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February 5th
On this day in history in ....
1984 - El Santo, the most famous wrestler in the history of Mexico, died of a heart attack at age 67. Santo (real name Rodolfo Guzman Huerta), in addition to his wrestling fame, crossed over into movies, starring in over 50 action/horror films. Santo was never seen without his mask on, and in fact was buried in the silver hood that he made famous. Santo's in-ring career lasted 48 years, ending in 1982.
1988 - One of the most famous and widely seen WWF title changes took place. "The Main Event" aired live in primetime on NBC from the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Andre The Giant defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, ending Hogan's reign of over four years.
In the long awaited rematch from Wrestlemania III, Andre was managed by Ted DiBiase, who had purchased Andre's contract from Bobby Heenan. Andre pinned Hogan with a side suplex after the nine minute match, but it was later revealed that Earl Hebner, paid off by DiBiase, had taken the place of his twin brother, referee Dave Hebner, and didn't acknowledge that Hogan had kicked out before the three count. Hogan later made the hilarious claim that DiBiase had paid someone to have plastic surgery to look like Hebner. Andre, after being declared the champion, handed the belt over to DiBiase. WWF President Jack Tunney later announced that since Andre had given the belt to DiBiase, he was willingly forfeiting the title, and it was declared vacant and put up in a tournament at Wrestlemania IV.
The prime time network special, which also saw Randy Savage defeat Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man via countout, and the beginning of a tag match with Champions Strike Force (Tito Santana & Rick Martel) against the Hart Foundation (show ended before the finish of the match, which Strike Force won), drew a monster 15.2 rating for NBC.
1994 - ECW held the "Night The Line Was Crossed" at the ECW Arena, featuring a three way match between ECW Champion Terry Funk, Sabu and Shane Douglas. For more on this historic show, go to Page 2.
2000 - Johnny Kashmere & Robby Mireno defeats Midknight & Diablos Macabre for the Combat Zone Wrestling Tag Team Titles.
2001 - Rick Steiner defeats Shane Douglas for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight title on a live edition of Nitro from Tupelo, Mississippi.
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