Shane McMahon shockingly reemerged after a several-year absence, battling The Undertaker inside (and outside) of Hell in a Cell. Goldberg returned to WWE after a 12-year absence, demolishing Brock Lesnar in what was essentially a squash match.
Earlier in the year, Lesnar himself destroyed Randy Orton, leaving him a bloody mess.
These were all big time WWE moments that many people won’t soon forget. But there’s an underlying theme to all those stories, and it’s becoming a bigger problem as the years go by — they don’t get over anyone who is actually a full-time performer in WWE.
Not to say that these wrestlers should never have made their return. All of the above scenarios were intriguing on paper, and for the most part they delivered when the time came. Business wise, it makes total sense. But when you continually undermine those who work hard to get where they are at on weekly WWE television, you’re creating scenarios where it’s probably smarter for full-timers to leave WWE so someday they can come back with a schedule and a push like Goldberg.
For all the talk about brass rings, it seems like the only ones who are allowed to grab them are the ones who have already made their names. That is exactly why the part-timers are far more over than the weekly wrestlers, because they have that aura that is completely nonexistent in today’s WWE superstars.
You could argue that it’s all about the talent currently on the main roster. Realistically, there’s no one on the main roster right now that is at the level of a breakout superstar like The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin. And I would agree, to a point — someone like Seth Rollins, who is a fantastic worker, pales in comparison to those two.
But also think about how Rollins has been pushed since coming back from injury. Let’s remember how he got to where he is now: booking and dialogue given to him made sure people booed him upon his return (despite getting big babyface reactions), and when they eventually did start booing him, WWE immediately turned him face. And not only did they make him a babyface, they made him a pretty lame one, with the storyline being he wanted to prove the Authority wrong, not because he stood against their doctrine of crowning undeserving champions, but because he wasn’t the one the Authority wanted anymore. Cool face move, dude.
Wrestling and the mainstream only click when there is a bankable superstar that is able to transcend the business itself. Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, even John Cena to an extent have done this. But that can’t happen these days, because everyone is taught from day one in NXT that WWE looks out for itself the most, not the wrestler.
Wrestlers are taught to be humble and thankful for their opportunities. If anyone complains about their spot, they’re punished and made to feel completely irrelevant. If anyone acts like a superstar backstage, they’re quickly taken down a peg.
All the elements that help a talent go to that next level are usually denied, and instead of a desired top superstar you get Roman Reigns, a guy Vince McMahon loves and will push to the moon no matter what, but by now to fans it’s obvious that despite his strengths — he’s a Lex Luger and not a Bret Hart. And at least Lex Luger got some nice pops as a face.
When it comes to the big returns of 2016, and who gets the biggest reactions, you have to compare why they get over, besides the fact they aren’t on weekly WWE television. Goldberg became a star because he won a lot of matches and did little else, creating a mysterious, dominant aura that carried him to the top of WCW. Undertaker got over by not selling, losing rarely and again, having an aura no one else in the WWE had at the time. Same with Lesnar. That is the complete antithesis of today’s WWE booking, where wins and losses don’t matter and top stars are required to do comedy or recite painfully forced, stilted dialogue that feels unnatural.
So it’s great we have superstars like Goldberg and Brock Lesnar on the roster, because they are a dying breed of superstar that we don’t get anymore — those that are able to get themselves over without the weight of what WWE wants their performers to do.
Being on weekly TV for WWE is actually pretty detrimental, because booking is changed on the fly, and it’s usually a detriment to those who have to work with what they’re given. WWE really needs to completely change the way they book and handle talent. Someday the likes of Goldberg, Undertaker, and others won’t return for a payday. What will they be left with then?
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Ilio DiPaolo and Whipper Billy Watson defeated Don Leo Jonathan and Gene Kiniski to win the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Titles
1974
Macon, Georgia:
– The Mighty Yankees defeated Danny Little Bear and Rocky Johnson for the NWA Macon Tag Team Title
1975
Tampa, Florida:
– Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody) defeated Rocky Johnson for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
1977
Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
– Tuxedo match: The Crusher beat Lord Alfred Hayes
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Greg Gagne
– Billy Robinson & Larry Hennig beat Super Destroyer & Angelo Mosca by DQ to earn a tag title shot on the next card
– Rufus R Jones beat Bobby Duncum
– Evan Johnson beat Buck Zumhofe
1978
Portland, Oregon:
– Killer Tim Brooks and Roddy Piper defeated Jonathan Boyd and Dutch Savage to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1984
Fort Worth, Texas:
– Kevin, Kerry and Mike Von Erich won the World Class Six-Man Tag Team Title, by defeating Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez and Jake Roberts
1994
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Brian Christopher defeated Tommy Rich to win the USWA Heavyweight Title
1989
Moscow, Soviet Union:
– Kuniaki Kobayashi defeated Takayuki Iizuka
– Jushin Liger defeated Black Tiger
– Masahiro Chono defeated Chimur Zarasov
– Wahka Eveloev and IWGP Tag Team Champion Shinya Hashimoto fought to a draw
– Riki Choshu defeated Victor Zangiev
– Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Vladimir Berkovich
– Habieli Victachev defeated Hiroshi Hase
– Salman Hashimikov defeated Manny Fernandez
With arguably the deepest and most talented roster in recent memory, 2016 saw WWE move forward with their first ‘official’ brand split since 2002. The move was met with equal parts skepticism and excitement, and the mixed results thus far prove that both reactions were warranted. It’s been an interesting second half of the year for WWE, so let’s look at four of the main takeaways from the brand split as we move into 2017.
Different Shows, Different Nights
One of the main problems with the past brand split was how SmackDown felt like Raw Lite. You were still consuming the same product, but just a watered down version. Now, each show feels like its own independent entity with a wholly unique look and feel. Raw will always be the flagship show, the one with most of the big names and the somewhat predictable storylines.
Instead of trying to replicate that on Tuesdays, SmackDown live became its own show, one that gives time to multiple storylines and characters and makes them all feel like they mean something. It’s one that is more willing to take chances like putting their women’s title on a relatively green Alexa Bliss or having Randy Orton join the Wyatt Family. They are more willing to think a bit outside the WWE box, and let their performers experience the inevitable growing pains that come with more exposure.
This sets the company up for even more success moving forward as they have nurtured more TV-ready talent than ever before. This doesn’t even mention Talking Smack, which might be the best program that WWE produces on any platform. It muddles the kayfabe waters more than ever and has led to some of the best promo work of the year, allowing Bliss and Baron Corbin to find their footing and shine.
Raw’s Song Remains The Same
SmackDown has somewhat subverted the idea of what a successful WWE weekly program can be. Raw has proven that no matter how much things change, some stay the same. Raw has the same characters in the same places, doing the same things but just with different names.
It has been the same stubborn, self-serving program it’s always been. Look at The New Day’s needless and unending pursuit of Demolition’s tag team title reign record and how it essentially neutered the division for months or the continued opportunities given to Roman Reigns (who, himself is not a problem), or the complete mishandling of Seth Rollins’ return from his injury.
All of these things hurt Raw tremendously, so much so that only the best work of Chris Jericho’s career and Kevin Owens being a capable heel champion have saved it from being borderline unwatchable. Is this an effect of the brand split? Or, is it just the typical lull that happens from the fall until the Royal Rumble / The Road to WrestleMania™?
Recent episodes have improved, the reintroduction of Neville as a cruiserweight has been a breath of fresh air, and while your mileage may vary on Braun Strowman (I’m beyond all in, for what it’s worth), it has at least been something different. As the WrestleMania card clears up and the stakes are raised, the storylines always tighten and become more meaningful, which, hopefully, should lead to a better next few months.
AJ Styles
The best wrestler in the world warrants his own section: the champion of the best mainstream wrestling show on television, incredible in the ring, incredible character work, and incredible on commentary. WWE put SmackDown Live on his shoulders, and he has taken it to a level that was previously unthinkable. He is the anchor that keeps the show in place, the foundation upon which it is built. He is someone operating on a level rarely seen and allows everyone else to get more screen time and opportunities to hone their craft.
No one has to worry about AJ getting over, or AJ getting his as his transcendent in-ring skill and prodigious talent allows him to do that on his own. His presence and ability to make everyone around him that much better is a testament to his wholly unique abilities as a performer. It took awhile for him to get where he is, but anyone who watches wrestling is lucky that he got there.
The General Managers
Daniel Bryan has become very, very good as an on-screen, talking head ‘authority figure’ type. His dry sense of humor, combined with the ability to poke fun at himself and the product in general, has proven, yet again, there’s nothing he can’t do well when it comes to wrestling. His stellar work on the aforementioned Talking Smack has eased some of the pain of the ending of his in-ring career, and thankfully kept him on our televisions.
His transition has been seamless, and for the first time in perhaps ever, there is a general manager who uses logic and at least tries to explain his statements. He has been a home run from the start. But man, as good as Bryan has been, Mick Foley has been equally as terrible and an abject failure. The yelling, gasping, meandering promos, the nonsensical booking, and just the general lack of consistency has been surprising, and quite honestly, sad to see.
Foley knows the McMahons will eventually tire of him on an on-screen role, making me wonder how it hasn’t happened already. Going into the brand split, there were questions about whether or not DB could take to the role, but in reality, those questions were better pointed at the general manager of the flagship show.
It would have astounded absolutely no one If I said at this same time last year that AJ Styles would be the most singular professional wrestler on the planet by the close of 2016.
Arguments could be made that 2016 belonged to everyone and everything from Tetsuya Naito to Kenny Omega to Broken Matt Hardy to The List of Jericho, but nobody had a better year wire-to-wire than AJ Styles, who kicked it off with a Match of the Year candidate against Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestle Kingdom 10 and finished it with the bang that was an exceptional triple-threat against Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin on Tuesday’s Smackdown.
While there were more than a few bumps in the road along the way, Styles got to where he is now by doing what he only ever seems to do: defying expectations and conquering critics.
Within hours of being defeated by Nakamura in an instant classic for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, news broke that Styles — alongside Nakamura and Bullet Club stablemates Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson — were making the jump from New Japan to WWE. As quickly as that news broke came the doubt that Styles would be able to achieve a level of success in WWE commensurate to his talents. Nearly a full year later, it is fair to say that those fears have been put to rest.
Styles’ perceived disadvantages included, but were not limited to, the lingering effects of the bad back that held him out of the 2015 World Tag League; his age and the miles on his body after 18 years in the business; his accent and, to a larger extent, overall promo abilities; his size; and the limits of exposure gained from a career spent primarily in TNA, Japan, and on the independent circuit.
And while immediately portending doom for Styles’ WWE run may seem exceedingly cynical in retrospect, history to that point tended against (and to no small extent still tends against) wrestlers with even just one or two of those knocks against them. And yet, The Phenomenal One transcended those limitations to become arguably the most popular performer in the world’s largest wrestling company in less than a calendar year.
Even with speculation already swirling, the sight of Styles entering this year’s Royal Rumble at No. 3 (or at least what little was made visible by some horrendous camera work) shocked and excited fans. In the arena, fears that Styles might not be a familiar face to fans were drowned in a Road Warrior pop at the sight of the word “Phenomenal.” His legitimacy was bolstered not just by an immediate comparison to Brock Lesnar on commentary, but by going toe-to-toe with then-WWE Champion Roman Reigns and lasting for nearly 30 minutes.
But it wouldn’t be until a WWE Championship match with Reigns at Payback in May that Styles would begin to hit his stride. Indeed, the first three months of his tenure in WWE were filled with signifiers of issues that fans feared may end up derailing his chances at becoming a main-event talent.
Pairing him up with veteran Chris Jericho right out of the gate was a smart idea in theory that made for some good matches and gave Styles an opportunity to adjust to the WWE ring and style. The feud itself, however, could be charitably described as a mess, if only for the attempt to hotshot the formation and breakup of a tag team — a story that could have played out for months — in just three weeks.
Then there was the inexplicable attempt to brand Styles as a “redneck rookie” or a “bulldog,” the seemingly intentional choices to frame him in ways that emphasized his lack of height, and his initial awkwardness when being involved in long promo segments — particularly those that required him to cheerlead for himself.
But Styles persevered through these growing pains by virtue of being such an astoundingly great wrestler, making himself compelling, even when his storyline or branding was not. Not only that, but he overcame a completely inexplicable loss to Jericho at Wrestlemania — a result that by all measures of logic should have seen Styles triumphant — by turning around and proving himself to be a viable challenger for the WWE Championship in consecutive matches with Reigns.
While much of the WWE fanbase may not have needed to be further convinced of Styles’ greatness, it seemed that Vince McMahon remained skeptical to that point of Styles’ place in his great sport-entertainment beast. And with a lofty expectation put in front of him to meet, Styles once again surpassed the bar.
The six months since, it could be argued, have been the best of Styles’ career. His feud with John Cena not only gave him a tentpole win at SummerSlam that may very well make his case for being a WWE Hall of Famer already, but it has helped him become somehow more well-rounded. Where mic work was never his strongest suit, Styles has become one of the most entertaining characters in the company thanks to the comfort with which he now carries himself, and his expert understanding of psychology has helped bring up everyone he works with whether it be Baron Corbin or James Ellsworth.
For as big as 2016 has been for AJ Styles, 2017 could be even bigger. He’s already ensured himself a headline match at Royal Rumble, and whether he main-events Wrestlemania or not, his match will no doubt occupy a major place on the card. Styles is far and away WWE’s MVP of 2016, and at the rate he’s going, he will end his career not just a respected main eventer, but as one of the company’s all-time greats.
San Francisco, California:
– Ben and Mike Sharpe won the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title by defeating Fred Atkins and Ray Eckert
1955
Portland, Oregon:
– Henry Lenz and Kurt Von Poppenheim defeated Bill Savage and Buck Weaver to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1966
Portland, Oregon:
– Paul Jones defeated Tony Borne for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
1968
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Bobby and Lee Fields defeated The Mighty Yankees (Frank Morrell and Eddie Sullivan) to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title
1972
Detroit, Michigan:
– The Sheik defeated Bobo Brazil for the Detroit version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
1972
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson defeated Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens for the AWA World Tag Team Titles
– Andre Rousimoff (Andre the Giant) beat Larry Hennig
– Dusty Rhodes beat Bull Bullinski
– Bob Bruggers beat Blackjack Daniels
– Ric Flair drew George Gadaski
1975
– Black Gordman and Goliath defeated Rock Riddle and John Tolos to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title
1978
St. Petersburg, Florida:
– Terry Funk defeated Dick Slater for the NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Title
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Dick Murdoch defeated Buck Robley to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title
1984
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Terry Taylor defeated Eddie Gilbert to win the CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Championship
1985
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Bill Dundee defeated Jerry Lawler for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title
Birmingham, Alabama:
– Tim Horner won the Southeastern version NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title from Ken Timbs
1986
Mexico City, Mexico:
– Dos Caras defeated Canek to win the UWA World Heavyweight Title
1988
Dallas, Texas:
– Cactus Jack defeated Eric Embry for the World Class Light Heavyweight Title
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Makhan Singh (Mike Shaw) and Vokhan Singh (Gary Albright) defeated The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith) to win the Stampede International Tag Team Titles
1989
Memphis, Tennessee:
– King Cobra defeated Jerry Lawler to win the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title
Augusta, Maine:
– The Lethal Weapons (Dennis Condrey and Doug Gilbert) defeated Phil Apollo and Vic Steamboat (subbing for Eric Sbraccia) to win the International Championship Wrestling Tag Team Titles
1992
Baltimore, Maryland:
– 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Tex Slazenger
– Erik Watts pinned Vinnie Vegas
– Johnny B. Badd defeated Scotty Flamingo in the 3rd round of a boxing match
– WCW/NWA Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas defeated Brian Pillman & Bobby Eaton
– Sting defeated Steve Austin
– Barry Windham defeated Dustin Rhodes via disqualification
– Big Van Vader defeated Ron Simmons to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
1993
Columbia, South Carolina:
– Arn Anderson defeated Shanghai Pierce
– Dustin Rhodes defeated WCW Tag Team Champion Brian Knobbs
– Ricky Steamboat defeated WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal
– Sting & Road Warrior Hawk defeated Vader & WCW International World Champion Rick Rude via disqualification
– WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated WCW US Champion Steve Austin
– Ricky Steamboat won a battle royal
1994
Ashland, Kentucky:
– Tracy Smothers defeated Bryant Anderson in an I Quit match
– The Buddha defeated the Executioner
– Cactus Jack defeated Chris Candido in a falls count anywhere match
– Buddy Landeld defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy via disqualification
– Bobby Blaze, SMW Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated D-Lo Brown, New Jack & Mustafa
Mexico City, Mexico:
– Negro Casas & Hector Garza defeated Satanico & Arkangel de la Muerte to win the CMLL Torneo Gran Alternativa
2000
Galt, California:
– Christopher Daniels defeated Donovan Morgan in the finals of the first-ever King of the Indies Tournament
2003
Laredo, Texas:
– Rey Mysterio defeated Tajiri to win the WWE Cruiserweight Title
Guangzhou, China:
– Steve Williams defeated Terry Taylor to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
2007
ROH Final Battle: New York City:
– The Age of The Fall, (Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs) defeated ROH Tag Team champions, The Briscoes to win the titles
– Erick Stevens pinned Roderick Strong to win the FIP championship
– Bryan Danielson defeated Chris Hero (w/ Larry Sweeney, Tank Toland, Bobby Dempsey, & Sara Del Ray), Austin Aries, and Takeshi Morishima in an elimination match
St. Louis, Missouri:
– Lou Thesz defeated Everett Marshall for the National Wrestling Association and Midwest Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Titles
1955
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Fritz Von Erich and Karl Von Schober defeated Whipper Billy Watson and Ilio DiPaolo for the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Titles
Amarillo, Texas:
– Bob Geigel defeated Roy Heffernan to win the NWA Southwest Heavyweight Title
1956
Fresno, California:
– Ben and Mike Sharpe defeated Enrique Torres and Ron Etchison to win the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Titles
1960
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Tiny Mills and Stan Kowalski defeated Whipper Billy Watson and Ilio DiPaolo for the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Title
1961
Columbus, Ohio:
– Don Curtis defeated Karl Krauser (Karl Gotch) to win the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title
1964
Tampa, Florida:
– Tarzan Tyler defeated Bob Orton to win the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1967
Lafayette, Louisiana:
– Bob Kelly defeated Don Carson for the NWA Tri-State Louisiana Heavyweight Title
1972
Dothan, Alabama:
– Rick Gibson defeated The Wrestling Pro for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Buddy Colt won the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title by defeating Bob Armstrong
1973
San Francisco, California:
– Moondog Mayne defeated Pat Patterson for the San Francisco version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title
Chattanooga, Tennessee:
– Don Greene and Bearcat Brown defeated The Interns (Tom Andrews and Jim Starr) to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Titles
1974
Dallas, Texas:
– Fritz Von Erich defeated Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– The Crusaders (Dewey Robertson and Billy Red Lyons) defeated The Love Brothers (Reginald and Hartford Love) to win the Toronto version of the NWA International Tag Team Titles
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Ron Fuller won a tournament final for the vacant Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1976
Denver, Colorado:
– Death Match: The Crusher beat Mad Dog Vachon
– Verne Gagne & Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Nick Bockwinkel & Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum
– Pierre Poisson beat Larry Hennig by DQ
– Peter Maivia beat Moose Morowski
1985
East Rutherford, New Jersey:
– At the AWA/NWA Star Wars Event; Stan Hansen defeated AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel to win the title
– Road Warriors beat Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev by DQ
– NWA Champion Ric Flair beat Dusty Rhodes by DQ
– Magnum TA beat Tully Blanchard
1986
Birmingham, Alabama:
– Adrian Street defeated Wendell Cooley to win the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title
1990
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico:
– Askari El Gringo defeated El Hijo del Black Shadow for the World Wrestling Association World Lightweight Title
1991
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Jerry Lynn defeated Ricky Rice to win the PWA Light Heavyweight Title
– Ken Patera and Baron Von Raschke defeated The Punishers (Sledge and Hammer) for the PWA Tag Team Titles
1995
New York City:
– Mikey Whipwreck pinned ECW World Television and World Tag Team Champion 2 Cold Scorpio to win both titles
– ECW World Heavyweight Champion The Sandman pinned Raven to retain the title
1996
WCW Starrcade: Nashville, Tennessee:
– In a tournament final, Eddie Guerrero pinned Diamond Dallas to win the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
– Lex Luger pinned The Giant
– Roddy Piper defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hollywood Hulk Hogan in a non-title match
1997
Baltimore, Maryland:
– Ultimo Dragon defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero to win the title
– Booker T won the WCW World Television Title from Disco Inferno
1998
Worcester, Massachusetts:
– Mankind (Mick Foley) defeated The Rock to win the WWF World Title
1998
Louisville, Kentucky:
– Doug Basham defeated Rip Rogers to win the OVW Heavyweight Title
New York City, New York:
– James Owens defeated James McLaughlin to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title
1949
Des Moines, Iowa:
– Leroy McGuirk defeated Billy Goelz for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
1959
Birmingham, Alabama:
– Mike Clancy defeated Jackie Fargo to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title
1960
Mobile, Alabama:
– Pancho Villa defeated Lee Fields for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
1961
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Whipper Billy Watson and Yukon Eric defeated Chris and John Tolos to win the Toronto version of the NWA International Tag Team Titles
1963
Teaneck, New Jersey:
– Chris and John Tolos defeated Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon for the WWWF United States Tag Team Titles
Jacksonville, Florida:
– Bob Orton defeated Eddie Graham to win the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1968
Chicago, Illinois:
– The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser won the AWA and WWA World Tag Team Titles by defeating Mitsu Arakawa and Dr. Moto (Tor Kamata)
1970
Vancouver, British Columbia:
– Gene Kiniski defeated Don Leo Jonathan for the Vancouver version NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title
1971
Portland, Oregon:
– Dutch Savage defeated Jonathan Boyd to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
1972
Greensboro, North Carolina:
– Rip Hawk defeated Jerry Brisco for the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title
1973
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Archie Gouldie won the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title from Omar Atlas
Denver, Colorado:
– One Fall, No Time Limit: AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Red Bastien
– Wahoo McDaniel beat Ivan Koloff 2 out of 3 falls
– Chris Taylor beat Ric Flair
1975
Pensacola, Florida:
– Bob Sweetan defeated Rip Tyler for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
1980
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– Angelo Mosca defeated Hussein Arab (The Iron Sheik) to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
Dallas, Texas:
– Kerry Von Erich (subbing for his injured brother Kevin) defeated Gino Hernandez to win the vacant NWA American Heavyweight Title
1983
Denver, Colorado:
-Baron Von Raschke & Rick Martel & Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Sheik Adnan & Mr Saito & Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera
– Bunkhouse Match: Blackjack Lanza beat Bobby Heenan
– Billy Robinson beat Superstar Billy Graham
– Brad Rheingans beat Steve Olsonoski
– Jesse Ventura beat Buck Zumhofe
1984
Saginaw, Michigan:
– Ron Garvin defeated Bob Roop to win the Georgia version of the NWA World Television Title (formerly NWA Georgia/National Television Title)
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Terry Taylor defeated Eddie Gilbert to win the CWA International Heavyweight Title
1987
– The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) defeated Tom Brandi and Prince Mike Kaluha for the International Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title
1992
WCW Starrcade: Atlanta, Georgia:
– NWA & WCW World Tag Team Champions Shane Douglas & Ricky Steamboat defeated Barry Windham & Brian Pillman
– Sting defeated Big Van Vader to win the King of Cable tournament
– WCW World Champion Ron Simmons defeated Steve Williams via DQ
– NWA World Champion Masahiro Chono defeated The Great Muta
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Ron and Don Harris defeated The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) for the USWA Southern Tag Team Title
1997
WCW Starrcade: Washington, DC:
– Sting defeated Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
– Diamond Dallas Page defeated Curt Hennig to win the WCW United States Title
– Buff Bagwell defeated Lex Luger
– Eddie Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko to retain the WCW Cruiserweight Title
1998
Baltimore, Maryland:
– Scott Steiner defeated Konnan to capture the WCW World Television Title
– Ric Flair defeat Eric Bischoff to become WCW President for the next 30 days
In our first look at our most viewed news stories of 2016, the emphasis was on injuries and WWE signings.
But that was 6-10, and we find ourselves ready to present the top five most viewed stories on WrestlingObserver.com of 2016 featuring two backstage scuffles and talents either on their way out of WWE or blocked from coming back in.
The List of Jericho got a name written in bold in November as Sin Cara (Jorge Arias) and Y2J got into an altercation on a bus in England during WWE’s fall overseas tour of the United Kingdom. It seems Arias was annoying some of his fellow wrestlers and when Jericho confronted him in an effort to get him to quit it, things got ugly. A finger bite later, the two were separated and Arias was kicked off the bus, left to his own devices.
Both men had quite a year with backstage frays, so this was the icing on the 2016 cake. You’ll be hearing more about the Jericho Fighting Championship in a few paragraphs.
For many, the voice of “The King” was part of their wrestling upbringing, for better or worse. Along with Jim Ross, the dirty old man who never thought he was old was synonymous with the experience of watching Raw and most PPVs.
In recent years, Lawler had been moved around from property to property and in December, he finally ran out of real estate. Both he and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Lita (Amy Dumas) were removed from the pre-show panels, signifying the end of an era in the case of the former.
While they did both ink Legends deals, Lawler and Dumas now become the equivalent of retired hosts in the Westworld warehouse, waiting to be programmed again to have usefulness for the big show.
Arguably the biggest WWE alumni member still on the outside looking in, Angle will remain in that role for the foreseeable future, according to a WWE official our Dave Meltzer spoke with in June following a radio interview Angle did.
Since then, the wrestling content world has changed incredibly. More and more emphasis is being put on name value as opposed to pre-conceived notions about what a pro wrestler is in 2016. However, Angle’s checkered past and battles with his demons have cast doubts about whether Vince McMahon is willing to sign off on bringing him back.
Then again, a 50-year-old Goldberg just decimated Brock Lesnar in a few minutes at Survivor Series. As always, card subject to change.
To give you an idea of how big this story was, the views for this post were nearly double that of #3 on this list.
It’s cliche to say “the year started off with a bang” but in this case, that would be fitting as this was a massive story to kick off 2016. When two of the world’s best and one of the most notable American teams in NJPW decided to turn their gaze to Titanland, it raised eyebrows and set the course for a wild news year with lots of moves by lots of top talent partially driven by content needs.
Since then, we saw AJ Styles debut at the Royal Rumble, lose to Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania, have a tremendous feud with John Cena, and go on a run that sees him finish off the year as WWE Champion. Nakamura is the NXT Champion and is still working in front of a few hundred people a night at armories in Florida instead of thousands on the road for the big club.
And then, there’s Anderson and Gallows. Let’s just move on.
This was one of those stories that we knew would be huge, but we didn’t expect this to be the biggest post of not just the year but of all-time for our website.
Pretty simply, Jericho was curious as to what happened in the finish of Lesnar’s memorable match with Randy Orton that left Orton in a pool of his own blood and viewers with mouths agape. Lesnar walked backstage, heard something he didn’t like, and it…was…on.
Jericho has never backed down from a challenge (Goldberg, anyone?) and apparently, Lesnar wasn’t going to be the first. You know this was wild and crazy when Vincent Kennedy McMahon gets involved in breaking it up.
Backstage fights will always generate interest, but one with a former UFC champion and a fiery Canadian who has hockey in his blood? That’s gold, Jerry. Gold.
Next up on our year-end countdown of lists: the most-viewed wrestling events of 2016.
Des Moines, Iowa:
– World Heavyweight Champion Orville Brown beat Ed “Strangler” Lewis in 2 out of 3 falls
– Karl Davis and Lord Albert Mills drew
– Honey Boy Hackney beat Red Ryan
1965
Denver, Colorado:
– Non Title: Verne Gagne & Mighty Igor Vodik beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race
– Non Title: Wilbur Snyder beat AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon
– Steve Druk beat Ivan Kalmikoff
– Mighty Igor Vodik beat Chris Markoff
1967
Tampa, Florida:
– Johnny Valentine defeated Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow) to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
Indianapolis, Indiana:
– Blackjack Lanza captured the WWA world heavyweight title from Wilbur Snyder
1968
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Dale Lewis defeated The Professional (Doug Gilbert) to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title
Kansas City, Kansas:
– The Texas Outlaws (Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes) lost the Central States tag team titles to The Viking & Bob Geigel
1974
Chicago, Illinois:
– Nick Bockwinkel beat AWA Champion Verne Gagne by DQ
– The Legionairres (Sgt. Jacques Goulet & Private Don Fargo) beat Wilbur Snyder & Larry Hennig
– Ray Stevens no contest Pepper Gomez
– Moose Cholak no contest Ox Baker
– Chris Taylor beat Big K
– Khosrow Vaziri beat Kim Duk
1979
Chicago, Illinois:
– Two Ring Battle Royal: Ring 1 winner-Dick the Bruiser; Ring 2 winner-Crusher Blackwell
– Spike Huber & Bobo Brazil beat Super Destroyer Mark II & Super Destroyer Mark III
– Wilbur Snyder beat Ernie Ladd by DQ
– Greg Gagne no contest Adrian Adonis
– Bobby Heenan beat Steve Olsonoski
– Crusher Blackwell beat Gil Guerrero
1982
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jerry Lawler beat AWA champion Nick Bockwinkel (title held up in Memphis only)
– Bill Dundee & Terry Taylor beat Adrian Street & Apocalypse
– Southern Tag Team Champions Sheepherders Lord Jonathan Boyd & Luke Williams beat Fabulous Ones Steve Keirn & Stan Lane by DQ
– Sabu beat Jacques Rougeau to win Mid American Title
– Bobby Eaton won an Eleven man blindfold battle royal
– Dutch Mantel & Ricky Morton beat Sweet Brown Sugar & Bobby Eaton
1986
Ft. Worth, Texas:
– Hacksaw Duggan & Terry Taylor defeated Bill Irwin & Leroy Brown to win the UWF World Tag Team Titles
1987
Las Vegas, Nevada:
– Greg Gagne defeated Adrian Adonis in a tournament final to become the first AWA International Television Champion
– Madusa Miceli defeated Candi Devine to win the AWA World Women’s Title
– The Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) won the AWA tag team titles from The Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) managed by Paul E Dangerously
– Wahoo McDaniel beat AWA Champion Curt Hennig by DQ
1991
Dallas, Texas:
– Bill Irwin & Black Bart defeated John Tatum & Rod Price to win the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Titles
1993
WCW Starrcade: Charlotte, North Carolina:
– Ric Flair defeated Vader to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
– Steve Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes in two straight falls to win the WCW United States
– Sting & Road Warrior Hawk defeated The Nasty Boys by DQ in a match for the WCW World Tag Team Titles
1994
WCW Starrcade: Nashville, Tennessee:
– Vader defeated Hacksaw Duggan to win the WCW United States Title
– Hulk Hogan defeated the Butcher (Ed Leslie) to retain the WCW World Title
1995
WCW Starrcade: Nashville, Tennessee:
– Ric Flair defeated Randy Savage to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
– One Man Gang defeated Kensuke Sasaki to win the WCW US Title
– Jushin Liger defeated Chris Benoit
1998
WCW Starrcade: Washington, DC:
– Kevin Nash defeated Bill Goldberg to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
– Dallas Page defeated the Giant
– Konnan defeated Chris Jericho to retain the WCW TV Title
2008
ROH Final Battle: New York City:
– Kevin Steen & El Generico defeated Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious to retain the ROH World Tag Team Title
– Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Kensuke Sasaki & Katsuhiko Nakajima
– Austin Aires defeated Tyler Black
– ROH World Title Match: Nigel McGuinness defeated Naomichi Marufuji
– Bryan Danielson defeated Takeshi Morishima in a Fight Without Honor
Nashville, Tennessee:
– Yaqui Joe defeated Gus Wisbar for the Tennessee version of the World Middleweight Title
1957
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Verne Gagne and Bronko Nagurski defeated The Atomic Blonds (Johnny Valentine and Chet Wallich) to win the Minneapolis version of the NWA World Tag Team Title
1960
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
– Orest Antonation and Lorne Corlett defeated Joe Fiorino and Al Torres to become the first Madison Wrestling Club Middleweight Tag Team Champions
1961
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Otto Von Krupp by DQ
– Mr. M beat Bobo Brazil
– Tiny Mills drew Nick Roberts
– Larry Hennig beat Maurice LaPointe
1963
Chattanooga, Tennessee:
– Jackie Fargo and Mario Milano defeated Tojo Yamamoto and Ivan Malenkov to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title
1966
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
– Dominic DeNucci and Don Leo Jonathan defeated Don Jardine and Dutch Savage for the Vancover version of the NWA World Tag Team Title
1969
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Danny Lynch defeated Dave Ruhl to win the Calgary version of the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
Sydney, Australia:
– King Curtis Iaukea and Buddy Austin defeated Mario Milano and Spiros Arion to win the International Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Titles
1970
Indianapolis, Indiana:
– Moose Cholak and Wilbur Snyder won the World Wrestling Association World Tag Team Titles by defeating The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent)
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– One Fall to a Finish, No Time Limit: AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Edouard Carpentier
– Hercules Cortez beat Butcher Vachon
– Nick Bockwinkel beat Bob Kappel
– Strong Kobayashi beat Pepper Gomez
– Big K beat Kenny Jay
1973
Columbia, South Carolina:
– Gene and Ole Anderson defeated Brute Bernard and Jay York to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title
1974
Greensboro, North Carolina:
– Paul Jones defeated Ivan Koloff for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title
1975
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Ed and Jerry Morrow defeated Mr. Hito and Gil Hayes for the Stampede International Tag Team Title
1976
Greensboro, North Carolina:
– Ric Flair and Greg Valentine defeated Gene and Ole Anderson to win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Title
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
– The Sheik won the Toronto version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title, defeating Thunderbolt Patterson
Chattanooga, Tennessee:
– Bill Dundee and Ricky Gibson defeated Dennis Condrey and Phil Hickerson to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title
Green Bay, Wisconsin:
– Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke no contest Peter Maivia & The Crusher
– Greg Gagne beat Pierre Poisson
– Billy Francis beat Roger Kirby
1981
St. Petersburg, Florida:
– Eric Embry won a tournament final to win the vacant Florida Television Title
Denver, Colorado:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Tito Santana
– Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Billy Robinson & Baron Von Raschke
– Hulk Hogan beat Shiek Adnan
– Greg Gagne beat Bobby Heenan
– Jim Brunzell beat Rene Goulet
Columbus, Ohio:
– Bugsy McGraw defeated The Great Kabuki in a fictitious match for the NWA American Heavyweight Title
St. Petersburg, Florida:
– David Von Erich defeated Jack Brisco to win the NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Title
– Eric Embry won a tournament final for the vacant NWA Florida Television Title
1983
New York, New York
– The Iron Sheik defeated Bob Backlund to win the WWF World Title
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Randy Savage won the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title by defeating Terry Taylor
1985
Biloxi, Mississippi:
– Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams defeated Eddie Gilbert and Dick Murdoch (replacing The Nightmare) to win the Mid-South Tag Team Titles
1987
Portland, Oregon:
– Abbuda Dein (Rocky Iaukea) defeated Art Barr to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Television Title
1988
WCW Starrcade: Norfolk, Virginia:
– Rick Steiner defeated Mike Rotundo to win the NWA World Television Title
– Ric Flair defeated Lex Luger to retain the NWA World Title
– Sting & Dusty Rhodes defeated The Road Warriors by DQ in a match for the NWA World Tag Team Title
Memphis, Tennessee:
– AWA Champion Jerry Lawler double count out Dutch Mantel
– Jerry Lawler won a Battle Royal for a Fur Coat
– Ricky Morton beat Phil Hickerson
– Bill Dundee beat Sid Vicious by DQ
– Robert Fuller beat Wendell Cooley
– Beauty & The Beast beat Jeff Jarrett & Tracy Smothers
– Candi Divine beat Sylvia
– Del Wilkes drew Scott Steiner
– Scott Steiner & Brian Lee beat Mike Davis & Burt Timmons
1990
Hamamatsu, Japan:
– Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Riki Choshu for the IWGP Heavyweight Title
– Hiro Saito and Super Strong Machine defeated Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki to win the IWGP World Tag Team Titles
1990
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Joey Maggs defeated Danny Davis to win the USWA Junior Heavyweight Title
1991
Monticello, New York:
– Joe Savoldi defeated The Tazmanic to win the IWCCW Light Heavyweight Title
– Tom Brandi is awarded as the first IWCCW Television Champion
1993
ECW Holiday Hell: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– Terry Funk pinned ECW Heavyweight and Television Champion Sabu in a No Disqualification match to win the Heavyweight Title
– Shane Douglas defeated Tommy Dreamer
– Tommy Dreamer won a battle royal
1994
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Beauty and the Beast (Jim and Ron Harris) defeated The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) to win the USWA Tag Team Titles
– PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) defeated Beauty and the Beast to win the USWA Tag Team Titles
1999
Monterrey, Mexico:
– Hector Garza defeated Pirata Morgan for the International Wrestling Council World Heavyweight Title
2004
ROH Final Battle: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– Austin Aries defeated Samoa Joe to win the ROH Heavyweight Title
– Jay Lethal defeated Prince Nana’s Weapon of Mask Destruction #2
– Steve Corino and CM Punk defeated Alex Shelley and Roderick Strong
– Low Ki and Bryan Danielson fought to a no contest
2016 was a banner year for the business of pro wrestling from top stars moving to new in-ring zip codes, new technology affecting everything from how wrestling is presented to how talent gets signed, and several surprising in-ring results and happenings that had our faithful readers buzzing.
Unless something else substantial happens in the next few days (on Wednesday of course), the following is #6-10 of our most viewed news stories for the year that was 2016 — a mix of legal happenings, signings, and injuries.
Well, even those working for pro wrestling websites can get swerved from time to time. And by “those”, I mean “me”.
We got a note from a reader that Bayley had hurt her knee in a match with Nia Jax at a set of late-April tapings, and thanks to our roving reporter JJ Williams, we even had a few pictures. Seeing as she was one of NXT’s biggest stars, this was a no-brainer to do a story on.
However, it was soon pointed out that one of the medical personnel attending to her was actually a developmental talent, so “(maybe)” got inserted into the headline soon thereafter. The injury was part of a storyline and now both Bayley and Jax find themselves on Raw every Monday sans recurring knee injuries.
One of the stranger news stories of the second half of the year was the Billy Corgan and TNA/Dixie Carter business marriage quickly turning into divorce. It culminated with a lawsuit by Corgan in an attempt to gain control of the company based on money owed to him and some terms in the contract he signed.
The documents becoming unsealed moved things forward to what ultimately was a court loss for Corgan. However, he was soon made whole by eventual TNA financial angel Anthem Sports & Entertainment and settled everything with the company. Individuals? Not as much yet, but you can hear more about that in his interview with Dave Meltzer & Bryan Alvarez.
Following in the footsteps of Daniel Bryan, Finn Balor became the latest anti-establishment wrestling star to get injured just when it looked like he had broken through the McMahon double-tempered glass ceiling.
In his eventual successful win over Seth Rollins to win the first WWE Universal title at SummerSlam, Balor suffered a labrum tear on a power bomb spot into the barricade outside the ring, putting him out of action for what was expected to be 8-12 weeks and soon turned into 4-6 months.
After surgery, the injury was worse than they expected and as we turn the corner into 2017, there’s no timetable for his return although plenty of fans are hoping it will be at this year’s Royal Rumble even though that would be at the short end of the recovery spectrum.
He has been making appearances in the UK and was on stage at the announcement of WWE’s UK championship tournament, so he’s not completely out of sight. However, we’ll be more excited to see him back in the ring competing in 2017.
Even if LU isn’t the most watched pro wrestling show out there, a freak injury to one of their top stars was enough to get this story in our top 10.
In a deathmatch against Dragon Azteca, Mutanza (aka Jeff Cobb) punched through a window and sliced a vein in his arm badly enough to the point the match had to be stopped and he had to be sent to the hospital.
Cobb was fine and re-taped the match with Azteca at a later date.
Hero had another fantastic in-ring year on the indies, drawing praise for his matches in PWG, EVOLVE, and in various UK promotions. Regardless of who he worked for and where, reports sent into us always featured glowing remarks about his matches.
That’s what made his soon-to-be inked deal with WWE of such interest. He had already had one run in the company’s developmental group and was a member of NXT before it was truly NXT. That he would be returning to the promotion in any form or fashion was a surprise, but in the Content Era, all bets are off.
As of now, we’re still waiting to hear if all of Hero’s medicals and other pre-contract tests are a go, clearing the way for his signing. Where he goes from there and his course of action will then be another story of interest for our readers.
Later this week, we’ll run down our top five stories of 2016 and will follow up with the top 10 wrestling shows of the year after that.
Worcester, Massachusetts:
– Dan McLeod won the American heavyweight championship from Tom Jenkins (The American title six years later became the world heavyweight title when Frank Gotch beat George Hackenschmidt)
1905
Montreal, Ontario, Canada:
– After losing two matches earlier in the year to Tom Jenkins in challenging for the American title, Frank Gotch won a 50-man tournament in Montreal
1965
Indianapolis, Indiana:
– Dick the Bruiser defeated Gene Kiniski to win the Indianapolis WWA version of the world heavyweight title
1967
San Francisco, California:
– Art Nelson and Pat Patterson defeated Red Bastien and Mario Milano for the International Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Title
1968
Honolulu, Hawaii:
– Toru Tanaka defeated Jim Hady to win the NWA (Hawaii) North American Heavyweight Title
– Nick Bockwinkel defeated Johnny Barend for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
Mexico City, Mexico:
– Rey Mendoza defeated Angel Blanco to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
Savannah, Georgia:
– Alberto and Ramon Torres defeated Butcher and Stan Vachon to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title
Portland, Oregon:
– Karl and Kurt Von Steiger defeated Johnny War Eagle and Billy White Wolf to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1970
Tampa, Florida:
– Jose Lothario & Danny Miller defeated The Infernos to become the NWA Florida Tag Team Champions
1975
Caguas, Puerto Rico:
– Carlos Colon & Cowboy Bob Ellis defeated Ali Baba & Bull Gregory to win the WWC North American Tag Team Title.
Portland, Oregon:
– Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka won the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title, defeating The Royal Kangaroos (Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles)
1977
Kansas City, Kansas:
– Bob Sweetan defeated Black Angus Campbell for the NWA Central States Television Title
Minneapolis, Minnesota:
– Tuxedo Match: The Crusher beat Lord Alfred Hayes
– AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Super Destroyer & Angelo Mosca
– Billy Robinson beat Blackjack Lanza
– Larry Hennig no contest Bobby Duncum
1978
New Orleans, Louisiana:
– Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes won the vacant U.S. tag team title beating Stan Hansen & Ernie Ladd in the finals of a one night tournament
– Jerry Stubbs defeated The Assassin #1 to win the Mid-South Louisiana Title
– Ron Bass defeated Karl Kox to win the Mid-South Brass Knuckles Title
– Ernie Ladd defeated Ray Candy via forfeit to win the Mid-South North American Title
Fort Worth, Texas:
– Kevin Von Erich won the American title for the first time over Bruiser Brody
Memphis, Tennessee:
– Austin Idol defeated Jerry Lawler to win the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
1979
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & Austin Idol to win the Georgia tag team championship
Knoxville, Tennessee:
– Bob Armstrong defeats Sterling Golden (Hulk Hogan) for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– Jim Brunzell defeated Ray Stevens to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
1980
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson
– Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana by DQ
– Non Title: Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell
– Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan
– Rene Goulet beat Kenny Jay
– Curt Hennig drew Evan Johnson
1982
Dallas, Texas:
– Ric Flair defeated Kerry Von Erich in a cage match to retain the NWA World Title (this match and subsequent angle led to the Freebirds vs. Von Erichs feud)
– Kevin Von Erich retained the NWA Americas title by defeating King Kong Bundy by DQ
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– Mike Rotundo defeated Bad Leroy Brown to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title
1983
Dallas, Texas:
– Ric Flair beat David Von Erich via DQ to retain the NWA World Title
– Kevin & Mike Von Erich beat Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts in the losing team has to leave town match
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– Mad Dog Vachon beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ
– Greg Gagne & Baron Von Raschke & Ray Stevens & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Jerry Blackwell & Mr. Saito & Sheik Adnan
– Jesse Ventura beat Steve Olsonoski
– Rick Martel beat Superstar Billy Graham by DQ
– Billy Robinson drew Brad Rheingans
– Buck Zumhofe beat Bill White
Seattle, Washington:
– Rip Oliver defeated Billy Jack (Haynes) to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
New Orleans, Louisiana:
– Magnum T.A. & Mr. Wrestling II defeated Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart to win the Mid-South Wrestling Association Tag Team Titles
1984
New Orleans, Louisiana:
– The Rock N’ Roll Express defeated Ted DiBiase & Hercules Hernandez to win the Mid-South Wrestling Association Tag Team Titles
Dallas, Texas:
– Kelly Kiniski defeated Buck Zum Hofe
– Rip Oliver defeated Iceman Parsons
– World Class American Tag Team Champions The Fantastics defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey)
– Kerry Von Erich defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair via DQ
– Kevin Von Erich defeated Chris Adams in a Lumberjack match
– Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts & Chic Donovan defeated Skandar Akbar, The Missing Link & Mr. X in a Loser Leaves Town elimination match
– Mike Von Erich & Billy Jack Haynes defeated Gino Hernandez & Jake Roberts
1985
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Stan Hansen by DQ
– Road Warriors no contest AWA Tag Team Champions Jim Garvin & Steve Regal
– Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Zbyszko
– Mongolian Stomper & Nord The Barbarian & Boris Zhukov beat Scott Hall & Curt Hennig & Jerry Blackwell
– Baron Von Raschke beat Scott Irwin by DQ
– Marty Jannetty beat Kelly Kiniski
Dallas, Texas:
– Lance Von Erich defeated World Class American Champion Rick Rude via DQ
– IWGP Champion Antonio Inoki defeated Steve Williams
– Bruiser Brody defeated One Man Gang in a chain match
– Kerry, Kevin & Lance Von Erich defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts)
1986
St. Paul, Minnesota:
– AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Curt Hennig by DQ (Special Referee — Billy Robinson)
– Non Title Cage Match: Midnight Rockers beat AWA Tag Team Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers
– Mr. Saito & Super Ninja & Larry Zbyszko beat Scott Hall & Leon White & Greg Gagne
– Colonel DeBeers beat Jimmy Snuka by DQ
– Boris Zhukov beat Steve O
– Earthquake Ferris beat Brian Nobbs
– Buck Zumhofe drew Buddy Wolff
Dallas, Texas:
– Mark Youngblood defeated Tim Brooks
– Steve Simpson defeated The Grappler
– Lance Von Erich defeated Master Gee (George Wells)
– Tony Atlas defeated Matt Borne
– Scott Casey defeated Black Bart in a Loser Rides A Mule match
– Kevin & Mike Von Erich defeated World Class Tag Team Champions Brian Adias & Al Madril via DQ
– Abdullah the Butcher defeated Bruiser Brody in a Loser Leaves Town Steel Cage match
Tampa, Florida:
– The New Breed (Chris Champion and Sean Royal) defeated Vic Steamboat and Kendall Windham to win the vacant NWA Florida Tag Team Title
Birmingham, Alabama:
– The Nightmares (Danny Davis and Ken Wayne) defeat Tony Anthony and Jerry Stubbs for the Continental Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title
1987
Dallas, Texas:
– The Fantastics defeated Jack Victory & John Tatum
– Kerry Von Erich won a Pole Battle Royal, climbing a pole to grab the $10,000 prize
– World Class Texas Champion Matt Borne defeated The Iron Sheik
– Eric Embry defeated Shaun Simpson in a Steel Cage match to win the World Class Light Heavyweight Title
– Kevin Von Erich, Chris Adams & Steve Simpson defeated Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts & Iceman Parsons in a Steel Cage match to win the vacant World Class Six Man Tag Team Title
– World Class Champion Al Perez defeated Kerry Von Erich in a steel cage match
Knoxville, Tennessee:
– Lord Humongous (Sid Vicious) defeated Danny Davis for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title
St. Joseph, Missouri:
– Dave Peterson defeated Bob Brown to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title
1988
Tampa, Florida:
– Mike Graham defeated The Terminator to win the vacant NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
Portland, Oregon:
– Top Gun defeated The Grappler to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
1990
Atlanta, Georgia:
– The Minotaur pinned the Juicer
– Brian Pillman & NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin
– Michael Wallstreet pinned Tim Horner
– NWA US Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated the Master Blasters
– The Junkyard Dog pinned the Iron Sheik
– WCW US Champion Lex Luger & El Gigante defeated the Big Cat & the Motor City Madman
– NWA World Champion Sting defeated Ric Flair via count-out at the 18-minute mark
– NWA Tag Team Champions Doom defeated Arn Anderson & Barry Windham in a steel cage match
1991
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Tom Zenk defeated Larry Zbyzsko via reverse decision
– Johnny B. Badd & PN News defeated Diamond Dallas Page & Teddy Long
– WCW TV Champion Steve Austin fought Scott Steiner to a 15-minute time-limit draw
– WCW US Champion Rick Rude defeated Sting via disqualification
– Abdullah the Butcher & Cactus Jack defeated Van Hammer & El Gigante
– Jushin Liger pinned WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman to win the title
– WCW Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match
– WCW World Champion Lex Luger pinned Rick Steiner
1992
Carolina, Puerto Rico:
– Mohammad Hussein (Lou Fabbiano) and El Vigilante defeated Ray Gonzalez and Rex King to win the WWC World Tag Team Title
1993
Dallas, Texas:
– Black Bart and John Hawk (JBL) defeated Steven Dane and Chaz Taylor for the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title
– Chris Adams defeated Iceman King Parsons to win the GWF North American Heavyweight Title
1995
SMW Christmas Chaos: Knoxville, Tennessee:
– Buddy Landell defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy via disqualification
– Cactus Jack & Tracy Smothers defeated Chris Candido & Boo Bradley in a falls count anywhere match
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated SMW Tag Team Champions New Jack & Mustafa to win the titles
1999
Nashville, Tennessee:
– Mike Rapada won the NWA North American Heavyweight from Terry Taylor
Toluca, Mexico:
– El Cobarde, Sr. defeated El Hijo del Solitario to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Title
Mobile, Alabama:
– Lee Fields defeated Billy Wicks to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title
1986
Mexico City, Mexico:
– Perro Aguayo won the WWF World Junior Heavyweight Title by defeating Fishman
1994
Charlotte, North Carolina:
– Russian Assassins I and II defeated The Italian Stallion and George South for the Pro Wrestling Federation Tag Team Titles
2006
Tokyo, Japan:
– MINORU (Minoru Tanaka) defeated Koji Kanemoto to win the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Ray Villmer defeated George Flynn for the NWA (Georgia) Southern Heavyweight Title
1952
Los Angeles, California
– George Bollas defeated Sandor Szabo for the NWA Beat the Champ International Television Title
1953
– Doc and George Gallagher defeated Johnny Demchuck and Pepper Gomez to win the Big Time Wrestling Northwest Tag Team Title
1955
Atlanta, Georgia:
– Bill and Fred Blassie defeated Jerry Graham and Don McIntyre to win the NWA (Georgia) World Tag Team Title
1957
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
– Stan Mykietowich and Ted Stefanyk defeated Frenchy Champagne and Ed Tardi for the Madison Wrestling Club Tag Team Title
1958
Portland, Oregon:
– Kurt Von Himmler and Kurt Von Poppenheim defeated Herb and Seymour Freeman to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1960
Long Beach, California:
– Lord James Blears and Nick Bockwinkel defeated Stan Holek and The Preacher for the NWA (Hollywood Wrestling) International Television Tag Team Title
1965
Chattanooga, Tennessee:
– Rocky Smith won the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title by defeating Hiro Matsuda in a rematch to win the vacant title
1970
Mobile, Alabama:
– Mike Boyette won a battle royal to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title and City of Mobile Heavyweight Title
1971
Tampa, Florida:
– Bob Roop defeated Ole Anderson to win the NWA Florida Television Title
1972
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Geoff Portz defeated Kendo Nagasaki to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title
Detroit, Michigan:
– Bobo Brazil defeated Pampero Firpo to win the NWA (Detroit) United States Heavyweight Title
Chattanooga, Tennessee:
– Bearcat Brown and Johnny Walker defeated The Bounty Hunters (David and Jerry Novak) for the NWA (Mid-America) Southern Tag Team Title
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Danny Babich and Michel Martel defeated George Gordienko and Super Hawk to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title
1975
Tampa, Florida:
– Rocky Johnson defeated King Curtis Iaukea to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
1983
Eugene, Oregon:
– Curt Hennig and Pat (Scott) McGhee defeated The Assassin and The Dynamite for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
– Archie Gouldie won the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title by defeating Bad News Allen
1984
Montreal, Quebec, Canada:
– King Tonga beat Dino Bravo by DQ
– AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Nick Bockwinkel
– Jos Leduc beat The Superstar
– Rick Valentine & Sailor White beat Raymond Rougeau & Jacques Rougeau Jr by DQ
– Little Beaver & Tiger Jackson beat Pancho Boy & Sonny Boy
1985
Fort Worth, Texas:
– Mark Youngblood defeated Jack Victory for the WCCW Television Title
Birmingham, Alabama:
– Robert Fuller defeated Roberto Soto to win the NWA Continental Heavyweight Title
1986
Tokyo, Japan:
– Shinobu Kandori defeated Lola Gonzales to win the UWA Women’s World Title
1999
White Plains, New York:
– Mike Awesome defeated Masato Tanaka to win the ECW World Heavyweight Title
2006
New York City, New York:
– Homicide defeated Bryan Danielson to win the ROH World Title
– The Briscoes (Jay and Mark Briscoe) defeated The Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero)
– Jimmy Rave defeated Nigel McGuinness
Tokyo, Japan:
– Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeated Takashi Sugiura to win the NOAH GHC Junior Heavyweight Title
2009
Tokyo, Japan:
– Naomichi Marafuji defeated Prince Devitt to win the Super J Cup
2010
– Angelina Love & Winter defeated Madison Rayne & Tara to win the tournament finals of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Tournament and become tag team champions
2011
ROH Final Battle: New York, New York:
– TV Title Match: Jay Lethal defeated El Generico and Mike Bennett to retain the title
– No DQ Match: Kevin Steen defeated Steve Corino
– ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin to win the titles
– ROH World Title Match: Davey Richards defeated Eddie Edwards to retain the title
2012
Tokyo, Japan:
– Kenny Omega defeated El Generico (Sami Zayn) to win the openweight title
NXT will open 2017 with a roster full of fresh talent that’s already made strides on both the Florida and touring loops this year. Here’s a few talents to keep an eye on when they begin to make names for themselves on NXT TV:
Patrick Clark
A former Tough Enough contestant who made it clear that he valued being a fan and learning about pro wrestling while one that show has found himself and developed a compelling persona the last few months. The Patrick Clark Experience isn’t something that can be described easily, as he’s enigmatic and alluring, confident and confusing, all to go along with being a talented wrestler who’s sharp on his feet.
Mandy Rose
Another former Tough Enough contestant who some will remember as being The Miz’s choice because of how attractive she is. Rose has become a pillar of the Florida loop while perfecting her confidence.
She embraces being a heel when that’s her role, being sure to let people know that she’s a reality TV star or a bikini model, and to most fans, that generates heat. In the ring she’s improved every step of the way. In the last few months, she has expanded her move set to include an impressive finisher, the Angel’s Wings, which is a butterfly sit-out front slam.
Tucker Knight & Otis Dozovic
Heavy Machinery, as they occasionally go by down here, have become the most consistent tag team in Florida these days. They are two large, powerful men who feed off each other when it comes to personality and are a great display of two guys who work together perfectly as a team.
Dozovic is an incredibly entertaining character in his own right, as he grunts like a weightlifter and taunts his opponents. Knight encourages his partner and was already over on the Florida loop prior to their pairing. He comes across as a big charming hoss. These two, if presented correctly and given time to convey their personalities, should do very well in the next wave of NXT tag teams.
Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli
Quite possibly the crown jewels of the WWE Performance Center and developmental as it was designed to be, these two men have shown flashes of brilliance in their early careers. Both were singles wrestlers for most of the year until round one of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic where they entered from opposite sides of the stage, checked each other out, nodded approval, and then made their way to the ring.
It was a small moment that explained their personas so much. These guys are athletes, body guys, and pro wrestlers with movie star arrogance. With his NFL career behind him, Sabbatelli is an absolute marvel athletically. For a man that size to be able to leap and run as fast as he does is remarkable.
Moss is a former college football player himself and he has found himself in the last few months while portraying a frustrated, perhaps over-confident, persona.
While you’re here, check out my top matches from NXT’s extensive house show run in Florida this year.
