Return to WhenItWasCool.com Home Page

Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1977

By: Karl Stern

The year in pro wrestling history 1977 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1977

01-01-1977: In St. Louis, MO with a crowd of 8,969: Terry Funk defeated Dick the Bruiser to retain the NWA World heavyweight title… Jack Brisco defeated George Steele to retain the Missouri title… Pat O’Connor battled Superstar Billy Graham to a double DQ… Ernie Ladd & Blackjack Lanza defeated Guy Mitchell & Rufus R. Jones… Ted Oates battled Bob Geigel to a draw… Joe Palardy & Bulldog Bob Brown defeated Akio Sato & Buck Zumhofe.

WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 6,000: Doug Gilbert fought Pete Sanchez to a draw… Johnny Rodz defeated Ted Adams… Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Manuel Soto defeated Rocky Tamayo… Bruiser Brody defeated SD Jones… Stan Stasiak defeated Mark Tendler… Andre the Giant & Gorilla Monsoon defeated the Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Nikolai Volkoff.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: NWA World tag team champions Gene & Ole Anderson defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)… Mighty Igor defeated Abdullah the Butcher by DQ… NWA Georgia champion Dick Slater defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated The Sheik by DQ… Bill Watts defeated Mongolian Stomper… Killer Tim Brooks defeated Ray Rougeau… Black Atlas defeated Bill White… Bob Backlund defeated El Gaucho… Ricky Steamboat defeated Bill Howard… Sue Green won a battle royal.

01-03-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,200: Mike Stark beat Don Bass… Tommy Gilbert beat Dr. Frank… Bill Dundee beat Buddy Diamond… Dutch Mantel & David Schultz beat Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud to win the Southern tag team titles… Porkchop Cash beat Southern champion Rocky Johnson via DQ… The Mongolian Stomper beat Jerry Lawler via DQ.

01-08-1977: Gino Hernandez wins the U.S. (Detroit) title from Don Kent.

01-17-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,000: Ken Patera defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by count out… Ivan Putski battled Bruiser Brody to a no contest… Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated The Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… Bobo Brazil defeated Stan Stasiak by DQ… Pat Patterson defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Nikolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata defeated Manuel Soto & Dominic DeNucci… Greg Gagne defeated Johnny Rodz… Doug Gilbert defeated Don Serrano… Jose Gonzalez battled Pete Sanchez to a draw.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,003: Jerry Bryant beat Buddy Diamond… Gorgeous George, Jr. & Porkchop Cash beat Ricky & Robert Gibson… Dr. Frank beat Tommy Gilbert in a match where Frank's mask was at stake… Rocky Johnson & Bill Dundee beat Southern tag team champions David Schultz & Dutch Mantel via DQ… The Mongolian Stomper beat Jerry Lawler via DQ in a falls count anywhere match.

01-21-1977: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Gene & Ole Anderson to win the NWA Georgia tag team titles at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA.

01-22-1977: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Annual Battle Royal: Attendance 14,350: George Wells defeats The Hangman (Neil Guay)… Ivan Koloff & Alexi Smirnoff defeat Moondog Mayne & Peter Maivia… Andre The Giant & Al Madril defeat The Royal Kangaroos (Lord Jonathan Boyd & Norman Frederick Charles III)… Pepper Gomez & Haystacks Calhoun defeat The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant)… 18 Man $20.000 Dollar Battle Royal
Andre The Giant defeats The Hangman, Norman Frederick Charles III, Tony Garea, George Wells, Chris Taylor, Moondog Mayne, Johnny Valiant, Haystacks Calhoun, Dutch Savage, Al Madril, Lord Jonathan Boyd, Ivan Koloff, Peter Maivia, Jimmy Valiant, Pepper Gomez, Mr. Fuji, Alexi Smirnoff. Andre eliminated Mr. Fuji & Alexis Smirnoff to win.

01-24-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,510: Mike Stark beat Don Bass… Porkchop Cash beat Robert Gibson… Gorgeous George, Jr. beat Buddy Wayne… Tommy Gilbert beat Dr. Frank in a hair vs. mask match… Bill Dundee & Ricky Gibson beat David Schultz & Dutch Mantel to win the Southern tag team titles… Jerry Lawler & Ernie Ladd beat Rocky Johnson & The Mongolian Stomper.

01-28-1977: NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk defeated Dusty Rhodes at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium in Georgia.

01-31-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,489: Robert Gibson beat Buddy Diamond… Dr. Frank beat Jerry Bryant… Porkchop Cash beat The Avenger… Gorgeous George, Jr. drew Tommy Gilbert… Southern tag team champions Bill Dundee & Ricky Gibson beat David Schultz & Dutch Mantel… Southern champion Rocky Johnson beat Ernie Ladd via DQ.

02-04-1977: Ted Oates defeats Bob Slaughter (Robert Remus AKA: Sgt. Slaughter) for the Central States title in St. Joseph, MO.

02-05-1977: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Terry Funk by DQ.

WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 8,200: SD Jones defeated Davey O'Hannon… Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Manuel Soto to a draw… Larry Zbyszko defeated Doug Gilbert… Tor Kamata defeated Johnny Rodz… Ken Patera defeated Mike Santocapito… Jose Gonzalez defeated Executioner 2 (Big John Studd)… Stan Stasiak defeated Billy White Wolf via count-out… Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski) defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bruiser Brody.

02-06-1977: Harley Race defeats Terry Funk in Toronto, Canada to win the NWA World heavyweight title for the second time. Also on the show: Bobo Brazil defeated The Sheik for the U.S. title… The Crusaders defeated The Kelly Twins to retain the International tag team titles… Edouardo Carpentier & Gino Brito defeated Tarzan Taylor & Reginald Love by DQ… Chief Jay Strongbow & Stan Stasiak defeated Ivan Koloff & The Wolfman… Michele Barone defeated Bill Morgan… Ivan Koloff defeated Lou Klein… Chris Tolos & Baron Von Krupp battled The Beast & Steve Bolus to a draw.

02-07-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,000: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino battled Ken Patera to a draw… WWWF World tag team champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata… Mil Mascaras defeated Doug Gilbert… Larry Zbyszko defeated The Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski)… Carlos Rocha defeated Frank Monroe… Stan Stasiak defeated Manuel Soto… Jose Gonzalez defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna by DQ… Pete Sanchez defeated Johnny Rodz.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,319: Jerry Bryant beat Buddy Diamond… Dr. Frank & Dutch Mantel beat Tommy Gilbert & Robert Gibson… Porkchop Cash & Gorgeous George, Jr. beat Bill Dundee & Ricky Gibson to win the Southern tag team titles… Southern champion Rocky Johnson beat Phil Hickerson via DQ… Jerry Lawler battled Bob Armstrong to a no contest.

02-09-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Mike Graham defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

02-10-1977: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 11,000: Seiji Sakaguchi beat Umanosuke Ueda… NWF champion Antonio Inoki defeated Tiger Jeet Singh in a fence death match.

02-11-1977: Abdullah the Butcher wins the Georgia TV title from Tony Atlas in Atlanta.

02-12-1977: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Market Square Arena: Attendance 9,200: Lou Klein defeats Jose Pantera… Chita Rivera & Princess Jasmine defeat Lady Satan & Sandy Partlow… Bobby Bold Eagle defeats Bobby Vann… Steve Regal defeats Blackie Guzman… Spike Huber defeats Johnny Starr… Ivan Koloff defeats Wilbur Snyder… WWA World Heavyweight champion The Masked Strangler (Jerry Valiant) defeats Bobo Brazil by Count out… Moose Cholak & Paul Christy win the WWA tag team titles from The Bounty Hunters (David & Jerry Novac)… Steel Cage Match: Dick The Bruiser defeats The Sheik by DQ

WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 7,832: Stan Stasiak defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino via count-out.

02-15-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,003: Tommy Gilbert beat Don Kernodle… Bill Dundee & Ricky Gibson beat Phil Hickerson & Dutch Mantel… Southern tag team champions Gorgeous George, Jr. & Porkchop Cash beat Billy & Benny McGuire… Southern champion Rocky Johnson beat Dr. Frank… Bill Dundee and Ricky Gibson won a battle royal… Jerry Lawler pinned Bob Armstrong in a no DQ match.

In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Billy Graham for the Florida title.

02-19-1977: Detroit, MI: Cobo Hall: Attendance 8,250: Tony Parisi defeats Luis Martinez… Farmer Pete defeats Ivan The Terrible (Little John)… Charlie Cook defeats Mauler Malone… Ivan Koloff defeats John Ruffin… Dominic DeNucci defeats Tony Marino by DQ… Don Kent & Ripper Collins defeat Bobo Brazil & Tex McKenzie… Gino Hernandez defeats Luke Graham… Dick The Bruiser & Dusty Rhodes defeat Abdullah The Butcher & The Sheik by DQ

02-20-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,526: David Schultz & Dutch Mantel beat Tommy Gilbert & Randy Fargo… Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Ricky & Robert Gibson… Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee beat Southern tag team champions Porkchop Cash & Gorgeous George, Jr. via DQ… Southern champion Rocky Johnson beat The Mad Russian… Jerry Lawler beat Bob Armstrong via DQ in a steel cage match.

In St. Paul, MN the AWA with 6,042 fans: Andre the Giant battled Nick Bockwinkel to a double DQ… King Kong Mosca defeated Billy Francis… Pedro Morales defeated Blackjack Lanza… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell defeated Roger Kirby & Blackjack Lanza… Chris Taylor defeated Super Destroyer by DQ… Ray Stevens defeated Bobby Duncum.

02-25-1977: Gene & Ole Anderson win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Mr. Wrestling & Mr. Wrestling II (Tim Woods & Johnny Walker) in Atlanta.

03-01-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,257: Ricky & Robert Gibson drew Dutch Mantel & David Schultz… Bill Dundee & Tommy Gilbert beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey via DQ… Gorgeous George, Jr. beat Porkchop Cash… Jerry Lawler beat Tommy Rich… NWA World champion Harley Race beat Rocky Johnson.

03-04-1977: St Louis, Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,232: Gino Hernandez defeats Jim Lancaster… Akio Sato defeats Moose Morowski… The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne) defeat Roger Kirby & Bulldog Brown 2 falls to 1… Pat O'Connor wrestled Jimmy Valiant to a draw… Jack Brisco & Dick The Bruiser defeat Ernie Ladd & Ivan Koloff by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Superstar Billy Graham to a double count out after splitting 1 fall each.

03-05-1977: In Akita, Japan Billy Robinson defeats Jumbo Tsuruta for the All Japan United National title. Giant Baba & Takachiko defeat Mil Mascaras & Dick Slater. The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeated Mike Graham.

03-07-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 26,492: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera due to blood stoppage… Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated Stan Stasiak & Tor Kamata… Dusty Rhodes defeated Rocky Tamayo (some newspaper sources and at least one TV show said Dusty Rhodes MSG debut was a win over Pete Doherty)… Ivan Putski defeated The Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski)… Carlos Rocha defeated The Executioner 2 (Big John Studd)… Bobo Brazil defeated Jan Nelson… Don Kent battled Jose Gonzalez to a draw… Gino Hernandez defeated Johnny Rodz… Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Larry Zbyszko defeated Doug Gilbert.

The Jersey City Journal newspaper is at least one source that lists Dusty Rhodes Madison Square Garden debut against Pete Doherty rather than the often reported Rocky Tamayo.

03-08-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Buddy Wolff won a tournament for the Florida title.

03-13-1977: Jimmy Snuka defeats Jesse Ventura for the Pacific Northwest title.

03-14-1977: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Ricky & Robert Gibson to win the vacant Southern tag team title.

03-15-1977: Antonino Rocca (Antonino Biasetton) dies at the age of 54 following a urinary infection.

03-19-1977: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 10,580: SD Jones defeated Pete Doherty… Manuel Soto fought Johnny Rivera to a draw… Jose Gonzalez defeated Johnny Rodz… Ken Patera defeated Billy White Wolf… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Tor Kamata… Carlos Rocha defeated Frankie Williams… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated the Executioners (Killer Kowalski & Big John Studd)… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak.

03-20-1977: Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 10,451: Bill Dromo defeats Butch Malone… Ron Starr defeats Rick Ferrara… Ricky Steamboat defeats Bill White… Dino Bravo & Tiger Conway Jr. defeat Jerry Blackwell & Scott Irwin… Johnny Weaver defeats Dory Funk Jr… Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenryu defeat The Mafia (Mafia 1 & Mafia 2)… NWA Mid-Atlantic champion Wahoo McDaniel defeat Kim Duk… PWF Heavyweight champion Giant Baba defeats Baron von Raschke 2 falls to 1… NWA World tag team champions Ric Flair & Greg Valentine defeat The Andersons (Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson) by count out.

03-21-1977: Nick Gulas promotes his first Memphis, TN Mid-South Coliseum show following the split of booker Jerry Jarrett from the promotion. Jarrett took most of the crew of wrestlers and began holding shows at the Cook Convention Center. The first show post-Jarrett for Gulas is disastrous drawing only in Memphis, TN 1,964 with a crew of Tony Marino, Leon Chandler, Cora Combs, Lady Satan, The Bounty Hunters, Danny Littlebear, Chief Thundercloud, Tojo Yamamoto, George Gulas, The Crimson Terrors, Bobo Brazil, and The Sheik.

03-23-1977: Jumbo Tsuruta regains the All Japan United National title from Billy Robinson in Miami, FL.

03-25-1977: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) & Andre the Giant defeated NWA Georgia tag team champions Ole & Gene Anderson by DQ… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Randy Savage (substituting for Abdullah the Butcher)… Paul Jones & Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) defeated Dick Slater & Lars Anderson by DQ… Black Atlas defeated Bill Howard… Randy Savage defeated Bob Backlund.

St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,873: Donna Christanello & Kay Noble defeat Jean Antone & Vicki Williams 2 falls to 1… Pat O'Connor defeats Bob Brown by DQ… Ernie Ladd defeats  Red Bastien… The High Flyers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeat Ox Baker & Jimmy Valiant… NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeats Superstar Billy Graham by count out…Texas Death Match: Dick the Bruiser defeats Ivan Koloff when Koloff can’t continue after fall five.

03-26-1977: IWE: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 8,200: Tsutomu Yonemura beat Ichimasa Wakamatsu… Goro Tsurumi beat Devil Murasaki… Tadaharu Tanaka & Katsuzo Oiyama beat Jiro Inazuma (Gerry Morrow) & Snake Amami… Ryuma Go beat Cuban Assassin II… Thunder Sugiyama pinned Cuban Assassin I… Isamu Teranishi pinned Jack Claybourne… Mighty Inoue DCO Gypsy Joe… The Great Kusatsu & Animal Hamaguchi beat John Quinn & Kurt Von Hess to win IWA tag team titles… Rusher Kimura beat Mad Dog Vachon to win the 6th World Series.

03-28-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Von Raschke by DQ… Ivan Putski & Larry Zbyszko battled Ken Patera & Stan Stasiak to a draw… Dusty Rhodes defeated Tor Kamata… Billy White Wolf defeated The Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski) by DQ… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated The Executioner 2 (Big John Studd)… Tony Garea defeated Doug Gilbert… Carlos Rocha defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Little Hillbilly & Haiti Kid defeated Billy the Kid & Little John… S.D. Jones battled Jose Gonzalez to a draw… Jan Nelson defeated Johnny Rodz.

03-31-1977: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 9,500: Daigoro Oshiro beat Kuniaki Kobayashi… Takashi Kimura beat Makoto Arakawa… Osamu Kido beat Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Haruka Eigen beat Vera Rodriguez… Nikolai Volkoff beat Masashi Ozawa… Mitsuo Yoshida & Kantaro Hoshino beat Tony Charles & Roberto Soto… Seiji Sakaguchi beat The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) via submission to win the 4th Annual World League tournament… NWF champion Antonio Inoki pinned Johnny Powers. Lou Thesz was the referee.

04-01-1977: Paul Jones defeats Dick Slater for the Georgia title.

New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 9,000: Kuniaki Kobayashi beat Satoru Sayama… Takashi Kimura beat Masanobu Kurisu… Makoto Arakawa beat Masashi Ozawa… Roberto Soto beat Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Kantaro Hoshino beat Tony Charles… Nikolai Volkoff beat Haruka Eigen… The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) beat Mitsuo Yoshida… Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi beat North American tag team champions Tiger Jeet Singh & Umanosuke Ueda.

04-02-1977: The Sheik wins his tenth U.S. (Detroit) title defeating Gino Hernandez.

WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 12,804: SD Jones pinned Johnny Rodz… Carlos Rocha defeated Doug Gilbert… Jan Nelson defeated Moose Monroe… Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jose Gonzalez to a draw… The Haiti Kid & Hillbilly Pete defeated Billy the Kid & Little John… Larry Zbyszko defeated Executioner 1 (Killer Kowalski) via DQ… Tony Garea pinned Executioner 2 (Big John Studd)… Ivan Putski pinned Tor Kamata… Ken Patera & Baron Von Raschke defeated WWWF tag team champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf via DQ… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Stan Stasiak.

04-15-1977: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: In a steel cage match: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole & Gene Anderson… Paul Jones defeated Dick Slater to win the NWA Georgia title… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Lars Anderson to retain the Georgia TV title… Dusty Rhodes defeated The Sheik by DQ… Black Atlas & Susan Green defeated The French Angel & Fabulous Moolah… Den Ho & Richard Blood (Tito Santana) defeated Jack Evans & Bill Howard… Roberto Soto defeated Charlie Fulton.

04-19-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Jos LeDuc.

04-20-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

04-22-1977: Misuo Yoshido begins using the name Riki Choshu.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA. Cadillac Tournament: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated The Sheik… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole Anderson by DQ… Dick Slater defeated Dusty Rhodes… Paul Jones defeated The Assassin (Jody Hamilton)… Lars Anderson defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods)… Bill Watts defeated Gene Anderson… Round Two: Dick Slater defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) by DQ… Lars Anderson defeated Paul Jones… Bill Watts defeated Wahoo McDaniel… Semi-Finals: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Dick Slater… Lars Anderson defeated Bill Watts… Finals: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Lars Anderson to win.

04-23-1977: John Cena is born.

04-24-1977: Jerry Jarrett returns to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN to promote his first card there following his split with Nick Gulas promotions. Jarrett and crew had been running the Cook Convention Center up to this point. Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,693: Gorgeous George Jr. & Ricky & Robert Gibson beat Pat McGinnis & Ken Dillinger & Jim Dalton… Paul Orndorff beat The Gladiator… Ron & Robert Fuller beat The Executioners (advertised as WWWF tag team champions)… Southeastern tag team champions Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee beat Porkchop Cash & Norvell Austin… NWA World tag team champions Mike Graham & Kevin Sullivan beat David Schultz & Bob Orton, Jr… Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Dusty Rhodes & Tommy Gilbert… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Jack Brisco… NWA World champion Harley Race beat Rocky Johnson.

04-25-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,111: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Von Raschke… Bob Backlund defeated The Executioner 2 (Big John Studd)… Ken Patera defeated Tony Garea by count out… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Stan Stasiak… Billy White Wolf defeated Doug Gilbert… Ivan Putski defeated Tor Kamata… Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Carlos Rocha defeated Rocky Tamayo.

04-27-1977: A new attendance record of 5,431 is set at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to see NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeat Ron Fuller to retain the title. Also: Nelson Royal defeated Jimmy Golden to retain the NWA World Junior title… Robert Fuller defeated The Mongolian Stomper to win the Southeastern title… Bob Armstrong defeated Jerry Lawler to win the Southern title… Kurt & Karl Von Steiger defeated Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich for the Southeastern tag team titles… Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Dick Steinborn… Rip Smith defeated Norvell Austin.

04-29-1977: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Thunderbolt Patterson win the Georgia tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Atlanta, GA.

04-30-1977: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: 16-man $5000 battle royal; participants included Ken Patera, Doug Gilbert, Johnny Rodz, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Santacopita, Moose Monroe, Baron Von Raschke, Billy White Wolf, Tony Garea, Ted Adams, Larry Zbyszko, SD Jones, Jan Nelson, Gorilla Monsoon, and Chief Jay Strongbow… SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Jan Nelson… Ken Patera defeated Ted Adams… Superstar Billy Graham pinned WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino to win the title… Tony Garea fought Baron Von Raschke to a draw… Billy Whitewolf defeated Doug Gilbert… Larry Zbyszko defeated Moose Monroe… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.

Besides the obvious WWWF heavyweight title change with Superstar Billy Graham, this show presents a few mysteries. One- attendance. I have yet to find an attendance figure for this show. Two- Who won the battle royal? Finally, who was Santacopita in the battle royal. I have only ever seen that name a couple of times in results and have no idea who it is.

05-02-1977: Nick Gulas draws 1,474 to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN to see: Tojo Yamamoto & George Gulas beat The Bounty Hunters to win the Tri-State tag team titles and Luke Graham & Ripper Collins beat Danny Littlebear & Chief Thundercloud to win the Tennessee tag team titles.

05-08-1977: Gene & Ole Anderson capture the NWA World tag team titles from Ric Flair & Greg Valentine in Charlotte, NC with Wahoo McDaniel as special referee in a steel cage match.

05-09-1977: Nick Gulas draws only 484 people to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN to see Jackie Fargo beat The Russian Stomper to win the Central States title.

05-11-1977: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1977 in Southend, UK: Shown May 21, 1977 on ITV: Tony St. Clair & Kung Fu beat Colin Joynson & Romany Riley… World Lightweight champion Johnny Saint beat Kader Hassouni… Mick McManus pinned Steve Grey.

05-16-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Bruno Sammartino battled George Steele to a no contest… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Gorilla Monsoon… Chief Jay Strongbow battled Ken Patera to a draw… Billy White Wolf defeated Rocky Tamayo… Ivan Putski battled Baron Von Raschke to a draw… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Stan Stasiak… Ron Mikolajczyk defeated Doug Gilbert… Carlos Rocha defeated Jan Nelson.

Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Jumbo Tsuruta.

05-19-1977: Ted DiBiase defeats Bob Slaughter (AKA: Sgt. Slaughter) for the Central States title in Kansas City.

05-21-1977: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: Dusty Rhodes battled NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race to a draw. On the same show: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Jos LeDuc.

05-23-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,004: Jim Garvin drew Mike Stark… Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee beat Pat McGinnis & Igor… Rocky Johnson beat David Schultz… Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Ricky & Robert Gibson in a loser leaves town Texas tornado death match to win the Southern tag team titles… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Paul Orndorff.

05-24-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Ivan Koloff defeated Steve Keirn to win the Southern heavyweight title.

05-27-1977: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: In a lights out match with police surrounding the ring: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated The French Angel to win the Georgia TV title… Bill Watts & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated NWA World tag team champions Ole & Gene Anderson by DQ… Waldo Von Erich defeated Black Atlas… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ox Baker… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Lars Anderson in an Indian Strap Match… Dick Slater defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods)… Paul Jones defeated Toru Tanaka… Mike Graham defeated Randy Savage… Princess Little Dove & Cowboy Lang defeated Diamond Lil & Little Tokyo… Richard Blood (Tito Santana) defeated Bill Howard.

05-29-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,013: Jim Garvin beat Leroy Brown via DQ… Sylvester Ritter (Future Junkyard Dog) beat Pat McGinnis… Igor & Little Tokyo beat Mike Stark & Cowboy Lang… Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee via DQ… Rocky Johnson pinned David Schultz… Paul Orndorff beat Jerry Lawler to win the Southern title.

06-04-1977: At WTCG Studios in Atlanta, GA Dick Slater defeated Paul Jones to win the NWA Georgia title.

WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 13,797: Carlos Rocha defeated Johnny Rodz… SD Jones pinned Jan Nelson… Tony Garea defeated Gashouse Gilbert… George Steele fought Haystacks Calhoun to a no contest… Bruno Sammartino fought Ken Patera to a double DQ… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Chief Jay Strongbow.

06-05-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,110: Cowboy Lang beat Little Tokyo… Sylvester Ritter (future Junkyard Dog) beat David Schultz… Tommy Gilbert & Jim Garvin beat The Exterminators… Rocky Johnson beat Mike Stark via DQ… Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Tommy Rich & Sylvester Ritter… Tommy Rich and Phil Hickerson won a two-ring battle royal… Southern champion Paul Orndorff beat Leroy Brown.

In Toronto, ON, Canada: Exhibition Stadium: Attendance: 7,000: The Mongol drew The Beast…. Michele Barone beat Bill Morgan… Al Costello drew Chris Tolos… Carlos Rocha beat Bounty Hunter 2… Tony Parisi beat Bounty Hunter 1… Jay Strongbow beat Pat Kelly… Ken Patera pinned Gorilla Monsoon… Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson beat Reginald Love & Don Kent… Tiger Jeet Singh beat The Sheik via DQ.

06-11-1977: Greg Valentine defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the Mid-Atlantic title in Greensboro, NC.

06-12-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,784: Jim Garvin beat Igor… The Exterminators & Dennis Condrey beat Rocky Johnson & Tommy Gilbert & Sylvester Ritter (AKA: Junkyard Dog)… Tommy Rich beat Phil Hickerson… Bill Dundee beat Leroy Brown… Southern champion Paul Orndorff beat Mike Stark… Jerry Lawler beat Dusty Rhodes via DQ.

06-13-1977: In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: Pat Patterson & Ivan Koloff defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco in a match where the Florida tag team titles were held up.

06-15-1977: Ricky Steamboat defeats Ric Flair for the Mid-Atlantic TV title in Raleigh, NC WRAL TV Studios, Mid-Atlantic TV Taping.

06-18-1977: Ivan Koloff defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Indianapolis WWA World title. Also on the show: Jimmy & Johnny Valiant defeat Moose Cholak & Paul Christy for the WWA tag team titles at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Attendance 7,500.

WWWF: Providence, RI: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,500: Lenny Hurst fought Rocky Tomayo to a draw… Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated SD Jones… Tony Garea fought Mr. Fuji to a draw… Larry Zbyszko defeated George Steele via DQ… Donna Christianello & Judy Mansfield defeated Little Heart & Jan Sheridan… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Carlos Rocha… Bruno Sammartino pinned Ken Patera.

06-19-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,122: Ratamyus beat Jim Garvin… The Exterminators beat Sylvester Ritter (AKA: Junkyard Dog) & The Pro… Rocky Johnson drew Mike Stark… Tommy Rich & Tommy Gilbert beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey to win the Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee beat Leroy Brown… Southern champion Paul Orndorff beat Giant Frazier… Jerry Lawler battled Dusty Rhodes to a no contest in a lumberjack match.

06-20-1977: In West Palm Beach, FL at the Sports Stadium: Pat Patterson & Ivan Koloff defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco for the held up Florida tag team titles.

06-24-1977: In Minneapolis, MN with a crowd of 6,786 for the AWA: Verne Gagne & Ray Stevens defeated Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum to win the AWA World tag team titles… Nick Bockwinkel battled Billy Robinson to a time limit draw to retain the AWA World title… Steve Olsonoski defeated Roger Kirby by DQ… Jim Brunzell battled Bob Backlund to a draw… Greg Gagne defeated Bulldog Bob Brown… Larry Hennig battled Angelo Mosca to a double DQ… Super Destroyer (Don Jardine) defeated Pedro Morales.

In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: Paul Jones defeated NWA Georgia champion Dick Slater by DQ… In a no DQ match NWA World tag team champions Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Bill Watts & Thunderbolt Patterson… In a Texas Bullrope match Dusty Rhodes defeated Waldo Von Erich… Pak Song & French Angel defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)… Blackjack Mulligan defeated Rocky Johnson… Pat Patterson defeated Richard Blood (Tito Santana)… Don Kernodle defeated Bill White.

06-25-1977: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.

06-27-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,090: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham battled Bruno Sammartino to a no contest… Andre the Giant & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Ken Patera & Nikolai Volkoff… Ivan Putski battled Baron Von Raschke to a draw… Tony Garea defeated George Steele… Chief Peter Maivia defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna…Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji battled Gorilla Monsoon & Dominic DeNucci to a draw… Stan Stasiak defeated Lenny Hurst… Larry Zbyszko defeated Rocky Tamayo… Jose Gonzalez defeated Jan Nelson.

Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,731: Sylvester Ritter (AKA: Junkyard Dog) beat Ken Dillinger… Bobby Bold Eagle & Jim Garvin beat The Exterminators… Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Tommy Rich & Tommy Gilbert in a loser leaves town vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee beat Leroy Brown in a steel cage match… Southern champion Paul Orndorff beat Ratamyus… Jerry Lawler beat Rocky Johnson in a belt on a pole match.

06-28-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Don Muraco.

06-29-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.

07-01-1977: Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Muhammad Farouk (Iron Sheik) wrestled Reno Tuufuli… Ten Man Body Slam Battle Royal: Bruiser Brody defeats Big John Studd, Gino Hernandez, Jimmy Snuka, Jose Lothario, Mike York, Muhammad Farouk, Randy Colley, Reno Tuufuli, and Tommy Seigler… Gino Hernandez defeats Mike York… Jimmy Snuka defeats Randy Colley… Jose Lothario defeats Big John Studd by DQ… Bruiser Brody defeats Tommy Seigler 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Terry Funk 2 falls to 1.

07-02-1977: In Sarasota, FL: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Koloff by count out.

07-04-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,371: Bob Ellis & Leroy Brown battled Ratamyus & Mickey Poole to a no contest… Leroy Brown beat King Cobra… Jerry Brown & Dick (Buddy) Roberts beat Paul Orndorff & Jerry Bryant… Arman Hussein beat Ratamyus… Jim Garvin & Bobby Bold Eagle beat The Exterminators in a no DQ match… Bob Ellis & Jim Garvin beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey to win the Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee beat Jerry Lawler in a match where Lawler had to pin Dundee twice in 15 minutes and both bet $2,000 on the outcome.

07-07-1977: The Highfliers (Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne) win their second AWA World tag team championship from Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum in Winnipeg, Canada. Attendance 5,119.

07-09-1977: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 15,602: Peter Maivia defeated Baron Von Rashke… SD Jones pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna… Johnny Rivera pinned Rocky Tamayo… Larry Zbyszko defeated Stan Stasiak… Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Jose Gonzalez… Lenny Hurst defeated George Steele via DQ… Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera when guest referee Gorilla Monsoon stopped the bout due to loss of blood… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Tony Garea.

07-10-1977: In Toronto, ON: Exhibition Stadium drawing 16,000: Farmer Pete beat Little Bruiser… The Wildman drew Pat Kelly… Tony Parisi drew The Mongol… Haystack Calhoun beat Bulldog Kent via DQ… Stan Stasiak beat Al Costello… International tag team champions Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson beat Reginald Love & Chris Tolos… Andre the Giant battled Ken Patera to a double count out… WWWF champion Billy Graham pinned Jay Strongbow… NWA World champion Harley Race beat The Sheik via DQ.

07-11-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,044: Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown beat Norvell Austin & Jerry Bryant… The Exterminators beat Jim Garvin & Chief Bold Eagle in a match where the Exterminators masks were at stake… Bob Ellis beat Leroy Brown & Mickey Poole in a handicap match… Southern champion Paul Orndorff beat Igor in a title vs. mask match… Bill Dundee beat Jerry Lawler in a steel cage match where Lawler had to pin Dundee twice in 15 minutes and Dundee was putting up $4,000 vs. Lawler's car.

WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 6,205: Tony Altimore defeated Joe Turco via DQ… Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw… Jose Gonzalez defeated Rocky Tomayo… Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated SD Jones & Lenny Hurst… Chief Jay Strongbow fought Baron Von Raschke to a draw… Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak via DQ… Ken Patera defeated Tony Garea… Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Larry Zbyszko.

07-12-1977: Brock Lesnar is born.

07-18-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,783: Jim Garvin & Norvell Austin beat The Exterminators… Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown drew Arman Hussein & Pat Barrett… Ratamyus beat Tommy Rich via DQ… Bob Ellis beat Leroy Brown… Bill Dundee pinned Giant Frazier… Jerry Lawler beat Paul Orndorff to win the Southern title.

07-19-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham in a non-title match.

07-20-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham in a non-title match.

07-21-1977: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham in a non-title match.

07-22-1977: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Thunderbolt Patterson & Andre the Giant defeated NWA World tag team champions Ole & Gene Anderson by DQ… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Dick Slater… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ox Baker… Pak Song defeated Paul Jones… Tony Atlas defeated Waldo Von Erich… Ric Flair defeated Sandy Scott… Roberto Soto defeated French Angel… Don Kernodle defeated Bob Slaughter (Sgt. Slaughter)… Richard Blood (Tito Santana) defeated Bill White.

07-24-1977: In Orlando, FL at the Sports Stadium: Rocky Johnson defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham in a non-title match.

07-25-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotions in Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Brown & Dick (Buddy) Roberts beat Jimmy Garvin & Bob Ellis to win the Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee beat Jerry Lawler in a car vs. title match to win the Southern title.

Captain USA (Big John Studd) defeats Bruiser Brody for the American title in Ft. Worth, TX.

In West Palm Beach, FL: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham in a non-title match.

07-28-1977: Jess Ortega (Jesse Leone) dies.

07-29-1977: Ric Flair wins the NWA U.S. title from Bobo Brazil in Richmond VA.

07-30-1977: Gorilla Monsoon defeats Hartford Love in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC North American title.

08-01-1977: Gorilla Monsoon referees a match between Bruno Sammartino and Superstar Billy Graham at Madison Square Garden. Minutes into the match, Graham flees the ring only to be carried back by Monsoon. The match is stopped at 14:05 due to excessive bleeding. Attendance: 22,092 sellout. Plus about 4,600 watching at the Felt Forum: Ivan Putski defeated Baron Von Raschke… Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Peter Maivia defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Jose Gonzalez & Lenny Hurst… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated George Steele & Stan Stasiak by DQ… Carlos Colon defeated Johnny Rodz.

Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,300: Ratamyus beat Ed Flukert… North American tag team champions Brute Bernard & The Angel beat Jim Garvin & Arman Hussein… Norvell Austin & Pat Barrett & Bob Ellis beat The Exterminators & Dr. X… Plowboy Frazier beat Leroy Brown… Southern tag team champions Jerry Brown & Dick (Buddy) Roberts beat Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff… Norvell Austin won a battle royal… Jerry Lawler beat Bill Dundee to win Southern title in a hair vs. car match.

08-02-1977: Antonio Inoki defeats World Super Heavyweight Karate champion Eddie “Monster Man'“ Everett via knock out in the fifth round of a mixed martial arts match in Tokyo, Japan at Budokan Hall drawing 10,000.

08-03-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Rocky Johnson to a draw.

08-04-1977: In Jacksonville, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Rocky Johnson to a draw.

08-05-1977: AWA in St. Paul, MN with a crowd of 5,317: Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell defeated Bobby Duncum & Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World tag team titles… Billy Robinson defeated Pedro Morales… Super Destroyer (Don Jardine) & Angelo Mosca defeated The Crusher & Ray Stevens… Larry Hennig defeated Roger Kirby by DQ… Bob Backlund defeated Chris Markoff… Steve Olsonoski defeated Jan Nelson.

08-07-1977: In Toronto, ON, Canada: Exhibition Stadium drawing 10,000: The Beast beat The Wildman via DQ… Tony Parisi beat Frank Stanley… Chris Tolos beat Steve Bolus… Sweet Daddy Siki beat Geeto Mongol… Stan Stasiak beat Geeto Mongol via countout… International tag team champions Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson beat Reginald Love & Don Kent… Andre the Giant & Haystack Calhoun beat Don Kent & Frank Stanley & Chris Tolos.

08-08-1977: Jerry Jarrett promotion in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,103: The Exterminators drew The Gladiator & Arman Hussein… Bob Ellis & Jim Garvin beat Dr. X & Ratamyus… Brute Bernard & The Angel beat Jerry Bryant & Norvell Austin… Plowboy Frazier beat Leroy Brown & Mickey Poole in a handicap match… Norvell Austin & Pat Barrett beat Southern tag team champions Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown via DQ… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Paul Orndorff… Bill Dundee beat Jerry Lawler.

08-09-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Steve Keirn.

08-10-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Jack Brisco.

08-12-1977: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,192: Black Angus & Ron Starr defeat Bob Sweetan & Randy Tyler in 2 falls… Bob Brown defeats Don Wayt… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeats Jimmy Valiant… Dick Slater, managed by Gary Hart, wins the NWA Missouri title from Jack Brisco… Dick the Bruiser & Rufus R. Jones defeat Bobby Jaggers & Buck Robley… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Dory Funk Jr. to a Time Limit Draw after trading one fall each.

08-13-1977: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race but had to return the title because he had his feet on the ropes during the pin.

08-15-1977:  In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,397: Jim Garvin & Bruce Swayze beat The Exterminators… Brute Bernard & The Angel beat Arman Hussein & The Gladiator… Dr. X vs. Bob Ellis… Leroy Brown & Ratamyus beat Plowboy Frazier & Paul Orndorff… Pat Barrett & Norvell Austin beat Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown in a no DQ match to win the Southern tag team titles… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Bill Dundee in a hair vs. car match. Lawler's manager Mickey Poole's hair was on the line.

Lou Thesz is recognized as the first UWA World champion in Mexico.

08-18-1977: AWA: Winnipeg, Canada: Arena: Attendance 10,000: Fred Peloquin defeats Chris Pepper… Steve Olsonoski defeats Bull Bullinski… Bob Backlund defeats Chris Markoff… Billy Robinson defeats Moose Morowski… Lord Alfred Hayes & The Super Destroyer (Don Jardine) defeat Pedro Morales & Ray Stevens… Greg Gagne defeats Bobby Heenan… Angelo Mosca wrestled Gene Kiniski to a No Contest… Verne Gagne defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel. Gagne's sleeper hold was ruled illegal during this match, but when the referee was knocked down, Gagne used the sleeper and pinned Bockwinkel and seemed to win the title. Bockwinkel protested and the decision was overturned.

08-20-1977: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 16,600: Mark Tendler pinned Frank Rodriguez… Pete Sanchez pinned Frankie Williams… SD Jones pinned Joe Turco… Tony Garea pinned Nikolai Volkoff… Haystacks Calhoun & Peter Maivia defeated Mr. Fuji & Rocky Tamayo… Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out… Bruno Sammartino pinned George Steele… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Larry Zbyszko.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,500: Mr. X defeats Jerry Monti… Moondog Mayne defeats Hiro Ota… Kevin Sullivan defeats Bob Roop… NWA World Women's champion Fabulous Moolah defeats Vicki Williams… NWA World tag team (SF Version) champions The Von Steigers (Karl & Kurt Von Steiger) defeat  Pepper Gomez & Chavo Guerrero by referee stoppage… NWA San Francisco United States champion Dean Ho defeats Alexis Smirnoff in a No Rules Match (Special Referee: Moondog Mayne).

08-22-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,143: The Exterminators beat The Gladiator & Ed Flukert… Arman Hussein & Wee Willie Wilson beat Leroy Brown & Lord Littlebrook… Jim Garvin & Bruce Swayze beat Dr. X & Ratamyus… Brute Bernard & The Angel beat Bob Ellis & Plowboy Frazier… Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown beat Norvell Austin & Pat Barrett in a loser leaves vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee pinned Jerry Lawler in a hair vs. hair match to win the Southern title. Lawler's manager Mickey Poole lost his hair.

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat capture the Mid-Atlantic tag team titles from Ric Flair & Greg Valentine in Charlotte, NC.

08-23-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Rocky Johnson by DQ.

08-24-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by DQ.

08-25-1977: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by DQ.

08-29-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,091: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski by count out… Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match… Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak… Verne Gagne defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated George Steele & Baron Mikel Scicluna… Chief Jay Strongbow battled Mr. Fuji to a draw… S.D. Jones defeated Jack Evans… Johnny Rivera defeated Joe Turco… Lenny Hurst defeated Rocky Tamayo.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,420: Plowboy Frazier & Arman Hussein & Bruce Swayze beat The Angel & Brute Bernard & Homer O'Dell… Dr. X beat The Gladiator in a mask vs. mask match… Pat Barrett & Norvell Austin beat The Exterminators… Leroy Brown drew Ratamyus… Southern tag team champions Dick Roberts & Jerry Brown beat The Exterminators… Jerry Lawler beat Bill Dundee to win the Southern title in a hair vs. car Texas death match.

08-31-1977: Jane O’Brien defeats Maki Ueda for the All Japan Women All Pacific title.

09-04-1977: In Orlando, FL at the Sports Stadium: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by DQ.

09-05-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,129: Arman Hussein & Bruce Swayze & Ed Flukert beat Ratamyus & Terry Gibbs & Leroy Brown… Robert Gibson beat Dr. X… Exterminator 1 beat Jim Dalton in a mask vs. loser leaves town match… Norvell Austin & Pat Barrett beat Brute Bernard & The Angel… Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown beat Jim Garvin & Jerry Bryant to win the held-up Southern tag team titles… Robert Gibson won an 18-man elimination match… Jerry Lawler beat Bill Dundee in a hair vs. hair match.

09-09-1977: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA, Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas defeated Pak Song & The Executioner to win the Georgia tag team titles.

09-10-1977: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ. Also on the show: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Rocky Johnson.

09-13-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,000: Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Bill Dundee in a no DQ hair vs. hair match via countout. As a result, Dundee's wife Beverly lost her hair. Lawler "retired" after this match, thus vacating the title.

09-16-1977: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium Pak Song & The Executioner defeated Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas for the Georgia tag team titles.

09-17-1977: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 19,000: Televised on the PRISM Network: Frank Rodriguez defeated Mike Madero… Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Larry Sharpe defeated Ted Adams… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated George Steele via count-out… Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham via referee's decision when the match was stopped due to blood… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Mr. Fuji & Baron Mikel Scicluna.

09-17-1977: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,850: Pat McGinnis & Hiro Ota defeat Chavo Guerrero & Mando Guerrero… Pepper Gomez defeats Great Goliath… Barry Orton wrestled Mr. X to a draw… Kevin Sullivan & Ray Stevens defeat The Von Steigers (Karl & Kurt Von Steiger)… Bob Roop defeats NWA San Francisco United States champion
Dean Ho 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

09-19-1977: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Norvell Austin & Pat Barrett beat Dick (Buddy) Roberts & Jerry Brown to win the Southern tag team titles… Jimmy Valiant beat Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) to win the vacant Southern title.

09-22-1977: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: Rocky Johnson defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham in a non-title match.

09-23-1977: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dick Slater & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole & Gene Anderson to win the NWA World tag team titles… Pak Song & The Executioner defeated Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas to retain the Georgia tag team titles… Dino Bravo defeated Dick Slater by DQ… Jack Brisco defeated French Angel… Jacques Goulet (Rene Goulet) battled Steven Little Bear to a draw… Richard Blood (Tito Santana) defeated Ken Dillinger.

EMLL: 44th Anniversary Show 1 of 2: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 18,000: Franco Colombo beat El Satanico… El Vengador beat Demonio Blanco… Raul Reyes & Carlos Plata beat Gemelo Diablo II & Herodes… El Faraon & El Monarca & Mano Negra beat Perro Aguayo & Alfonso Dantes & Joe Palardy… Mexican National Heavyweight champion El Halcon beat Gemelo Diablo I… Sangre Chicano lost a hair vs. mask vs. mask match against El Cobarde and Fishman… NWA Light Heavyweight champion Alfonso Dantes beat El Faraon.

09-26-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City: Attendance: 22,102: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by count out… Peter Maivia defeated George Steele… Bob Backlund defeated Larry Sharpe… Chief Jay Strongbow & Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Ken Patera & Stan Stasiak & Lou Albano… Cowboy Lang & Haiti Kid defeated Little John & Little Tokyo… Toru Tanaka defeated Johnny Rivera… Baron Mikel Scicluna battled Jack Evans to a draw… Mr. Fuji defeated Lenny Hurst.

09-27-1977: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji win the WWWF World tag team titles by defeating Larry Zbyszko & Tony Garea for the vacant titles in Philadelphia, PA. The titles had been vacated by former champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf (Adnon Kaissey) when Ken Patera injured White Wolf.

In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Pedro Morales defeated Ivan Koloff for the Southern title.

Longtime wrestler and promoter Roy Welch dies at the age of 75.

09-30-1977: Gene & Ole Anderson defeat Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater for the NWA World tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

Ox Baker captures the American title in Houston, TX defeating Captain USA (Big John Studd).

EMLL: 44th Anniversary Show 2 of 2: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico: NWA Light Heavyweight champion Alfonso Dantes beat El Faraon… Fishman beat El Cobarde in a mask vs. mask match.

10-06-1977: The St. Petersburg Times (Florida) runs an article on amateur wrestling stand out Bruce Woyan and his troubles on and off the wrestling mat. The article makes note that Bruce Woyan plans on becoming a pro wrestler, which he did, under the name Buzz Sawyer.

10-08-1977: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: Pedro Morales defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

10-09-1977: Lanny Poffo defeats Dennis Hall in a tournament final in Chattanooga, TN for the Mid-America title.

In Orlando, FL at the Sports Stadium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Rocky Johnson.

10-10-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,792: Jim Garvin beat Leroy Brown… Pat Barrett drew Terry Gordy… Giant Frazier beat Bruce Swayze via DQ… Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson battled Scott Casey & Robert Gibson to a no contest… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Ratamyus… Southern tag team champions The Samoans Tio & Tapu beat Norvell Austin & Bill Dundee… Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Valiant to win the Southern title.

In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: Pedro Morales defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 8,245: Johnny Rodz defeated Dennis Johnson… Jack Evans defeated Pete Austin… Peter Maivia fought Mr. Fuji to a draw… Butcher Vachon defeated Lenny Hurst… Tony Garea defeated Pete Doherty… Stan Stasiak fought Chief Jay Strongbow to a draw… Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Bruno Sammartino defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka (sub. for WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham) via DQ.

10-11-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World champion Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a double count out.

10-12-1977: Baron Von Raschke wins the Mid-Atlantic TV title from Ricky Steamboat in Raleigh, NC. The belt is soon renamed the NWA TV title.

In Miami Beach, FL at the Jai Alai Fronton: NWA World champion Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a double count out.

10-14-1977: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater to win the NWA World tag team titles… Tony Atlas defeated Ox Baker… Jacques Goulet (Rene Goulet) & The Executioner & Dick Murdoch defeated Dino Bravo & Charlie Cook & Richard Blood (Tito Santana)… Bob Armstrong defeated Dr. Death… Tommy Rich defeated Bill White… David Von Erich defeated Richard Blood (Tito Santana).

10-21-1977: NWA-JCP: Charleston, SC: Ricky Steamboat defeats Ric Flair for the NWA U.S. title.

10-24-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,092 (sellout) plus 4,000 watching at the Felt Forum: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Dusty Rhodes in a Texas Death Match… Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia… Mil Mascaras defeated Jack Evans… Ivan Putski defeated Stan Stasiak by count out… Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Kitty Adams & Leilani Kai defeated Vivian St. John & Winona Little Heart… Butcher Vachon defeated Lenny Hurst… Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rodz… Larry Sharpe defeated Johnny Rivera.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,264: David Schultz beat Jerry Bryant… Phil Hickerson beat Terry Gordy… The Great Mephisto beat Robert Gibson… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Dennis Condrey… Southern tag team champions Samoans Tio & Tapu beat Norvell Austin & Scott Casey… Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant.

10-25-1977: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 10,000: Mitsuo Yoshida beat Haruka Eigan… Osamu Kido beat Kengo Kimura… Seiji Sakaguchi beat Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Allen) via submission in a judo jacket match… Real World Martial Arts champion Antonio Inoki beat Chuck Wepner in a wrestler vs. boxer match.

10-29-1977: PWF champion Giant Baba defeats All Asia champion Kinatro Ohki to win both titles.

10-30-1977: NWA-JCP: Greensboro, NC: Coliseum: Attendance 9,723: Charlie Fulton wrestled Jim Garvin to a Time Limit Draw… Boris Malenko defeats Klondike Bill… Johnny Weaver & Tiger Conway Jr. defeat Mr. X I & II… Ricky Steamboat & Tim Woods defeat Baron Von Raschke & Blackjack Mulligan… Paul Jones defeats The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) by DQ… Ric Flair & Greg Valentine win the NWA World tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson.

11-01-1977: All Japan Women hold their first Nippon Budokan card featuring WWWA World champion Maki Ueda battling Jackie Sato to a sixty minute draw. WWWA President Mildred Burke, however, declares Sato the winner.

11-07-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,990: Terry Gordy beat Ratamyus… David Schultz beat Scott Casey… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat The Great Mephisto via DQ… Southern tag team champions Samoans Tio & Tapu battled Robert Gibson & Big Red to a no contest. As a result, the title was held-up… Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee & Norvell Austin beat Jimmy Valiant & Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey.

11-11-1977: All-Japan Women: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 13,000: Jackie Sato beat Makiko Ueda via decision to win the WWWA title. Mildred Burke was the judge.

11-12-1977: WWWF: Springfield, MA: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,000: Johnny Rodz pinned Frankie Williams… Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Ted Adams & Steve King… The Golden Terror defeated Dennis Johnson… Dewey Robertson defeated Joe Turco… Johnny Rivera defeated Butcher Vachon via DQ… Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski via DQ.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,350: Les Thornton defeats John Karisma… Pepper Gomez & Mando Guerrero defeat Barry Orton & Eddie Mansfield… Dean Ho defeats Alexis Smirnoff… Ray Stevens & Moondog Mayne defeat NWA World tag team (San Francisco version) champions The Von Steigers (Karl & Kurt Von Steiger) to win the titles… Kevin Sullivan defeats NWA San Francisco United States champion Bob Roop to win the title. The newspapers say it was No DQ, and pinfalls don't count. Sullivan won when Roop could not continue for the 4th fall. However, Sullivan must have been stripped of the title, because it was held up pending a rematch on December 3rd.

Ed Wiskoski defeats Dutch Savage for the Pacific Northwest title in Portland OR.

11-14-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,674: David Schultz & Mike Stark beat Terry Gordy & Scott Casey… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Ratamyus… Mike Stark beat Bill Dundee… Samoans Tio & Tapu beat Robert Gibson & Big Red to win the held-up Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee & Norvell Austin beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Valiant in a dog fight match.

11-20-1977: Cesar Valentino wins a tournament in Mexico City to become the first UWA Junior lightweight champion.

11-21-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,914: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Peter Maivia by count out… WWWF World tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko… Mil Mascaras defeated Larry Sharpe… Dusty Rhodes defeated Butcher Vachon… Ken Patera defeated Dewey Robertson (AKA: Missing Link)… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Jack Evans… Stan Stasiak defeated Dominic DeNucci… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rivera.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,813: Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Norvell Austin & Jimmy Gibbons… Sonny King beat Terry Gordy… David Schultz beat Ken Dillinger… Jerry Lawler & Big Red beat Samoans Tio & Tapu… Mike Stark beat Bill Dundee in a coal miner's glove match… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn).

11-22-1977: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Pedro Morales defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by DQ.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,350: Les Thornton defeats Ted Heath… Pepper Gomez & Juan Mercado & Chavo Guerrero defeat Kurt Von Steiger & Texas Red  (Red Bastien) & John Karisma… Alexis Smirnoff defeat Dean Ho… NWA San Francisco United States champion Bob Roop wrestled Kevin Sullivan to a double DQ.

11-23-1977: In Miami, FL at the Jai Alai Fronton: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by DQ.

11-24-1977: (Thanksgiving Night) At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Attendance 11,000: Tony Atlas defeated Abdullah the Butcher… Ernie Ladd & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Pak Song & The Sheik… Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen… Tommy Rich defeated David Schultz… Charlie Cook & Raymond Rougeau defeated The Interns… Richard Blood (Tito Santana) defeated Jim Grabmire… Jerry Stubbs defeated Randy Savage.

11-26-1977: Dusty Rhodes wins the Florida title from Buddy Wolfe in St. Petersburg.

WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,800: Johnny Rodz defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Pete Reeves… Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Lenny Hurst & Dennis Johnson… Ivan Putski fought Ken Patera to a draw… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Larry Zbyszko via DQ… Dominic DeNucci defeated Butcher Vachon via DQ… Peter Maivia & Tony Garea,& Chief Jay Strongbow defeated the Golden Terror & Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji.

11-28-1977: Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson win the Southern tag team titles from Norvell Austin & Bill Dundee in Memphis, TN. Also, Jimmy Valiant beat Jerry Lawler in a $20,000 vs. title stretcher match to win the Southern title.

12-03-1977: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 15,850: Les Thornton defeats Ted Heath… Pepper Gomez & Mickey Doyle defeat Barry Orton & John Karisma… Dean Ho & Haystacks Calhoun defeat The Von Steigers (Kurt & Karl Von Steiger)… Ray Stevens defeat Alexis Smirnoff… NWA San Francisco United States title Steel Cage Match with special Referee: Haystacks Calhoun: Bob Roop defeats Kevin Sullivan 2 falls to 1 to win the vacant title.

12-05-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,009: Frankie Laine beat Jim Gibbons… Samoans Tio & Tapu drew Robert Gibson & Mike Stallings… David Schultz & Sonny King beat Jerry Bryant & Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn)… Big Red beat Mike Stark via DQ… Bill Dundee & Norvell Austin beat Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Valiant in a $20,000 vs. title steel cage stretcher match to win the Southern title.

In West Palm Beach, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.

12-06-1977: Ivan Koloff & Mr. Saito win a tournament in Tampa, FL to win the Florida tag team titles. On the same show NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.

12-07-1977: In Miami, FL at the Jai Alai Fronton: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Pedro Morales.

12-08-1977: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 9,000: Daigoro Oshiro pinned Kuniaki Kobayashi… Makoto Arakawa pinned Masanobu Kurisu… Haruka Eigen pinned Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Kantaro Hoshino drew Osamu Kido… Marty Jones pinned Kengo Kimura… Riki Choshu pinned The Golden Falcon (Francisco Flores)… NWF North American tag team champions Seiji Sakaguchi & Strong Kobayashi beat Pat Patterson & Steven Wright… Willem Ruska beat Buffalo (Bad News) Allen via submission in a judo jacket match… Antonio Inoki defeated The Great Antonio by knock out in a match that turned shoot.

12-09-1977: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA Bob Armstrong defeated Jacques Goulet (Rene Goulet) for the Georgia TV title.

12-10-1977: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 19,500; sell out: Televised on the PRISM Network: Davey O'Hannon defeated Steve King… Joe Turco defeated Ted Adams… Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Frank Williams… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Pete Reeves… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Stan Stasiak… Ivan Putski defeated Butcher Vachon… WWWF tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko… Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham via count-out.

12-11-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,800: Norvell Austin & Jerry Bryant & Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) & Robert Gibson beat Ken Dillinger & Sonny King & Frankie Laine & David Schultz… Southern tag team champions Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson beat Samoans Tio & Tapu… Bill Dundee beat Tri-State champion Gorgeous George, Jr. via DQ… Big Red beat Southeastern champion The Mongolian Stomper via DQ… NWA World champion Harley Race battled Jerry Lawler to a 60 minute time limit draw.

12-12-1977: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 7,716: Moose Monroe defeated Pete Austin… Johnny Rodz defeated Frankie Williams… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rivera… Dominic DeNucci fought Butcher Vachon to a draw… Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated WWWF tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji via DQ… Gorilla Monsoon defeated the Golden Terror… WWWF World champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski in a steel cage match.

12-13-1977: Ole Anderson & Jacques Rene Goulet win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Tommy Rich & Stan Hansen in Macon, GA.

12-15-1977: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Mitsuo Momota pinned Atsushi Onita… Masao Ito pinned Masanobu Fuchi… Genichiro Tenryu & Rocky Hata beat Motoshi Okuma & The Great Kojika… Horst Hoffman pinned Samson Kutsuwada… Billy Robinson pinned Kusatsu… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Texas Red (Red Bastien) beat Mighty Inoue & Akihisa Takachiho… Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta beat Kintaro Oki & Kim Duk… Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. beat Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik via DQ to win the 1977 World Open Tag League tournament.

12-18-1977: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,664: Ken Dillinger & Samoans Tio & Tapu beat Frankie Laine & David Schultz & Sonny King… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Tommy Gilbert… Southern tag team champions Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Norvell Austin & Robert Gibson… Bill Dundee & Big Red beat The Mongolian Stomper & Gorgeous George, Jr… NWA World champion Harley Race beat Jerry Lawler via forfeit in a no DQ match after Lawler was attacked by Jimmy Valiant before the match.

12-19-1977: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,085: Mil Mascaras defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham due to blood stoppage… Arnold Skaaland defeated Lou Albano by count out… Bob Backlund defeated Mr. Fuji… Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Stasiak… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka by DQ… Golden Terror battled Dominic DeNucci to a double count out… Butcher Vachon defeated Johnny Rivera… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated S.D. Jones.

12-21-1977: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham by DQ with special referee Don Curtis.

12-26-1977: Gorilla Monsoon wins a battle royal at Nassau Coliseum to win the rights to face Superstar Billy Graham for the WWWF title.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,009: Jerry Bryant & Tommy Gilbert & Robert Gibson drew Sonny King & Frankie Laine & David Schultz… Tri-State champion Norvell Austin beat Gorgeous George, Jr… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Frankie Laine… Giant Frazier & Big Red beat Southern tag team champions Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson via DQ… Bill Dundee beat Southeastern champion The Mongolian Stomper via DQ… Bill Dundee won a battle royal.

Superstar Billy Graham - WWWF 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!