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Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1972

By: Karl Stern

The year in pro wrestling 1972 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1972

01-01-1972: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,305: Johnny Weaver & Ronnie Etchison defeat Stan Pulaski & The Great Kusatsu 2 falls to 1… Penny Banner defeats Kay Noble… Bob Geigel defeats Ben Justice… NWA Central States champion Harley Race defeats Jerry Miller… Johnny Valentine & Jack Brisco & Pat O'Connor defeat Big Bill Miller & Blackjack Lanza & Hans Schmidt… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. defeats Rufus R. Jones 2 falls to 1.

01-05-1972: Waldo Von Erich defeats Dominic Denucci for the NWF title in Buffalo, NY.

01-10-1972: Brian Christopher (Brian Lawler) is born the son of Jerry Lawler.

01-14-1972: Bruno Sammartino wins the annual Los Angeles battle royal last eliminating Ripper Collins at Olympic Auditorium: Shown live on CCTV: Also on the show: Raul Mata beat Jack Armstrong… Mil Mascaras beat King Krow (Dan Kroffat)… La Pantera Negra & Sal Lothario drew Tony Rocco & Fran Flores… Earl Maynard & Rocky Johnson beat Mr. Saito & Peace Brother 1 (Bobby Christy)… Goliath drew Cowboy Laine… Haystacks Calhoun beat Black Gordman… Dory Dixon beat Dutch Savage… Bruno Sammartino beat Kinji Shibuya.

01-17-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,149: The Samoans (Reno & Tio) beat Jim & Jack Dalton… Jackie Fargo beat Al Greene… Eddie Marlin & Oni Wiki Wiki beat Mike Pappas & Jimmy Kent… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat Kurt & Karl Von Brauner.

01-19-1972: Ron Killings (R-Truth) is born.

01-20-1972: AWA: Denver, CO: Attendance 8,000: Vivian Vachon defeats Jean Antone… Don Muraco defeats Bobby Heenan… Pepper Gomez defeats Blackjack Lanza 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel defeat Red Bastien & The Crusher for the AWA World tag team titles.

01-21-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,076: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka by DQ… WWWF World tag team champions Karl Gotch & Rene Goulet defeated Rugged Russians… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Fred Blassie by DQ… Victor Rivera defeated Stan Stasiak… Gorilla Monsoon & Sonny King defeated Ernie Ladd & Jimmy Valiant… King Curtis defeated Tomas Marin… Pampero Firpo defeated Manuel Soto.

Bepo Mongol (Nikolai Volkoff) won the Brass Knuckles title in a tournament in Atlanta, GA over Bob Armstrong, Mr. X, Buddy Colt, Karl Von Stroheim, Rocket Monroe, Raton Kadoka, El Mongol, Derrell Cochran, Pat Kelly, Mike Kelly, Billy Spears, Roberto Soto, Dick Steinborn, and Flash Monroe.

01-22-1972: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Annual Battle Royal: Attendance 14,914: Earl Maynard defeats Don Carson… Haystacks Calhoun defeat Roger Kirby & Billy Graham in a handicap match… Kinji Shibuya & John Tolos defeat Paul Diamond & Ricky Hunter… Ray Stevens & Pepper Gomez & Peter Maivia & Rocky Johnson defeats Ripper Collins & Paul DeMarco & Pat Patterson & Haru Sasaki 2 falls to 1… Ray Stevens wins the annual Cow Palace battle royal in San Francisco. Others in the battle royal: Earl Maynard, Don Carson, Haystacks Calhoun, Roger Kirby, Billy Graham, Kinji Shibuya, John Tolos, Paul Diamond, Ricky Hunter, Pepper Gomez, Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Ripper Collins, Paul DeMarco, Haru Sasaki & Pat Patterson.

01-24-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,368: Oni Wiki Wiki beat Corsica Joe… Roy Lee Welch beat The Green Shadow… Cora Combs beat Sandy Partlow… The Samoans (Reno & Tio) drew Eddie Marlin & Jackie Fargo… Southern tag team champions Kurt & Karl Von Brauner beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett.

01-27-1972: NWF: Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance 10,218: Michigan Women’s champion Sherry Lane defeats Tanya West… Luke Graham defeats Chief White Owl… Dominic DeNucci defeats Mad Dog Momberg… Tony Marino & Tony Parisi defeat The Love Brothers (Hartford Love & Reginald Love)… NWF North American champion Johnny Powers defeats Abdullah the Butcher by DQ… Ernie Ladd defeats NWF World Heavyweight champion Waldo von Erich by Count Out.

01-31-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,654: Len Rossi beat Jimmy Kent… Eddie Marlin beat Corsica Joe via DQ… Billy Wicks drew Sputnik Monroe… Roy Lee Welch & Oni Wiki Wiki drew Jerry Jarrett & Steve Clements… Kurt & Karl Von Brauner beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett.

02-01-1972: Baron Mikel Scicluna & King Curtis Iaukea win the WWWF World tag team titles from Karl Gotch & Rene Goulett in Philadelphia, PA.

02-08-1972: The Big Show (Paul Wight, AKA: The Giant) is born.

02-12-1972: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 8,779: Tony Rocco defeats Don Carson… John Tolos defeats Jerry Monti… Roger Kirby defeats Ricky Hunter… Paul DeMarco & Ripper Collins defeat Pepper Gomez & Peter Maivia… Sonny Boy Hayes & The Haiti Kid defeat Little Brutus & Pee Wee Adams… Pat Patterson defeats Rocky Johnson for the NWA San Francisco U.S. title.

02-14-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,709: Mike Pappas & Gary Martin drew Corsica Joe & The Masked Beast… Billy Wicks & Eddie Marlin beat Sputnik Monroe & Norvell Austin… Jackie Fargo & Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat Saul Weingeroff & Kurt & Karl Von Brauner.

02-17-1972: Greensboro, NC: Coliseum: Attendance 9,200: Jim Dillon defeats Frank Hester… Sandy Scott defeats Joe Soto… Jerry Brisco defeats Bill Bowman… Big Boy Brown defeats Frank Morrell… Brute Bernard defeats Rudy Kay… Art Nelson & Johnny Weaver defeat Rip Hawk & Swede Hanson… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. wrestled Jack Brisco to a one hour Time Limit Draw.

02-18-1972: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,957: Ben Justice & Ronnie Etchison defeat Cyclone Negro & Frank Martinez 2 falls to 1… Bob Orton Sr defeats Luis Martinez… Don Curtis wrestled Harley Race to a Time Limit Draw… Giant Baba defeats Sonny Myers… Baron Von Raschke & Blackjack Lanza & Hans Schmidt defeat Dick the Bruiser & Jack Brisco & Rufus R. Jones… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. defeats Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1.

02-19-1972: In Detroit, MI at Cobo Hall in front of 12,643 fans: Bobo Brazil defeated Dingo the Sundowner to win the U.S. title… Pampero Firpo defeated Tex McKenzie… Bruno Sammartino battled The Sheik to a draw… Wild Bill Curry battled Johnny Valentine to a draw… The Stomper (Guy Mitchell) defeated Don Kent… Ernie Ladd defeated Arnold Skaaland… Giant Baba defeated Jess Ortega… Mighty Igor defeated Bulldog Brower… Al Costello defeated Gino Brito… Ben Justice defeated Hans Schmidt… Tony Marino defeated Duke Keomuka… Flying Fred Curry defeated The Hell’s Angel I… Jacques Rougeau defeated Chris Tolos… Karl La Roche defeated The Zebra Kid… Lou Klein battled The Executioner to a double DQ… Killer Tim Brooks defeated Hank James… The Colt defeated Dr. X.

02-21-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,090: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka… King Curtis defeated Gorilla Monsoon by count out… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Stan Stasiak… Pampero Firpo defeated Rene Goulet… Sonny King defeated Jimmy Valiant… Farmer Jerome & Joey Russell defeated Sky Low Low & Frenchy Lamont… Victor Rivera defeated Juan Caruso… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Manuel Soto.

02-24-1972: NWF: Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance 8,976: Bull Curry wrestled The Mighty Igor to a Double DQ… Dominic DeNucci wrestled Luke Graham to a Double DQ… Abdullah the Butcher wrestled Tony Parisi to a Time Limit Draw… Ben Justice & The Stomper (Jerry Valiant) defeat John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) & Mad Dog Momberg (Karl Krupp)… NWA United States champion Bobo Brazil defeats Chris Tolos… NWA World Tag Team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) (c) defeat The Love Brothers (Hartford Love & Reginald Love)… NWF North American champion Johnny Powers defeats Pampero Firpo… NWF World Heavyweight champion Waldo Von Erich defeats Ernie Ladd in a Texas Death Match.

02-29-1972: Tim Woods defeats Bobby Shane for the Southern title in Tampa, FL.

03-03-1972: Spectator Sports (Bruno Sammartino) promotion: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance 10,736: Johnny DeFazio & Geeto Mongol defeat Luke Graham & Jim Grabmire… Tony Marino wrestled Waldo von Erich to a double count out… Yoshino Sato & Mitsu Arakawa defeat Mike Paidousis & Bill Miller… John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) wrestled Gene DuBois to a 15 minute draw… Dominic DeNucci & Angelo Mosca defeat Blackjack Mulligan & Bobby Heenan… Bruno Sammartino defeats Stan Stasiak in a steel cage match.

Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Attendance 9,500: Nick Kozak defeats Gypsy Joe Rosario… Mr. Fuji defeats George Scott… Thunderbolt Patterson defeats Pete Sanchez… Terry Funk defeats Dean Ho… Red Bastien defeats The Spoiler (Don Jardine) by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. defeats Jose Lothario 2 falls to 1.

03-04-1972: In Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 6,112: Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeated Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon… Billy Robinson defeated Ivan Koloff by DQ… Don Muraco defeated Chris Markoff… Dusty Rhodes defeated Bull Bullinsky… Ramon Torres defeated Trech Phillips.

03-06-1972: Antonio Inoki’s New Japan Pro Wrestling organization has it’s first show at Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo. Karl Gotch defeats Antonio Inoki in the main even with Tatsumi Fujinami, Kotetsu Yamamoto, and Osamu Kido also appearing on the card. Retired Japanese wrestling star Toyonobori also makes an appearance.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,119: Oni Wiki Wiki & Jimmy Kent drew Jack Donovan & The Masked Beast… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat The Red Terrors in a boxing match… Saul Weingeroff & Kurt & Karl Von Brauner beat Jackie Fargo & Eddie & Tommy Marlin.

03-10-1972: Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Attendance 9,500: Pete Sanchez defeats George Scott… Dean Ho defeats Gypsy Joe Rosario… Ernie Ladd & Mil Mascaras defeat Mr. Fuji & The Spoiler (Don Jardine) 2 falls to 1… Red Bastien defeats Terry Funk 2 falls to 1… Texas Death Wire Fence Match: Thunderbolt Patterson defeats Johnny Valentine. Valentine could not answer the bell after the 5th fall.

03-12-1972: Little Guido (James Stone) is born.

03-13-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,301: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Bruno Sammartino defeated Smasher Sloan… King Curtis defeated Gorilla Monsoon by blood stoppage… Ernie Ladd battled Sonny King to a draw… Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Rene Goulet… Chief Jay Strongbow & Victor Rivera defeated Rugged Russians… Pampero Firpo defeated Ben Justice… Jimmy Valiant battled Joe Nova (AKA: Butcher Brannigan) to a draw.

03-17-1972: NWF: Cleveland, OH: Arena: Attendance 12,000: Lucille Dupre defeats Sherry Lane… Farmer Jerome & Joey Russell defeat Frenchy Lamont & Sky Low Low… Luke Graham wrestled Tony Parisi to a Draw… Abdullah The Butcher wrestled Tony Marino to a Double DQ… Johnny Fargo defeats Mad Dog Momberg… Luis Martinez defeats Mike Loren… Dominic DeNucci defeats Jess Ortega… Tex McKenzie defeats Tim Brooks… Ben Justice & The Stomper (Jerry Valiant) defeat NWA World Tag Team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) by DQ… NWA United States champion Bobo Brazil defeats Bull Curry by DQ… The Sheik defeats NWF North American Heavyweight champion Johnny Powers. The Sheik pinned Powers but it was due to outside interference and the title was held up pending a rematch next week on March 23.

03-18-1972: AWA: St. Paul, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 9,135: Bill Howard defeats Rick Ferrara… Billy Robinson defeats Chris Markoff… Dusty Rhodes & Larry Hennig defeat Don Muraco & Ramon Torres… Dr. X (Dick Beyer) defeats Nick Bockwinkel… AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne wrestled Ivan Koloff to a No Contest.

03-20-1972: Danny Hodge regains the NWA World Junior title in Shreveport, LA defeating Dr. X (Jim Osbourne).

03-21-1972: Chris Candido (Chris Candito) is born.

Indianapolis, IN: Armory: Billy Red Cloud defeated Baron Von Raschke to win the WWA Title.

03-24-1972: In Pittsburgh, PA with a crowd of 10,326: Bruno Sammartino defeated Ernie Ladd to retain the WWWF title by DQ… George Steele & Luke Graham defeated Dominic Denucci & Angelo Mosca by DQ… Dr. Bill Miller defeated Jim Grabmire… Gene Dubois battled Frank Holtz to a draw… Chris Colt defeated Johnny Furr… Geeto Mongol & Johnny DeFozio defeated Johnny Valentine, Jr. (Greg Valentine) & Bobby Heenan… Waldo Von Erich defeated Luis Martinez.

In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Bepo Mongol (Nikolai Volkoff) by DQ.

03-25-1972: At Boston Garden in Boston, MA with a crowd of 15,000: Bruno Sammartino defeated Smasher Sloan to retain the WWWF title… Baron Mikel Scicluna & King Curtis Iaukea defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Gorilla Monsoon… Ernie Ladd defeated Rene Goulet… Maunuka Akim defeated The Russian II… Victor Rivera defeated The Russian I… Showboat King defeated Bull Pommetti… Joe Nova defeated Juan Caruso… Jimmy Valiant defeated Tomas Marin.

03-27-1972: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Kurt & Karl Von Brauner to win the Southern tag team titles.

03-31-1972: Johnny Weaver & Art Nelson defeat Larry Hamilton & Brute Bernard for the Mid-Atlantic tag team titles in Raleigh, NC.

04-01-1972: Sheik's Big Time Wrestling: Detroit, MI. Cobo Arena: Attendance 9,463: Lou Klein defeats The Executioner (Donn Lewin) … Bill Miller wrestled Jess Ortega to a Draw… Gino Brito defeats Chris Colt by DQ… Dan Miller defeats The Zebra Kid… Tony Baillargeon defeats Hank James… Tony Marino defeats Ron Dupree… Carlos Rocha & Raymond Rougeau wrestled The Love Brothers (Hartford Love & Reginald Love) to a Draw… Hans Schmidt & Johnny Valentine & The Student (George Steele) wrestled Bobo Brazil & Fred Curry & Tex McKenzie to a Draw… Ben Justice & The Stomper defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent)… Pampero Firpo & The Sheik defeat Bull Curry & Luis Martinez by DQ.

04-02-1972: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 14,000: Jacques Rougeau Sr. wrestled The Masked Marvel (unknown) to a Time Limit Draw… Gino Brito & Tony Baillargeon wrestled The Miller Brothers (Bill Miller & Dan Miller) to a Time Limit Draw… Ben Justice & Mighty Igor wrestled Man Mountain Cannon & Mike Loren to a Time Limit Draw… Chris Colt & Lee Henning wrestled Bob Harmon & Tony Marino to a Time Limit Draw… The Love Brothers (Hartford Love & Reginald Love) defeated Lou Klein & Sweet Daddy Siki… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) defeated Ivan Kalmikoff & Tex McKenzie… Johnny Valentine defeats Mighty Ursus… Tony Parisi defeats Ron Dupree… Carlos Rocha defeats Hans Schmidt in six seconds… The Sheik defeats Pampero Firpo by Count Out.

04-03-1972: JWA breaks a contract with Nippon TV, letting NET television broadcast a match involving Giant Baba. The contract had said that NET could not broadcast any of Baba’s matches and Nippon TV could not broadcast any of Antonio Inoki’s matches.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,119: Eddie & Joe Ortez drew Jack Donovan & Tony Santos… Cora Combs & Darling Dagmar & Oni Wiki Wiki beat Donna Christanello & Diamond Lil & Pepe Lopez… Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown beat The Samoans (Reno & Tio)… The Interns beat Southern tag team champions Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo via DQ… Kurt & Karl Von Brauner beat Tojo Yamamoto & Carlos Montes.

04-07-1972: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 11,127 (more seats added?): Raul Mata defeats Kubla Khan… Art Dominguez defeats Superstar Billy Graham by DQ… Dory Dixon wrestled Mr. Wrestling (Gordon Nelson) to a Draw… Killer Kowalski defeats Chris Tolos… NWA Americas Tag Team champions Great Goliath & Kenji Shibuya defeat Black Gordman & Don Carson… NWA Americas champion John Tolos wrestled The Sheik to a No Contest after trading one fall each. The main event ended when the referee was knocked out and injured in the 3rd fall.

04-10-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,420: Tojo Yamamoto beat The Masked Beast… Oni Wiki Wiki drew Kevin Sullivan… Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown beat Jack Donovan & Frank Martinez via DQ… Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Jimmy Kent & Eddie Marlin… The Interns beat Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo in three falls to win the Southern Tag Title.

04-15-1972: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9.747: Don Carson defeats Ricky Hunter… Tony Rocco defeats Art Michalik… Roger Kirby defeats Frankie Laine… Ernie Ladd defeats Mr. Wrestling… Peter Maivia defeats Ripper Collins… Lars Anderson & Paul DeMarco defeat Pepper Gomez & Rocky Johnson… Ray Stevens defeats NWA San Francisco United States champion Pat Patterson 2 falls to 1. Ray Stevens appeared to have won the title, but Pat Patterson protested and kept the belt,

04-17-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,549: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated King Curtis… Victor Rivera battled Prof. Toru Tanaka to a draw… Pampero Firpo defeated Chief Jay Strongbow by count out… Ernie Ladd defeated Jimmy Valiant… Don Curtis defeated Mike Paidousis… Sky Low Low & Little Brutus defeated Tahiti Kid & Sonny Boy Hayes… Sonny King defeated Smasher Sloan… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Rene Goulet… Manuel Soto defeated Black Demon.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,420: Jack Donovan & Frank Martinez beat Ron Miller & Larry O'Day… Len Rossi & Bearcat Wright & Tommy Gilbert & Tojo Yamamoto beat The Samoans (Reno & Tio) & Jim & Jack Donovan… Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Kevin Sullivan & Eddie Marlin… Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo beat The Interns in a hair vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles.

04-22-1972: In Detroit, MI: Attendance: 8,692: The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza & Mulligan) beat Dick the Bruiser & Wilbur Snyder… Sailor Art Thomas no contest Killer Cortez double DQ…  The Graduates & Mark Manson beat Moose Cholak & Paul Christy & Billy Red Cloud… Princess Jasmine beat Paula Steele… Frankie Adonis beat Al Barr… Nikolai Volkoff beat Jim Alexi… Prince Pullins drew Tom Lynch.

04-29-1972: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1972 in Wembley, UK: Shown May 6, 1972 on ITV: The Borg Twins drew Adrian Street & Bobby Barnes in three falls after each team had won a fall… Les Kellett beat Steve Logan… Mick McManus beat Jeff Kaye.

AWA: St Paul, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8.732: Jack Pesek defeats Rick Ferrara… Bull Bullinski wrestled Chris Markoff to a Time Limit Draw… Don Muraco & Dr. X (Dick Beyer) & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Dusty Rhodes & Larry Hennig & Lars Anderson… The Crusher defeats Ray Stevens… AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne defeats Ivan Koloff by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

05-02-1972: Dwayne Johnston (The Rock) is born. He is the son of wrestler Rocky Johnson.

05-05-1972: Roberto Soto wins the Georgia title from Buddy Colt in Atlanta.

In Pittsburgh, PA with a crowd of 6,830: Bruno Sammartino & Dominick Denucci defeated Angelo Mosca & Luke Graham… Johnny DeFazio & Luis Martinez defeated The Beast & Chris Colt… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) defeated Dr. Bill Miller & Danny Miller… George Steele defeated Hank James… Waldo Von Erich defeated John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant)… Gene Dubois battled Johnny Furr to a draw.

05-08-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,440: Frank Martinez & Jack Donovan beat Corsica Joe & Tony Charles… Oni Wiki Wiki & Eddie Marlin beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White via DQ… The Interns beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jackie Fargo in a no DQ match.

05-11-1972: Donnie Fargo & Johnny Fargo (AKA: Greg Valentine) win the NWF tag team titles from Tony Parisi & Dominic Denucci.

05-12-1972: Giant Baba defeats Gorilla Monsoon to win the annual JWA World League Tournament.

05-13-1972: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 8,987: Sandy Parker & Susan Green defeat Donna Christianello & Lilly Thomas… Beauregarde defeats Roger Kirby… Tony Rocco defeats Nick Bockwinkel… Ripper Collins defeats Frankie Laine… Ernie Ladd defeats Peter Maivia… Lars Anderson & Paul DeMarco defeat NWA World Tag Team champions Pepper Gomez & Rocky Johnson to win the titles… NWA San Francisco United States champion Pat Patterson defeats Ray Stevens. After one hour with no falls taken, the match was changed to sudden death and the first fall was the winner.

05-15-1972: Nippon TV cancels broadcasting JWA cards.

05-16-1972: Paul Jones wins the Florida title from Jack Brisco in Tampa.

05-19-1972: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 11,886: Dory Dixon defeats Kubla Khan… Raul Mata defeats Art Dominguez… Chris Tolos defeats Billy Graham… Killer Kowalski wrestled Nick Bockwinkel to a draw… Kenji Shibuya defeats NWA Beat The Champ Television champion Mr. Wrestling (Gordon Nelson) to win the title… The Great Goliath defeats Black Gordman in a steel cage match… Giant Baba & Seiji Sakaguchi defeat NWA International tag team champions The Funk Brothers (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.) 2 falls to 1 to win the titles.

05-22-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 19,367: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Pampero Firpo… Jay Strongbow & Sonny King defeated King Curtis & Baron Mikel Scicluna to win the WWWF World tag team titles… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Lou Albano… Ernie Ladd defeated Rene Goulet… Eddie Graham defeated Jimmy Valiant… Don Curtis defeated Smasher Sloan… Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Manuel Soto… Tony Kontellis defeated Black Demon by DQ.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,910: Tony Charles beat Corsica Joe via DQ… Robert Fuller & Tommy Gilbert drew Kurt & Karl Von Brauner… Tojo Yamamoto & Eddie Marlin drew Jerry Lawler & Jim White… The Interns beat Sputnik Monroe & Norvell Austin in a no DQ match.

05-26-1972: Lucha libre pioneer El Murcielago (Jesus Velazquez Quintero) dies at the age of 62.

05-31-1972: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: The Match of the Century: Incomplete results: Attendance 16,164: Grand Prix Tag Team champions The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Roberts) defeat Gilles Poisson & Zarinoff LeBeouf… Yvon Robert Jr. & Edouard Carpentier defeat Mad Dog Vachon & Ivan Rapapotsky… Don Leo Jonathan defeats Jean Ferre (Andre the Giant) by DQ.

06-02-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Luke Graham… Tarzan Tyler battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Eddie Graham… Beautiful Bobby battled Jimmy Valiant to a draw… Bob Roop defeated Manuel Soto… Dory Funk, Sr. defeated Bill White… Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) defeated Mike Pappas & Akim Manukua… Black Demon defeated Jack Evans.

Indianapolis, IN: Convention Center: Attendance: 7,000: Baron Von Raschke regained the WWA title from Billy Red Cloud.

06-03-1972: In Detroit, MI: WWA: Attendance: 6,874: Baron Von Raschke defeats Art Thomas for the Detroit WWA title… Dick the Bruiser & Billy Red Cloud & Yukon Cholak beat The Blackjacks (Mulligan & Lanza) & Killer Cortez… Wee Willie Wilson beat Billy the Kid… Clem Turner beat Johnny Kace… Mark Manson beat Jose Martinez… Tom Lynch beat Al Barr… Mary Jane Mull drew Donna Lemenka.

In San Francisco, CA at the Cow Palace with a crowd of 8,149: Pat Patterson battled Lars Anderson to a double DQ to retain the U.S. title… Bruno Sammartino & Pepper Gomez & Rocky Johnson defeated Paul Demarco & Ripper Collins & Ernie Ladd… Pepper Martin defeated Haru Sasaki… Antonio Rocca defeated Stan Neilson… Beauregard defeated Don Carson… Sandy Parker defeated Lily Thomas… Susan Green defeated Donna Christanello.

06-05-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,313: Tommy Gilbert beat Trech Phillips… The Interns beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo via DQ… Norvell Austin & Eddie Marlin drew Jerry Lawler & Jim White… Sputnik Monroe & Robert Fuller beat Kurt & Karl Von Brauner.

06-09-1972: Ernie Ladd wins the NWF title from Waldo Von Erich in Cleveland, OH.

06-12-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,741: Tommy Gilbert beat Mike Pappas… Norvell Austin & Eddie & Tommy Marlin beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White & Jimmy Kent… Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo beat The Interns... NWA World tag team champions Kurt & Karl Von Brauner beat Robert Fuller & Sputnik Monroe.

06-16-1972: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,096: Sandy Parker & Susan Green defeat Donna Christanello & Lily Thomas… Kinji Shibuya defeats Juan Garcia… Black Gordman defeats Sal Lothario… Great Goliath wrestled Raul Mata to a Draw… Bearcat Wright wrestled Ernie Ladd to a Draw… Fred Blassie defeats Killer Kowalski… NWA Americas champion John Tolos defeats Superstar Billy Graham.

06-17-1972: In San Francisco, CA at the Cow Palace with a crowd of 8,512: Pat Patterson defeated Lars Anderson to retain the U.S. title… Ernie Ladd defeated Bearcat Wright… Pepper Gomez & Rocky Johnson defeated Paul Demarco & Ripper Collins… Pepper Martin defeated Haru Sasaki… The Samoans defeated Don Carson & Kubla Khan… Great Mephisto defeated Antonino Rocca… Beauregard defeated The Vigilante.

06-19-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,649: Eddie Marlin & Mr. Pro beat Trech Phillips & Carlos Montes… Frankie Lane & Dennis McCord & Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown beat Jack Donovan & Frank Martinez & Tony Santos & Corsica Joe… NWA World tag team champions Kurt & Karl Von Brauner battled Robert Fuller & Sputnik Monroe to a no contest… Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo beat The Interns in a no DQ hair vs. title elimination match to win the Southern tag team titles.

06-23-1972: In Houston, TX at the Coliseum with a crowd of 10,000+: NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Red Bastien… Mil Mascaras & El Santo defeated Bronko Lubick & The Spoiler (Don Jardine)… Lord Littlebrook defeated Cowboy Lang… Billy Red Lyons battled Bearcat Wright to a draw… Crusher (Stan) Stasiak defeated Nick Kozak… Jose Lothario defeated Mr. Fuji.

06-24-1972: Big Time Wrestling: Parade of Champions:  in Irving, TX: Texas Stadium drawing 26,339: El Santo & Jose Lothario beat Terry Funk & Mr. Fuji… George Scott drew Tommy Siegler… Lord Littlebrook beat Cowboy Lang… Mil Mascaras beat The Alaskan… Bearcat Wright won a seven-man roulette match… Billy Red Lyons beat The Spoiler (Don Jardine) to win the World Class American title… Stan Stasiak beat Red Bastien to win the World Class Texas title… NWA World champion Dory Funk, Jr. drew Fritz Von Erich.

Abdullah the Butcher defeats Ernie Ladd for the NWF title in Cleveland, OH.

The Zodiac (Bob Orton) defeats Tim Woods for the Southern (Florida) title.

06-26-1972: In Ottawa, Canada at the Civic Center with a crowd of 7,200: The Hollywood Blondes (Buddy Roberts & Jerry Brown) defeated Paul & Mad Dog Vachon… Giant Jean Ferre (AKA: Andre the Giant) defeated Joe Dusek… Don Leo Jonathan defeated Yvon Robert, Jr… Edouardo Carpentier battled Gilles Poisson to a double DQ… Ricco Garcia defeated Maxime Zarnoff LeBeouf by DQ… Barbara Galento defeated The Masked Marvel.

06-27-1972: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji win the WWWF World tag team titles from Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King in Philadelphia, PA.

06-28-1972: Grand Prix Wrestling: Montreal Forum: Attendance 12,894: Jackie Wiecz defeats Ivan Rapapotsky… Billy Two Rivers & Jean War Eagle wrestled Gilles Poisson & Zarinoff LeBeouf to a draw… Jos LeDuc & Paul LeDuc defeat Mitsu Arakawa & Mighty Inoue… Baron Von Raschke defeats Denis Gauthier… The Hollywood Blondes (Dale Roberts & Jerry Brown) defeat Reggie Parks & Rico Garcia… Jean Ferre (Andre the Giant) & Yvon Robert Jr. defeat Don Leo Jonathan & Blackjack Mulligan… Edouard Carpentier defeats Grand Prix Heavyweight champion Mad Dog Vachon 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

06-29-1972: Zodiac (Bob Orton) & Taurus (Dennis Hall) win the Florida tag team titles from Boris Malenko & Johnny Walker in Jacksonville, FL.

06-30-1972: Ray Gunkel defeated Ox Baker in Atlanta, GA to win the Brass Knuckles title.

07-01-1972: At Madison Square Garden in New York City with an attendance of 19,512: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated George Steele… Sonny King & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Ernie Ladd & Toru Tanaka to retain the WWWF tag team titles… Dory Funk, Sr. & Terry Funk battled Eddie Graham & Don Curtis to a draw… Fabulous Moolah defeated Vicki Williams (billed as the first ever women’s match in New York state)… Mike Graham defeated Juan Caruso… Flying Fred Curry defeated Joe Nova… Gorilla Monsoon defeated The Black Demon.

07-03-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,879: The Gladiator beat Carlos Montez… Sylvia Hackney beat Ann Jeanette… Al & Don Greene beat Eddie Marlin & Tony Charles… Roughhouse Fargo beat Ken Ramey… The Interns battled Frankie Laine & Jackie Fargo to a no contest… Sputnik Monroe & Robert & Ron Fuller beat Saul Weingroff & Kurt & Karl Von Brauner in nine falls of a Texas death match.

07-05-1972: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 12,485: Don Leo Jonathan defeats Reggie Parks… Edouard Carpentier & Yvon Robert Jr. defeat The Hollywood Blondes (Dale Roberts & Jerry Brown) … Jean Ferre (Andre the Giant) defeats Gilles Poisson… Jos LeDuc & Paul LeDuc defeat Ivan Rapapotsky (Soldat Gorky) & Mad Dog Vachon 2 falls to 1.

07-10-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,079: Jackie Fargo & Frankie Lane & Eddie Marlin beat Steve Clements & Al & Don Greene… Oni Wiki Wiki beat The Medic… U.S. Women's champion Cora Combs beat Barbara Galento… NWA World tag team champions Kurt & Karl Von Brauner beat Robert Fuller & Sputnik Monroe in a no DQ match.

07-13-1972: Sean Waltman (AKA: 1-2-3 Kid, Lightning Kid, Syxx, X-Pac) is born.

07-15-1972: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Expo Convention Center: Attendance 10,000: Paul Christy defeats Frank Adonis… Mary Jane Mull & Paula Steele defeat Peggy Patterson & Princess Jasmine… Prince Pullins defeats Jim Alexi… El Bracero defeats Mark Manson… Ricky Cortez defeats Clem Turner… Billy Red Cloud & Bobby Bold Eagle defeat The Graduates (Angelo Poffo & Ken Dillinger)… Wilbur Snyder defeats Bobby Heenan… Baron Von Raschke & Blackjack Mulligan & Ray Stevens defeat Art Thomas & Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher 2 falls to 1.

07-17-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,631: Norvell Austin beat Tony Santos… Al Greene beat Tony Charles… Jackie Fargo & Eddie Marlin beat The Medic & Corsica Joe… U.S. Junior Heavyweight champion Don Greene beat Frankie Laine… Sputnik Monroe & Robert Fuller beat Kurt & Karl Von Brauner to win the NWA World tag team titles.

In Montreal, Canada at Jarry Park with a crowd of 26,237: in Montreal, QB, Canada: drawing 26,237: Tex McKenzie beat Earl Black… Billy & Benny McGuire beat Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Schultz… Raymond Rougeau beat Don Serrano… Johnny Rougeau battled Abdullah the Butcher to a no contest… Jacques Rougeau, Sr. beat The Sheik.

07-21-1972: Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Attendance "more than 9,000": John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) defeats Pedro Godoy… Boris Malenko wrestled Dory Dixon to a Time Limit Draw… Billy Red Lyons defeats Mike York by DQ… Red Bastien defeats Frank Monte… Mexican Death Match: Stan Stasiak defeats Jose Lothario… An Australian Rules, Taped Fists match between Johnny Valentine and Thunderbolt Patterson was advertised as the co-feature the day before, but is not included in the results.

07-23-1972: At a sanctioned weight lifting meet in San Francisco, CA, Ken Patera overhead presses 500 pounds, becoming the first American to do so.

07-24-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,832: Oni Wiki Wiki beat Tony Charles… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat Steve Clements & Saul Weingroff… Sputnik Monroe beat Kurt Von Brauner… Robert Fuller beat Karl Von Brauner… Al Greene beat Jackie Fargo… Don Greene beat Frankie Laine in a coalminer's glove match.

07-28-1972: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 11,784: Ryo Blanco defeats Jerry Monti… Fritz Von Goering defeats Ricky Romero… Ruben Juarez defeats Billy Graham… Terry Funk defeats Raul Mata… Kinji Shibuya & Mr. Saito defeat Black Gordman & The Great Goliath… Ernie Ladd defeats John Tolos for the NWA Americas title.

07-29-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,398: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine wearing a cut out mask)… WWWF World tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji battled Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King to a draw… George Steele defeated Gorilla Monsoon by count out… Paul Jones defeated Jerry Brisco… Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd) defeated Tomas Marin… Fabulous Moolah defeated Susan Green to retain the World Women’s Title… El Olympico (Joaquin Corea) defeated Black Demon… Manuel Soto defeated Juan Caruso.

07-31-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,113: Al Greene beat Tony Charles… Jackie Fargo beat Steve Kyle… Darling Dagmar beat Diamond Lil… Eddie Marlin beat The Great Fuji… Robert Fuller & Sputnik Monroe beat Kurt & Karl Von Brauner… U.S. Junior Heavyweight champion Don Greene beat Frankie Laine.

07-1972: Mitsuo Yoshida (later known as Riki Choshu) is eliminated in the first round of the Olympics in freestyle wrestling representing Japan. Wilfred Dietrich who competed as a professional in Europe wins the silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. Anton Geesink wins the gold in Judo for the Netherlands.

08-01-1972: Ray Gunkel defeated Ox Baker in Savannah, GA. Following the match, Ray Gunkel passed out in the shower and was rushed to the hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 48. He was the reigning Brass Knuckles and Georgia TV champion at the time of his death.

D-Von Dudley is born.

08-07-1972: Johnny Valentine defeats Billy Red Lyons for the NWA American title in Corpus Christi, TX for Big Time Wrestling.

08-08-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,653: Oni Wiki Wiki beat Joe Blassie… Tommy Gilbert pinned Corsica Joe… George Hultz beat Tony Charles… Frankie Lane & Eddie Marlin beat Don Greene & Steve Clements… Al Greene beat Jackie Fargo in three falls of a no DQ hair vs. hair match. Al was also defending his brother Don's U.S. Junior Heavyweight title and if he lost, the Greenes and their manager Steve Clements would have left town.

08-12-1972: NWF Super Bowl of Wrestling in Cleveland, OH: Municipal Stadium drawing 14,000: Manuel Soto & Victor Rivera battled Waldo Von Erich & Karl Von Stroheim to a double DQ… Luis Martinez & Sal Dominguez beat Tex McKenzie & Abner Osborne… Mashio Koma & Motoji Okuma beat Luis Martinez & Sal Dominguez… Tony Marino & Tony Parisi beat Motoji Okuma & Mashio Koma to win the tag team tournament when Parisi pinned Okuma… Sue Green & Lilly Thomas beat Tippy Wells & Peggy Patterson… Joyce Grable & Tonya West beat Dottie Downs & Paula Kaye… Sue Green & Lilly Thomas beat Joyce Grable & Tonya West to win the women's tag team tournament… Sky Low Low & Little Brutus beat Farmer Jerome & Sonny Boy Hayes… Frenchy Lamont & Haiti Kid beat Billy the Kid & Johnny the Red… Sky Low Low & Little Brutus beat Haiti Kid & Frenchy Lamont to win the little persons tag team tournament… NWF tag team champions Don & Johnny Fargo beat Wahoo McDaniel & Chief White Owl… World Women's tag team champions Toni Rose & Donna Christanello beat Sandy Parker & Debbie Johnson… World Women's champion Fabulous Moolah beat Vickie Williams… U.S. Champ Bobo Brazil beat Tim Brooks… NWF champion Abdullah the Butcher battled Ernie Ladd to a double DQ… NWF North American champion Johnny Powers beat Johnny Valentine. Three rings were set up with matches often occurring simultaneously.

Tim Woods defeats The Zodiac (Bob Orton) for the Southern (Florida) title in Tampa.

08-14-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,794: Frankie Lane drew Mr. Pro… Oni Wiki Wiki & Norvell Austin battled Jack Donovan & Frank Martinez to a no contest… Robert Fuller & Sputnik Monroe beat The Medic & Steve Clements… Eddie Marlin beat U.S. Junior Heavyweight champion Don Greene via DQ… Jackie Fargo beat Al Greene. Fargo would have left town had he lost.

Georgia wrestler Mr. X (Doug Scoggins) is killed in a car accident. Juan Caruso was in the same car and was injured in the accident.

08-19-1972: In Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 11,591: The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser defeated Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens… Dusty Rhodes defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ… Ivan Koloff defeated Wilbur Snyder… Billy Robinson defeated Hans Herman… Rene Goulet defeated Ramon Torres… Don Muraco defeated The Big K.

08-21-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,835: Billy Wicks beat Jimmy Kent… Frankie Lane beat Tony Santos… Eddie Marlin beat Steve Clements via DQ… Norvell Austin & Oni Wiki Wiki beat Steve Kyle & Corsica Joe… U.S. Junior Heavyweight champion Don Greene beat Robert Fuller… Jackie Fargo beat Al Greene in a steel cage I quit match.

08-22-1972: Bob Armstrong & Argentina Apollo defeat The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) for the Macon Georgia city tag team titles.

08-25-1972: Kintaro Ohki challenges Giant Baba for the NWA International title and Baba refuses.

In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Argentina Apollo… On the same show Bob Armstrong & Dick Steinborn defeated The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) by DQ and the Georgia tag team titles are held up.

08-26-1972: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Exposition Convention Center: Attendance 10,322 sold out, with a reported 3,000 turned away: Bobby Bold Eagle wrestled Bobby Heenan to a Double DQ… Moose Cholak defeats Ricky Cortez… The Graduates (Angelo Poffo & Ken Dillinger) defeat Vic Rosettani & Wilbur Snyder… Mark Manson defeats Paul Christy… Billy Red Cloud defeats Ben Jarrells… Jose Martinez defeats Bob Sabre… WWA World Tag Team champions The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan) defeat Art Thomas & The Crusher by Count Out 2 falls to 1… German Gestapo Cage Match: Dick The Bruiser defeats Baron Von Raschke.

08-27-1972: In Toronto, Canada at the Maple Leaf Gardens with a crowd of 13,000: The Sheik defeated Magnificent Zulu… Pampero Firpo defeated The Executioner… Tony Parisi defeated Killer Tim Brooks… Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Kurt Von Stroheim… Johnny Valentine defeated The Masked Marvel… The Beast defeated Lee Henning… Carlos Rocha defeated Mike Loren… Joyce Grable & Peggy Patterson defeated Fabulous Moolah & Dottie Downs… The Love Brothers defeated Ivan Kalmikoff & Haystack Calhoun… Ben Justice & Tex McKenzie defeated Nikita Kalmikoff & Big Brutus… Tony Marino & Mighty Igor defeated Joe Christie & Dan Miller… Man Mountain Cannon & Ray Kent battled Lord Athol Layton & Dewey Robertson to a draw.

08-28-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,722: Marlene Belkas beat Sandy Partlow via DQ… Tommy Gilbert & Oni Wiki Wiki drew The Hippies… The Great Fuji beat Nick Adams… Gentleman Ben the Wrestling Bear beat Jimmy Kent… Jackie Fargo & Eddie Marlin beat Al & Don Greene in a no DQ hair vs. hair & mask match (Steve Clements' hair vs. Marlin's hair & Fargo's mask) to win the NWA World tag team titles. Clements was suspended for refusing to have his head shaved.

09-01-1972: AWA in Chicago, IL: Soldier Field drawing 12,000: Rene Goulet drew Don Muraco… Ramon Torres beat Angelo Poffo… Sailor Art Thomas pinned Hans Harmann… Bobo Johnson pinned Little Bruiser… Baron Von Raschke pinned Billy Red Cloud… Andre Rousimoff (Andre the Giant) beat Larry Hennig & Butcher Vachon in a handicap match… Dusty Rhodes beat Wahoo McDaniel via DQ… AWA World tag team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Wilbur Snyder… AWA World heavyweight champion Verne Gagne beat Ivan Koloff… The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser beat The Blackjacks (Mulligan & Lanza) in a steel cage match. Joe Walcott was the referee.

In Atlanta, GA prior to a match The Avenger unmasks as Francisco Flores then defeats Ox Baker in a match.

09-02-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 21,819: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Ernie Ladd… Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele… Chief Jay Strongbow battled The Spoiler (Don Jardine) to a draw… WWWF World tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji battled Gorilla Monsoon & Manuel Soto to a draw… Sonny King defeated Black Demon… Chuck O’Connor (Big John Studd) defeated Joe Nova… El Olympico defeated Joe Turco.

Giant Baba vacates the NWA International title in order to form All-Japan Pro Wrestling.

09-05-1972: Buddy Colt defeats Tim Woods for the Southern (Florida) title in Tampa.

09-06-1972: The Sheik defeats Seiji Sakaguchi for the JWA United National title in Tokyo, Japan: 6,000 fans.

09-07-1972: Montreal, Canada: Forum: Attendance 12,000: Killer Kowalski defeats Rico Garcia… Frank Valois defeats Reggie Parks… Gilles Poisson defeats Jackie Wiecz… Billy Two Rivers & Johnny War Eagle defeats Bull Gregory & Mighty Inoue… Dino Bravo defeats Frenchy Martin… Jos LeDuc & Paul LeDuc defeat Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Roberts) … Mongolian Stomper wrestled Blackjack Mulligan to a no contest… Edouard Carpentier & Lionel Robert defeat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke… Jean Ferre (Andre the Giant) defeats Don Leo Jonathan by DQ.

Seiji Sakaguchi regains the JWA United National title one day after losing it to The Sheik. This took place in Osaka, Japan: 6,000 fans.

09-08-1972: 1/2 of the NWA Georgia tag team champions The Assassin 2 (Tom Renesto) announces his retirement and unmasks. Some have theorized that he was already plotting a split from Georgia wrestling and did this prevent the NWA from reveling his identity, but his partner Jody Hamilton refuted this years later.

09-09-1972: In Boston, MA at Boston Gardens with a crowd of 11,874: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine) to retain the title… Jack Brisco & Gorilla Monsoon defeated Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka by DQ… Vincent Pometti defeated Joe Nova… Blackjack Slade defeated Joe Crugnale… Arnold Skaaland defeated Joe Turco… El Olympico defeated Black Demon… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated George Steele… Sonny King defeated Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd)

09-15-1972: In Atlanta, GA a tournament for the vacant Georgia tag team champions is held and Ox Baker & Skandor Akbar defeated Dick Steinborn & Bob Armstrong in the finals to win.

09-16-1972: Harley Race wins a tournament in St. Louis over Pak Song to become the first NWA Missouri champion.

WWA: Indianapolis: Expo Center: Attendance 10,000: Bobby Bold Eagle defeats Red Dupree… Prince Pullins defeats Tom DeMarco… Billy Red Cloud defeats The Beast… The Wolfman defeats Bob Sabre… Mary Jane Mull defeats Paula Steele… The Graduates (Angelo Poffo & Ken Dillinger) defeat Moose Cholak & Wilbur Snyder… WWA World Heavyweight champion Baron von Raschke defeats Sailor Art Thomas… Dick The Bruiser & Little Bruiser & The Crusher defeat Bobby Heenan & The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan)

09-19-1972: Jimmy Golden & Ron Fuller win the Florida tag team titles in a tournament final over Paul Jones & Dick Murdoch in Tampa, FL.

09-29-1972: EMLL 39th Anniversary Show 1 of 2: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: El Solitario & Ray Mendoza beat Rene Guajardo & Alfonso Dantes to win a tag team tournament.

09-30-1972: In a battle of two of the greatest ethnic heroes of the era at New York’s Shea Stadium with a crowd of 22,508, WWWF champion Pedro Morales wrestled Bruno Sammartino to a seventy-five minute draw. Also on the card, Jack Brisco defeated Mr. Fuji, and World Women’s champion Fabulous Moolah defeated Debbie Johnson… Little Beaver & Little Louie defeated Pee Wee Adams & Sonny Boy Hayes… El Olympico defeated Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd) by DQ… Gorilla Monsoon battled Ernie Ladd to a draw… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Lou Albano.

09-1972: Paul Jones, who has been the Florida TV champion for about five months, retires the title and creates the Paul Jones TV Trophy and presents it to Jack Brisco who destroys it.

10-04-1972: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,000: Shown on TV Tokyo: Makoto Arakawa beat Kazuo Sato… Little (Gran) Hamada pinned Shinichi Kihara… John Kowalski pinned Tatsumi Fujinami… Wayne Bridges pinned Harold Sakata… John Tolley (Foley) pinned Shoji Kai… Osamu Kido pinned Prince Kumali… Pat Roach beat Katsuhisa Shibata via DQ… Osamu Kido won a battle royal… Antonio Inoki beat Karl Gotch via countout to win the New Japan Real World title… Red Pimpernel (Abe Jacobs) & Sean Regan defeated Toyonobori & Yamamoto.

10-09-1972: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Tojo Yamamoto & Johnny Walker beat Don & Al Greene to win the NWA World tag team titles.

10-10-1972: Karl Gotch regains the “Real World title” (a made up Inoki belt) from Antonio Inoki.

10-13-1972: Rock Hunter defeats Bob Armstrong for the Georgia Brass Knux title in a tournament final in Atlanta.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,881: The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) defeat Guy Mitchell & Ronnie Etchison 2 falls to 1… Steve Bolus defeats Juan Sebastian… The Stomper (Guy Mitchell) defeats George Hultz… Hans Schmidt & Big Bill Miller defeat Bob Ellis & Jack Brisco… NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Pat O'Connor 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. defeats Gene Kiniski 2 falls to 1.

10-14-1972: AWA in Minneapolis, MN with 6,107 fans: AWA World champion Verne Gagne battled Nick Bockwinkel to a no contest. After the match Bockwinkel stole the world title match… Rene Goulet defeated Kenny Jay… George Scott defeated Hans Herman… Superstar Graham defeated Bull Bullinsky… Lani Kealoa defeated Larry Hennig by DQ… The Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch) defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Dr. X (Dick Beyer)

In Atlanta, GA on WTCG TV The Assassin unmasks himself as Tom Renesto. The hostile split between the Ann Gunkel faction and the NWA faction is soon to take place. It has been speculated that Renesto unmasked unexpectedly on television as a way to take leverage away from the NWA revealing his identity.

10-16-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,423: Bruno Sammartino & Pedro Morales defeated WWWF World tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji by DQ… The Spoiler (Don Jardine) battled Sonny King to a draw… Ray Stevens defeated El Olympico… Buddy Wolfe defeated Black Jack Slade… Toni Rose & Donna Christianello defeated Vicki Williams & Joyce Grable… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Chuck O’Connor (Big John Studd)… Black Demon defeated Joe Turco… Little Beaver & Little Louie defeated Frenchy Lamont & Pee Wee Adams.

The Momota family, the family of the late Rikidozan, presents Giant Baba with Rikidozan’s old NWA International heavyweight title belt. Giant Baba announces that he will found a World heavyweight title with the belt. The belt eventually becomes the PWF heavyweight title.

10-17-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,094: Len Rossi beat Frank Martinez… Kevin Sullivan beat George Hultz… Ken Lucas & Dennis Hall drew Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente… Al Greene & The Great Fuji drew Tojo Yamamoto & Eddie Marlin… The Interns & Ken Ramey beat Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown via DQ in a handicap match… Southern tag team champions The Interns beat Len Rossi & Kevin Sullivan… Don Greene beat Johnny Walker in a no DQ hair vs. title match to win the U.S. Junior Heavyweight title.

10-19-1972: Johnny Valentine defeats Abdullah the Butcher for the NWF title in Cleveland, OH.

10-20-1972: Dick Steinborn & Argentina Apollo defeated Ox Baker & Skandor Akbar to win the Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

EMLL 39th Anniversary Show 2 of 2: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: NWA World Welterweight champion Karloff Lagarde beat Huracan Ramirez… NWA World Light Heavyweight champion Alfonso Dantes beat El Solitario.

10-21-1972: AWA in Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 6,112: Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeated Andre Rousimoff (AKA: Andre the Giant) & Mad Dog Vachon… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Larry Hennig… George Scott battled Rene Goulet to a draw… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ramon Torres… Kenny Jay defeated Cesar Pabon.

10-21-1972: Giant Baba founds All-Japan Pro Wrestling with the support of Nippon Television. On the first show Bruno Sammartino & Terry Funk defeated Giant Baba & Sugiyama in a tag team match.

10-22-1972: D-Lo Brown is born.

10-23-1972: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Expo Convention Center: Attendance 10,000: Billy Bold Eagle & Bobby Red Cloud defeat Mark Manson & The Beast… Higo Hamaguchi defeats Paul Christy… Bob Ellis defeats Bobby Heenan by Count Out… Wilbur Snyder defeats Angelo Poffo… Ken Dillinger defeats Tom Lynch… WWA World Heavyweight champion Baron von Raschke wrestled Andre the Giant to a double DQ… Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher defeat WWA World Tag Team champions The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan) in a no DQ match. Bruiser & Crusher appeared to win the titles, but the newspaper says they were held up due to an illegal man being pinned. The titles were returned to the Blackjacks

10-28-1972: In Detroit, MI at the Fairgrounds Coliseum with a crowd of 5,625: Pampero Firpo defeated Bobo Brazil to win the U.S. title… The Sheik battled Tex McKenzie to a double DQ… Killer Brooks defeated J.P. Tsycho… Johnny Valentine defeated Tony Marino… The Stomper (Guy Mitchell) & Ben Justice & Dan Miller & Haystacks Calhoun defeated The Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) & Karl Von Sholtz & Kurt Von Hess… Darling Dagmar defeated Diamond Lil… Jess Ortega battled Magnificent Zulu to a draw… Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Tom Harmon… Lucille Dupree defeated Kay Cacie… Hans Schmidt battled Tony Parine to a draw.

10-31-1972: Tomomi “Jumbo” Tsuruta who was a member of the Japanese Olympic wrestling team joins All Japan Pro Wrestling.

11-06-1972: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Len Rossi & Kevin Sullivan beat The Interns in a no DQ hair vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles.

11-13-1972: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,022: Doug Smith & Darling Dagmar beat The Great Fuji & Diamond Lil… Ken Lucas & Dennis Hall beat Kurt & Karl Von Fritz… Jerry Lawler & Jim White drew Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert… Southern tag team champions The Bounty Hunters beat Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown… Johnny Walker & Jackie Fargo beat Al & Don Greene in three falls of a no DQ match.

11-14-1972: Matt Bloom (A-Train/Albert) is born.

11-17-1972: NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr. battled Dick Steinborn to a draw in Atlanta, GA. In just five days Ann Gunkel, wife of the late Ray Gunkel, will split with the National Wrestling Alliance and take virtually all of their talent to form her own promotion.

11-18-1972: In Boston, MA at the Boston Gardens with a crowd of 11,464: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated The Sheik by count out… Gorilla Monsoon & Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King defeated Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka & The Spoiler (Don Jardine)… Tony Garea defeated Vincent Pometti… Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd) battled El Olympico to a draw… Buddy Wolf defeated Arnold Skaaland… Victor Rivera defeated Mike Loren… Fabulous Moolah defeated Dottie Downs.

11-22-1972: In Columbus, GA the big Georgia Wrestling split takes place and the so called “Battle of Atlanta” begins. From Mark James “Wrestling Record Book: Atlanta”: Bob Armstrong and Rock Hunter were the only two in attendance to wrestle. Fred Ward (promoter of Columbus) announced to the crowd ahead of the show that all money would be returned whether fans decided to stay or leave. He offered no explanation as to the whereabouts of the other wrestlers scheduled. Earlier in the day, a private meeting was held in Atlanta said to be led by Ann Gunkel, Tom Renesto, The Assassin (Jody Hamilton), Dick Steinborn, and Charlie Harben. Known to be in attendance were Ed Capral, Charlie Smith, Ted & Jerry Oates, Ox Baker, Argentina Apollo, Oki Shikina, Jesse James, Skandor Akbar, Tommy Seigler, El Mongol, Roberto Soto, The Avenger, The Hollywood Blondes (Buddy Roberts & Jerry Brown), Wayne Cowan (Dutch Mantel), Joe Turner, Bill Bowman, Krusher Karlson, and Darrell Cochran. During the meeting, the leaders made it clear they were forming a new promotion to be called All-South Wrestling Alliance. Of those in attendance, the only one to stay with the Atlanta NWA office was Derrell Cochran. Not in attendance at the meeting, but also deciding to remain with the NWA side after learning of the news were Bob Armstrong and Roy Lee Welch. Rock Hunter was also not in attendance at the meeting, and is said to not have heard that there would be a boycott of the Columbus card that evening. Jerry Oates had decided to join All-South but returned to the Atlanta NWA office within weeks of his departure.

11-23-1972: Johnny Powers defeats Johnny Valentine for the NWF North American title in Cleveland, OH.

Jim Crockett Promotions: Thanksgiving Night: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 13,000: Ronnie Garvin defeats Joe Soto… Randy Curtis defeats Billy Hines… Klondike Bill defeats Evil Eye Gordon… Gene Anderson defeats Les Thatcher… Sandy Scott wrestled The Menace to a Draw… Freddie Sweetan & Mike DuBois defeat David Finley & Jim Dillon… Lumberjack Match: Thunderbolt Patterson defeats Ole Anderson… The Brisco Brothers (Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco) defeat The Funks (Dory Funk Jr. & Dory Funk Sr.) 2 falls to 1.

11-24-1972: Omar Atlas defeats Harley Race for the Central States title in St. Joseph, MO.

The first post-split NWA card is held in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium. Eddie Graham, the Florida promoter and Bill Watts supply a great deal of the talent used on the show. According to the program on cards promoted by Paul Jones would be recognized by the NWA. Jack Brisco defeated Hiro Matsuda… Doug Gilbert defeated Bronko Lubich… Bob Armstrong defeated Mike Paidousis… Grizzly Smith won a battle royal… Eddie Graham & Buddy Fuller & Robert Fuller defeated Geeto Mongol & Jim Grabmire & Nick Russo… Don Curtis defeated Ron Hill… Derrell Cochran defeated Tinker Todd.

11-25-1972: Georgia Championship Wrestling headed by Paul Jones and Lester Welch suffers a split with Ann Gunkel forming All South Championship Wrestling. The entire roster, with exception of Bob Armstrong and Daryl Cochran join Gunkel’s group. The NWA affiliated Georgia promotion calls upon Eddie Graham of Florida and other NWA promotion members to supply talent and the infamous Atlanta wrestling war begins.

11-27-1972: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,183: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Ray Stevens by blood stoppage… Verne Gagne defeated Buddy Wolfe… WWWF World tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji battled Gorilla Monsoon & Chief Jay Strongbow to a draw… Victor Rivera battled The Spoiler (Don Jardine) to a draw… Eddie Graham defeated Black Jack Slade… Black Gordman defeated Sonny King… Tony Garea defeated Chuck O’Connor (Big John Studd)… El Olympico defeated Joe Turco.

11-28-1972: Jack Brisco wins his fourth Florida title over Paul Jones in Tampa.

12-01-1972: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,702: Juan Sebastian & Bennie Ramirez defeat Ben Justice & Steve Bolus 2 falls to 1… Jim Steele defeats Billy Howard… Johnny Valentine defeats Hans Schmidt… NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Guy Mitchell… The Brisco Brothers (Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco) defeat The Miller Brothers (Dan Miller & Bill Miller)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. wrestled Rufus R. Jones to a time limit draw splitting one fall each.

12-02-1972: In Detroit, MI: Attendance: 10,252. Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat The Blackjacks (Lanza & Mulligan) in a steel cage match to win the WWA tag team titles… Baron Von Raschke no contest Bob Ellis… The Beast & Farkas The Wolfman beat Wilbur Snyder & Sailor Art Thomas… Billy Red Cloud beat Higo Hamaguchi… Prince Pullins drew Kenny Dillinger, Bobby Bold Eagle beat Johnny Kace… Mark Manson beat Paul Christy.

JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 6,000: Kazuo Sakurada beat Masashi Ozawa… Haruka Eigen battled Masanori Toguchi to a double count out… Kantaro Hoshino drew Al Costello… Great Kojika pinned George Cannon… Gentetsu Matsuoka battled Don Kent to a double count out… Umanosuke Ueda beat The Mongolian Stomper via DQ… Akihisa Takachiho pinned Eric Froelich… Masa Saito battled Karl Kox to a no contest… Kintaro Oki & Seiji Sakaguchi beat Bobo Brazil & Gene Kiniski to win the vacant NWA International tag team titles.

12-04-1972: Kintaro Oki defeats Bobo Brazil for the International title in Hiroshima, Japan. The Japanese Wrestling Association closes just a few months later but the International title is revived in 1981 as part of the All-Japan promotion.

12-08-1972: The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeats Roberto Soto for the All South (Ann Gunkel) Georgia title in Atlanta.

At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA for the NWA group: NWA World champion Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Jack Brisco by DQ.

El Solitario defeated Angelo Blanco in a mask verses mask match in Mexico, unmasking him as Jose Angel Vargas Sanchez.

12-09-1972: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Expo Convention Center: Attendance 10,000: Jose Martinez defeats Benny Jarrells… Mark Manson defeats Prince Pullins… Wilbur Snyder defeats Higo Hamaguchi… Bobby Heenan defeats Gil Guerrero… Bobby Bold Eagle defeats Ken Dillinger… Ernie Ladd defeats Billy Red Cloud… WWA World Heavyweight champion Baron von Raschke defeats Bob Ellis by DQ… In a steel cage match: Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher win the WWA tag team titles from Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan with boxer “Jersey” Joe Walcott as special referee.

At the WTCG Studios in Atlanta, GA for the NWA group: NWA World champion Dory Funk, Jr. battled Jack Brisco to a draw.

12-10-1972: Ric Flair makes his pro wrestling debut in Rice Lake, WI going to a ten minute draw with George Gadaski.

12-15-1972: Bob Armstrong defeats Buddy Colt for the NWA Southern (Georgia) title in Atlanta, GA.

12-18-1972: New York state lifts a ban on masked wrestlers and Mil Mascaras defeats The Spoiler (Don Jardine) (who oddly, still wrestled unmasked) at Madison Square Garden. Attendance was 20,906: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Ray Stevens… Joe Turco defeated Blackjack Slade… Tony Garea defeated Bull Pometti… Great Goliath defeated Manuel Soto… Sonny King battled Buddy Wolf to a draw… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd)… El Olympico & Victor Rivera defeated Dory Funk, Sr. & Terry Funk.

12-19-1972: Giant Baba defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) in a famous match in Niigata, Japan. The loss forced The Destroyer to remain in Japan as Baba’s partner.

12-23-1972: Bobo Brazil wins the U.S. (Detroit) title from Pampero Firpo in Detroit.

12-25-1972: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat The Bounty Hunters to win the Southern tag team titles.

12-26-1972: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Convention Center: Attendance 10,000: Jimmy Valiant defeats Tom Lynch… Johnny Kace defeats Prince Pullins… Ernie Ladd defeats Gilbert Guerrero… Higo Hamaguchi & Mitsu Arakawa defeat Billy Red Cloud & Bold Eagle… Mongolian Stomper defeats Frank Adonis… The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan) defeat Bob Ellis & Wilbur Snyder… WWA World Heavyweight champion Baron Von Raschke wrestled The Crusher to a Draw.

12-29-1972: A tournament is held in Atlanta, GA for the vacant NWA Georgia tag team titles which are won by Eddie & Mike Graham over Sputnik & Rocket Monroe. Also on the show, Buddy Colt regains the Southern (Georgia) title from Bob Armstrong.

12-30-1972: Billy Robinson & Verne Gagne defeat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens for the AWA World tag team titles in Minneapolis, MN. Attendance 7,091.

The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the U.S. (Detroit) title in Detroit, MI with special referee Joe Louis with a crowd of 12,423: Pampero Firpo defeated Haystacks Calhoun… Johnny Valentine & Tex McKenzie defeated Karl Von Shotzz & Kurt Von Hess… Tony Marino & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Killer Brooks & Eddie Crechman… George Steele defeated Hank James… Ben Justice battled Dr. Jerry Graham to a draw… The Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) defeated Magnificent Zulu & Rick Luka… Mighty Igor defeated Mike Loren… Lucille Dupree defeated Tonya West… Psycho defeated Jess Ortega… Farmer Jerome & Sonny Hayes defeated Frenchie Lamont & Pee Wee Adams.

1972: Chris Taylor wins the NCAA championship in the heavyweight division out of Iowa State University.

Dory Funk, Jr.

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

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Pro wrestling history. The history of professional wrestling. Timeline of pro wrestling history.

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