Today In Wrestling History- August 21st

Trivia

2000 – The Monday Night War continued: WWF Monday Night Raw defeated WCW Monday Nitro: 6.2 to 2.6 in the ratings

2011 – Stephanie McMahon took control of the WWE website as a result of structural changes made in recent weeks.  Several weeks prior, the company has merged the website and magazine departments with the magazine side of things are now overseeing the website, an edict made by Stephanie McMahon that led to the departure of Brian Kalinowski

Events

In 1997, the 35th & final WCW Clash of the Champions was held at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, in Nashville, Tennessee:

– Steve McMichael defeated Jeff Jarrett (with Queen Debra) to win the WCW United States Title
– Raven defeated Stevie Richards
– Alex Wright defeated Ultimo Dragon to win the WCW Television Title
– Chris Jericho defeated Eddy Guerrero to retain the WCW Cruiserweight Title
– Psychosis, Silver King & Villano IV & V defeated Super Calo, Juventud Guerrera, Lizmark Jr., & Hector Garza
– Ric Flair & Curt Hennig defeated Syxx & Konnan
– Scott Hall & Randy Savage defeated Diamond Dallas Page & Lex Luger

In 2005, WWE SummerSlam was held at the MCI Center, in Washington DC. With an attendance of 18,156:

Sunday Night Heat:
– Chris Masters defeated The Hurricane (with Super Stacy & Rosey)
SummerSlam:
– Chris Benoit defeated Orlando Jordan to win the WWE United States Title
– Edge (with Lita) defeated Matt Hardy
– Rey Mysterio defeated Eddie Guerrero (with Vickie Guerrero) in a Ladder Match to win custody of Dominic (Mysterio’s real life son)
– Kurt Angle defeated Eugene (with Christy Hemme) to regain his Olympic Gold Medal
– Randy Orton (with Bob Orton Jr.) defeated The Undertaker
– John Cena defeated Chris Jericho to retain the WWE Title
– Batista defeated JBL in a No Holds Barred Match to retain the World Heavyweight Title
– Hulk Hogan defeated Shawn Michaels

In 2009, AAA Verano de Escandalo was held in Ciudad Madero, Mexico:

– Alex Kozlov defeated Extreme Tiger, Jack Evans, Rocky Romero, & Teddy Hart in an Elimination Match to win the AAA Cruiserweight Title
– Los Wagnermaniacos (Silver King, Electroshock, & Ultimo Gladiator) defeated La Parka, Marco Corleone, & Octagon
– Charly Manson defeated Chessman in a Street Fight
– Billy Boy lost a Hair vs Mask Cage Match to Faby Apache, Sexy Star & Aero Star, so was forced to shave his head
– Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated El Mesias & Cibernetico in a Cage Match to retain the AAA Heavyweight Title

In 2012, WWE Smackdown was held here at Rabobank Arena. here in Bakersfield, California. I was at the event live in person:

Saturday Morning Slam:
– 
Brodus Clay defeated Curt Hawkins
Superstars:
– Damien Sandow defeated Yoshi Tatsu
– Alex Riley defeated Drew McIntyre
– Cody Rhodes defeated Justin Gabriel
Smackdown:
– Ryback defeated Jinder Mahal
– Layla defeated Alicia Fox
– Sheamus defeated Dolph Ziggler
– R-Truth & Kofi Kingston defeated Primo & Epico
– Alberto Del Rio defeated Randy Orton

Title Changes

1961 – Corsica Joe defeated Oni Wiki Wiki to win the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title

1962 – Verne Gagne defeated Mr M to win the AWA World Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota

1965 – The Crusher defeated Mad Dog Vachon to win the AWA World Title

1972 – Tom Jones & Ken Mantell defeated The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) to win the TSW United States Tag Team Titles

1979 – Dusty Rhodes defeated Harley Race to win the NWA World Title in Tampa, Florida

1987 – Al Perez defeated Kevin von Erich to win the WCCW World Heavyweight Title

2000 – on Raw, Lita defeated Stephanie McMahon with The Rock as special guest referee to win the WWF Women’s Title. Also, Shane McMahon defeated Steve Blackman to win the WWF Hardcore Title

2001 – Lex Lovett defeated Mike Thunder to win the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title

2002 – Jerry Lynn defeated Low Ki & AJ Styles in a 3-Way Ladder Match to win the TNA X-Division Title in Nashville, Tennessee

Birthdays

Happy birthday to former WWE wrestler Nathan Jones (44), 3-time WWE Divas Champion Eve Torres (30), & former WWF bit-parter Keith Hart (62)

Also, today would have been the birthday of famed women’s wrestler Judy Grable (79)