Today In Pro Wrestling History: April 4th

The article title got tweaked slightly, but its still the same snapshot of things that happened on this day in history:

• Chelsea Green’s Birthday (1991)

This is the first birthday I’m throwing into the article, but let’s be honest now, Chelsea is very important to modern wrestling. From her Laurel Van Ness run in TNA, her stint in Lucha Underground and where she’s taken WWE by comedic storm; who better than Chelsea? I think Chelsea’s birthday should definitely be regarded highly in a historical run down, because she’s on of the best in the business right now.

• NJPW: Antonio Inoki Retirement Show (1998)

Inoki is a name everyone knows even if you don’t follow puroresu. New Japan’s Strong Style was his invention to counter Giant Baba’s King’s Road style. Matches against Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, even an exhibition against Muhammad Ali in 1976 – Inoki was larger than the sport itself. Be it bringing professional wrestling to North Korea, two stints in political office and a few companies created by him, his impact will be felt for most of the foreseeable future.

• ROH Supercard of Honor VIII: Ladder War V for the ROH World Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs Jay Briscoe (2014)

Okay so now we get a more normal entry in the article. The motivation for this match was perfectly simple. Jay had to vacate the belt in 2013 because he sustained a shoulder injury and couldn’t defend it. Adam won the title in a tournament, and Jay is back to claim what he never lost. As is Jay’s style, the match is physical, crazy, Jay bleeds a bit, but thanks to the Kingdom (Mike Bennet and Matt Hardy at this time) interference and Mark not being able to equal the numbers game, Adam retains. By hook or by crook, Adam Cole was as hot as fish grease at this point, so him staying on top was smart and a great match to main event Supercard.

• WrestleMania 36: Boneyard Match: Undertaker vs AJ Styles (2020)

Yes we all know this was filmed because of the COVID era, but since we didn’t see it until the 4th, it counts. This match was cinematic wrestling done correctly. It was fun, it had cool and meme worthy moments and even though tradition is for the old guy to go out looking at the ceiling, American Badass Taker putting AJ in the dirt was a big feel good and pop moment for most people. COVID was a harrowing time, so a little nostalgia, fun and one “Last Ride” for the Deadman, was everything wrestling should be.

• NJPW Sakura Genesis: IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kota Ibushi (c) vs Will Ospreay (2021)

This is historic for many reasons and most not great. This was the first official defense after the new World belt was made, and started the cursed legacy. Ospreay wins in a great match with call backs, hard shots and solid action, where he pulls off the Stormbreaker to finally get the World championship he’s been chasing since coming up to Heavyweight. But Ospreay would have vacate the title a month later after the match with Shingo because of a neck injury. This also kinda started Ibushi downward spiral into injuries, ailments and just awful matches. Cursed history is still history.

• STARDOM American Dream 2024 in The Keystone State (2024)

We get Stardom’s second American show, but the first one where they came over because of their own momentum. In 2019 American Dream in The Big Apple was because Bushiroad owns New Japan and Stardom, so they sent over the main stars of Stardom since NJPW and ROH were running MSG in 2019 (I was there, I know). But here we get legitimate momentum and interest in Joshi thanks to Iyo, Kairi, Hikaru Shida, Asuka being big deals in America, and of course Mercedes Mone having her IWGP Women’s Championship run the previous year, may have given them the extra push since Mercedes was big news with whatever she did. The show included Mariah May, Xia Brookside, Mina Shirakawa, Tam Nakano and Mayu Iwatani. Main evented by Maika vs Megan Bayne with the former Divine Kingdom tag partners in a classic Joshi slobberknocker.

The beginning of April does seem to have a fair bit of women’s wrestling historic hooks. Not like that’s an issue, just find it interesting how each day has had something relevant for the overall current perception. See, I learn something too, and I’m writing these!

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!