Today In Pro Wrestling History: April 22nd

Okay, so I’ve left the haze of the Velvet Goldmine and may finally have my head on…relatively correctly. Let us see what happened, where it went, what’s history and how many birthdays I need to add!

• NWA Amarillo Show: 2 out of 3 Falls: NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Lou Thesz (c) vs Danny Hodge (1965)

These situations are becoming lost with most wrestling focus not going past the WrestleMania era. So let’s not overlook two of the most legitimate shooters in the history of pro wrestling. Lou Thesz, the “God of Wrestling” and Danny Hodge, the Olympic Silver Medalist and undefeated NCAA champion. Danny was the Junior Champ at the time and this was during Thesz’ last World reign. While the finish was inconclusive to keep them both “strong”, this was a rivalry that fed generations during the 50s and 60s. The fact the names are still referenced and their moves are still used 60+ years later…the wrestling speaks for itself.

• Oba Femi Birthday (1998)

The Ruler, the Beast Master, the man who turns spoilers into Meltzer guesses…Oba Femi is currently the King without a crown but this King definitely has the rocket. So why would I overlook his birthday after he just made history two days ago? I don’t think I need to validate the acknowledgment, so I won’t.

• ECW Cyberslam (2000)

The end days of ECW were weird man. This show happened just days after Mike Awesome left to join WCW while he was ECW Champion, so Taz (who was a WWF employee) had to beat Awesome for the title and then drop the belt at this show. This was the show where Tommy Dreamer finally got the ECW World title, even if he never wanted his character to get it, it was a big feel good moment for fans and the locker room. Until Justin Credible comes out, pisses on the fun, challenges Tommy, and when Tommy agrees…Francine turns on him and Justin walks out as World champ. The whiplash of the joy for Dreamer and the outrage of Justin and Francine, as well as the absurdity of the Mike Awesome and Taz stuff is historic if nothing else.

• STARDOM Grows Up: Kairi Hojo Homecoming: Wonder of Stardom Championship: Kairi Hojo (c) vs Hana Kimura (2017)

Kairi was on her goodbye tour since she was joining WWE soon, and the event was held in Yamaguchi, her home town. This match defined two eras. Kairi wasn’t only the Pirate Princess, but she WAS the White Belt, when she retained against Hana, that solidified Kairi with the White Belt. But this also set Hana up for her rise to the top of everyone’s hearts, even as a heel. Still technically a Freelancer, since she was with Wrestle-1, Hana, Kagetsu, La Rosa Negra and Kris Wolf turned her mother’s Kimura-Gun into Oedo Tai, and heeled it up in ways the fans loved and hated at the same time. Hana lost, but established the stable and herself as major players for the next few years of Stardom. Oedo Tai 4 Ever!

• WWE Monday Night Raw: Women’s Championship Battle Royale (2024)

If memory serves the original IWC reaction to this match was outrage thinking Becky didn’t deserve to win. But after Liv injured Rhea as payback for Rhea putting her on the shelf. Liv not winning and adding more fuel to her Revenge Tour fire and the story with Dom, was actually the perfect slow roll. Dom and Liv are still at the top of the cards, box office heels and riding the hype of this story as of today. So this has to go down as historic, if not because it was another reign for Becky, but how it built Liv and this Dirty Dom situation.

Well look at that, nothing crazy one way or the other and only one birthday! We got some classic wrasslin, a recent angle still paying off, ECW shenanigans and a little dash of Japan. Plus if anyone knows me, if I can fit in information about Hana Kimura, I’m going to. But I think this was pretty rational and balanced thank you very much!

Which significant events did I miss? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments. And if you don’t do anything else today, remember, Always Use Your Head!