Nippon Television. On the first show Bruno Sammartino & Terry Funk defeated Giant Baba & Sugiyama in a tag team match.
  2971.  
  2972. 10-31-1972: Tomomi "Jumbo" Tsuruta who was a member of the Japanese Olympic wrestling team joins All Japan Pro Wrestling.
  2973.  
  2974. 11-16-1972: Dennis Hall & Ken Lucas defeat Jerry Lawler & Jim White in a non title match forcing Lawler & White to put up the Tennessee tag team titles the next week. Also on the show Tommy Gilbert defeated Don Wright by DQ in Knoxville, TN.
  2975.  
  2976. 11-23-1972: Johnny Powers defeats Johnny Valentine for the NWF North American title in Cleveland, OH.
  2977.  
  2978. 11-24-1972: Omar Atlas defeats Harley Race for the NWA Central States title in St. Joseph, MO.
  2979.  
  2980. 11-25-1972: NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling headed by Paul Jones (not the Florida wrestler) suffers a split with Ann Gunkel taking Dick Steinborn & Argentina Apollo for All South Championship Wrestling (they were the NWA Georgia tag champions and become the first All South Georgia tag champions). Georgia champion Roberto Soto (AKA: Invader II) also jumps and becomes the groups first singles champion.
  2981.  
  2982. 11-26-1972: Derrick Domino (Frank Demaglia) is born.
  2983.  
  2984. 11-28-1972: Jack Brisco wins his fourth NWA Florida title over Paul Jones in Tampa... New York wrestling show.
  2985.  
  2986. 12-04-1972: Kintaro Oki defeats Bobo Brazil for the NWA International title in Hiroshima, Japan. The Japanese Wrestling Association closes just a few months later, but the NWA International title is revived in 1981 as part of the All Japan promotion.
  2987.  
  2988. 12-08-1972: The Assassin II (Jody Hamilton) defeats Roberto Soto (AKA: Invader II) for the Ann Gunkel All South Wrestling Georgia title in Atlanta.
  2989.  
  2990. 12-09-1972: Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher win the Detroit WWA tag team titles from Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan with boxer "Jersey" Joe Walcott as special referee.
  2991.  
  2992. 12-15-1972: Bob Armstrong defeats Buddy Colt for the NWA Southern title (Georgia version) in Atlanta, GA.
  2993.  
  2994. 12-18-1972: New York state lifts a ban on masked wrestlers and Mil Mascaras defeats The Spolier at Madison Square Garden.
  2995.  
  2996. 12-19-1972: Giant Baba defeats The Destroyer in a famous match in Niigata, Japan. The loss forced the Destroyer to remain in Japan as Baba's partner.
  2997.  
  2998. 12-23-1972: Bobo Brazil wins his fifth NWA U.S. title from Pampero Firpo in Detroit.
  2999.  
  3000. 12-29-1972: A tournament is held in Atlanta, GA for the vacant NWA Georgia tag team titles which are won by Eddie & Mike Graham over Sputnik & Rocket Monroe. Also on the show Buddy Colt regains the NWA Southern title (Georgia version) from Bob Armstrong. The title is soon abandoned.
  3001.  
  3002. 12-30-1972: Billy Robinson & Verne Gagne defeat Nick Bockwinkle & Ray Stevens for the AWA World tag team titles in Minneapolis, MN... The Sheik wins his third NWA U.S. title defeating Bobo Brazil for the title in Detroit.
  3003.  
  3004. 1972: Chris Taylor wins the NCAA championship in the heavyweight division out of Iowa State University.
  3005.  
  3006. 1973
  3007.  
  3008. 01-05-1973: Ron & Don Wright capture the Tennessee state tag team titles from Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Wright in Knoxville, TN.
  3009.  
  3010. 01-06-1973: Nick Bockwinkle & Ray Stevens win their second AWA World tag team championship from Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson.
  3011.  
  3012. 01-09-1973: Ox Baker defeats Dick Steinborn for the All South Georgia TV title in Atlanta... Mark Lewin defeats Buddy Colt for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Tampa.
  3013.  
  3014. 01-10-1973: Hiro Matsuda defeats Bill Dromo for the All South Columbus Georgia title.
  3015.  
  3016. 01-13-1973: Bobo Brazil captures his sixth NWA U.S. title from The Sheik in Detroit.
  3017.  
  3018. 01-19-1973: Johnny Valentine defeats Harley Race for the vacant NWA Missouri title in St. Louis, MO.
  3019.  
  3020. 01-24-1973: Jacques Rougeau defeats Waldo Von Erich in a tournament final in Buffalo, NY to win the NWF title.
  3021.  
  3022. 01-27-1973: The Sheik wins his fourth NWA U.S. title from Bobo Brazil in Detroit... Great Mephisto wins the Cow Palace battle royal in San Francisco by eliminating Haystacks Calhoun.
  3023.  
  3024. 02-01-1973: Kuniaki Kobayashi debuts for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  3025.  
  3026. 02-03-1973: All Japan Pro Wrestling is inducted into the NWA... Johnny Powers defeats Karl Von Krupp for the NWF North American title.
  3027.  
  3028. 02-04-1973: Baron Von Raschke & Ernie Ladd win the Detroit WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher.
  3029.  
  3030. 02-06-1973: Buddy Colt regains the NWA Southern (FL) title from Mark Lewin in Tampa.
  3031.  
  3032. 02-10-1973: Terry Funk defeated Johnny Valentine for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis, MO.
  3033.  
  3034. 02-17-1973: Eric the Animal (AKA: Eric the Red) defeats Johnny Powers for the NWF North American title in Buffalo, NY.
  3035.  
  3036. 02-20-1973: Buddy Colt wins the NWA Florida title from Jack Brisco in Tampa... Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett win the Southern tag team titles in Chattanooga, TN.
  3037.  
  3038. 02-27-1973: In one night Giant Baba gains eight wins, no losses, and two draws defeating Bruno Sammartino, Terry Funk, Abduallah the Butcher, The Destroyer, Wilbur Snyder, Don Leo Jonathan, Pat O'Connor, and Bobo Brazil. Baba draws once with Sammartino and Snyder. Baba gains the All Japan PWF World title, which remained as the "world" title for All Japan (they also recognized the NWA World title) until unified into the Triple Crown in 1989. Baba holds the title until 1978.
  3039.  
  3040. 02-28-1973: Mr. Kleen defeats Buddy Colt for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Miami.
  3041.  
  3042. 03-03-1973: Jerry Brisco wins the NWA Eastern States (later the Mid Atlantic) title from Rip Hawk in Winston-Salem, NC.
  3043.  
  3044. 03-07-1973: Baron Von Raschke & Ernie Ladd win the WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in Indianapolis.
  3045.  
  3046. 03-12-1973: Ray Candy defeats Assassin II (Jody Hamilton) for the Ann Gunkel promoted All South Georgia title in Atlanta... Paul Jones defeats Mr. Kleen for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Orlando.
  3047.  
  3048. 03-16-1973: Gene Kiniski defeats Terry Funk for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis.
  3049.  
  3050. 03-23-1973: Tommy Tsuruta arrives in Texas to begin training with the Funk brothers.
  3051.  
  3052. 03-24-1973: Tommy Tsuruta has his first match, a television match against El Gran Tapia in Amarillo, TX.
  3053.  
  3054. 03-28-1973: Jerry Lawler & Jim White managed by Sam Bass defeat Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett for the Southern tag team titles in Nashville, TN.
  3055.  
  3056. 03-30-1973: Seiji Sakaguchi, Kengo Kimura, and Killer Kahn (Masashi Ozawa) join New Japan. NET ceases broadcasting JWA cards and begins broadcasting New Japan shows.
  3057.  
  3058. 03-1973: Hacksaw Jim Duggan wins the New York State high school wrestling championship in the 250 pound weight class.
  3059.  
  3060. 04-01-1973: Wrestling promoter Jim Crockett, Sr. dies at the age of 64.
  3061.  
  3062. 04-10-1973: Ron Fuller defeats Paul Jones for the NWA Southern title in Tampa.
  3063.  
  3064. 04-20-1973: Japan's JWA, in existence for twenty years, folds.
  3065.  
  3066. 04-21-1973: Giant Baba wins the All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Mark Lewin.
  3067.  
  3068. 05-18-1973: Bill Watts defeats Mr. Wrestling II for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta, GA.
  3069.  
  3070. 05-24-1973: Harley Race defeats Dory Funk, Jr. in Kansas City, MO to win the NWA World heavyweight title for the first time.
  3071.  
  3072. 05-26-1973: Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk defeat Killer Karl Krupp & Karl Von Steiger in Amarillo, Texas to win the NWA International tag team titles. Krupp and Von Steiger had kept the belts after Japan's JWA folded.
  3073.  
  3074. 05-30-1973: Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun win the WWWF World tag team titles from Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji in Hamburg, PA.
  3075.  
  3076. 06-01-1973: Afa & Sika the Wild Samoans win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Mike Graham & Kevin Sullivan in St. Petersburg.
  3077.  
  3078. 06-03-1973: Dory Funk, Sr. dies at the age of 54 in Amarillo, TX of a heart attack.
  3079.  
  3080. 06-06-1973: In San Antonio, TX the Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton) defeated Wahoo McDaniel to retain the American heavyweight title.
  3081.  
  3082. 06-09-1973: Mr. Wrestling II & Bob Orton, Jr. defeat The Super Infernos ("Professional" Doug Gilbert & Don Smith) managed by J.C. Dykes for the NWA Georgia tag team titles.
  3083.  
  3084. 06-12-1973: Paul Jones wins the NWA Florida title from Buddy Colt in Tampa.
  3085.  
  3086. 06-26-1973: Johnny Valentine defeats Ron Fuller for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Tampa.
  3087.  
  3088. 07-07-1973: Johnny Valentine wins his second NWA U.S. title defeating The Sheik in Detroit... Jerry Lawler & Jim White managed by Sam Bass win their fourth Southern tag team championship from Jerry Jarrett & Johnny Marlin in Chattanooga, TN.
  3089.  
  3090. 07-20-1973: Jack Brisco defeats Harley Race in Houston, TX to win the NWA World heavyweight championship.
  3091.  
  3092. 07-28-1973: Wild Red Berry (Ralph Berry) dies at the age of 66.
  3093.  
  3094. 07-31-1973: Tim Woods wins the NWA Florida title from Paul Jones in Tampa.
  3095.  
  3096. 08-31-1973: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) regains the NWA Georgia title from Bill Watts with Fred Blassie as special referee.
  3097.  
  3098. 09-03-1973: The Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert & Don Smith) managed by J.C. Dykes are stripped of the NWA Georgia tag team titles for getting themselves deliberately disqualified.
  3099.  
  3100. 09-11-1973: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji regain the WWWF World tag team titles from Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun in Philadelphia, PA.
  3101.  
  3102. 09-15-1973: A group of investors found the Puerto Rican based Capitol Sports Promotions which spawns the World Wrestling Council (WWC).
  3103.  
  3104. 09-22-1973: Dick the Bruiser defeats Ernie Ladd in a steel cage in Indianapolis to win the WWA tag team titles. Ladd had co-held the belts with Baron Von Raschke. Dick the Bruiser chooses Bruno Sammartino as his partner to co-hold the belts... Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin win the Southern tag team titles from Mighty Yankees.
  3105.  
  3106. 09-23-1973: Bill Watts brings his North American title from Louisiana to Georgia where he is recognized as the NWA North American champion.
  3107.  
  3108. 09-25-1973: Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton, brother of Assassin II Jody Hamilton) defeats Ray Candy for the All South Georgia title in Atlanta.
  3109.  
  3110. 10-02-1973: Sandy Scott & Nelson Royal win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Raleigh, NC.
  3111.  
  3112. 10-06-1973: Tommy Tsuruta debuts in Japan at Korakuen Hall, defeating Moose Morowski.
  3113.  
  3114. 10-14-1973: Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi defeat the team of Lou Thesz & Karl Gotch.
  3115.  
  3116. 10-26-1973: Taka Michinoku (Takao Yoshida) is born.
  3117.  
  3118. 10-27-1973: A contest on NTV in Japan gives Tommy Tsuruta the new name of Jumbo Tsuruta... In Atlanta, GA Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Stan Vachon & Bobby Duncum.
  3119.  
  3120. 11-05-1973: Tiger Jeet Singh attacks Antonio Inoki in front of Shinjuka Isetan Department store in Tokyo.
  3121.  
  3122. 11-11-1973: Olympic gold medalist in Judo for the Netherlands Anton Geesink makes his pro debut in Japan teaming with Giant Baba to defeated Bruno Sammartino & Cyclone Negro.
  3123.  
  3124. 11-14-1973: Tony Garea & Dean Ho win the WWWF World tag team titles.
  3125.  
  3126. 11-16-1973: Jimmy Snuka defeats Bull Ramos for the NWA Pacific Northwest title.
  3127.  
  3128. 12-01-1973: Stan "The Man" Stasiak, managed by the Grand Wizard, upsets Pedro Morales for the WWWF title in Philadelphia, PA.
  3129.  
  3130. 12-04-1973: Brute Bernard & Mike York win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Sandy Scott & Nelson Royal in Raleigh, NC.
  3131.  
  3132. 12-06-1973: Riki Choshu (Mitsuo Yoshida), a former member of the Japanese Olympic wrestling team, joins New Japan.
  3133.  
  3134. 12-10-1973: Bruno Sammartino defeats Stan "The Man" Stasiak for the WWWF title at Madison Square Gardens in New York. He is managed by Arnold Skaaland... Antonio Inoki defeats Johnny Powers for the NWF title. Inoki had purchased controlling interest of the Buffalo, New York based NWF and the belt remained in Japan as the top title for New Japan Pro Wrestling until the IWGP World title was instituted ten years later.
  3135.  
  3136. 12-19-1973: Ken Mantel wins the NWA World Junior title from Danny Hodge in Jackson, MS.
  3137.  
  3138. 12-21-1973: Ron Fuller wins the NWA Georgia title from Bill Watts in Atlanta, GA. Also on the show Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr. managed by Gary Hart win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong.
  3139.  
  3140. 1973: Chris Taylor wins the NCAA championship in the heavyweight division out of Iowa State University.
  3141.  
  3142. 1974
  3143.  
  3144. 01-05-1974: Jimmy & Johnny Valiant win the Detroit WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & Bruno Sammartino. The Valiant's are managed by Bobby Heenan.
  3145.  
  3146. 01-11-1974: Mr. Wrestling II defeats Ron Fuller for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  3147.  
  3148. 01-18-1974: A tournament is held in Atlanta, GA for the NWA Georgia tag team titles. In the tournament are Ronnie & Terrance Garvin, Lou Thesz & Ali Vazari (Iron Sheik?), Bill Costello & Zebra Kid, Tim Woods & Ricky Gibson, Bobby Duncum & Jerry Lawler, Roberto Soto & Bobby Cash, Tio & Reno the Samoans, and Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller. The tournament is won by The Garvins over Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller in the finals.
  3149.  
  3150. 01-25-1974: Joe Savoldi dies.
  3151.  
  3152. 01-26-1974: "High Chief" Peter Maivia (Grandfather of The Rock) wins the famous Cow Palace battle royal by eliminating Moondog Mayne.
  3153.  
  3154. 01-23-1974: The NWA world title is defended on an All Japan show for the first time as NWA World heavyweight champion Jack Brisco battles PWF champion Giant Baba to a draw.
  3155.  
  3156. 01-30-1974: Jumbo Tsuruta losses his first Japanese match to NWA World champion Jack Brisco.
  3157.  
  3158. 02-17-1974: The Sheik pins Andre the Giant in Toronto, Canada.
  3159.  
  3160. 03-08-1974: Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong defeated Ron & Terry Garvin for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.
  3161.  
  3162. 03-15-1974: Ron & Terry Garvin regain the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong in Atlanta, GA.
  3163.  
  3164. 03-19-1974: Antonio Inoki defeats former IWA champion Strong Kobayashi in front of a record 16,500 fans... The Texan (Bob Windham, AKA: Blackjack Mulligan) defeats Fritz Von Erich in Dallas for the NWA American title.
  3165.  
  3166. 03-20-1974: Ron Fuller (brother of Robert) wins the NWA Florida title from Buddy Colt in Miami.
  3167.  
  3168. 03-21-1974: Mike George wins the NWA Central States title for the first time from Bob Brown in Kansas City.
  3169.  
  3170. 03-29-1974: Joe Stecher, former world heavyweight champion, dies at the age of 80.
  3171.  
  3172. 05-03-1974: Buddy Colt defeats Bill Watts for the NWA North American title in Atlanta.
  3173.  
  3174. 05-04-1974: Wilbur Snyder & Pepper Gomez win the WWA tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Indianapolis.
  3175.  
  3176. 05-08-1974: Antonio Inoki wins the first New Japan World League tournament defeating Karl Krupp and Seiji Sakaguchi in finals matches to win... Jimmy & Johnny Valiant managed by Lou Albano win the WWWF World tag team titles from Tony Garea & Dean Ho in Hamburg, PA.
  3177.  
  3178. 05-11-1974: Billy Kidman (Pete Gruner) is born.
  3179.  
  3180. 05-14-1974: Giant Baba defeats Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) to win the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament.
  3181.  
  3182. 05-22-1974: Robert Fuller & Mr. Wrestling II win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ron & Terry Garvin in Columbus, GA.
  3183.  
  3184. 05-24-1974: Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Harley Race for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis.
  3185.  
  3186. 05-29-1974: Gene & Ole Anderson win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Robert Fuller & Mr. Wrestling II in Columbus, GA.
  3187.  
  3188. 06-24-1974: Gorilla Monsoon wrestles Giant Baba at New York's Madison Square Garden.
  3189.  
  3190. 06-26-1974: Antonio Inoki successfully defends the NWF World title against Tiger Jeet Singh and breaks Singh's arm in the process. This match was one of Inoki's famous "worked shoots". Earlier news papers had reported that an unidentified Indian had attacked Inoki on the street, and of course, Inoki later challenged him to this match.
  3191.  
  3192. 06-30-1974: Thousands of fans in Puerto Rico turn out to a Capitol Sports show to see Gil Hayes, a Canadian wrestler, take on a wrestling bear. This show is sited as the beginning of the upswing of wrestling in Puerto Rico and the Capitol Sports/WWC group. Also appearing on the show were Miguel Perez, Sr., Barrabas (Jose Felix Lopez), Carlos Colon, and Jose Rivera.
  3193.  
  3194. 07-02-1974: Bill Watts defeats Ron Fuller for the NWA Florida title in Tampa.
  3195.  
  3196. 07-04-1974: Rip Hawk & Ric Flair win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Paul Jones & Bobby Bruggers in Greensboro, NC.
  3197.  
  3198. 07-05-1974: Buddy Colt wins the NWA Georgia title from Mr. Wrestling II in Atlanta.
  3199.  
  3200. 07-08-1974: Paul Jones captures the NWA Mid Atlantic TV title from Ivan Koloff in Charlotte, NC.
  3201.  
  3202. 07-21-1974: Crusher & Billy Robinson win the AWA World tag team championship from Nick Bockwinkle & Ray Stevens in Green Bay, WI.
  3203.  
  3204. 07-26-1974: Freddie Sweeten dies in an accident at his home at the age of 36.
  3205.  
  3206. 07-29-1974: In Memphis Jerry Lawler managed by Sam Bass was DQ' against Mr. Wrestling II. In the program for the show Lawler refers to Wrestling II as Johnny Walker who had wrestled previously in the area.It is the only time I am aware of where Wrestling II's identity was ever revealed. Also on the show Bobo Brazil defeated Sam Bass, Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin & Ricky Gibson defeated Charlie Fulton & Bobby Mayne (Later to become Bobby Jaggers) & Sir Clements, Robert Fuller defeated Red Shadow, Al Greeen & Phil Hickerson managed by Sam Bass were DQed against Jackie Fargo & Tojo Yamamoto, plus Bearcat Brown defeated Stan Kowalski.
  3207.  
  3208. 07-1974: Billy Robinson appears to have defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA World title, but returns the title to Gagne after learning his foot was on the ropes.
  3209.  
  3210. 08-10-1974: Ox Baker wins the Indianapolis WWA World title from Bob Ellis.
  3211.  
  3212. 08-23-1974: Mr. Wrestling II regains the NWA Georgia title from Buddy Colt in Atlanta.
  3213.  
  3214. 09-13-1974: Harley Race wins the NWA Georgia title from Mr. Wrestling II in Atlanta. Also on the show Gene & Ole Anderson regain the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Mr. Wrestling & Mr. Wrestling II.
  3215.  
  3216. 09-21-1974: "The Legionnaires" Sgt. Jacques Goulett & Pvt. Don Fargo managed by Johnny Starr win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Pepper Gomez in Indianapolis. Donny Fargo is eventually replaced in the team by Zarinoff LeBeouf.
  3217.  
  3218. 10-08-1974: Luke Graham wins a tournament in Atlanta to win the NWA Georgia title.
  3219.  
  3220. 10-11-1974: Buddy Colt wins his sixth NWA Georgia title from Luke Graham in Atlanta.
  3221.  
  3222. 10-12-1974: Peter Maivia defeats Moondog Mayne for the NWA US (CA) title in San Francisco.
  3223.  
  3224. 10-23-1974: Robert Fuller defeats Jerry Lawler in Nashville, TN for the Southern title. The belt had previously been known as the Southern Junior title, but now it is simply the major belt for the Nick Gulas promotion.
  3225.  
  3226. 10-24-1974: Nick Bockwinkle & Ray Stevens win their third AWA World tag team championship from The Crusher & Billy Robinson in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.
  3227.  
  3228. 10-25-1974: Buddy Colt & Harley Race win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Atlanta. Roger Kirby later replaces Race in the team.
  3229.  
  3230. 11-14-1974: Jackie Fargo & George Gulas & Dennis Hall defeat Jerry Lawler & Don Kent & Juan Sebastian in Chattanooga, TN to win the Tennessee version of the World 6-Man tag team titles.
  3231.  
  3232. 12-02-1974: Giant Baba becomes the first Japanese to ever win the NWA World heavyweight title when he defeats Jack Brisco in Kagoshima, Japan for the championship.
  3233.  
  3234. 12-06-1974: Rocky Johnson wins the NWA Georgia title from Buddy Colt in Atlanta.
  3235.  
  3236. 12-09-1974: Jack Brisco regains the NWA World heavyweight title from Giant Baba in Tokyo to become a two time world heavyweight champion.
  3237.  
  3238. 12-12-1974: Rey Misterio, Jr. is born. He is the nephew of Rey Misterio, Sr.
  3239.  
  3240. 12-13-1974: Antonio Inoki goes to Pakistan and defeats Akrum Peehlewang, nephew of The Great Gama. Inoki was the first wrestler to beat a Balu family member in the ring in Pakistan.
  3241.  
  3242. 12-15-1974: Antonio Inoki battles Andre the Giant to a draw in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  3243.  
  3244. 12-23-1974: Juventud Guerrera is born.
  3245.  
  3246. 1975
  3247.  
  3248. 01-09-1975: Les Thatcher & Nelson Royal defeat Dutch Mantel & John Foley for the Tennessee tag team titles in Knoxville, TN. Also Ron Wright defeated Ron Fuller via DQ and Jerry Lawler defeated Jim Kent.
  3249.  
  3250. 01-17-1975: Nelson Royal defeated Jerry Lawler in Knoxville, TN to earn a shot at the NWA World champion Jack Brisco.
  3251.  
  3252. 01-25-1975: Bobo Brazil is awarded the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title, making it his seventh, when champion The Sheik no shows a defense... Rocky Johnson & Jerry Brisco defeat Buddy Colt & Roger Kirby for the NWA Georgia tag team titles.
  3253.  
  3254. 02-05-1975: Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta capture the NWA International tag team championship from Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk in Amarillo, Texas. This is Tsuruta's first championship.
  3255.  
  3256. 02-08-1975: Abduallah the Butcher wins the NWA U.S. title from Bobo Brazil in Detroit.
  3257.  
  3258. 02-20-1975: A plane carrying Bobby Shane, Buddy Colt, Mike McCord (Austin Idol), and Gary Hart crashes. Bobby Shane is killed at the age of 29, everyone else survives but faces serious injuries.
  3259.  
  3260. 02-21-1975: Abduallah the Butcher managed by Bearcat Wright wins the NWA Georgia title from Rocky Johnson in Atlanta. This is also the date given for Abduallah the Butcher losing the NWA North American title to Bill Watts, also in Atlanta. This could have happened on the same show. Abduallah was defending the title for the injured Buddy Colt (airplane crash the day before). Watts returns to Louisiana with the title.
  3261.  
  3262. 04-05-1975: Pat Patterson wins his fourth NWA US (CA) title from The Brute (Bugsy McGraw) in San Francisco.
  3263.  
  3264. 04-16-1975: Harley Race & Roger Kirby win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Dick Slater & Johnny Weaver in Miami Beach.
  3265.  
  3266. 04-19-1975: Bobo Brazil wins his eighth NWA (Detroit) U.S. title from Abduallah the Butcher in Detroit.
  3267.  
  3268. 05-03-1975: Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Gene Kiniski.
  3269.  
  3270. 05-09-1975: In a title verses title match, PWF World champion Giant Baba battles WWWF World heavyweight champion Bruno Sammartino to a draw... Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong win their third NWA Georgia tag team championship from The Assassin II (Jody Hamilton) & Toru Tanaka in Atlanta.
  3271.  
  3272. 05-13-1975: Dominic DeNucci & Victor Rivera (later replaced by Pat Barrett) win the WWWF World tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Philadelphia, PA.
  3273.  
  3274. 05-16-1975: Antonio Inoki wins the New Japan World League tournament defeating Karl Krupp in the finals.
  3275.  
  3276. 05-28-1975: Jos LeDuc defeats Mad Dog Vachon in the main event at the Sportatorium in Dallas, TX. Also on the show Gran Marcus defeated Superstar Graham via DQ, Alberto Madril defeated John Tolos, Bill Howard battled Kim Duk to a draw, and Red Bastien & Jean Antone defeated Betty Nicoli & Gordon Nelson in a mixed tag team match.
  3277.  
  3278. 05-31-1975: Ed Wiskoski (AKA: Col. DeBeers) wins the NWA Central States title from Jerry Oates in Kansas City.
  3279.  
  3280. 06-03-1975: Ric Flair defeats Paul Jones for the NWA Mid Atlantic TV title in Raleigh, NC.
  3281.  
  3282. 06-05-1975: Dick Murdoch defeats Danny Miller in New Orleans, LA for the Mid South North American title.
  3283.  
  3284. 06-10-1975: Paul Jones regains the NWA Mid Atlantic TV title from Ric Flair in Raleigh, NC.
  3285.  
  3286. 06-14-1975: Hiro Matsuda begins his second run as NWA World Junior champion by defeating Ken Mantel in St. Petersburg, FL.
  3287.  
  3288. 06-27-1975: Dick Slater & Bob Orton, Jr. win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong in Atlanta.
  3289.  
  3290. 07-03-1975: Johnny Valentine wins the NWA United States title from Harley Race in Greensboro, NC.
  3291.  
  3292. 07-05-1975: The Sheik wins his eighth NWA (Detroit) U.S. title from Bobo Brazil in Detroit.
  3293.  
  3294. 07-26-1975: Wahoo McDaniel wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Ric Flair in Greenville, SC.
  3295.  
  3296. 07-31-1975: Rocky Johnson wins the NWA Florida TV title from James J. Dillon in Jacksonville.
  3297.  
  3298. 08-16-1975: Dick the Bruiser & Crusher defeated Nick Bockwinkle & Ray Stevens for the AWA World tag team titles in Chicago, IL for the fifth time.
  3299.  
  3300. 08-19-1975: Jim Londos dies at the age of 78 in Escondido, CA of a heart attack.
  3301.  
  3302. 08-26-1975: Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan win the WWWF World tag team titles from Dominic DeNucci & Pat Barrett in Philadelphia, PA. They are managed by Lou Albano.
  3303.  
  3304. 08-1975: At the NWA annual meeting Jack Adkisson (AKA: Fritz Von Erich) is elected the new NWA President).
  3305.  
  3306. 09-07-1975: Pat Patterson wins his fifth NWA US (CA) title from Angelo Mosca in San Francisco.
  3307.  
  3308. 09-19-1975: Nikolai Volkoff managed by Gary Hart wins the NWA Georgia title from Toru Tanaka in Atlanta. Also on the show Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji win the NWA Georgia tag team titles in a tournament.
  3309.  
  3310. 09-20-1975: New Japan Pro Wrestling becomes a member of the NWA... Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher defeat "The Legionnaires" Sgt. Jacques Goulett & Zarinoff LeBeouf for the WWA tag team titles in Indianapolis.
  3311.  
  3312. 09-27-1975: Mark Lewin wins the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title defeating The Sheik in Detroit.
  3313.  
  3314. 10-03-1975: Mr. Wrestling II defeats Nikolai Volkoff for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  3315.  
  3316. 10-04-1975: A plane carrying Bob Bruggers, Johnny Valentine, Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods, and Ric Flair crashes near Wilmington, NC. Flair suffers serious neck and back injuries and his career is assumed to be over, as are the careers of up and comer Bruggers, and veteran and NWA U.S. champion Johnny Valentine. Flair makes a remarkable recovery going on to win numerous world heavyweight championships.
  3317.  
  3318. 10-06-1975: Dusty Rhodes wins the NWA Florida title from Bob Roop.
  3319.  
  3320. 10-07-1975: Bob Armstrong defeats Mongolian Stomper (Archie Gouldie) for the Southern title in Louisville, KY.
  3321.  
  3322. 10-12-1975: Abduallah the Butcher defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) for the All Japan PWF U.S. title in Osaka, Japan.
  3323.  
  3324. 10-17-1975: Ron Dupree dies of a heart attack in Tacoma, WA... Frank Goodish (AKA: Bruiser Brody) wins the Western States title from Ray Candy in Lubbock, TX. for the Funk's promotion in west Texas.
  3325.  
  3326. 10-28-1975: The NWA Florida title is vacated following a match between champion Dusty Rhodes and King Curtis in Tampa. King Curtis later wins a tournament for the title.
  3327.  
  3328. 11-01-1975: Don Kent wins the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title from Mark Lewin in Detroit.
  3329.  
  3330. 11-03-1975: Steve Keirn & Tiger Conway, Jr. defeat Gene & Ole Anderson for the NWA World tag team titles in Charlotte, NC.
  3331.  
  3332. 11-08-1975: Nick Bockwinkle defeats Verne Gagne in St. Paul, MN for the AWA World heavyweight title... The Momota Family, the family of the late Rikidozan, orders Antonio Inoki to stop referring to himself a Rikidozan's Student.
  3333.  
  3334. 11-09-1975: Terry Funk defeats Paul Jones in a tournament final in Greensboro, NC to win the vacant NWA U.S. title.
  3335.  
  3336. 11-17-1975: Gene & Ole Anderson regain the NWA World tag team titles over Steve Keirn & Tiger Conway, Jr. in Charlotte, NC.
  3337.  
  3338. 11-18-1975: Tony Parisi & Louis Cerden (Gino Brito) win the WWWF World tag team titles from Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza in Philadelphia, PA.
  3339.  
  3340. 11-25-1975: Rey Mendoza (Jorge Diaz) wins a tournament in Mexico City to become the first UWA lightweight champion.
  3341.  
  3342. 11-26-1975: Rene Guajardo defeats Anibal to become the first UWA Middleweight champion in Mexico City.
  3343.  
  3344. 11-27-1975: The Spoiler (Dan Jardine) wins the NWA Georgia title from Mr. Wrestling II in Atlanta, GA. He is managed by Gary Hart.
  3345.  
  3346. 11-29-1975: Superstar Graham wrestles WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino for the first time at the Boston Gardens with Sammartino retaining the title... Fuji Television Network in Japan begins airing All Japan Women's cards twice per month... Pepper Gomez wins the Indianapolis WWA World title from Ox Baker.
  3347.  
  3348. 12-10-1975: Terry Funk defeats Jack Brisco in Miami Beach, FL to win the NWA World heavyweight title. Terry was substituting for his brother Dory Funk, Jr.
  3349.  
  3350. 12-15-1975: Antonio Inoki wrestles at Madison Square Garden for the first time. Also on the show Bruno Sammartino retains the WWWF World heavyweight title over Ivan Koloff in a bloody steel cage match.
  3351.  
  3352. 12-23-1975: Rocky Johnson wins the NWA Florida title from King Curtis in Tampa.
  3353.  
  3354. 12-29-1975: Billy Robinson defeats Masked Destroyer (Walter "Killer" Kowalski) for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  3355.  
  3356. 12-31-1975: Frank "The Hammer" Goodish (AKA: Bruiser Brody) wins the NWA Florida title from Rocky Johnson in Tampa.
  3357.  
  3358. 1976
  3359.  
  3360. 01-12-1976: Superstar Graham defeats WWWF World heavyweight champion Bruno Sammartino via count out at Madison Square Garden, thus Sammartino retained the WWWF World title.
  3361.  
  3362. 01-16-1976: Java Ruuk (Johnny Rodz) wins the annual Los Angeles battle royal last eliminating Porkchop Cash to win.
  3363.  
  3364. 01-17-1976: Jesse Ventura defeats Jimmy Snuka for the NWA Pacific Northwest title.
  3365.  
  3366. 01-30-1976: Dusty Rhodes defeats The Spoiler for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  3367.  
  3368. 02-02-1976: Bruno Sammartino gains revenge for his January count out loss to Superstar Graham, when Sammartino defeats Graham to retain the WWWF World heavyweight title.
  3369.  
  3370. 02-06-1976: Antonio Inoki defeats Judo Olympic Gold Medalist Willem Ruska via TKO... The Spoiler regains the NWA Georgia title from Dusty Rhodes in Atlanta.
  3371.  
  3372. 02-15-1976: Two time Florida State amateur wrestling champion and a graduate of Verne Gagne's wrestling camp, Ricky Steamboat makes his pro wrestling debut in Minneapolis, MN defeating Scott Irwin. He begins his career wrestling as "Sammy Steamboat, Jr." though Ricky and Sammy, Sr. were not actually related.
  3373.  
  3374. 03-02-1976: Danny Hodge begins his seventh and last reign as NWA World Junior champion by defeating Hiro Matsuda in Shreveport, LA.
  3375.  
  3376. 03-10-1976: One of the original All Japan wrestlers, Masio Koma dies.
  3377.  
  3378. 03-13-1976: Blackjack Mulligan wins the NWA U.S. title from Paul Jones... Ox Baker & Chuck O'Connor (AKA: Big John Studd) win the WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in Indianapolis.
  3379.  
  3380. 03-14-1976: Lizmark makes his debut at Arena Colisemo in Mexico City.
  3381.  
  3382. 03-15-1976: Danny Hodge receives a broken neck in a car accident which ends his career. He is the reigning NWA World Junior heavyweight champion.
  3383.  
  3384. 03-19-1976: Ted & Jerry Oates win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Les Thornton & Tony Charles in Atlanta.
  3385.  
  3386. 03-25-1976: Pak Song wins the NWA Florida title from Thunderbolt Patterson.
  3387.  
  3388. 04-17-1976: Jack Brisco wins his fourth NWA Florida title from Pak Song in St. Petersburg.
  3389.  
  3390. 04-21-1976: Bobo Brazil is awarded the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title. This makes his ninth reign as champion.
  3391.  
  3392. 04-23-1976: Bob Backlund defeats Harley Race for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis.
  3393.  
  3394. 04-26-1976: During a match with Stan Hansen at Madison Square Garden, Hansen hits Bruno Sammartino with a lariat that breaks Sammartino's neck. Sammartino would be out of action for seven months.
  3395.  
  3396. 05-01-1976: Masked Strangler (Guy "Stomper" Mitchell) wins the Indianapolis WWA World title from Pepper Gomez. Also on the show Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher win their sixth WWA tag team championship over Ox Baker & Chuck O'Connor (AKA: Big John Studd).
  3397.  
  3398. 05-08-1976: Abduallah the Butcher defeats Giant Baba to win the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament.
  3399.  
  3400. 05-11-1976: Seiji Sakaguchi wins the New Japan World League tournament defeating Pedro Morales in the finals... Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd wrestling under masks as the "Executioners" defeat Louis Cerden & Tony Parisi for the WWWF World tag team titles.
  3401.  
  3402. 05-15-1976: The Sheik wins his ninth NWA (Detroit) U.S. title defeating Bobo Brazil in Detroit.
  3403.  
  3404. 05-21-1976: Ted & Jerry Oates win an Atlanta tournament for the vacant NWA Georgia tag team titles.
  3405.  
  3406. 05-24-1976: Ric Flair defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Mid Atlantic title in Greensboro, NC.
  3407.  
  3408. 06-1976: Gorilla Monsoon and Muhammad Ali have a confrontation on WWWF television which sees Ali jab at Monsoon, and Monsoon pick Ali up into an airplane spin and sit him down.
  3409.  
  3410. 06-11-1976: Toots Mondt (Joseph Mondt), legendary promoter, dies.
  3411.  
  3412. 06-25-1976: Antonio Inoki battles world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in a fifteen round boxer verses wrestler match in Japan. Inoki is forced to wear gloves (though he removes them during the match) and is forbidden to use any suplexes or submission holds. The results see Inoki lay on the mat and kick Ali's legs for much of the match, which ended in a disappointing fifteen round draw. Ali was hospitalized after the match. The match was originally supposed to have had a prearranged (worked) ending, but neither man could agree on how it should end, and despite rumors to the contrary, the match turned out to be a total shoot, though a boring one. In a match held at Shea Stadium in New York prior to the close circuit broadcast of the Ali-Inoki fight, Andre the Giant defeated boxer Chuck Wepner via count out and WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Hansen. Several areas where the Ali-Inoki match was shown on closed circuit held their own cards in conjunction with the broadcast and also showed matches from Shea Stadium.
  3413.  
  3414. 07-02-1976: Dean Ho & Ken Mantell win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Black Gordman & Goliath in Atlanta.
  3415.  
  3416. 07-16-1976: Jimmy & Johnny Valiant win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Dean Ho & Ken Mantell in Atlanta.
  3417.  
  3418. 07-17-1976: Pampero Firpo wins the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title from The Sheik in Detroit.
  3419.  
  3420. 07-23-1976: Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum, Sr. win the AWA World tag team championship from The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser.
  3421.  
  3422. 07-26-1976: Sam Bass (41), Frank Hester (37), and Pepe Lopez (39) are killed in a car accident near Dickson, TN.
  3423.  
  3424. 07-1976: Bad News Allen (Allen Coage) wins a bronze medal in Judo in the 1976 Olympic Games for the United States.
  3425.  
  3426. 08-10-1976: Jack Brisco wins the Southern title from Jerry Lawler in Memphis.
  3427.  
  3428. 08-14-1976: David & Jerry Novac "The Bounty Hunters" win the WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in Indianapolis... Bob Armstrong defeats Roger Kirby for the Mid America title in Chattanooga, TN.
  3429.  
  3430. 08-20-1976: Dick Slater wins the NWA Georgia title from The Spoiler in Atlanta.
  3431.  
  3432. 08-28-1976: The first All Japan United National champion is crowned when Jumbo Tsuruta defeats Jack Brisco in a tournament final in Tokyo.
  3433.  
  3434. 09-03-1976: "The Black Bombers" Tom Jones & Porkchop Cash win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Atlanta.
  3435.  
  3436. 09-04-1976: Bruiser Brody appears to have pinned WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino for the title in Madison Square Garden after using the ropes for leverage, however the decision was reversed and Bruno was awarded the match via disqualification.
  3437.  
  3438. 09-11-1976: Veteran legend Antonino Rocca teams once again with Miguel Perez to defeat the Infernos in Puerto Rico for the WWC North American tag team titles.
  3439.  
  3440. 09-28-1976: Pat Barrett wins a tournament final over Nelson Royal in New Orleans, LA to win the vacant NWA World Junior title.
  3441.  
  3442. 10-01-1976: Rick Gibson (brother of Robert Gibson) wins the NWA Central States title from Bob Brown in St. Joseph, MO.
  3443.  
  3444. 10-04-1976: Bruno Sammartino pins Bruiser Brody in a Texas Death Match at Madison Square Garden to retain the WWWF World heavyweight title.
  3445.  
  3446. 10-07-1976: Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell, known as "The Highfliers" win their first AWA World tag team championship from Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum.
  3447.  
  3448. 10-16-1976: Paul Jones wins his second NWA U.S. title over Blackjack Mulligan... Don Kent defeats Pampero Firpo for the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title in Detroit... Tim Woods captures the NWA Mid Atlantic TV title over Angelo Mosca.
  3449.  
  3450. 10-22-1976: Gene & Ole Anderson win their fourth NWA Georgia tag team titles from Tom Jones & Porkchop Cash in Atlanta, GA.
  3451.  
  3452. 10-26-1976: The masked Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) are stripped of the WWWF World tag team titles for using a third member (Nikolai Volkoff) in a match against Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf (Adnon Kaissey)... Mr. Wrestling II wins the NWA Georgia title for the sixth time defeating Dick Slater in Columbus, GA.
  3453.  
  3454. 11-10-1976: Veteran wrestling promoter and Ohio State wrestling coach Al Haft dies at the age of 90 after a lengthy illness.
  3455.  
  3456. 11-13-1976: The funeral for Al Haft is held in Columbus, OH with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
  3457.  
  3458. 11-25-1976: Dick Slater regains the NWA Georgia title from Mr. Wrestling II.
  3459.  
  3460. 11-26-1976: Jack Brisco defeats Bob Backlund for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis.
  3461.  
  3462. 11-30-1976: Wahoo McDaniel defeats Ric Flair for the NWA Mid Atlantic title in Raleigh, NC.
  3463.  
  3464. 12-02-1976: Ron Starr wins the NWA World Junior title over Pat Barrett in New Orleans, LA.
  3465.  
  3466. 12-06-1976: Nelson Royal wins his first of four NWA World Junior heavyweight championships by defeating Ron Starr in Tulsa, OK.
  3467.  
  3468. 12-07-1976: Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf (Adnon Kaissey) win the WWWF World tag team titles in a three team tournament over The Executioners (a masked Killer Kowalksi & Big John Studd) and Nikolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata in Philadelphia, PA.
  3469.  
  3470. 12-12-1976: Antonio Inoki travels to Pakistan, where he defeats local fighting star Akrum Pehelewan by submission after breaking his arm.
  3471.  
  3472. 12-25-1976: Greg Valentine & Ric Flair win the NWA World tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Greensboro, NC.
  3473.  
  3474. 1976: At the age of 16, Buzz Sawyer places third in the freestyle national amateur wrestling tournament.
  3475.  
  3476. 1977
  3477.  
  3478. 01-03-1977: Bruiser Brody defeats Fritz Von Erich in Atlanta, GA for the NWA American title.
  3479.  
  3480. 01-08-1977: Gino Hernandez wins the NWA (Detroit) U.S. title from Don Kent.
  3481.  
  3482. 01-14-1977: Mr. Wrestling & Mr. Wrestling II win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Atlanta.
  3483.  
  3484. 02-04-1977: Ted Oates defeats Bob Slaughter (Robert Remus, AKA: Sgt. Slaughter) for the NWA Central States title in St. Joseph, MO.
  3485.  
  3486. 02-06-1977: Harley Race defeats Terry Funk in Toronto, Canada to win the NWA World heavyweight title for the second time.
  3487.  
  3488. 02-11-1977: Abduallah the Butcher wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Tony Atlas in Atlanta.
  3489.  
  3490. 02-12-1977: Moose Cholak & Paul Christy win the WWA tag team titles from David & Jerry Novac "The Bounty Hunters" in Indianapolis.
  3491.  
  3492. 02-25-1977: Gene & Ole Anderson win their fifth NWA Georgia tag team championship from Mr. Wrestling & Mr. Wrestling II in Atlanta.
  3493.  
  3494. 03-01-1977: Harley Race retains the NWA World title over Rocky Johnson in Memphis, TN. Also Jerry Lawler defeats Tommy Rich, and Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Dutch Mantel & David Schultz.
  3495.  
  3496. 03-05-1977: In Akita, Japan, Billy Robinson defeats Jumbo Tsuruta for the All Japan United National title, Giant Baba & Takachiko defeat Mil Mascaras & Dick Slater, and The Destroyer beat Mike Graham.
  3497.  
  3498. 03-07-1977: In New York City (MSG), Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera, Dusty Rhodes beat Rocky Tomayo, Tony Garea beat Baron Scicluna, Ivan Putski beat Executioner No. 1 (Killer Kowalski), Carlos Rocha beat Executioner No. 2 (Big John Studd), Bobo Brazil beat Jan Nelson, Larry Zbyszko beat Doug Gilbert, Gino Hernandez beat Johnny Rodz, and Jose Gonzales (later the Invader I) drew with Don Kent.
  3499.  
  3500. 03-13-1977: Jimmy Snuka defeats Jesse Ventura for the Pacific Northwest title.
  3501.  
  3502. 03-15-1977: Antonino "Argentina" Rocca (Antonino Biasetton) dies at the age of 54 (some reports say 49), following a urinary infection.
  3503.  
  3504. 03-20-1977: In Greensboro, N.C. Giant Baba beat Baron Von Raschke, Ric Flair & Greg Valentine beat Ole & Gene Anderson, Wahoo McDaniel beat Kim Duk, Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenryu beat The Mafia, Johnny Weaver beat Dory Funk Jr. by DQ, Dino Bravo & Tiger Conway Jr. drew with Scott Irwin & Crusher Blackwell, and Bill White beat Ricky Steamboat.
  3505.  
  3506. 03-23-1977: Jumbo Tsuruta regains the All Japan United National title from Billy Robinson in Miami, FL.
  3507.  
  3508. 03-25-1977: In St. Louis, Mo Dick the Bruiser beat Ivan Koloff, Jack Brisco beat Superstar Graham, Pat O'Connor beat Bulldog Bob Brown, Donna Christanello & Vickie Williams beat Kay Noble & Jean Antone, Ernie Ladd beat Red Bastien, and Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne beat Ox Baker & Jimmy Valiant... Thunderbolt Patterson wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose of Midnight Express fame).
  3509.  
  3510. 03-31-1977: Seiji Sakaguchi wins the New Japan World League tournament for the second time defeating Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) in the finals.
  3511.  
  3512. 04-01-1977: Paul Jones defeats Dick Slater for the NWA Georgia title.
  3513.  
  3514. 04-02-1977: The Sheik wins his tenth NWA (Detroit) U.S. title defeating Gino Hernandez.
  3515.  
  3516. 04-16-1977: Ron Fuller defeats Terry Funk in Knoxville, TN to earn a shot at NWA World champion Harley Race.
  3517.  
  3518. 04-22-1977: Mitsuo Yoshido begins using the name Riki Choshu.
  3519.  
  3520. 04-27-1977: A new attendance record of 5,431 is set at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to see NWA World champion Harley Race defeat Ron Fuller to retain the title. Also Nelson Royal defeated Jimmy Golden to retain the World Junior title, Robert Fuller defeated The Mongolian Stomper to win the NWA Southeastern title, Bob Armstrong defeated Jerry Lawler for the Southern title, Kurt & Karl Von Steiger defeated Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich for the Southeastern tag team titles, Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Dick Steinborn, and Rip Smith defeated Norvell Austin. The previous record had been set at a 1963 hockey game.
  3521.  
  3522. 04-29-1977: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Thunderbolt Patterson win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Atlanta, GA.
  3523.  
  3524. 04-30-1977: Superstar Billy Graham defeats Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore, MD to win the WWWF World heavyweight title, but used the ring ropes as leverage to pin the champion. Graham is managed by the Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth).
  3525.  
  3526. 05-08-1977: Gene & Ole Anderson capture what is believed to be their fifth NWA World tag team championship by defeating Ric Flair & Greg Valentine in Charlotte, NC with Wahoo McDaniel as special referee.
  3527.  
  3528. 05-16-1977: Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Jumbo Tsuruta.
  3529.  
  3530. 05-19-1977: Ted DiBiase defeats Bob Slaughter (Sgt. Slaughter) for the NWA Central States title in Kansas City.
  3531.  
  3532. 06-03-1977: Wrestling show in East Tennessee.
  3533.  
  3534. 06-11-1977: Greg Valentine defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Mid Atlantic title in Raleigh, NC.
  3535.  
  3536. 06-10-1977: Wrestling show in East Tennessee.
  3537.  
  3538. 06-18-1977: Ivan Koloff defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Indianapolis WWA World title. Also on the show Jimmy & Johnny Valiant win their second WWA tag team championship from Moose Cholak & Paul Christy. They are managed by Major Duke George.
  3539.  
  3540. 06-22-1977: Ricky Steamboat defeats Ric Flair for the NWA Mid Atlantic TV title in Raleigh, NC.
  3541.  
  3542. 07-07-1977: "The High Fliers" Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne win their second AWA World tag team championship from Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum.
  3543.  
  3544. 07-22-1977: Mr. Wrestling II wins his seventh NWA Georgia title from Dick Slater.
  3545.  
  3546. 07-25-1977: Captain USA (Chuck Minton, AKA: Big John Studd) defeats Bruiser Brody for the NWA American title in Ft. Worth.
  3547.  
  3548. 07-28-1977: Jess Ortega (Jesse Leone) dies.
  3549.  
  3550. 07-30-1977: Gorilla Monsoon defeats Hartford Love in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC North American title.
  3551.  
  3552. 08-01-1977: Gorilla Monsoon referees a match between Bruno Sammartino and Superstar Graham at Madison Square Garden. Minutes into the match, Graham flees the ring, only to be carried back by Monsoon. Bruno jumps on Graham again and the match is stopped at 14:05 due to excess bleeding.
  3553.  
  3554. 08-02-1977: Antonio Inoki defeats World Super Heavyweight Karate champion Eddie "Monster Man" Everett via knock out in the fifth round of a mixed martial arts match in Tokyo, Japan.
  3555.  
  3556. 08-04-1977: Bruiser Brody defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Indianapolis WWA World title.
  3557.  
  3558. 08-08-1977: Ric Flair wins his first NWA U.S. title over Bobo Brazil in Charlotte, NC.
  3559.  
  3560. 08-12-1977: Dick Slater managed by Gary Hart wins the NWA Missouri title from Jack Brisco in St. Louis.
  3561.  
  3562. 08-15-1977: Lou Thesz is recognized as the first UWA (Mexico) World champion.
  3563.  
  3564. 08-22-1977: Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat capture the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Ric Flair & Greg Valentine in Charlotte, NC.
  3565.  
  3566. 08-31-1977: Jane O'Brien defeats Maki Ueda for the AJW All Pacific title.
  3567.  
  3568. 09-23-1977: Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater win the NWA World tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Atlanta, GA.
  3569.  
  3570. 09-27-1977: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji win their 3rd WWWF World tag team championship by defeating Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko for the vacant titles in Philadelphia, PA. The titles had been vacated by former champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf (Adnon Kaissey) when Ken Patera injured White Wolf.
  3571.  
  3572. 09-30-1977: Gene & Ole Anderson defeat Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater for the NWA World tag team titles in Atlanta, GA... Ox Baker defeats Captain USA (Big John Studd) for the NWA American title in Houston.
  3573.  
  3574. 10-09-1977: Lanny Poffo defeats Dennis Hall in a tournament final in Chattanooga, TN for the Mid America title.
  3575.  
  3576. 10-12-1977: Baron Von Raschke wins the NWA Mid Atlantic TV title from Ricky Steamboat in Raleigh, NC. The belt is soon renamed the NWA TV title, the predecessor to the WCW World TV title.
  3577.  
  3578. 10-29-1977: PWF World champion Giant Baba defeats All Asia champion Kintaro Ohki to win both titles.
  3579.  
  3580. 10-30-1977: Ric Flair & Greg Valentine win the NWA World tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Greensboro, NC.
  3581.  
  3582. 11-01-1977: All Japan Women hold their first Nippon Budokan card featuring WWWA World champion Maki Ueda battles Jackie Sato to a sixty minute draw, however, WWWA president Mildred Burke declares Sato the winner.
  3583.  
  3584. 11-11-1977: Ricky Steamboat wins the NWA U.S. title from Ric Flair in Richmond, VA.
  3585.  
  3586. 11-20-1977: Cesar Valentino wins a tournament in Mexico City to become the first UWA Junior lightweight champion.
  3587.  
  3588. 11-22-1977: Ed Wiskoski (AKA: Col. DeBeers) defeats Dutch Savage for the NWA Pacific Northwest title.
  3589.  
  3590. 11-26-1977: Dusty Rhodes wins the NWA Florida title from Buddy Wolfe in St. Petersburg.
  3591.  
  3592. 11-28-1977: Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson win the Southern tag team titles from Norvell Austin & Bill Dundee in Memphis.
  3593.  
  3594. 12-06-1977: Ivan Koloff & Mr. Saito win a tournament in Tampa, FL to win the NWA Florida tag team titles.
  3595.  
  3596. 12-13-1977: Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulett win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Tommy Rich & Stan Hansen in Macon, GA.
  3597.  
  3598. 12-15-1977: In the finals of the inaugural All Japan Champions Carnival tag team tournament, Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk defeat Abduallah the Butcher & The Sheik via disqualification just under fifteen minutes of a bloody match in Tokyo, Japan.
  3599.  
  3600. 12-26-1977: Gorilla Monsoon wins a battle royal at Nassau Coliseum to win the rights to face Superstar Graham for the WWWF title. Graham retains the title over Monsoon.
  3601.  
  3602. 1978
  3603.  
  3604. 01-03-1978: Randy Savage (Randy Poffo) wins the Mid America title from Don Kent in Birmingham, AL
  3605.  
  3606. 01-05-1978: Wrestling show in Virginia.
  3607.  
  3608. 01-20-1978: Jose Estrada defeats Tony Garea in Uniondale, NY to become the first WWF Junior heavyweight champion. This title eventually ends up with the New Japan Promotion until dropped around 1985.
  3609.  
  3610. 01-23-1978: Tatsumi Fujinami defeats Jose Estrada for the WWF Junior title in New York.
  3611.  
  3612. 01-25-1978: NWA World champion Harley Race squares off against WWWF World heavyweight champion Superstar Billy Graham at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The match which was marred by rain, went to a sixty minute time limit draw, thus both men retained their respective titles. Also on the show Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera and Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated Jerry & Jimmy Valiant to win the NWA U.S. tag team titles.
  3613.  
  3614. 02-06-1978: Stan Hansen defeats Mr. Wrestling II for the NWA Georgia title.
  3615.  
  3616. 02-07-1978: Killer Karl Kox wins the NWA Florida title from Dusty Rhodes in Tampa.
  3617.  
  3618. 02-10-1978: Ole Anderson defeats Bob Armstrong for the NWA Georgia TV title.
  3619.  
  3620. 02-12-1978: Ted DiBiase defeats Dick Slater in St. Louis for the NWA Missouri title.
  3621.  
  3622. 02-20-1978: Bob Backlund pins Superstar Graham in Madison Square Garden in New York to win the WWWF World title. Graham's feet were under the ropes.
  3623.  
  3624. 02-26-1978: Dick Murdoch defeats Ted DiBiase in St. Louis, MO for the NWA Missouri heavyweight title.
  3625.  
  3626. 02-27-1978: Don Leo Jonathan & John Quinn defeat Black Avenger & Don Wayt for the Canadian tag team championship, Jonathan's 18th and last time to win that title.
  3627.  
  3628. 03-04-1978: Wilbur Snyder & Dominic DeNucci win the WWA tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Indianapolis.
  3629.  
  3630. 03-08-1978: Rocky Johnson wins the NWA Florida title from Killer Karl Kox in Miami.
  3631.  
  3632. 03-12-1978: Former world heavyweight champion John Pesek dies at the age of 84.
  3633.  
  3634. 03-13-1978: Bob Roop wins the NWA Florida title from Rocky Johnson in West Palm Beach.
  3635.  
  3636. 03-14-1978: Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo win the WWWF World tag team titles from Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji in Philadelphia, PA.
  3637.  
  3638. 03-19-1978: Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods wins the NWA U.S. title from Blackjack Mulligan in Greensboro, NC.
  3639.  
  3640. 03-26-1978: Jack Brisco defeats Bob Roop to win the NWA Florida title in Orlando.
  3641.  
  3642. 03-31-1978: Thunderbolt Patterson & Tommy Rich win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole & Lars Anderson in Atlanta.
  3643.  
  3644. 04-1978: Chavo Guerrero, Sr. wins the NWA World Junior title from Nelson Royal in Albuquerque, NM.
  3645.  
  3646. 04-01-1978: Don Muraco defeats Dean Ho for the NWA US (CA) title in San Francisco.
  3647.  
  3648. 04-02-1978: Wahoo McDaniel defeats Greg Valentine for the NWA Mid Atlantic title in Greensboro, NC.
  3649.  
  3650. 04-05-1978: Ernie Ladd & The Assassin defeat Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the Mid South United States tag team titles.
  3651.  
  3652. 04-07-1978: Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Abduallah the Butcher.
  3653.  
  3654. 04-09-1978: Ric Flair wins the NWA U.S. title from Mr. Wrestling in Charlotte, NC. Also Ken Patera wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Wahoo McDaniel.
  3655.  
  3656. 04-23-1978: Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat win a tournament in Greensboro, NC for the NWA World tag team titles. North Carolina show.
  3657.  
  3658. 05-05-1978: Bruno Sammartino defeats Gorilla Monsoon for the WWC North American title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  3659.  
  3660. 05-10-1978: Lanny Poffo becomes the first ICW champion for his father Angelo Poffo's Kentucky based promotion.
  3661.  
  3662. 05-12-1978: Thunderbolt Patterson wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Gene Anderson in Augusta, GA.
  3663.  
  3664. 05-23-1978: The Spoiler (Dan Jardine) wins the NWA Florida title from Jack Brisco in Tampa.
  3665.  
  3666. 05-30-1978: Antonio Inoki defeats Andre the Giant via count out to win the first New Japan Madison Square Garden League tournament (which replaced the old World League tournament).
  3667.  
  3668. 06-01-1978: Giant Baba loses the All Japan PWF World title for the first time since winning it in 1973 when Tor Kamata defeats him in Akita, Japan.
  3669.  
  3670. 06-07-1978: Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine defeat Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat for the NWA World tag team titles in Raleigh, NC. This match had been agreed to when Baron Von Raschke agreed to defend the NWA TV title against Paul Jones earlier on the same show. Jones won that match and the NWA TV title.
  3671.  
  3672. 06-09-1978: Angelo Mosca wins a tournament to fill the vacant NWA Georgia title.
  3673.  
  3674. 06-12-1978: Billy Robinson defeats Tor Kamata for the All Japan PWF World title.
  3675.  
  3676. 06-18-1978: Dusty Rhodes defeats Dick Slater for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Miami.
  3677.  
  3678. 06-19-1978: Dusty Rhodes defeats The Spoiler for the NWA Florida title in West Palm Beach.
  3679.  
  3680. 06-23-1978: Mongolian Stomper defeated Ron Slinker in a tournament for the Southeastern heavyweight title... Thunderbolt Patterson & Tony Atlas win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in Atlanta, GA.
  3681.  
  3682. 06-25-1978: Al Madril defeats Nelson Royal for the NWA World Junior title in Houston, TX.
  3683.  
  3684. 06-26-1978: The Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre: Zarinoff LeBeouf & Eric: Scott Irwin) managed by Lou Albano win the WWWF World tag team titles from Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo at Madison Square. Garden.
  3685.  
  3686. 06-30-1978: Mad Dog Michael Martel (brother of later AWA champion Rick Martel) dies of a heart attack in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
  3687.  
  3688. 07-14-1978: Dick the Bruiser defeated Dick Murdoch for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis, MO.
  3689.  
  3690. 07-15-1978: Don Leo Jonathan is recognized as the first Catch Wrestling Association World champion by promoter Otto Wanz. Wanz defeats Jonathan for the title in Graz, Austria. He holds the title uninterrupted until 1987.
  3691.  
  3692. 07-22-1978: Gorilla Monsoon defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWC North American title in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is one of very few jobs Sammartino did during his career... Jimmy & Johnny Valiant win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Dominic DeNucci in Indianapolis.
  3693.  
  3694. 08-13-1978: Moondog Lonnie Mayne (Ronald Mayne) dies in a car accident. He was the NWA US (CA) champion at the time.
  3695.  
  3696. 08-15-1978: Ernie Ladd defeats Paul Orndorff for the Mid South North American title.
  3697.  
  3698. 08-18-1978: Mil Mascaras defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) for the All Japan PWF U.S. title in Kagohsima, Japan.
  3699.  
  3700. 08-27-1978: El Canek defeats Lou Thesz in Mexico City, Mexico to win the UWA World heavyweight title. Thesz had been named the first UWA World champion and this win made Canek a major star in Mexico and numerous time UWA champion.
  3701.  
  3702. 08-1978: Japanese Karate champion and student of Karl Gotch, Akira Maeda makes his wrestling debut for New Japan.
  3703.  
  3704. 09-11-1978: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) regains the All Japan PWF U.S. title from Mil Mascaras in Morioka.
  3705.  
  3706. 09-16-1978: Buddy Rose defeats Jimmy Snuka in a tournament final in San Francisco to win the NWA US (CA) title which had been vacated since the death of Moondog Mayne.
  3707.  
  3708. 09-22-1978: The AWA World tag team champions "The Highfliers" Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell are stripped of the tag team titles when Brunzell is injured in a softball game. The vacant titles are awarded to Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens.
  3709.  
  3710. 09-23-1978: The Spoiler (Dan Jardine) wins the NWA Florida title over Dusty Rhodes in Lakeland.
  3711.  
  3712. 10-06-1978: Though he didn't pin him, Harley Race retains the NWA World title over Andre the Giant after body slamming him.
  3713.  
  3714. 10-07-1978: Buck Robley defeats Doug Gilbert (AKA: The Professional) for the NWA Central States title in Des Moines, IA.
  3715.  
  3716. 10-13-1978: Tommy Rich & Rick Martel win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in Atlanta, GA.
  3717.  
  3718. 10-16-1978: Mr. Wrestling II wins his ninth NWA Georgia title from Angelo Mosca.
  3719.  
  3720. 10-18-1978: Abduallah the Butcher defeats Billy Robinson in Japan for the All Japan PWF World championship in Utsunomiya, Japan.
  3721.  
  3722. 10-27-1978: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeat Tommy Rich & Mr. Wrestling II (replacing Rick Martel) for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.
  3723.  
  3724. 10-30-1978: Ric Flair & Big John Studd defeated Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat in Greenville, SC for the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team championship.
  3725.  
  3726. 11-05-1978: Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat regain the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Ric Flair & Big John Studd in Greensboro, NC.
  3727.  
  3728. 11-11-1978: Dutch Mantel defeats Mexican Angel for the Mid America title in Nashville, TN only to turn around and lose it on the same show to Randy Savage.
  3729.  
  3730. 11-12-1978: Dick Slater defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  3731.  
  3732. 11-15-1978: Promoter Willie Gilzenberg dies at the age of 77... Gypsy Joe wins a tournament final over Mexican Angel to become the first Southern Brass Knux champion in Nashville, TN.
  3733.  
  3734. 11-18-1978: Eric the Red (Eric Hansen) has a flat tire near Miami, FL. While changing the tire he is struck and killed by another vehicle. He was 34 years old.
  3735.  
  3736. 11-21-1978: Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko win the WWWF World tag team titles from The Yukon Lumberjacks in Allentown, PA.
  3737.  
  3738. 11-23-1978: Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. win a tournament in Atlanta, GA for the NWA Georgia tag team titles defeating Jack & Jerry Brisco in the finals.
  3739.  
  3740. 11-25-1978: Dusty Rhodes wins a St. Petersburg, FL tournament final over Bob Roop to win the vacant NWA Florida title.
  3741.  
  3742. 12-01-1978: George Gulas & Bobby Eaton & Arvil Hutto win the Nick Gulas World 6-Man tag team titles in a Huntsville, AL tournament... Big Daddy Ritter (AKA: Junkyard Dog) defeats Alo Leilani in Calgary for the Stampede North American title for the Stu Hart promotion.
  3743.  
  3744. 12-02-1978: Wilbur Snyder & Pepper Gomez win the WWA tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Indianapolis.
  3745.  
  3746. 12-12-1978: Mr. Uganda (AKA: Ciclon Negro) managed by Sonny King wins the NWA Florida title from Dusty Rhodes in Tampa.
  3747.  
  3748. 12-15-1978: Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta verses Abduallah the Butcher & Tor Kamata for the Real World League tournament victory goes to a draw, but Baba & Tsuruta win the All Japan Real World League tag team tournament on points.
  3749.  
  3750. 12-17-1978: Ricky Steamboat wins the NWA U.S. title from Ric Flair in Toronto, ON Canada.
  3751.  
  3752. 12-18-1978: The World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) awards Antonio Inoki the World Martial Arts heavyweight title (also called the Greatest 18 Club title) for his many matches against fighters of other sports.
  3753.  
  3754. 12-19-1978: Jos LeDuc wins the NWA Florida title over Mr. Uganda (AKA: Ciclon Negro) in Tampa.
  3755.  
  3756. 12-25-1978: Bill Watts' Mid-South wrestling holds a show called "Superdome Extravaganza" in the New Orleans, LA Superdome. The show sees Jerry Stubbs defeat The Assassin I for the Louisiana title, Ron Bass defeat Killer Karl Kox for the Brass Knux title, Ernie Ladd defeat Ray Candy via forfeit for the North American title, and a main event of Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes defeating Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen for the vacant U.S. tag team titles... In Memphis, TN Austin Idol defeats Jerry Lawler for the Southern title... Kevin Von Erich wins his first NWA American title in Ft. Worth, TX from Bruiser Brody... Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta win the annual Real World tag tournament in Sapporo, Japan winning on points after battling finalists Dory, Jr. & Terry Funk to a draw.
  3757.  
  3758. 12-30-1978: Terry Funk defeats Dick Slater for the NWA Southern (FL) title in St. Petersburg, FL.
  3759.  
  3760. 1979
  3761.  
  3762. 01-01-1979: Jack & Jerry Brisco defeat Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. in Atlanta for the NWA Georgia tag team titles.
  3763.  
  3764. 01-02-1979: Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose of Midnight Express fame) defeats Dick Murdoch for the NWA Central States title in St. Joseph, MO.
  3765.  
  3766. 01-06-1979: Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeats Mr. Wrestling II for the NWA Georgia title. Also Thunderbolt Patterson defeats Gene Anderson for the NWA Georgia TV title.
  3767.  
  3768. 01-07-1979: Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy win the Mid America tag team titles from George Gulas & Bobby Eaton in Chattanooga, TN.
  3769.  
  3770. 01-09-1979: Jimmy Garvin wins the NWA Florida title over Dick Slater in Tampa.
  3771.  
  3772. 01-19-1979: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeat Jack & Jerry Brisco for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta.
  3773.  
  3774. 01-20-1979: Thor the Viking (Scott Irwin) defeats Terry Funk for the NWA Southern (FL) title in St. Petersburg, FL.
  3775.  
  3776. 01-27-1979: Ron Starr wins the Cow Palace battle royal by eliminating Harley Race.
  3777.  
  3778. 01-1979: Bruiser Brody begins his first tour of All Japan.
  3779.  
  3780. 02-05-1979: New Japan Pro Wrestling chooses Japanese Congressman Susumu Nikaido as commissioner.
  3781.  
  3782. 02-10-1979: Giant Baba regains the All Japan PWF World title by defeating Abduallah the Butcher in Chicago, IL.
  3783.  
  3784. 02-14-1979: Nick Bockwinkle retains the AWA World title in Honolulu, HI over Jumbo Tsuruta.
  3785.  
  3786. 02-16-1979: Mr. Wrestling II wins the North American title from Ernie Ladd in Atlanta, GA. He is the last North American champion under Leroy McGuirk before Bill Watts buys the promotion.
  3787.  
  3788. 02-17-1979: Roddy Piper wins his first NWA Pacific Northwest title from Jonathan Boyd.
  3789.  
  3790. 02-26-1979: Bill Dundee & Robert Gibson win the Southern tag team titles from Dennis Condrey & Don Carson in Memphis.
  3791.  
  3792. 02-27-1979: "High Chief" Peter Maivia defeats NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by disqualification in Auckland, New Zealand and is given the belt. Maivia, however, refuses to accept the title and the belt is returned to Race.
  3793.  
  3794. 03-02-1979: Ole Anderson defeats Thunderbolt Patterson for the NWA Georgia TV title in Atlanta.
  3795.  
  3796. 03-03-1979: Carlos Colon defeats Gorilla Monsoon for the WWC North American title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico... Ron Starr defeats Roddy Piper in a tournament final in San Francisco, CA to win the NWA US (CA) title.
  3797.  
  3798. 03-06-1979: Johnny Valiant & Jerry Valiant (Guy Mitchell) win the WWWF World tag team titles from Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko in Allentown, PA.
  3799.  
  3800. 03-25-1979: Nick Bockwinkle, the reigning AWA World champion, wrestles Bob Backlund, the reigning WWF World champion, to a 60 minute draw in Toronto, Canada.
  3801.  
  3802. 04-01-1979: Ric Flair recaptures the NWA U.S. title from Ricky Steamboat in Greensboro, NC... Roger "Rip" Kirby & Igor Volkoff win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Pepper Gomez in Indianapolis.
  3803.  
  3804. 04-06-1979: Abduallah the Butcher wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Jumbo Tsuruta.
  3805.  
  3806. 04-16-1979: Former Sumo wrestler Takeshi Ishikawa joins All Japan.
  3807.  
  3808. 04-18-1979: Lizmark defeats Americo Rocca in Acapulco, Mexico for the Mexican National Welterweight title.
  3809.  
  3810. 04-28-1979: Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones win the NWA World tag team titles over Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff.
  3811.  
  3812. 04-1979: The World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) shortens it's name to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)... Bill Watts & Col. Buck Robley defeat Mike George & Bob Sweetan for the Mid South tag team titles... Thunderbolt Patterson comes to the Memphis area as the "Continental Wrestling Association" (CWA) World champion, supposedly having defeated Mark Lewin in Australia for the belt. The Jerry Jarrett Memphis group uses this as their "world" title until mid-1981.
  3813.  
  3814. 05-04-1979: Ron Slinker defeats David Shults for the Gulf Coast title in Dothan, AL.
  3815.  
  3816. 05-14-1979: Wahoo McDaniel defeats The Masked Superstar for the NWA Georgia title in Augusta, GA. Also on the card Blackjack Lanza defeats Bob Armstrong for the NWA Georgia TV title.
  3817.  
  3818. 05-18-1979: Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA... Kevin Sullivan defeats Mike Graham in Knoxville, TN for the NWA U.S. Junior title.
  3819.  
  3820. 06-1979: Ted DiBiase arrives in the WWF for the first time, billed as WWF North American champion.
  3821.  
  3822. 06-04-1979: Bill Dundee & Jerry Lawler defeat Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji for the Southern tag team titles in Memphis, TN.
  3823.  
  3824. 06-07-1979: Antonio Inoki wins the New Japan Madison Square Garden League tournament over Stan Hansen.
  3825.  
  3826. 06-08-1979: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeat Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.
  3827.  
  3828. 06-09-1979: Roger Kirby & Paul Christy win the vacant WWA tag team titles in Indianapolis, defeating Wilbur Snyder & Spike Huber to win the belts.
  3829.  
  3830. 06-10-1979: Ricky Steamboat defeats Paul Jones for the NWA TV title in Asheville, NC.
  3831.  
  3832. 06-11-1979: The second "Tupelo Concession stand brawl" takes place in Tupelo, MS when Larry Latham & Wayne Farris "The Blonde Bombers" defeat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee for the Southern tag team titles.
  3833.  
  3834. 06-17-1979: Buddy Rogers referees a NWA U.S. title match between champion Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes win the match and the title, but the NWA reverses the decision on the grounds that Rogers was not an impartial referee.
  3835.  
  3836. 06-19-1979: Pat Patterson defeats Ted DiBiase for the WWF North American title in Allentown, PA. By September the title is replaced by the WWF Intercontinental title, which Patterson allegedly wins in a fictional Brazilian tournament.
  3837.  
  3838. 06-30-1979: Olympic medalist and former AWA wrestler Chris Taylor dies at the age of 29 in Story City, IA.
  3839.  
  3840. 07-02-1979: Tommy Rich & Stan Hansen win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in Atlanta.
  3841.  
  3842. 07-07-1979: Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes lose their first match in Chattanooga, TN to Tojo Yamamoto & Great Togo.
  3843.  
  3844. 07-08-1979: In the infamous "battle of the Nature Boys", Ric Flair defeats Buddy Rogers with the figure four leg lock in Greensboro, NC.
  3845.  
  3846. 07-28-1979: Nelson Royal is awarded the NWA World Junior title when champion Al Madril is unable to defend it due to illness.
  3847.  
  3848. 07-30-1979: Masked Superstar defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Georgia title in Augusta, GA. Also on the show Ray Candy wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Blackjack Lanza.
  3849.  
  3850. 07-1979: One of the most popular wrestling magazines of all time, Pro Wrestling Illustrated debuts with a cover photo of Mil Mascaras & Dusty Rhodes dominating the cover.
  3851.  
  3852. 08-08-1979: Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan win the NWA World tag team titles over Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones in Raleigh, NC, because of this Flair vacates the NWA U.S. title.
  3853.  
  3854. 08-15-1979: Dennis Condrey defeats Gypsy Joe for the Southern Brass Knux title in Nashville, TN.
  3855.  
  3856. 08-17-1979: "Dr. D" David Schultz defeats Gypsy Joe for the world brass knux title in Chattanooga, TN. Also on the show Ken Lucas battled Dennis Condrey to a double count out, Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Great Togo, Prince Tonga & Chief Thundercloud defeated Ken Hawk & Demon #1, Ted Allen battled Pat Smith to a draw, and Ronnie Gossett fought Ginger the wrestling bear to a draw.
  3857.  
  3858. 08-21-1979: Dusty Rhodes defeats Harley Race in Tampa, FL to win the NWA World heavyweight title. Rhodes thus vacates the NWA Florida title.
  3859.  
  3860. 08-22-1979: Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones regain the NWA World tag team titles in Raleigh, NC over Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan.
  3861.  
  3862. 08-26-1979: Harley Race defeats Dusty Rhodes in Orlando, FL to win the NWA World heavyweight title for the third time... Tokyo Sports News Paper hosts a wrestling "Dream Card" at the Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Featured matches saw Riki Choshu (New Japan) & Animal Hamaguchi (IWE) defeat Great Kojika & Motoshi Okuma (All Japan) via DQ, Kotetsu Yamamoto (New Japan) won a battle royal last eliminating Atsushi Onita (All Japan), Sakaguchi defeated Rocky Hata (All Japan), Rusher Kimura (IWE) retained the IWA World title over Strong Kobayashi (New Japan), Tatsumi Fujinami & Jumbo Tsuruta & Mil Mascaras defeated Masa Saito & Tiger Toguchi & Akihisa Takachiko (Kabuki). In the main event Giant Baba teamed with Antonio Inoki for the first time in eight years to defeat Tiger Jeet Singh & Abduallah the Butcher.
  3863.  
  3864. 09-01-1979: Jimmy Snuka managed by Buddy Rogers wins a tournament over Ricky Steamboat in Charlotte, NC to win the vacant NWA U.S. title.
  3865.  
  3866. 09-05-1979: Ted DiBiase defeated Mike George for the Mid South North American title in Shreveport, LA
  3867.  
  3868. 09-08-1979: George Gulas & Bobby Eaton defeat Tojo Yamamoto & David Shults for the Mid America tag team titles in Chattanooga, TN. Also on the show Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Dennis Condrey & Hans Schroeder, Bobby Eaton defeated French Angel in a lights out match, Ken Lucas defeated Gene Spurlock, Prince Tonga defeated Red Terror, Butch Thornton battled Chief Thundercloud to a draw.
  3869.  
  3870. 09-14-1979: Jim Brunzell wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Ken Patera in Richmond, VA... Ray Candy wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Lord Jonathan Boyd in Atlanta.
  3871.  
  3872. 09-21-1979: Tommy Rich & The Crusher win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in Atlanta.
  3873.  
  3874. 09-1979: Pat Patterson is awarded the WWF Intercontinental title. The television storyline is that he won a tournament in Brazil for the title, but no such tournament ever took place.
  3875.  
  3876. 10-02-1979: Pat McGinnis defeats Hector Guerrero for the Memphis CWA World title in Louisville, KY... Ryuma Go defeats Tatsumi Fujinami for the WWF Junior title in Osaka, Japan.
  3877.  
  3878. 10-04-1979: Tatsumi Fujinami regains the WWF Junior title from Ryuma Go in Tokyo, Japan.
  3879.  
  3880. 10-05-1979: Ole Anderson & Ernie Ladd win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Tommy Rich & The Crusher in Atlanta.
  3881.  
  3882. 10-07-1979: Dick the Bruiser & Spike Huber win the WWA tag team titles from Roger Kirby & Paul Christy in Indianapolis.
  3883.  
  3884. 10-08-1979: Superstar Billy Graham defeats Pat McGinnis for the Memphis CWA World title in Memphis.
  3885.  
  3886. 10-15-1979: Ernie Ladd splits up with Ole Anderson thus the NWA Georgia tag team titles are vacated.
  3887.  
  3888. 10-16-1979: Lou Klein dies at the age of 62 at his Florida home of a heart attack.
  3889.  
  3890. 10-21-1979: Manny Fernandez defeats Terry Funk in Orlando for the NWA Florida title.
  3891.  
  3892. 10-22-1979: Tito Santana & Ivan Putski team to defeat Jerry & Johnny Valiant at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the WWF World tag team titles.
  3893.  
  3894. 10-24-1979: Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood win their first NWA World tag team championship over Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones in Raleigh, NC.
  3895.  
  3896. 10-26-1979: Tommy Rich defeats Killer Karl Kox for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
  3897.  
  3898. 10-30-1979: Stan Lane & Bryan St. John win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Mike Graham & Steve Keirn in St. Petersburg.
  3899.  
  3900. 10-31-1979: Giant Baba defeats Harley Race to become a two time NWA World heavyweight champion in Nagoya, Japan.
  3901.  
  3902. 11-01-1979: Antonio Inoki defeats Dusty Rhodes by disqualification in Tokyo, Japan to retain the NWF title. This is the first meeting between the two stars.
  3903.  
  3904. 11-07-1979: Harley Race recaptures the NWA World heavyweight championship from Giant Baba in Amagaseki, Japan.
  3905.  
  3906. 11-08-1979: Seiji Sakaguchi defeats Pat Patterson for the WWF North American championship, the predecessor to today's WWF Intercontinental title. The WWF had stopped recognizing the title, but Sakaguchi continues to defend the title until early 1981.
  3907.  
  3908. 11-12-1979: Jerry Lawler defeats Superstar Billy Graham for the Memphis CWA World title in Memphis.
  3909.  
  3910. 11-16-1979: Buddy Rose wins his first NWA Pacific Northwest title from Stan Stasiak.
  3911.  
  3912. 11-23-1979: Kevin Von Erich defeats Dick Murdoch in St. Louis for the NWA Missouri title.
  3913.  
  3914. 11-25-1979: Ray Stevens wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Jim Brunzell in Greensboro, NC... Austin Idol & The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) win the vacant NWA Georgia tag team titles from Tommy Rich & The Crusher in Atlanta.
  3915.  
  3916. 11-30-1979: In a match which the WWF in the United States never acknowledged until the late 1990's, Antonio Inoki defeated Bob Backlund in Tokushima, Japan for the WWF World heavyweight title.
  3917.  
  3918. 12-1979: Nelson Royal vacates the NWA World Junior title when he retires for the first of several times to attend to personal matters.
  3919.  
  3920. 12-06-1979: Tiger Jeet Singh interferes in the rematch in Tokyo, Japan between WWF World champion Antonio Inoki and former champion Bob Backlund. WWF President Hisashi Shinma rules the match a no contest. Antonio Inoki is unsatisfied with the ending of the match and vacates the title returning it to Shinma... Sterling Golden (Hulk Hogan) defeats Andre the Giant via DQ in Knoxville, TN when Dick Slater interfered.
  3921.  
  3922. 12-07-1979: Masked Superstar regains the NWA Georgia title from Tommy Rich in Atlanta, GA.
  3923.  
  3924. 12-10-1979: Steve Keirn defeats Chavo Guerrero in Los Angeles to become the first NWA International Junior champion.
  3925.  
  3926. 12-12-1979: The WWF returns to Madison Square Garden. Bob Backlund faces Bobby Duncum in the main event. Backlund appears with out the WWF World title belt. No official announcement is made of the situation with Antonio Inoki that occurred in Japan. Inoki is on the same card facing Hussein Arab (AKA The Iron Sheik) with the World Martial Arts title belt. When the show is aired in Japan it is announced that the Backlund verses Duncum match was for the "vacant" WWF World title, which Backlund won, while they announced that Inoki had vacated the WWF title to concentrate on defending the World Martial Arts title, which he retained over the Iron Sheik. No acknowledgement was ever made by the WWF on the filling of the WWF title and it continued to recognize Backlund's title reign as being unbroken until he lost the title to The Iron Sheik in 1983.
  3927.  
  3928. 12-13-1979: Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk defeat Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta to win the All Japan Real World League tag team tournament.
  3929.  
  3930. 12-25-1979: Sangre India dies during a match in Mexico City after missing a tope and breaking his back. He was 23 years old... Jack & Jerry Brisco defeat Austin Idol & Masked Superstar in Atlanta for the NWA Georgia tag team titles.
  3931.  
  3932. 1979: Steve "Dr. Death" Williams is named All American in wrestling during his first year in college at the University of Oklahoma.
  3933.  
  3934. 1981
  3935.  
  3936. 01-12-1981: Barry Windham wins the NWA Florida title from Dory Funk, Jr. in West Palm Beach.
  3937.  
  3938. 01-16-1981: Steve O (Steve Olsonoski) wins the NWA National TV title from Kevin Sullivan in Atlanta, GA.
  3939.  
  3940. 01-18-1981: Giant Baba, defending the PWF title, battles Verne Gagne, defending the AWA World title, to a double count out in Tokyo, Japan.
  3941.  
  3942. 01-22-1981: Bobby Eaton wins the NWA National TV title from Steve O in Atlanta.
  3943.  
  3944. 01-23-1981: Steve O regains the NWA National TV title from Bobby Eaton.
  3945.  
  3946. 01-24-1981: The first NWA World heavyweight champion Orville Brown dies... Pat Patterson wins the final Cow Palace battle royal in San Francisco by tossing Dick Slater to win.
  3947.  
  3948. 01-26-1981: Ted DiBiase & Stan Frazier win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts in Augusta, GA.
  3949.  
  3950. 01-27-1981: Roddy Piper defeats Ric Flair for the NWA U.S. title in Raleigh, NC. Piper was the reigning NWA TV champion and vacates that title to hold the U.S. belt.
  3951.  
  3952. 01-31-1981: Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts regain the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ted DiBiase & Stan Frazier in Atlanta.
  3953.  
  3954. 02-04-1981: Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) wins at tournament final over Assassin I (Tom Renesto) to win the NWA Southern (FL) title in Ft. Myers, FL.
  3955.  
  3956. 02-05-1981: Ivan Koloff & Greg Valentine & Roddy Piper defeat Ricky Steamboat & Ric Flair & George Scott in Norfolk, VA.
  3957.  
  3958. 02-06-1981: Ted DiBiase defeats NWA World champion Harley Race by DQ allowing Race to keep the title. In other matches Dick the Bruiser & Spike Huber & King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeated Big John Studd & Dick Murdoch & Bulldog Bob Brown.
  3959.  
  3960. 02-07-1981: Mr. Fuji & Genichiro Tenryu win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Dewey Robertson & George Wells in Greensboro, NC.
  3961.  
  3962. 02-15-1981: Dusty Rhodes & Andre the Giant defeat Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler "The Cowboy Connection" for the NWA Florida tag team titles. The titles are soon abandoned.
  3963.  
  3964. 02-22-1981: Ray Stevens & Ivan Koloff defeat Paul Jones & The Masked Superstar for the NWA World tag team titles in Greensboro, NC.
  3965.  
  3966. 02-25-1981: Jaguar Yokota defeats Jackie Sato to win the WWWA World Womens title. Mimi Hagiwara wins the All Pacific Womens title from Yumi Ikeshita.
  3967.  
  3968. 03-01-1981: Steve Keirn wins the NWA National TV title from Kevin Sullivan in Atlanta, GA.
  3969.  
  3970. 03-17-1981: The Moondogs Rex & King (Randy Culley & Sailor John White) defeat Rick Martel & Tony Garea for the WWF World tag team
  3971. titles. Moondog King (White) is later replaced by Moondog Spot (Larry Latham) when King is unable to enter the United States from Canada.
  3972.  
  3973. 03-22-1981: Paul Jones & The Masked Superstar regain the NWA World tag team titles from Ray Stevens & Ivan Koloff in Greensboro, NC.
  3974.  
  3975. 03-26-1981: Perro Aguayo defeats El Gran Hamada in a tournament final in Shimizu, Japan to become the first UWA WWF lightweight champion.
  3976.  
  3977. 04-01-1981: The International Wrestling Grand Prix Committee is formed.
  3978.  
  3979. 04-08-1981: Dory Funk, Jr. is awarded the NWA Florida title when champion Barry Windham is injured in a car accident.
  3980.  
  3981. 04-13-1981: The NWA orders Kintaro Ohki (Ill Kim) to vacate the NWA International title which he has been defending on and off since 1972.
  3982.  
  3983. 04-16-1981: Ivan Koloff wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Ricky Steamboat in Norfolk, VA.
  3984.  
  3985. 04-18-1981: Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganza in the New Orleans, LA Superdome with The Grappler (Len Denton) & Super Destroyer (Bill Irwin) defeating Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes, and The Grappler & Super Destroyer defeating Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch to win the vacant Mid South tag team titles.
  3986.  
  3987. 04-21-1981: Jacques Goulett (Rene Goulett) wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) in Tampa. Goulett is managed by Sir Oliver Humperdink.
  3988.  
  3989. 04-23-1981: All heavyweight titles in New Japan are abandoned as wrestlers prepare for the first International Wrestling Grand Prix
  3990. tournament. Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) makes his debut defeating The Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington). Antonio Inoki defeats Stan Hansen in the last defense of the NWF title... Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival over Bruiser Brody.
  3991.  
  3992. 04-25-1981: Johnny Valiant defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Indianapolis WWA World title.
  3993.  
  3994. 04-27-1981: Tommy "Wildfire" Rich defeats NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race in Augusta, GA.
  3995.  
  3996. 04-29-1981: Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson) wins the NWA TV title over Greg Valentine in a tournament final in Raleigh, NC.
  3997.  
  3998. 04-30-1981: Dory Funk, Jr. is awarded the NWA International title, after tournament finalist Bruiser Brody, is unable to wrestle in the finals due to injury. Dory Funk, Jr. then defends the title against his own brother, Terry Funk, and retains the title. This championship was the revived version of the old Japanese Wrestling Association NWA International title last held by Kintaro Oki in 1972.
  3999.  
  4000. 05-01-1981: Harley Race wins the NWA World heavyweight title for a then record sixth time defeating Tommy Rich in Gainesville, GA... In Richmond, VA Gene & Ole Anderson defeat Paul Jones & Masked Superstar for the NWA World tag team titles.
  4001.  
  4002. 05-02-1981: In a match in Rochester, NY, Killer Kahn leaps off the top rope for a knee drop on Andre the Giant which "breaks" the Giant's ankle. Actually that was an angle to explain Andre's ankle which actually broke from his own weight as he got out of bed one morning. The angle, never the less, was a big deal with the Andre verses Kahn rematch doing big business.
  4003.  
  4004. 05-03-1981: Chief Jay Strongbow & Jim Wilson win the Atlanta, GA based IWL tag team titles from Afa & Sika the Wild Samoans.
  4005. 05-04-1981: Brad Armstrong & The Shadow (Norvell Austin) win the NWA Southeastern tag team titles.
  4006.  
  4007. 05-08-1981: Abduallah the Butcher, who has been working for All Japan, appears on a New Japan show beginning a promotional war between the two companies.
  4008.  
  4009. 05-17-1981: Tommy Rich defeats Greg Valentine in a tournament final in Atlanta to win the NWA Georgia title.
  4010.  
  4011. 05-19-1981: Verne Gagne retires for the first time following a successful defense of the AWA World heavyweight title against Nick Bockwinkle. Gagne retires as champion and vacates the title. Bockwinkle is awarded the vacant title... Stan Hansen defeats Hulk Hogan in the finals of the New Japan MSG tournament.
  4012.  
  4013. 05-21-1981: Jackie Sato retires.
  4014.  
  4015. 05-27-1981: All Japan- in Kanuma, Japan: Mitsuo Momota defeated Koshinaka... Motoshi Okuma defeated Akio Sato by DQ... David Von Erich defeated Takashi Ishikawa... Great Kojika defeated Karl Von Steiger... Kim Ill defeated Kevin Von Erich... Ricky Steamboat & Genichiro Tenryu battled Jimmy Snuka & The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) to a double count out... Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta defeated The Sheik & Bugsy McGraw.
  4016.  
  4017. 05-28-1981: New Japan in Himeji, Japan: Kengo Kimura defeated Kuroneko (Black Cat)... Hoshino & Eigen defeated Chris Adams & Mike Masters... Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Sgt. Slaughter... Antonio Inoki & Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Hansen & Bobby Duncum... Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Tatsumi Fujinami by count out... Hulk Hogan defeated Riki Chosyu.
  4018.  
  4019. 05-29-1981: Steve O defeats Mongolian Stomper for the NWA National title in Atlanta.
  4020.  
  4021. 06-04-1981: Antonio Inoki wins the annual New Japan Madison Square Garden League tournament over Stan Hansen via count out.
  4022.  
  4023. 06-07-1981: Terry Taylor defeats Les Thornton in Roanoke, VA to win the NWA World Junior title.
  4024.  
  4025. 06-10-1981: Ted DiBiase & Steve O win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts of the "Fabulous Freebirds".
  4026. 06-11-1981: A big All Japan card in Tokyo: Motoshi Okuma & Shinya Kojika defeated Shiro Kosinaka & Ito... Ricky Steamboat defeated The Sheik by DQ... Genichiro Tenryu defeated Bugsy McGraw... Giant Baba & Kim Ill defeated The "Sensational, Intelligent" Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Karl Von Steiger... All Asian Tag Team Title: Akio Sato & Takashi Ishikawa defeated Kevin & David Von Erich to win the titles... United National Title: champion Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Jimmy Snuka to retain the titles.
  4027. 06-12-1981: Ken Patera wins the NWA Georgia title from Tommy Rich in Atlanta.
  4028.  
  4029. 06-13-1981: Twins, Pat & Mike Kelly win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Spike Huber in Indianapolis, IN.
  4030.  
  4031. 06-14-1981: "The Highfliers" Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell defeat "The East West Connection" Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis for the AWA World tag team championship in Green Bay, WI.
  4032.  
  4033. 06-20-1981: Don Muraco, with the aid of brass knuckles, defeats Pedro Morales in Philadelphia, PA for the WWF Intercontinental title... Les Thornton regains the NWA World Junior title from Terry Taylor in Roanoke, VA.
  4034.  
  4035. 06-21-1981: Dusty Rhodes wins the NWA World heavyweight title for a second time when he defeats Harley Race in Atlanta, GA for the title.
  4036.  
  4037. 06-27-1981: Nikolai Volkoff & Chris Markoff managed by Lord Alfred Hayes win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Dewey Robertson & Johnny Weaver.
  4038.  
  4039. 06-29-1981: Jerry Lawler defeats Jimmy Hart in a lumberjack match in Memphis' Mid South Colosseum in front of 10,129 fans.
  4040.  
  4041. 07-03-1981: Tiger Jeet Singh, one of the top stars of New Japan, appears on an All Japan show.
  4042.  
  4043. 07-06-1981: Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka win the NWA National tag team titles from Ted DiBiase & Steve O in Augusta, GA.
  4044.  
  4045. 07-17-1981: Dusty Rhodes defeats Terry Funk to retain the NWA World title and Jerry Lawler defeated Hulk Hogan in St. Petersburg, FL.
  4046.  
  4047. 07-21-1981: Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeat The Moondogs Rex & Spot (Randy Culley & Larry Latham) for the WWF World tag team titles in Allentown, PA.
  4048. 07-24-1981: Bobo Brazil defeats Johnny Valiant for the Indianapolis WWA title.
  4049.  
  4050. 08-08-1981: Wahoo McDaniel wins the NWA U.S. title from Roddy Piper in Greensboro, NC.
  4051.  
  4052. 08-09-1981: IWE Japan holds it's last show. Mighty Inoue, Goro Tsurumi, Hiromichi Fuyuki, Ashura Hara and Nobuyoshi "Apollo" Sugawara
  4053. join All Japan Pro Wrestling... Tommy Rich wins the vacant NWA Georgia title over Masked Superstar in Atlanta.
  4054.  
  4055. 08-12-1981: Buddy Austin (Francis Gabor) dies.
  4056.  
  4057. 08-29-1981: NWA National champion Masked Superstar defeats NWA Georgia champion Tommy Rich in Atlanta, GA to unify the two titles.
  4058.  
  4059. 09-06-1981: Ron Bass defeats Greg Valentine for the NWA TV title in Asheville, NC.
  4060.  
  4061. 09-13-1981: Jerry Brisco (Gerald Brisco) wins the NWA World Junior title over Les Thornton in Orlando, FL.
  4062.  
  4063. 09-17-1981: Ric Flair wins the NWA World heavyweight title for the first time when he defeats champion Dusty Rhodes in Kansas City, MO.
  4064.  
  4065. 09-23-1981: Andre the Giant battles Stan Hansen to a wild no contest in Tokyo, Japan.
  4066.  
  4067. 09-25-1981: Great Kabuki defeats Kerry Von Erich in Lawton, OK for the NWA American title.
  4068.  
  4069. 09-27-1981: Michael Hayes & Otis Sistrunk win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka in Atlanta, GA.
  4070.  
  4071. 09-28-1981: Tommy Rich defeats Masked Superstar for the NWA National title in Augusta, GA.
  4072.  
  4073. 10-04-1981: Sgt. Slaughter wins the NWA U.S. title from Wahoo McDaniel in Greenville, NC.
  4074.  
  4075. 10-08-1981: Former IWE wrestlers Rusher Kimura, Animal Hamaguchi, and Isamu Teranishi join New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  4076.  
  4077. 10-09-1981: For the first time Ric Flair comes to Japan as NWA World champion and retains the world title over Jumbo Tsuruta. Also Bruiser Brody defeats Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA International title in Tokyo.
  4078.  
  4079. 10-10-1981: Ricky Steamboat regains the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Ivan Koloff.
  4080.  
  4081. 10-11-1981: Blackjack Mulligan defeats Bobo Brazil for the Indianapolis WWA title.
  4082.  
  4083. 10-13-1981: Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeat Rick Martel & Tony Garea for the WWF World tag team titles in Allentown, PA.
  4084.  
  4085. 10-16-1981: After a successful title defense against Steve Travis, WWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami vacates the title in order to move up to the heavyweight division... NWA World Junior champion Jerry Brisco loses the title to Les Thornton in Knoxville, TN.
  4086.  
  4087. 10-19-1981: Greg Valentine is mistakenly given the WWF World title by a dazed referee after being pinned by champion Bob Backlund. Backlund wins a rematch to keep the title.
  4088.  
  4089. 10-23-1981: La Fiera defeats Lizmark for the NWA Welterweight title in Mexico City.
  4090.  
  4091. 10-24-1981: Midget wrestler Major Tom Thumb dies in Hamilton, ON Canada at the age of 65.
  4092.  
  4093. 10-31-1981: Roddy Piper joins Gordon Solie as the color commentator for Georgia Championship Wrestling. The show also saw the returns of Austin Idol under a mask attacking Michael Hayes, and Ivan Koloff to the show, and Gene & Ole Anderson.
  4094.  
  4095. 11-01-1981: Roddy Piper wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Ricky Steamboat in Greensboro, NC... Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Bruiser Brody to regain the NWA International title.
  4096.  
  4097. 11-03-1981: Ivan Koloff defeats Ron Bass for the NWA TV title in Charlotte, NC... The Spoiler (Dan Jardine) wins the NWA Florida title from Charlie Cook in Tampa.
  4098.  
  4099. 11-23-1981: Pedro Morales defeats Don "Magnificent" Muraco for the WWF Intercontinental title in New York.
  4100.  
  4101. 11-25-1981: Masked Superstar defeats Tommy Rich to regain the NWA National title in Atlanta. Also on the show Brad & Bob Armstrong win a tournament final over Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito for the NWA National tag team titles.
  4102.  
  4103. 11-1981: Tito Santana defeats the reigning AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkle in a non title match to win the annual Paul Boesch Thanksgiving Tournament in Houston, TX.
  4104.  
  4105. 11-1981: Bruiser Brody defeats The Spolier (Dan Jardine) for the World Class American title in Dallas, TX.
  4106.  
  4107. 12-04-1981: Ric Flair wins a battle royal and defeats Jack Brisco in St. Louis, MO.
  4108.  
  4109. 12-10-1981: Bob Sweetan defeats Tommy Martin for the NWA Central States title in Kansas City, MO.
  4110.  
  4111. 12-12-1981: Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka defeat Dory Jr. & Terry Funk in the finals of the All Japan annual tag team tournament in
  4112. Tokyo. The finals was also notable for the All Japan debut of Stan Hansen who had secretly jumped from New Japan.
  4113.  
  4114. 12-14-1981: Bulldog Bob Brown replaces an injured Tommy Martin against Bob Sweetan in Wichita, KS and wins the NWA Central States title.
  4115.  
  4116. 12-21-1981: Sports Illustrated runs a multi-page feature story on Andre the Giant.
  4117.  
  4118. 12-26-1981: David Von Erich managed by J.J. Dillon wins the NWA Southern (FL) title from Jack Brisco in St. Petersburg. Also on the show Eric Embry wins a tournament final for the NWA Florida TV title.
  4119.  
  4120. 1981: Steve "Dr. Death" Williams sets a then record at the University of Oklahoma for the fastest pinfall by pinning Perr Kaufmann in twenty seconds. Williams is named All American.
  4121.  
  4122. 1982
  4123.  
  4124. 01-1982: Leroy McGuirk sells his Tri-State promotion to his daughter Michelle and it is renamed Midwest Championship Sports. Commentator Jim Ross is let go.
  4125.  
  4126. 01-01-1982: Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) defeats Dynamite Kid for the vacant WWF World Junior title. This was one of the most memorable matches in Japanese wrestling and began a feud between the two that is still talked about to this day... Pat O'Connor retires after defeating Bob Sweetan in St. Louis, MO. on the same show Dick the Bruiser defeated Ken Patera for the Missouri title, and Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes to retain the NWA World title. The attendance for the show is announced at 19,918 and Sam Muchnick turns over the promotion to Larry Matysik with Pat O'Connor as booker.
  4127.  
  4128. 01-16-1982: Ray Stevens wins the NWA Florida TV title from Eric Embry in St. Petersburg.
  4129.  
  4130. 01-17-1982: Tommy Rich regains the NWA National title from Masked Superstar in Atlanta.
  4131.  
  4132. 01-22-1982: Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) win the NWA National tag team titles from Bob & Brad Armstrong in Columbus, GA.
  4133.  
  4134. 01-31-1982: In front of 4,648 fans in Memphis, Mid-South Coliseum, Jerry Lawler defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (in this case it was Koko B. Ware) in a boxing match. Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn defeated The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) via DQ to retain the Southern tag team titles.
  4135.  
  4136. 02-19-1982: Lizmark defeats El Satanico for the NWA Mexican national middleweight title.
  4137.  
  4138. 02-26-1982: Harley Race defeats Giant Baba for the All Japan PWF World title in Obihiro, Japan.
  4139.  
  4140. 03-07-1982: Atsushi Onita defeats Chavo Guerrero for the NWA International Junior title in Charlotte, North Carolina... Dory Funk, Jr. & David Von Erich win the NWA Florida North American tag team titles from Jack & Jerry Brisco in St. Petersburg.
  4141.  
  4142. 04-11-1982: Bruce Reed (AKA: Butch Reed) & Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) win the Florida North American tag team titles from Dory Funk, Jr. & David Von Erich.
  4143.  
  4144. 04-16-1982: Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Bruiser Brody. This is the last Champions Carnival until 1991.
  4145.  
  4146. 04-21-1982: Bruiser Brody defeats Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA International title in Osaka.
  4147.  
  4148. 04-24-1982: Harley Race defeats Bobo Brazil for the Indianapolis WWA title... In Tampa, FL David Von Erich defeats Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) for the Florida TV title.
  4149.  
  4150. 05-01-1982: Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) vacates the WWF World Junior title due to a knee injury.
  4151.  
  4152. 05-02-1982: Buzz Sawyer upsets Tommy Rich in Atlanta, GA for the NWA National title... Aristotle defeats Negro Casas for the vacant EMLL Mexican National Lightweight title.
  4153.  
  4154. 05-05-1982: King Kong Bundy defeats Kerry Von Erich for the NWA American title in Lawton, OK.
  4155.  
  4156. 05-06-1982: Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) had been injured in a match with Dynamite Kid a few weeks earlier is forced to vacate the WWF Junior title. The vacant belt is put up and won by Black Tiger (Mark Rocco) who defeats El Gran Hamada to capture the belt in Fukuoka.
  4157.  
  4158. 05-10-1982: Jack Brisco defeats Roddy Piper for the NWA Mid Atlantic title in Greenville, SC.
  4159.  
  4160. 05-21-1982: Wahoo McDaniel wins the NWA U.S. title from Sgt. Slaughter in Richmond, VA.
  4161.  
  4162. 05-25-1982: Tiger Mask returns just twenty-four days later to win the NWA World Junior title from Les Thornton in Shizuoka, Japan.
  4163.  
  4164. 05-26-1982: Just one day after winning the NWA World Junior title, Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) defeats Black Tiger (Mark Rocco) for the WWF World Junior title. The NWA declares the NWA World Junior title vacant, but it continues to be defended in Japan, with a different lineage in the United States... Though still in college as an offensive lineman for the Oklahoma Sooners, Steve "Dr. Death" Williams debuts during a school break for Bill Watts' Mid South wrestling in Shreveport, LA. Williams is reported in the paper as being 22 years old.
  4165.  
  4166. 05-30-1982: The final night of a five night debut series for Oklahoma Sooner's Steve Williams ends with his defeat of The Turk at the Tulsa, OK fairgrounds.
  4167.  
  4168. 06-01-1982: Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Bruce (Butch) Reed in Tampa for the International title.
  4169.  
  4170. 06-04-1982: Andre the Giant defeated Killer Kahn to win the annual New Japan Madison Square Garden League tournament after Antonio Inoki suffered an injury which prevented him from participating in the tournament finals.
  4171.  
  4172. 06-06-1982: Jimmy Valiant wins the NWA TV title from Ivan Koloff in Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Not recognized on the main Jim Crockett Promotions circuit)
  4173.  
  4174. 06-07-1982: Sgt. Slaughter wins his second NWA U.S. title from Wahoo McDaniel in Greenville, NC.
  4175.  
  4176. 06-13-1982: "High Chief" Peter Maivia (Peter Fanene Maivia) dies at the age of 42 from complications from a long battle with cancer. Maivia is the Grand-father of The Rock (Duane Johnson) whose mother is Peter Maivia's daughter.
  4177.  
  4178. 06-14-1982: Fritz Von Erich defeats King Kong Bundy in his retirement match at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX in front of 6,000 fans for the NWA American title.
  4179.  
  4180. 06-16-1982: Steve Williams defeats Billy Starr to raise his pro wrestling record to 12-0.
  4181.  
  4182. 06-18-1982: Rick Martel, just entering the AWA, defeats AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkle in a non title match in Denver, CO.
  4183.  
  4184. 06-20-1982: Paul Orndorff wins the NWA National title from Buzz Sawyer in Atlanta.
  4185.  
  4186. 06-26-1982: Bret Hart defeats Leo Burke for the Stampede North American title in Calgary.
  4187.  
  4188. 06-28-1982: Bob Backlund retains the WWF World title over Jimmy Snuka inside a steel cage at Madison Square Garden highlighted by a missed "Superfly" leap by Snuka from the top of the steel cage, which became one of the most famous moments in WWF history. Also on the show Jay & Jules Strongbow defeat Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito for the WWF World tag team titles.
  4189.  
  4190. 06-1982: Vince K. McMahon and his company Titan Sports, purchases Capitol Wrestling Corporation and the World Wrestling Federation from his father.
  4191.  
  4192. 07-02-1982: Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy win the NWA National tag team titles in Chattanooga, TN from Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) & Big John Studd.
  4193.  
  4194. 07-04-1982: WWF World champion Bob Backlund battles NWA World champion Ric Flair to a draw at the Omni in Atlanta, GA.
  4195.  
  4196. 07-07-1982: Roddy Piper regains the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Jack Brisco.
  4197.  
  4198. 07-09-1982: Davey Boy Smith (AKA: British Bulldog) defeats Dynamite Kid for the Stampede World Middle weight title in Calgary.
  4199.  
  4200. 07-11-1982: Brian Blair wins the NWA Florida title from Jim Garvin in Orlando.
  4201.  
  4202. 07-13-1982: Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito win their second WWF World tag team championship from Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow in Allentown, PA.
  4203.  
  4204. 07-15-1982: Rocky Johnson defeats Rip Oliver for the NWA Pacific Northwest title.
  4205.  
  4206. 07-16-1982: Derek Draper (Ed "Col. DeBeers" Wiskowski) defeated David Von Erich in Lakeland, Florida for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  4207.  
  4208. 07-18-1982: Kuniaki Kobayashi defeats Diamond Timothy Flowers for the California Americas title.
  4209.  
  4210. 07-23-1982: Riki Choshu defeats El Canek in Mexico City for the UWA World title.
  4211.  
  4212. 07-24-1982: Carlos Colon defeats Abduallah the Butcher to win his first World Wrestling Council (WWC) "world" title in San Juan, PR.
  4213.  
  4214. 07-25-1982: Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) defeated Derek Draper in Orlando, Florida for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  4215.  
  4216. 07-29-1982: Jerry Lawler and Andy Kaufman make their famous appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" which concludes with Lawler slapping Kaufman out of a chair and Kaufman throwing coffee at Lawler... Danny Dusek (Sidney Nabors) dies.
  4217.  
  4218. 07-31-1982: Jumbo Tsuruta battles Mil Mascaras to a time limit draw in Kawasaki, Japan in overtime of a match where five minutes more were added after the two had battled to a double disqualification at just over the twelve minute mark to retain the All Japan United National title.
  4219.  
  4220. 07-1982: Abduallah the Butcher wins a tournament to become the first WWC Universal champion.
  4221.  
  4222. 08-01-1982: One day after battling Mil Mascaras to a draw, Jumbo Tsuruta loses the All Japan United National title to Harley Race in Tokyo, Japan... El Gran Hamada & Riki Choshu defeat El Canek & Baby Face for the UWA tag team titles.
  4223.  
  4224. 08-03-1982: Jack Brisco wins his third NWA Mid Atlantic title, defeating Roddy Piper in Raleigh, NC.
  4225.  
  4226. 08-11-1982: Jimmy Garvin defeated Sweet Brown Sugar for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
  4227.  
  4228. 08-20-1982: Black Gordman defeats Kuniaki Kobayashi for the California based Americas title.
  4229.  
  4230. 08-22-1982: Wahoo McDaniel defeats Sgt. Slaughter for the NWA U.S. title in Charlotte, NC in a Lumberjack match... In Toronto, Ontario Canada Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Don Kernodle & Jim Nelson.
  4231.  
  4232. 08-23-1982: The NWA Florida title is declared vacant following a wild West Palm Beach match between champion Brian Blair and Bruiser Brody.
  4233.  
  4234. 08-28-1982: Bearcat Wright (Edward Wright) dies at the age of 50.
  4235.  
  4236. 08-29-1982: Otto Wanz defeats Nick Bockwinkle for the AWA World title in St. Paul, MN... Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) wins the NWA National title from Paul Orndorff in an Atlanta, GA tournament final. Also on the card Afa & Sika the Wild Samoans win the NWA National tag team titles from Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy "The Fabulous Freebirds".
  4237.  
  4238. 08-30-1982: Bob Armstrong defeats Jos LeDuc in Birmingham, AL for the NWA Southeastern title... Tatsumi Fujinami defeats Gino Brito for the WWF International title in New York, a belt that exists through 1985 in Japan, but never really recognized in North America.
  4239.  
  4240. 09-1982: Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle are awarded the NWA World tag team titles.
  4241.  
  4242. 09-01-1982: Paul Jones, managed by Sir Oliver Humperdink, wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Jack Brisco in Charlotte, NC.
  4243.  
  4244. 09-11-1982: Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden win the NWA Southeastern tag team titles from The Sheepherders (Luke Williams & Jonathan Boyd) in Dothan, AL. Also on the show Wayne Farris wins the Alabama title from Austin Idol.
  4245.  
  4246. 09-25-1982: "The New York Dolls" Rick McGraw & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) win the WWA tag team titles from Sheik Ali Hassan & Abduallah the Great in Indianapolis, IN.
  4247.  
  4248. 10-04-1982: Toshiaki Kawada, a former Japanese National amature wrestling champion, who once defeated Keiichi Yamada (AKA: Jushin Thunder Liger) for the 165 pound amature wrestling title, makes his wrestling debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling.
  4249.  
  4250. 10-08-1982: The famous Ishingun verses Seikigun feud begins in Japan when Riki Choshu turns against Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami in a six man tag team match in Koichi, Japan.
  4251.  
  4252. 10-09-1982: Nick Bockwinkle defeats European great Otto Wanz for the AWA World heavyweight championship in Chicago, IL.
  4253.  
  4254. 10-25-1982: After spending the summer wrestling for Bill Watts' Mid South wrestling, Steve Williams returns to the University of Oklahoma where he is an offensive gaurd for the Sooners.
  4255.  
  4256. 10-26-1982: Jay & Jules Strongbow defeat Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito for the WWF World tag team titles in Allentown, PA.
  4257.  
  4258. 10-31-1982: Dusty Rhodes defeated Jim Garvin for the NWA Southern title (Florida).
  4259.  
  4260. 11-04-1982: Greg Valentine wins the NWA U.S. title from Wahoo McDaniel in Norfolk, VA.
  4261.  
  4262. 11-22-1982: Kevin Sullivan defeated Barry Windham for the vacant NWA Southern title (Florida) in West Palm Beach, Florida.
  4263.  
  4264. 12-10-1982: Former world heavyweight champion "Wild" Bill Longson (William Roe Longson) dies. Longson had suffured a stroke in 1978.
  4265.  
  4266. 12-12-1982: Dory Jr. & Terry Funk won the All Japan World league tag team tournament.
  4267.  
  4268. 12-25-1982: Kerry Von Erich apparently defeats NWA World champion Ric Flair inside of a steel cage with Michael Hayes as referee for the NWA World title. However, after both men had fell to the ring after hitting in mid ring, Hayes had placed Von Erich on top of Flair and counted the pin. Von Erich refused to accept the title on those terms and upon exiting the ring, Von Erich's head is slammed in the cage door by "Freebird" Terry Gordy. This moment began the legendary Freebirds verse Von Erichs feud in Texas.
  4269.  
  4270. 12-27-1982: Jerry Lawler is announced as the new AWA World heavyweight champion after defeating Nick Bockwinkle in the Memphis Mid South Coliseum. The Memphis news paper even prints a story proclaiming Lawler as the new world champion. However the AWA "holds up" the title (but only in Memphis, as Bockwinkle continues to defend it elsewhere). Bockwinkle, a week later, wins the held up title.
  4271.  
  4272. 12-1982: Carlos Colon defeats Abdullah the Butcher in San Juan, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Universal title.
  4273.  
  4274. 1983
  4275.  
  4276. 01-06-1983: Carlos Colon, the World Wrestling Council champion, defeats Ric Flair, the NWA World champion, in a "unification" match to create the WWC Universal title. Flair continues to be recognized as NWA World champion.
  4277.  
  4278. 01-10-1983: Nick Bockwinkle defeats Jerry Lawler in Memphis, TN to retain the AWA World title. The title had been "held up" in Memphis following a disputed victory by Lawler a week earlier.
  4279.  
  4280. 01-23-1983: Bobby Bruns dies at the age of 68.
  4281.  
  4282. 02-09-1983: The Midnight Rider appears to have won the NWA World heavyweight title from Ric Flair in Tampa, Florida, however, NWA President Bob Geigel orders the Midnight Rider to unmask. The Midnight Rider, who is actually Dusty Rhodes who had lost a loser leave town match earlier to Kevin Sullivan, refuses to unmask, thus the NWA World title is returned to Ric Flair.
  4283.  
  4284. 02-1983: Retired wrestler Dominic DeNucci begins training wrestlers, among his first students are Shane Douglas (Troy Martin) and Cactus Jack (Mick Foley).
  4285.  
  4286. 03-03-1983: Espectro, Jr. defeats Lizmark for the NWA Mexican National middleweight title.
  4287.  
  4288. 03-08-1983: The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) regain the WWF World tag team titles over Cheif Jay & Jules Strongbow in Allentown, PA.
  4289.  
  4290. 03-11-1983: Mayes McLaine dies in Marietta, GA at the age of 77.
  4291.  
  4292. 03-12-1983: Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood defeat Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle in a steel cage for the NWA World tag team titles in Greensboro, NC.
  4293.  
  4294. 03-17-1983: Frank Dusek defeated Barry Windham in Tampa, Fl for the NWA Southern title (Florida).
  4295.  
  4296. 03-20-1983: In a famous angle in NWA Georgia wrestling, Larry Zbyszko "buys" the NWA National title from Killer Brooks which results in NWA President Bob Geigel stripping Zbyszko of the National title.
  4297.  
  4298. 04-16-1983: Roddy Piper wins the NWA U.S. title from Greg Valentine in Greensboro, NC... Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganze in the New Orleans, LA Superdome with Andre the Giant defeating Kamala, Mr. Olympia & Ted DiBiase defeating Mr. Wrestling II & Tiger Conway, Jr. to retain the Mid South tag team titles, and Junkyard Dog defeated Mr. Olympia in a steel cage to win the held up North American title.
  4299.  
  4300. 04-24-1983: Hulk Hogan defeats Nick Bockwinkle (managed by Bobby Heenan) to apparently win the AWA World heavyweight title. However, the decision is reversed and the title returned to Bockwinkle.
  4301.  
  4302. 04-30-1983: Ron Bass defeated Frank Dusek for the NWA Southern title (Florida) in Ft. Myers, Fl.
  4303.  
  4304. 05-01-1983: Greg Valentine wins the NWA U.S. title from Roddy Piper in the infamous "bleeding ear" match. Referee Sandy Scott stops the match because of heavy bleeding from Piper's ear. This incident is used as the backdrop for their famous Starrcade dog collar match.
  4305.  
  4306. 05-06-1983: The inaugural International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament featuring Antonio Inoki (the last NWF champion), Killer Kahn (Masashi Ozawa), Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea), Andre the Giant (Andre Rousimoff), Big John Studd (John William Minton), Rusher Kimura (the last IWA champion, who replaced Dino Bravo in the original line up), Canek (UWA World champion), Enrique Vera, Otto Wanz (CWA World champion), and Akira Maeda (European champion) finally takes shape. The tournament had actually began in 1981 and had been "occuring" all over the world, however, most of the announced matches were ficticticous and a number of the foreign wrestlers announced in earlier rounds never actually wrestled in the tournament. The finals occur on June 6.
  4307.  
  4308. 05-10-1983: Curt Hennig defeats Abdulah Ali Hassan for the Pacific Northwest title in Portland, OR.
  4309.  
  4310. 05-20-1983: Toronto promoter Frank Tunney dies of a heart attack.
  4311.  
  4312. 05-26-1983: Chavo Guerrero, Sr. defeats Ultra Seven (Masahiko Takasugi) in a tournament final for the NWA International Junior title.
  4313.  
  4314. 05-1983: Ox Baker defeats Carlos Colon for the WWC Universal title.
  4315.  
  4316. 06-02-1983: Hulk Hogan wins the finals of the first International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament by legitimately knocking out Antonio Inoki, thus becoming the first IWGP World champion. Inoki had been scheduled to win the tournament but after Hogan closelined him, Inoko hit his head on the concrete floor and was legitimatly knocked unconscience.
  4317.  
  4318. 06-08-1983: Jumbo Tsuruta pins NWA World champion Ric Flair in Japan in a best of three falls match that goes to the one hour time limit. Because he only won one fall, Flair retains the NWA title.
  4319.  
  4320. 06-10-1983: Harley Race wins a then record seventh NWA World heavyweight championship by defeating Ric Flair for the title in St. Louis, MO.
  4321.  
  4322. 06-12-1983: After a series of matches in Japan had proven inconclusive in filling the vacant WWF Junior heavyweight title, a match in Mexico City, Mexico between Fishman and Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) was held to finally decide a champion. Tiger Mask won the match and the title.
  4323.  
  4324. 06-17-1983: Riki Choshu, Animal Hamaguchi, Killer Kahn, and Kuniaki Kobayashi form Ishin Gundan (Restruction Force) in Japan.
  4325.  
  4326. 06-18-1983: Jack & Jerry Brisco defeat Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood for the NWA World tag team championship in Greenville, SC.
  4327.  
  4328. 06-1983: Carlos Colon regains the WWC Universal title from Ox Baker.
  4329.  
  4330. 07-16-1983: Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganza in the New Orleans, LA Superdome with Mr. Wrestling II defeating Larry Zbyszko, King Kong Bundy defeating Dusty Rhodes in a bull rope match, Hacksaw Jim Duggan defeated Ted DiBiase in a lights out match, and in the main event Butch Reed defeated Junkyard Dog in a best of three falls match to win the North American title.
  4331.  
  4332. 08-11-1983: Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) goes into retirement for the first time.
  4333.  
  4334. 08-25-1983: Antonio Inoki and Seiji Sakaguchi are forced to resign their positions of President and Vice-President of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  4335.  
  4336. 08-31-1983: Terry Funk wrestles a "retirement" match in Tokyo. This would be the first of many times, Terry Funk would try to retire.
  4337.  
  4338. 09-23-1983: Bull Nakano makes her wrestling debut for All Japan Women defeating Mika Komatsu & Masami Yanagishita in a handicap match.
  4339.  
  4340. 09-24-1983: Mike Rotundo defeated Ron Bass in St. Petersburg, Fl for the NWA Southern title (Florida).
  4341.  
  4342. 10-03-1983: Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood win their fourth NWA World tag team championship over Jack & Jerry Brisco in Greensboro, NC.
  4343.  
  4344. 10-12-1983: Manager The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) dies of a heart attack at the age of 54 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
  4345.  
  4346. 10-23-1983: Tommy Rich defeats Buzz Sawyer in a bloody cage match at the Georgia Championship Wrestling's "Last Battle of Atlanta" show.
  4347.  
  4348. 11-1983: Les Thornton is awarded the U.S. version of the NWA World Junior title.
  4349.  
  4350. 11-15-1983: "The Soul Patrol" Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas defeat Afa & Sika "The Wild Samoans" in Allentown, PA for the WWF World tag team titles. Johnson & Atlas were the first African-American tag team champions in the WWF.
  4351.  
  4352. 11-19-1983: Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganza in the New Orleans, LA Superdome in front of 8,000 with Dusty Rhodes defeating Nikolia Volkoff, Kerry Von Erich defeated The Missing Link, David Von Erich defeated Kamala via count out, The Roadwarriors defeated Mr. Wrestling II & Magnum T.A., and Junkyard Dog defeated Butch Reed to retain the North American title.
  4353.  
  4354. 11-23-1983: Ron Bass defeated Mike Rotundo in St. Petersburg, Fl for the NWA Southern title (Florida).
  4355.  
  4356. 11-24-1983: Ric Flair captures the NWA World heavyweight championship for a second time defeating Harley Race inside a steel cage in Greensboro, NC at the first NWA Starrcade in Greensboro, NC. Guest referee for the match was former NWA World champion Gene Kiniski. Other results of the landmark show were: Johnny Weaver & Scott McGee defeated Kevin Sullivan & Mark Lewin via DQ... Carlos Colon defeated Abdullah the Butcher via DQ... The Assassin 1 & 2 defeated Rufus R. Jones & Bugsy McGraw... Charlie Brown (Jimmy Valiant under a mask) defeated Kabuki... Dick Slater & Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood... Roddy Piper defeated Greg Valentine in a dog collar match... Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco for the NWA World tag team championship.
  4357.  
  4358. 11-27-1983: Buzz Sawyer & Brett Wayne Sawyer upset The Roadwarriors Hawk & Animal for the NWA National tag team titles in Cincinnati, OH. The titles, however, were returned to the Roadwarriors just days later by the NWA who over ruled the match.
  4359.  
  4360. 12-09-1983: The WWF World tag team title change between Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson over The Samoans airs on television.
  4361.  
  4362. 12-12-1983: Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen defeat Giant Baba & Dory Funk, Jr. to win the annual All Japan Real World tag team tournament.
  4363.  
  4364. 12-14-1983: Dick Slater wins the NWA U.S. title from Greg Valentine in Shelby, NC.
  4365.  
  4366. 12-15-1983: Shinkina Oki, a former JWA referee and the late Rikidozans wrestling teacher dies twenty years to the day (12-15-1963) after Rikidozans death.
  4367.  
  4368. 12-25-1983: Ricky Steamboat announces his retirement for the first time and vacates the NWA World tag team championship he holds with Jay Youngblood.
  4369.  
  4370. 12-26-1983: The Iron Sheik (Karasow Vazari) defeats Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden for the WWF World heavyweight title, when Backlund's manager Arnold Skaaland throws in the towel. Sheik is managed by Fred Blassie.
  4371.  
  4372. 12-27-1983: Buzz & Brett Wayne Sawyer again defeat The Roadwarrior's Hawk & Animal for the NWA National tag team titles in Canton, OH and this time the NWA allows the title change.
  4373.  
  4374. 1984
  4375. 01-01-1984: Negro Casas defeats Black Terry for the UWA lightweight title in Mexico City, Mexico.
  4376.  
  4377. 01-02-1984: Lizmark wins the annual All Japan Korakuen Hall battle royal.
  4378.  
  4379. 01-08-1984: Don Kernodle & Bob Orton, Jr. win a tournament over Dory Funk, Jr. & Jimmy Valiant for the vacant NWA World tag team titles.
  4380.  
  4381. 01-18-1984: Lord Athol Layton (Allan Layton) dies.
  4382.  
  4383. 01-22-1984: Two time National Wrestling Association world champion Bronko Nagurski gives the coin toss at the beginning of Super Bowl XVIII between The Los Angeles Raiders and the Washington Redskins in Tampa, FL. Nagurski is 75 years old and also in the NFL hall of fame. Nagurski is also infamous for his hatred of professional wrestling, despite earning a great deal of money from it.
  4384.  
  4385. 01-23-1984: Hulk Hogan defeats The Iron Sheik for the WWF World title at Madison Square Garden in New York in a match that would usher in a new era in pro wrestling.
  4386.  
  4387. 01-26-1984: During a Mexican television documentary on professional wrestling, the legendary movie and wrestling star El Santo breifly removes his mask on television for the first time in over forty years.
  4388.  
  4389. 01-31-1984: The Zambuie Express (Ray "Elijah Akeem" Candy and Leroy "Kareem Muhammad" Brown) defeat Koko Ware & Norvell Austin in a tournament final in Memphis, TN for the Southern tag team titles.
  4390.  
  4391. 01-1984: Buzz Sawyer is fired by Georgia Championship Wrestling and the National tag team titles are returned to The Roadwarriors.
  4392.  
  4393. 02-1984: El Canek, the UWA champion, bodyslams and pins Andre the Giant in a title defense in Mexico.
  4394.  
  4395. 02-05-1984: While acting in a play in Mexico City, El Santo suffers a heart attack. He is pronounced dead at 9:40 pm at the age of 68. El Santo was buried in his trademark silver mask in Mexico City, Mexico.
  4396.  
  4397. 02-10-1984: David Von Erich (David Adkisson) dies in a hotel room in Tokyo, Japan the night before his tour of Japan was to begin. David was, at the time, the All Japan United National champion. David was 25 years old.
  4398.  
  4399. 02-11-1984: Tito Santana defeats Don Muraco for the WWF Intercontinental title in Boston, MA.
  4400.  
  4401. 02-23-1984: Jumbo Tsuruta becomes the first Japanese to win the AWA World heavyweight title, by defeating Nick Bockwinkle at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Tsuruta's NWA International title was also on the line, Terry Funk was the referee.
  4402.  
  4403. 02-26-1984: Dos Caras defeats Enrique Vera in Mexico City to win the UWA heavyweight title.
  4404.  
  4405. 03-04-1984: Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood capture the NWA World tag team titles over Don Kernodle & Bob Orton, Jr. in Charlotte, NC.
  4406.  
  4407. 03-21-1984: Harley Race captures the NWA World heavyweight title for a then record eighth time in a little publicized match for promoter Steve Rickard in Wellington, New Zealand. Race was never credited with the title change in the United States, nor was Flair credited with winning the title back for a third time in Kallang, Singapore just two days later.
  4408.  
  4409. 03-23-1984: Ric Flair regains the NWA World heavyweight title from Harley Race in Kallang, Singapore.
  4410.  
  4411. 04-04-1984: Jack & Jerry Brisco win their third NWA World tag team championship over Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood in Richmond, VA.
  4412.  
  4413. 04-05-1984: Marty Jannetty makes his pro wrestling debut under the name Marty Oates in Kansas City, MO defeating Roger Kirby. Jannetty had been trained by vetern Jerry Oates and thus adopted his name.
  4414.  
  4415. 04-06-1984: Ken Patera & Mr. Saito throw a large rock through a window of a McDonalds resteraunt in Waukesha, WI after being refused service after the business closes. Waukesha Police later track Patera and Mr. Saito to the Holiday Inn where they are staying. Police brawl with Patera and Saito and one officer suffurs a broken ankle in the ensuing fight. Both men are taken to jail.
  4416.  
  4417. 04-07-1984: Dick Murdoch & Adrian Adonis defeat Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson for the WWF World tag team titles in Hamburg, PA... Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganza called "The Last Stampede" in front of 23,000 featuring Kerry Von Erich defeating Masao Ito, The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) defeating Porkchop Cash & Bill Dundee to retain the Mid South tag team titles, Terry Taylor defeated Butch Reed via DQ, Jim Duggan defeated Krusher Khruschev in a coal miners glove match, The Rock & Roll Express defeated Nikolia Volkoff & Russian Invader (Jerry Novak), Mr. Wrestling II defeated Magnum T.A. to retain the North American title, and in the main event Stagger Lee (Junkyard Dog) & Bill Watts defeated The Midnight Express in a lights out match.
  4418.  
  4419. 04-10-1984: A group of New Japan wrestlers lead by Akira Maeda and consisting of Rusher Kimura, Ryuma Go, Mach Hayato, and Gran Hamada quite New Japan and form the UWF shootwrestling group.
  4420.  
  4421. 04-11-1984: The original Japanese based UWF holds it's first show in Omiya, Japan. UWF was the first strong shoot style wrestling group with such stars as Akira Maeda, Yoshiaki Fujiwara (who later formed his own Fujiwara-Gumi wrestling group), Rusher Kimura, and Nobuhiko Takada (who later gained fame with the UWFI, the later version of the UWF). Takada became probably the most famous "worked shooter" in Japanese wrestling history.
  4422.  
  4423. 04-17-1984: Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch win the WWF World tag team titles from Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas in Hamburg, PA. Adonis & Murdoch were called the "North-South Connection" a take off of the sucessful "East-West Connection" tag team of Adonis and Jesse Ventura in the AWA.
  4424.  
  4425. 04-21-1984: Ricky Steamboat wins the NWA U.S. title from Dick Slater in Greensboro, NC.
  4426.  
  4427. 04-25-1984: Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen become the first PWF World tag team champions by defeating Giant Baba & Dory Funk, Jr. During the match, Baba receives a neck injury that would force him to miss his first match since his debut, he had previously wrestled 3,711 matches without missing an appearance.
  4428.  
  4429. 04-27-1984: Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood recapture the NWA World tag team titles over Jack & Jerry Brisco in Richmond, VA.
  4430.  
  4431. 05-06-1984: The First annual David Von Erich Memoral Parade of champions takes place in Irving, TX in front of 43,517 which marks Kerry Von Erich's now famous winning of the NWA World heavyweight championship from Ric Flair. Other results of the show were: Johnny Mantel battled Kelly Kiniski to a draw...Junkyard Dog defeated The Missing Link via DQ...Iceman Parsons & Buck Zumhofe defeated the Super Destroyers... Fritz & Kevin & Mike Von Erich defeated Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts for the World Class 6-Man tag team titles...Kabuki defeated Kamala... Butch Reed defeated Chick Donavan... Chris Adams & Sunshine defeated Jimmy Garvin & Precious in a mixed tag team match.
  4432.  
  4433. 05-13-1984: Rick Martel defeats Jumbo Tsuruta in St. Paul, Minnesota to win the AWA World heavyweight title.
  4434.  
  4435. 05-20-1984: 3,800 turn out to the Omni in Atlanta, GA to see a tournament for the NWA National tag team titles which feature Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) & Junkyard Dog, Tully Blanchard & Tommy Rogers, Jerry Lawler & Austin Idol, The Spoiler & Ted DiBiase, The Roadwarriors, Stan Hansen & Ole Anderson, Jake Roberts & The Great Kabuki, Brad Armstrong & Ronnie Garvin, and King Kong Bundy & King Konga (The Barbarian). The Roadwarriors win in the finals over Sweet Brown Sugar & The Junkyard Dog.
  4436.  
  4437. 05-22-1984: NWA World champion Kerry Von Erich battles Jumbo Tsuruta to a double count out to retain the NWA World title... George Zaharias dies at the age of 76 in Tampa, FL.
  4438.  
  4439. 05-24-1984: Ric Flair regains the NWA World heavyweight title from Kerry Von Erich in Yokosuka, Japan.
  4440.  
  4441. 05-27-1984: Vince McMahon, the founder of the World Wrestling Federation, dies of cancer of the esophagus.
  4442.  
  4443. 05-29-1984: The NWA Night of Champions at the Meadowlands arena in East Rutherford, NJ takes place. The main event sees Ric Flair defeat Ricky Steamboat to retain the NWA World title.
  4444.  
  4445. 06-1984: The WWF in a landmark move takes over Georgia Championship Wrestling and their timeslot on TBS. Several wrestlers join the WWF including NWA World Junior champion Les Thornton who is promoted as WWF Junior champion for a while. The NWA officially strips Thornton of the NWA World Junior title.
  4446.  
  4447. 06-10-1984: Superstar Graham defeats Billy Jack Haynes for the NWA Florida title in Orlando, FL.
  4448.  
  4449. 06-14-1984: Antonio Inoki defeats Hulk Hogan the reigning WWF World champion via count out, to become IWGP champion following the interference of Riki Choshu.
  4450.  
  4451. 06-16-1984: Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganza in the New Orleans, LA Superdome drawing 20,800 to see The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) defeat The Rock & Roll Express in a no DQ match to retain the Mid South tag team titles, Mr. Wrestling III (Hercules Hernandez) defeated Mr. Wrestling II in a no DQ match, Terry Taylor defeated Krusher Khruschev to win the Mid South TV title, Magnum T.A. defeated Ted DiBiase in a no DQ match to retain the North American title, and in the main event Junkyard Dog defeated Butch Reed in a ghetto street fight.
  4452.  
  4453. 06-24-1984: Canek defeats Dos Caras in Mexico City to win the UWA title... Wahoo McDaniel defeats Ricky Steamboat for the NWA U.S. title in Greensboro, NC.
  4454.  
  4455. 06-28-1984: Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask) returns to wrestling after retiring almost a year earlier. This time he joins the shoot style UWF group.
  4456.  
  4457. 07-13-1984: The NWA awards the NWA World Junior title to Hector Guerrero.
  4458.  
  4459. 07-14-1984: The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) officially takes over the airtime previously held on WTBS (Turner Broadcasting System) by NWA World Championship Wrestling. The change doesn't last long, as World Championship Wrestling returns to the Saturday morning spot... Brute Bernard (Jim Bernard) dies.
  4460.  
  4461. 07-23-1984: Wendi Richter defeats long time womens champion Fabulous Moolah for the WWF Womens title at Madison Square Garden in New York beginning a resurgence in interest in womens wrestling.
  4462.  
  4463. 07-1984: Early 1990's WCW wrestler Frank Anderson wins a silver medal for Sweden in Greco-Roman wrestling in the Olympics. Dan Severn is an alternate for the U.S. wrestling team.
  4464.  
  4465. 08-02-1984: Antonio Inoki defeats Riki Choshu at the last card held at Kuramae Kokugikan Hall. An new Sumo Hall (actually called Ryogoku Kokugikan) is opened and would be the sight of many wrestling cards for years to come... Argentina Apollo (Vincente Denigris) dies.
  4466.  
  4467. 08-23-1984: Tiger Mask II (Mitsuharu Misawa) debuts on an All Japan card.
  4468.  
  4469. 08-26-1984: Strong Kobayashi (Shozo Kobayashi) retires on a New Japan show.
  4470.  
  4471. 09-11-1984: Osamu Kido joins the UWF.
  4472.  
  4473. 09-21-1984: Riki Choshu and his Ishin Gundan contingent form Japan Pro Wrestling (JWP) which features Masa Saito, Kuniaki Kobayashi, and Yoshiaki Yatsu.
  4474.  
  4475. 09-23-1984: Jumbo Tsuruta marries Yasuko Aramaki in Tokyo, Japan.
  4476.  
  4477. 09-24-1984: Greg Valentine defeats Tito Santana in London, Ontario Canada for the WWF Intercontinental title.
  4478.  
  4479. 09-25-1984: Hulk Hogan appears along with Wendi Richter and Cyndi Lauper as a guest video jockey on MTV.
  4480.  
  4481. 09-29-1984: "Pro Wrestling USA", a joint venture between the AWA and NWA goes on the air in New York. It features the return of Bob Backlund.
  4482.  
  4483. 10-02-1984: Mike Davis is awarded the NWA World Junior title after allegedly defeating Hector Guerrero in New Mexico.
  4484.  
  4485. 10-05-1984: Masahiro Chono and Shin'ya Hashimoto make their pro wrestling debut in Japan wrestling each other.
  4486.  
  4487. 10-07-1984: Wahoo McDaniel wins a tournament final over Manny Fernandez in Charlotte, NC to win the vacant NWA U.S. title.
  4488.  
  4489. 10-20-1984: Dusty Rhodes & Manny Fernandez win the NWA World tag team titles from Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle in Greensboro, NC.
  4490.  
  4491. 10-24-1984: Ernie Ladd defeats Magnum T.A. for the Mid South North American title in Shreveport, LA.
  4492.  
  4493. 10-28-1984: El Hijo del Santo defeats career rival Negro Casas for the UWA lightweight title in Mexico City.
  4494.  
  4495. 11-14-1984: "The British Bulldogs" Davey Boy Smith (David Smith) & Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington) jump from New Japan to All Japan in a surprise move.
  4496.  
  4497. 11-18-1984: 7,000 turn out to the Omni in Atlanta, GA to see a tournament for the NWA National tag team titles which features Brad Armstrong & Jacques Rougeau Jr, Bob Roop & The Italian Stallion, Rip Rogers & Ted Oates, Ron Ritchie & Jerry Oates, The Roadwarriors, Ron Slinker & Frankie Lane, Jerry Lawler & Jimmy Valiant, Ox Baker & Masao Ito, Tommy Rich & Randy Savage, and Bill & Scott Irwin. Bill & Scott Irwin win in the finals over Brad Armstrong & Jacques Rougeau, Jr. The Roadwarriors are eleminated in the second round by Jerry Lawler & Jimmy Valiant.
  4498.  
  4499. 11-29-1984: The second NWA Starrcade is held in Greensboro, NC with Ric Flair defeating Dusty Rhodes to retain the NWA World title with Joe Frazier as special referee. Also on the show Denny Brown defeated Mike Davis for the NWA World Junior title.
  4500.  
  4501. 12-01-1984: Following a near riot in Tulsa, OK, the Tulsa Police department announces they will no longer allow officers to work securty for Bill Watts Mid South group.
  4502.  
  4503. 12-12-1984: Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenryu win the annual All Japan Real World tag team tournament over Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody.
  4504.  
  4505. 12-1984: Ivan & Nikita Koloff & Don Kernodle are awarded the NWA World 6-Man tag team titles. Kernodle is later replaced by Krusher Khrushchev (Barry Darsaw).
  4506.  
  4507. 1985
  4508.  
  4509. 01-03-1985: Atsushi Onita "retires" for the first time.
  4510.  
  4511. 01-14-1985: The Interns defeat The Rock & Roll Express in Memphis, TN in a tournament final for the vacant Southern tag team titles.
  4512.  
  4513. 01-15-1985: Mad Dog Vachon defeats Steve Regal for the Pro Wrestling America title.
  4514.  
  4515. 01-21-1985: Former wrestler and NWA President Eddie Graham commits suicide at the age of 55 in Tampa, Florida... Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo win the WWF World tag team championship from Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch in Hartford, CT. They are managed by Lou Albano.
  4516.  
  4517. 02-18-1985: A WWF Madison Sqaure Garden show airs on Music Television (MTV) entitled "The War to Settle the Score" featuring Hulk Hogan retaining the WWF World title over Roddy Piper by disqaulification when Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper interfere in the match.
  4518.  
  4519. 02-21-1985: The ABC television news program "20/20" airs a special on professional wrestling. 20/20 reporter John Stossel asks WWF wrestler "Dr. D" David Schultz if professional wrestling is real. Schultz responds by slapping Stossel across the head and then asks Stossel, "Was that real?". Stossel sues both the WWF and Schultz, but settles out of court for $280,000. Schultz is let go from the WWF... Riki Choshu's Japan Pro Wrestling group begins co-promoting with All Japan Pro Wrestling.
  4520.  
  4521. 02-24-1985: The NWA (Jim Crockett Promotion) and AWA hold a combined show called "Star Wars" from the Meadowlands in New Jersey. The show sees Jimmy Garvin defeat AWA World champion Rick Martel by DQ, so Martel retained the title, and Ric Flair defeat Harley Race to retain the NWA World title. Sgt. Slaughter won a tag team battle royal.
  4522.  
  4523. 02-27-1985: Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Carlos Colon in Bangor, Maine to win the WWC Universal title.
  4524.  
  4525. 03-03-1985: Masakatsu Funaki makes his New Japan debut losing to Tatsutoshi Goto. At the age of 15, Funaki was the youngest pro wrestler in Japanese history.
  4526.  
  4527. 03-08-1985: Bull Curry (Fred Kouhry, Sr.) dies at the age of 70.
  4528.  
  4529. 03-09-1985: The first Pro Wrestling show is held at Japan's new Sumo Hall (Ryogoku Kokugikan) by the All Japan group, which features the Japanese debut of The Roadwarriors (Hawk & Animal).
  4530.  
  4531. 03-10-1985: Bill Watts' Mid South Championship Wrestling begins airing on TBS.
  4532.  
  4533. 03-18-1985: Ivan & Nikita Koloff win the NWA World tag team titles over Dusty Rhodes & Manny Fernandez in Fayetteville, NC.
  4534.  
  4535. 03-21-1985: Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish) jumps to New Japan Pro Wrestling from All Japan.
  4536.  
  4537. 03-23-1985: Magnum T.A. (Terry Allen) wins the NWA U.S. title from Wahoo McDaniel in Charlotte, NC.
  4538.  
  4539. 03-28-1985: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T appear on the cable talk show "Hot Properties" with host Richard Belzer. Hogan puts Belzer in a front face lock and drops him. Belzer receives nine stitches as a result and sues Hulk Hogan and the WWF for five million dollars, but settles out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.
  4540.  
  4541. 03-31-1985: The first annual WWF WrestleMania is held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main event sees Hulk Hogan & Mr. T defeat Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper. Also on the show Andre the Giant defeats Big John Studd in a body slam match, Nikolia Volkoff & Iron Sheik defeat Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo for the WWF tag team titles, and Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper) defeats Leilani Kai (with Lou Albano) to win the WWF Womens title. The event is broadcast nationally to arenas around the country via closed circuit television.
  4542.  
  4543. 04-18-1985: Antonio Inoki faces Bruiser Brody for the first time as the two battle to a double count out in a match held in Tokyo, Japan.
  4544.  
  4545. 04-28-1985: Tully Blanchard wins the NWA TV title over Dusty Rhodes in Charlotte, NC.
  4546.  
  4547. 04-29-1985: Hulk Hogan appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
  4548.  
  4549. 04-1985: The first professional wrestling video tape called "Lords of the Ring" is released by wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The tape is hosted by Pro Wrestling Illustrated senior editor Bill Apter and wrestling commentator Gordon Solie. The tape features such matches as the "David Von Erich Memorial Parade of champions" NWA World title change between Kerry Von Erich and Ric Flair, as well as, the title rematch from Japan where Flair recaptured the championship.
  4550.  
  4551. 04-1985: NWA Mid-Atlantic championship wrestling begins airing on TBS, replacing the short lived WWF program which replaced NWA Georgia championship wrestling after the WWF bought out the promotion.
  4552.  
  4553. 05-1985: Chris Benoit graduates from high school.
  4554.  
  4555. 05-05-1985: The second annual David Von Erich Parade of Champions is held at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX. This year featured Ric Flair battling Kevin Von Erich to a double count out with Flair retaining the NWA World title this year. Also Kerry Von Erich defeated One Man Gang, and The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) won the vacant World Class tag team titles over The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton).
  4556.  
  4557. 05-11-1985: The WWF debuts a wrestling special on NBC called "Saturday Night's Main Event". The first episode of Main Event features Hulk Hogan retaining the WWF World title over Roddy Piper's bodygaurd Bob Orton, Jr.
  4558.  
  4559. 05-26-1985: Tom Casey, the brother of former world champion Steve "Crusher" Casey, a wrestler himself, dies at the age of 70 in Boston, MA.
  4560.  
  4561. 06-01-1985: Bill Watts holds another Superdome Extravaganza in the New Orleans, LA Superdome drawing 11,000 to see The Barbarian defeat Pat Rose, Bill Dundee defeat Tom Pritchard, Micheal Hayes & Buddy Roberts defeat Brad Armstrong & Charlie Brown, The Snowman (seconded by Muhammad Ali) defeated Jake Roberts to retain the Mid South TV title, Ric Flair defeated Terry Taylor to retain the NWA World title, Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Terry Daniels defeated The Dirty White Boys (Len Denton & Tony Anthony) in a boot camp match, Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase defeated The Rock & Roll Express to retain the Mid South tag team titles, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan battled Kamala to a no contest.
  4562.  
  4563. 06-05-1985: An elbow from Brad Armstrong catches Steve "Dr. Death" Williams in the eye and busts him open requiring one-hundred and eight stitches to close. Williams wrestles again just hours later.
  4564.  
  4565. 06-06-1985: A jury in Waukesha, WI finds Ken Patera guilty of two counts of battery against a peace officer and one count of criminal damage to property and Mr. Saito guilty of three counts of battery to a peace officer and one count of obstructing an officer, stemming from an April 6, 1984 altercation at a hotel room in Waukesha, WI following damage to a local McDonald's Resteraunt by the two.
  4566.  
  4567. 06-15-1985: Carlos Colon defeats Dory Funk, Jr. to regain the WWC Universal title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  4568.  
  4569. 06-17-1985: Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo (The U.S. Express) regain the WWF World tag team titles from The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff in Poughkeepsie, NY... The Fabulous Ones defeat Billy Joe Travis & Ron Sexton in a tournament final in Memphis, TN for the vacant Southern tag team titles.
  4570.  
  4571. 07-06-1985: The NWA Great American Bash is held in Charlotte, NC with Ric Flair defeating Nikita Koloff to retain the NWA World title and Dusty Rhodes defeating Tully Blanchard in a steel cage to win the NWA World TV title... Tito Santana defeats Greg Valentine to regain the WWF Intercontinental title in Baltimore, MD.
  4572.  
  4573. 07-09-1985: The Rock & Roll Express defeat Ivan & Nikita Koloff for the NWA World tag team titles in Shelby, NC.
  4574.  
  4575. 07-21-1985: Tully Blanchard wins the NWA U.S. title from Magnum T.A. in Charlotte, NC. Blanchard is managed by Baby Doll (Nicola Roberts).
  4576.  
  4577. 08-02-1985: Harley Race defeats Jerry Blackwell for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis, MO.
  4578.  
  4579. 08-15-1985: Gary Royal defeats Denny Brown for the NWA World Junior title in St. Louis, MO.
  4580.  
  4581. 08-22-1985: Mike Von Erich undergoes shoulder surgery in Dallas, TX. The surgery results in a near deadly infection.
  4582.  
  4583. 08-24-1985: The Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake) win the WWF World tag team titles from Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham in Philadelphia, PA.
  4584.  
  4585. 08-27-1985: Mike Von Erich is readmitted to Morton Cancer & Research Hospital in Dallas, TX with a 107 degree fever, the result of toxic shock syndrome following his shoulder surgery days earlier... The television sports station ESPN begins airing AWA wrestling on a weekly basis.
  4586.  
  4587. 09-01-1985: Jay Youngblood (Steve Romero) dies at the age of 30 in New Zealand.
  4588.  
  4589. 09-02-1985: Akira Maeda intentionally throws several low blow kicks to Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask) during a match which leads to Maeda being kicked out of Japan's UWF group which he helped formed. This also heralded the final days of the UWF.
  4590.  
  4591. 09-11-1985: UWF holds it's last card at Korakuen Hall.
  4592.  
  4593. 09-15-1985: Denny Brown wins the NWA World Junior title for a second time over Gary Royal in Atlanta, GA.
  4594.  
  4595. 09-29-1985: In one of the most memorable angles between the two, the Four Horsemen attack Dusty Rhodes in an Atlanta, GA parking lot and "break" his leg.
  4596.  
  4597. 10-03-1985: The WWF hosts another "Saturday Night's Main Event" broadcast on NBC highlighted by Uncle Elmer (Stan Frazier) marrying a Ms. Joyce Staszko on television.
  4598.  
  4599. 10-08-1985: New York Senator Abraham Bernstein introduces legislation attempting to ban professional wrestling in New York. The measure fails.
  4600.  
  4601. 10-13-1985: Ivan & Nikita Koloff recapture the NWA World tag team titles from The Rock & Roll Express in Charlotte, NC.
  4602.  
  4603. 10-19-1985: Dusty Rhodes is stripped of the NWA TV title after being injured.
  4604.  
  4605. 10-21-1985: In the only AWA World title verses NWA World title match in history, Ric Flair- NWA World champion battled Rick Martel- AWA World champion to a double count out at Tokyo Japan's Sumo Hall in front of a sell out crowd. The match lasted just over thirty-four minutes.
  4606.  
  4607. 10-22-1985: Rick Martel, AWA World champion teams with NWA World champion Ric Flair and lose via count out in Japan to the NWA International tag team champions Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta.
  4608.  
  4609. 10-31-1985: New Japan Pro Wrestling's working agreement with the WWF expires and New Japan abandons the WWF Junior title, International title, and International tag team titles... Lex Luger makes his pro wrestling debut in Daytona Beach, Florida for NWA Florida championship wrestling defeating Ed "Bull" Gantner.
  4610.  
  4611. 11-01-1985: Rick McGraw dies at the age of 30 in New Haven, CT. Long time friend Steve Travis blames McGraw's heart attack on drug use.
  4612.  
  4613. 11-04-1985: Jumbo Tsuruta meets Riki Choshu for the first time and the two battle to a sixty minute time limit draw.
  4614.  
  4615. 11-07-1985: The first wrestling pay per view is held by the WWF called the "Wrestling Classic Tournament" in Chicago, IL. It was won by Junkyard Dog who defeats Randy Savage in the tournament finals.
  4616.  
  4617. 11-19-1985: Just nineteen days after his pro debut, Lex Luger upsets long time star Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Southern heavyweight title in Tampa, Florida.
  4618.  
  4619. 11-25-1985: Dressed in a body suit and mask, ladies wrestling legend The Fabulous Moolah under the name The Spider Lady double crosses WWF Womens champion Wendi Richter on orders from WWF owner Vince McMahon. McMahon had ordered Richter to sign a new contract, which she had not, so McMahon sent Moolah dressed as The Spider Lady to defeat Richter for the WWF Womens title at Madison Sqaure Garden. Richter obviously never signed a new contract.
  4620.  
  4621. 11-28-1985: NWA Starrcade 1985 takes place from both Greensboro, NC and Atlanta, GA, broadcast both ways from the other location on closed circuit television. Dusty Rhodes appears to have defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World title, but the decision is reversed. Also The Rock & Roll Express defeat Ivan & Nikita Koloff for the NWA World tag team titles, Krusher Kruschev (Barry Darsaw) defeats Sam Houston for the vacant Mid Atlantic TV title, Buddy Landel defeats Terry Taylor for the NWA National title, and Magnum T.A. defeats Tully Blanchard for the NWA U.S. title in their famous "I quit" cage match.
  4622.  
  4623. 12-06-1985: Five former UWF Japan wrestlers: Akira Maeda, Nobuhiko Takada, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Osamu Kido, and Kazuo Yamazaki return to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  4624.  
  4625. 12-12-1985: IWGP tag team tournament finalist Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka no-show the IWGP World tag team tournament finals against Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi. The Brody & Snuka team is replaced by Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura who win the titles when Fujinami pinned Inoki, this was the first time Fujinami had ever pinned Inoki... Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase win the annual All Japan Real world tag team tournament over Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenryu.
  4626.  
  4627. 12-20-1985: Tarzan Tyler (Lauren Touville) dies.
  4628.  
  4629. 12-29-1985: Stan Hansen forces an injured Rick Martel to submit to a Boston Crab in East Rutherford, NJ to capture the AWA World heavyweight championship at the second NWA & AWA Starwars show. Also on the show Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes via DQ to retain the NWA World title.
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