Today In Wrestling History- April 7th

Trivia

1978 – Abdullah The Butcher wins the AJPW Champion’s Carnival

2008 – Former WWE star Andrew “Test” Martin was arrested for DUI in Pasco County, FL

2008 – TNA countersued former star Konnan

2010 – The lawsuit brought against World Wrestling Entertainment by Joe “The Assassin” Hamilton & his company, former WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling, was officially closed after the 2 parties officially agreed to a settlement out of court on 3/16

2011 – Dragon Gate USA announced that Jon Moxley had been released from his contract so he could sign with WWE. Where he is currently a member of The Shield, Dean Ambrose

Events

In 1986, WWF “Wrestlemania 2” was the 1st one to air on the national PPV market. It was an unusual event in that it was held in 3 separate locations simultaneously, with 4 matches taking place at each venue. With a combined attendance of 40,085:

At the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, New York. For this part commentators were Vince McMahon & Susan Saint James. & Howard Finkel as ring announcer:

– Paul Orndorff & The Magnificent Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) fought to a double countout
– Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated George Steele to retain the WWF Intercontinental Title
– Jake Roberts defeated George Wells
– Mr T (with Joe Frazier as his cornerman)defeated Roddy Piper by DQ in a Boxing Match

At the Rosemont Horizon, in Rosemont, Illinois. Commentators for this part were Gorilla Monsoon, Gene Okerlund, & Cathy Lee Crosby. & Chet Coppock was the ring announcer:

– The Fabulous Moolah defeated Velvet McIntyre to retain the WWF Women’s Title
– Corporal Kirchner defeated Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie) in a Flag Match
– Andre The Giant won a 20-man battle royal by last eliminating Bret Hart
– The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & The Dynamite Kid) (with Lou Albano & Ozzy Osbourne) defeated The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine) (with Johnny Valiant) to win the WWF Tag Team Titles

At the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, in Los Angeles, California. For this part the commentators were Jesse Ventura, Lord Alfred Hayes, & Elvira. Lee Marshall was the ring announcer:

– Ricky Steamboat defeated Hercules Hernandez
– Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Uncle Elmer
– Terry Funk & Hoss Funk (Dory Funk Jr.) (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Junkyard Dog & Tito Santana
– Hulk Hogan defeated King Kong Bundy (with Bobby Heenan) in a Cage Match to retain the WWF Title

In 2009, WWE broadcast ECW from Austin, Texas:

– ECW GM Teddy Long announces that he is now replacing Vickie Guerrero as the GM of of Smackdown, & names Tiffany as the new interim GM of ECW
– Evan Bourne, & WWE Tag Team Champions Carlito & Primo Colon defeated The Miz, John Morrison, & Tyson Kidd (with Natalya)
– Finlay (with Hornswoggle) defeated Mark Henry (with Tony Atlas), Christian, & Tommy Dreamer in the 1st match of the Elimination Chase to determine who would face Jack Swagger for the ECW title at the next PPV. As  result, Mark Henry is eliminated from the Chase

In 2012, ECWA Super 8 Tournament was held in Newark, Delaware:

– Bandido Jr. defeated Azrieal in a 1st round tournament match
– Gregory Iron defeated Kyle Matthews in a 1st round tournament match
– Bobby Fish defeated “The Flyin Hawaiian” Kekoa in a 1st round tournament match
– “Greek God” Papadon defeated Tony Nese in a 1st round tournament match
– Bandido Jr. defeated Gregory Iron in a Semi Final Match
– “Greek God” Papadon defeated Bobby Fish in a Semi Final Match
– “Greek God” Papadon defeated Bandido Jr, in the finals to win the 2012 ECWA Super 8 Tournament

In 2013, WWE Wrestlemania 29″ was held at Metlife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With an attendance of 80,676. The 2nd highest attended event in company history after Wrestlemania 3:

Pre-Show Match:
– 
The Miz defeated Wade Barrett to win the WWE Intercontinental Title
PPV:
– The Shield (Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, & Dean Ambrose) defeated Randy Orton, The Big Show, & Sheamus in a 6-man tag team match
– Mark Henry defeated Ryback
– Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan & Kane) defeated Big E Langston & Dolph Ziggler (with AJ Lee) to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles
– Fandango defeated Chris Jericho
– Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) defeated Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) to retain the WWE World Title
– The Undertaker defeated CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) to extend his streak to 21-0 at Wrestlemania
– Triple H (with Shawn Michaels) defeated Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) in a No Holds Barred Match. Had Triple H lost, he would’ve had to retire
– John Cena defeated The Rock to win the WWE Championship

In 2014, WWE held Monday Night Raw live from the Smoothie King Center, in New Orleans, Louisiana the night after Wrestlemania 30. This show saw the return of The Ultimate Warrior to Monday Night Raw for the 1st time in 18 years, since June 1996. This would also sadly be he last public appearance, as he would pass away less then 24 hours later. We also got a Paul Heyman & Brock Lesnar speech about Lesnar defeated The Undertaker the night before, to end The Streak at 21-1:

– The show opened with new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan’s title celebration. He was interrupted by Triple H & Stephanie McMahon. Triple H said that tonight he would end the YES Movement, he would be facing Daniel Bryan in the main event for the title
– The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, & Erick Rowan) defeated Sheamus, Big E, & John Cena in a 6-man tag team match
– Santino Marella & Emma defeated Fandango & Summer Rae
– WWE World Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) fought Batista & Randy Orton to a double countout. As a results the Usos retained the titles
– Rob Van Dem defeated Damien Sandow
– Bad News Barrett defeated Rey Mysterio Jr.
– Alexander Rusev (with Lana) defeated Zack Ryder
– NXT Diva’s Champion defeated WWE Diva’s Champion AJ Lee (with Tamina) to win the WWE Diva’s Title
– Cesaro (with Paul Heyman) defeated Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) via countout. This had started with Cesaro being presented his trophy for winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WM 30 by Hulk Hogan. He revealed he was no longer using Zeb Colter as his manager, & introduced Heyman as his new manager. His ex Real Americans tag partner Swagger then attacked him, & destroyed the trophy
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon, Kane, Batista, & Randy Orton) ended in a no contest after everyone attacked Bryan, & The Shield made the save

Title Changes

1959 – Bull Curry defeated Joe Christie to win the Texas Brass Knuckles Title

1978 – The Von Erichs (David & Kevin) defeated Tim Brooks & Leroy Brown to win the Texas Tag Team Titles

1989 – Eric Embry defeated Gary Young to win the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title

1995 – The Dynamic Duo (Al Snow & Unabomb(WWE’s Kane)) defeated The Rock n Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) to win the SMW Tag Team Titles

1997 – Toshie Uematsu defeated Malia Hosaka in the final of a tournament to win the WCW Women’s Cruiserweight Title

1997 – on Nitro, Ultimo Dragon defeated Prince Iaukea to win the WCW Television Title

2001 – Rocky Reynolds defeated Vince Kaplack to win the NWA JuniorHeavyweight Title

2002 – Yoshinari Ogawa defeated Jun Akiyama to win the GHC Heavyweight Title. Also, Makoto Hashi defeated Naomichi Marufuji to win the GHC Junior Heavyweight Title, though he would relinquish the title the following day, as he felt it unfair to win by referee stoppage (Marufuji injured his knee in the match)

2002 – The 24/7 Rule on the WWF Hardcore Title sees the belt pass from Bubba Ray Dudley to William Regal, to Raven, to Goldust, & back to Bubba Ray. Each counts as separate title reign

2002 – Nathan Jones defeats Jeff Jarrett, Brian Christopher & Scott Steiner to win the WWA Heavyweight Title

Birthdays

Happy birthday to former WWE wrestler Droz (45), TNA regular Sonjay Dutt (32), one-time WWC Universal Champion Steve ‘The Minotaur’ DiSalvo (65), former World Tag Team Champion Rosey(44), & 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion David Otunga (34)