Today In Pro Wrestling History: April 25th

It only took a week or so, but this article looks a little more normal. Some WWE, some Japan, a dash of ROH and one of the two biggest companies in Mexico. It’s always nice when a plan comes together…even though I only come into these with like 12 percent of a plan. That still counts, right?

• AJW Wrestlemarinepiad (1992)

This show provided us with a few moments. Manami Toyota had a generational classic with Kyoko Inoue for the IWA World Women’s Championship, in a fast paced, high flying and innovative style that would define Toyota’s career. The main event was also historic with Bull Nakano defending against the up and coming Aja Kong. Aja kicked out of Bull’s Megadeath finish, so much that she had to hit a desperation Moonsault just to secure the victory. But this was the harbinger for change in AJW. Aja could hang with Bull, Manami was the Ace and things were shifting a bit in the Joshi scene.

• WWF Backlash (1999)

The official transition period between the In Your House shows and their more understood PPV schedule. This was the first Backlash and the jumping off point for a lot of definitive things. The Boiler Room Brawl with Mankind and Big Show, the Corporate Ministry was forming while DX was official shattered and the No Holds Barred main event with The Rock and Stone Cold saw Austin and Mr. McMahon allied against The Rock and Shane.

• Pro Wrestling NOAH Encountering Navigation: GHC Heavyweight Championship: Kenta Kobashi (c) vs Yoshihiro Takayama (2004)

This was a match that is nearly smack dab in the middle of Kobashi 735 day title reign. Takayama was a killer, as I highlighted in earlier mentions. A legit MMA brawler, focused on limbs and really beat Kobashi to hell. Aside from this just being a classic NOAH match to many fans, this match also saw Kobashi pull out the Moonsault to retain against Takayama due to all the damage. A move in which Kobashi rarely used due to age and increased damage on his knees over the years.

• ROH Homecoming II (2009)

A show that had a few little nuggets of pivotal moments for different people. Tyler Black beating Chris Hero helped to rocket him into the main event of ROH, Bryan Danielson continued to frustrate and prove he was just better than Jimmy Rave, The American Wolves dismantled the hodgepodge team of Kevin Steen and Jay Briscoe in a 2 out of 3 Falls match and lastly, Colt Cabana got a Chicago pop and shot at Jerry Lynn’s World title, but came up short. So many names that would be relevant for the next 15-20 years, hard to overlook this event.

• WWE SmackDown: Tag Team Title TLC: Street Profits (c) vs DIY vs Motor City Machine Guns (2025)

An unexpected television classic gets the nod here! After months of interference, non-finishes, controversial finishes…Nick Aldis finally had enough and decided to just settle this the classic triple threat tag team way. TLC memories come flooding back and the match itself lived up to the months of build and the weight TLC carries from the Dudleyz, Hardyz and Edge & Christian. The Street Profits retained and the match captured the imagination and vibes of some of the classic TLC. All in all, definitely deserving of being remembered.

• CMLL 69th Anniversary De Arena Mexico (2025)

The main draw here is the CMLL Universal Championship Tournament. Done in a similar way to the original G1 Climax where the winner wins a championship belt but doesn’t defend it, the qualification however, is different. This is a tournament of champions, so as long as you hold gold somewhere, you can qualify for the tournament. Some previous winners are La Sombra, Jushin Thunder Liger, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Ultimo Guerrero. This year the tournament was capped off with Titán coming out victorious of Esfinge and Angel de Oro. Kushida also had an interpromotional match against Ultimo Guerrero, where he forced the legend to tap out to the Hoverboard Lock. Cool tournaments and matches involving Legends always have memorable aspects to many people.

Well that’s some old school Hollywood baseball, if I do say so myself. A few classic matches with desperation Moonsaults to fend off a violent challenger, an homage that lives up to the hype and a few other fun moments to hopefully give everyone a little something. I do always enjoy a fairly well represented list. Pro wrestling is far too old and too large to only think one or two companies are all that matter.

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!