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Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1963

By: Karl Stern

The year 1963 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1963

01-01-1963: Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff defeat Doug Gilbert & Dick Steinborn for the AWA World tag team championship in Minneapolis Auditorium in Minneapolis, MN.

01-10-1963: Dory Funk, Jr. makes his pro debut in Amarillo, TX defeating Jack Dalton (Don Kalt/Don Fargo).

01-11-1963: Freddie Blassie defeated Eddie Graham in Atlanta, GA to retain the “world title”.

01-16-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 16,473: Ray Stevens beat Pepper Gomez to win the NWA US (San Francisco) title… Nick Bockwinkel & WIlbur Snyder beat Don Manoukian & Ciclon Negro… Art & Stan Neilson beat Dick Garza & Luis Martinez… Bearcat Wright beat Larry Henning… Red Bastein beat Emil Dupree… Joe Brunetti beat Don Jardine. 

01-18-1963: NWA Chicago (Fred Kohler promotions): International Amphitheater, Chicago, IL: Attendance 9,864: Billy Goelz defeats Kurt von Stroheim… Moose Cholak defeats Pete Kovak… Larry Chene defeats El Gaucho… The Bavarian Boys (Harry Wenzel & Rudi Jacobs) defeat Gary Hart & Red Kelly in two falls… Buddy Austin defeats Miguel Perez… Dory Dixon defeats Johnny Kace… NWA World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Bobo Brazil by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

01-20-1963: AWA: St. Paul, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 10,284 (sellout). With estimated 2,000 turned away: Dick Steinborn defeats Stan Kowalski… Rocky Hamilton defeats Gordon Nelson… AWA World Tag Team champions The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff) defeat Doug Gilbert & Moose Evans… AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne defeats The Crusher in a no DQ match. Special referee: Moose Evans.

01-21-1963: At Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 11,968: NWA World heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeated Killer Kowalski… Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… Chris & John Tolos battled Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez to a draw… Johnny Barend & Magnificent Maurice defeated Tony Manousos & Arnold Skaaland… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Skull Murphy… Gordo Chihuahua defeated Gene Kelly.

01-24-1963: Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Rogers in a one fall match in Toronto, Canada to win the NWA World heavyweight title. World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) promoters including Vince McMahon dispute the title change and form their own world title, the WWWF (later just WWF) world heavyweight title and recognize Rogers as the first champion. Buddy Rogers is said by promoters to have “won” the new WWWF title in a tournament final over Antonino Rocca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but no such tournament ever took place. Maple Leaf Gardens, Attendance was 9,000.

In Florida, Don Curtis & Yukon Eric win the Florida version of the NWA World tag team titles from The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan).

01-25-1963: Capitol Wrestling Corporation officially becomes the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).

Santo en el Hotel de la Muerte (Santo in the Hotel of Death) movie is released. Part two of three movies where El Santo and his friends fight crime. Santo investigates a series of murders at an archeological site.

01-26-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 16,305: Joe Brunetti defeats Don Jardine… Red Bastien defeats Emile Dupree… Bearcat Wright defeats Larry Hennig… The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeat Dick Garza & Luis Martinez… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder defeat Don Manoukian & Ciclon Negro 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Pepper Gomez by referee stoppage to win the title. After splitting one fall each, Ray Stevens hit the Bombs Away drop to win the 2nd fall.  Pepper Gomez could not continue.

01-29-1963: Don Curtis & Yukon Eric vacate the Florida NWA World tag team titles and a tournament is held in Jacksonville to fill them which is won by Kurt & Karl Von Brauner.

Bob (Hardcore) Holly is born.

02-04-1963: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance: 9,373: Johnny DeFazio defeated TNT Napolitan… Buddy Austin defeated Gene Kelly… Ace Freeman pinned Jim Grabmire… Chico Santana & Pee Wee Lopez defeated Tiny Bell & Marcel Sinard… Killer Kowalski defeated Bobo Brazil via referee's decision… Art Thomas defeated Skull Murphy… WWWF champion Buddy Rogers defeated Bruno Sammartino.

02-07-1963: Toronto, Ontario: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: 11,000: Jim Hady defeated Buddy Austin… John Paul Henning defeated Stan Stasiak… Hans Schmidt fought Billy Red Lyons to a 15-minute draw… The Beast defeated Fred Atkins… Johnny Valentine defeated Sam Steamboat… Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon defeated Bulldog Brower & Taro Sukura… Despite questions regarding his first loss, Lou Thesz retains the NWA World title over Buddy Rogers, this time in a best of three falls match in Toronto, Canada.

02-08-1963: Eddie Graham wins a version of the “world” title loosely based on the Los Angeles WWA World title in Atlanta, GA from Fred Blassie.

02-09-1963: Detroit, MI.  Olympia Stadium: Attendance 8,858: Joe Blanchard wrestled Ramon Torres to a 15 minute draw… Mark Lewin defeats Alberto Torres… Chief Kit Fox defeats Rudy Kay… Czaya Nandor defeats Angelo Savoldi… Antonino Rocca & Bearcat Wright defeat Ray Stevens & The Sheik 2 falls to 1… Wilbur Snyder defeats Dick the Bruiser 2 falls to 1.

02-15-1963: The Crusher defeats Verne Gagne for the Omaha version of the AWA World title. The match takes place in St. Paul, MN: Attendance 10,802: Hercules Cortez defeats Stan Kowalski… Jack Pesek defeats Gordon Nelson… Eddie Sharkey defeats Johnny King… Dick Steinborn & Doug Gilbert & Moose Evans defeat Rocky Hamilton & The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff). In the championship match, Verne Gagne suffered a dislocated shoulder and could not continue so the referee awarded the match and the title to The Crusher.

Neutron Contra El Dr. Caronte (Neutron against Dr. Caronte) movie is released. The third in the movie series. The Dr. Caronte gimmick was used in pro-wrestling by various wrestlers including Miguel Uribe. The father of the first CMLL Mistico/Sin Cara/Caristico.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,198: Joe Blanchard defeats Ivan Zukoff… Karen Kellogg defeats Lola LaRay… Ray Gordon & Pepper Martin defeated Ray Collins & Taro Myaki 2 falls to 1… The Alaskan wrestled Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon) to a 20-minute draw… John Paul Henning wrestled Dick the Bruiser to a double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1.

02-19-1963: Hiro Matsuda wins the Southern (Florida) heavyweight title over Eddie Graham in Tampa.

02-22-1963: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): The Great Togo defeats Pedro Sanchez… Art Michalik defeats Jerry Benson… Ernie Ladd defeats Ox Anderson… Don Manoukian defeats Jack Allen… Dick Hutton & Enrique Torres wrestled Bobby Duranton & Mr. Moto to a Draw… Giant Baba defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) by DQ 2 falls to 1.

02-23-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 17,130: The Spoiler (Vince Montana ) defeats Emile Dupree… Joe Brunetti defeats Mike Valentino… Luis Martinez defeats Jack Allen… Red Bastien defeats Don Jardine… Edouard Carpentier defeats Ciclon Negro… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team tag team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder defeat The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens retains the NWA U.S. (California) title defeating Pepper Gomez 2 falls to 1.

02-25-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 9,324: Buddy Rogers defeated Dory Dixon… Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil defeated Johnny Barend & Magnificent Maurice… Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard battled Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez to a draw… Tim Woods defeated Miguel Torres… Pat Barrett battled Tony Manousos to a draw… Cowboy Ron Reed (AKA: Buddy Colt) defeated Tommy O’Toole… Jerry Colt (AKA: Jerry Christy) defeated Gordo Chihuahua.

03-01-1963: NWA: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,695: Ray Gordon defeats Crybaby Cannon… Karen Kellogg defeats Jessica Rogers… Taro Myaki defeats Pepper Martin… Marcel Semard & Tiny Bell defeat Chico Santana & Pee Wee Lopez in 2 falls… The Alaskan defeats Thor Hagen… Gino Marella (AKA: Gorilla Monsoon) defeats Stan Stasiak by DQ… Johnny Valentine & Pat O'Connor defeat Killer Kowalski & Rip Hawk 2 falls to 1… Referee: Bronko Nagurski: Dick the Bruiser defeats John Paul Henning.

03-07-1963: Buddy Austin & Great Scott win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend in Washington D.C. Buddy Austin replaced Pete Sanchez who had been injured in the first fall.

03-09-1963: Fresno, CA: The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeat Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder to win the AWA San Francisco World Tag Team Titles.

03-14-1963: At the Toronto, Canada: Attendance: 9,000: Maple Leaf Gardens, Lou Thesz defends the NWA World heavyweight title against Bruno Sammartino. Ilio DiPaolo wrestled Taro Sakuro to a 15 minute draw… Jim Hady wrestled Hans Schmidt to a 15 minute draw… The Beast defeats Billy Red Lyons by count out… Gene Kiniski defeats Stan Stasiak… NWA International Tag Team champions Bulldog Brower & Johnny Valentine defeat John Paul Henning & Mike Valentino.

03-15-1963: Archie Moore, legendary boxer, knocks out “Iron” Mike DiBiase in a wrestler verses boxer match in Phoenix, AZ.

Eddie Graham defeated Tarzan Tyler by DQ to retain the “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,727: Pepper Martin defeats Danny Dusek… Ray Gordon & Joe Blanchard defeat Taro Myaki & Ray Collins 2 falls to 1… Pat O'Connor wrestled Rip Hawk to a 20 minute draw… John Paul Henning defeats Gino Marella (AKA: Gorilla Monsoon) by referee stoppage… Johnny Valentine defeats The Alaskan… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Dick the Bruiser by DQ 2 falls to 1.

03-16-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,072: Emile Dupree defeats Jack Allen… Mark Lewin defeats Pierre LaBelle… Bob Ellis defeats Bill Wright… Joe Brunetti wrestled Ciclon Negro to a draw… Pepper Gomez defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana)… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeat Nick Bockwinkel & Wilbur Snyder by referee stoppage 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Edouard Carpentier defeats Ray Stevens by DQ.

Jersey City, NJ: Jersey Armory: Attendance: 6,000: Arnold Skaaland wrestled Miguel Perez to a Draw… Pat Barrett wrestled Tony Manousos to a Draw… Pedro Morales defeats Gordo Chihuahua… The Great Scott defeats Tommy O'Toole… The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) defeat Sailor Art Thomas & Dory Dixon by DQ 2 falls to 1… World Heavyweight champion Buddy Rogers defeats Buddy Austin by Count Out. This is not the NWA title or the WWF title, or the original world title. Buddy Rogers was claiming the World Title after the split with the NWA in Toronto, and before the WWWF was formed.

03-17-1963: Giant Baba and Rikidozan return to Japan from a U.S. tour.

03-21-1963: Dory Funk, Sr. meets his son Dory Funk, Jr. in a tournament final in Amarillo, TX for a shot at the Amarillo recognized World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski. Dory, Sr. agrees to forfeit the match allowing Dory, Jr. to win.

03-22-1963: In Winnipeg, Canada: Kenji Shibuya & Mitsu Arakawa defeated Dick Steinborn & Doug Gilbert to win the AWA Canadian Open tag team titles in a tournament final.

El Senor Tormenta (Mr. Storm) movie is released. A wrestler named Cesar has a rivalry with a wrestler named Mr. Tormenta, who turns out to be a priest outside the ring. After Mr. Tormenta becomes ill, Cesar has to take his place under the mask. This movie pre-dates the wrestler Fray Tormenta. The script was written by wrestler Murcielago Velazquez.

03-24-1963: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,300: Shown live on TV: Hideo Koma drew Kazuo Honma… Kiyotaka Otsubo pinned Kantaro Hoshino… Isao Yoshiwara drew Mitsuaki Hirai… Mammoth Suzuki pinned Hideyuki Nagasawa… Kanji (Antonio) Inoki beat Fred Atkins via DQ… Sandor Szabo pinned Kokichi Endo… Pat O'Connor pinned Kintaro Ohki… Giant Baba drew Killer Kowalski in 45 minutes in one of the most famous matches of the 1960s… Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon) & Bob Ellis & Killer X (Frank Townsend) beat Toyonobori & The Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura… Rikidozan battled Haystacks Calhoun to a no contest.

03-25-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,150: Buddy Rogers defeated Johnny Barend… Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard… Great Mortier (Hans Mortier) defeated Sailor Art Thomas… Chris & John Tolos battled Argentina Apollo & Pedro Morales to a draw… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Jerry Colt & Bobby Colt… Dory Dixon defeated Magnificent Maurice… Great Scott defeated Karl Steif (AKA: The Shadow or Clyde Steeves. Masks were banned at MSG so he wrestled here as Karl Steif)… Tim Woods battled Pat Barrett to a draw.

03-28-1963: Vince McMahon & Toots Mondt & Larry Atkins crown the first World Wide Wrestling Association in Cleveland, OH when Dory Dixon defeats Buddy Rogers to win the title.

Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Gene Kiniski just three months after his pro debut to win the Amarillo, TX recognized world heavyweight title.

03-29-1963: Despite the fact that Atlanta, GA has been promoting their own “world champion” for several weeks, Lou Thesz comes to town and defends the NWA World heavyweight title against Tarzan Tyler in a match that goes to a draw.

03-1963: in Karachi, Pakistan drawing 80,000: Paul Vachon drew Goga… Kangaroo Kennedy drew Ghulam Cadir… Aslam Pahalwan beat Gurnam Singh. King Kong Czaja was the referee.

04-12-1963: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Bobby Duranton defeats The Mexican Atlas… Enrique Torres wrestled Dick Hutton - Draw… Mr. Moto wrestled Don Manoukian - Draw… Curtis Iaukea defeats Vic Christy… Fred Blassie & Don Leo Jonathan defeat Ray Stern & Tex McKenzie… WWA World Heavyweight champion The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) wrestled Edouard Carpentier to a 1 hour draw after swapping one fall each.

04-15-1963: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats boxer “Jersey” Joe Walcott in a boxer verses wrestler match in Memphis, TN.

04-16-1963: Following a match with Bulldog Brower in Ottawa, Canada, Buddy Rogers is believed to have suffered a heart attack. While Rogers went to the hospital (in fact, he went to three different hospitals over the course of three days) it was never really clear how severe his heart condition actually was. He was back wrestling in about two weeks but maintained that he was still very sick.

04-19-1963: Tarzan Tyler defeated Eddie Graham for the Georgia “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

04-20-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,823: Dominic DeNucci defeats Bill Wright… Red Bastien defeats Hans Schmidt by DQ… Don Leo Jonathan wrestled Ray Stern to a draw… Bearcat Wright defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana)… The Sheik defeats Nick Bockwinkel… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeat Pepper Gomez & Luis Martinez 2 falls to 1… Wilbur Snyder defeats Ray Stevens for the NWA U.S. (California) title in San Francisco 2 falls to 1 when Stevens suffers a knee injury in the final fall and can not continue.

04-23-1963: Dick the Bruiser gets into a bar room brawl with NFL football star Alex Karras at the Lindell A.C. Bar in Detroit, MI. Dick the Bruiser is arrested and needs five stitches in his eye. A policeman trying to break up the brawl receives a broken wrist. This is all a publicity stunt to build up an April 27 match between the two.

04-25-1963: In Toyooka, Hyogo, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.

04-26-1963: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,651: Lorenzo Parente defeats Bill Dromo… Ray Gordon defeats The Alaskan (Jay York) by DQ… Taro Myaki defeated Farmer Don Marlin… Rock Hunter defeated Pepper Martin… Rip Hawk wrestled Joe Blanchard to a draw… John Paul Henning & Johnny Valentine defeat Stan Stasiak & Fritz von Erich 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats  Dick the Bruiser by referee stoppage.

Sailor Art Thomas wins the Texas title from Sweet Daddy Siki in Houston, TX.

04-27-1963: Dick the Bruiser defeats Alex Karras in a wrestler verses football player match in Detroit, MI. The feud has been heavily played up, including a bar fight erupting between the two. The match is brutally stiff with both men ending up injured and Dick the Bruiser needing stitches to close a wound over his right eye. Olympia Stadium drawing 8,500: Angelo Savoldi beat Johnny King… Jim Hady beat Steve Stanlee… Antonio Rocco beat Bob Stanlee… Fritz Von Erich beat Skyscraper Evans… Joe Blanchard drew Czaja Nandor… Hans Schmidt beat Emile Dupre… The Sheik beat Chief Kit Fox… Ray Stevens beat Mark Lewin… NWA World champion Lou Thesz beat Bill Miller… Dick the Bruiser pinned Alex Karras.

Dick Steinborn & Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler for the International tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

04-1963: Fred Kohler sells the Marigold Arena in Chicago to Faith Tabernacle, Inc. The 1,800 seat arena had been built in 1896 and used frequently for pro wrestling.

05-02-1963: Karl Von Hess wins the World Wide Wrestling Association title from Dory Dixon in Cleveland, OH. The WWWA is abandoned the same month so Vince McMahon and Toots Mondt could form the new World Wide Wrestling Federation and recognize Buddy Rogers as world champion. The group eventually becomes the WWF/WWE.

Ray Traylor (AKA: Big Boss Man) is born.

05-03-1963: Dick Steinborn defeated Tarzan Tyler for the “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

Bill Watts wins the Texas title from Sailor Art Thomas in Houston, TX.

05-10-1963: Fred Blassie recaptures the WWA title from The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) in Los Angeles, CA. Following the match Blassie unmasks The Destroyer but Beyer is able to cover his face with a towel. Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Mr. Moto defeats Bobby Duranton… Dick Hutton wrestled Don Leo Jonathan - Draw… Curtis Iaukea defeats Tex McKenzie… Bearcat Wright & Ernie Ladd defeat Art Michalik & Don Jardine… Ricki Starr defeats Don Manoukian.

Tarzan Tyler defeated Dick Steinborn for the “world title” in Atlanta, GA.

Buffalo, NY: Buffalo Memorial Auditorium: Attendance 8,223: Terry Garvin defeats Mario Frateroli… The Alaskan defeats Angelo Savoldi… Yukon Eric defeats Titanic Thompson… Donn Lewin & Tony Marino wrestled The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Nikita Kalmikoff) to a Time Limit Draw… Don Eagle defeats Taro Myaki… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Antonino Rocca 2 falls to 1.

05-16-1963: Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles from Buddy Austin & Great Scott in Washington D.C.

05-17-1963: Bruno Sammartino, in front of 19,648 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, defeats Buddy Rogers for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) title in 48 seconds with a back breaker. Rogers claims he had suffered a heart attack several weeks prior to the match thus the reason it was kept short. Bruno often insinuated it was kept short because it was basically a shoot to avoid a Rogers’ double cross… Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon battled Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to a draw… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Argentina Apollo & Pete Sanchez… Great Mortier defeated Great Scott… Johnny Barend defeated Tim Woods… Magnificent Maurice defeated Karl Steif… Pedro Morales defeated Willie Bath… Pat Barrett defeated Gordo Chihuahua.

Rikidozan defeats Killer Kowalski to win the annual JWA World League Tournament in Tokyo, Japan.

Dick the Bruiser battles “World champion” Tarzan Tyler to a no contest in Atlanta, GA.

Santo Contra el Cerebro Diabolico (Santo Against the Diabolical Brain) movie is released. Part three of three movies where El Santo and his friends fight crime. Santos solves a series of murders in Mexico city.

05-18-1963: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,617: Arnold Skaaland defeated Johnny Barend… Pat Barrett defeated Willy Bath… Hans Mortier defeated George Scott… Tim Wood fought Magnificent Maurice to a draw… Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy defeated Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez… Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon defeated the Fabulous Kangaroos… Buddy Rogers defeated Argentina Apollo. Buddy Rogers was promoted locally as world champion, despite losing the title the night previous at Madison Square Garden in New York.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 6,702: Wilbur Snyder beat The Sheik… Pepper Gomez & Ray Stern beat Art & Stan Neilson by DQ… Ray Stevens beat Mark Lewis… Bill Miller beat Joe Brunetti… Dominic Denucci beat Ed Miller… Don Leo Jonathon beat Danno O'Shocker… Red Bastein beat Great Pampero.

05-19-1963: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeated Rikidozan in Osaka, Japan. It marked the last match that Rikidozan would ever lose. The match was huge in Japanese wrestling history and made The Destroyer an instant legend in the country. At the Prefectural Gym. Attendance 12,000. The Destroyer won 2 falls to 1.

05-24-1963: Rikidozan battles the International champion The Destroyer to a draw in Japan in another famous match. Tokyo Metropolitan Gym. Attendance 12,000.

Las Luchadoras Vs. El Medico Asesino (The Women Wrestlers vs. The Assassin Doctor) movie is released. The first Lucha movie about female wrestlers. A mad surgeon creates a monster who goes after women wrestlers.

05-25-1963: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1963 in Wembley, UK: Shown on ITV: Johnny Kwango beat Keith Williams… Sid Cooper beat Zolton Boscik… Steve Logan beat Steve Veidor… Mike Marino beat Ski Hi Lee… Southern Area Welterweight champion Mick McManus beat Jackie Pallo in three falls. This is the most watched wrestling match ever in the UK.

05-30-1963: Amarillo, TX: Jose Lothario defeats Dick Dunn… Bob Ellis & Ricky Romero & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Killer Karl Kox & Mike DiBiase & Sputnik Monroe… Special Referee: Billy Romanoff: Tokyo Tom (Rey Urbano) defeats Dory Funk, Sr. 2 falls to 1… Amarillo World champion Dory Funk, Jr. battled AWA World champion Verne Gagne to a one hour draw after splitting one fall each in a title verses title match.

06-05-1963: Rikidozan marries Keiko Tanaka in Tokyo.

06-06-1963: Hiro Matsuda & Duke Keomuka win the Florida NWA World tag team titles from Alberto & Ramon Torres in Jacksonville.

06-07-1963: Tarzan Tyler loses an off shoot version of the world title based in Atlanta, GA to NWA World champion Lou Thesz at Ponce de Leon Park. Also on the show: Silento Rodriguez defeated Chris Averoff… Bill Dromo defeated George Harris… Cousin Willie & Cousin Alfred defeated George Bell & Bulldog Lawley… Betty Ann Spencer defeated Sweet Georgia Brown… Derrell Cochran & Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana & Tito Kopa… Ray Gunkel defeated Corsica Joe… Dolly Darcel defeated Baby Cheryl… Tarzan Tyler defeated Dick Steinborn.

Tormenta en el Ring (Storm in the Ring) movie is released. A sequel to El Senor Tormenta. After his illness, the original Tormenta returns to the ring and clashes with organized crime.

06-08-1963: Fritz Von Erich wins his second U.S. title from Lord Athol Layton in Detroit, MI.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 8,186: Wilbur Snyder drew Ray Stevens… Art & Stan Neilson beat Pepper Gomez & Ray Stern… Great Pampero beat Danno O'Shocker… Enrique Torres beat Bill Wright… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Dick Garza… Dominic Denucci beat Ciclon Negro… The Spoiler (Don Jardine) beat Moose Evans.

06-14-1963: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Gene LeBell wrestled Tex McKenzie - Draw… Dick Hutton wrestled Enrique Torres - Draw… Chief Kit Fox & Red Bastien defeat Don Duffy & Don Manoukian… Don Leo Jonathan wrestled Mr. Moto - Draw… Wilbur Snyder defeats Bobby Duranton… Bearcat Wright defeats Art Michalik… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) by Count Out

06-15-1963: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,293: Taro Myaki defeats Timothy Geohagan… Joe Blanchard wrestled Stan Stasiak to a 20-minute draw… Jessica Rogers defeats Mars Monroe… Jackie Fargo defeats Pepper Martin… John Paul Henning & Bob Ellis defeat Rip Hawk & Rock Hunter 2 falls to 1… Dick the Bruiser wrestled Fritz Von Erich to a double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Big Bill Miller 2 falls to 1.

06-20-1963: Santo en el Museo de Cera (Santo in the Wax Museum) movie is released. El Santo investigates the disappearance of several people that have visited a wax museum.

06-21-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,552: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Great Mortier… Johnny Barend & Diamond Jack defeated Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez… Bobo Brazil defeated Magnificent Maurice… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) battled Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to a draw… Little Beaver & Tiny Tim defeated Sky Low Low & Billy the Kid… Argentina Apollo defeated Ox Anderson… Tony Nero defeated Bob Boyer.

06-22-1963: John “Earthquake” Tenta is born.

06-24-1963: At the Amphitheater in Chicago, IL, Bobo Brazil defeated Buddy Rogers. The match lasted only 64 seconds due to a heart aliment by Rogers.

06-28-1963: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz battled Ray Gunkel to a double knock out in Atlanta, GA.

06-29-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,566: Red Bastien wrestled Robert Duranton to a 15-minute draw… Tex McKenzie defeats George Kosti… Bill Miller defeats Dan O'Shocker… Dominic DeNucci defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana) … The Sheik defeats Luis Martinez… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions The Neilson Brothers (Art Neilson & Stan Neilson) defeats Joe Blanchard & Enrique Torres 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens wins his fourth U.S. (California) title over Wilbur Snyder in San Francisco 2 falls to 1.

07-08-1963: Enrique & Alberto Torres win the Atlanta based European tag team titles from The Infernos.

07-09-1963: The Crusher defeats Verne Gagne for the AWA World heavyweight title. Minneapolis, MN. Attendance 8,065. Minneapolis Auditorium: Other matches: Eddie Sharkey defeated Joe Tomasso… Don McClarty defeated Mad Dog Vachon… Dick the Bruiser defeated Doug Gilbert… AWA World Tag Team champions The Kalmikoffs (Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff) defeat Murder Incorporated (Stan Kowalski & Tiny Mills).

07-16-1963: In Pensacola, FL, Lou Thesz battles The Outlaw (Mike Paidousis) to a draw.

07-18-1963: Al Snow is born.

07-19-1963: In Tokyo, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Gene LeBell wrestled Pedro Gonzales - Draw… The Great Togo defeats Chief Kit Fox… Pancho Lopez defeats Art Michalik… Hercules Cortez defeats Tex McKenzie & Matt Murphy in a handicap match… Don Leo Jonathan wrestled Ernie Ladd - Draw… Bearcat Wright & Mr. Moto defeated WWA United States Tag Team champions The Destroyer & Don Manoukian 2 falls to 1 to win the titles… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie defeats Edouard Carpentier 2 falls to 1.

07-20-1963: Verne Gagne defeats The Crusher for the AWA and Omaha versions of the World title in Minneapolis, MN. Attendance 7,039

WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,744: Arnold Skaaland defeated the Magnificent Maurice… Skull Murphy defeated Bob Boyer… The Shadow defeated Ox Anderson… Women's champion Fabulous Moolah & Olga Martinez defeated Betty Boucher & Patti Bray… Bobo Brazil & Vittorio Apollo defeated the Fabulous Kangaroos… WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Brute Bernard.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 8,719: Ray Stevens beat Bill Miller… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Ed Miller & Great Pampero… Wilbur Snyder & Bearcat Wright beat Art & Stan Neilson DQ… Ed Carpentier beat George Kosti… Dominick Denucci beat Art Michalik… Robert Duranton beat Luis Martinez.

07-23-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,495: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Great Mortier… Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend defeated Bobo Brazil & Pedro Morales… Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard defeated Argentina Apollo & Miguel Perez… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Tim Woods & Ron Reed… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Magnificent Maurice… Karl Steif battled Tony Nero to a draw… Jolly Cholly (Al Smith) battled Ox Anderson to a draw.

07-26-1963: NWA World champion Lou Thesz defeated Dick the Bruiser in Atlanta, GA.

07-27-1963: Fritz Von Erich defeats Verne Gagne in Omaha, NE for the AWA World heavyweight championship.

07-28-1963: In Mishima, Japan, Giant Baba defeats Antonio Inoki in a best 2 our of 3 falls match. This is possibly the first time Inoki was allowed to pin Baba as he does so in the second fall, however Baba wins the first and third.

08-01-1963: Eddie Graham regains the Southern (Florida) heavyweight title from Hiro Matsuda in Jacksonville.

08-02-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,667: Buddy Rogers & Johnny Barend defeated Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil… Edouardo Carpentier & Argentina Apollo battled Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to a draw… Killer Kowalski defeated Ron Reed… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez… Great Mortier defeated Magnificent Maurice… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Karl Steif… Tim Woods defeated Tony Nero.

El Hijo del Santo (Jorge Ernesto Guzmán Rodríguez) is born. He is the son of lucha libre legend El Santo.

08-03-1963: In Osaka, Japan Giant Baba defeats Antonio Inoki in a best two out of three falls match. Again, Inoki pins Baba in the second fall.

08-08-1963: Verne Gagne regains the AWA World title from Fritz Von Erich in Amarillo, TX.

08-09-1963: In Tokyo, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.

NWA World champion Lou Thesz defeated Tarzan Tyler in Atlanta, GA.

08-16-1963: In Tokyo, Japan Giant Baba beats Antonio Inoki in a best two out of three falls match winning two straight falls.

08-20-1963: The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser win their first AWA World tag team championship from Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff. Minneapolis, MN: Attendance 5,408.

08-23-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 19,712: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Kowalski… Buddy Rogers defeated Great Mortier… Bobo Brazil & Lucas Pestano defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) … Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ron Reed… Argentina Apollo & Pedro Morales defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard… Johnny Barend defeated Karl Steif… Dory Dixon defeated Tony Nero… Tim Woods defeated Magnificent Maurice.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Bandit Lopez wrestled Gene LeBell - Draw… The Great Togo defeats Pedro Gonzales… El Toro wrestled Mr. Moto - Draw… Hercules Cortez defeats Vince Bagala… Ricki Starr defeats Don Duffy… Don Leo Jonathan & Fritz von Goering wrestled Ray Stern & Red Bastien - Draw… Bearcat Wright defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

08-24-1963: Sam Muchnick is elected President of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

09-04-1963: In Kariya, Japan Giant Baba defeats Antonio Inoki in a best two out of three falls match with Inoki winning fall two.

09-06-1963: EMLL 30th Anniversary Show 1 of 3: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: El Gladiador & Antonio Montoro & Chino Chow beat Memo Rubio & Olimpico & El Leopardo… Ray Stern beat El Susto I… Rolando Vera beat Karloff Lagarde… Rene Guajardo & Ray Mendoza & Benny Galant beat El Santo & Blue Demon & Rayo de Jalisco… Ruben Juarez beat Espanto II in a hair vs. mask match.

09-07-1963: Verne Gagne defeats Fritz Von Erich in Omaha, NE to unify the Omaha and AWA World heavyweight titles.

09-09-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 13,645: Kinji Shibuya defeats Joe Scarpello… Dick Steinborn defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana)… The Dirty Daltons (Jack Dalton & Jim Dalton) defeat Red Bastien & Andre Drapp… Pat O'Connor defeats Ed Miller… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario defeats Mike Paidousis & Fritz von Goering in 2 falls… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens wrestled Dominic DeNucci to a no contest in wire fence match. They split one fall each and then the final fall was stopped on blood.

09-13-1963: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400: Mr. Moto defeats Bandit Lopez… Fritz Von Goering wrestled The Great Togo to a Draw… The Stanlee Steamers (Bob Stanlee & Steve Stanlee) defeat Chief Kit Fox & Gene LeBell… Billy Varga defeats Howard Martin in 2 falls… Hercules Cortez defeats El Toro… Don Leo Jonathan wrestled Ray Stern to a Draw… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bearcat Wright wrestled Fred Blassie to a Double Count Out after splitting one fall each.

09-14-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: 8,365: Ray Stevens no contest Dominic Denucci… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Art & Stan Neilson to win the NWA World tag team titles… Karl Gotch beat Don Leo Jonathon… Bobby & Jerry Colt beat Charlie Kalani & Oscar Verdu… Guy Brunetti beat Pete Martin… Andre Drapp drew Ripper Roy Collins. 

09-16-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,576: Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil battled Great Mortier & Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Magnificent Maurice… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Pedro Morales & Lucas Pestano… Dory Dixon defeated Pedro Rodriguez… Farmer Pete & Tiny Tim defeated Sky Low Low & Irish Jackie… Argentina Apollo defeated Skull Murphy… Brute Bernard battled Tim Woods to a double count out.

09-18-1963: Pinkie George appears before the Missouri Athletic Commission and accuses Gust Karras, George Simpson, Pat O’Connor, Bob Geigel, Fred Kohler, Wally Karbo, Verne Gagne, and Joe Dusek of holding a monopoly on pro wrestling.

09-20-1963: EMLL 30th Anniversary Show 2 of 3: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: Opening of a tournament for the Mexican National Tag Team title. Results not known.

NWA Mid-America: Gulas/Welch): Knoxville, TN: Bill Meyer Stadium: Attendance 9,000: Mae Goodner defeats Cora Combs… Don Greene defeats Johnny Long… Lester Welch & Mike Clancy defeat Al Gomez & Tojo Yamamoto in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz wrestled Sam Steamboat to a Double Knock Out after splitting one fall each.

Tony Borne defeats Prince Kuhio (King Curtis) for the Pacific Northwest title in Portland, OR after the match is stopped due to blood.

09-21-1963: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 10,217: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Hans Mortier… Edouard Carpentier defeats Tony Nero… Dory Dixon defeats Magnificent Maurice… Darling Dagmar & Dolly Paige defeat Baby Cheryl & Diamond Lil… The Shadow (Clyde Steeves) defeats Ron Reed… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Tim Woods… Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy defeat Bobo Brazil & Lucas Pestano 2 falls to 1… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Hans Mortier.

09-23-1963: In Ohmagari, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.

09-24-1963: Gory Guerrero defeats Ali Bey for the NWA Lightweight title in El Paso, TX.

09-27-1963: EMLL 30th Anniversary Show 3 of 3: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: Karloff Lagarde & Rene Guajardo won a tournament to become first Mexican National Tag champions… Espanto I beat Ruben Juarez in a mask vs. hair match.

WWWF: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance: 6,253: Duke Hoffman defeated Tony Simon… Johnny DeFazio defeated Chet Wallick via DQ… The Shadow defeated Ace Freeman… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Arnold Skaaland… Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon defeated the Fabulous Kangaroos… Edouard Carpentier defeated Baron Gattoni… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Crusher.

09-28-1963: In Fukushima, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.

10-02-1963: In Ashikaga, Japan Giant Baba pins Antonio Inoki.

10-04-1963: Gorilla Monsoon wins a tournament to face WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ.

Chief Big Heart is named Eastern champion in Atlanta, GA.

10-11-1963: Chief Big Heart & Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler for the NWA World tag team titles (Georgia version) in Atlanta.

St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,084: Maurice LaPointe wrestled Angelo Poffo to a 20-minute draw… Reggie Parks defeats Rocky Montero… Rock Hunter wrestled Joe Blanchard to a 20-minute draw… NWA Florida Women's champion June Byers defeats Jessica Rogers…John Paul Henning & Pat O'Connor defeated The Alaskan & Bulldog Brower in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Fritz Von Erich 2 falls to 1.

10-12-1960: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 8,347: Ray Stevens beat Karl Gotch… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario drew Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya… Jack & Jim Dalton beat Bobby & Jerry Christy… Dominic Denucci beat Art Neilson… Mike Paidousis beat Andre Drapp… Dick Steinborn beat Ripper Roy Collins.

10-15-1963: Bobo Brazil defeats Tim Anderson in a match billed as “The first wrestling match between two black male participants.” That was hardly the case as there had been black wrestling leagues in Texas and other areas as early as the 1930s and certainly many other all African American males matches in other areas of the country. In some states it was even illegal for a black wrestler to wrestle a white wrestler.

10-16-1963: Pinkie George files a $200,000 lawsuit in Kansas City District Court against Heart of Sports Attractions, Inc (Gus Karras, George Simpson, Bob Geigel, and Pat O’Connor) for antitrust practices.

10-18-1963: WWWF: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: 9,230: Johnny DeFazio defeated Gene Kelly… Baron Gattoni defeated Frank Holtz… Ace Freeman defeated Gino Brito… Pancho Lopez & Sonny Boy Cassidy defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Pedro Gonzalez… Edouard Carpentier defeated Hans Mortier via DQ… Gorilla Monsoon defeated the Shadow. Joe Walcott was the guest referee… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Crusher in a No DQ or count-out match.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Fritz Von Goering wrestled Gene LeBell - Draw… The Scufflin' Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins) defeat The Stanlee Steamers (Bob Stanlee & Steve Stanlee) … Red Bastien defeats El Toro… Don Leo Jonathan & Fred Blassie defeat Kintaro Oki & Mr. Moto… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Hercules Cortez… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bearcat Wright defeats Billy Varga by DQ 2 falls to 1.

10-21-1963: Gorilla Monsoon battles WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino to a draw at Madison Square Garden in New York City after the match is stopped just past the 20-minute mark. Attendance: 18,969: Killer Kowalski battled Bobo Brazil to a draw… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Great Mortier… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeated Dory Dixon & George Drake… Argentina Apollo defeated Brute Bernard… Pedro Morales defeated Skull Murphy… Miguel Perez defeated Boris Malenko (Larry Simon) … Karl Steif defeated Tony Nero… Tim Woods defeated Jose Quinones.

10-23-1963: Kurt & Skull Von Stroheim win the Florida NWA World tag team titles from Sam Steamboat & Ron Etchison in Tampa.

10-25-1963: Chief Big Heart loses the Atlanta Eastern title to Mighty Hercules.

10-30-1963: Nick Bockwinkel defeats Tony Borne for the Pacific Northwest title in Salem, OR.

11-04-1963: WWWF: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: 5,035: Hans Mortier defeated Edouard Carpentier… The Fabulous Kangaroos fought Johnny DeFazio & Ace Freeman to a draw… Argentina Apollo defeated Ivan Malenko… Sonny Boy Cassidy & Pancho Lopez defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Farmer Pete… Klondike Bill pinned Dick Dunn… Baron Gattoni defeated Norman Rasp… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Killer Kowalski.

11-09-1963: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 13,648: Ray Stevens drew Dominic Denucci… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Mike Paidousis & Fritz Von Goering… Pat O'Connor beat Ed Miller… Jack & Jim Dalton beat Red Bastein & Andre Drapp… Dick Steinborn beat The Spoiler (Don Jardin)… Kinji Shibuya beat Joe Scarpello.

11-14-1963: Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski defeat Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy in Washington DC to win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles.

11-18-1963: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino narrowly escapes defeat, retaining his title over Gorilla Monsoon at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY by count out. Attendance: 19,706: Killer Kowalski defeated Dory Dixon… Bobo Brazil defeated Great Mortier… Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) … Chris & John Tolos defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard… Farmer Pete & Pancho Lopez defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Vito Gonzalez… Argentina Apollo defeated Klondike Bill.

11-20-1963: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: 8,786: Pancho Lopez & Sonny Boy Cassidy defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Farmer Pete… John Tolos defeated Arnold Skaaland… Chris Tolos defeated Gino Britto… Women's World champion the Fabulous Moolah & Bette Boucher defeated Lynn Carter & Princess Little Cloud… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Hans Mortier… Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon defeated Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy.

11-21-1963: Don Curtis & Mark Lewin win the Florida NWA World tag team titles from The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton).

11-22-1963: At 12:30PM in Dallas, Texas, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This was one of the most significant cultural events in American history. Despite this generational defining event the Olympic Auditorium sells out for a wrestling show. Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400: Gene LeBell defeats Pedro Godoy… Bobby Duranton defeats Steve Stanlee… Fritz Von Goering wrestled Kintaro Oki - Draw… Billy Varga defeats Red Bastien… The Scufflin' Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins) defeat Don Leo Jonathan & Fred Blassie by DQ 2 falls to 1… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bearcat Wright wrestled Edouard Carpentier to a one hour draw splitting one fall each.

11-28-1963: The Crusher wins his second AWA World title from Verne Gagne in St. Paul, MN. Attendance was 7,647.

11-29-1963: Eddie Graham wins the Atlanta Eastern title from Mighty Hercules.

12-02-1963: In one of the most famous mixed martial arts and wrestling stories in history, “Judo” Gene LeBell chokes out the number five ranked light heavyweight boxer Milo Savage in Salt Lake City, UT. Supposedly (at least the most commonly told version), Kenpo legend Ed Parker had told LeBell that a boxer named Jack Beck had said he could knock out any wrestler. When LeBell entered the ring, he found that Beck had been substituted by ranked fighter Milo Savage who allegedly wore brass knuckles under his gloves. He was choked unconscious in the fourth round.

12-03-1963: Joe Blanchard wins the Texas title from Billy White Wolf (later known as Adnon Al Kaissey) in Dallas.

12-07-1963: Rikidozan wrestles his last match, teaming with the Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura against The Destroyer & Buddy Austin & Ilio DiPaolo at Hamamatsu City gym.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 7,825: Pat O'Conner beat Ray Stevens… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya… Dick the Bruiser beat Red Bastein… Dick Steinborn beat Great Pampero… Ed Carpentier beat The Spoiler (Don Jardine)… Jack & Jim Dalton beat Andre Drapp & Joe Scarpello.

12-08-1963: While at a Tokyo nightclub, Rikidozan is stabbed by the Yakuza in a gangland style attack.

Toshiaki Kawada is born.

12-13-1963: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400: Gene LeBell defeats Steve Stanlee… The Preacher (Clyde Steeves) defeats Bob Stanlee… Bobby Duranton & Fritz Von Goering wrestled Kintaro Oki & Mr. Moto - Draw… Billy Varga & Nikita Mulkovitch defeat The Scufflin' Hillbillies (Chuck Conley & Rip Collins) 2 falls to 1… Edouard Carpentier defeats Red Bastien… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bearcat Wright defeats Fred Blassie 2 falls to 1.

12-14-1963: Verne Gagne wins the AWA World heavyweight title from The Crusher in Minneapolis, MN. Attendance: 6,423.

12-15-1963: Rikidozan dies from a stab wound he received on December 8th at the age of 39. The International, All-Asian, and Asian tag team titles are all vacated due to his death.

12-16-1963: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 11,670: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Dr. Jerry Graham… Bobo Brazil battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Killer Kowalski defeated Great Mortier… Chris & John Tolos defeated Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) … Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez defeated Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard… Argentina Apollo defeated Magnificent Maurice… Dory Dixon defeated Boris Malenko… Klondike Bill defeated Tim Woods.

Edouardo Carpentier is awarded the WWA title by forfeit when Bearcat Wright no-shows a title defense in Indio, CA.

12-25-1963: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: TV Taping. Attendance 10,400 (sellout): The Mummy (Benji Ramirez) defeats Oscar Alvarez… Nikita Mulkovitch defeats Nick Kostopoulis… Kintaro Oki & Mr. Moto defeat Art Michalik & Fritz Von Goering… Edouard Carpentier defeats Steve Stanlee… Dick Hutton defeats Bobby Duranton 2 falls to 1.

12-26-1963: Gorgeous George (George Wagner) dies at his Hollywood, CA apartment of an apparent heart attack at the age of 48.

12-28-1963: John & Chris Tolos defeat Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski to win the WWWF U.S. tag team titles in Teaneck, NJ.

Bob Orton wins the Southern (Florida) title from Eddie Graham in Jacksonville.

Detroit, MI: Olympia Stadium: Attendance 8,967: Fred Atkins wrestled Czaya Nandor to a draw… Joe Brunetti defeats Stan Stasiak… Shohei Giant Baba defeats Tony Parisi… Ray Stern defeats Ray Gordon… John Paul Henning wrestled Johnny Valentine to a draw… The Sheik defeats Ciclon Negro… Lord Athol Layton defeats Jay York… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz wrestled Wilbur Snyder to a time limit draw after splitting one fall each.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 7,320: Dominic Denucci beat Stan Neilson… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Dick the Bruiser & Ray Stevens… Jack & Jim Dalton beat Red Bastein & Black Hawk… The Spoiler (Don Jardine) beat Paul Diamond… Bill Miller beat Pete Martin… Dick Steinborn beat Andre Drapp. 

Verne Gagne

DragonKingKarl (Karl Stern) is a long time pro wrestling historian who has been published in books, newsletters, and podcasts since the mid-1990s.

The Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone is Karl Stern's attempt to chronicle the entire history of pro wrestling and is a work in progress with hundreds of pages of text added each month.

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