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September 30th
On this day in history in ....
1959 - Jackie Fargo defeats Jesse James in Mobile, Alabama to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title, ending James' third title reign.
1960 - Two of the most important figures in the history of professional wrestling, Shohei "Giant" Baba (founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling) and Antonio Inoki (founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling), make their pro wrestling debuts at a Japanese Wrestling Association show in Tokyo, Japan. Baba defeats Yonetaro Tanaka in his debut, while Inoki loses his match with Kintaro Oki.
1971 - Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeat Jumbo Miyamoto & Maxie Murata for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan.
1972 - WWWF ran at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York, drawing over 20,000 fans for a show main evented by a battle of the babyfaces, as WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino wrestled to a curfew draw after 75 minutes of wrestling. The two shook hands and embraced before exiting the ring. During the match, George Steele tried to interfere, but was escorted out by security.
1973 - Miyoko Hoshino & Peggy Kuroda defeat Masked Lee & Lita Marez for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Himeji, Japan.
1974 - Duke Myers & Blue Scorpion defeat Ricky & Johnny Fields to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Birmingham, Alabama.
1977 - Ox Baker defeated Captain USA (John Studd) for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
1978 - Gypsy Joe & Tojo Yamamoto defeat Ken Lucas & Dutch Mantel in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title.
1980 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran a show at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It would be the last time New Japan would run Budokan (a regular venue for the competing All Japan Pro Wrestling) for a decade, as the company would not return to Budokan until November 1990. Here are the results:
- WWF World Junior Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Ron Starr.
- NWA International Junior Heavyweight Champion Kengo Kimura vs. Chavo Guerrero ended in a double countout.
- WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Stan Hansen via disqualification.
- NWF Champion Antonio Inoki defeated Ken Patera.
1989 - WWF's event at Madison Square Garden saw two returns, as Jimmy Snuka made his first MSG appearance since Wrestlemania (where he seconded Hulk Hogan & Mr. T), defeating the Honky Tonk Man, and Roddy Piper fought Rick Rude to a double countout in Piper's first match in over two years. The show, which also featured Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior defeating Andre The Giant via DQ and Demolition defeated WWF World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard via DQ, sold out MSG with a crowd of over 20,000 fans. That same night, WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage in a steel cage match only drew 9,000 fans in St. Louis, Missouri.
1990 - All Japan Pro Wrestling holds a show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Giant Baba's debut. Here are the results of the show:
- Mitsuo Momota defeated Motoshi Okuma.
- Rex King & Steve Doll defeated Richard Slinger & Isamu Teranishi.
- Rusher Kimura & Mighty Inoue defeated Haruka Eigen & Masa Fuchi.
- The British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith) defeated Dean & Joe Malenko.
- Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace defeated Danny Spivey & Kamala #2.
- Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada ended in a forty-five minute draw.
- Andre The Giant & Stan Hansen defeated Giant Baba & Abdullah The Butcher.
1991 - At a WWF television taping in Wheeling, West Virginia, Tito Santana wrestled his first match with his new "El Matador" character, defeating Bob Bradley with a flying forearm. Also at the taping, Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart, prior to a non-title match with The Mountie, said he would never defend the belt against "a jailbird", in reference to the Mountie having to spend a night in jail after losing to the Big Bossman. In response, manager Jimmy Hart threw a bucket of water on Hart and the Mountie "electrocuted" Hart with his cattle prod.
1992 - Glen Osbourne defeats The Sandman in a tournament final to win the ECW Television Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The belt had been vacated a month earlier when the first champion, Johnny Hotbody, broke his ankle while winning a tournament final over Larry Winters. On the same show, Don Muraco defeats Jimmy Snuka to win the ECW Heavyweight Title.
1992 - WWF runs in Berlin, Germany for the first time at Deutchlandhalle Arena, headlined by WWF World Champion Ric Flair defeating Randy Savage.
1994 - ECW ran a television taping in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, highlighted by a match featuring Sabu and Cactus Jack. Early in the match, Sabu missed a moonsault to the floor and landed on his already injured ribs on the guardrail. Later in the bout, Sabu broke a beer bottle over the head of Cactus. Sabu actually hit Cactus with the thick bottle several times before it finally broke. Sabu then won the match with an Arabian Press. This match is featured (unfortunately with overdubbed commentary by Foley and Jonathan Coachman, instead of Joey Styles' original commentary) on the "Mick Foley - Greatest Hits & Misses DVD. The show also saw Chris Benoit vs. The Tazmaniac (Tazz) in a ten-minute draw, The Public Enemy defeat Axl & Ian Rotten in a Baseball Bat match, and 2 Cold Scorpio defeating Borne Again (Matt Borne) via DQ.
2002 - During an edition of Raw from Houston, Texas, Kane became a double champion and set up an opportunity to become a triple champion. Already one-half of the World Tag Team Champions with The Hurricane, Kane defeats Chris Jericho to win the Intercontinental Title with a chokeslam, despite the interference of Triple H. As a result of this win, Kane earned a title shot a Triple H's World Championship at No Mercy.
2004 - WWE hosted a political debaate between JBL and Mick Foley. George Dafnos filed the following report:
I just wanted to offer my non-political thoughts on the debate last night. It was held at the my alma mater, the University of Miami (GO CANES!). About 30 minutes before show time, they opened the doors. WWE were giving out 4 different t-shirts with the Smackdown Your Vote logos on them. In the lobby, there was also one of the 25 original copies of the Declaration of Independence on display. While waiting for the debate to start, Linda McMahon was seen walking around backstage speaking to several people. About 100-150 people attended the debate. I talked to a few people to gauge their interest in WWE and most people said something to the effect of, "I used to watch it, I haven't in a couple years though. Is the Rock still around?" Then when told Bradshaw was WWE Champion, I got the best responses. I received mostly, "Yeah, right." "Are you kidding?" "...and that's why I don't watch anymore".
Before the debate started, the moderator, Jake Tapper, an ABC News Correspondent, told the audience that although questions will be allowed from the audience, they must be strictly on the topic of politics and not on the content of Monday Night RAW. That drew some boos. Then Tapper informed us of the 3 topics to be discussed: the economy, the war in Iraq, and education. He then introduced Mick Foley and WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield (no belt).
The debate proceeded to begin with the usual WWE intro video that comes on before their programming. Stephanie McMahon was introduced and gave a short speech on the importance of voting and how important the 18-30 vote is. Man, Stephanie has lost A LOT of weight. She looks phenomenal now. It was unbelievable.
The debate started with Foley and his student partner debating with Layfield and his student partner. Without giving any political talk, I'll just say that both men came off very informed and intelligent. The only wrestling references that came up were a DX reference by Foley, a threat to bring out Flair (A huge Republican) by Layfield, and Layfield pleading with Foley at one point to "not bring out that damn sock". The only heat Foley received the whole night was when Layfield disclosed that Foley was an alumnus of arch-rival Florida State University.
After the debate was over, there was a banquet in the lobby where the Superstars mingled with the audience. You could just go up to them one-on-one and shoot the breeze for a while. There were only about 30 audience people attending the banquet. The WWE people in attendance were Mick Foley, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Christopher Nowinski, Mark Henry, Stephanie McMahon, Linda McMahon, and Vince McMahon. Kevin Dunn was also seen walking around backstage.
2005 - The now defunct-NAWA presented their first TV show online. Alex Young filed the following TV report:
NAWA Rampage Television Episode 1 - includes title match
Match 1: JT Lamotta vs Adrian Ambrose
This is Adrian Ambrose's debut in NAWA.
The match starts off with some good back-and-forth technical wrestling. Lamotta executes a back suplex and follows up with a knee strike, but Ambrose rolls him up for a quick one count. Adrian takes down his opponent with an arm drag and slams his arm down to the mat. He goes for a pin attempt, which is good for a count of two. Double A dropkicks the legs out from under JT, going for another quick pin, and getting another two. AA locks in a half-Boston crab and then an STF (my favorite move!), but unfortunately for the newbie, Lamotta makes the ropes for the break. The NAWA veteran locks in his own submission move, which resembled a Texas Cloverleaf, and this time, Ambrose has to grab the ropes for the rope break. A Squared nails JTL with a spinebuster and Lamotta kicks out at two during the ensuing cover. Lamotta turns the tables with a swinging neckbreaker - Ambrose with the kickout at two when he's pinned. Lamotta with a snap suplex and an X-Factor; he covers the debuting Ambrose, but it's only good for two. JT rushes Ambrose in the corner, but there's no water in the pool, as Lamotta goes crashing into the top turnbuckle. Ambrose kicks Lamotta in the gut a few times, making him bounce up and down on the ropes. Lamotta attempts his Dirt Nap finisher, but Ambrose reverses it by planting Lamotta's face into the mat and getting the victory.
Winner: Adrian Ambrose (pinfall at 6:40)
Match 2: Brown Brothers (Jerry Brown & Jeff Brown) vs Andrew Dalton & Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt formerly wrestled under the moniker Dallas and he's now a TNA superstar and a former NWA World Tag Team Champion. The Brown Brothers played football at Granbury High School. Andrew Dalton is a second-generation wrestler.
The Brown Brothers knock down Dalton with a double shoulder block. Jerry nails Andy Dalton with a powerslam and tags in Jeff. Jeff executes a Russian leg sweep and goes for the cover, but Dalton kicks out at two. A tag is made and Jerry comes in, helping with a double team move on AD. Jerry attempts a pin, but Hoyt breaks it up at the two. Jerry gets knocked down with a back elbow and Dalton covers him, earning a two count. A tag is made and Hoyt comes in. As the ref is busy with keeping Jeff from coming in, Dalton claps his hands together to simulate a tag. Dalton fells Jerry with a punch and gives him a nonchalant cover - Jerry predictably gets the shoulder up before three. A bodyslam by Dalton is followed by a tag to the big Hoyt. The former NWA World Tag Team Champion sends Jerry to the corner and rushes him, but there's nobody home. Lance recovers quickly and connects with a wicked clothesline, following with a pin, and getting a count of two. Dalton claps his hands again and comes in illegally while the ref is busy with Jeff. A double clothesline later and both wrestlers are down. Jerry recovers and tags in Jeff. Jeff connects with a dropkick and punches Hoyt off of the apron. Jeff comes in and the Brown Brothers hit a double-team EMERALD FUSION~! and that's all she wrote.
Winner: Brown Brothers (pinfall at 5:50)
Post-match: Andrew Dalton shoves Lance Hoyt, so Hoyt responds with a big boot.
Match 3: NAWA Championship - Gemini (c) vs Robert Evans
Robert Evans is a former NAWA Champion.
Gemini with a hip toss, followed by a couple of clotheslines. He whips Evans to the turnbuckles and smashes him with another clothesline. Evans reverses momentum with a spear to the leg of Gemini and he starts targeting the injured leg, including executing a Dragon Screw. He goes for the cover, but only gets a two count. Rob Evans connects with a leg drop and goes for another pin...1...2...NO! The Champion sends RE to the corner and rushes him, but he eats turnbuckle as Evans dodges out of the way. Evans slingshots Gemini over and rolls through, locking in a Boston Crab, then switching to a half-Boston Crab. Gemini crawls to the rope for the break. The G-Man gets his second wind and nails a Russian leg sweep and an elbow drop. The challenger locks in another half-Boston Crab, but Gemini rolls over and positions himself on top of him - Evans kicks out at two. Gemini knocks him down with a desperate enzuigiri, the sound of the contact reverberated around the room! Gemini runs the ropes and fells Robbie Evans with a flying clothesline and a snap suplex; he presses the attack with a spinning leg drop and a pin attempt, and Evans gets the shoulder up before three.
Gemini, still selling the leg injury, bodyslams Robert Evans and climbs to the middle rope, but Evans catches him and executes a Russian leg sweep off of the turnbuckle. Evans with the cover...1....2...NO! Gemini recovers and gives him an inverted Atomic Drop and a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge - Evans manages to kick out at two. Evans rushes Gemini in the corner, but there's nobody home. Evans locks in the Sharpshooter, but Gemini barely makes it to the ropes to escape the hold. Evans drags him back in the middle of the ring and attempts another Sharpshooter, but he goes to the well too many times and Gemini with the rollup out of nowhere for the three count.
Winner and STILL NAWA Champion: Gemini (pinfall at 10:45)
Post-match: Robert Evans throws a tantrum in the ring.
You can watch NAWA Rampage Television at http://www.nawawrestling.com/.
2006 - NWA ran a live event in Bridgeport, CT headlined by Bryan Danielson defending the ROH title against Kamala. Yes, really. Adam Dolan filed the following live report:
NWA Pro Wrestling
Cardinal Shehan Center
Bridgeport, CT
9/30/06
This was presented by Liberty States Wrestling. [www.lswwrestling.com] Apparently there wasn't a lot of promotion or advertising for this show job. The reason I surmise this is because the show had the Rock & Roll Express, the Midnight Express, American Dragon, Ace Steele and John Walters on it, and it drew.......45 people. I counted. (It wasn't difficult.) Some more may have come in after that, but not many. At most we're talking maybe - maybe - 60 people.
60 people for the Rock & Roll Express, the original Midnight Express, and the ROH World champion. It takes a special degree of talent to achieve that level of success.
Did I also mention that they were well into the 2nd match before they got the lights turned on in the building? They had some ringside lights for the first match, NOTHING for half of the second. Yes, we had a literal 'dark match'. This after starting almost an hour late. Oh, and they were taping this for a video release!
Anyway, on with the results:
Los Geckos Locos b. The Silver Bullets. Four fat white guys in lucha outfits. Awful.
Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson d. Fred Sampson.
The next match was for the NWA Northeast x Division title. Unfortunately I didn't get any of the names except for Jason Rumble. Match wasn't bad but this when the lights went out entirely, which was more than a little distracting. They finally got the normal house lights for the building on toward the end of the match.
Judas Young b. [masked guy] followed by an intermission. Fortunately the show got better in the 2nd half.
The Rock & Roll Express b. The Midnight Express when Ricky Morton rolled up Dennis Condrey. Obviously not exactly a highspot festival, but lots of fun old school stuff. The 2 teams appeared to be enjoying themselves out there despite the circumstances. Some idiots in front of me were actually heckling Morton over his mullet, which made me want to kill them.
Crowbar d. Josh Daniels. This was supposed to be Crowbar vs Daniels vs X-Pac, but apparently X-Pac no-showed. As it turned out, he wasn't missed. Apparently nobody told these 2 guys that they were wrestling in a near empty building, as they went out there and KILLED each other for about 25 minutes. They did some great in-ring action, including vicious chops by Daniels, who is a Chris Benoit type wrestler and is very nearly as good as Benoit himself. Then they went outside and Crowbar destroyed Daniels with chairshots and whips into the guard rails. Then he took a section of the steel railing, put it on the chairs, put Daniels on it, and hit him with multiple suicide dives. Like I said, these guys KILLED themselves, for around 50 people. You can't fault their work ethic, that's for sure. Eventually they got back in the ring for more stiff action, with a chair often involved. before Crowbar finally suplexed Daniels onto a metal chair and got the pin. They got a well deserved standing ovation afterward. this might have been the best match I've ever seen Crowbar have. This match changed the whole tone of the show as people went from sitting on their hands to really getting into it for the rest of the night, despite the depressing surroundings and microscopic crowd.
Ace Steele d "Hurricane" John Walters. Very good match.
Next it was the main event: American Dragon Bryan Danielson defending his ROH World Heavyweight Championship [it was announced as a title defense] against.....Kamala The Ugandan Giant! No, I'm not making this up. Prince Nana made a surprise appearance as the special ref for this match, and played heel, refusing to count Dragon's pin attempts. Match was basically Dragon playing the 80s style come-from-behind babyface while brawling all over the place with Kamala.
It was actually a really fun match. Finally as they were brawling around the building, Dragon got fed up and clocked both the interfering Kimchee and ref Nana. As they brawled to the back (and back out again), it was announced that Nana had disqualified American Dragon. Your winner by DQ: Kamala!!
Yes, Kamala The Ugandan Giant now holds a victory over the ROH world champion. Ya just gotta love it. I probably sound like I'm mocking it, but in truth this was a really fun 80s-WWF style match. It was a little bizarre seeing American Dragon in this type of role, but he did good job with it.
They announced a tag team rematch in Garfield NJ [I believe NJ is the promotion's home base] next month, with American Dragon and a mystery partner vs Kamala and a mystery partner.
Does this mean Kamala will be getting a title shot on the next ROH show? (Probably not.)
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