y1963
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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
