Year 1963

by Mark Long

y1963

1963
24 Jan, 1963

Lou Thesz Defeats Buddy Rogers for NWA Title

Lou Thesz defeated Buddy Rogers in a controversial match to win the NWA World Championship. Because most title matches require a best out of three falls, Rogers disputed the title change. As well, Capital Wrestling,..Read More

25 Jan, 1963

“Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers Defends WWWF Title Against Bobo Brazil

In what is generally recognized as the first-ever defense of the WWE title, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers defeats Bobo Brazil in New Haven, Connecticut. Unbeknownst to the fans in attendance, Rogers had lost the NWA..Read More

01 Apr, 1963

World Wide Wrestling Federation Formed

The World Wide Wrestling Federation is formed on April 1, 1963. Promoters Vince McMahon, Sr., Toots Mondt and Willie Gilzenberg withdraw their Northeastern promotion, Capitol Wrestling, from the National Wrestling Alliance in response to Lou Thesz gaining a victory to..Read More

06 Apr, 1963

Bobo Brazil Recognized as the WWWF United States Championship

Bobo Brazil was recognized as the first man to hold the WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship. Brazil had previously defeated NWA Champion Buddy Rogers for the NWA World Title on August 18, 1962, but refused..Read More

17 May, 1963

Bruno Sammartino Defeats Buddy Rogers for the WWWF Title

Bruno Sammartino defeats Buddy Rogers for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in 48 seconds with a backbreaker. Rogers would later claim that he had suffered a heart attack before the match. Sammartino would hold onto the belt for..Read More

19 May, 1963

The Destroyer Beats Rikidozan In Osaka, Japan

The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Japanese great Rikidozan in Osaka, Japan. Rikidozan, who was considered by most to be the father of Japanese Professional Wrestling, was a huge international star and draw. The win, thus..Read More

08 Dec, 1963

Japanese Great Rikidozan Stabbed in Nightclub Incident

Japanese great Rikidozan was stabbed by gangster Katsuji Murata while at a nightclub in Tokyo, Japan. Rikidozan, considered the Father of Japanese Professional Wrestling received medical treatment and was expected to survive the encounter. In..Read More