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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: MIKE VON ERICH COMMITS SUICIDE, SAMOANS WIN THE WWWF TAG TEAM TITLE AND MORE

By Buck Woodward on 2007-04-12 09:49:00

April 12th

On this day in history in ....

1980 - WWE Hall Of Famers The Samoans (Afa & Sika) defeat fellow Hall Of Famers Ivan Putski & Tito Santana for the WWWF Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Samoans first WWWF Tag Title win. 

1987 - Mike Von Erich (Mike Adkisson) dies of a drug overdose at age 23.  Von Erich, who had drug and depression problems (which many link to his bout with Toxic Shock Syndrome following shoulder surgery), committed suicide by intentionally overdosing on Placidyl, a tranquilizer. Von Erich's body was found in a sleeping back on his father's property, and he left a suicide note. He was the first of three Von Erichs (Kerry and Chris being the others) to commit suicide.  Of Fritz Von Erich's six sons, only one (Kevin) would live to see his 34th birthday.

1991 - Jeff Jarrett defeats Tom Prichard for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas.  This settled their back and forth exchanging of the title over the last month, which saw the belt held up twice after previous matches between the two ended in controversy. 

1993 - Rex King & Steve Doll defeat the Moondogs (Spot & Splat) for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.  This would begin the fourth reign for King & Doll. 

1997 - King Reginald (Reggie B. Fine) defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's 26th reign with the title. On the same show, The Shooting Starz defeat the Truth Commission, Recon & Interrogator, for the USWA Tag Team Title. 

1999 - The Godfather defeats Goldust for the WWF Intercontinental Title in Detroit, Michigan, ending Goldust's third and final IC Title reign. 

2000 - Chris Michaels defeats Sean Casey for the Ohio Valley Light Heavyweight Title.

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