Today In Pro Wrestling History: May 4th

Now, today is more of a meme celebration for Star Wars fans, but since we’ve got to focus on pro wrestling for this article…let’s see what we get. Which companies embrace the fourth?

• NJPW Wrestling Dontaku: WCW International World Heavyweight Championship: Sting (c) vs Rick Rude (1994)

This was Rick Rude’s final match, the match where Sting hits the Dive that send Rude into the wooden platform and hit his back back awkwardly causing the spine issue. While Rick Rude did still finish the match, and was victorious, the decision was overturned to not need to vacate the title. Regardless of fault and intent, the history is still there about Rick Rude’s last match being the bittersweet history.

• WWF Insurrextion (2002)

A few interesting pieces of history are tied to this show. It was the first “Raw Branded” PPV after the brand split as well as the last WWF PPV because the pandas came in with the steel chair and forced the name change on May 6th. This was also the event tied to the Plane Ride From Hell. Weird and dark history still counts!

• NJPW Wrestling Dontaku: IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (2018)

We get the generational clash and passing of the torch. This was the V12 defense, where Okada broke the former defense record of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, against the man who held the V11 record. Okada’s last big defense during his 720 day reign. Short and sweet, easy history moment.

• Pro Wrestling NOAH Majestic (2023)

We saw a few big shifts at this show, Go Shiozaki on his “I Am NOAH” run, and STINGER also kicked out HAYATA and Eita to rebrand the group. Real defeated Takashi Sugiura and Shuhei Tanaguchi, allowing Timothy Thatcher and Saxon Huxley their first title reign together. Jake Lee also managed to defeat Naomichi Marufuji, to retain the GHC Heavyweight title. A few shakeups and newer acquisition, making important waves in NOAH.

• WWE Backlash France (2024)

A few interesting notes here. The crowd in Lyon set the record for largest live arena gate in WWE history. Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair won the Women’s Tag Titles off the Kabuki Warriors. Tanga Loa made his goofball debut, and we saw Cody Rhodes make his first title defense as Undisputed WWE Champion against AJ Styles, after finally finishing the story at WrestleMania XL.

• Pro Wrestling NOAH Wrestle Magic (2024)

Multiple things happened at this event, we got a UWF Rules revival match between Ulka Sasaki and Kazushi Sakuraba. We saw TenCozy reunite to take on the GLG faction as well as the debut of Marigold, notably Guilia and Kouki Amarei, helping to spark the excitement for the GHC Women’s Championship later in the year. But the biggest thing, was the return of Kaito Kiyomiya as the “Ace”. After struggling for the past few years against the likes of Keiji Mutoh, Go Shiozaki, Jake Lee, Kazuchika Okada and Kenoh, Kaito finally returned to the top of the pecking order after defeating El Hijo de Dr Wagner Jr for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. The ark steered out of the turbulent times of the pandemic, in which they flourished, and were finally setting course for their new generation to take flight.

This was definitely an odd event list. Heavier Japanese influence on the really good moments, a touch of WCW and WWF, and a thread of Okada with his V12 and being part of the re-ascension of Kaito Kiyomiya…this was an odd Star Wars day. But I guess a little bit of Lightside and Darkside of the ring, proves that all things are in balance.

Did I miss anything? How far did I stretch the events today? 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!