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 the Giant, one of the most famous and beloved wrestlers of all time. Andre became larger than wrestling itself, crossing into pop culture, movies, and legend.

The Destroyer Defeats Rikidozan

In 1963, The Destroyer, Dick Beyer, defeated Rikidozan in Osaka, Japan.

That victory made The Destroyer an instant star in Japan and marked the final singles loss of Rikidozan’s career.

Bruno, Pedro, and Backlund Defend the WWWF/WWF

May 19 was busy for the WWWF and WWF champions.

In 1970, Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Karl Kovacs in Scranton.

In 1973, Pedro Morales defeated Freddie Blassie in a steel cage match in Philadelphia.

In 1980, Bob Backlund defeated Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match at Madison Square Garden.

That is a serious championship timeline.

Nick Bockwinkel Awarded the AWA Title

In 1981, after Verne Gagne retired and vacated the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, the title was awarded to Nick Bockwinkel, the former champion and top contender.

Bockwinkel was smooth, arrogant, brilliant, and dangerous. The AWA belt fit him like a tailored suit with brass knuckles in the pocket.

Robocop Invades WCW

On May 19, 1990, the NWA held Capital Combat in Washington, D.C.

The show is remembered forever for one gloriously strange moment: Robocop came to ringside and “bent” the bars of a cage to free Sting.

Yes, that happened.

The card also saw Doom defeat The Steiner Brothers for the NWA World Tag Team Titles and Lex Luger defeat Ric Flair by disqualification in a steel cage match.

WCW’s First SuperBrawl

On May 19, 1991, WCW held the very first SuperBrawl.

The show featured Ric Flair vs. Tatsumi Fujinami, Bobby Eaton defeating Arn Anderson for the WCW Television Title, and The Steiner Brothers defending the WCW Tag Team Titles against Sting and Lex Luger.

It was WCW trying to plant a flag for the new decade.

Razor Ramon Wins the Intercontinental Title

In 1995, Razor Ramon defeated Jeff Jarrett in a ladder match in Montreal to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship.

That marked Razor’s third reign with the title and added another strong chapter to his IC Title legacy.

The Kliq Curtain Call

On May 19, 1996, one of the most controversial moments in Madison Square Garden wrestling history took place.

After Shawn Michaels defeated Diesel in a steel cage match, Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon, and Hunter Hearst Helmsley embraced in the ring, breaking kayfabe in front of the crowd.

With Hall and Nash leaving for WCW, the moment became known as the Kliq Curtain Call.

The fallout was massive. Triple H took the punishment, lost his planned King of the Ring win, and that opened the door for Steve Austin to win the tournament instead.

One goodbye helped create Austin 3:16.

Final Bell

May 19 is a monster day in wrestling history.

Andre the Giant was born. The Destroyer beat Rikidozan. Bruno, Pedro, and Backlund defended gold. Robocop somehow became part of WCW history. SuperBrawl began. Razor Ramon climbed the ladder. And The Kliq changed wrestling’s backstage rules in front of everyone.

Some days make history.

May 19 broke kayfabe, bent cage bars, and walked out like a giant.