Today In Pro Wrestling History: September 9th

A weird sandwich of events with WWF on one side and TNA on the other, with some NOAH in-between. Most of these events definitely left an impression on fans and the larger scope of the wrestling bubble. So let’s get to them!

• WWF Prime Time Wrestling: Ric Flair Debut (1991)

The 1991 WWF debut of Ric Flair is a core memory for the pro wrestling world because it completely shattered the invisible wall between rival promotions. For over a decade, Ric Flair was the ultimate crown jewel of the NWA and WCW which meant he represented the gritty, athletic tradition of the South and was the total opposite of Vince McMahon’s cartoonish wrestling empire. So when Flair casually strolled onto WWF TV holding the literal Big Gold Belt and calling himself the “Real World’s Heavyweight Champion,” it was an absolute paradigm shift that blew fans’ minds. It wasn’t just about one of the greatest of all time changing companies, it meant that mythical dream matches with icons like Hulk Hogan were suddenly happening in real time. This debut fundamentally re-wrote the rules of the business and gave us an iconic milestone that changed modern sports entertainment forever.

• WWF SmackDown: WWF Tag Team Championship Buried Alive Match: Rock & Sock Connection (c) vs Big Show & The Undertaker (1999)

This was peak Attitude Era insanity and the only Tag Team Buried Alive Match in WWE history. Triple H attacked The Rock prior to the match, so that added the extra underdog level for the fan favorites against the Unholy Alliance that towered over most competitors. We do get a moment burned into most memories when Big Show literally launches Mankind from the entrance ramp, he skids in the dirt and slides into the open grave. The visual almost looks like a trick shot leaving Mankind incapacitated. Triple H however got further involved, taking out everyone with his Sledgehammer and wanting to be the one to finish off Mankind. So Triple H threw the dirt on Mankind, which technically won the match for Big Show and Undertaker. As Triple H reveled in his work, an ambulance pulled into the scene…driven by Stone Cold! He ambushed Triple H, and this was the peak shock and awe of the Attitude Era.

• NOAH Shiny Navigation: GHC Heavyweight Championship: Jun Akiyama (c) vs Naomichi Marufuji (2006)

So this was a pivotal moment in NOAH. Marufuji defeated Akiyama after a Perfect Inside Cradle, which was a huge upset, but changed the landscape of NOAH. Marufuji became the first wrestler to win every active title in NOAH (5 at the time: Junior, Junior Tag, Hardcore, Heavy Tag and now Heavyweight). He also was the lightest champion in the 5 year company history at the time. But this allowed for the next generation to really be seen as threats. KENTA, Shiozaki, Sugiura, started to follow in Marufuji’s footsteps with getting more shots in the main events to rub elbows with the dominant veterans. This also helped their American perspective because Marufuji was the champion going into their cross promotional appearance at ROH Glory by Honor V.

• TNA No Surrender (2007)

Speaking of wrestlers winning all the belts, this show was effectively Kurt Angle on Ice. He was one half of the Tag Team Champs, the X-Division Champ and the Heavyweight Champ. So Triple-Duty really proved what kind of machine Angle was at the time. Kurt lost two of the titles at this show, the first was more of an infamous moment. Kurt and Sting lost the Tag Team Titles to Ron Killings and Adam “Pacman” Jones. Yup, it’s THAT match and era of TNA. But in a better moment, Kurt Angle actually changed the finish of the X-Division match, so he would drop the belt to Black Machismo. This proved to be a smart decision and kept the X-Division interesting instead of continuing to be beaten down by veterans and bad storytelling. But in the main event, Angle actually successfully defended the Heavyweight Title against Abyss. After the match, Judas Mesias dragged him to the Underworld through the ring.

• Impact Wrestling Impact Wrestling Vs. Europe (2018)

Impact Wrestling vs Europe (originally promoted as part of Wrestling MediaCon 2018) stands out as a highly memorable event because was yet another foray into the Britwres scene, showcasing the European independents. Held in Manchester, England, the unique cross-promotional showcase delivered a fast-paced environment highlighted by an incredible, hard-hitting Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Death Match where Sami Callihan defeated the UK’s own hardcore icon, Jimmy Havoc (we didn’t hate him at this time, remember 2018). It also featured a surprisingly technical showdown between Joe Hendry and Eli Drake, capitalizing on their highly entertaining, character-driven television feud. While the local crowd surprised many by heavily cheering the charismatic antagonist Eli Drake, Scotland’s “Prestigious One” Joe Hendry ultimately secured the victory, anchoring a night defined by its raucous European atmosphere and great international synergy.

Joe Hendry’s often forgotten first run in Impact/TNA, it’s always nice to mention things from then or even his What Culture Pro Wrestling boom. I completely blame Grado for why people forget Hendry existed 5 years before his gimmick caught fire. Impact was also on life support, so that didn’t help either…but if I can blame Grado for things, I will. Such a waste of wrestling space.