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: – Big Van Vader defeated Ron Simmons to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
1994
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
2003
Guangzhou, China: – Steve Williams defeated Terry Taylor to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title
2007
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
Smackdown New Year’s Eve edition spoilers – 12/31 (taped Tuesday 12/29)
By John Athridge
The crowd is pretty full for a Smackdown. The hard camera side is basically full at least. I missed the first two matches, but I was told that Darren Young beat Curtis Axel in the dark match.
Main Event
R-Truth beat Heath Slater.
Titus O’Neil beat Adam Rose.
Jack Swagger submitted Stardust with the ankle lock in about 10 minutes. They worked awfully hard for a Main Event match.
Smackdown
Show opened by replaying the Vince arrest angle from last night. They announced the main event of Reigns and Ambrose vs. Sheamus and Owens.
New Day came out to celebrate New Year’s Eve. They said their New Year’s resolution was nothing because they are perfect. They said the people needed to change because they didn’t vote for the New Day for the Slammies. They read a list of resolutions for the people so they’d finally appreciate the New Day. Mildly funny. The Lucha Dragons came out. They argued and challenged the New Day for a match even though Sin Cara is injured. The Dragons then brought out the Dudleys for a 6 man match.
The Dudleys and Kalisto beat the New Day when Kalisto pinned Kofi. The Dudleys then put Xavier Woods through a table with “Happy New Year” spray painted on it.
During the commercials, they played New Year’s wishes from various wrestlers.
Tyler Breeze (w/Summer Rae) beat Goldust in a short match. Summer then said they had a huge New Year’s announcement. Tyler said that starting in the New Year, the two of them would be going their separate ways. But they left the crowd with one last “Gorgeous Selfie”.
Backstage, Bo Dallas was giving out New Year’s Re-Bo-lutions (including telling Curtis Axel to start wearing deodorant). He ran into Dolph Ziggler. After a few insults back and forth, they announced a match between them later.
Braun Strowman and Luke Harper (w/Erick Rowan) beat the Usos. Strowman got the submission after some quick interference from Rowan.
They announced John Cena’s return to Smackdown for next week.
Alicia Fox and Brie Bella beat Tamina and Naomi when Brie pinned Naomi after a couple of minutes.
They announced that there will be a house show in DC on Sunday March, 27th. Thought we were getting the go home Raw before Wrestlemania here, but apparently not.
Dolph Ziggler beat Bo Dallas with a superkick after selling for a few minutes. Not much else to it.
Reigns came out to a decent reaction, but nothing spectacular. Ambrose seemed to get louder cheers.
Reigns and Ambrose beat Sheamus and Kevin Owens by DQ when Owens pulled Reigns out of the ring and crotched him on the ring post after about 10 minutes. Owens and Sheamus beat down Reigns and then Ambrose. Owens was about to powerbomb Ambrose through the announce table when Reigns recovered to give them both Superman punches. Reigns and Ambrose then posed on the announce table. Got a decent reaction, but not much of a main event.
Key Takeaway: TakeOver: Respect draws near as we follow several NXT personalities as they prepare for the big event. The focus on TakeOver adds some much-needed urgency to the show.
Recap: As with the past few episodes, this edition of Breaking Ground wasn’t focused on one or two competitors, but the episode’s focus on the road to TakeOver: Respect helped make up for it.
Bayley visits Natalya at “Night of Champions” and picks her brain a bit about the upcoming Iron Man match. Natalya reassures her that she’s the right person to lead the way for the young NXT female locker room as champion. Later, Bayley shoots promos for the match and gets a bit choked up as she discusses the importance and historical nature of the bout, which they emphasize is the first time females have main-evented a live WWE special. When she arrives at Full Sail for the event, Bayley seems a bit relieved that the day has arrived – she mentions how she’s been constantly running around preparing and promoting the event (and while she does this in voice-over, she is constantly shaking hands with different people at the arena backstage who greet her) that she’s a bit wired at this point. In a cool moment in this episode, Bayley gets a chance to play with her own action figure as Mattel comes to do facial scans of other NXT stars.
Nia Jax is getting ready for her TV debut (which was taped after TakeOver, but appears in this episode because of narratives). Her mom has flown in and helps her prepare. Nia has no idea what to do for her entrance. Her mom advises her not to over-analyze her entrance and just enjoy the moment when she walks out there. Her mom mentions what she has already overcome, and Nia tells the story of getting in an accident with a drunk driver in August 2014 (with The Rock’s mom with her in the car). In a funny moment, Rhyno and Baron Corbin joke around with her about being nervous about her debut, sharing horror stories of their past debuts. (Rhyno came out during the commercial break because he thought the generic rock music was his entrance music, advising her to “remember her music.”) She likes her new gear. Her debut happens, the crowd reacts well to her. She tears up discussing how much it all meant to her having her mom there. (Weirdly, she has a talk with her mom outside the venue wearing her more recent gear with the cool shoulder-pads.)
Sami Zayn begins doing conditioning in-ring with Tye Dillinger. He goes through a series of holds while a trainer assesses him. He notes afterwards it’s unclear if he’s going up to the main roster or not, as it wasn’t clear to him if his Montreal match with John Cena was a full call-up or a one-off.
In a strange quirk, last week’s cliffhanger with Dana Brooke getting injured is not really followed up on. They establish that she was hurt and injured some muscle in-between her pectoral and her shoulder, but she decided to work through it as the trainers felt whatever damage had been done wouldn’t get worse. She does get choked up a bit chatting with Jason Jordan prior to Takeover, but she gets to make her TakeOver debut with Asuka regardless.
In lesser news: Tino Sabbatelli gets video feedback from Adam Pearce and Matt Bloom, and does extra work in the ring at the Performance Center with the hopes of working his way back up from the beginners class to the touring roster. Tyler Breeze and his girlfriend adopt a stray dog that followed him to the Performance Center. Jason Jordan and Chad Gable order custom track suits for their TakeOver match, but they don’t arrive in time.
And the beginning of “TakeOver: Respect” is this episode’s big cliffhanger, as we’ll follow up on that event in next week’s season finale.
Final Thoughts: A fairly strong episode of Breaking Ground, if only because of the focus on TakeOver and the time it spent with personalities like Bayley, Nia Jax and Sami Zayn who the show has spent time with and given reasons for viewers to care about.
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 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 dq – NWA Champion Ric Flair beat Dusty Rhodes 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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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 dq
1991
Dallas, Texas: – Bill Irwin & Black Bart defeated John Tatum & Rod Price to win the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Titles
1993
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
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
Starrcade | Nashville, Tennesse: – 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
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
New York City: – Kevin Steen & El Generico defeated Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious to retain the ROH World Tag Team Titles – 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
FLORIDA WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Barry Rose)
1956 – Therese Theis beat Joyce Smith (Jacksonville)
1956 – Hans Schmidt no contest Argentina Rocca (Fort Lauderdale)
1960 – Hans Schmidt beat Mighty Jumbo (Tampa)
1961 – Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn beat Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myake via DQ in a U.S. tag title match (Jacksonville)
1965 – Don Curtis & Ronnie Etchison beat Kurt & Karl von Stroheim (Orlando)
1966 – The Infernos beat Eddie Graham & Lester Welch to retain the NWA tag titles (Tampa)
1967 – Johnny Valentine beat Jose Lothario to keep the Florida title (Sarasota)
1971 – Bobby Shane beat Johnny Walker to retain the Southern title (Orlando)
1972 – Bobby Shane & Chris Markoff beat Jack & Jerry Brisco to win the Florida tag team titles (Miami Beach)
1976 – Jos LeDuc won battle Royal (West Palm Bach)
1977 – Don Muraco & Rocky Johnson beat Killer Karl Kox & Lars Anderson via DQ (Tampa)
1978 – Jack Brisco beat Dick Slater via DQ in a Southern title match (Miami Beach)
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 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, 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
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 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
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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – Terry Funk pinned ECW Heavyweight and Television Champion Sabu in a No Disqualification match to win the Heavyweight Title
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
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
FLORIDA PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Barry Rose)
1955 – Don Eagle beat Wolfman John Smith (Tampa)
1956 – Therese Theis won a five woman Battle Royal (Fort Pierce)
1960 – Chief Big Eagle double count out Buddy Austin (Bradenton)
1960 – Lu Kim & Hans Schmidt beat Chief Big Heart & Man Mountain Managoff via DQ (Orlando)
1966 – Great Malenko beat Eddie Graham in a Russian chain match (Orlando)
1967 – Hiro Matsuda & Duke Keomuka beat Don Serrano & Silento Rodriguez (Fort Myers)
1967 – Johnny Valentine beat Joe ScarpA to win the Florida title (Tampa)
1972 – Big Bad John beat Buddy Colt (Tampa)
1973 – Mike Graham beat Buddy Colt via DQ in a Florida title match (Miami Beach)
1978 – Dick Slater beat Jos LeDuc via DQ in a Southern title match (Tampa)
1979 – Dusty Rhodes no contest Bad Leroy Brown (Miami Beach)
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
1991
Atlanta, Georgia: – Jushin Liger defeated Brian Pillman to win the WCW light heavyweight title
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
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
Knoxville, Tennessee:
– The Rock N’ Roll Express defeated The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) to win the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Tag Team Titles
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
YESTERDAY IN FLORIDA WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Barry Rose)
1958 – John Smith beat Harry Smith via DQ (Fort Myers)
1958 – Paul Anderson (Olympic weightlifting gold medalist and world’s strongest man) beat Cowboy Rocky Lee (Tampa)
1960 – Chief Big Eagle & Bonnie Watson beat Pedro Godoy & Pat Lyda in a mixed tag (Miami Beach)
1968 – Rene Goulet & Ronnie Hill & Jose Lothario & Les Welch beat The Medics (Interns) & Hans Mortier & Tarzan Tyler (Orlando)
1971 – Bob Roop beat Ole Anderson to win the Florida TV title (Tampa)
1972 – Big Bad John beat Paul Jones in a cage match and Jack Brisco beat Buddy Colt via DQ in a Florida title match (St. Petersburg)
1974 – Mike Graham beat Dick Slater in a lights out match and Bob Armstrong beat Bob Roop via DQ in a North American title match (Orlando)
1975 – Terry Funk beat Dusty Rhodes via DQ in NWA title match and Rocky Johnson beat King Curtis Iaukea to win the Florida title and Eddie & Mike Graham beat Rip Hawk & Roger Kirby to win the Florida tag titles (Tama)
1980 – Dusty Rhodes & Barry Windham beat Dory funk Jr. & Dick Murdoch ( Tampa)
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 dq – AWA Champion Rick Martel beat Nick Bockwinkel – Jos Leduc beat The Superstar – Rick Valentine & Sailor White beat Raymond Rougeau & Jacques Rougeau Jr 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
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 Zeyn) to win the openweight title
