Today In Pro Wrestling History: June 10th

I guess it was bound to happen. A few days of easy lists and international flair…so I should’ve expect some leaner days ahead. There are definitely a few events truly important to wrestling history…and the rest…lists have to be made. Check them out!

• AJPW Budokan Hall Show: NWA International & PWF World Tag Team Unification Match: Road Warriors (c) vs Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) (1988)

This was an odd match that would drive modern fans completely insane. Since both teams had prestige and momentum, neither could truly lose clean. After twelve minutes, the match devolved into chaos. Brawling, disregard for referees and chairshots being thrown! The finish was controversial because the match ended in a Double Count Out. But due to a pre-arranged agreement that the titles WILL be unified no matter what, Giant Baba made the decision to strip the Road Warriors and present the now vacant NWA International Tags to Jumbo and Yoshiaki. This is why the AJPW Tag Team Championship is made up of 4 belts, even to today.

• WCW Monday Nitro: Kevin Nash Reveal (1996)

Scott Hall was talking about having a “big surprise” for WCW management on the way. As Hall saunters onto the commentary stage, Bobby Heenan gets out as fast as he can, while Eric Bischoff confronts Hall. In a cinematic style pull out to a wide shot, Nash walks up behind Bischoff and scares the life out of him. This leads to the infamous “Look at the Adjective” promo, but in the moment, no one cared about grammar police snickering, the war officially began. The men most fans knew as Razor Ramon and Diesel, were now in WCW to cause havoc.

• TNA Slammiversary (2012)

This was a pivotal TNA event because we saw the make good on the WWE and TNA talent exchange. Since TNA allowed Ric Flair at the WWE Hall of Fame in March, Christian Cage made an appearance since it was TNA’s 10 year anniversary and Inaugural Hall of Fame night for the man called Sting. While only as a presenter, Christian Cage’s return popped the crowd pretty hard. Aside from that, we saw James Storm return with an Open Challenge that was answered by Crimson. Crimson was still on his 470 day undefeated streak, but a Last Call Superkick put an end to that. AJ Styles & Kurt Angle defeated Bad Influence, while a great match, also served as a catalyst in the historically bad Claire Lynch storyline. Much like everything about TNA, you take the good with the bad.

• Pro Wrestling Revolver The Debut (2016)

One of the modern independent promotions with a lot of buzz and hardcore fan appreciation. So how could their first show not be considered historic or memorable? Especially with the combination of high flying and hardcore action. The AR Fox Open Invitational involving Dave Crist, Zachary Wentz and Dezmond Xavier. Rhyno destroyed captain caveman Trevor Lee, Bob Holly and Samil Callihan had a brawl, Michael Elgin defeated PJ Black and the main event saw Billy Gunn get a FameASSer win over Johnny Mundo. TNA, Lucha Underground and WWE crossover pieces made this a hell of a super card.

• WWE Friday Night Smackdown: Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet (c) vs Gunther (2022)

Ricochet was the Intercontinental Champion for a little over 3 months at this time, but came in as a massive underdog. Gunther had a reputation from NXT & NXT UK. While Ricochet had a flurry, this was Gunther’s coming out party, so to speak. Any more casual fans who didn’t know what him or Imperium were capable of, learned today. Gunther winning with Vader/Kawada style Power Bomb, and folding up Ricochet began the longest Intercontinental Championship reign in WWE history of 666 days. A reign that broke the previous record, held by Honky Tonk Man, by over 200 days. Let’s also not forget, this was Gunther’s first main roster title win as well.

See, not exactly the deepest day, but there were legitimate things. From Unification matches, to debuts that helped launch and error and title wins that begun historic reigns…there are a few gems.

How tight were the nostalgia goggles? Am I ignoring companies that you’re passionate about? Make your thoughts known and Always Use Your Head!