Today In Pro Wrestling History: August 11th

Okay so we finally start to sprinkle in some more SummerSlam history, so that always helps to get at least one event covered. But honestly, this is a pretty significant day for New Japan fans. So let’s find out why.

• NJPW G1 Climax Finals: Masahiro Chono vs Keiji Mutoh (1991)

This was the finals of the very first official G1 Climax. As we may remember from the IWGP Tournament, New Japan nearly always had a tournament series from 1974-1989. In those 16 years it was known as the World League, MSG League, IWGP League and World Cup Tournament. 1990 was skipped because Seiji Sakaguchi took over as President and New Japan was in flux after moving away from the original Inoki era. G1, is a moniker from horse racing, where Grade One is the highest and best thoroughbreds, so that was the concept the tournament was supposed to evoke. While Chono won, and was celebrated with a great raining of cushions, giving credence to Chono as the fan favorite, Mutoh established himself as a real pillar for the new generation, and a 30 minute match did wonders to help change and evolve the situation with New Japan.

• WWF Raw (1997)

Two really big interesting things. Rick Rude was revealed as Shawn Michaels “Insurance Policy”, which was a big deal since it was 7 years since Rick Rude was in WWF, and he’s coming off the brief ECW stint after his career ending back injury in WCW. Also returning, Rocky Maivia came back after a Knee Injury and being totally rejected by the fans. “Rocky Sucks” and “Die Rocky Die” forced him away from the plucky babyface and we saw him turn heel and join the Nation of Domination. Interfering on behalf of Farooq and doing the Nation of Domination pose was a shockwave that fans weren’t expecting in 1997. While next week is when he went to The Rock, this was the transition.

• NJPW G1 Climax Finals: Masahiro Chono vs Yoshihiro Takayama (2002)

This is cute, because it was during Inoki-ism, all for one of the original Musketeers, to rise to the challenge of protecting New Japan. Chono won 3 of the first 4 official G1s, but hasn’t won since 1994. Takayama is an established MMA and Pro Wrestling Tag Team powerhouse. Since Inoki-ism wasn’t well received by anyone, Chono was still the leader of Team2000 (Japanese NWO), and very popular still. In a 20 minute match, it was a grueling and exhaustive match. Chono managed to overcome Takayama with multiple Yakuza Kicks. This was Takayama’s 4th G1 Climax victory, which only Kazuchika Okada also has four. But for anyone who knows New Japan history, Chono did get a 5th G1, so he’s still untouched in regards to G1 Climax total wins.

• WWE SummerSlam (2019)

Since we had a lot of interesting returns or reimaginings already, let’s not overlook this was the in-ring debut of The Fiend. Bray Wyatt’s conceptually beloved alternate personality, decimated Finn Balor in about 3 and a half minutes. The Fiend was very over, it was a very cool concept. As far as wrestling is concerned, Trish Stratus came out of retirement to wrestle Charlotte Flair in a clash of generations match. We don’t really get to see that very much in women’s wrestling, so it was a big deal and a good enough match to make everyone feel that it deserved its spot on the card. The main event however, was a big moment for Seth Rollins, since he managed to beat Brock Lesnar cleanly for the Universal Championship. A late rally which saw Rollins Splash Brock through the Announce Table and a well timed Curb Stomp gave Rollins his second run with the Universal Championship.

• OTT Aftermath (2024)

Aftermatch is a great name for this show, since it definitely had some surprising turn of events. Danhausen, who won the No Limits title the previous day with the help of The Sem, was betrayed in a 5 way. Session Moth Martina (as Mothhausen), Renzo Rose and Dan Barry were also in the match. Danhausen and Mothhausen were embroiled in their…unique style of wrestling. So even though Sem acted as Danhausen’s manager the previous night, he went into business for himself, saw an opportunity and pinned Renzo Rose to end Danhausen’s reign after just one day. In another turn of events, B Cool, who just defeated Trent Seven the previous day for the World Title…sustained a severe injury and had to vacate the title. So there was an impromptu triple threat between Trent Seven, Man Like Dereiss and Big Damo. As Dereiss and Seven were brawling, Damo used his size and power to just slam into them and send Dereiss flying. Damo grabbed Trent, hit the Belfast Bomb, and won the vacant title.

Chono makes double history on the same day 11 years apart, The Rock begins the most Electrifying career decision in wrestling, the brief existence of The Fiend is still something to be remembered and respected…and gotta love when Danhausen has real wrestling moments and not just mascot moments. As I say with a lot of these, most of the events are legit…then there’s always the one outlier when I’m hunting for fun stuff.