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 legendary leap from the top of the steel cage at Madison Square Garden. Long before high-risk wrestling became normal, Snuka made flying feel dangerous, emotional, and larger than life.

Bruno Sammartino Stays Busy

Bruno Sammartino appears all over May 18.

In 1963, WWWF ran Philadelphia with Bruno defending the WWWF World Championship against Miguel Torres.

In 1964, Gorilla Monsoon defeated Bruno by disqualification in Pittsburgh.

In 1968, Bruno teamed with Victor Rivera against Gorilla Monsoon and Virgil the Kentucky Butcher in Philadelphia, going to a time-limit draw.

Then in 1974, Bruno defeated Nikolai Volkoff by count-out in the main event of another Philadelphia card.

Bruno was not just champion. He was the backbone of the schedule.

The Blue Meanie Is Born

On May 18, 1973, The Blue Meanie was born.

Best remembered for his time in ECW and WWF, Meanie became part of wrestling’s strange, loud, colorful 1990s carnival. He was comedy, chaos, and cult-favorite energy wrapped in blue paint.

Harley Race, Ric Flair, and Kerry Von Erich Defend Gold

May 18 also featured several major NWA World Champion appearances.

In 1979, Harley Race battled Ron Fuller to a double disqualification in Knoxville.

In 1982, Ric Flair defeated Terry Gordy in Mobile, Alabama.

In 1984, Kerry Von Erich defeated Superstar Billy Graham in Lake City, Florida.

Different champions. Different territories. Same old truth: the NWA champion lived out of a suitcase and worked everywhere.

Madison Square Garden, 1987

On May 18, 1987, WWF returned to Madison Square Garden with Hulk Hogan defending the WWF Championship against Harley Race.

Hogan won, but Race attacked him after the match with the title belt and bloodied him. That led Hogan to challenge Race to a No Holds Barred match at the next MSG show.

MSG, Hogan, Harley Race, blood, and a challenge for next month. That is classic house show business done right.

ECW Debuts in Allentown

In 1996, ECW debuted at Ag Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania, drawing a hot crowd of more than 1,000 fans.

The show featured Rob Van Dam, Raven defending the ECW World Title against Chris Jericho, Taz choking out 2 Cold Scorpio, Sabu vs. Mikey Whipwreck, Shane Douglas, Tommy Dreamer, The Eliminators, and The Gangstas.

The standout was Sabu vs. Mikey Whipwreck, a wild match full of tables, chairs, dives, and the kind of controlled madness ECW was built on.

WCW Slamboree 1997

On May 18, 1997, WCW held Slamboree in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The main event saw Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, and Kevin Greene defeat Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Syxx in a WCW vs. nWo showdown.

Charlotte treated Flair like royalty, and the match gave WCW a rare clean-feeling victory over the nWo during one of the hottest periods in wrestling.

The show also saw Steven Regal defeat Ultimo Dragon to win the WCW Television Title.

Davey Boy Smith Passes Away

May 18, 2002 also marks the passing of Davey Boy Smith, known worldwide as the British Bulldog.

Smith was only 39 years old. He had been one of WWF’s biggest international stars, especially during the company’s early 1990s expansion into the United Kingdom. His Wembley Stadium victory over Bret Hart at SummerSlam 1992 remains one of the most emotional moments in WWF history.

Final Bell

May 18 is a day of soaring highs and sobering lows.

It gave us Jimmy Snuka’s birthday, Bruno Sammartino defending the WWWF crown, ECW bringing chaos to Allentown, WCW celebrating Ric Flair in Charlotte, and the memory of Davey Boy Smith.

Some wrestling dates feel like a match card.

May 18 feels like a whole territory map.