Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1976
By: Karl Stern
The year in pro wrestling history 1976 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1976
01-03-1976: In Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 6,112 for the AWA: The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser defeated Johnny & Jimmy Valiant… Pampero Firpo defeated Baron Von Raschke… Greg Gagne defeated Kim Duk… Larry Hennig defeated Frank Hill… Jos LeDuc defeated Don Wade… Kosrow Viziri (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Paul Pershmann (AKA: Buddy Rose)… Jim Brunzell battled Bobby Duncum to a no contest.
01-04-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,540: Don & Al Greene beat Wayne Petty & Randy Fargo… Tojo Yamamoto & Tommy Rich beat Bill Costello & David Schultz… The Interns beat Eddie Marlin & Bearcat Brown to win the Southern tag team titles in a no DQ masks vs. title match… Jackie Fargo & Bill Dundee beat Toru Tanaka & Jerry Lawler.
Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: NWA World heavyweight title Terry Funk defeated Edouardo Carpentier… Spiros Arion defeated The Sheik by DQ… The Crusaders defeated Don Kent & Terry Yorkston… Mark Lewin defeated Bobby Bass… The Mongols defeated Sweet Daddy Siki & Keith Frankes (AKA: Adrian Adonis)… Lord Athol Layton & Duncan McTavish defeated Chris Tolos & The Wolfman… Reginald Love defeated The Beast… Stan Stasiak defeated Pretty Boy Anthony.
01-11-1976: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeated Stan Stasiak… The Sheik defeated Spiros Arion… The Crusaders defeated The Wildman & Baron Von Krupp by DQ… Lord Athol Layton & Duncan McTavish defeated Don Kent & Reginald Love… Dominic Denucci & The Beast defeated Geeto Mongol & Terry Yorkston… Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Chris Tolos… Mark Lewin defeated Kurt Von Hess… Ernie Ladd defeated Lou Klein… Chris Markoff defeated Karl Von Brauner.
01-12-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,092: Superstar Billy Graham defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by count out… WWWF World tag team champions Tony Parisi & Louis Cerdan defeated Ivan Koloff & Spiros Arion… Ernie Ladd defeated Gorilla Monsoon due to blood stoppage… Dominic DeNucci defeated Bugsy McGraw by DQ… Ivan Putski defeated Crusher Jerry Blackwell… Kevin Sullivan battled Frank Monte to a draw… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Francisco Flores… Pat Barrett battled Pete Sanchez to a draw.
In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown beat The Interns in a no DQ match to win the Southern tag team titles in a match where Tommy Gilbert's hair was on the line if his team lost.
01-16-1976: Java Ruuk (Johnny Rodz) wins the annual Los Angeles battle royal last eliminating Porkchop Cash to win.
01-17-1976: Jesse Ventura defeats Jimmy Snuka for the Pacific Northwest title.
01-19-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,995: The Interns beat Tommy Rich & Wayne Petty… Bill Dundee & Tojo Yamamoto beat Toru Tanaka & David Schultz… Bill Costello beat Randy Fargo… Southern tag team champions Bearcat Wright & Tommy Gilbert beat Al & Don Greene via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Ricky Gibson to win the held-up Southern title.
01-23-1976: WWWF: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance: 7,000: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino fought Superstar Billy Graham to a double DQ.
01-24-1976: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,787: Annual Battle Royal: Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens defeat Mr. Saito & Don Muraco… Andre The Giant & Peter Maivia defeat Dutch Savage & The Invaders (Rocky Montero & Karl Von Steiger)… Dory Funk Jr. defeats Java Ruuk… 18 Man $15,000 Battle Royal: Mr. Fuji defeats Java Ruuk, Earl Maynard, Bobby Jaggers, Dutch Savage, Invader 1, Harley Race, Moondog Mayne, Dory Funk Jr., Karl von Brauner, Andre The Giant, Invader 2, Pedro Morales, Mr. Saito, Peter Maivia, Pat Patterson, Don Muraco, Ray Stevens. Fuji eliminated Maivia & Patterson. Stevens eliminated Muraco. Fuji eliminated Ray Stevens to win.
01-26-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,301: Buddy Wayne Peale beat Randy Fargo… Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown beat Tommy Rich & Wayne Petty.. The Interns battled Al & Don Greene to a no contest… Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dundee beat Toru Tanaka & David Schultz… Jerry Lawler beat Ricky Gibson via DQ.
01-30-1976: Dusty Rhodes defeats The Spoiler (Don Jardine) for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.
01-31-1976: Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 11,187: El Rayo & Roberto Soto defeat Steve Strong & Doug Gilbert… The Mongols (Bolo & Geeto) defeat Dan Miller & Tiger Conway Jr… Tio Tio defeats Gil Turner… Ronnie Garvin defeats Larry Sharpe… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Mike DuBois… Tim Woods defeats Blackjack Mulligan… NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeats Wahoo McDaniel by count out… NWA United States champion Paul Jones defeats Angelo Mosca.
02-01-1976: In Guatemala City, Guatemala: Estadio Mateo Flores drawing 42,000: Mil Mascaras beat Jose Azzari to win a tournament to win the Asociation Lucha Libre Latinamerico Heavyweight Title.
02-02-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: Attendance 22,092 (sellout). Includes 3,508 watching at the Felt Forum: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Superstar Billy Graham… Ivan Koloff battled Ivan Putski to a draw… Bobo Brazil & Tony Parisi defeated Bugsy McGraw & Crusher Jerry Blackwell… Ernie Ladd defeated Dominic DeNucci… Louis Cyr (AKA: Gilles Poisson) defeated Francisco Flores… Little Louie & Coco Kid defeated Billy the Kid & Little Johnny… Spiros Arion defeated Kevin Sullivan… Frank Monte defeated Pete Sanchez.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,780: Toru Tanaka & Bill Costello beat Randy Fargo & Wayne Petty… Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown beat Buddy Wayne & Lonnie Blaystein… Jerry Lawler & David Schultz beat Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee… Al & Don Greene battled Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett to a no contest… Tommy Rich won a battle royal.
02-06-1976: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 12,700: Seiji Sakaguchi beat Tiger Jeet Singh via DQ… Real World Martial Arts champion Antonio Inoki defeated Willem Ruska in a wrestler vs. judoka match.
The Spoiler (Don Jardine) regains the NWA Georgia title from Dusty Rhodes in Atlanta at the Municipal Auditorium.
02-08-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,430: Sam Bass & Buddy Wayne Peale beat Jerry Bryant & Randy Fargo… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat David Schultz & Bill Costello… Bill Dundee & Wayne Petty beat The Interns via DQ… Bearcat Brown beat Toru Tanaka via DQ… Southern champion Jerry Lawler battled Tommy Rich to a no contest… Jerry Jarrett & Tojo Yamamoto beat Don & Al Greene.
02-15-1976: Two time Florida state amateur wrestling champion and graduate of Verne Gagne’s wrestling camp, Ricky Steamboat makes his pro wrestling debut in Minneapolis, MN defeating Scott Irwin. He begins his career wrestling as Sammy Steamboat, Jr. tough not related.
02-16-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,691: The Spoiler (Frank Morell) beat Wayne Petty… Rosey Jones beat Buddy Wayne… Big Bad John beat David Schultz… Southern tag team champions Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown beat Toru Tanaka & Mitsu Arakawa… Sam Bass & Al & Don Greene beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett & Bill Dundee via DQ… Tommy Rich beat Jerry Lawler via DQ.
02-22-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,019: Buddy Wayne beat Wayne Petty… Rosey Jones beat Bill Costello… Jerry Jarrett beat Al Greene via DQ… Big Bad John beat Mitsu Arakawa via countout… Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown & Bill Dundee & Tojo Yamamoto drew The Spoiler (Frank Morell) & Don Greene & David Schultz & Sam Bass… Tommy Rich pinned Jerry Lawler in a no DQ match to win the Southern title.
02-29-1976: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Waldo Von Erich… Fabulous Moolah defeated Susan Green to retain the World Women’s title… Killer Kowalski defeated Dominic Denucci… The Crusaders defeated Pat & Mike Kelly… Lord Athol Layton & Duncan McTavish defeated Reginald Love & The Wildman… Ivan Koloff defeated Steve Bolus… Brute Bernard defeated Terry Yorkston… Ox Baker defeated The Beast… Don Kent & Chris Tolos defeated Al Brassero & Chris Markoff.
03-02-1976: Danny Hodge begins his seventh and last reign as NWA World Junior champion by defeating Hiro Matsuda in Shreveport, LA.
03-07-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,800: Tojo Yamamoto & Rosey Jones & Eddie Marlin beat Don Greene & Mitsu Arakawa & The Spoiler (Frank Morrel)… David Schultz & Roger Kirby beat Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown to win the Southern tag team titles… Ron Mikolajczyk beat Jerry Lawler via DQ… Jerry Jarrett beat Al Greene in a no DQ hair vs. hair match when Greene was unable to pin Jarrett twice in 15 minutes.
03-10-1976: One of the original All Japan wrestlers, Masio Koma, dies of liver failure.
03-13-1976: Blackjack Mulligan wins the NWA U.S. title from Paul Jones in Greensboro NC.
Ox Baker & Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd) win the WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in Indianapolis.
03-14-1976: Lizmark makes his debut at Arena Coliseo is Mexico City.
03-15-1976: Danny Hodge receives a broken neck in a car accident which ends his career. He is the reigning NWA World Junior heavyweight champion.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,467: Tojo Yamamoto beat Buddy Wayne… Big Bad John & Bill Dundee beat Don Greene & The Spoiler (Frank Morell)… Southern tag team champions David Schultz & Roger Kirby beat Bearcat Brown & Rosey Jones… Jerry Lawler beat Tommy Gilbert… Al Greene beat Jerry Jarrett in a match where he had to win within five minutes or his manager Sam Bass would have his head shaved… Southern champion Tommy Rich beat Plowboy Frazier… Jerry Lawler battled Ron Mikolajczyk to a no contest.
03-18-1976: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 7,800: Ron Starr beat Ozawa… Kantaro Hoshino beat Don Serrano… Osamu Kido beat Mike Stallings… Seiji Sakaguchi & Strong Kobayashi beat Black Gordman & Goliath… NWF champion Antonio Inoki beat Johnny Powers.
03-19-1976: Ted & Jerry Oates wins the Georgia tag team titles from Les Thornton & Tony Charles in Atlanta at the Municipal Auditorium.
03-22-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,129: Princess Little Dove beat Diamond Lil… Bearcat Brown & Rosey Jones beat Buddy Wayne & Bill Costello… Tommy Gilbert beat The Spoiler (Don Jardine)… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat Don & Al Greene via DQ… Big Bad John & Bill Dundee beat David Schultz & Roger Kirby to win the Southern tag team titles… Tommy Rich & Ron Mikolajczyk beat Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier via DQ.
03-25-1976: Pak Song wins the Florida title from Thunderbolt Patterson.
03-29-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 21,004: Bruno Sammartino & Tony Parisi defeated Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff by count out… Bobo Brazil defeated Louis Cyr… Andre the Giant & Ivan Putski defeated Ernie Ladd & Bugsy McGraw… Dominic DeNucci defeated Crusher Jerry Blackwell… Chris Taylor defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Jose Gonzalez defeated Gene Dundee… Pat Barrett defeated Johnny Rodz… Kevin Sullivan defeated Pete Sanchez.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,471: Bearcat Brown beat Bill Costello… Don & Al Greene beat Mike Pappas & Don Anderson… Southern tag team champions Big Bad John & Bill Dundee battled Roger Kirby & David Shultz to a no contest. As a result, the title was held-up… Tojo Yamamoto & Tommy Gilbert beat Buddy Wayne & The Spoiler (Frank Morell)… Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass & Plowboy Frazier beat Tommy Rich & Jerry Jarrett & Ron Mikolajczyk.
04-03-1976: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 14,312: Rocky Tamayo fought Pat Barrett to a draw… Jose Gonzalez pinned Johnny Rodz… Kevin Sullivan pinned Pete Reeves… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ivan Koloff in a steel cage match.
04-05-1976: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Bill Dundee & Big Bad John beat Roger Kirby & David Schultz to win the held-up Southern tag team titles.
04-07-1976: Dusty Rhodes is sued by a wrestling who said he was hit by Rhodes following a match on this date at the Miami-Dade Community College.
04-12-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,391: Bearcat Brown & Rosey Jones beat The Spoiler (Frank Morell) & Bill Costello… Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Mike Pappas & Don Anderson… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett & Tommy Rich beat Jimmy Kent & The Bounty Hunters… Southern tag team champions Big Bad John & Bill Dundee beat David Schultz & Roger Kirby… Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier beat Ernie Ladd & Ron Mikolajczyk in a loser leaves town match.
04-17-1976: Jack Brisco wins his fourth Florida title from Pak Song in St. Petersburg.
04-19-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,982: Eddie Marlin beat The Spoiler (Frank Morell)… Roger Kirby & David Shultz beat Rosey Jones & Bearcat Brown… Jim White & Sam Bass beat Mike Pappas & Jerry Bryant… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett & Tommy Rich beat The Bounty Hunters & Jim Kent in a no DQ match… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier battled Bill Dundee & Don Anderson to a no contest.
04-21-1976: Bobo Brazil is awarded the U.S. (Detroit) title.
04-23-1976: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 7,569: Russ Francis defeats Tank Patton… Haiti Kid & Little Coco defeat Billy The Kid & Little John 2 falls to 1… Ray Candy defeats Bulldog Brown… Wilbur Snyder defeats Kim Duk… Bob Backlund defeats NWA Missouri champion Harley Race to win the title… NWA World Heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeats Dick The Bruiser 2 falls to 1… Chris Taylor & Pat O'Connor defeat Blackjack Lanza & Baron Von Raschke.
At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dusty Rhodes defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine) in a Texas Bullrope match… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated The Sheik by DQ… Ox Baker defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)… Bob Armstrong & Dick Slater & Mark Lewin defeated Greg Valentine & Stan Stasiak & Moondog Mayne… Black Gordman & Great Goliath defeated Ted & Jerry Oates… Rick Martel defeated Les Thornton… Tony Charles battled Skip Young to a draw.
04-26-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,002: Buddy Wayne Peale beat Bill Costello… Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Bearcat Brown & Mike Pappas… Tojo Yamamoto & Eddie Marlin & Tommy Rich & Rosey Jones & Jerry Bryant beat Roger Kirby & David Schultz & Jimmy Kent & The Bounty Hunters… Don Anderson beat Sam Bass… Bill Dundee & Big Bad John beat Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier via DQ
WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,493: Stan Hansen defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino due to blood stoppage. During the match during a bodyslam, Bruno’s neck is broken… Andre the Giant defeated Ernie Ladd… Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff defeated Haystack Calhoun & Pat Barrett… Bobo Brazil defeated Rocky Tamayo… Ric Flair defeated Frankie Williams… Dominic DeNucci defeated Louis Cyr… Tony Parisi defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Louis Cerdan defeated Johnny Rodz.
04-30-1976: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dusty Rhodes & Thunderbolt Patterson battled The Spoiler (Don Jardine) & The Sheik to a no contest… Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Stan Stasiak & Ox Baker… Mark Lewin defeated Moondog Mayne… Dick Slater defeated Black Gordman… Little Louie & Haiti Kid defeated Little John & Lord Littlebrook… Bob Armstrong battled Great Goliath to a draw… Greg Valentine defeated Ervin Smith.
05-01-1976: Masked Strangler (Guy Mitchell) wins the WWA title from Pepper Gomez in Indianapolis. Also on the show, Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher win their sixth WWA tag team title over Ox Baker & Chuck O’Connor (AKA: Big John Studd)
Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 9,257: Ronnie Garvin defeats Dr. Fujinami… Pete Sanchez defeats Jack Evans… Bill Dromo defeats Steve Strong… Dino Bravo defeats Doug Gilbert… Manuel Soto & Roberto Soto defeat Sgt. Jacques Goulet & Mike DuBois… Rufus R. Jones defeats Ric Flair… NWA United States Heavyweight champion Blackjack Mulligan defeats Andre the Giant by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeats Paul Jones.
05-03-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,223: Jerry Bryant beat Jimmy Kent… Danny Miller beat David Schultz… The Bounty Hunters beat Rosey Jones & Eddie Marlin… Jerry Jarrett & Tommy Rich beat Don Greene & The Masked Superstar via DQ… Bill Dundee & Big Bad John beat Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier to win the Southern tag team titles… Jerry Lawler beat Don Anderson in a lights out match.
05-08-1976: Abdullah the Butcher defeats Giant Baba to win the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament.
05-10-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,018: Danny Miller beat Bill Ash… David Shultz drew Eddie Marlin… Tojo Yamamoto & Don Anderson & Tommy Rich beat The Bounty Hunters & Jim Kent… Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Bill Dundee & Big Bad John to win the Southern tag team titles… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Plowboy Frazier via DQ.
05-11-1976: Seiji Sakaguchi wins the New Japan World League tournament defeating Pedro Morales in the finals.
Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd wrestling under masks as The Executioners defeat Louis Cerdan & Tony Parisi for the WWWF World tag team titles at a WWWF TV taping in Philadelphia, PA.
05-15-1976: The Sheik wins the U.S. (Detroit) title from Bobo Brazil.
WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 14,012: Jose Gonzalez pinned Johnny Rodz… Rocky Tamayo defeated Johnny Rivera… Susan Greene & Vivian St. James defeated Paula Kaye & Kitty Adams… The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) defeated Pat Barrett & Kevin Sullivan… Ivan Koloff fought Billy White Wolf to a draw… Stan Hansen defeated Haystacks Calhoun… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Gorilla Monsoon (sub. for WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino) when the bout was stopped due to blood.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 13,382: Al Madril defeats Rock Riddle… Sgt. LeBeouf defeats Pepe Lopez… Rocky Johnson defeated Invader 1 (Rocky Montero)… NWA World Women's tag team champions Toni Rose & Donna Christanello defeat Joyce Grable & Vicki Williams 2 falls to 1… Pat Patterson & Tony Garea defeat NWA World Tag Team (San Francisco version) champions Don Muraco & Invader 2 (Kurt Von Steiger) 2 falls to 1… NWA San Francisco United States champion Great Fuji defeats Ray Stevens 2 falls to 1.
05-17-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,090: Stan Hansen defeated Ivan Putski by count out… Bobo Brazil & Gorilla Monsoon & Haystack Calhoun defeated Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff & Ernie Ladd… The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) defeated Pat Barrett & Kevin Sullivan… Billy White Wolf (AKA: Adnan Al Kaissey) defeated Crusher Jerry Blackwell… Skandor Akbar defeated Louis Cerdan… Tony Parisi defeated Rocky Tamayo… Baron Mikel Scicluna battled Jose Gonzalez to a draw… World Women’s champion Fabulous Moolah defeated Susan Green… Vivian St. John defeated Paula Kaye.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,010: Frankie Lane beat Jimmy Kent… Danny Miller & Tommy Rich beat The Bounty Hunters via DQ… Jerry Jarrett & Eddie Marlin beat David Schultz & Bill Ash… Southern tag team champions Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Bill Dundee & Don Anderson… Plowboy Frazier beat Jerry Lawler.
05-21-1976: Ted & Jerry Oates win an Atlanta tournament for the vacant Georgia tag team titles at the Omni. Other teams in the tournament included Les Thornton & Tony Charles and Black Gordman & Great Goliath... Andre the Giant won a $10,000 battle royal… Mark Lewin defeated Gary Hart… Mark Lewin defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine) by DQ… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Moondog Mayne… Stan Stasiak defeated Dean Ho… Ken Mantell defeated Greg Valentine… El Bracero defeated Karl Von Steiger… Rick Martel defeated Yasu Fuji… Ervin Smith battled Mitsu Hata to a draw.
05-24-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,520: Gentleman Ben the Wrestling Bear beat Jimmy Kent… Dennis Hall beat Nick Adams… Danny Miller & Tommy Rich beat The Bounty Hunters… Southern tag team champions Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Don Anderson & Bill Dundee… Plowboy Frazier & Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass.
Ric Flair defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the Mid-Atlantic title in Greensboro, NC.
05-31-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,214: Rosey Jones beat Nick Adams… Dennis Hall & Danny Miller beat The Bounty Hunters… Bill Dundee & Plowboy Frazier beat Jim White & Sam Bass… Southern tag team champions Don Greene & The Scorpion battled Tommy Rich & Danny Miller to a double DQ… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Don Anderson… Gentlemen Ben the Wrestling Bear beat Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass via DQ in a handicap match.
06-1976: Gorilla Monsoon and Muhammad Ali have a confrontation on WWWF television which sees Ali jab at Monsoon and then Monsoon picks Ali up for an airplane spin and sits him down.
06-05-1976: Big Time Wrestling: Super Bowl of Wrestling: in Irving, TX: Texas Stadium drawing 17,000: Peter Maivia beat Don Fargo… Rick Martel drew Red Bastien… Rocky Johnson beat Larry Sharpe… Andre the Giant beat The Mongolian Stomper & J.J. Dillon in a handicap match… Diamond Lil beat Darling Dagmar… El Santo & Jose Lothario beat Killer Tim Brooks & Paul Pershman (AKA: Buddy Rose)… NWA World champion Terry Funk battled Fritz Von Erich to a double count out.
06-07-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,831: Charlie Cook & Don Kernodle beat The Bounty Hunters… Plowboy Frazier & Bill Dundee beat The Dominoes… Frankie Lane beat Sam Bass… Southern tag team champions Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Danny Miller & Tommy Rich in a falls count anywhere match… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Don Anderson in a match with three referees… JC Dykes & Jimmy Kent & Frankie Lane won a blindfold battle royal.
06-11-1976: Toots Mondt, legendary promoter, dies at the age of 82.
All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Masanobu Fuchi beat Atsushi Onita… Munenori Higo beat Kazuharu Sonoda… Mitsu Hirai & Mitsuo Momota beat Kazuo Sakurada & Masao Ito… Khosrow Vaziri (AKA: Iron Sheik) beat Motoshi Okuma… Samson Kutsuwada beat Bob Geigel… Horst Hoffman beat The Great Kojika… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Alfred Hayes… Giant Baba & Anton Geesink beat Jimmy & Johnny Valiant… NWA World champion Terry Funk beat Jumbo Tsuruta.
06-14-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,750: Bill Dundee & Plowboy Frazier beat JC Dykes & Sam Bass… Don Anderson pinned Bobby Lyons… Charlie Cook & Don Kernodle beat The Dominoes… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Don Greene & The Scorpion to win the Southern tag team titles… Southern champion Jerry Lawler pinned Frankie Laine.
06-21-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,188: Don Kernodle beat JC Dykes… Charlie Cook & Don Anderson beat The Dominoes… Plowboy Frazier beat Sam Bass… Frankie Lane drew Tommy Gilbert… Don Greene & The Scorpion beat Southern tag team champions Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo via DQ in a match where Scorpion's mask was at stake… Jerry Lawler beat Rocky Johnson in a wrestling vs. boxing match.
06-23-1976: In Nashville, TN the masked Mr. Nashville is unmasked as Phil Hickerson by David Schultz.
06-25-1976: Antonio Inoki battles world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in a fifteen round boxer verses wrestler match in Tokyo, Japan at Budokan Hall drawing 14,000. Inoki is forced to wear gloves (though he removes them during the match) and is forbidden to use any suplex or submission holds. The results see Inoki lay on the mat and kick Ali’s legs for most of the match which ended in a disappointing 15 round draw. Ali was hospitalized after the match. The match was originally supposed to have a worked ending but neither man could agree on how it should end and the match turned out to be a total shoot. In other matches: There was a Karate exhibition. An Iranian martial artists exhibition… Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Osamu Kido beat Kantaro Hoshino & Takashi (Kengo) Kimura.
Other matches held at various closed-circuit locations:
WWWF In Flushing, NY: Shea Stadium drawing 32,000: Ivan Putski beat Baron Mikel Scicluna… Jose Gonzales drew Kevin Sullivan… WWWF World tag team champions Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf beat The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… Andre the Giant beat Chuck Wepner via countout in a wrestler vs. boxer match… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino beat Stan Hansen via countout.
GCW at the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Mike Graham beat Tony Charles… Bill Watts beat Dick Slater… Mark Lewin beat Pak Song… Ken Mantell drew Skip Young… Jack Brisco drew Dory Funk, Jr.
AWA in Chicago, IL: International Amphitheatre: Greg Gagne beat Bob Orton, Jr… The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser beat Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel drew Verne Gagne.
In Detroit, MI at the Olympia drawing 4,138: Swede Hanson beat Randy Poffo (AKA: Randy Savage)… Dominic DeNucci beat Don Kent via DQ… George Steele beat Mr. Wrestling (Jerry Jaffe)… The Sheik battled Pampero Firpo to a no contest.
In Houston, TX: NWA World champion Terry Funk beat Rocky Johnson.
In Indianapolis, IN: Johnny Starr drew Steve Regal… Bounty Hunters beat Paul Christy & Spike Huber… WWA champion The Strangler drew Wilbur Snyder… Ox Baker & Karl Von Krupp beat Art Thomas & Pepper Gomez.
In Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Chavo Guerrero & Butcher Vachon battled Crusher Verdu & Frank Monte to a double count out… Wilhelm Ruska beat Don Fargo… Porkchop Cash beat Mr. Mexico II… Gory Guerrero beat Roddy Piper.
In San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Don Muraco & Masa Saito beat Pedro Morales & Tony Garea… Pat Patterson beat Mr. Fuji in three falls.
Antonio Inoki vs Muhammad Ali closed Circuit from Atlanta featuring Tony Charles, Mike Graham, Jack Brisco, Dory Funk Jr., Pak Song, Mark Lewin, Dick Slater, and Bill Watts in live action at the Omni.
06-28-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,626: Don Anderson beat JC Dykes… The Dominoes drew Charlie Cook & Don Kernodle… Tommy Gilbert beat Frankie Lane… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett & Bill Dundee beat Don Greene & The Scorpion & Bill Mack… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Bob Armstrong.
07-02-1976: Dean Ho & Ken Mantell win the Georgia tag team titles from Black Gordman & Goliath in Atlanta at the Municipal Auditorium.
07-04-1976: Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Hans Schroeder defeats Klondike Bill… Johnny Eagle defeats Dr. Fujinami… Angelo Poffo wrestled Steve Bolus to a draw… Johnny Weaver defeats Jerry Blackwell… Princess Little Dove defeats Marie LaVeau… NWA United States champion Blackjack Mulligan defeats Rufus R. Jones by DQ… Andre The Giant & Paul Jones defeats The Andersons (Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeats Wahoo McDaniel by count out.
07-06-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,068: Tommy Gilbert beat Frankie Lane in a no DQ match… Tommy Gilbert & Jerry Lawler beat Jackie Fargo & Don Anderson via DQ… Charlie Cook & Don Kernodle beat The Dominoes & JC Dykes in a handicap match… Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee… Jackie Fargo & Eddie Marlin & Tojo Yamamoto beat Don Greene & The Scorpion & Sam Bass… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Gorgeous George, Jr.
07-12-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,138: Eddie Marlin beat Sam Bass… Frankie Lane beat The Scorpion… Bill Dundee & Charlie Cook beat Tommy Gilbert & Dennis Condrey via DQ… Jackie Fargo & Don Anderson beat The Dominoes… Eddie Marlin & Bill Dromo & Don Anderson & Frankie Lane beat Don Greene & The Scorpion & Sam Bass & Tommy Gilbert… Rocky Johnson defeated Jerry Lawler in a boxing vs. wrestling match.
07-16-1976: Jimmy & Johnny Valiant win the Georgia tag team titles Dean Ho & Ken Mantell in Atlanta.
07-17-1976: In New Orleans, LA: The Superdome drawing 17,000: Pat Barrett pinned Tom Jones… Ted DiBiase & Jay Clayton beat Randy Tyler & Bobby Jaggers… Nelson Royal pinned Ron Starr… Grizzly Smith beat Siegfried Stanke… Bobo Johnson & Farmer Pete beat Little Tokyo & Billy the Red… Dick the Bruiser battled Abdullah the Butcher to a double DQ… Andre the Giant & Buck Robley beat Ken Patera & Bob Sweetan… Dick Murdoch beat Karl Kox in a Jim Bowie death match (blindfold match)… NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeated Bill Watts.
WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: 7,000: Doug Gilbert pinned Ernie Lassiter… WWWF tag team champions the Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) defeated SD Jones & Bobo Brazil… Kevin Sullivan pinned Johnny Rivera… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino & Ivan Putski defeated Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen via DQ… Sonny Boy Hayes & Haiti Kid defeated Lord Littlebrook & Little Johnny… Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jose Gonzalez to a draw… Billy Whitewolf & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Rocky Tamayo & Skandor Akbar.
07-19-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,312: U.S. Women's champion Ann Casey beat Sylvia Hackney… North American champion Bill Dromo beat Tommy Gilbert via DQ… Princess Little Dove beat Marie Levau… Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson beat Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo to win the Southern tag team titles… Frankie Lane & Charlie Cook beat NWA World tag team champions The Superstars via DQ… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Bobo Brazil.
07-23-1976: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Spike Huber defeats Buck Zumhofe… Pepper Gomez defeats Buddy Wolff… Ox Baker defeats Jos LeDuc… The High Flyers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeat Baron Von Raschke & Mad Dog Vachon by DQ… AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel defeats Wilbur Snyder… Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum win the AWA World tag team titles from The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser.
07-24-1976: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: The Great Kojika beat Silvano Souse… Takachiho beat Al Madril… Hiro Matsuda beat Scott Casey… Jumbo Tsuruta & The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Jerry Brisco & Moose Morowski… PWF champion Giant Baba beat Billy Robinson.
07-26-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,479: Dennis Hall pinned JC Dykes… Don Anderson & Don Kernodle beat The Dominoes (Pepe Lopez & Frank Hester) via DQ… Frankie Lane & Charlie Cook drew Tommy Gilbert & The Scorpion… Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo via DQ… Southern champion Jerry Lawler pinned Harley Race. Following this show while traveling from Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN: Sam Bass (41), Frank Hester (37), and Pepe Lopez (39) are killed in a car accident near Dickson, TN.
07-30-1976: Jim Crockett Promotions: Richmond VA: Richmond Coliseum: Attendance 11,000: Steve Bolus wrestled Bill White to a draw… Randy Poffo & Lanny Poffo defeat Danny Miller & Manuel Soto… Tony Atlas defeats Hans Schroeder… NWA World Women's champion Fabulous Moolah defeats Vicki Williams… Rufus R. Jones defeats Blackjack Mulligan… Wahoo McDaniel defeats Ric Flair in a steel cage match.
07-31-1976: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 13,681: Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski) won a battle royal; due to pre-match stipulations, he earned a world title shot in the main event… Doug Gilbert pinned Johnny Rivera… Executioner 2 (Big John Studd) pinned SD Jones… Billy White Wolf pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna… Stan Hansen pinned Jose Gonzalez… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski)… Ivan Putski pinned Rocky Tamayo… Bruiser Brody defeated Pat McGuiness… Kevin Sullivan pinned Johnny Rodz… Chief Jay Strongbow pinned Skandor Akbar.
07-1976: Bad News Allen (Allen Coage) wins a bronze medal in Judo in the 1976 Olympic games for the U.S.
08-05-1976: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Attendance: 8,800: Sumo Hall: NWF champion Antonio Inoki battled Tiger Jeet Singh to a double count out.
08-07-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Hansen in a steel cage match… Ivan Putski defeated Skandor Akbar… The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) defeated Dominic DeNucci & Jose Gonzalez… Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & Rocky Tamayo… Bruiser Brody defeated Kevin Sullivan… Bobo Brazil defeated Doug Gilbert… S.D. Jones defeated Johnny Rodz.
The annual NWA meeting is held and Antonio Inoki is told to stop referring to the NWF title as a “world title”.
08-09-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,098: Don Kernodle beat The Scorpion via DQ… Frankie Lane & Charlie Cook beat Ken Dillinger & Duke Miller… Don Anderson & Dennis Hall beat The Bounty Hunters… Jackie Fargo & Plowboy Frazier beat Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey via DQ… Jack Brisco beat Jerry Lawler to win the Southern title.
08-10-1976: Jack Brisco wins the Southern title from Jerry Lawler in Memphis, TN.
08-13-1976: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Dick Slater defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine) to win the NWA Georgia title after winning a tournament featuring Pak Song, Roberto Soto, Dusty Rhodes, Johnny Valiant, Jimmy Valiant, Bill Howard, Ted Oates, Wayne Cowan (AKA: Dutch Mantell), Ken Mantell, Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker), and Tony Charles.
08-14-1976: David & Jerry Novac win the WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in Indianapolis.
Bob Armstrong defeats Roger Kirby for the Mid America title in Chattanooga, TN.
At Cobo Arena in Detroit, MI with a crowd of 5,390: Pampero Firpo defeated Abdullah the Butcher by DQ… The Sheik battled Andre the Giant to a double DQ… Hank James defeated Don Kent… Pretty Boy Fulton defeated Mike Wayne… Serge Durmont defeated Malcolm Monroe… Baron Von Krupp defeated Jim Wadell… The Spoiler (Don Jardine) defeated Jerry Jaffe… Don Kent defeated Danny Alberts… The Spoiler defeated Johnnie Davis… Les Thornton battled The Wildman to a draw… Dominic Denucci defeated Baron Von Krupp by DQ… George Steele defeated Cowboy Dawson… Tommy Storch defeated Wild Bill Hayes… Boris & Ivan Levinsky defeated T. Francis Burke & J.J. Arezzi.
08-16-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,962: Don Kernodle beat Buddy Diamond… Dennis Hall & Don Anderson beat The Scorpion & The Bounty Hunter… Tommy Gilbert & David Schultz beat Frankie Lane & Charlie Cook… Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jackie Fargo… Jerry Lawler pinned Jack Brisco to win the Southern title in a bank account vs. title match.
08-20-1976: Dick Slater wins the Georgia title from The Spoiler (Don Jardine) in Atlanta.
08-21-1976: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 10,000: Johnny Rodz fought SD Jones to a draw… Pete Sanchez fought Rocky Tamayo to a draw… Nikolai Volkoff pinned Johnny Rivera… Billy White Wolf defeated Executioner 2 (Big John Studd)… Bruiser Brody defeated Ivan Putski via count-out… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino fought Stan Hansen to a double count-out.
AWA in Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 5,725: The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser defeated Bobby Duncum & Blackjack Lanza by DQ… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Wahoo McDaniel… Larry Hennig battled Ox Baker to a no contest… Peter Maivia defeated Buddy Wolf… Billy Francis defeated Kim Duk.
08-22-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,430: Don Kernodle beat Rip Smith… Plowboy Frazier & Dennis Hall beat Norvell Austin & The Scorpion… Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller beat NWA World tag team champions The Masked Superstars via DQ… Rocky Johnson & Bill Dundee beat Tommy Gilbert & David Schultz… NWA World champion Terry Funk drew Jerry Lawler.
08-27-1976: AWA in Chicago, IL: Comiskey Park drawing 15,000: Bounty Hunter II beat Bobby Bold Eagle… Pepper Gomez beat Johnny Starr… Sailor Art Thomas beat Bounty Hunter I via DQ… Peter Maivia beat Kim Duk… Moose Cholak beat Buddy Wolfe… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell & Wilbur Snyder beat Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke & Ox Baker… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel battled Andre the Giant to a double DQ… AWA World tag team champions Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum beat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher in a steel cage match.
08-28-1976: The first All Japan United National champion is crowned when Jumbo Tsuruta defeats Jack Brisco in a tournament final in Tokyo.
09-03-1976: Tom Jones & Porkchop Cash win the Georgia tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Atlanta at the Municipal Auditorium.
09-04-1976: Bruiser Brody appears to have pinned WWWF World champion Bruno Sammartino for the title in Madison Square Garden after using the ropes for leverage. However, the decision was reversed and Bruno was awarded the match via DQ… Andre the Giant & Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated Stan Hansen & The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… Rocky Tamayo defeated Ted Adams… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Manuel Soto… Ivan Putski defeated Doug Gilbert… Kevin Sullivan battled Jose Gonzalez to a draw… S.D. Jones defeated Davey O’Hannon… Johnny Rivera defeated Johnny Rodz.
09-06-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,373: Dennis Hall beat Mike Hendrick… Don Kernodle & Cowboy Lang beat The Scorpion & Sonny Boys Hayes… Ed Fury & Charlie Cook beat Ken Dillinger & Duke Miller… Tommy Gilbert & The Scorpion beat Plowboy Frazier & Don Anderson… Bill Dundee & Rocky Johnson & Tojo Yamamoto battled Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson & Jerry Lawler to a no contest in a no DQ elimination match.
09-10-1976: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk battled Dick Slater to a 60 minute draw.
09-11-1976: Veteran Antonino Rocca teams once again with Miguel Perez to defeat The Infernos in Puerto Rico the WWC North American tag team titles.
09-14-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,496: Mike Pappas beat Don Kernodle… Don Anderson beat Plowboy Frazier via DQ… Tommy Gilbert & The Scorpion beat Charlie Cook & Ed Fury… Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dundee beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey to win the Southern tag team titles… Tommy Rich pinned Jerry Lawler to win the Southern title.
09-20-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,938: Dennis Hall pinned Mike Pappas… Bearcat Brown & Charlie Cook & Randy Fargo beat Duke Miller & Ken Dillinger & The Scorpion… Don Anderson beat Plowboy Frazier via DQ… Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey… Southern champion Tommy Rich beat Tommy Gilbert… Jerry Lawler battled Jackie Fargo to a no contest.
09-24-1976: EMLL: 43rd Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: El Faraon beat Perro Aguayo in a mask vs. hair match… Mexican National Heavyweight champion El Halcon beat Gran Markus.
Stephanie McMahon is born.
09-28-1976: Pat Barrett wins a tournament final over Nelson Royal in New Orleans, LA to win the vacant NWA World Junior title.
09-30-1976: Saga of Manny Fernandez: Manny Fernandez is discharged from the U.S. Navy reserves as an He got out as an E-1 (Fireman Recruit), schooling was listed as Pump Repair.
Ratings from The Wrestler magazine.
10-01-1976: Rick Gibson wins the Central States title from Bob Brown in St. Joseph, MO.
10-04-1976: Bruno Sammartino pins Bruiser Brody in a Texas Death Match at Madison Square Garden to retain the WWWF World title… Stan Hansen & Nikolai Volkoff defeated Ivan Putski & Gorilla Monsoon by count out… Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… Bobo Brazil defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Victor Rivera defeated Doug Gilbert… Kevin Sullivan defeated Rocky Tamayo… Manuel Soto battled John Rivera to a draw… Jose Gonzalez defeated Tony Altomare… S.D. Jones defeated Pete Doherty… Pete Sanchez defeated Johnny Rodz.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,010: Tommy Gilbert pinned Dennis Hall… Plowboy Frazier pinned Don Anderson… Bearcat Brown & Mike Hendrick beat Ken Dillinger & Duke Miller… Bill Dundee & Tojo Yamamoto & Don Anderson & Mike Hendrick & Mike Pappas & Bearcat Brown & Dennis Hall beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey & The Scorpion & Plowboy Frazier & Tommy Gilbert & Ken Dillinger & Duke Miller in an elimination match. Bill Dundee was the sole survivor… Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Tojo Yamamoto & Bill Dundee to win the Southern tag team titles… Jackie Fargo pinned Southern champion Jerry Lawler. The original decision had Fargo winning the title, but it was later reversed.
10-07-1976: Winnipeg, Canada: Arena: Attendance: 8,774: The Highfliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeated AWA World tag team champions Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum to win the titles, however, the decision was overturned… Pierre Poisson defeated Billy Red Cloud… Baron Von Raschke & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Peter Maivia & Billy Francis… Iron Sheik defeated Buck Zumhofe… Moose Morowski defeated Bull Bullinski… Bobby Jones defeated Bob Tuck.
New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,500: Real World Martial Arts champion Antonio Inoki defeated Andre the Giant by TKO.
10-11-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,812: Sylvia Hackney & Bearcat Brown beat Judy Mosley & Bobby Whitlock… Don Anderson drew Butch Malone… Gorgeous George, Jr. beat Plowboy Frazier… Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey battled Frankie Laine & Bill Dundee to a no contest… Jerry Lawler beat Dory Funk, Jr. after nine falls in a Texas death match.
In Augusta, GA at Bell Auditorium Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel in a non-title match. Also, Andre the Giant won a battle royal.
10-15-1976: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium Jos LeDuc defeated AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ. Also, Andre the Giant won a battle royal.
10-16-1976: JCP: Greensboro, NC: Coliseum: Attendance 8,223: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) defeats NWA Mid-Atlantic Television champion Angelo Mosca to win the title… Paul Jones defeats NWA United States champion Blackjack Mulligan to win the title… Ric Flair defeats NWA Mid-Atlantic champion Wahoo McDaniel to win the title in a title vs hair match.
Don Kent defeats Pampero Firpo for the U.S. (Detroit) title.
10-18-1976: in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,418: Bearcat Brown beat Buster Bronson… Tojo Yamamoto & Don Anderson beat Roger Kirby & Tommy Gilbert… Tommy Rich beat Gorgeous George, Jr. via DQ… Southern tag team champions Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson beat Frankie Lane & Bill Dundee in a title vs. loser of the fall leaves town match… NWA World champion Terry Funk beat Jerry Lawler via reverse decision.
10-22-1976: Gene & Ole Anderson win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Tom Jones & Porkchop Cash in Atlanta.
10-25-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,714: Mike Hammer beat Mike Hendrick… David Schultz beat Dennis Hall… Southern tag team champions David Schultz & Dennis Condrey beat Bearcat Brown & Don Anderson… Gorgeous George, Jr. battled Bill Dundee to a no contest… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Ron Fuller… Jerry Lawler beat Mike Stark.
10-26-1976: The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) are stripped of the WWWF World tag team titles for using a third member (Nikolai Volkoff) in a match against Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf (AKA: Adnon Kaissey).
Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) wins the Georgia title from Dick Slater in Columbus, GA.
10-28-1976: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: PWF U.S. champion The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Abdullah the Butcher via DQ… Kintaro Oki & Kim Duk beat Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta to win the NWA International tag team titles.
10-29-1976: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker).
11-01-1976: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey to win the Southern tag team titles… Rocky Johnson beat Jerry Lawler to win Southern title.
11-10-1976: Veteran wrestling promoter Al Haft dies at the age of 90.
11-12-1976: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk by DQ.
11-15-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,094: Samoan Headhunter Tio beat Buster Bronson… Ricky Gibson & Don Anderson beat David Schultz & Bill Ash via DQ… Bill Dundee beat Gorgeous George, Jr. in a chain match… Southern tag team champions Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud beat Plowboy Frazier & Dutch Mantel… Jerry Lawler beat Jackie Fargo.
11-19-1976: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: 45th Anniversary of Tunney Promotions: NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeated Dominic Denucci… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated The Sheik to win the U.S. title… World Women’s champion Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable… The Crusaders defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent)… Carlos Rocha defeated Bobby Bass… Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Nature Boy (Jackie) Fargo… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Lou Klein… The Beast defeated The Wildman… Hank James defeated Ripper Collins… Little Dove defeated Marie Levau.
11-22-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Stan Stasiak defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by count out… Stan Hansen battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Bobo Brazil battled Bruiser Brody to a draw… Ivan Putski defeated Tor Kamata by DQ… Chavo Guerrero defeated Rocky Tamayo… World Women’s champion Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated The Executioner I (Killer Kowalski) by DQ… Victor Rivera defeated The Executioner II (Big John Studd)… Bobo Johnson & Cowboy Colt defeated Billy the Kid & Little John… Doug Gilbert defeated Pete Sanchez… Billy White Wolf defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,981: Tommy Gilbert drew Bill Dromo… Bill Dundee & Ricky Gibson beat David Schultz & Bill Ash… Southern tag team champions Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud beat Jerry Lawler & Dutch Mantel via DQ… Southern champion Rocky Johnson beat Gorgeous George, Jr. via DQ… Mike Stark beat Jerry Lawler via DQ.
11-25-1976: (Thanksgiving Night): At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Attendance 11,300: NWA World tag team champions Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)… The Sheik defeated Mighty Igor… Ox Baker & Mongolian Stomper defeated Bill Watts & Bob Armstrong… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Dick Slater by count out… Jack Brisco defeated Killer Tim Brooks… Black Atlas defeated Bill Howard… Ricky Steamboat & Dean Ho defeated Ted & Jerry Oates… Robert Fuller defeated Mr. X… Tony Parisi defeated El Gaucho… Raymond Rougeau defeated Scott Irwin.
Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 11,063: Tiger Conway Jr. defeats Michel DuBois… Crusher Blackwell defeats Steve Bolus… Johnny Eagles defeats Jack Evans… Superstar Billy Graham defeats Vic Rosettani… Frankie Laine wrestled Sgt. Jacques Goulet to a 15 minute time limit draw… Two Ring Battle Royal: Wahoo McDaniel wins the battle royal over Blackjack Mulligan, Andre The Giant, Haystacks Calhoun; Dusty Rhodes; The Missouri Mauler; Ric Flair; Superstar Billy Graham; Ken Patera; Greg Valentine; Dino Bravo; Angelo Mosca; Crusher Blackwell; Keith Franks; Frankie Laine; Vic Rosettani; Jack Evans; Joey Rossi; Two Ton Harris; Steve Bolus; Tiger Conway Jr.; Tiger Conway Sr.
11-26-1976: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance: 9,238: Akio Sato & Ronnie Etchison defeat Don Fargo & Roger Kirby 2 falls to 1… Jean Antone defeats Early Dawn… Greg Gagne & Pat O'Connor wrestled Ernie Ladd & Von Raschke to a Time Limit Draw… Superstar Billy Graham defeats Ray Clark… Jack Brisco defeats NWA Missouri champion Bob Backlund to win the title… NWA World Heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeats Harley Race 2 falls to 1.
11-27-1976: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 12,005: Baron Mikel Scicluna fought SD Jones to a draw… Executioner 2 (Big John Studd) pinned Jose Gonzalez… Billy White Wolf defeated Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski) via DQ… Tor Kamata pinned Kevin Sullivan… Bob Johnson & Cowboy Colt defeated Billy the Kid & Little John… Bruiser Brody defeated Chief Jay Strongbow when the bout was stopped due to blood… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Stan Hansen in a lumberjack match.
12-02-1976: Ron Starr wins the NWA World Junior title over Pat Barrett in New Orleans.
12-06-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,241: Don Anderson beat Jan Nelson… Ricky Gibson battled Dutch Mantel to a no contest… Bill Dundee & Tommy Gilbert battled David Schultz & Bill Ash to a no contest… Southern tag team champions Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud beat Gorgeous George, Jr. & JJ Dillon… Southern champion Rocky Johnson beat The Mongolian Stomper via DQ.
Nelson Royal wins the NWA World Junior title from Ron Starr in Tulsa, OK.
12-07-1976: Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf (Adnan Kaissey) win the WWWF World tag team titles in a three man tournament over The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd) and Nikolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata in Philadelphia, PA.
12-09-1976: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 11,000: Kantaro Hoshino & Yamamoto beat Ozawa & Strong Kobayashi… Haruka Eigan beat Cien Caras… Osamu Kido beat Ricky Hunter… Seiji Sakaguchi beat Larry Hennig… Real World Martial Arts champion Antonio Inoki defeated Willem Ruska by TKO.
12-10-1976: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker).
12-12-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,816: Buddy Diamond beat Don Anderson… Southern tag team champions Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud beat JJ Dillon & The Executioner… Ricky Gibson beat Dutch Mantel… David Schultz & Bill Ash & Gorgeous George Jr. beat Bill Dundee & Tommy Gilbert & Tommy Rich… Southern champion Rocky Johnson battled The Mongolian Stomper to a no contest in a no DQ match.
New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Karachi, Pakistan drawing 50,000: Nahira beat B. Indian… Goga Bholu beat Haruka Eigan… Antonio Inoki beat Akrum Pahalwan.
12-18-1976: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 9,300: Pete Sanchez fought Johnny Rodz to a draw… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Rocky Tamayo… SD Jones defeated Tor Kamata via DQ… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Manuel Soto… Stan Stasiak defeated Jose Gonzalez… Bruiser Brody defeated Ivan Putski via count-out… US champion Bobo Brazil defeated Doug Gilbert… Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated the Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Hansen in a steel cage match.
12-20-1976: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,090: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak in a Sicilian Stretcher match… Ivan Putski defeated Tor Kamata… Andre the Giant & Dominic DeNucci defeated The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… Chief Jay Strongbow battled Nikolai Volkoff to a draw… Chavo Guerrero defeated Johnny Rodz… Doug Gilbert defeated S.D. Jones… Bruiser Brody defeated Manuel Soto… Billy White Wolf defeated Rocky Tamayo… Jose Gonzalez defeated Jack Veneno (possibly Jack Veneno’s only appearance ever in the United States)… Bobo Brazil defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
12-26-1976: Greg Valentine & Ric Flair win the NWA World tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Greensboro, NC. Attendance: 9,537.
12-27-1976: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,889: Porkchop Cash beat Nick Adams… Ricky Gibson & Bearcat Brown beat Don Bass & JJ Dillon… Gentlemen Ben the Wrestling Bear beat Buddy Diamond… David Schultz & Dutch Mantel beat Bill Dundee & Tommy Gilbert in a Texas tornado death match… Rocky Johnson & Jackie Fargo beat Jerry Lawler & The Mongolian Stomper in a no DQ match when Johnson pinned Lawler.
1976: At the age of 16, Buzz Sawyer places third in the freestyle national amateur wrestling tournament.
Terry Funk: NWA World heavyweight champion.
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.
Please spread the word about the Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling project and support this website on Patreon to help it continue to grow and build.
Pro wrestling history. The history of professional wrestling. Timeline of pro wrestling history.
If you found this article interesting consider becoming a Patreon supporter. That is how When It Was Cool keeps our website and podcasts online, plus you get lots of bonus content including extra and extended podcasts, articles, digital comics, ebooks, and much more. Check out our Patreon Page to see what's up!
