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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: TNA SACRIFICE, SHEIK DEFEATS BRAZIL, YOUNG STARS TOURNAMENT AND MORE

May 15th

On this day in history in ....

1953 - Frankie Talaber wins his ninth Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio, defeating Joe Scarpello in a tournament final.

1955 - George Dussette and Luther Lindsay defeat Bulldog Curtis and Tommy Martinez to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.

1957 - Kevin Von Erich is born in Belleville, Illinois.

1957 - Ed Francis defeats Luigi Macera for the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title, ending Macera's second reign.

1958 - Ron Simmons is born in Perry, Georgia.

1958 - Verne Gagne and Leo Nomellini defeat Doc and Mike Gallagher for the Minneapolis NWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1963 - Rocket Monroe (Bill Fletcher) defeats Joe Scarpa (Jay Strongbow) and Pancho Villa in a three-way match to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.

1965 - Mighty Igor Vodic defeats Mad Dog Vachon for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Omaha, Nebraska, ending Vachon's second reign.

1967 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Arnold Skaaland defeated Smasher Sloan.
- Billy the Kid and Irish Jackie defeated Fuzzy Cupid and Little Brutus.
- Toru Tanaka defeated The Ox by submission.
- Bobo Brazil defeated Bull Ortega.
- Spiros Arion and Antonio Pugliese defeated Luke Graham and Baron Mikel Scicluna in a best-of-three falls match, 2-0.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gorilla Monsoon to retain the title.

1970 - Mark Lewin and Antonio Pugliese defeat Swede Hanson and Rip Hawk to win the International Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia.

1970 - Donna Christantello and Kathy O'Day defeat The Fabulous Moolah and Toni Rose to win the NWA World Women's Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California.

1971 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- NWA World Women's Tag Team Champion Donna Christanello and NWA World Women's Champion The Fabulous Moolah defeated Sharon Joy and Vicki Williams.
- Manuel Soto defeated Manuka Akim.
- Jimmy Valiant defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Beautiful Bobby defeated Mike Pappas.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Juan Caruso and Vincente Pommetti in a handicap match.
- Tarzan Tyler defeated Tony Marino.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Bulldog Brower by disqualification.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales defeated Blackjack Mulligan to retain the title.

1971 - Red Bastien and Hercules Cortez defeat Butcher and Mad Dog Vachon to win the AWA World Tag Team Title in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ending the Vachons' second reign.

1972 - Boris Malenko defeats Bearcat Wright for the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title in Orlando, Florida, beginning his eighth reign.

1973 - The California Hippies (Mike Boyette and Mickey Doyle) win their second Gulf Coast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending The Mongol and The Rugged Russian's second reign.

1973 - Sandy Parker defeats Miyoko Hoshino for the WWWA World Singles Title in Choshi, Japan.

1975 - Paul Jones and Wahoo McDaniel defeat Gene and Ole Anderson to win the NWA World Tag Team Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.

1976 - The WWWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- José Gonzalez defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Rocky Tamayo defeated Johnny Rivera by submission.
- Susan Green and Vivian St. James defeated Kitty Adams and Paula Kaye in a best-of-three falls match.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions The Executioners (Killer Kowalski and John Studd) defeated Pat Barrett and Kevin Sullivan in a best-of-three falls match, 2-0, to retain the title.
- Ivan Koloff and Billy White Wolf fought to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
- Stan Hansen defeated Haystacks Calhoun.
- Superstar Billy Graham defeated Gorilla Monsoon (subbing for WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino), by referee stoppage due to blood.

1976 - The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the Detroit NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan, ending and beginning both men's ninth reigns.

1976 - Tony Garea and Pat Patterson defeat Invader I and Don Muraco to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in San Francisco, California.

1977 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Johnny Rivera defeated Jan Nelson.
- Ken Patera defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow.
- Rocky Tomayo defeated Ted Adams.
- Johnny Rodz fought Don Serrano to a 20-minute draw.
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Pete Doherty defeated Tony Altimore.
- George Steele defeated Bruno Sammartino by disqualification.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea to retain the title.

1978 - Maple Leaf Wrestling held an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
- Billy Red Lyons fought Chris Tolos to a 20-minute draw.
- Dewey Robertson defeated The Wildman by disqualification.
- Kim Chang defeated Claude Dionne.
- Billy Red Lyons and Rufus R. Jones defeated Lord Alfred Hayes and Super Destroyer (Sgt. Slaughter), when Jones pinned Destroyer.
- British Heavyweight Champion Billy Robinson defeated Angelo Mosca by disqualification to retain the title.
- AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel fought Jim Brunzell to a double-disqualification, after both Bobby Heenan and Rufus R. Jones interfered, to retain the title.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham by countout to retain the title.

1978 - Gene Kiniski defeats John Quinn for the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Quinn's second reign and beginning Kiniski's seventh reign.

1982 - The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) defeat Eddie and Tommy Gilbert in a rematch from a week earlier, to win their second WWC North American Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

1986 - The Midnight Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) defeat The Batten Twins (Bart and Brad) to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas, ending the Battens' second reign.

1993 - The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) defeat The Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane and Tom Prichard) in Johnson City, Tennessee for the SMW Tag Team Title. This began the Express' fourth reign and ended the Bodies' fifth reign.

1993 - Three West Coast Championship Wrestling title switch in Cloverdale, British Columbia. Michelle Starr defeats Mighty Quinn for the WCCW Heavyweight Title, Al Tomko wins the WCCW Mid-Heavyweight Title from Firefighter Adrian, and The Beautiful Bodies (Rocky Dellaserra and Ole Olson) defeat Firefighter Adrian and Timothy Flowers to win the WCCW International Tag Team Title.

1994 - Chi Chi Cruz defeats Stan Saxton to win the West Four Wrestling Alliance Canadian Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba, beginning Cruz's third reign.

1995 - Reggie Bennett defeats Manami Toyota for the IWA Women's World Title in Niigata, Japan.

1996 - Karis la Momia defeats Blue Demon, Jr. to win the Mexican National Cruiserweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.

1997 - AAA held the Young Stars Tag Team Tournament in Toluca, Mexico. This tourmament was set up similarly to AAA's Gran Alternativa where a top wrestler would team with a younger wrestler and the winning youngster would be promised main event matches in the future. The results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Picudo and Loco Valentino defeated Máscara Sagrada (AAA) and Fuego Mágico.
- Heavy Metal and Venum defeated May Flowers and Pentagón.
- Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced defeated Kick Boxer and Octagón.
- Héctor Garza and Super Nova defeated The Killer and Abismo Negro.
Semifinals:
- Heavy Metal and Venum defeated Picudo and Loco Valentino.
- Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced defeated Héctor Garza and Super Nova.
Finals:
- Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced defeated Heavy Metal and Venum to win the tournament, as well as the Mexican National Tag Team Title, which had been vacated after Fuerza and Juventud Guerrera had left AAA. Obviously, Fuerza came back, but Juventud had left for WCW.

1997 - The American Kickboxer defeats J.C. Ice to win the IWA Mid-South Lightweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky. The title had been vacated that day when Bull Pain didn't make the 200-pound weight limit.

1998 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held "UFC 17: Redemption" at the Mobile Civic Center, in Mobile, Alabama. The results:
- Chuck Liddell defeated Noe Hernandez by unanimous decision after 12:00 in a bout between Middleweight Tournament alternates. This was Liddell's very first MMA fight.
- Andre Roberts defeated Harry Moskowitz by unanimous decision after 15:00 in a heavyweight exhibition bout.
- Dan Henderson defeated Allan Goes by unanimous decision after 15:00 in a Middleweight Tournament semifinal bout.
- Carlos Newton defeated Bob Gilstrap by submission (triangle choke) at 0:52 in a Middleweight Tournament semifinal bout.
- Mike Van Arsdale defeated Joe Pardo by submission (keylock) at 11:01 in a heavyweight superfight.
- Tank Abbott defeated Hugo Duarte by TKO (strikes) at 0:44 in a heavyweight superfight.
- Dan Henderson defeated Carlos Newton by unanimous decision after 15:00 to win the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament.
- Pete Williams defeated Mark Coleman by knockout (kick) at 12:38 in a heavyweight superfight.
- UFC Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock defeated Jeremy Horn by by submission (kneebar) at 16:30 to retain the title.

1999 - 2 Tuff Tony wins his second IWA Mid-South Hardcore Title in Bloomington, Indiana, ending Madman Pondo's second reign.

1999 - Tony Kozina defeats Disco Fury for the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Title in Powell River, British Columbia, beginning his fifth reign.

1999 - Lady Apache defeats La Diabólica in Naucalpan, Mexico to win her second CMLL World Women's Title.

1999 - Three Pennsylvania Wrestling Alliance titles change hands in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patch wins his second PWA Heavyweight Title by defeating Ty Street and Tony Nitro defeats champion El Monstro and Mr. Arrogance in a three-way match for the PWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. D-Sex (Shane Golden and Hunk Heiser) defeat The Original Mercury and Flexx Wheeler for the PWA Tag Team Title, ending and beginning both teams' second reigns. D-Sex issued an open challenge for the title after their win, accepted by B-Pac and Big Nasty, who won the title. They also issued an open challenge, which was accepted by the original champions at the beginning of the night, The Original Mercury and Flexx Wheeler, who won the title and began their third reign.

2000 - The WWF RAW is WAR's 6.1 rating solidly won this week of the Monday Night War over WCW Monday Nitro's 3.2 rating.

WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. The results were:
- Sting defeated Vampiro in a House of Pain match.
- KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Shane Douglas and the Wall (subbing for Buff Bagwell) to win the title.
- WCW Hardcore Champion Terry Funk defeated Juventud Guerrera, Konnan and Rey Misterio, Jr. in a handicap match to retain the title.
- Crowbar and Daffney defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch, when Daffney pinned Sytch. The match stipulation was that the male member of the winning team would be the champion, so Crowbar won the title.
- Elizabeth and Madusa fought to a no-contest in a House of Pain match.
- Kevin Nash defeated Mike Awesome in an ambulance match.
- Horace defeated Hulk Hogan and Billy Kidman in a three-way match.
- Ric Flair defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett to win the title, ending Jarrett's second reign and beginning Flair's seventh.

WWF RAW is WAR was live from Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The results:
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated Steve Blackman and Al Snow, when Snow was pinned after the 3D. Road Dogg, Tori and X-Pac ran in after the match, and Tori put Bubba through a table.
- Rikishi defeated Kurt Angle by disqualification when Edge, Christian and Pat Patterson interfered, with Too Cool making the save.
- One of The Godfather's Ho's (Cynthia Lynch) pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly to win the title after D'Lo Brown interfered in Crash's defense against The Godfather and gave Crash the Sky High.
- Crash Holly pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Godfather's Ho with a roll-up to win back the title.
- Hardcore Holly pinned Chris Jericho in a hardcore mtch after a chair shot, after Chris Benoit put Jericho in a Dragon sleeper.
- The Big Show besiegt T&A (Test and Albert) (with Trish Stratus and Pat Patterson) in a handicap match by disqualification, when Shane McMahon hit Show with a chair.
- Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn defeated Chyna and WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero, when Saturn pinned Guerrero after Chyna accidentaly gave Guerrero a low blow.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian defeated The A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Faarooq) and The Hardy boyz (Jeff and Matt) in a triple threat match, when Christian pinned Matt after the Unprettier, to retain the title.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Vince McMahon and Triple H) defeated WWF Champion The Rock in a submission match, when Vince McMahon stopped the match as Benoit has Rock in the Crippler Crossface.

2001 - The Minnesota Stretching Crew (Shelton Benjamin and Brock Lesnar) defeat The Disciples of Synn (Damian and Payne) to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Title in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning the Crew's second reign and ending the Disciples' second reign. The match took place at a WWF house show at Freedom Hall.

2002 - Nova defeats The Prototype (John Cena) for the OVW Heavyweight Title in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

2004 - ROH held "Round Robin Challenge III" at the National Guard Armory in Lexington, Massachussetts. The results:
- In the first of three round-robin series matches, a relaxed rules match, The Prophecy (Dan Maff and B.J. Whitmer (with Allison Danger)) defeated ROH Tag Team Champions The Second City Saints (Colt Cabana and CM Punk) to win the title.
- Alex Shelley defeated Matt Stryker in the first of a three-match series.
- The Carnage Crew (DeVito and Loc) and The Ring Crew Express (Dunn and Marcos) defeated The Embassy (Josh Daniels, Prince Nana, Diablo Santiago and Oman Tortuga).
- ROH World Champion Samoa Joe defeated Ricky Reyes (with Julius Smokes).
- The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) defeated ROH Tag Team Champions The Prophecy (Dan Maff and B.J. Whitmer (with Allison Danger)) in the second round-robin series match to win the title, beginning their second reign.
- Josh Daniels (with Prince Nana) defeated Dixie (with Special K (Angeldust, Becky Bayless and Cheech)).
- John Walters defeated Trent Acid, Hydro, Izzy, Masada and Roderick Strong in a six-man mayhem match.
- Homicide (with Julius Smokes) defeated Spanky.
- In the final round-robin series match, The Second City Saints (Colt Cabana and CM Punk) defeated ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) to win the title, ending the Briscoes' second reign and beginning the Saints' second reign.

2004 - Hurácan Castillo, Jr. defeats José Rivera, Jr. for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, ending Rivera's eighth reign and beginning Castillo's fifth.

2004 - Sabotage (D.C. Dillinger and Eddie Edwards) defeat Magic and Suba for the New England Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Framingham, Massachusetts, beginning their second reign.

2004 - 3PW held "Not Enough Time" at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Rob Eckos defeated N8 Mattson.
- Ruckus defeated Damian Adams and Mike Kruel in a three-way match,
- Rockin' Rebel and Jack Victory defeated Don E. Allen and Rob Zombie.
- C.J. O'Doyle defeated Gary Wolfe.
- Roadkill (with Jasmin St. Claire) defeated The Blue Meanie.
- Jerry Lynn defeated 3PW Heavyweight Champion Joey Matthews by countout. Matthews retained the title.
- April Hunter and Slyck Wagner Brown (with Tod Gordon) defeated Matt Striker and Talia in a mixed tag team match.
- Christopher Daniels and A.J. Styles fought to a 30-minute time-limit draw.

2004 - Whiplash defeats Matrix to win the vacant NWA Xtreme Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbiana, Alabama, beginning his third reign. At the same event, Johnny 8-Ball defeats champion Death Row, Dilemma, Filthy McNasty and Hott Tubb for the NWA Xtreme Iron Man Title.

2005 - TNA held its first-annual "Hard Justice" pay-per-view at the iMPACT! Zone in Orlando, Florida. The event was dedicated Chris Candido, who died on April 28 of complications from an injury suffered at TNA's "Lockdown" pay-per-view on April 24. The results were:
- In a pre-show match, Shark Boy pinned David Young after the Dead Sea Drop to earn a spot in the Gauntlet for the Gold later in the night.
- Team Canada (Petey Williams and Eric Young) (with Coach D'Amore)) defeated Apolo and Sonny Siaki, when Williams pinned Siaki after A-1 ran in and gave a brainbuster to Siaki.
- Michael Shane and Trinity defeated Chris Sabin and Traci in a mixed tag team match, when Shane pinned Sabin after a superkick after Traci turned on Sabin.
- Raven pinned Sean Waltman (subbing for Jeff Hardy) in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match, by pinning him after a back body drop through the steel cage on the side of the ring.
- Monty Brown (subbing for B.G. James) and The Outlaw defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Ron Killings, when Brown pinned Page after the Pounce.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) to retain the title, when Stevens pinned Storm with a small package.
- TNA X Division Champion Christopher Daniels pinned Shocker after hitting the Angel's Wings from the top rope to retain the title.
- Abyss won a 20-man Gauntlet for the Gold, by pinning Ron Killings after the Black Hole Slam to become #1 contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Title. The other participants in the match were: A-1, Apolo, Mikey Batts, Jerrelle Clark, Zach Gowen, Lance Hoyt, B.G. James, The Outlaw, Cassidy Riley, Bobby Roode, Chris Sabin, Michael Shane, Shark Boy, Sonny Siaki, Elix Skipper, Trytan, Petey Williams and Eric Young.
- A.J. Styles pinned NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett after guest referee Tito Ortiz knocked out Jarrett with a punch, and Styles hit the Spiral Tap, to win the title. This ended Jarrett's third reign and began Styles' third.

2005 - Shamu defeats Crazzy Boy, Extreme Tiger and Joe Lider in a four-way match to win the Xtreme Latin American Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Title in Tulancingo, Mexico. The title had been vacated after Juventud Guerrera signed with WWE.

2005 - Tojuki Leon and Kaori Yoneyama defeat AKINO and Tsubasa Kuragaki for the JWP Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan. At the same event, Erika Watanabe defeats Haruka Matsuo to win the JWP Junior Title.

2006 - WWE held RAW live at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas. The show got a 4.0 rating on USA Network. The results:
- Shelton Benjamin, Chris Masters and Triple H defeated WWE Champion John Cena and WWE Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam in a handicap Texas tornado match, when Benjamin pinned RVD after Triple H gave RVD the Pedigree. Triple H gave Cena a Pedigree as well, and was about to pin Cena, when Benjamin got the pin on RVD. Both titles were on the line, so Benjamin won his third Intercontinental title, ending Rob Van Dam's sixth reign. After the match, Triple H Pedigreed referee Mike Chioda.
- World Tag Team Champions Johnny and Nicky (with World Tag Team Champions Mikey and Mitch) defeated Goldust and Snitsky to retain the title, when Nicky pinned Snitsky after Mikey bounced on a trampoline into the ring and bulldoged Snitsky.
- Matt Striker pinned Eugene after an inverted swinging neckbreaker.
- Umaga (with Armando Alejandro Estrada) pinned Chris Wellman after the Samoan Spike.
- Shawn Michaels fought World Tag Team Champion Kenny (with Triple H) to a no-contest when guest referee Shane McMahon attacked Michaels after Michaels had hit Kenny with Sweet Chin Music. After the match, Triple H to Shane to get his sledgehammer, with Shane holding a prone Michaels up. Triple H came at Michaels with the sledgehammer, but Shawn moved, and Triple H hit Shane instead.

2007 - WWE released Sabu and Vito from their contracts. Sabu was released due to his refusal to lose a match to Kevin Thorn on that night's edition of ECW.

2007 - WWE taped the May 18 SmackDown! and held ECW live from the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The results:
- In a dark match, Chuck Palumbo pinned Daivari.
SmackDown!:
- Montel Vontavious Porter pinned World Tag Team Champion Matt Hardy after the Playmaker.
- Brian Kendrick, Paul London and Jimmy Wang Yang defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero and WWE Tag Team Champions Deuce 'n Domino (with Cherry), when Yang pinned Guerrero after a moonsault.
- Mark Henry pinned Funaki after a powerslam.
- WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit defeated Finlay by disqualification when MVP attacked Benoit while Finlay was locked in the Crippler Crossface. After the match, Finlay hit Benoit in the knee with his shillelagh and MVP hit a boot to the face in the corner.
- The Miz pinned Christian York with the Mizard of Oz.
- Kane (with The Boogeyman and Little Boogeyman) pinned William Regal (with Dave Taylor) after the Chokeslam.
ECW:
- Rob Van Dam defeated Snitsky by disqualification after Snitsky hit RVD with a chair.
- CM Punk pinned Stevie Richards after the GTS.
- Kevin Thorn (with Ariel) pinned Nunzio (subbing for Sabu) after the Dark Kiss.
- Bobby Lashley defeated The New Breed (Elijah Burke, Marcus Cor Von and Matt Striker) in a handicap match by pinning Striker after a spear.
- In a dark match after the shows, Batista and WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit defeated Montel Vontavious Porter and World Heavyweight Champion Edge.

2007 - Quinten Lee defeats Ganger to win the Heartland Wrestling Association Television Title in Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning his second reign.

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