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May 26 in Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino, Beware of Dog Chaos, and Shawn Michaels & Steve Austin Win Gold
May 26 in Professional Wrestling History
May 26 feels like wrestling history fired out of a cannon.
The day includes Bruno Sammartino ruling the WWWF, Bob Backlund battling Antonio Inoki in Japan, Superstar Billy Graham towering over the territory era, one of the most infamous technical disasters in Pay-per-view history, and the bizarre real-life arrest of Hacksaw Jim Duggan and The Iron Sheik while they were actively feuding on WWF television.
This is wrestling history at fu

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 266 min read


May 24 Wrestling History: Harley Race Wins NWA Gold, Ric Flair Regains the Title & Owen Hart Tribute Raw
On This Day in Wrestling History: May 24
Professional wrestling history on May 24 is packed with legendary title changes, unforgettable Madison Square Garden moments, emotional tributes, and the continued rise of some of the biggest stars the industry has ever seen.
From Harley Race capturing his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Ric Flair reclaiming the NWA crown from Kerry Von Erich in Japan, this date helped shape the future of professional wrestling across multi

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 243 min read


May 23 in Pro Wrestling History: The Tragedy of Owen Hart, Bruno Sammartino, WCW Slamboree & More
Explore May 23 in pro wrestling history featuring the tragic death of Owen Hart at WWF Over The Edge 1999, Bruno Sammartino main events, Steve Austin’s WCW Television Title win, WCW Slamboree 1993, ECW classics, Andre the Giant in Japan, and more legendary moments from WWE, WCW, ECW, AJPW, and the WWWF.

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 233 min read


May 21 in Wrestling History: Lou Thesz Becomes Undisputed, Hogan at MSG, Undertaker Returns
On May 21 in wrestling history, Lou Thesz became the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Hulk Hogan headlined Madison Square Garden, WCW presented Slamboree 1995, and The Undertaker returned as the American Badass

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 216 min read


May 20 in Pro Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, ECW Classics & WCW Nitro Memories
May 20 in Pro Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, ECW and the Wars That Built Wrestling
Some wrestling history days feel like a hallway lined with championship belts and cigarette smoke. May 20 is one of those days. Bruno Sammartino defending New York like a medieval king. Hulk Hogan packing arenas during the national expansion boom. Ric Flair orbiting the NWA title picture like the wrestling equivalent of a hurricane warning. ECW running school gyms t

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 203 min read


May 19 in Pro Wrestling History: Andre the Giant Is Born, The Kliq Breaks Kayfabe & Robocop Invades WCW
May 19 in Pro Wrestling History
May 19 is one of the biggest “only in wrestling” days on the calendar.
It gave us Andre the Giant’s birthday, The Destroyer defeating Rikidozan, the infamous Kliq curtain call at Madison Square Garden, Robocop freeing Sting, and major moments from Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Ric Flair, Razor Ramon, and ECW.
Andre the Giant Is Born
On May 19, 1946, Andre Rene Rousimoff was born in Grenoble, France.
The world would come to know him as Andre t

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 193 min read


May 18 in Pro Wrestling History: Jimmy Snuka, Bruno Sammartino, ECW, Slamboree & Davey Boy Smith
May 18 in Pro Wrestling History
May 18 is a heavy day in pro wrestling history. It brings the birth of “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, more Bruno Sammartino title defenses, strong territory action, ECW’s wild Allentown debut, WCW Slamboree 1997, and the sad passing of Davey Boy Smith.
Jimmy Snuka Is Born
On May 18, 1943, WWE Hall of Famer “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka was born.
Snuka became one of wrestling’s most unforgettable high-flyers, known for his wild presence, barefoot style, and l

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 183 min read


May 17 in Pro Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino Begins WWE’s Longest Title Reign
May 17 in Pro Wrestling History
May 17 is not just another date in wrestling history. This is the day Bruno Sammartino became champion.
On May 17, 1963, inside Madison Square Garden, Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF World Champion Buddy Rogers in under a minute with an over-the-shoulder backbreaker. That one moment began the longest WWWF/WWF/WWE Championship reign in history, lasting more than seven years.
That is not a title reign. That is a monument.
Bruno Sammartino Makes Hi

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 174 min read


May 16 in Pro Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino, Andy Kaufman, The Freebirds & WWF No Mercy UK
May 16 is one of those wrestling history days where every decade throws something different into the ring. We get Hall of Fame birthdays, major title changes, classic territory results, Bruno Sammartino pulling double duty, Andy Kaufman’s unforgettable wrestling legacy, The Midnight Express striking gold, and a wild UK-exclusive WWF pay-per-view.
Johnny Rodz and Buddy Roberts Are Born
May 16 marks the birthday of WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz, born in 1938. Rodz became known

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 164 min read


On This Day in Pro Wrestling History: May 15th | Bruno Sammartino, AAA Debuts, Ron Simmons & More
On This Day in Pro Wrestling History: May 15th
May 15th is one of those dates that quietly proves how wide the wrestling world really is. From Bruno Sammartino defending the WWWF crown in Madison Square Garden, to the birth of Kevin Von Erich and Ron Simmons, to AAA changing lucha libre forever, this day is packed with title changes, historic debuts, territory battles, and a few strange little gems that only wrestling history can provide.
1950s: Champions, Territories, and Fu

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 156 min read
May 14 in Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino, ECW Chaos, Hulk Hogan & WWF In Your House
DrFrom Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales to ECW’s first Arena show and the debut of WWF In Your House, explore everything that happened on May 14 in pro wrestling history.

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 144 min read


May 13th in Pro Wrestling History: Jake Roberts Debuts, ECW Gets Wild, and Bruno Sammartino Keeps Rolling
Relive May 13 in pro wrestling history featuring Jake Roberts’ debut, Bruno Sammartino classics, ECW’s legendary “Enter Sandman” event, Ric Flair battles, Andre the Giant’s WWF suspension angle, and more wrestling history from WWE, WCW, ECW, NWA and beyond

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 137 min read


May 12 in Pro Wrestling History: Bruno Sammartino’s Double Duty, Hogan’s Rare TV Match, and Roddy Piper’s Stunning Return
Roddy Piper shocks Los Angeles with a surprise WWF return, Hulk Hogan wrestles a rare televised match, Bruno Sammartino works two cities in one day, and Rob Van Dam makes his first WWF appearance. Full May 12 pro wrestling history from the WWWF, WWF, NWA, and WCW

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 123 min read


May 11th in Pro Wrestling History: Bruno Battles, SNME Changes Wrestling Forever, and Austin’s Final WCW Match
Professional wrestling history on May 11th feels like a territory map bursting at the seams. Madison Square Garden marathons. Bruno Sammartino surviving 70-minute wars. The first-ever Saturday Night’s Main Event changing the business forever on NBC. Steve Austin unknowingly walking out of WCW for the final time before becoming the biggest star the industry would ever create.
This date is stacked with turning points, legends, and strange little moments that became giant domino

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 113 min read


May 10th Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair & ECW: How Wrestling Took Over America
May 10th From Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers to Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, ECW, and Steve Austin, May 10th captures the night wrestling evolved from territorial warfare into mainstream chaos.

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 105 min read


On This Day in Pro Wrestling History – May 5 | George Hackenschmidt, Cowboy Bill Watts, FMW Deathmatches & More
May 5 in pro wrestling history features George Hackenschmidt defeating Tom Jenkins, Cowboy Bill Watts’ birthday, Bruno Sammartino winning

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 57 min read


On This Day in Pro Wrestling History – May 4 | Rick Rude’s Final Match, Andre’s Broken Ankle & Wrestling Dontaku
May 4 in pro wrestling history features Rick Rude’s final match, Andre the Giant’s broken ankle angle, New Japan Wrestling

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 46 min read


On This Day in Pro Wrestling History – May 3 | Stu Hart Is Born, Hogan vs. Muta, ECW Wrestlepalooza & More
May 3
On This Day in Pro Wrestling History
May 3 is one of those dates that feels like wrestling history opened a filing cabinet and dumped

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 36 min read


On This Day in Pro Wrestling History – May 2 | The Rock Is Born, Big Bossman, Curt Hennig Wins AWA Gold & More
May 2 in pro wrestling history features the births of The Rock and Big Bossman, Curt Hennig winning the AWA World Title, Kawada defeating

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 26 min read


On This Day in Pro Wrestling History – May 1 | Toshiaki Kawada Wins Triple Crown, Shinya Hashimoto, WWF House Shows & More
May 1 in pro wrestling history features Toshiaki Kawada winning the All Japan Triple Crown, Shinya Hashimoto capturing the

The Eclectic Gentleman Stephan Watts
May 15 min read
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