On Tuesday, WWE Hall-of-Famer and wrestling legend Jim Ross shared that wife Jan was in critical condition following a vehicle accident in Norman, Oklahoma.
On Wednesday, Jim gave an update on Twitter: “A Priest gave my wife Jan her last rites tonight. My little angel is gone.”
They married in 1993 after the two were introduced by Ric Flair. They had no children.
Jan, 55, was traveling to the gym on a Vespa scooter on Tuesday night when she was struck from behind by a 17-year-old driving a car. She was tossed from the Vespa and suffered multiple skull fractures. She was not wearing a helmet.
“Jim has talked and written extensively over the years about his wife, who is one of the nicest and sweetest people I’ve known in this industry. When he was the head of talent relations in WWE for years, she was considered the ultimate coach’s wife, which is not the easiest role in the world because of the 24/7 nature of that job. She was a flight attendant who met Jim when he was working at WCW in the early 90s.”
We will have more on this sad story on tonight’s Wrestling Observer Radio.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
– Billy Red Lyons and “Whipper” Billy Watson beat the Tolos Brothers, Chris and John to capture the International tag team title on a disqualification
– Raphael Helpern beat Bulldog Browed on a disqualification
– Edouard Carpentier beat Frank Valois
– Bruno Sammartino beat Doc Gallagher
– Sweet Daddy Siki beat Timothy Geohagen
– Jim Hady beat Sam Steamboat
1963
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament: Kinji Shibuya & Mitsu Arakawa beat Dick Steinborn & Doug Gilbert to claim the vacant Canadian Open tag team title
1966
Sioux City, Iowa:
– AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat Reggie Parks
– Billy Red Cloud & Tim Woods beat Mitsu Arakawa & Haru Sasaki
– Mad Russian Stan Pulaski beat Ron Reed
– Butcher Vachon beat Victor Rivera
1974
Denver, Colorado:
– No DQ match: AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat the Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon
– Wahoo McDaniel beat Buddy Wolff countout
– Billy Robinson drew Horst Hoffman
– Ricky Romero beat The Beast
– Greg Gagne drew Moose Morowski
1980
Chicago, Illinois:
– Non Title Cage match: Dick The Bruiser beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel
– AWA Tag Team Champions Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon beat King Kong Brody & Super Destroyer Mark II
– Dino Bravo ddq Jerry Blackwell
– Jerry Graham Jr beat El Bracero
– Wilbur Snyder beat Paul Christy
– Bobo Brazil beat Jerry Valiant
– Tiny Hampton beat Spike Huber
1981
Greensboro, North Carolina:
– Jim Nelson defeated Ricky Ferrara
– Don Kernodle defeated Kurt Von Hess
– Bruno Sammartino Jr. defeated Gene Lewis
– Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Genichiro Tenryu defeated Sweet Ebony Diamond & George Wells
– WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum
– Ricky Steamboat defeated Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Snuka to win the title
– Paul Jones & the Masked Superstar defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Ray Stevens & Ivan Koloff to win the titles
Long Island, New York:
– Yoshiaki Yatsu pinned Johnny Rodz
– Frank Savage defeated Steve King
– Stan Hansen defeated Dominic DeNucci
– Rick Martel defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna
– The Moondogs defeated Rick McGraw & SD Jones
– Sgt. Slaughter defeated Tony Garea
– Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan
St Paul, Minnesota:
– Non Title match, Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura
– Baron Von Raschke beat Jerry Blackwell
– Nick Bockwinkel beat Pat O’Connor
– Tito Santana beat John Studd by DQ
– Bobby Heenan beat Buck Zumhofe
– Brad Rheingans beat Steve Regal
– Curt Hennig beat Billy Howard
1985
New York City:
– Bob Backlund won a battle royal
– AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Kendo Nagasaki
– Larry Zbyszko beat Baron Von Raschke
– Bob Backlund beat Billy Robinson
– Jay Youngblood & Mark Youngblood beat Alaskans
– Rocky Jones drew Larry Sharpe
1989
Rockford, Illinois:
– Mr. Perfect defeated Koko B. Ware
– Rick Martel defeated Bad News Brown via DQ
– The Bushwhackers defeated Jacques & Raymond Rougeau
– Jim Duggan defeated Dino Bravo in a flag match
– The Big Bossman defeated Hillbilly Jim
– Hercules defeated King Haku
– Andre the Giant defeated Jake Roberts
1991
Bluefield, West Virginia:
– Ricky Morton defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker
– The Junkyard Dog defeated Lt. James Earl Wright
– Tommy Rich defeated Dr. X
– Dustin Rhodes defeated Dutch Mantell
– Big Josh defeated Black Bart
– Owen Hart pinned Bobby Eaton
– Tracey Smothers & Steve Armstrong defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin
– Big Josh won a battle royal
– WCW US Champion Lex Luger pinned Sid Vicious
1993
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Brian Christopher & Scotty Flamingo defeated the Moondogs (Spot & Splat) for the USWA Tag Team Titles
1997
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jerry Lawler defeated Tank for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title
– The Truth Commission defeated Flash Flanagan & Billy Joe Travis for the USWA Tag Team Titles
Jan Ross, the wife of Jim Ross, was in a terrible accident yesterday and received multiple skull fractures.
Jim Ross tweeted late last night, “My wife Jan, my little angel, was hit while rising her Vespa and has multiple skull fractures. She’s in surgery now. We need a miracle.”
The Norman, OK, police department reported that Jan Ross was driving at 9:33 p.m. when she was struck from behind by a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by a 17-year-old and was thrown from her Vespa. The car and her scooter caught fire.
Jan was going to the gym, and was not wearing her helmet, and landed on her head causing multiple skull fractures. She was listed in critical condition before surgery.
Jim has talked and written extensively over the years about his wife, who is one of the nicest and sweetest people I’ve known in this industry. When he was the head of talent relations in WWE for years, she was considered the ultimate coach’s wife, which is not the easiest role in the world because of the 24/7 nature of that job. She was a flight attendant who met Jim when he was working at WCW in the early 90s.
We want to send as many good thoughts as possible to Jan and Jim and wishes for that miracle to happen.
– El Santo defeated Murcielago Velazquez to win the Mexican National Middleweight Title
St. Joseph, Missouri:
– Swedish Angel beat Babe Zaharias
– Orville Brown beat Lee Wyckoff by DQ
– Bad Boy Brown and Jack Hader beat Everett Kibbons and Jack Nasworthy
1954
St. Joseph, Missouri:
– Sonny Myers defeated Bob Orton to win the Central State Title
1955
Moline, Illinois:
– Roy McClarty and Pat O’Connor defeated Reggie Lisowski and Art Neilson to win the Chicago NWA World Tag Team Titles
1956
Fort Worth, Texas:
– Don Evans defeated Bull Curry for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1965
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Buddy Fuller and Jesse James defeated The Mysterious Medics to win the Georgia NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1966
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race by DQ
– AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat Wilbur Snyder by countout
– Chris Markoff beat Mark Starr
– Chris Tolos beat Eddie Sharkey
– George Drake beat Guy Taylor
1968
Chattanooga, Tennessee:
– Tojo Yamamoto defeated Len Rossi for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title
1972
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– The Sheik won over Pampero Firpo on a countout
– Danny Hodge (billed as Junior Heavyweight champion) beat Johnny Fargo
– Johnny Valentine beat Christopher Colt
– Edouard Carpentier beat Lee Henning
– Gino Brito and Jacques Rougeau went to a 15:00 draw against Bill Miller and Dan Miller
– Tony Parisi and Tony Marino beat Masked Marvel and Mike Loren (sub for Chris Tolos)
– Love Brothers, Hartford and Reginald beat Lou Klein and the Executioner
– Tex McKenzie and Ben Justice beat Hans Schmidt and Mighty Ursus
1973
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jackie Fargo and Jerry Jarrett defeated Jerry Lawler and Jim White to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1974
– The Texan (Blackjack Mulligan) defeated Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Heavyweight Title
1976
Richmond, Virginia:
– Wahoo McDaniel won the Crockett Cadillac Cup Tournament
1978
Greensboro, North Carolina:
– Tim Woods defeated Blackjack Mulligan for the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Non Title Cage match: The Crusher beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel
– Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat Rufus R Jones & Pat O’Connor
– Greg Gagne ddq Bob Orton Jr
– Jean Antone beat Kay Noble
– Evan Johnson beat Buck Zumhofe
1979
Auckland, New Zealand:
– Rick Martel defeated Mad Dog Martin for the New Zealand NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title
1980
Nashville, Tennessee:
– Gypsy Joe and Tojo Yamamoto defeated Rocky Brewer and Pat Rose for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Titles
1984
San Antonio, Texas:
– Bobby Fulton defeated Adrian Street to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title
1988
Las Vegas, Nevada:
– AWA Champion Curt Hennig beat Wahoo McDaniel
– Badd Company, Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond beat Midnight Rockers to win AWA Tag Title
– Pat Tanaka beat AWA TV Champion Greg Gagne dq
– Teijo Khan beat Baron Von Raschke
– Ricky Morton & Wahoo McDaniel beat Soldat Ustinov & Krusher Kruger
– Badd Company, Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond beat Mando Guerrero & Ricky Rice
– Ricky Morton beat Dennis Stamp
1992
Cleveland, Ohio:
– WCW Tag Team Champion Bobby Eaton pinned Mike Graham
– Terrence Taylor pinned Marcus Alexander Bagwell
– Cactus Jack pinned Johnny B. Badd
– Ron Simmons & Big Josh fought Big Van Vader & Vinnie Vegas to a double disqualification
– Dustin Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WCW TV Champion Steve Austin, Paul E. Dangerously, Larry Zbyszko, WCW Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton in a handicap match
– WCW World Champion Sting pinned WCW US Champion Rick Rude
1993
Barbourville, Kentucky:
– Jimmy Golden pinned Chris Comet
– Tim Horner defeated The Nightstalker via disqualification
– Kevin Sullivan defeated Brian Lee in a first blood match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy defeated Tracy Smothers
-Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson & Arn Anderson defeated Stan Lane, Tom Prichard, & Bobby Eaton
1994
Harlan, Kentucky:
– Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Steven Dunn & Timothy Well
– Tracy Smothers defeated Chris Candido in a ladder match
– Tim Horner defeated Dick Murdoch & Jim Cornette in a handicap match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy & the Dirty White Girl defeated Brian Lee & Tammy Fytch
– SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated Tracy Smothers (sub. for Ricky Morton) & Robert Gibson in a 60-minute Ironman match
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Brian Christopher defeated Eddie Gilbert by countout to win the USWA Heavyweight Title
1995
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
– Cactus Jack defeated T. Rantula for the Steel City Wrestling Heavyweight Title
WCW Uncensored: Tupelo, Mississippi:
– The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) in a Falls Count Anywhere match
– The Blacktop Bully defeated Dustin Rhodes in a King of the Road match
– Stars ‘n’ Stripes (Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot) defeated Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater
– WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Vader in a Strap match
– Big Bubba Rogers pinned Sting
Knoxville, Tennessee:
– Killer Kyle defeated Boo Bradley
– SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb in an elimination match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion Bobby Blaze defeated Buddy Landel via disqualification
– New Jack & Mustafa defeated Tracy Smothers & Bob Armstrong
– The Dirty White Boy defeated Buddy Landel in a steel cage match
1996
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada:
– John Rambo defeated Jimmy Snuka in a tournament final to win the ECCW Heavyweight Title
1997
Yonezawa, Japan:
– Shoichi Funaki defeated Pantera to win the vacant UWA World Middleweight Title
1999
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Steve Bradley defeated Lance Jade and Erin O’Grady (Crash Holly) in a three-way match to win the Power Pro Wrestling Young Guns Title
2000
WCW Uncensored: Miami, Florida:
– The Harris Brothers (Ron and Don) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny the Bull (with Disco Inferno)) to win the titles
– Dustin Rhodes pinned Terry Funk in a Bullrope match
– Sting pinned The Total Package (Lex Luger with Miss Elizabeth) in a Lumberjacks with Casts match
– WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sid Vicious pinned Jeff Jarrett to retain the title
– Hulk Hogan defeated Ric Flair in a Strap match
2000
Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico:
– Rex King defeated Glamour Boy Shane for the WWC Television Title
2001
Miami, Florida:
– Edge and Christian defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz (w/ Lita) to win the titles
– Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian to win the titles
2002
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada:
– William Regal defeated WWF European Champion Diamond Dallas Page to win the title
2004
Mexico City, Mexico:
– Rey Bucanero and Último Guerrero defeated L.A. Park and Shocker to win the CMLL World Tag Team Titles
2006
Louisville, Kentucky:
– The Untouchables (Deuce and Domino) won the OVW Southern Tag Team Title, after Deuce defeated The Miz in a singles match
2011
ROH Manhattan Mayhem: Manhattan, New York:
– Eddie Edwards defeated Roderick Strong to win the ROH Title
– Mike Bennett beat Steve Corino
– The All Night Express beat The Briscoe Brothers
– El Generico defeated TJ Perkins
– ROH Tag Team champions The Kings of Wrestling beat LAX to retain the titles
– Pure Wrestling Rules: Davey Richards beat ROH TV champion Christopher Daniels
2013
TNA Hardcore Justice: Orlando, Florida:
-ODB defeated Jackie Moore in a Hardcore Knockouts Match
-LAX defeated The New Church (Slash and Sinn)
-Bad Influence defeated Generation Me in a Tag Team Ladder Match
-Shark Boy won a Hardcore Gauntlet Match
-James Storm, Magnus and Bob “Hardcore” Holly defeated the Aces and 8’s (Doc, Knux, Wes Brisco) in a Six-Man Elimination Match
-Joseph Park defeated Judas Mesias in a Monster’s Ball Match
-Jeff Hardy and Brother Runt defeated Team 3D in a Tag Team Tables Match
Brisbane, Australia:
– Joe Dawson defeated Billy Meeske to win the Australian Heavyweight Title
1943
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Whipper Billy Watson defeated Jack Claybourne to win the Toronto NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title
1952
San Francisco, California:
– Ben and Mike Sharpe defeated Hombre Montana and Leo Nomellini for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Titles
1954
Dayton, Ohio:
– Roy Shire defeated Marvin Mercer to win the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title
1956
Honolulu, Hawaii:
– Billy Varga defeated Al Loloati for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
1957
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– George and Sandy Scott defeated Jim Austeri and Ali Bey to win
the Mid-Atlantic NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1959
Mobile, Alabama:
– Papa Pasquale defeated Billy Wicks for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
1960
– Ed Francis defeated Shag Thomas to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
1961
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Leo Nomellini & Verne Gagne beat Gene Kiniski & Len Montana 2 out of 3 falls (Montana suffered a broken leg and had to vacate his half of the AWA Tag Team Title, Gene Kiniski chose Hard Boil Haggarty as his new partner)
– AWA US Champion Wilbur Snyder beat Hard Boiled Haggerty
– Stan Kowalski beat Jim Hady
– Joe Scarpello beat Vic Christy
1963
Fort Worth, Texas:
– Louie Tillet defeated Bull Curry for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1964
Salem, Oregon:
– Nick Bockwinkel and Nick Kozak defeated The Destroyer and Art Michalik to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
Lubbock, Texas:
– Larry Hennig and The Viking defeated Ken Lucas and Fritz Von Erich for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Titles
Mobile, Alabama:
– Lee Fields and Mario Galento defeated The Mysterious Medics to win the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1968
Auckland, New Zealand:
– John DaSilva defeated George Gordienko for the New Zealand NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title
1971
Tampa, Florida:
– The Texan defeated Bob Roop to win the vacant NWA Florida Television Title (after the match, The Texan unmasked, revealing himself to be Terry Funk)
1974
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Lou Thesz defeated Tommy Gilbert to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title
– The Infernos (Ron Gibson and Stan Pulaski) defeated Don Fargo and Rufus R. Jones for the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1976
New Orleans, Louisiana:
– The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts) defeated Gorgeous George, Jr. and Greg Valentine to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Titles
1978
Atlanta, Georgia:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Mr. Wrestling II
– Thunderbolt Patterson & Tony Atlas beat Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen
– Georgia TV Champion Ole Anderson beat Mr. Wrestling I
– Tommy Rich beat Jacques Goulet
– Adrian Adonis beat Helmut Schmidt
– Raymond Rougeau beat Bounty Hunter
1981
Port Huron, Michigan:
– Ricky Cortez defeated Dick Garza for the Michigan Championship Wrestling Michigan Heavyweight Title
1982
Oakland, California:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Pat Patterson
– Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Bobby Heenan beat Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana & Buck Zumhofe
– Non Title: Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
– Brad Rheingans beat Sgt. Goulet
1983
Boston, Massachusetts:
– WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco
1984
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– Ivan Koloff defeated Angelo Mosca, Jr. to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
1985
Fayetteville, North Carolina:
– Pez Whatley fought Buddy Landell to a draw
– Arn Anderson defeated Sam Houston
– Don Kernodle defeated Krusher Kruschev
– Buzz Tyler defeated Tully Blanchard via disqualification
– Magnum TA fought NWA US Champion Wahoo McDaniel to a no contest
– Jimmy Valiant defeated the Great Kabuki
– Ivan and Nikita Koloff defeated Manny Fernandez and Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Tag Team Titles
1986
Mooresville, North Carolina:
– Black Bart defeated Sam Houston to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
1988
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Chris Benoit defeated Gama Singh to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title
1990
Rochester, Minnesota:
– Larry Zbyszko & Tully Blanchard beat DJ Peterson & Paul Diamond
– Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom & Tully Blanchard beat The Trooper (the Patriot) & Paul Diamond & DJ Peterson
– Kokina Maximus (Yokozuna) beat Sgt Slaughter by DQ
1991
Columbia, South Carolina:
– Ricky Morton pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker
– Big Josh defeated Moondog Rex
– Brad Armstrong & Owen Hart defeated Mr. X & Kevin Sullivan
– Dustin Rhodes pinned Dutch Mantell
– Bobby Eaton fought Terry Taylor to a draw
– The Junkyard Dog defeated Jack Victory
– Tracey Smothers & Steve Armstrong defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin
– Big Josh won a battle royal
1993
Farmville, Virginia:
– Chris Candido pinned The Tazmaniac
– Tim Horner defeated Tom Prichard
– Tracy Smothers pinned SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Stan Lane & Tom Prichard
– Tracy Smothers won a battle royal
1994
Netzahualcóyotl, Mexico:
– Canek defeats Yamato for the UWA World Heavyweight Title
Barbourville, Kentucky:
– Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Steven Dunn & Timothy Well
– Tracy Smothers defeated Chris Candido in a ladder match
– Bob Armstrong defeated Dick Murdoch & Jim Cornette in a handicap match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy & the Dirty White Girl defeated Brian Lee & Tammy Fytch
– SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated Tim Horner (sub. for Ricky Morton) & Robert Gibson in a 60-minute Ironman match
1995
Dallas, Texas:
– Greg Valentine won the NWA North American Heavyweight Title defeating John Hawk
ECW Extreme Warfare, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– 2 Cold Scorpio pinned ECW World Television Champion and Tag Team Champion Dean Malenko to win the Television title
– Axl Rotten pinned Ian Rotten in a Strap match
– The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Pitbulls
– Sabu defeated Mikey Whipwreck
– Terry Funk and The Sandman defeated Cactus Jack and ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas
Johnson City, Tennessee:
– Killer Kyle defeated Boo Bradley
– SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb in an elimination match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion Bobby Blaze defeated Buddy Landel via disqualification
– New Jack & Mustafa defeated Tracy Smothers & Bob Armstrong
– The Dirty White Boy pinned Buddy Landel in a steel cage match
1997
Vancouver, Washington:
– Colonel DeBeers defeated Matt Borne to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Title
2000
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Derrick King and Moondog Spot defeated Wolfie D, who held the title by himself, for the Power Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles
2001
WCW Greed: Jacksonville, Florida:
– Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper defeated Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr., to become the first WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions
– Shane Helms defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr. to win the title
– WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner (with Midajah) defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a Falls Count Anywhere match
– WCW World Tag Team Champions The Natural Born Thrillers (Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo) defeated Totally Buff (Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger) to retain the title
– Booker T pinned WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner to win the title
– Dusty and Dustin Rhodes defeated Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett
Deer Park, New York:
– Big Dick Dudley defeated Tommy Cairo and Axl Rotten in a three-way match to win the United States Extreme Wrestling Heavyweight Title
St. Louis, Missouri:
– World Heavyweight Champion Joe Stecher beat Ivan Lindow
1971
Portland, Oregon:
– NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr drew Lonnie Mayne
– AWA Tag Team Champions Kurt & Karl Von Steiger beat Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon by DQ
– Pat O’Brien beat Haru Sasaki by DQ
– Dutch Savage drew Steven Little Bear
– Stan Stasiak beat Moose Morowski
– Tony Borne beat Bing Ki Lee
– Eric Froelich drew Bobby Nichols
1975
Green Bay, Wisconsin:
– Andre the Giant beat Baron Von Raschke by DQ
– Horst Hoffman beat Superstar Billy Graham
– Dusty Rhodes beat Buddy Wolff
– Billy Robinson beat Moose Cholak
– George Gadaski beat Kenny Jay
1976
Omaha, Nebraska:
– Chris Taylor won a 18 man $20,000 Battle Royal
– Andre The Giant beat Baron Von Raschke by DQ
– Chris Taylor beat Kim Duk
– Jos LeDuc ddq Mad Dog Vachon
– Larry Hennig beat Jimmy Valiant
– Dick Blood (Ricky Steamboat) beat Buck Zumhofe
– Scott Irwin ddq Jan Nelson
Miami Beach, Florida:
– Lights Out Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Missouri Mauler
– Special Challenge Match: Bob Roop & Bob Orton Jr. defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco
– Florida Title: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Pak Song by DQ
– Southern Title: Billy Robinson defeated Bull Bullinski
– Mike Graham defeated King Curtis
– Bob Orton, Sr. defeated Ali (Ron Pope) Pasha by DQ
– Rocky Smith defeated Karl Von Steiger
– Bill Dromo drew Abe Jacobs
1977
Jacksonville, Florida:
– Ernie Ladd (sub Dusty Rhodes) defeated Superstar Billy Graham
– Handicap Match: Ernie Ladd defeated Hans Schroeder & Angelo Poffo
– The Assassin defeated Crusher Verdu
– Jerry Brisco defeated Jack Armstrong
– Kevin Sullivan defeated Pat McGinnis
– Ivan Koloff defeated Phil Mercado
1978
St. Louis, Missouri:
– Andre the Giant won 17 man Wrestle Royal
– Terry Funk beat Black Lack Lanza
– Andre the Giant and Dick the Bruiser beat Ric Flair, Dusty Wolfe, and Baker
– Dick Murdoch beat Evan Johnson
– Pat O’Connor and Rocky Johnson beat Bobby Jaggers and Bob Brown
– David Von Erich beat Doug Somers
1979
Omaha, Nebraska:
– Non Title Cage match: Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon beat AWA Tag Team Champions Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens
– Billy Robinson ddq Bobby Duncum
– Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Cecil DuBois & Iron Sheik
– Steve Olsonoski beat Joe Scarpello
– Doug Gilbert drew Buddy Wolff
1981
Allentown, Pennsylvania:
– The Moondogs (Rex & King) defeated Tony Garea & Rick Martel for the WWF World Tag Team Titles
1982
Shreveport, Louisiana:
– Bob Roop defeated Ted DiBiase for the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title
Homestead, Florida:
– NWA World Title-“Nature Boy” Ric Flair defeated Mike Graham
– Hacksaw Reed & Sweet Brown Sugar defeated Kerry & David Von Erich
– El Gran Apollo & Mr. Wrestling # 2 defeated Cyclon Negro & Avalanche Tyler
– Courtesy Main Event Martial Arts Allowed: Kendo Nagasaki defeated Terry Allen & Bubba Douglas
– Easy Ed Wiskowski drew Terry Allen (sub for Don Diamond)
1993
Dublin, Ireland:
– Johnny B. Badd pinned Scotty Flamingo
– Van Hammer pinned Maxx Payne
– WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes fought NWA World Champion Barry Windham to a no contest
– Davey Boy Smith pinned Vinnie Vegas
– WCW TV Champion Paul Orndorff pinned Michael Hayes
– Rick Rude pinned Cactus Jack after avoiding a top rope move
– Big Van Vader defeated Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Title
1994
Hyden, Kentucky:
– Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Steven Dunn & Timothy Well
– Tracy Smothers defeated Chris Candido in a ladder match
– Bob Armstrong defeated Dick Murdoch & Jim Cornette in a handicap match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy & the Dirty White Girl defeated Brian Lee & Tammy Fytch
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray via disqualification
Hof, Germany:
– 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Harlem Heat
– Frank Anderson defeated Alex Wright
– WCW US Champion Steve Austin defeated Johnny B. Badd
– Vader defeated Maxx Payne
– Sting & Ricky Steamboat defeated Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma
1995
West Liberty, Kentucky:
– Boo Bradley defeated D-Lo Brown
– SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb via disqualification
– The Dirty White Boy defeated Buddy Landel
– New Jack & Mustafa defeated Tracy Smothers & Boo Bradley
1999
Tokyo, Japan:
– Koji Kanemomoto defeated Jushin Liger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight championship
2001
Tokyo, Japan:
– Scott Norton defeated Kensuke Sasaki to win the IWGP Heavyweight championship
2002
WWE WrestleMania: Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Triple H pinned Chris Jericho (with Stephanie McMahon) to win the Undisputed WWF championship
– Rob Van Dam pinned William Regal to win the WWF Intercontinental championship
– The Undertaker pinned Ric Flair in a great street fight
– WWF Tag Champs Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo beat The Acolytes, The Hardy Boyz, and The Dudley Boys in a Four-Way Elimination match
– The Rock pinned Hulk Hogan
Mexico City, Mexico:
– El Canek won the AAA Rey de Reyes Tournament, defeating Pirata Morgan, Cibernetico & Octagon
With ROH’s 15th Anniversary show, wXw’s 16 Carat Gold, and the opening stages of the New Japan Cup, as well as the usual 1,000 hours of WWE programming, there’s been no shortage of great wrestling over the past seven days. Our team picked their favorite wrestler of the week. Who’s yours?
Ishii is literally the best. He’s so good that he’s Nakamura’s favorite wrestler. He’s so good he once actually pulled a watchable match out of Yujiro Takahashi. More recently, he had the best match of the New Japan Cup so far when he got the upset win over Kenny Omega in the first round.
And that’s what Ishii does best. When put in a position to shine, Ishii never fails. It’s not often that Tomohiro Ishii gets to main event shows for New Japan, though it does happen from time to time. But it should happen more, because when he’s not in the main event, he’s probably outshining it, like he did in his five star match against Okada in the 2016 G-1.
Ishii is an enigma, and not the Jeff Hardy kind. He’s an actual enigma. He’s short, his physique’s not great, he’s over forty, but his mind for designing matches and his selling is beyond reproach. For those not too familiar with his body of work, go back and look at his series of matches with Naito and Honma, and his singles matches with Okada, Nakamura, Shibata, and Tanahashi.
Yes, those are all amazing wrestlers in their own right, but the common factor in many of their best matches is Tomohiro Ishii, and that’s why he’s my favorite wrestler this week, and always.
Austin Aries
By Jeremy Peeples
Austin Aries went from being a commentator who shined brightly on Raw by actually having a personality — and an impressive package of innuendo each week — to the lead face of the cruiserweight division.
While 205 Live is seemingly doomed, Aries remains one of the few cruiserweight acts on Raw who feels like he has some genuine upward momentum out of the division if they so choose. He could easily mix it up in the United States title picture later this year, and he’s already shown that he can get a move over as a killer quickly by shifting from the Last Chancery to the rolling elbow on the main roster. It’s a more visually-impressive move anyway, and gives him the feel of someone who can be a physical threat.
Christopher Daniels
By Ryan Frederick
Christopher Daniels has had a long and entertaining career spanning over 20 years and throughout a plethora of promotions, most notably TNA and Ring of Honor. He’s held several championships in several promotions, but one thing had eluded him during his career. He had never been a World Champion in a major promotion.
That changed this past weekend when he won the ROH World Championship by defeating Adam Cole at the ROH 15th Anniversary pay-per-view. It came full circle for Daniels, who competed on the first-ever ROH event, and now 15 years later, he has his first World title at 47 years old. For that, I salute you Mr. Daniels. You’re my favorite wrestler this week.
AJ Styles
By Mike DellaCamera
In all honesty, AJ Styles could, and maybe should, be my pick every single week. But this week he did something I never thought was possible. He made me excited about a Shane McMahon match at WrestleMania.
Granted I’m not over the moon about seeing Shane throw his corny, child-like body punches at the best wrestler on the planet, but I am fascinated to see how we get there. When I first heard about the proposed match, my eyes rolled so hard my neighbors across the street heard it. Now? Consider me actually excited.
I’m excited after SmackDown this week, where AJ became probably the most fleshed out, well rounded, and fully realized character on either brand. AJ’s attack on Shane and confrontation with Daniel Bryan completed the transformation from someone who was unhappy with management, to someone that’s been pushed past their breaking point and snapped.
The only question with AJ pre-WWE was if his mic/character work can hold up — and that question has been asked and answered. The next few weeks should be great, and I have the feeling I’ll be struggling to write up a non-AJ Styles piece between now and WrestleMania.
My favorite wrestler this week is Kota Ibushi. Since his dual contract with New Japan and DDT ran out, he’s spent the last year and a half doing pretty much exactly what he wants, which has so far included taking part in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, flying to Texas to fight Kaiju Big Battel’s Dr. Cube, piledriving a man into a toilet, and opening the mysterious — and possibly fictional — Ibushi Wrestling Research Institute.
This past weekend saw him come to the UK for the first time, to be hosted by the XWA, and he brought his best friend — and fellow DDT oddball — Gota Ihashi with him. They fought each other on Saturday night, on a family-friendly show in Colchester, and wowed the mostly unfamiliar crowd with a spectacle that included a bicycle (which was eventually driven into Ihashi’s face), an impromptu boxing match, and an array of dazzling aerial moves.
The next day, the pair moved on to the Resistance Gallery in Bethnal Green, where they teamed to take on the equally-unhinged Jimmy Havoc & Cara Noir, in a fight that spilled out of the tiny venue and onto the streets of east London, involving Havoc’s car and some fireworks. That’s actual fireworks, which Ibushi aimed at his enemies, his pal, the fans, the sky, a passing train, and lastly himself, before moonsaulting off the car onto Havoc and Noir.
With contract offers on the table from New Japan and WWE pretty much whenever he wants them, Ibushi is instead pushing the boundaries of wrestling, becoming the physical embodiment of wrestling research, his own institute. We don’t deserve him.
“DER RING GENERAL” WALTER
By Alan Counihan
My God……MY GOD!!!!!!
Two Match of the Year candidates, two other GREAT tournament matches and the best two-minute shoot style match that wasn’t Vader vs. Nakano from UWFI. All in a weekend’s work for WALTER.
Not only that, but while WALTER the wrestler is absolutely tearing the house down in the ring, Walter the man is a major part of running one of the most successful weekends of European wrestling ever. And he took it all in his stride. The guy was so calm and relaxed at 16 Carat, but every time he got into the ring, he TORE THE HOUSE DOWN!!!
The final against Ilja Dragunov is the greatest live experience of my life (wrestling or any other form of entertainment) and I was lucky enough to call the action from the best seat in the house. WALTER was an absolute savage in it and the story they told was perfect. I wrote more about the match in this week’s F4W, so check that out if you can.
David Starr, Marius Al Ani, Jeff Cobb, Matt Riddle, and Ilja Dragunov all stood opposite “Der Ring General” in Oberhausen last week, and they all came out of their matches looking incredible. WALTER makes guys look fantastic, but boy does he make them earn it! Ilja’s chest at the end of their match was a sight to behold.
WALTER’s performance last weekend was every bit as special as Kenny Omega’s on G1 finals weekend last year. He was THAT good.
Dennis Stamp, best known to modern fans for his role in the movie “Beyond the Mat,” passed away today at the age of 68.
Stamp had been suffering from cancer.
Stamp was an amateur wrestling star in both high school and college in Minnesota and broke in under Verne Gagne and was named the 1971 AWA Rookie of the Year.
He worked a number of territories through the 70s, and was best known in West Texas, where the promotion favored legitimate wrestlers. He also had a good run in California. His full-time career ended with the death of the Amarillo territory, but he worked through the 80s as an enhancement talent on both WWF and AWA television shows.
He retired and worked at a pest control company. He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and was not given a good prognosis. But he defeated the cancer, which came back in September.
In the movie “Beyond the Mat,” Stamp was shown talking with Terry Funk, hoping to be booked on the show with Funk’s so-called 1997 retirement match in Amarillo against Bret Hart, who was then the WWF champion. He was mad about not being booked, even though he hadn’t wrestled in years. Eventually he was booked as the referee of the match. He gained some cult popularity from that movie with the phrase “I’m not booked” and the shots of him training in case he gets called for a match, even though he hadn’t wrestled in years.
Stamp was a solid worker who held titles in a number of promotions during the 70s.
Kansas City, Kansas:
– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Pat O’Connor beat Lee Henning in two out of three falls
– Dino Bravo and Bob Ellis beat Dick the Bruiser and The Mighty Atlas
– Rip Hawk beat Lou Spindola
1980
Miami, Florida:
– Bugsy McGraw defeated Nikolai Volkoff by DQ
– Texas Death Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Leroy Brown
– Florida Tag Titles: Jack Brisco & Jim Garvin defeated Bryan St. John & Stan Lane to win the titles
– Florida TV Title: Steve Keirn defeated Don Muraco
– Super Destroyer & Mr. Saito & Dick Slater defeated Manny Fernandez & Mr. Florida & Hector Guerrero
– Gordon Nelson beat Butcher Brannigan
– Geoff Portz defeated Barry Windham
1983
JCP Final Conflict: Greensboro, North Carolina:
– Jerry Brisco defeated Ken Timbs via submission
– Mike Rotundo pinned Rick Harris
– Jim Nelson & Johnny Weaver defeated Red Dog Lane & Gene Anderson
– Roddy Piper pinned Mid-Atlantic TV Champion Dick Slater (w/ Gary Hart)
– NWA World Champion Ric Flair fought NWA US Champion Greg Valentine to a 60-minute time-limit draw
– Ricky Steamobat & Jay Youngblood defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle in a no time limit steel cage match to win the titles
Landover, Maryland:
– Andre the Giant won a 20 man battle royal
– WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned WWF IC Champion Don Muraco in a Texas Death Match
Baltimore, Maryland:
– Rocky Johnson defeated Superstar Billy Graham by countout
– Big John Studd defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund by DQ
1984
New Orleans, Louisiana
– Mr. Wrestling II defeated The Junkyard Dog in to win the Mid South North American Heavyweight Title
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Rick Martel no contest Dino Bravo
– Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson
– AWA Tag Team Champions Ken Patera & Jerry Blackwell beat Leo Burke & The Destroyer
– Jim Brunzell beat Blackjack Mulligan
– Greg Gagne beat Bob Boucher
– Richard Charland beat Baron Von Raschke
– Gino Brito Jr beat Tito Senza
1987
Tokyo, Japan:
– NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated the Great Wajima
Sunrise, Florida:
– Barry Windham fought Lex Luger to a 20-minute time-limit draw
– NWA Tag Team Champions Rick Rude & Manny Fernandez defeated Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson
– NWA US Champion Nikita Koloff pinned Arn Anderson
– NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard defeated Dusty Rhodes via disqualification
1988
Landover, Maryland:
– SD Jones pinned Johnny V
– Dino Bravo pinned Koko B. Ware after Frenchy Martin interfered
– Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zhukov defeated B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell
– Andre the Giant pinned Bam Bam Bigelow with a boot to the face at around the 3-minute mark
– WWF Women’s Tag Team Champions the Jumping Bomb Angels defeated Judy Martin & Leilani Kai
– Brutus Beefcake defeated Greg Valentine via disqualification when Jimmy Hart interfered
– Hulk Hogan pinned Virgil (w/ Ted Dibiase)
– Don Muraco & George Steele defeated the One Man Gang & Butch Reed
El Paso, Texas:
– Dan Spivey pinned Lanny Poffo
– Danny Davis pinned Sam Houston
– Hillbilly Jim pinned Sika
– The Junkyard Dog defeated Bad News Brown via disqualification
– The Ultimate Warrior pinned King Harley Race
– Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated Demolition
– Jim Duggan pinned Ron Bass
– Jim Duggan won an 18-man bunkhouse battle royal
Chicago, Illinois:
– Scott Casey defeated Barry Horowitz
– Paul Roma & Jim Powers defeated the Conquistadors
– Rick Rude defeated Ken Patera
– The Islanders defeated Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid
– WWF Women’s Champion Sensational Sherri defeated Rockin Robin
– Jake Roberts fought Hercules to a double count-out
– Randy Savage, WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tito Santana defeated WWF IC Champion the Honkytonk Man, Bret Hart, & Jim Neidhart in a steel cage match
1989
– Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich defeated The Stud Stable, Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden, to win the World Class Tag Team Titles
1990
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jerry “The King” Lawler defeated Jimmy Valiant for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title
1992
Camp LeJune, North Carolina:
– Mr. Hughes pinned PN News
– Vinnie Vegas pinned Big Josh
– Abdullah the Butcher fought Cactus Jack to a double disqualification
– Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WCW TV Champion Steve Austin & WCW Tag Team Champion Bobby Eaton
– Johnny B. Badd pinned Terrence Taylor
– Sting & Ron Simmons (sub. for El Gigante) defeated WCW US Champion Rick Rude & Larry Zbyszko
1993
Morristown, Tennessee:
– The Nightstalker pinned Joe Cazana
– Jimmy Golden pinned Killer Kyle
– Tracy Smothers defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy via disqualification
– Kevin Sullivan defeated Brian Lee in a first blood match
– Stan Lane, Tom Prichard, & Bobby Eaton defeated Tim Horner, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson
Radnor, Pennsylvania:
– Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka defeated Glenn Osbourne in a tournament final to become the ECW Television Champion
Erie, Pennsylvania:
– Jim Powers defeated Repo Man
– Bob Backlund defeated Damien Demento
– Tito Santana defeated Skinner
– Kamala defeated Kimchee
– Rick & Scott Steiner defeated the Beverly Brothers
– Bob Backlund defeated Damien Demento
– WWF World Champion Bret Hart defeated Bam Bam Bigelow
Birmingham, England:
– Van Hammer fought Maxx Payne to a time-limit draw
– Michael Hayes defeated Scotty Flamingo
– Davey Boy Smith pinned Vinnie Vegas
– Rick Rude defeated Johnny B. Badd
– Big Van Vader defeated Cactus Jack
– WCW World Champion Sting & WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes defeated NWA World Champion Barry Windham & WCW TV Champion Paul Orndorff in a bunkhouse match
1994
Johnson City, Tennessee:
– Mike Furnas defeated Jeff Viktory
– Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated the Infernos
– Tracy Smothers defeated Chris Candido in a non-title ladder match
– Bob Armstrong defeated Dick Murdoch & Jim Cornette in a handicap match
– SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy & Dirty White Girl defeated Brian Lee & Tammy Fytch
– SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray defeated Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in a 60-minute Ironman match
Dresden, Germany:
– Frank Anderson defeated Harlem Heat Kane
– European Cup Opening Round: WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal pinned Maxx Payne
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair pinned Johnny B. Badd
– 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma
– Vader pinned Cactus Jack (match where Cactus Jack lost his ear)
– Sting & Ricky Steamboat defeated WCW US Champion Steve Austin & Ron Simmons
1995
Denver, Colorado:
– WCW TV Champion Arn Anderson defeated Johnny B. Badd via disqualification
– Alex Wright defeated Diamond Dallas Page (sub for Paul Roma)
– WCW Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell & the Patriot
– Dustin Rhodes defeated the Blacktop Bully via count-out
– Randy Savage & Sting defeated Avalanche & Big Bubba
– WCW US Champion Vader defeated Jim Duggan
1999
Trenton, New Jersey:
– ECW Tag Team Champions Rob Van Dam & Sabu defeated Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley
– Jerry Lynn defeated Lance Storm
Anaheim, California:
– The Acolytes defeated Goldust & the Blue Meanie
– Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor defeated Gangrel & Edge
– WWF Hardcore Champion Hardcore Holly defeated Al Snow
– WWF IC Champion Val Venis defeated Ken Shamrock & Billy Gunn
– WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett defeated Triple H & X-Pac
– Test defeated Steve Blackman
– The Godfather & Jackie defeated D-Lo Brown & Ivory
– The Undertaker defeated the Big Bossman
– Steve Austin & Mankind defeated WWF World Champion The Rock & Kane in a Texas Tornado match
2000
Albany, New York:
– WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated Matt & Jeff Hardy and Edge & Christian in an elimination match
– The Rock & Kane defeated WWF World Champion Triple H & X-Pac
ECW Living Dangerously: Danbury, Connecticut:
– Lance Storm & Justin Credible defeated ECW Tag Team Champions Mike Awesome & Raven and Tommy Dreamer & Masato Tanaka in
a Three-Way Dance to win the titles
– In the finals of the ECW World TV Title Tournament, Super Crazy pinned Rhino to win the title
2004
Tokyo, Japan:
– American Dragon Bryan Danielson & Curry Man defeated Gedo & Jado to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles
2005
Tokyo, Japan:
– Kensuke Sasaki defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title
2006
TNA Destination X: Orlando, Florida:
– Christopher Daniels defeated Samoa Joe & AJ Styles in an Ultimate X Match to win the TNA X Division Title
– NWA champion Christian Cage defeated Monty Brown
– The Diamonds in the Rough (David Young and Elix Skipper) (with Simon Diamond) defeated Shark Boy and Norman Smiley
– Alex Shelley defeated Jay Lethal
– Lance Hoyt defeated Matt Bentley
– Team Canada (Bobby Roode and Eric Young) defeated The Naturals
– The James Gang (BG & Kip James) & Bob Armstrong defeated LAX
– Chris Sabin defeats Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt & Puma
– Jeff Jarrett, Abyss & America’s Most Wanted defeated Rhino, Ron Killings & Team 3D
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Bronko Nagurski won the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title from Ray Steele
1952
San Francisco, California:
– Hombre Montana defeated Mike Sharpe to win the San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title
1963
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
– Mitsu Arakawa and Kinji Shibuya defeated Gene Kiniski and Mr. X for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles
1967
San Francisco, California:
– Ray Stevens won the San Francisco NWA United States Heavyweight Title by defeating Bill Watts
Chicago, Illinois:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race no contest Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher
– AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Pat O’Connor
– Lou Thesz beat Bob Geigel
– Reggie Parks drew Killer Kowalski
– Johnny Valentine beat Eddie Graham
– Dory Funk Sr drew Joe Blanchard
1968
West Palm Beach, Florida:
– Aldo Bogni and Bronko Lubich defeated Eddie Graham and Lester Welch to win the Florida NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1971
Hattiesburg, Mississippi:
– Ken Lucas and Johnny West defeated Jack Morrell and Eddie Sullivan for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Titles
1972
Los Angeles, California:
– Masa Saito defeated Dory Dixon for the NWA Beat the Champ Television Title
Wichita, Kansas:
– Yasu Fuji and Chati Yokouchi won the Central States NWA North American Tag Team Titles from Omar Atlas and Daniel
Little Bear
1976
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Omar Atlas defeated Tank Patton via DQ
– Mike George defeated Lord Alfred Hayes
– Texas Death Match: Harley Race defeated Ed Wiskoswki (Colonel DeBeers)
– Bob Geigel & Akio Sato defeated Otto Von Heller & Bob Brown
1977
Dothan, Alabama:
– Sonny King defeated Rip Tyler for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title
1978
Chicago, Illinois:
– Texas Death Match: Dick The Bruiser beat Ernie Ladd
– The Crusher beat Super Destroyer COR
– Billy Robinson & Rufus R Jones beat Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens by DQ
– Angelo Mosca beat Wilbur Snyder COR
– Greg Gagne drew Bob Orton Jr.
– Jimmy Valiant beat Spike Huber
1980
Louisville, Kentucky:
– Paul Ellering and Sheik Ali Hassan defeated Ken Lucas and Billy Robinson to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1983
Houston, Texas:
– Chavo Guerrero beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ
– Tiger Conway Jr & Mr Wrestling II beat Ted Dibiase & Matt Borne to win the Mid-South tag team title
– Junkyard Dog beat Kamala
– Mil Mascaras no contest Black Gordman
– Hacksaw Duggan beat Tony Atlas
– Kendo Nagasaki beat Mike Sharpe
– Tim Horner drew Art Crews
1989
Tampa, Florida:
– Al Perez defeated Mike Graham for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jeff Jarrett defeated Dutch Mantel to win the Championship (formerly Continental) Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title
Caguas, Puerto Rico:
– Jason the Terrible and Steve Strong defeated The Batten Twins (Bart and Brad) to win the WWC World Tag Team Titles
WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event: Hershey, Pennsylvania:
– Hulk Hogan (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned Bad News Brown
– Ted DiBiase (with Virgil) pinned The Blue Blazer
– The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (with Bobby Heenan)) and The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) fought to a double-countout
1991
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jerry Lawler defeated Terry Funk for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title
1993
London, England:
– WCW TV Champion Paul Orndorff defeated Michael Hayes
– WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes fought NWA World Champion Barry Windham to a double count-out in a non-title match
– Maxx Payne pinned Cactus Jack
– Johnny B. Badd defeated Vinnie Vegas
– Van Hammer defeated Scotty Flamingo
– Davey Boy Smith defeated Rick Rude via disqualification
– Sting pinned WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader to win the title
Oliver Springs, Tennessee:
– Brian Lee pinned Tom Prichard
– Tim Horner pinned the Nightstalker
– Tracy Smothers pinned SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy in a non title match
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Stan Lane & Tom Prichard
– Tracy Smothers won a battle royal
1994
Paintsville, Kentucky:
– Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated the Infernos
– Tracy Smothers defeated Chris Candido in a non-title ladder match
– Bob Armstrong defeated Dick Murdoch & Jim Cornette in a handicap match
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray via disqualification
– SMW Heavyweight Champion Dirty White Boy & Dirty White Girl defeated Brian Lee & Tammy Fytch
Halle, Germany:
– Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Johnny B. Badd defeated Ron Simmons & Harlem Heat Kole
– Frank Anderson defeated Harlem Heat Kane
– 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Maxx Payne
– Vader defeated Paul Roma
– Cactus Jack defeated Paul Orndorff
– Sting & Ricky Steamboat defeated WCW US Champion Steve Austin & Ron Simmons
– WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal defeated Maxx Payne
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated Johnny B. Badd
1995
Morristown, Tennessee:
– Boo Bradley defeated D-Lo Brown
– The Dirty White Boy defeated Buddy Landel in a first blood match
– New Jack & Mustafa fought Tracy Smothers & Boo Bradley (sub. for Bob Armstrong) to a no contest
– SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb via disqualification
2006
Norton, Virginia:
– Stan Lee defeated Jerry Lawler for the NWA All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Title
2007
TNA Destination X: Orlando, Florida:
– NWA World Tag Team Champions The Latin American Exchange (Homicide and Hernandez (with Konnan)) defeated Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon (with Johnny Rodz)) in a Ghetto Brawl
– TNA X Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated Jerry Lynn in a two-out-of-three falls match to retain the title
– Kurt Angle pinned Scott Steiner
– Sting defeated Abyss in a Last Rites (casket) match
– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage pinned Samoa Joe to retain the title
Nagoya, Japan:
– Giant Bernard and Travis Tomko defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Takao Omori to win the IWGP World Tag Team Titles
Welcome to My Favorite Wrestler (This Week). Each week, the Wrestling Observer team chooses, you guessed it, their favorite wrestler of the week.
Fastlane was a drag, NJPW’s 45th anniversary show was great, the Hardys have joined ROH, and Rick Rude’s going into the WWE Hall of Fame. It was another week of ups and downs in pro wrestling. Here are our favorite wrestlers this week. Who’s yours?
My favorite wrestler this week is one of my favorite wrestlers in general, Tomoaki Honma.
On March 3rd, Honma took a routine draping DDT and had to be carried out of the ring as he was, in the words of NJPW medical trainer Takeshi Misawa, quadriplegic. Fortunately, he’s since regained some movement in his legs and can grip objects, and is reportedly making progress.
It’s a terrible reminder of just how quickly things can go wrong, and not just for wrestlers in the ring, but for all of us. Sometimes fans like you and me get too caught up in our opinions about booking decisions, who should be getting pushed, or who’s not being utilized, that we sometimes take for granted just how dangerous pro wrestling really is. It’s important to appreciate the good things in wrestling, and in life in general, which is basically the whole point of this column.
Speaking of good things, in typical, amazing Honma fashion, Misawa also said that Honma apologized for making fans worry, and is basically in good spirits and keeping positive. I’m pretty sure if I was in the hospital and could barely move, positive would not describe my mode. I guess that’s the power of kokeshi.
Also huge props to last week’s My Favorite Wrestler Satoshi Kojima for his awesome Honma tribute during his match at New Japan’s 45th anniversary show.
Here’s to a full and speedy recovery. Kokeshi is happy!
Neville
By Arya Witner
Sometimes it’s hard to pick one person as the best of the week, but this week it took me four seconds to realize it is your reigning, defending, undisputed Cruiserweight Champion of the world: Neville.
The cruiserweight division returned in September, and with very few exceptions the matches and segments have been forgettable and played in front of dead crowds. Neville returned in December, doing great heel promos and showing more personality than he has in the four years he has been under contract.
This week Neville managed to have two great matches, one with Jack Gallagher and one with Rich Swann, both of which took crowds accustomed to sitting on their hands and made them incredibly excited and were arguably the two best matches on their respective shows.
Now after the division seems to have finally gained some traction, we are going to get Neville vs. Austin Aries, which should be even better.
Goldberg
By Ryan Frederick
I can remember the days of being in middle school during the Monday Night Wars, and every Tuesday everyone was talking about what happened on Raw and Nitro. Goldberg was one of my favorite wrestlers during that period, and here we are in 2017, and he is the new WWE Universal Champion.
It’s a crazy world we live in, isn’t it? I know fans are upset that it was a 21-second squash of Kevin Owens, but it played perfectly into the stories of both mens’ WrestleMania future. It also brought back memories of when Goldberg used to squash random opponents on his way up the WCW ladder.
For those memories alone, and for Goldberg being champion and heading into the WrestleMania main event for what could be his last career match, I’m going with him as my favorite wrestler this week.
Kevin Owens
By Alan Boon
My favorite wrestler this week is Kevin Owens. The world of wrestling is unique — one where the loser in any contest plays as big a part as the winner, and never more so than when a competitor is requested to be a part of a momentous loss.
We can argue the merits — or lack of — of the Goldberg title win, and the 21-second match that brought it, but for a professional wrestler to engage in such career-threatening fantasy with the aplomb with which Owens approaches everything he does is notable.
He regained his heat the next night — as much as that is possible on a show on which everything seems intent on leaving everyone involved a lukewarm nothing (unless they are a part-timer from a previous era) — and will play a big part in WWE going forward.
But for this week, if you’ll excuse my rather business-exposing indulgence, Owens’ professionalism and sheer joy in anything he does wins him the award for me.
Detroit, Michigan:
– James H. McLaughlin won a tournament to become American Collar-and-Elbow Champion
1919
Kansas City, Kansas:
– World Champions Wladek Zbyszko beat Joe Stecher in 2 out of 3 falls
1950
St. Joseph, Missouri:
– Tommy O’Toole defeated Sonny Myers in a tournament final to win the vacant NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title
1959
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:
– Mighty Ursus and Shag Thomas defeated Maurice and Paul Vachon to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles
Dallas, Texas:
– Andre Bollet and Frank Valois defeated Johnny Walker and The Amazing Zuma for the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles
1960
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Bob Ellis won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title from Kinji Shibuya
Amarillo, Texas:
– Mighty Ortega and Alex Perez defeated Dory Funk, Sr. and Dick Hutton for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Titles
1962
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Mr. M beat Larry Hennig
– Doug Gilbert beat Bob Geigel in 2 out of 3 falls
– Tiny Mills beat Karl Von Schoberg
– Duke Hoffman beat Tony Nero
1967
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:
– The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) defeated Skandor Akbar and Swede Karlson to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Titles
1968
Osaka, Japan:
– Yukiko Tomoe defeated The Fabulous Moolah for the NWA World Women’s Title
1972
Los Angeles, California:
– John Tolos defeated Killer Kowalski to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title
1975
Memphis, Tennessee:
– George Barnes and Bill Dundee defeated Eddie Marlin and Tojo Yamamoto to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Titles
1976
Miami, Florida:
– NWA Title: Andre The Giant defeated Terry Funk by DQ
– Lights Out Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated King Curtis
– Billy Robinson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Frank Goodish & Kim Duk
– Bob Roop & Bob Orton, Jr. drew Mike Graham & Jerry Brisco
– Missouri Mauler defeated Bob Orton, Sr.
– Pak Song defeated Abe Jacobs
– Steve Keirn defeated Ali Pasha by DQ
1978
– Ron Bass and Moondog Lonnie Mayne defeated Chavo Guerrero and El Halcón for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Georgia Champion Stan Hansen beat Thunderbolt Patterson
– Ole Anderson & Lars Anderson beat Mr. Wrestling II & Rocky Johnson
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Adrian Adonis
– Helmut Schmidt & Wolfgang Schmidt beat Zulu & Pierre Lefebvre
– Jacques Goulet beat Steve Regal
1980
West Palm Beach, Florida:
– Jack Brisco and Jimmy Garvin defeated Stanley Lane and Bryan St. John to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles
1983
Salem, Oregon:
– Billy Jack Haynes and Stan Stasiak defeated The Assassin (David Sierra) and Rip Hamilton for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1984
St. Louis, Missouri:
– NWA Champion Ric Flair ddq King Kong Brody
– Non Title Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel beat Missouri State Champion Harley Race
– Kamala vs Bulldog Bob Brown & Buck Zumhofe
– Greg Gagne & Ted Oates vs AWA Champion Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenyru
– Blackjack Mulligan vs Ox Baker
– Blackjack Lanza vs Roger Kirby
– Luke Graham vs Jay Wolfe
– Buzz Tyler & Ron Ritchie vs the Grapplers
1986
Fort Worth, Texas
– Brian Adias defeated The Grappler to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title
1991
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Tracey Smothers & Steve Armstrong defeated Dr. X & Larry Zbyzsko
– Dustin Rhodes defeated Dutch Mantell
– Stan Hansen defeated Ricky Morton
– WCW US Champion Lex Luger defeated Sid Vicious
– Danny Spivey defeated Big Josh via disqualification
– Bobby Eaton fought Terrance Taylor to a draw
– Barry Windham defeated Tom Zenk
– Ron Simmons defeated Butch Reed
– WCW Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated Sting in a steel cage match
1992
Louisville, Kentucky:
– Dr. Death defeated Tom Prichard to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1994
Armstrong Family Reunion: Marietta, Georgia:
– The 1-2-3 Kid fought Bobby Blaze to a 15-minute draw at 12:23
– Hillbilly Festus pinned NGWA Champion New Jack to win the title
– Tracey Smothers pinned Chris Candido (w/ Dennis Coraluzzo) in a non-title match
– Ron Garvin defeated Kevin Sullivan via disqualification
– Lex Luger pinned IRS
– Tony Anthony & the Dirty White Girl defeated Brian Lee & Tammy Fytch
– Brian, Scott, & Steve Armstrong defeated Owen Hart & Well Dunn
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray (w/ Jim Cornette) via disqualification
– Bob Armstrong pinned Jim Cornette in a steel cage match
1995
Cookville, Tennessee:
– Boo Bradley defeated D-Lo Brown
– The Dirty White Boy defeated Buddy Landel
– New Jack & Mustafa defeated Tracy Smothers & Boo Bradley (sub. for Bob Armstrong)
– SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb via disqualification
Oldcastle, Ontario, Canada:
– Scott D’Amore defeated Mickey Doyle for the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Heavyweight Title
2001
Morovis, Puerto Rico:
– Eddie Colón defeated Damien Steel to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title
2007
Crystal River, Florida:
– Erick Stevens defeated FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong to win the Eddie Graham Memorial Battle of the Belts Tournament to become the first FIP Florida Heritage Champion
2013
TNA Lockdown:
– TNA X-Division champion Kenny King defeated Zema Ion and Christian York to retain the title
– TNA Knockouts champion Velvet Sky defeated Gail Kim to retain the title
– TNA Tag Team champions Austin Aries & Bobby Roode defeated Hernandez & Chavo Guerrero and Bad Influence
– Steel Cage Match: Wes Brisco beat Kurt Angle
– Lethal Lockdown Match: Team TNA beat Aces & Eights
– TNA World Title: Bully Ray defeated Jeff Hardy to win the title
Kansas City, Kansas:
– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz beat Tarzan Kowalski in 2 out of 3 falls to retain the title
– Lee Henning beat Enrique Torres in 2 out of 3 falls
– Tommy O’Toole beat Vic Holbrook
1957
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Richard Brown and Kit Fox beat Bob Geigel and Lou Plummer 2 falls to 1 by DQ
– Ladies Champion June Byers beat Betty Hawkins 2 falls to 1
– Bobby Bruns beat Babe Zaharias
– Tommy O’Toole drew Gino Vagnone
1962
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
– AWA Champion Mr. M no contest Yukon Eric
– Bob Geigel beat Nikita Kalmikoff
– Joe Scarpello beat Ray Collins
– Doug Gilbert beat Tony Nero
1963
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Crusher beat Hercules Cortez in 2 out of 3 falls
– Doug Gilbert won a 6 man battle royal
– Larry Hennig drew Jack Pesek
– Kay Noble beat Annette Palmer
– Jack Lanza beat Duke Hoffman
1965
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat The Crusher by DQ
– Verne Gagne beat Moose Cholak
– Larry Hennig beat Ivan Kalmikoff
– Reggie Parks beat Bob Boyer
1970
Madison Square Garden:
– WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Karl Kovacs
– Killer Kowalski fought Waldo Von Erich to a curfew draw
1973
Chicago, Illinois:
– Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher by DQ
– Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera by countout
– Bob Ellis drew Ernie Ladd
– Billy Robinson beat Reggie Parks
– Ivan Koloff beat Vic Rossitani
– Rene Goulet beat Jim Brunzell
1974
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Wahoo McDaniel beat Buddy Wolff
– Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman beat Ken Patera & Chris Taylor
– Geoff Portz beat Larry Heiniemi by DQ
– Jim Brunzell drew Ric Flair
– Rene Goulet beat Paul Perschmann
1980
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura
– The Crusher no contest Bobby Heenan
– Super Destroyer Mark III beat Super Destroyer Mark II
– Handicap match: Steve Olsonoski & Buck Zumhofe beat Jerry Blackwell
– Greg Gagne beat Chris Markoff
– Dino Bravo beat Ricky Hunter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Dewey Robertson retained Canadian Championship over Greg Valentine by DQ
– Indian Jay Youngblood pinned Ray (The Crippler) Steven
– Black Jack Mulligan was the winner over Big John Studd in a Texas Death match
– The Blue Demon and The Destroyer won over Pedro Morales and Don Kernodle
1985
Chicago, Illinois:
– AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Jim Garvin
– Special Referee: Verne Gagne: Sgt. Slaughter & Jerry Blackwell beat King Tonga & Masked Superstar & Sheik Adnan by DQ
– Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito
– Curt Hennig beat Billy Robinson
– Buck Zumhofe beat Steve Regal
– Candi Devine beat Diane Von Hoffman
– John Nord drew Tom Zenk
1987
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jerry Lawler & Bam Bam Bigelow beat Austin Idol & Tommy Rich
– AWA Tag Team Champions Midnight Rockers beat Big Bubba & Mighty Goliath
– Jeff Jarrett beat Pat Tanaka by DQ
– Soul Train Jones beat Lord Humongous
– JT Southern & Paul Diamond beat Mr. Rising Sun & Tarzan Goto
– Alan West dcor The Hunter
– Mark Starr beat Boy Tony by DQ
– Brickhouse Brown beat John Boyd
1991
Montgomery, Alabama:
– Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin to become the NWA World Tag Team Champions
Cologne, Germany:
– Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Johnny B. Badd defeated Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma
– Frank Anderson defeated Harlem Heat Kane
– Maxx Payne defeated Ron Simmons via disqualification
– WCW US Champion Steve Austin defeated 2 Cold Scorpio
– Ricky Steamboat defeated Harlem Heat Kole
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal
– Vader defeated Sting
1995
Williamsburg, Kentucky:
Boo Bradley defeated D-Lo Brown
The Dirty White Boy defeated Buddy Landel
New Jack & Mustafa defeated Tracy Smothers & Boo Bradley (sub. for Bob Armstrong)
Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Al Snow & Unabomb via disqualification
1996
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– Rey Misterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera in a best two-out-of-three fall match
– Raven defeated Shane Douglas to retain the ECW World Title
– The Gangstas defeated The Sandman & 2 Cold Scorpio and The Headhunters in a Three Way Dance
– Cactus Jack defeated Mikey Whipwreck
2002
– Dan Severn won the NWA title from Shinya Hashimoto
2008
TNA Destination X: Norfolk, Virginia:
– TNA X-Division champion Jay Lethal defeated Petey Williams
– TNA Knockout champion Awesome Kong defeated ODB and Gail Kim
– In a Fish Market Street Fight: Shark Boy & Curry Man defeated Team 3D
– Kevin Nash & Samoa Joe & Christian Cage defeated TNA champion Kurt Angle & TNA Tag Team champs AJ Styles & Tomko
2014
TNA Lockdown:
– Gunner defeated James Storm in a Last Man Standing Match
– TNA Knockouts champ Madison Rayne defeated Gail Kim
– TNA champion Magnus defeated Samoa Joe to retain the title
Kansas City, Missouri:
– World Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch defeated Pat Connelly to retain the title
– Dr. B.F. Roller defeated Carl Becker
1950
Des Moines, Iowa:
– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz beat Sonny Myers in 2 out of 3 falls to retain the title
– Bobby Bruns beat Tommy O’Toole in 2 out of 3 falls
– Ken Fenelon beat Armond Tanny
1963
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
– Gene Kiniski beat Bruno Sammartino
– Whipper Billy Watson beat Kinji Shibuya
– Hercules Cortez beat Moose Evans
– Crusher beat Dick Steinborn
– Doug Gilbert beat Rocky Hamilton
1966
Sioux City, Iowa:
– Mighty Igor Vodik beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon
– Reggie Parks beat Mongolian Stomper
– Stan Pulaski beat Ivan Kalmikoff
– Mitsu Arakawa beat Johnny Zenda
1967
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
– Non Title Texas Death Match: AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Killer Kowalski by countout
– AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat The Alaskan & Tiny Mills 2 out of 3 falls
– Doug Gilbert beat Stan The Moose Mykietowich
– Bob Boyer beat Tony Condello (sub Kurt Von Steiger)
1969
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– The Crusher beat Butcher Vachon by DQ
– Mad Dog Vachon beat Pampero Firpo
– Larry Hennig beat Luke Brown
– Billy Red Lyons beat Mike Riker
– Rene Goulet beat Kenny Jay
1973
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Black Angus defeated Jim Dalton
– Texas Death Match: The Viking defeated Stan Pulaski
– Roger Kirby defeated Steve Bolus
– Harley Race defeated Omar Atlas
– Togo the Great & Tokyo Joe defeated Bob Geigel & Rufus R. Jones in three falls
1974
Houston, Texas:
– Texas Champion Great Mephisto defeated Wahoo McDaniel in 2 out of 3 falls
– AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Ivan Putski & Jose Lothario in 2 out of 3 falls
– American Tag Team Champions Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan defeated Ron Pritchard & Black Angus
1975
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Andre the Giant won a 14 man $25,000 battle royal by tossing out Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman at the same time
– Chris Taylor drew Andre the Giant
– Superstar Billy Graham beat Boris Breznikoff by DQ
– Dusty Rhodes dcor Ray Stevens
– Ivan Putski beat Nick Bockwinkel by DQ
– Billy Robinson beat Geoff Portz
1981
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
– AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
– Baron Von Raschke beat Jerry Blackwell via pin
– Nick Bockwinkel beat Brad Rheingans by DQ
– John Studd drew Tito Santana
– Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan via pin
1983
Allentown, Pennsylvania:
– The Samoans, Afa & Sika, defeated Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow for the WWF World Tag Team Titles
1985
St. Louis, Missouri:
– AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Nick Bockwinkel
– Missouri State Champion Jerry Blackwell beat Bulldog Bob Brown
– Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Masked Superstar & Mr Saito
– Sgt Slaughter dcor Wahoo McDaniel
– Mike Von Erich beat Jimmy Garvin
– American Starship beat Marty Jannetty & Steve Olsonoski
– Dick the Bruiser beat Mr Pogo by DQ
– Rufus R Jones beat Ken Timbs
Long Island, New York:
– Brutus Beefcake defeated Rick McGraw
– Mr. Wrestling II defeated Moondog Spot
– Ricky Steamboat defeated Buddy Rose
– Bob Orton Jr. defeated SD Jones
– Velvet McIntyre defeated Peggy Patterson
– Andre the Giant & the Junkyard Dog fought Big John Studd & Ken Patera to a draw
– WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Jesse Ventura
1991
Houston, Texas:
– The Mountie pinned Dale Wolfe
– Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty defeated the Orient Express
– Davey Boy Smith pinned the Warlord
– Kerry Von Erich pinned Ted Dibiase
– Jake Roberts pinned Rick Martel
– WWF Tag Team Champions Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated Paul Roma & Hercules
– The Big Bossman defeated WWF IC Champion Mr. Perfect via count-out
– Hulk Hogan defeated Earthquake in a stretcher match
Fresno, California:
– Jimmy Snuka defeated Koko B. Ware
– The Nasty Boys defeated the Bushwhackers
– Greg Valentine pinned Dino Bravo
– The Undertaker pinned Tugboat
– Jim Duggan defeated Gen. Adnan
– WWF World Champion Sgt. Slaughter defeated the Ultimate Warrior in a steel cage match
1992
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Marcus Alexander Bagwell fought Mike Graham to a time-limit draw
– Van Hammer pinned Diamond Dallas Page
– Greg Valentine & Terry Taylor defeated Firebreaker Chip & Todd Champion
– WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman pinned Johnny B. Badd
– WCW US Tag Team Champions Ron Simmons & Big Josh defeated Vinnie Vegas & Mr. Hughes
– Barry Windham pinned Larry Zbyzsko via disqualification in a bullrope match
– Dustin Rhodes pinned Cactus Jack
– Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton in a non-title match
– WCW World Champion Sting & Ricky Steamboat defeated WCW US Champion Rick Rude & WCW TV Champion Steve Austin
1994
Ludwigshafen, Germany:
– 2 Cold Scorpio & Johnny B. Badd defeated Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma
– WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal defeated Cactus Jack
– Frank Anderson defeated Harlem Heat Kane
– Ron Simmons defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell
– Sting defeated Harlem Heat Kole
– Vader defeated Ricky Steamboat
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated WCW US Champion Steve Austin
1996
ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash: Queens, New York:
– ECW Tag Team Champions The Eliminators retained the title by defeating The Pitbulls
– Chris Jericho defeated Cactus Jack
– Juventud Guerrera defeated Rey Mysterio, Jr. in a two out of three falls match
– ECW Television Champion 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Sabu ended in a twenty minute draw
– ECW World Champion Raven defeated The Sandman
2010
Orlando, Florida:
– Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky defeated the teams of Sarita and Taylor Wilde, Angelina Love and Tara in a three-way match to win the vacant TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
Ronald Heard, who wrestled regularly in almost every major promotion from 1973 to 1989 as “Outlaw” Ron Bass, passed away Tuesday at the age of 68.
Bass suffered a burst appendix, but didn’t realize the seriousness of his condition. He waited a week before getting checked out and because of waiting so long, the poison overcame his body and he passed away.
He had been scheduled for an autograph show over this past weekend and the word was that he was hospitalized.
Bass started his career as Ronnie Heard, but became Ron Bass in a tag team with Don Bass, who also recently passed away, while working for Nick Gulas in Tennessee in 1973. He was a powerful looking man (think Bill Watts although he was not the level of a star that Watts was).
He worked in Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida before being a headliner as Sam Oliver Bass in Oregon. He then came to California where he held the Americas tag team titles on multiple occasions.
He had his biggest main event success in Florida. He first came in as the childhood best friend of Dusty Rhodes and later turned on him, leading to a long feud with Rhodes and Barry Windham.
Bass and Stan Hansen also had a one week run as International tag team champions, winning and losing the belts against Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta.
He later formed tag teams with One Man Gang and Black Bart. Bass & Bart held championships in both Florida and for Jim Crockett Promotions.
He ended his career with a 1987-89 run in the WWF, feuding with the likes of Junkyard Dog and Brutus Beefcake.
Heard was one of the 60 plaintiffs in the current lawsuit against WWE regarding concussions.
