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Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1964

By: Karl Stern

The year 1964 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1964

01-03-1964: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Mad Dog Vachon for the Pacific Northwest title in Portland, OR.

01-10-1964: Toyonobori, Yoshinosato, Koukichi Endo, and Michiaki Yoshimura announce that the JWA will continue despite the death of Rikidozan.

01-18-1964: NWA Detroit: Detroit, MI: Olympia Stadium: Attendance 14,523: Johnny Valentine wrestled Lou Klein to a Draw… Fritz Von Erich defeats Jim Hady… Don Slatton defeats Lee Henning… Fred Atkins defeats Emile Dupre… Billy Red Lyons wrestled The Alaskan to a Draw… Wilbur Snyder defeats Hans Schmidt… Dick the Bruiser defeats Ray Stern… Shohei Giant Baba defeats Lord Layton 2 falls to 1.

01-20-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,006: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Dr. Jerry Graham… Bobo Brazil & Argentina Apollo defeated Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon… U.S. tag team champions Chris & John Tolos defeated Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez… Roy Heffernan defeated Gino Brito… Tiny Tim & Pancho Lopez defeated Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Tony Marino defeated Al Costello… Don McClarity defeated Klondike Bill.

In Vancouver, BC, Canada: Don Leo Jonathon & Kenji Shibuya defeated Dory Funk Jr. & Sr. to win the Canadian tag team titles in a tournament finals.

01-25-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 13,506: Dick Steinborn defeats Charlie Kalani (Toru Tanaka) … Karl Von Brock wrestled Ray Stern to a time limit draw… Red Bastien defeats Jack Long (Harley Race) … Jose Lothario defeats Ed Miller… The Dirty Daltons (Jack Dalton & Jim Dalton) defeat Jimmy Black Hawk & Guy Mitchell… Pepper Gomez defeats Mike Paidousis 2 falls to 1… Dominic DeNucci defeats Ray Stevens in for the U.S. title in a Texas Death Match.

01-31-1964: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance 9,000: Frank Durso wrestled Frank Holtz to a 15-minute draw… Johnny DeFazio defeats Johnny Foti… Bobby Hunt defeats Bull Johnson… Farmer Pete & Pancho Lopez defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low 2 falls to 1… Ace Freeman defeats Joe Christie… Baron Gattoni & Klondike Bill defeat Bobo Brazil & Chief White Owl by DQ 2 falls to 1… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino wrestled Gorilla Monsoon to a no contest after splitting one fall each when the match is stopped due to blood.

Fred Blassie wins his fourth WWA World title from Eduardo Carpentier in Los Angeles. Attendance: 10,000.

02-01-1964: Paterson, NJ: Armory: Attendance 5,000. And 1,000 turned away at the box office. 35 policeman were needed to control the crowd that could not get in: Arnold Skaaland wrestled Tony Marino - Time Limit Draw… Argentina Apollo defeats Rocky Cookson… Don McClarity defeats Frank Martinez… Bobo Brazil defeats Frank Hickey… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Dr. Jerry Graham by DQ… WWWF United States Tag Team champions The Tolos Brothers (Chris Tolos & John Tolos) wrestled Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon - Curfew Time Limit Draw.

02-06-1964: Nick Bockwinkel defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) in Medford, OR Armory to earn the right to meet Lou Thesz for the NWA World title.

02-07-1964: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,110: Rocky Montero defeats Don Slatton… Taro Myaki wrestled Angelo Poffo to a 15 minute draw… Joe Tangaro defeats Fred Atkins… Masked Hercules defeats Bill Dromo… Giant Baba wrestled Ronnie Etchison to a 20-minute draw… Johnny Valentine & Bob Ellis defeat Rip Hawk & Big Bill Miller 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Dick the Bruiser by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

02-08-1964: Lou Thesz defeats Giant Baba in Detroit, MI to retain the NWA World heavyweight title. Attendance: 9,188.

02-15-1964: Cincinnati, OH: Gardens: Attendance 6,124: The Flying Scotts (George Scott & Sandy Scott) wrestled The Gallagher Brothers (Doc Gallagher & Mike Gallagher) to a Time Limit Draw… The Alaskan defeats Fred Atkins… Lou Thesz defeats Giant Baba to retain the NWA World heavyweight title 2 falls to 1.

02-17-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,764: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Giant Baba… Bobo Brazil & Argentina Apollo defeated Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon… Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Tony Marino… Hans Mortier defeated Gino Brito… Sky Low Low & Billy the Kid defeated Sonny Boy Cassidy & Farmer Pete… Bill Watts defeated Klondike Bill… Don McClarity defeated Magnificent Maurice.

02-19-1964: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,780: Arnold Skaaland fought Tony Marino to a draw… Bill Watts defeated the Magnificent Maurice… Hans Mortier defeated Gino Britto… Don McClarity defeated Klondike Bill… Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Vittorio Apollo… U.S. champion Bobo Brazil fought Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Killer Kowalski defeated WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino via count-out.

02-21-1964: Pat Patterson, at Madison Square Garden in Phoenix, AZ, defeated Frankie Cain to win the Arizona State championship.

02-28-1964: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Gene LeBell defeated The Preacher (Clyde Steeves)… Art Neilson defeated Tony Perez… Ernie Ladd defeated The Mummy (Benny Ramirez)… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeats Mr. Moto & Pepper Martin… Dick The Bruiser defeats Edouard Carpentier… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie wrestled Giant Baba to a Draw after splitting one fall each.

02-29-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 10,043: Karl Von Brock (Rock Hunter) defeats Guy Mitchell (Jerry Valiant) … Mark Lewin defeated Jack Long (Harley Race) … Dick the Bruiser defeats Black Hawk… Edouard Carpentier defeats Mike Paidousis… Pepper Gomez defeats Jack Dalton…. Red Bastien & Dick Steinborn defeat Buddy Austin & Fritz von Goering… Ray Stevens defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Dominic DeNucci 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

Detroit, MI: Cobo Hall: Attendance 9,940: Jim Hady defeats Dennis Hall… Bill Miller defeats Lou Klein… Fritz Von Erich defeats Hans Schmidt 2 falls to 1… Ciclon Negro & The Alaskan defeat The Flying Scotts (George Scott & Sandy Scott) 2 falls to 1… Lord Layton defeats The Sheik by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Johnny Valentine by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

03-03-1964: Mike Von Erich (Mike Adkisson) is born.

03-06-1964: Rocky Columbo (John Columbo) dies of a drug overdose at the age of 35.

03-07-1964: St. Paul, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,646: Gene Anderson defeats Lee Mattson… Kay Noble defeats Mars Monroe… Rene Goulet defeats George Drake… Wilbur Snyder defeats Tiny Mills… Lumberjack Match: The Crusher defeats Moose Evans… AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne defeats Mitsu Arakawa 2 falls to 1.

03-16-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,717: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Dr. Jerry Graham… Bobo Brazil battled Hans Mortier to a draw… Argentina Apollo & Don McClarity defeated Magnificent Maurice & Boris Malenko… Ernie Ladd defeated Klondike Bill… Bill Watts defeated Luke Graham… Tiny Tim & Irish Jackie defeated Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Pedro Morales defeated Bobby Davis by DQ… Miguel Perez defeated Lou Bastien.

03-20-1964: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,987: Pepper Martin defeats Gene LeBell… Art Neilson defeats Ramon Zavalza… The Great Mortier defeats Johnny Long… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeat Dick Hutton & Mr. Moto… WWA World Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie wrestled Giant Baba to a Double Count Out after splitting one fall each.

03-25-1964: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,155: Ernie Ladd defeated Tony Marino… Bill Watts defeated the Magnificent Maurice… Women's champion Fabulous Moolah & Baby Cheryl defeated Darling Dagmar & Judy Grable… U.S. champion Bobo Brazil defeated Boris Malenko… WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Killer Kowalski.

Ed Francis Promoter: Civic Auditorium: Honolulu, HI: Attendance: 5,300 (sellout): Neff Maiava defeats Cowboy Cassidy (Orville Carlson)… Billy White Wolf wrestled Samson Burke to a Time Limit Draw… Hard Boiled Haggerty & The Masked Executioner (Vic Christy) defeat Kanji (Antonio) Inoki & Lord James Blears 2 falls to 1.

NWA Hawaii United States Heavyweight Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match

Curtis Iaukea (c) vs. Toyonobori - Double Count Out [1:1] (19:53)

- Toyonobori defeats Iaukea (10:40)
- Iaukea defeats Toyonobori (14:38)
- Iaukea and Toyonobori were counted out

04-03-1964: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,000: Iwakichi Hirano pinned Sankichi Takasakiyama… Ushinosuke Hayashi pinned Raizo Kojika… Motoshi Okuma drew Tadaharu Tanaka… Hideo Koma beat Kotetsu Yamamoto… Seigozan (Gentetsu Matsuoka) pinned Mitsuaki Hirai… Kintaro Kongo (Oki) beat Hideyuki Nagasawa… The Mummy (Benji Ramirez) beat Umanosuke Ueda… Yoshinosato beat Roy McClarty via DQ… Gene Kiniski pinned Kokichi Endo… Toyonobori & Mr. Moto & Michiaki Yoshimura battled The Alaskan & Bull Curry & Gene LeBelle to a no contest… NWA International champion Giant Baba drew Hurricane Calypso (Cyclone Negro).

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,988: Angelo Poffo defeats Rocky Montero… Ray Gordon defeats Don Jardine… Tarzan Tyler wrestled Lorenzo Parente to a 20-minute draw… Dick the Bruiser defeats Ronnie Etchison… Karl Gotch & Wilbur Snyder defeats Bobby Graham & Big Bill Miller by DQ 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Johnny Valentine.

04-04-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,129: Red Bastien wrestled Karl Von Brock to a 15-minute draw… Jimmy Black Hawk defeats Don Manoukian… Bearcat Wright defeats Jack Long (Harley Race) … Edouard Carpentier defeats Jack Dalton… Mark Lewin defeats Buddy Austin… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) defeat Jose Lothario & Dick Steinborn 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Pepper Gomez by DQ.

04-22-1964: Dick the Bruiser wins the WWA World title from Fred Blassie in Los Angeles, CA. Even after losing the L.A. version of the title, Bruiser keeps the title in Indianapolis, IN for his own WWA promotion and a new lineage is formed there. Attendance: 10,400.

04-25-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,933: Dominic DeNucci defeats Rocky Montero… Mark Lewin defeats Fritz Von Goering… Edouard Carpentier defeats Buddy Austin… Kinji Shibuya & Karl von Brock defeat Red Bastien & Dick Steinborn… Irish Jackie & Tiny Tim defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Pepper Gomez 2 falls to 1.

05-01-1964: Construction on the fourth Madison Square Garden in New York begins at a cost of $116 million dollars.

05-02-1964: Mad Dog Vachon wins the AWA World heavyweight title from Verne Gagne in Omaha, NE.

Lou Thesz defeats Karl Gotch to retain the NWA World heavyweight title in Detroit, MI. Thesz reportedly suffers broken ribs in the match.

05-06-1964: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Art Michalik defeats Art Neilson… Mike Sharpe & Nikita Mulkovitch wrestled Pepper Martin & Paul Diamond to a Draw… Edouard Carpentier defeated Buddy Austin 2 falls to 1… WWA World Tag Team champions The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)… WWA World Heavyweight champion Dick The Bruiser wrestled Fred Blassie to a Double Count Out after splitting one fall each.

05-11-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,300: Bruno Sammartino battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Bobo Brazil & Ernie Ladd defeated Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham… The Kentuckians (Grizzly Smith & Luke Brown) defeated Hans & Max Mortier… Bill Watts defeated Magnificent Maurice… Klondike Bill defeated Matt Gilmore… Tony Marino battled Miguel Perez to a draw.

05-16-1964: Verne Gagne regains the AWA World heavyweight title from Mad Dog Vachon in Omaha, NE.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,191: Lorenzo Parente defeats Don Jardine… Karl Gotch defeats Mike Paidousis… Wilbur Snyder defeats Bill Miller by DQ… Johnny Valentine wrestled Dick the Bruiser to a 20-minute draw… The Funks (Dory Funk Jr. & Dory Funk Sr.) defeat Corsica Joe & Frenchy Roy in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz wrestled Fritz von Erich to a draw after the referee stops the match due to an injury to Lou Thesz after splitting one fall each.

05-20-1964: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,350: Miguel Perez defeated Boris Malenko… Arnold Skaaland defeated Matt Gilmer… Luke Graham fought Don McClarity to a draw… Ernie Ladd defeated Klondike Bill… Killer Kowalski defeated Bill Watts… Red Berry & Hans & Max Mortier defeated the Scufflin Hillbillies & Pedro Morales… Gorilla Monsoon defeated US champion Bobo Brazil to win the title.

05-27-1964: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400: Paul Diamond wrestled Art Michalik to a Draw… The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) defeated Mike Sharpe & Nikita Mulkovitch… Dominic DeNucci defeated The Preacher… Ray Stevens defeated Pepper Martin… WWA World champion Dick The Bruiser defeated Fred Blassie in a Texas Death Match. Fred Blassie dislocated his knee and could not continue.

06-05-1964: The Atlanta wrestling office holds another big show at Ponce DeLeon Ball Park in Atlanta, GA: Argentina Rocca defeated Sputnik Monroe. According to Ron Fuller on his podcast this match fell apart and may have turned into a semi-shoot... Joe Scarpa defeated Freddie Blassie by DQ... Buddy Fuller defeated Lenny Montana... Ann Casey defeated Cora Combs... The Scufflin Hillbillies defeated Red Steiner & Johnny Heidman... Wildman Phillips defeated Chief Little Bear... The Bavarian Boys defeated Dick Dunn & Red Roberts. Ann Casey and Cora Combs substituted for Bette Boucher and the Fabulous Moolah, who were initially scheduled to wrestle each other.

06-06-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,781: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gorilla Monsoon… Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham defeated The Kentuckians (Grizzly Smith & Luke Brown)… Killer Kowalski battled Bill Watts to a double count out… Bobo Brazil & Ernie Ladd defeated Hans & Max Mortier… Don McClarity defeated Bulldog Gannon… Pedro Morales defeated Boris Malenko… Miguel Perez defeated Lou Albano.

06-17-1964: Pat Patterson & Tony Borne won the Pacific Northwest tag team titles from Nick Bockwinkel & Buddy Moreno (AKA: Omar Atlas) in Salem, OR.

06-26-1964: WWWF: Jersey City, NJ: Roosevelt Stadium: Attendance 12,500: Don McClarity wrestled Pedro Morales to a Draw… Bill Watts defeats Ted Gannon… The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat Boris Malenko & Clyde Steeves… Jamaica Kid & Pancho Lopez defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low… Bobo Brazil & Ernie Ladd defeat Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon by DQ… Bobby Davis & The Graham Brothers (Dr. Jerry Graham & Luke Graham) defeat Red Berry & The Mortier Brothers (Hans Mortier & Max Mortier) 2 falls to 1… Fred Blassie defeats WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by Count Out.

07-01-1964: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 8,963: Pussycat Pickens wrestling Art Michalik to a Draw… The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) defeated Nikita Mulkovitch & Don Duffy… Rip Hawk wrestled Little Tokyo (Antonio Inoki) to a Draw… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats George Drake… Edouard Carpentier defeated WWA World Heavyweight champion Dick The Bruiser by DQ 2 falls to 1.

07-04-1964: AWA in Bloomington, MN: Met Stadium drawing 11,000: Bob Geigel beat Rene Goulet… Wilbur Snyder & Sailor Art Thomas & Dale Lewis beat Larry Hennig & Hans Schmidt & Mitsu Arakawa…. Mad Dog Vachon beat Doug Gilbert… AWA World heavyweight champion Verne Gagne beat Dick the Bruiser.

07-11-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,981: Fred Blassie defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by DQ… Bobo Brazil defeated Golden Terror (Clyde Steeves)… Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham defeated Hans & Max Mortier… Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon defeated Bill Watts & Don McClarity… Pedro Morales defeated Magnificent Maurice… Red Bastien battled Miguel Perez to a draw… Bobby Davis defeated Manuel Soto.

Hiro Matsuda defeated Danny Hodge for the NWA World Junior heavyweight title in Tampa, FL.

07-22-1964: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Dick the Bruiser for the WWA World title in Los Angeles. Olympic Auditorium Attendance 10,173: Bill Dromo wrestled Little Tokyo (Antonio Inoki) to a Draw… The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) defeated The Alaskan & Art Michalik… Mr. Moto wrestled Art Michalik to a Draw… Bob Ellis defeated Rip Hawk.

WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,300: Frank Martinez defeated Frank Hickey… Miguel Perez defeated Bull Johnson… Judy Grable & Princess Little Cloud defeated Bette Boucher & Toni Rose… Bill Watts fought the Golden Terror to a 20-minute time-limit draw… Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil.

07-25-1964: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 15,000: Ace Freeman & Chief White Owl & Johnny DeFazio beat Red Berry & Hans & Max Mortier… Hurricane Hunt drew Masked Destroyer… Frank Holtz beat Johnny Carr… Gorilla Monsoon beat Cowboy Bill Watts via DQ… Pancho Lopez & Jamaica Kid beat Little Brutus & Irish Jackie… Killer Kowalski beat Bobo Brazil… WWWF World Champ Bruno Sammartino beat Johnny Powers.

07-28-1964: A promotional battle takes place in Honolulu, HI between promoters Roy Shire and Ed Francis. Three shows are held drawing nearly 20,000 people.

Roy Shire: Honolulu, HI: International Center Arena: Attendance 8,700: Dick Steinborn defeats Rocky Montero… Kinji Shibuya defeats Maurice LaPointe… Bob Ellis defeats Fritz Von Goering… Charlie Kalani defeats Don Duffy… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario defeat Stan Neilson & Karl von Brock 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champions Ray Stevens defeats Edouard Carpentier 2 falls to 1.

Ed Francis: Mid-Pacific Promotions: Honolulu, HI: Civic Auditorium: Attendance 5,300: Cowboy Cassidy wrestled Lucky Simunovich to a draw… Dean Higuchi defeats The Masked Executioner (Vic Christy) … Luther Lindsay defeats Lou Newman… Mr. Moto defeats Ricky Hunter… Gene Kiniski wrestled Neff Maiava to a draw… 18 Man Battle Royal: Luther Lindsay dropkicked King Curtis & Gene Kiniski out of the ring at the same time to win.  

07-29-1964: Ed Francis: Mid-Pacific Promotions: Honolulu, HI: Civic Auditorium: Attendance 5,800: Tosh Togo wrestled Jim LaBelle to a draw… Gene Kiniski wrestled The Masked Executioner (Vic Christy) to a double count out… Neff Maiava & Lord Blears defeat NWA Hawaii Tag Team champions Mr. Moto & Nikita Mulkovitch 2 falls to 1 to win the titles… NWA Hawaii United States champion King Curtis defeated Luther Lindsey by DQ 2 falls to 1.

08-01-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,875: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Fred Blassie… Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon battled Bobo Brazil & Bill Watts to a draw… Don McClarity battled Golden Terror to a draw… Cowboy Bradley & Sonny Boy Cassidy defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Billy the Kid… Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham defeated Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez… Red Bastien defeated Hans Mortier.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 8,814: Bob Ellis defeats Gene Anderson… Mark Lewin defeats Ed Miller… The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres) defeat Charlie Kalani (Toru Tanaka) & Stan Neilson… Mark Lewin defeated The Alaskan… Karl Von Brock & Kinji Shibuya defeat AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario by DQ 2 falls to 1…. AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Edouard Carpentier by referee stoppage after splitting one fall each.

08-06-1964: Pat Patterson & Tony Borne lost the Pacific Northwest tag team titles in Salem, OR, to Billy White Wolf (Adnan Al-Kaissie) & Pepper Martin.

08-09-1964: A big show is held by the Georgia wrestling office at Lakewood Speedway. Sputnik Monroe defeated Dick the Bruiser to win the Georgia title… Wilbur Snyder battled Eddie Graham to a draw… Dick Dunn defeated Joe Scarpa by DQ… Red Roberts & The Destroyer defeated The Scufflin Hillbillies… Frankie Cain defeated Bob Hamby… Judy Grable & Princess Little Cloud defeated Toni Rose & Marie Darnell… Billy Hines & Bad Boy Hines defeated Charlie Carr & Wildman Phillips… Lester Welch defeated Krusher Karlson by DQ… Greg Peterson defeated George Harris by DQ.

08-15-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 6,102: Ray Stevens no contest Mark Lewin… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Kinji Shibuya & Karl Von Brock… Johnny Valentine beat Dick Steinborn… Stan Neilson beat Maurice LaPointe… Gene Anderson beat Ken Hollis… Ray Stern beat Rocky Montero… Hard Boiled Haggerty beat Tex McKenzie. 

08-20-1964: El Ciclon de Jalisco (The Cyclon from Jalisco) movie is released. This movie mixes western comedy with pro wrestling. After leaving his small western town, a successful ladies man wrestler in Mexico city has doubts about whether or not to return to his small-town girlfriend.

08-22-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,958: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino battled Waldo Von Erich to a draw… Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham defeated Killer Kowalski & Gorilla Monsoon… Bobo Brazil defeated Golden Terror… Bill Watts defeated Klondike Bill… Red Bastien defeated Lou Albano… Miguel Perez defeated Bull Johnson… Bobby Davis defeated Wild Red Berry.

08-24-1964: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 7,500: Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski & Bobby Davis beat Bill Watts & Ace Freeman & Chief White Owl… Billy the Kid & Jamaica Kid beat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low… Duke Hoffman beat Gino Brito… Baron Gattoni beat John McMurray… Frank Holtz drew Hurricane Hunt… Johnny DeFazio beat Johnny Powers via DQ… Fred Blassie defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by referee stoppage. The referee was Joe Walcott. Blassie was billed as WWA World Champ even though he hadn't held the title in several months.

09-10-1964: Bob Ellis defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) for the WWA World title in Los Angeles. Olympic Auditorium. Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Don Savage & Ramon Zavalza defeat Don Duffy & Matt Murphy… Ripper Collins defeats Jerry Rose… Dominic DeNucci defeats Ken Hollis… Hard Boiled Haggerty defeats Bill Dromo… Little Tokyo (Antonio Inoki) & Mr. Moto defeat Nikita Mulkovitch & The Alaskan.

09-11-1964: NWA World champion Lou Thesz defeated Don Fargo in Atlanta, GA.

09-19-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 7,314: Ray Stevens beat Pat O'Connor… Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario beat Kinji Shibuya & Karl Von Brock… The Sheik beat Charlie Kalani… Mark Lewin beat Stan Neilson… Don Manoukian beat Cheif White Eagle… Bob Ellis beat Buddy Austin… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Ken Hollis. 

09-21-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,915: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Waldo Von Erich by count out… Fred Blassie battled Bobo Brazil to a draw… Bill Watts battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham defeated Don McClarity & Red Bastien… Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez defeated Magnificent Maurice & Klondike Bill… Robert Duranton defeated Ted Lewin… Arnold Skaaland defeated Lou Albano.

09-23-1964: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: 8,862: US champion Bobo Brazil pinned Smasher Sloan… Bill Watts pinned Gorilla Monsoon… Pacific Alliance champion Fred Blassie defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino via referee's decision.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,247: Jerry Rose defeats Ramon Zavalza… The Alaskan (Jay York) defeats Larry Evans… Cowboy Bradley & Sonny Boy Cassidy & Mr. Moto defeated Irish Jackie & Billy the Kid & Ripper Collins… The Destroyer (Dick Byer) & Hard Boiled Haggerty defeated Mr. Moto & Little Tokyo (Antonio Inoki)… WWA World Heavyweight defeated Bob Ellis defeats Dick The Bruiser by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

09-25-1964: EMLL 31st Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: Tony Lopez beat Jorge Allende… El Enfermero drew Tono Montoro… Ruben Juarez beat El Monsturo… Dennis Hall beat Espanto I… Felipe Ham Lee beat Roger Kirby… NWA World Welterweight champion Karloff Lagarde beat Huracan Ramirez… Rayo de Jalisco beat Benny Galant to win the NWA World Middleweight title.

Don Fargo defeated Sputnik Monroe to win the Georgia title in Atlanta, GA.

10-02-1964: Pat Patterson defeated Pepper Martin for the Pacific Northwest title at the Portland Armory in Portland, OR.

St. Louis, MO: Arena: Attendance 14,675: Lorenzo Parente wrestled The Sheik of Araby to a 15-minute draw… The Funks (Dory Funk Jr. & Dory Funk Sr.) defeat Bob Geigel & Angelo Poffo 2 falls to 1… Jessica Rogers defeats Joann Phillips… Pat O'Connor & Ray Gordon defeat The Mongolian Stomper in a handicap match by DQ… Moose Evans defeats Don Jardine… Dick the Bruiser & Big Bill Miller & Bobby Graham wrestled Wilbur Snyder & Johnny Valentine & John Paul Henning to a time limit draw after splitting one fall each… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Fritz von Erich 2 falls to 1. Special Referee: Whipper Billy Watson.

Spectator Sports (Bruno Sammartino): Pittsburgh Civic Arena: Attendance 10,000: Chief White Owl defeats Klondike Bill… Ace Freeman & Johnny DeFazio defeat Humberto Mercado & Jose Martinez 2 falls to 1… Bobby Hunt defeats Victor Soto… Duke Hoffman defeats Cyclone Soto… Waldo Von Erich defeats Bill Watts… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Baron Gattoni by Count Out…. WWWF heavyweight champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Johnny Powers.

10-09-1964: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,207: Mr. Moto wrestled Ripper Collins to a Draw… The Hangman (Gene LeBell) defeats Larry Evans… Chris Belkas defeats The Alaskan (Jay York) … The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Bill Cody… AWA San Francisco United States champion Ray Stevens defeats Red Bastien… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bob Ellis defeats Fred Blassie (Special Referee: Archie Moore) 2 falls to 1.

10-10-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,000: Tony Pugliese defeats Gene Anderson… Billy White Wolf defeats Arnold Steele… The Sheik defeats Chief White Eagle… Mitsu Arakawa & Don Manoukian defeats Ken Hollis & Paul Jones… Cowboy Bradley & Sonny Boy Cassidy defeat Billy the Kid & Irish Jackie 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States Heavyweight Title Texas Death Match: Ray Stevens defeats Mark Lewin by Count Out.

10-16-1964: Sputnik Monroe defeated Don Fargo to win the Georgia title in Atlanta, GA.

10-19-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,722: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Waldo Von Erich… Bobo Brazil & Haystack Calhoun defeated Dr. Jerry & Luke Graham… Fred Blassie & Gorilla Monsoon battled Bill Watts & Don McClarity to a draw… Gene Kiniski defeated Magnificent Maurice… Pedro Morales defeated Robert Duranton… Miguel Perez defeated Bobby Davis by DQ… Klondike Bill battled Steve Stanlee to a draw.

10-20-1964: Mad Dog Vachon regains the AWA World heavyweight title from Verne Gagne in Minneapolis, MN.

10-23-1964: Jim Barnett holds his first World Championship Wrestling show in Australia at Sydney Stadium.

11-07-1964: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 10,537: Roy McClarity defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana) … Mitsu Arakawa defeats Paul Jones … Mark Lewin defeats The Alaskan … Billy White Wolf defeats Louie Tillet … Bearcat Wright defeats Charlie Kalani (Toru Tanaka) … AWA San Francisco World Tag Team Champions Pepper Gomez & Jose Lothario defeat The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Don Manoukian 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya (Special Referee: Archie Moore) Double Blood Stoppage, but the title did not change hands even though Ray Stevens won the first fall.

11-13-1964: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) regains the WWA World title from Bob Ellis in San Diego, CA.

NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz battled Ray Gunkel to a draw in Atlanta, GA. On the same show Mario Galento defeated Sputnik Monroe to win the Georgia title.

11-16-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,816: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gene Kiniski by count out… Bobo Brazil battled Waldo Von Erich to a draw… Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham defeated Bill Watts & Don McClarity… Fred Blassie defeated Pedro Morales… Haystack Calhoun & Miguel Perez defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Davis… Jim Hady defeated Luke Graham… Sam Steamboat defeated Boris Malenko… Golden Terror defeated Steve Stanlee.

11-18-1964: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,792: Bobo Brazil & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Freddie Blassie & Gene Kiniski via DQ… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino fought Waldo Von Erich to a no contest.

11-20-1964: The Medics defeated Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat to win the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

11-27-1964: Las Luchadoras Contra La Momia (The Women Wrestlers against The Mummy) movie is released. Women wrestlers try to solve a plot about the theft of artifacts from an ancient Aztec temple and a series of murders.

12-02-1964: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,256: Jim Hady fought Arnold Skaaland to a draw… Don McClarity defeated Smasher Sloan… Ethel Johnson defeated Virginia Franklin… The Golden Terror defeated Pedro Morales… Bill Watts fought Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Gene Kiniski defeated Freddie Blassie… Waldo Von Erich defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino via referee's decision due to excessive bleeding. Wild Red Berry was barred from ringside for the match.

12-04-1964: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) loses to Toyonobori in Tokyo, Japan but returns to the U.S. still claiming the WWA World title. Toyonobori is promoted as WWA champion in Japan. The two titles are eventually reunited.

12-12-1964: Sabu (Terry Brunk) is born.

12-14-1964: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 11,803: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gene Kiniski… Haystack Calhoun defeated Gorilla Monsoon by DQ… Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham defeated Bobo Brazil & Jim Hady… Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan defeated Pedro Morales & Miguel Perez… Bill Watts defeated Golden Terror by DQ… Don McClarity battled Luke Graham to a draw… Steve Stanlee defeated Kenny Ackles.

12-18-1964: Steve Austin is born.

12-21-1964: Shane Douglas was born.

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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