Today In Pro Wrestling History: September 22nd

Surprising synergy on a few televised debuts and a final glorious moment for a beloved heroes’ alter-ego. This is a pretty packed day with something for most fans!

• WWF In Your House: Mind Games: Mark Henry TV Debut (1996)

Fresh out of the Summer Olympics with a 10 year contract in tow, Mark Henry made his televised debut against Jerry Lawler. Henry came out wearing a singlet in full American regalia. After running his mouth for weeks, Jerry faced the consequences and got handled by the new Babyface powerhouse. After the match, the New Rockers (Marty Jannetty & Leif Cassidy) along with Hunter Hearst Helmsley, attacked Henry, but he fought off all three attackers to give himself an imposing aura on his official televised debut.

• WCW Nitro: Goldberg TV Debut (1997)

While most people are very aware of Goldberg and his streak, it all began today. Hugh Morris was victim number 1 on Nitro, and even though Goldberg did have dark matches for a few months while training in the Power Plant, this was his official debut with the company. Which means, even though he lost to Chad Fortune in his third match ever, that doesn’t count, never happened. 173-0, obviously all legit no kayfabe, brother. Jokes aside, Goldberg was a phenomenon that helped to keep WCW at the top and capture imaginations with his superhuman booking.

• ROH Death Before Dishonor (2017)

There’s a fair bit to remember during this event. This was the first match on US soil for Minoru Suzuki in 25 years. He lost Ken Shamrock in PWFG in 1992, before challenging Cody for the ROH World Championship, and eventually losing as well. Kenny King was enjoying a push thanks to his appearance on The Bachelorette, so he defeated KUSHIDA for the ROH Television title. And continuing their feud over the years, the Motor City Machine Guns defeated The Young Bucks for the ROH Tag Team titles.

• STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix: Finals: Hana Kimura vs Konami (2019)

As most of us know the tragedy of Hana Kimura, this, was perhaps her peak moment as a wrestler and performer. She recently redeemed herself to the roster for her Oedo Tai years, created Tokyo Cyber Squad, and was truly coming into her own as a potential Ace. Konami was a faction member of TCS and one of her closest friends. So from an in-ring perspective they promised to still fight hard, and let the best wrestler win. Hana’s psychology, wrestling ability and charisma were on full display during this match, and she won with her signature submission The Hydrangea (Hana means flower in Japanese, so her moves being named after flowers makes sense).

• NJPW Destruction In Kobe: The Final Appearance of Kishin Liger (2019)

In what started off as a typical Japanese multi-man tag, we saw Rocky Romero, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask IV and Jushin Thunder Liger against Suzuki-Gun. Suzuki was making Liger’s life a living hell for months because of Liger’s retirement announcement. Suzuki thought Liger was taking the easy way out, he still had fire and fight and he wanted to reawaken the soul of the fighter within the legend, even if he had to beat it out of him. Well today, he awoke something else. During typical Suzuki-Gun antics, Minoru tore at the Jushin Liger mask, and instead of covering his face, he hit Suzuki with a Low Blow and slowly tore out of his own outfit like a monster movie, Suzuki was horrified, Kishin Liger was under the mask. Liger spat the signature Black Mist at Suzuki and the referee and then produced his signature Iron Spike. The classic Kishin Liger motto of “Not here to win, here to kill”. The match was a no contest, but we did get the classic Kishin Liger spot of the Iron Spike narrowly missing the opponent and getting wedged in a wooden table. The Great Muta and Taichi are very aware of that spot. Aside from it being the final appearance of Kishin Liger, it’s also memorable for Minoru Suzuki selling actual fear.

Mark Henry and Goldberg having the same television debut day, was something I didn’t realize. As well as it being shared by Hana’s Grand Prix win and Kishin Liger’s final appearance. Crazy how many memories are wrapped up in some days and how others are lucky to have two relevant things happen since Jimmy Carter was president.