The Week In Pro Wrestling History, July 28-Aug 3
The week in Pro Wrestling History.
July 28th – August 3rd.
1977 – Ric Flair wins his first NWA United States Championship with a victory over Bob Brazil.
1985 – Miss Elizabeth makes her WWF debut as the manager of “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
Miss Elizabeth was at the time Savage’s real-life wife. The debut was part of a taped episode of WWF Prime Time Wrestling that would air on August 20th.
1988 – In front of an audience of 25,866 fans, WWF held Wrestlefest ’88.
Some highlights include –
WWF Intercontinental Champion the Honky Tonk Man lost to Hacksaw Jim Duggan via DQ allowing Honky Tonk Man to retain the title.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage was victorious over “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase to retain the WWF Championship.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts and “Ravishing” Rick Rude resulted in a double count out.
In a loser wears a weasel suit match. The Ultimate Warrior was victorious over Bobby “The Brain” Heenan using a sleeper hold with the chant of Weasel Weasel echoing around the arena.
In a main event steel cage match, Hulk Hogan was victorious over Andre the Giant.
Hogan managed to escape the cage after tying Andre in the ring ropes.
1992 – Ron Simmons makes wrestling history as the first African American to win a major title when he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Lex Luger.
1994 -Shawn Michaels returns to wrestling for his first match since losing the WWF Intercontinental Championship to Razor Ramon in a ladder match at Wrestlemania 10.
1995 – Eddie Guerrero was victorious over Dean Malenko to recapture the ECW World Television Championship.
On the same night, the Steiner Brothers in their ECW debut defeated The Vampire Warrior (Gangrel) and Dudley Dudley.
1997 – At Summerslam ’97, Bret “Hitman” Hart was victorious over The Undertaker for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
This event however would be remembered when a near career ending injury occurred when Owen Hart performed a piledriver on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin nearly breaking Austin’s neck.
1998 – With an estimated buy rate of 100,000, ECW would hold the Heatwave ’98 Pay Per View.
This would be the most viewed PPV for ECW’s existence.
2001 – Booker T was victorious over Kurt Angle to capture the WCW World Championship for a fifth and final time.
On the same night, WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac was victorious over WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman to acquire both titles.
2004 – During an NWA – TNA Pay Per View at the conclusion of the X – Division match. Michael Shane and Frankie Kazarian were announced as coholders of the X- Division Championship.
This result occurred as both men grabbed the belt at the same time.
2020 – Shane McMahon made his return to WWE television during an episode of Monday Night Raw where he was revealed as the central figure in the debut of a format known as ‘Raw Underground’ where WWE superstars had fight club style matches.
If Russo starts writing here I’m not coming back here