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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: GREAT AMERICAN BASH, BASH AT THE BEACH, CENTRAL STATES TOURNEY, TUNNEY RESIGNS AND MORE

By Ryan Martinez on 2008-07-12 08:00:00
July 12th

On this day in history in ....

1933 - Thor Jenson defeats Harold Heibert for the Pacific Coast Middleweight Title in Eugene, Oregon.

1946 - Tex Riley wins a tournament in Nashville, Tennessee to win the vacant Tennessee World Junior Heavyweight Title.

1946 - Joe Savoldi defeats Everett Marshall for the Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ending Marshall's second reign.

1951 - Eduardo Perez and Red Roberts defeats Ray Piret and Herb Welch to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

1957 - Herb Freeman defeats Bill Savage to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title.

1963 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Ox Anderson and Jolly Cholly fought to a draw.
- Tony Nero and Karl Steif fought to a draw.
- Édouard Carpentier defeated Magnificent Maurice.
- The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) defeated Ron Reed and Tim Woods.
- WWWF United States Tag Team Champions Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy defeated Argentina Apollo and Miguel Pérez.
- Johnny Barend and Buddy Rogers defeated Bobo Brazil and Pedro Morales.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Hans Mortier to retain the title.

1963 - Johnny Valentine defeats Moose Cholak to win the International Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title in Chicago, Illinois.

1965 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Fuzzy Cupid and Sky Low Low defeated The Jamaica Kid and Pancho Lopez. in a best-of-three falls match.
- Chief Big Heart and The Golden Terror fought to a draw.
- Argentina Apollo and Miguel Pérez defeated The Sheik and Smasher Sloan.
- Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Haystacks Calhoun by disqualification.
- Waldo Von Erich defeated Wahoo McDaniel.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Miller to retain the title, by referee decision after the match went to the 60-minute time limit.

1966 - Louie Tillet wins his third NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Bull Curry's 18th reign.

1966 - Don Carson defeats Bobby Fields for the NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Title in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ending Fields' fourth reign.

1967 - The Beast and Bob Sweetan defeat Bobby and Jerry Christy to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta.

1969 - Bob Ellis and Stan Pulaski defeat Bob Geigel and The Viking for the AWA Midwest Tag Team Title.

1971 - Yvon Robért dies at age 56 in Laval, Quebec. Robért was a 16-time world champion in Montreal, as well as a world champion in the National Wrestling Association and the Boston American Wrestling Association. He was also one-half of the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Champions with Whipper Billy Watson, and the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Champions with Billy Wicks.

1972 - Bob Kelly defeats Gorgeous George, Jr. in Mobile, Alabama to win his eighth NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title.

1974 - Gregory Helms is born in Smithfield, North Carolina.

1974 - Ernie Ladd defeats Porkchop Cash to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California. This began Ladd's second reign and ended Cash's second.

1974 - Carlos Colón and José Miguel Pérez defeat Jim Dalton and Bruce Swayze for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to begin their second reign.

1976 - John Tolos defeats Kinji Shibuya for the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1977 - Brock Lesnar is born in Webster, South Dakota.

1978 - Whipper Watson, Jr. defeats Dutch Mantel to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee, ending Mantel's second reign.

1979 - Central States Wrestling held an eight-team tournament for the vacant NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
Quarterfinals:
- Jerry Brown and The Turk defeated Frank Hill and Rufus R. Jones.
- Omar Atlas and Bruiser Brody defeated Ron McFarlane and Dave Nevins.
- Lord Alfred Hayes and The Super Destroyer defeated Tom Andrews and Bill Irwin.
- Bob Brown and Gama Singh defeated Steve Hall and Bob Sweetan.
Semifinals:
- Jerry Brown and The Turk Omar Atlas and Bruiser Brody.
- Bob Brown and Gama Singh defeated Lord Alfred Hayes and The Super Destroyer.
Finals:
- Jerry Brown and The Turk defeated Bob Brown and Gama Singh to win the vacant NWA Central States Tag Team Title.

1981 - Mr. Fuji defeats Angelo MOsca to win the Toronto NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title in Toronto, Ontario, ending Mosca's second reign.

1982 - The Continental Wrestling Association held an event at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- Bobby Fulton defeated The Angel (Frank Morrell).
- Steve Keirn defeated Sweet Brown Sugar by disqualification.
- Bobby Eaton defeated NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champion Dutch Mantel to win the title, ending Mantel's 10th reign and beginning Eaton's sixth.
- The Midnight Express (Norvell Austin and Dennis Condrey) defeated AWA Southern Tag Team Champions Ron Bass and Stan Lane.
- AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Kamala defeated Bill Dundee to retain the title.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Jerry Lawler.

1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions held the sixth event of the "Great American Bash" tour in Jacksonville, Florida. The results were:
- Thunderfoot defeated Ricky Santana.
- Jimmy Garvin defeated The Italian Stallion.
- Ole Anderson defeated Hector Guerrero.
- Ron Garvin defeated Tully Blanchard.
- NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Magnum T.A. defeated Arn Anderson in a Bunkhouse match.
- NWA World Television Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair by disqualification. Flair retained the title.
- Wahoo McDaniel and The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions The Russians (Krusher Khruschev, Ivan Koloff and Nikita Koloff) in a Steel Cage match.

1986 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, which aired live on the MSG Network. The results were:
- Tony Atlas defeated Lanny Poffo.
- Jimmy Hart won a 22-man $50,000 battle royal, when Greg Valentine and The Junkyard Dog eliminated eachother.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith) defeated The Moondogs (Rex and Spike), when Dynamite pinned Spot, to retain the title.
- Pedro Morales defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
- Billy Jack Haynes defeated Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny V) by disqualification.
- King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) defeated Sivi Afi and King Tonga (Haku), when Bundy pinned Tonga.
- Harley Race (with Bobby Heenan) defeated Tony Garea.
- The Junkyard Dog and Greg Valentine (with Johnny V) were both counted out.
- Bruno Sammartino and Tito Santana defeated Adrian Adonis and WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage in a steel cage match, when Sammartino and Santana both escaped the cage, through the door and over the top, respectively.

1986 - The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) defeat The Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) in a fictitious tournament final in Portland, Oregon for the vacant Florida NWA United States Tag Team Title.

1989 - Riki Choshu defeats Salman Hashimikov for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in Osaka, Japan.

1991 - Skyfire defeats The Tennessee Equalizer to win the Southern States Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Kingsport, Tennessee.

1992 - WCW held the fifth-annual "Great American Bash" pay-per-view at the Gray Civic Center in Albany, Georgia, which got a 0.4 buyrate. The event featured the final three rounds of a 16-team tournament for the now-board-recognized NWA World Tag Team Title. The first round had been held on June 16 at Clash of the Champions XIX. The results:
- In a dark match, The Super Invader (with Harley Race) defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell.
- In an NWA World Tag Team Title tournament quarterfinal, Nikita Koloff and Ricky Steamboat defeated Jushin Liger and Brian Pillman, when Steamboat pinned Pillman.
- In an NWA World Tag Team Title tournament quarterfinal, Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham defeated NWA World Television Champion Steve Austin and NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Rude (with Madusa), when Rhodes pinned Austin.
- In an NWA World Tag Team Title tournament quarterfinal, Hiroshi Hase and Shinya Hashimoto (subbing for the injured Akira Nogami) defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin and Michael Hayes), when Hase pinned Garvin.
- In an NWA World Tag Team Title tournament semifinal, WCW World Tag Team Champions Terry Gordy and Steve Williams defeated Nikita Koloff and Ricky Steamboat, when Williams pinned Steamboat.
- In an NWA World Tag Team Title tournament semifinal, Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham defeated Hiroshi Hase and Shinya Hashimoto, when Windham pinned Hase.
- Big Van Vader (with Harley Race) pinned WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting after a powerbomb to win the title.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Terry Gordy and Steve Williams defeated Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham, when Williams pinned Rhodes, to win the NWA World Tag Team Title. The title was now officially recognized by the NWA, after the final of the several original versions of the title in existence, originally from the Mid-Atlantic territory, was renamed the WCW World Tag Team Title in 1991. From that time, the NWA title had been considered vacant.

1994 - Dan Kroffat defeats Masanobu Fuchi for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title in Kagoshima, Japan. This began Kroffat's second reign and ended Fuchi's fourth.

1995 - WWF President Jack Tunney resigns from office.

1996 - Prince Maya defeats Adrian El Existico to win the UWA World Light Heavyweight Title.

1996 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held "UFC 10: The Tournament" at the Fairgrounds Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring an eight-man tournament. The results:
Alternate bouts:
- Geza Kalman defeated Dieusel Berto by TKO (strikes) at 5:56.
- Sam Adkins defeated Felix Lee Mitchell by unanimous decision.
Quarterfinals:
- Don Frye defeated Mark Hall by TKO (strikes) at 10:21.
- Brian Johnston defeated Scott Fielder by submission (strikes) at 2:25.
- Mark Coleman defeated Moti Horenstein by submission (strikes) at 2:43.
- Gary Goodridge defeated John Campetella by knockout at 1:28.
Semifinals:
- Mark Coleman defeated Gary Goodridge by submission (fatigue) at 7:00.
- Don Frye defeated Brian Johnston by submission (strikes) at 4:38.
Finals:
- Mark Coleman defeated Don Frye by TKO (strikes) at 11:34 to win the UFC 10 tournament.

1997 - Spellbinder defeats Billy Travis for the USWA Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his second reign.

1998 - WCW held the fifth-annual "Bash at the Beach" pay-per-view at Cox Arena in San Diego, California, before 10,095 fans. The show got a 1.42 buyrate, and the results were:
- In a dark match, Villanos IV and V defeated Ciclope and Damien, when Villano V pinned Damien.
- Raven (with Scotty Riggs and Lodi) pinned Saturn in a Raven's Rules match after a Evenflow DDT.
- Juventud Guerrera pinned Kidman after a 450 Splash.
- Stevie Ray defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr. when Chavo purposely submitted to a knucklelock.
- Eddie Guerrero pinned Chavo Guerrero, Jr. in a Hair vs. Hair match with a small package. After the match, Chavo shaved off his own hair.
- Konnan (with Lex Luger and WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash) defeated Disco Inferno (with Alex Wright) by submission with the Tequila Sunrise.
- The Giant pinned Kevin Greene after a chokeslam.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. pinned WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho to win the title, but the title was returned to Jericho the next night on Monday Nitro, due to interference from Dean Malenko.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Bret Hart by disqualification to retain the title.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg pinned Curt Hennig after the Jackhammer to retain the title.
- Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman (with The Disciple) defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone, when Hogan pinned Page after an Apocalypse from The Disciple. This began Hogan's sixth reign and ended Savage's fourth.

1998 - Billy Joe Eaton defeats Ian Rotten for the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title in Kalamazoo, Michigan, ending Rotten's second reign.

1999 - The WWF announced that Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura will serve as a special guest referee at August 22's SummerSlam in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1999 - WWF RAW is WAR defeated WCW Monday Nitro, 6.0 to 3.4, in this week of the Monday Night War.

WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida. The results:
- Konnan defeated Vampiro by disqualification.
- Dean Malenko (with Chris Benoit and Perry Saturn) defeated Ric Flair (with Arn Anderson and Asya) by disqualification.
- Kidman defeated Steven Regal (with David Taylor and Fit Finlay).
- Sid Vicious defeated Kaos.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion David Flair (with Arn Anderson, Asya, Ric Flair and Torrie Wilson) fought Sting to a no-contest to retain the title.
- Booker T defeated WCW World Tag Team Champion Diamond Dallas Page (with WCW World Tag Team Champions Bam Bam Bigelow and Kanyon) by disqualification).
- Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage to win the title.

WWF RAW is WAR was live from the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky. The results were:
- Edge fought Gangrel to a no contest.
- The Godfather and Val Venis defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) (with Michael Hayes)) by disqualification. The Hardys retained the title.
- The Road Dogg, The Rock (subbing for Kane) and X-Pac defeated Chyna, Billy Gunn and Triple H.
- Al Snow defeated Droz in a hardcore evening gown match.
- Test defeated The Mean Street Posse (Joey Abs, Pete Gas and Rodney) in a gauntlet match.
- WWF Champion Steve Austin and The Big Show besiegen Kane and The Undertaker.

2000 - "Showa" defeats Poison Sawada Black for the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title, ending Black's second reign.

2001 - Yuki Ishikawa and Shinjiro Otani defeat Steve Corino and Mike Rapada by referee stoppage to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2001 - The Wall defeats Simon Diamond for the vacant NWA Jersey Hardcore Title in Wildwood, New Jersey.

2002 - At a WWF house show in Lakeland, Florida, four WWF Hardcore Title changes take place. Bradshaw had his seventh reign ended by Justin Credible, which began his third. Spike Dudley then won the title, beginning his eighth reign, before losing to Big Show. Show's third reign was then ended by Bradshaw, beginning his eighth reign.

2002 - Chris Hero defeats Colt Cabana to win the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title in Clarksville, Indiana. This began Hero's second reign and ended Cabana's fourth.

2003 - Erick Alexander and Craven defeat Miguel Pérez and Slash Venom for the vacant IWA World Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning their second reign.

2003 - Chris Hero defeats Danny Daniels in a best-of-three falls match, 2-1, to win the vacant IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title in Clarksville, Indiana, beginning Hero's fourth reign.

2003 - Justin Powers defeats Billy Firehawk for the CyberSpace Wrestling Federation Internet Title in Rahway, New Jersey. At the same show, The United Nations (Sonjay Dutt and Prince Nana) defeat The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz to win the vacant CSWF Tag Team Title.

2003 - Green Oil (eXceSs 69 and The Green Phantom) defeat Hi-5 (Beef Wellington and Kid Kamikaze) for the Internet (now International) Wrestling Syndicate Tag Team Title in Laval, Quebec.

2004 - WWE held a live RAW at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, which got a 3.7 rating on Spike TV. The results:
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Edge pinned Batista by reversing a spinebuster into a sunset flip and holding the top rope.
- Rhyno (with Tajiri) pinned World Tag Team Champion Rob Conway (with World Tag Team Champion Sylvain Grenier) after the Gore.
- Tyson Tomko (with WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus) defeated Maven (with Nidia) after a big boot.
- Chris Jericho defeated Kane by disqualification when Kane gave Jericho a low-blow.
- Ric Flair defeated The Hurricane by submission with the Figure-Four leglock.
- World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit fought Eugene to a no-contest after Evolution attacked both men.

2005 - CIMA, Magnitude Kishiwada and Masato Yoshino defeat Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito for Dragon Gate's Open the Triangle Gate Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Dragon, Horigichi and Saito's second reign.

2007 - Austin Creed defeats Murder-1 in a tournament final for the Deep South Heavyweight Title, at Deep South Wrestling's show in Locust Grove, Georgia. It was the first event held by DSW after WWE left the promotion in April.

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