Today In Pro Wrestling History: August 28th

This is another day with interesting combinations of things, but I personally am not too mad. I usually admit when the mental gymnastics come into play, but I would like to think these are all memorable. All for positive reasons? Well that’s up to you to decide.

• WWF SummerSlam (1989)

From a wrestling point of view, we had Dusty Rhodes’ WWF PPV debut when he defeated the Honky Tonk Man, the Brain Busters and Hart Foundation put on a classic tag team match for the ages, and Ultimate Warrior defeated Rick Rude w/Bobby Heenan to begin his second reign as Intercontinental Champion. For the spectacle side of WWF, as pay off to the No Holds Barred movie and WWF appealing to more of the celebrity section, Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake defeated Randy Savage & Zeus. Being the second SummerSlam ever, it helped to cement it as a tent pole event and it’s been one of the biggest shows to look forward to every year since 1988.

• WCW Nitro: WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Booker T (c) vs Kevin Nash (2000)

As most things with WCW in the year 2000, this was overbooked and done for mostly shock factor. Jeff Jarrett was the Special Guest Referee, so the Millionaire’s Club was stacking the deck against the New Blood. While the angle is marred in bad memories of the time period, it did however give Nash his 5th reign as WCW Champion. Which puts him in fourth place, tied with Booker T when it comes to reigns. Only behind Sting & Hogan both at 6, and Ric Flair at 8.

• AAA Triplemania XXIV (2016)

One aspect of the memorable moments was the fact this was a heavily Lucha Underground influenced crossover, going as far as having a Lucha Underground 6 man with Rey Mysterio, Prince Puma & Aztec Dragon Jr vs Matanza, Marty Martinez & Mil Muertes. Texano Jr also defended the Mega Championship against Brian Cage & Dr Wagner Jr. But that wasn’t the end of Dr Wagner’s night. The main event was Psycho Clown versus Pagano in a Mask vs Hair Lucha de Apuestas match. Damian 666 and Psicosis rushed down to the ring to attack Psycho Clown since they were stablemates of Pagano. In a surprising twist, Dr Wagner Jr’s music hit and he charged the ring, the crowd thought he was there to help Psycho Clown, but a Low Blow would prove otherwise. This moment was done to lay the groundwork of their feud going into Triplemania XXV. While Psycho Clown overcame all of the interference and betrayal, Wagner immediately challenged him to the Mask vs Mask match at XXV. So the whole angle got one full year of build and Wagner’s more heelish persona.

• NWA EmPowerrr (2021)

While the event itself was a mixed bag (looking at you Velvet Sky commentary). There was a lot of history wrapped in this show. Aside from the obvious of being an all women’s PPV showcase, executive produced by Mickie James, it was also the first time in 37 years that wrestling took place in the Khorassan Ballroom in St. Louis, lending a tie to the legendary Wrestling at the Chase television program. Owner of NWA, Billy Corgan, also purchased the original 1935 – 1954 NWA World Women’s Championship worn by Mildred Burke to show it off, along with reviving the long since dormant NWA Women’s Tag Team Titles. The Hex (Marti Belle & Allysin Kay) became the first champions since 1984 (Wendi Richter & Joyce Grable). The show also served as a catalyst for Deonna Purrazzo’s cross promotional feud with Mickie James after she defeated Melina. Lastly, Gail Kim came out for a promo segment, but she was interrupted by Taryn Terrell, Jennacide & Paola Blaze. An unexpected face from the past came out to make the save for Gail, as Awesome Kong came out to clear the ring. Gail and Kong embraced, and Kong announced her official retirement.

• FREEDOMS Jun Kasai Produce: Tokyo Death Match Carnival Vol 2: Fluorescent Light Tubes Death Tower Alpha Death Match King of FREEDOM Title: Toru Sugiura (c) vs Violento Jack (2025)

As show that many thought was just going to be part of Jun Kasai’s 25th Anniversary tour, gave fans memorable matches and a historic main event. Toru was in the midst of a dominant reign that started New Year’s Eve of 2024, so he was literally champion all year up to this. Violento Jack is a death match legend through Japan and Mexico. This match solidified his status in FREEDOMS though, since after he defeated Toru in a 23 bloodbath, Jack hit Amatalan on broken glass, and then hit two Package Piledrivers into the shards for good measure, he became the most decorated wrestler, winning his 5th King of FREEDOM title. Anyone who enjoys death match wrestling will enjoy most of FREEDOMS or at the very least Jun Kasai/Crazy Monkey produced events.

Admittedly, sometimes I just add the death match stuff because it’s fun to write the completely ridiculous stipulation matches. I’m waiting for an “Exploding Light Tubes and Salt Covered Glass Hidden Vacuum Cleaner Filled With Legos Death Match”. Still think it’s a complete oversight that vacuum cleaners haven’t really been used in hardcore wrestling. It’s so easy…especially the old ones with the bag. I’m rambling now, the article is over, click away.