1980s and 1990s

by Mark Long

Cool Timeline

1980
Hulk Hogan Faces Andre the Giant at the Showdown at Shea
Andre the Giant - Hulk Hogan - Shea Stadium - historyofwrestling.com

The third and final WWF "Showdown At Shea" event takes place in Queens, New York, featuring, arguably, the strongest line-up in the trio of supercards. Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant in a match seven years prior to their famous meeting at WrestleMania III, reigning WWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund…
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Showdown At Shea III Takes Place
Showdown at Shea 3 - historyofwrestling.com

The third and final WWF "Showdown At Shea" event takes place, featuring, arguably, the strongest line-up in the trio of supercards.  Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant in a match seven years prior to their famous meeting at WrestleMania III, reigning WWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund teamed with former champion…
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1981
Ric Flair Wins His First World Championship
Ric Flair - historyofwrestling.com

[caption id="attachment_3200" align="alignleft" width="238"] Harley Race vs. Ric Flair[/caption] "Nature Boy" Ric Flair wins the first World championship of his storied career, defeating the reigning National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. Race had held the belt on six occasions to the…
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1982
First Match between Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler
Jerry Lawler - Andy Kaufman - historyofwrestling.com

The first match in the legendary feud between Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler takes place at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. with 8,091 fans in attendance. The match, which saw Lawler use multiple piledrivers to "injure" the comedian's neck, made national headlines and eventually led to the infamous July…
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Tiger Mask Defeats NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Les Thornton
Tiger Mask - historyofwrestling.com

New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Tiger Mask defeats NWA World Junior Heavyweight champion Les Thornton in Shizuoka, Japan. Tiger Mask would then go on to win the WWF Junior Heavyweight championship just three weeks later, establishing himself as the most dominant junior heavyweight in the sport at the time.

Vincent K. McMahon Purchases Capitol Wrestling
Vincent J. Mcmahon - Vincent K. Mcmahon - historyofwrestling.com

[caption id="attachment_2795" align="alignleft" width="300"] Vincent J. Mcmahon & Vincent K. Mcmahon[/caption] On June 5, 1982, Titan Sports Inc., owned by Vincent K. McMahon acquired the operations of Capitol Wrestling, owned in part by his father, longtime promoter Vincent J. McMahon. Vince Jr. moved the company headquarters to Greenwich, Connecticut. Vince,…
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Southwest Championship Wrestling Makes Its Debut On The USA Network
Southwest Championship Wrestling - historyofwrestling.com

The first-ever weekly professional wrestling program to be broadcast on the USA Network, Joe Blanchard's San Antonio-based Southwest Championship Wrestling, makes its debut. The S.C.W. show would air on the USA Network for eight months before it was replaced with WWE programming.

1983
WWF All-American Wrestling Debuts On The USA Network
All American Wrestling - historyofwrestling.com

WWF All-American Wrestling debuts on the USA Network, replacing Southwest Championship Wrestling. While the WWF had previously aired its monthly Madison Square Garden shows on the USA Network, All-American Wrestling was the first weekly WWE program to be broadcast on the cable network, beginning a partnership that has lasted for…
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Starrcade Debuts in Greensboro, NC
Starrcade 1983 - historyofwrestling.com

Predating WrestleMania by a year and a half, the inaugural Starrcade is held in Greensboro, N.C. The event, considered by many to be the first true "megacard," drew a sold-out crowd of 15,447 to the Greensboro Coliseum and generated a gate of over $500,000. Additionally, over 40,000 more fans viewed…
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The Iron Sheik Defeats Bob Backlund
Iron Sheik - Bob Backlund - historyofwrestling.com

Bob Backlund's nearly six-year reign as WWF Heavyweight champion finally comes to an end at the same arena it started, Madison Square Garden in New York City, when he is defeated via submission by The Iron Sheik.

1984
Hulk Hogan Defeats the Iron Sheik For the WWF Championship
Iron Sheik - Hulk Hogan - historyofwrestling.com

A mere three weeks after returning to the WWF following a highly successful run in the AWA, Hulk Hogan defeats The Iron Sheik to capture the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City. To quote Gorilla Monsoon, "Hulk-a-Mania is born!"

El Santo Dies
El Santo - historyofwrestling.com

The legendary El Santo, unquestionably the most famous and successful luchador in the history of professional wrestling, dies of a heart attack in Mexico City at the age of 69.

David Von Erich Dies in Japan
David Von Erich - historyofwrestling.com

The first in a long line of Von Erich family tragedies, David Von Erich dies in a Tokyo hotel at the age of 25.  While some maintain that his death was drug related, the official cause is listed as acute enteritis.

Kerry Von Erich Defeats Ric Flair For NWA Title
Kerry Von Erich - historyofwrestling.com

In the main-event of the first annual "David Von Erich Parade of Champions," Kerry Von Erich defeats "Nature Boy" Ric Flair to become the new NWA World Heavyweight champion before a crowd of over 32,000 fans.

Vincent James McMahon Dies
Vincent James McMahon Dies

Vincent James McMahon, founder of the World Wide Wrestling Federation and one of the most powerful and successful promoters in the entirety of professional wrestling history, dies at the age of 69 from throat cancer.

Black Saturday Edition of World Championship Wrestling Airs
Vince McMahon - Black Saturday - historyofwrestling.com

The infamous "Black Saturday" edition of World Championship Wrestling airs on TBS, which, following Vince McMahon's acquisition of the Georgia promotion's traditional timeslot, featured WWF performers instead of the familiar NWA stars.  For numerous reasons, the WWF/TBS partnership did not work out, to say the least, and many point to…
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The Brawl To Settle It All Airs On MTV
Brawl to End it All - historyofwrestling.com

Working in partnership, the World Wrestling Federation and MTV present "The Brawl To Settle It All," which airs in prime time on the cable network.  The unique special took place eight months prior to WrestleMania 1 and was a major event in the "Rock 'n Wrestling Connection" storyline that involved…
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1985
The War To Settle The Score Airs On MTV
War to Settle the Score - historyofwrestling.com

The second collaboration between MTV and the WWF, "The War To Settle The Score," airs on MTV and delivers the highest ratings in network history to that point in time.  In the main event, Hulk Hogan defeats "Rowdy" Roddy Piper by DQ, with both Mr. T and Cindi Lauper involved…
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Dr. Death David Schultz Attacks Reporter John Stossel.
Dr. Death David Schultz - historyofwrestling.com

The infamous edition of ABC's 20/20 program airs, which features both "The Continental Lover" Eddie Mansfield and "Big" Jim Wilson openly breaking kayfabe before a nationwide audience and, even more notably, David Schultz attacking reporter John Stossel.

Wrestlemania I is held at Madison Square Garden
Wrestlemania 1 - historyofwrestling.com

[caption id="attachment_3135" align="alignleft" width="286"] Hulk Hogan & Muhammad Ali[/caption] On March 31, 1985, Vince McMahon and the WWF held the first Wrestlemania at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The attendance for the event was reported to have been 19,121 fansmand was viewed by over one million fans through…
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Saturday Night Main Event Debuts
Saturday Night Main Event debuts- historyofwrestling.com

WWF debuted Saturday Night Main Event, the first broadcast of professional wrestling on network television since the 1950s. The program originally aired on NBC as an occasional replacement for Saturday Night Live on its weekend broadcast schedule. The show was a huge rating success for NBC. The March 14, 1987 show, which focused on Hulk Hogan…
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Hulk Hogan’s Rock N Wrestling” debuts on CBS
Hulk Hogan's Rock n' Wrestling - historyofwrestling.com

The animated series "Hulk Hogan's Rock N Wrestling" debuts on CBS.  The first and only wrestling program of its kind, the Saturday morning cartoon aired for nearly two years before being cancelled in June of 1987.

WWF Puts On The Wrestling Classic PPV
The Wrestling Classic - historyofwrestling.com

The World Wrestling Federation presents "The Wrestling Classic," professional wrestling's first-ever pay-per-view event.  Held in Chicago, IL., "The Wrestling Classic" featured a tournament that was won by "Macho Man" Randy Savage when he defeated The Junkyard Dog in the finals of the event.

Starrcade ’85: The Gathering Is Presented
Starrcade '85: The Gathering - historyofwrestling.com

Jim Crockett Promotions presents Starrcade '85: The Gathering.  The event emanated from two separate locations, Greensboro, N.C. and Atlanta, GA., both of which sold-out, drawing over 32,000 spectators live and tens of thousands more watching via closed-circuit.  All total, Starrcade '85 generated over $936,000, a tremendous success. The co-main events…
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1986
World Class Championship Wrestling Withdraws from the NWA
World Class Championship Wrestling - historyofwrestling.com

Jack Adkisson's Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling promotion officially withdraws from the National Wrestling Alliance and it is announced that reigning NWA American Heavyweight champion "Ravishing" Rick Rude is recognized as the inaugural World Class Wrestling Association (WCWA.) World Heavyweight champion.

Final Madison Square Garden Appearance of Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Sammartino - historyofwrestling.com

The final Madison Square Garden appearance of two-time WWF champion "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino takes place when Sammartino & Tito Santana team up to defeat Randy Savage & Adrian Adonis inside of a steel cage.

1987
Hulk Hogan Headlines Wrestlemania III With Bodyslam Of Andre the Giant
Wrestlemania III - historyofwrestling.com

Hulk Hogan defeated Andre the Giant in the main event at WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. After a back and forth match, with Andre almost gaining a pinfall, Hogan made a comeback and lifted the Giant off of the ground and body slammed him before pinning…
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Jim Crockett Promotions Purchases Universal Wrestling Federation
Jim Crockett, Jr. - historyofwrestling.com

The country's second-largest wrestling promotion at the time, Jim Crockett Promotions, purchases the third-largest group, Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation, for a reported $4 million.  Although the purchase included an impressive number of t.v. stations that were added to J.C.P.'s syndication package, as well as an influx of talented UWF…
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The Mega Powers form
The Mega Powers form

[caption id="attachment_3143" align="alignleft" width="217"] Randy Savage - Elizabeth - Hulk Hogan[/caption] The on-screen friendship of Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan forms following Savage's match against The Honky Tonk Man for the WWF Intercontinental Championship (aired October 3 on Saturday Night's Main Event). The friendship formed after Hogan had, at Miss…
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Wade Keller Launches Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
Wade Keller Launches Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter

[caption id="attachment_3142" align="alignleft" width="168"] Wade Keller[/caption] Professional wrestling journalist Wade Keller begins publication of Pro Wrestling Torch, which much like the Wrestling Observer Newsletter includes weekly columns, news reporting and analysis, and shoot interviews of professional wrestling personalities.

1988
Bruiser Brody Stabbed to Death
Bruiser Brody - historyofwrestling.com

Frank Goodish, aka Bruiser Brody, is murdered in the shower room of a stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.  His killer, Jose Gonzalez, was acquitted of the murder, finding that Gonzalez was acting in self-defense.  Goodish was 42 years old at the time of his death.

Jim Crockett Promotions Purchased by Turner Broadcasting System
Ted Turner - historyofwrestling.com

After more than 55 years of promoting professional wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions (J.C.P.) is purchased by Turner Broadcasting System for a reported $9 million.

1989
Jerry Lawler Stripped of the AWA Title
Nick Bockwinkel - Jerry Lawler - historyofwrestling.com

Citing a lack of mandatory championship defenses, Jerry "The King" Lawler is officially stripped of his American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight title after eight months as champion.  This decision by AWA owner Verne Gagne effectively ends the working relationship between his promotion and that of Lawler & Jerry Jarrett.

Ric Flair Defeats NWA Champion Ricky Steamboat at the Music City Showdown
Ric Flair - Ricky Steamboat - historyofwrestling.com

In what many consider to be the overall greatest wrestling match of the modern era, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeats reigning NWA World champion Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in Nashville, TN. at the "Music City Showdown" pay-per-view.  After the match, Terry Funk famously attacked Flair and set up a classic…
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1991
World Championship Wrestling Discontinues Using The NWA Name
Ted Turner - historyofwrestling.com

Technically still a member of the National Wrestling Alliance, Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling officially discontinues using the NWA name and rechristens its championships, including the World Heavyweight title, using the WCW initials.

Dr. George Zahorian is Convicted of Selling Steroids
Vince McMahon - George Zahorian - Hulk Hogan - historyofwrestling.com

Following three hours of deliberation by a federal jury, Dr. George T. Zahorian is convicted in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. of selling anabolic steroids and controlled substances to four professional wrestlers and a weightlifter.  Zahorian, who had been associated with the World Wrestling Federation as far back as the 1970s, was convicted…
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Ric Flair is Fired by WCW. Vice President Jim Herd
Jim Herd - historyofwrestling.com

Ric Flair is fired by WCW Vice President Jim Herd, a move that would have far-reaching implications.  Soon after being let go, Flair would sign with the World Wrestling Federation, taking the instantly recognizable NWA/WCW "big gold" title belt with him.  Ultimately, Herd would lose his position as World Championship…
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1992
Vader Defeats Sting to Win the WCW Championship
Vader - historyofwrestling.com

Arguably the most physically intimidating titleholder in WCW history, Vader defeats Sting to win his first WCW World heavyweight championship in Albany, GA.  Vader, a former I.W.G.P., (Japan), Catch Wrestling Association (Europe) and U.W.A. (Mexico) World champion, would go on to capture the WCW World title on three different occasions.

1993
First Episode of Monday Night Raw Airs
Shawn Michaels - Max Moon - historyofwrestling.com

The World Wrestling Federation launched Monday Night Raw on the USA network. The show replaced Prime Time Wrestling which had run for the previous eight years. Raw was unique in that it was broadcast from arenas, often live, rather than in a studio. The first episode was broadcast from the Grand…
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1994
Extreme Championship Wrestling Formed
ECW Formed - historyofwrestling.com

[caption id="attachment_3169" align="alignleft" width="218"] Tod Gordon[/caption] Extreme Championship Wrestling was formed on August 27, 1994 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The National Wrestling Alliance held a tournament to crown its new champion. Because of bad blood between NWA Dennis Coralluzzo and Tod Gordon, the owner of Eastern Championship Wrestling, at the end…
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Shane Douglas Throws Down the NWA Belt
Shane Douglas - historyofwrestling.com

In the finals of a tournament to crown the new NWA champion, reigning Eastern Championship Wrestling titleholder Shane Douglas defeats 2 Cold Scorpio in Philadelphia, PA.  During a speech following his victory, Douglas unexpectedly threw the NWA belt down and refused the championship, declaring himself to be the Extreme Championship…
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1995
Dan Severn Becomes the NWA Champion
Dan Severn - historyofwrestling.com

Dan "The Beast" Severn defeats Chris Candido in Erlanger, KY. to become the NWA World Heavyweight champion.  During a time when the promotion was considered nothing more than a glorified independent group, Severn, also an early U.F.C. champion, was the most credible NWA champion since the 1980s and would go…
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WCW Monday Night Nitro Debuts
WCW Nitro Debut - historyofwrestling.com

[caption id="attachment_3139" align="alignleft" width="300"] WCW Nitro Debut - Mall of America[/caption] The debut episode of Monday Night Nitro was broadcast from the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 4, 1995. The show was launched as a response to the ongoing success of WCW rival, the WWF's Monday Night Raw show. Nitro featured matches between…
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1997
Montreal Screwjob Takes Place
Montreal Screwjob - historyofwrestling.com

In what would become known as "the Montreal Screwjob," Bret Hart was double-crossed by Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels in the main event of the Survivor Series main event. In the middle of the match, Michaels grabbed Hart and attempted to put Hart in his own signature maneuver, the Sharpshooter.…
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1999
WWF Smackdown Debuts
Smackdown Debuts - historyofwrestling.com

[caption id="attachment_3132" align="alignleft" width="215"] Vince McMahon[/caption] WWF launches SmackDown! debuted on UPN on April 29, 1999. The show was developed to compliment the WWF's Monday Night Raw television show and served as a showcase for the burgeoning talent within the promotion.

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