Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1978
By: Karl Stern
The year in pro wrestling history 1978 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.
1978
01-01-1978: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA Georgia champion Stan Hansen by DQ with special referee’s Dick Slater & Ole Anderson… Ernie Ladd & Abdullah the Butcher battled Andre the Giant & Thunderbolt Patterson to a no contest… Dick Slater & Tony Atlas & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole Anderson & Ox Baker & Pak Song… Bob Armstrong defeated Mongolian Stomper to retain the NWA Georgia TV title… Raymond Rougeau & Tommy Rich defeated Randy Savage & Jacques (Rene) Goulet… Charlie Cook defeated The Intern II… Gorgeous George, Jr. defeated Jerry Stubbs… Intern I defeated Richard Blood (Tito Santana).
In Orlando, FL Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated Ivan Koloff & Mr. Saito to win the Florida tag team titles.
01-02-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,151: Frankie Laine & The Alaskan & David Schultz beat Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown & Robert Gibson… Norvell Austin beat Dr. Frank… Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Doug Gilbert to win the North American title… Southern tag team champions Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson drew Bill Dundee & Plowboy Frazier… Jimmy Valiant beat Jerry Lawler.
01-03-1978: Randy Savage (Randy Poffo) wins the Mid-America title from Don Kent in Birmingham, AL champion.
01-04-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ivan Putski.
01-06-1978: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,500: The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny Valiant) defeat Tom Andrews & Ronnie Etchison 2 falls to 1… Omar Atlas wrestled Bulldog Brown to a 20 minute draw… Dick Murdoch defeats Tom Andrews… Ric Flair defeats Omar Atlas… Tom Andrews & Ronnie Etchison & Pat O'Connor defeat Dick Murdoch & The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Dick the Bruiser 2 falls to 1.
01-07-1978: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 9,600: Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Frankie Williams… Butcher Vachon defeated Jose Estrada… Larry Sharpe defeated Ted Adams… Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated WWWF tag team champions Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka via DQ; Gorilla Monsoon was special referee… Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea.
01-09-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,763: Frankie Lane & The Medic & Sonny King beat Plowboy Frazier & Bearcat Brown & Ed Fluckert… Doug Gilbert beat David Schultz… The Alaskan beat Robert Gibson… North American champion Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Big Red… Bill Dundee & Norvell Austin beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey to win the Southern tag team titles… Jimmy Valiant (with Frankie Laine) beat Jerry Lawler (with Bill Dundee) in a white flag match.
01-11-1978: In Miami, FL at Marine Stadium: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Don Muraco.
01-12-1978: AWA: Winnipeg Arena: Attendance 11,000: Cowboy Lang & Haiti Kid defeat Billy The Kid & Little Tokyo… Pat Patterson defeats Chris Pepper… Bob Orton Jr. wrestled Evan Johnson to a Draw… Rufus R. Jones defeats Jan Nelson… Verne Gagne defeats Blackjack Lanza… Special Referee: Billy Robinson: Larry Hennig & The Crusher defeat Angelo Mosca & The Super Destroyer… AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel defeats Ray Stevens.
01-16-1978: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 10,400: Butcher Vachon defeated Joe Turco… Stan Stasiak defeated Frank Williams… Tony Garea fought Prof. Toru Tanaka to a draw… SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Ken Patera defeated Pete Austin… Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko… Bob Backlund defeated Mr. Fuji… Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia defeated Jack Evans & Larry Sharpe… Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham when the match was stopped due to blood.
01-20-1978: Jose Estrada defeats Tony Garea in Uniondale, NY to become the first WWF Junior heavyweight champion. This title eventually ends up with the New Japan Promotion until dropped around 1985.
01-23-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,092: WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Mil Mascaras by DQ… Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Jose Estrada to win the WWWF World Junior heavyweight title… Bob Backlund & Peter Maivia & Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji & Stan Stasiak & Baron Mikel Scicluna in an 8-Man elimination match… Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Spiros Arion defeated Dominic DeNucci by count out…Steve Keirn defeated Larry Sharpe… Butcher Vachon battled S.D. Jones to a draw… Carlos Colon defeated Jack Evans… Dusty Rhodes defeated Golden Terror.
In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,017: Doug Gilbert beat Roger Howell… Sonny King beat Robert Gibson… Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson beat Big Red & Bearcat Brown… North American champion Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) beat Terry Sawyer… Southern tag team champions Bill Dundee & Norvell Austin beat The Medic & Frankie Laine… Southern champion Jerry Lawler battled Jimmy Valiant to a no contest in a hair vs. hair match. The lack of a finish in the main event led to a fan riot which caused a few thousand dollars worth of damage.
01-25-1978: NWA World champion Harley Race squares off against WWWF World heavyweight champion Superstar Billy Graham at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The match, which was marred by rain, went to a sixty minute time limit draw. 12,000 in attendance. Also on the show: Ivan Putski defeated Ox Baker… Joyce Grable won a women’s battle royal… Rocky Johnson defeated Killer Karl Kox by DQ… Chavo Guerrero defeated Tank Patton… Bobby Duncum defeated Don Serrano… Keith Franks (AKA: Adrian Adonis) defeated John Ruffin.
01-28-1978: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Annual Battle Royal: Attendance 14,350: Mando Guerrero defeats Karl Von Steiger… Dick Murdoch defeats Kurt Von Steiger… Black Gordman & The Great Goliath defeat Pepper Gomez & Haystacks Calhoun… Don Muraco defeats Dory Funk Jr… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Chavo Guerrero… 18 Man $25.000 Dollar Battle Royal: Don Muraco defeats Les Thornton, Pepper Gomez, Kurt Von Steiger, Chavo Guerrero, Dick Murdoch, Dory Funk Jr., Karl Von Steiger, Haystacks Calhoun, Mando Guerrero, Peter Maivia, Lord Johnathan Boyd, Great Goliath, Ray Stevens, Black Gordman, Harley Race, Moondog Mayne, Dean Ho. Muraco eliminates Dean Ho and Moondog Mayne to win.
01-29-1978: UWA Mexico 3rd Anniversary Show: in Naucalpan, Mexico: El Toreo: Black Man & El Mathematico beat El Signo & Lobo Rubio in a masks vs. hair match… IWA champion Mil Mascaras beat Temojin el Mongol (Killer Khan).
01-30-1978: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Southern champion Jerry Lawler pinned Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) to win the North American title. Following a riot the previous week, attendance fell below 5,000 for this show.
01-31-1978: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory: NWA World champion Harley Race battled Steve Keirn to a double DQ.
02-01-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ivan Putski.
02-03-1978: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen in a Texas Bullrope Match… Bill Watts defeated Abdullah the Butcher… Tony Atlas defeated Ric Flair… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) & Bob Armstrong defeated Stan Hansen & Ox Baker… Adrian Adonis defeated Don Carson… Bobo Brazil defeated Bounty Hunter… Tommy Rich & Charlie Cook defeated Jacques (Rene) Goulet & Luke Graham… Mighty Zulu defeated Intern II.
02-05-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,167: Frankie Laine & Sonny King beat Stan Frazier & Robert Gibson… Len Shelley beat The Red Shadow… Pat O'Conner beat Doug Gilbert… Bill Dundee & The Intern beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey… Norvell Austin beat Jimmy Pruitt… Jerry Lawler pinned Jimmy Valiant.
Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,000: Lord Alfred Hayes defeats Steve Bolus… Butcher Vachon wrestle Duncan McTavish to a 10 minute draw… Mil Mascaras defeats Terry Yorkston… Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson defeat Chris Tolos & Dan Johnston… Sweet Daddy Siki wrestle The Wildman to a time limit draw… Stan Stasiak wrestle Waldo von Erich to a 15 minute time limit draw… Ken Patera wrestle Dusty Rhodes to a double count out… Angelo Mosca defeats Peter Maivia by DQ… AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel defeats Jay Strongbow.
02-06-1978: Stan Hansen defeats Mr. Wrestling II for the NWA Georgia title.
02-07-1978: Killer Karl Kox wins the NWA Florida title from Dusty Rhodes in Tampa.
02-08-1978: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 11,000: Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Allen) beat Makoto Arakawa… Yoshiaki Fujiwara drew Kengo Kimura… Benny & Billy McGuire beat Haruka Eigan & Kantaro Hoshino & Yamamoto… Osamu Kido & Mitsu Yoshida beat Hollywood Blondes (Buddy Roberts & Jerry Brown)… Tiger Jeet Singh beat Strong Kobayashi… WWWF World champion Superstar Billy Graham beat Seiji Sakaguchi via countout… Antonio Inoki defeated Umanosuke Ueda in a bed of nails death match.
02-10-1978: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Nick Bockwinkel defeated Tommy Rich to retain the AWA World heavyweight title.
Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Ron Slinker defeats Billy Spears… Eric the Red defeats Barry Orton… Killer Karl Krupp defeats Jay Youngblood… Boris Malenko wrestled David von Erich to a 15-minute draw… NWA Texas tag team champions Al Madril & Jose Lothario defeat Dick Murdoch & Killer Karl Kox 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Wahoo McDaniel 2 falls to 1.
02-12-1978: Ted DiBiase defeats Dick Slater in St. Louis for the NWA Missouri title during the Wrestling at the Chase TV Tapings.
02-13-1978: In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: Dusty Rhodes battled NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race to a draw… Andre the Giant won a battle royal.
02-15-1978: In Miami, FL at the Marine Stadium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Andre the Giant to a double DQ.
02-17-1978: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,052: Evan Johnson defeats Benny Ramirez… David Von Erich defeats Mr. Seki… Tom Andrews defeats Bob Geigel by DQ… NWA Missouri champion Ted DiBiase wrestled Dick Murdoch to a 20-minute draw… Ric Flair & Bulldog Brown & Chuck O'Connor (Big John Studd) defeat Greg Gagne & Ron Fuller & Pat O'Connor… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Rocky Johnson to a time limit draw.
02-18-1978: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 19,500; sell out: Televised on the PRISM Network: Ted Adams defeated Joe Turco… Davey O'Hannon pinned Steve King… Wee Willie Wilson & Hillbilly Pete defeated Little John & Billy the Kid… SD Jones defeated Nikolai Volkoff via DQ… Spiros Arion pinned Dominic DeNucci… WWWF champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino in a steel cage match… Peter Maivia defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWWF World tag team champion Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Chief Jay Strongbow.
02-19-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,738: Sonny King & The Red Shadow & Frankie Lane beat Bearcat Brown & Kojak & Roger Howell… Lord Littlebrook beat Little Tokyo… Jim Starr beat Robert Gibson… Plowboy Frazier & Terry Sawyer beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey… Bill Dundee beat Norvell Austin… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Valiant in a title vs. $5,000 match.
02-20-1978: Bob Backlund pins Superstar Graham in Madison Square Garden in New York to win the WWWF World title. Graham's feet were under the ropes. Attendance was 22,092. In other matches: WWWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Ted Adams… Ken Patera defeated Peter Maivia… Mil Mascaras defeated Mr. Fuji… Spiros Arion defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Dusty Rhodes defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka… Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Butcher Vachon & Stan Stasiak… Wee Willie Wilson & Hillbilly Pete defeated Lord Littlebrook & Little John… S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
02-21-1978: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Mike Graham & Steve Keirn to win the U.S. tag team titles. Terry Gibbs won a rookie’s tournament.
02-23-1978: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: Attendance: 10,000: in Jacksonville, FL: Porkchop Cash beat Randy Brewer… Fabulous Moolah beat Vicki Williams… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) beat Tank Patton… Mr. Saito & Mr. Sato beat Rocky Johnson & Pedro Morales… Ivan Putski beat The Bounty Hunter… Jack & Jerry Brisco beat Mike Graham & Terry Gibbs… Eddie Graham & Dusty Rhodes beat Karl Kox & Bobby Duncum… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled WWWF champion Bob Backlund to a draw.
02-24-1978: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Nick Bockwinkel defeated Bob Armstrong to retain the AWA World heavyweight title.
02-26-1978: Dick Murdoch defeats Ted DiBiase in St. Louis, MO for the NWA Missouri title during the Wrestling at the Chase TV Tapings.
02-27-1978: Don Leo Jonathan & John Quinn defeat Black Avenger & Dan Wayt for the Canadian tag team championship.
02-28-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,000: Kojak beat Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn)… Jos LeDuc beat Roger Howell… Steve Kyle & Terry Sawyer beat Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey… Bill Dundee battled Norvell Austin to a double DQ… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Valiant.
03-04-1978: Wilbur Snyder & Dominic DeNucci win the WWA tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Indianapolis. The main event of this show was Dick the Bruiser defending the WWA Title against Ernie Ladd in a Texas Death Match. Attendance 7,100.
03-08-1978: Rocky Johnson wins the NWA Florida title from Killer Karl Kox in Miami.
03-10-1978: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Nick Bockwinkel defeated Adrian Adonis to retain the AWA World heavyweight title.
03-11-1978: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 9,450: Dean Ho beat Don Muraco… Moondog Mayne beat Black Gordman… Mando Guerrero & Pepper Gomez beat Great Goliath & Butcher Brannigan… Tony Rocca beat Texas Red… Earl Maynard beat Ted Heath… El Falcon drew Colosso Colosetti.
03-12-1978: Former world heavyweight champion John Pesek dies at the age of 84.
03-13-1978: Bob Roop wins the NWA Florida title from Rocky Johnson in West Palm Beach.
03-14-1978: Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo win the WWWF World tag team titles from Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji in Philadelphia, PA
03-17-1978: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Nick Bockwinkel defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) to retain the AWA World heavyweight title.
03-19-1978: Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods wins the NWA U.S. title from Blackjack Mulligan in Greensboro, NC.
03-20-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,416: Terry Sawyer beat Al Costello… Mr. Seki beat Bearcat Brown… Steve Kyle & Kojak beat Jim Starr & Norvell Austin via DQ… Ron Slinker beat Roger Howell… Bill Dundee beat Jimmy Valiant via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Jos LeDuc via DQ.
WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City with attendance of 25,092: Superstar Billy Graham defeated WWWF champion Bob Backlund by referee stoppage… Andre the Giant & Mil Mascaras & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera & Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji… Dick Slater defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Steve Keirn & Mike Graham defeated Johnny Rodz & Butcher Vachon… Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko… Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak… WWWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Gypsy Rodriguez… Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Wilhelm Ruska by DQ.
03-25-1978: WWF: Springfield, MA: Civic Center: Attendance 6,737: The largest turnout for pro wrestling in the arena's history: SD Jones defeats Jose Estrada… Ted Adams defeats Frank Williams… Seiji Sakaguchi wrestled Willem Ruska to a Draw… Andre the Giant defeats Butcher Vachon… Andre the Giant & Larry Zbyszko defeat Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka… Superstar Billy Graham defeats Dusty Rhodes by referee's stoppage for blood.
03-26-1978: Jack Brisco defeats Bob Roop to win the NWA Florida title in Orlando.
03-27-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,125: Kojak beat Al Costello… Steve Kyle & Terry Sawyer beat The Black Demon & Mr. Seki… Ron Slinker beat Tommy Gilbert… Jos LeDuc beat Plowboy Frazier… Rocky Johnson & Bill Dundee beat Sonny King & Norvell Austin… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Valiant in a match where a five count was needed for a pin.
03-29-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,268: Dusty Rhodes defeated Killer Karl Kox in a steel cage match… Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated Mr. Sato & Mr. Saito… Jack Brisco defeated Bob Roop… Dick Slater defeated Rocky Johnson… Pedro Morales defeated Charlie Cook… Porkchop Cash defeated Len Denton… Don Serrano defeated Terry Gibbs.
03-30-1978: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: NWF champion Antonio Inoki beat The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie).
03-31-1978: Thunderbolt Patterson & Tommy Rich win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole & Lars Anderson in Atlanta… Dusty Rhodes defeated AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ.
04-1978: Chavo Guerrero wins the NWA World Junior title from Nelson Royal in Albuquerque, NM.
04-01-1978: In New Orleans, LA: The Superdome drawing 20,102: Kurt Von Hess & Siegfried Stanke beat Igor Putski & Rick McGraw… The Avenger pinned The Turk… Eric the Red beat Randy Tyler… Ray Candy beat Skandar Akbar… Paul Orndorff beat The Brute (Bugsy McGraw)… Steven Littlebear beat The Assassin (Joe Hamilton) via DQ in an Indian strap match… Women's World tag team champions Vicki Williams & Joyce Grable drew Leilani Kai & Pepper Libanca… Thunderbolt Patterson pinned Stan Hansen to win the Mid-South Brass Knuckles title… Mid-South North American Champ Ernie Ladd battled Andre the Giant to a double count out… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race beat Dusty Rhodes via DQ.
Don Muraco defeats Dean Ho for the NWA United States (San Francisco) title at the Cow Palace. Attendance 6,870 in San Francisco. In other matches: Takashi Onome beat Mickey Doyle… Ron Bass beat Ted Heath… Earl Maynard beat Tony Rocca… Lonnie Mayne beat Rock Riddle… Pepper Gomez & Mando Guerrero beat Gordman & Goliath.
AWA: Milwaukee, WI: Arena: Attendance 12,308: Buddy Wolff defeats Buck Zumhofe… Blackjack Lanza wrestled Evan Johnson to a Draw… Bob Orton Jr. defeats Greg Gagne… Pat O'Connor & Rufus R. Jones wrestled The Blond Bombers (Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens) to a Double DQ… Verne Gagne defeats Lord Alfred Hayes by Count Out… Steel Cage Match: The Crusher defeats Angelo Mosca.
04-02-1978: Wahoo McDaniel defeats Greg Valentine for the NWA Mid-Atlantic title at the Greensboro Coliseum.
04-03-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,112: Kojak & Jerry Bryant & Roger Howell & Bearcat Brown beat Darth Vader & Ed Fluckert & Al Costello & Danny Davis… Steve Kyle beat The Black Panther… Mr. Seki & Norvell Austin drew Tommy Gilbert & Steve Kyle… Sonny King & Jos LeDuc beat Jimmy Valiant & Bill Dundee… Ron Slinker beat Jerry Lawler… Jerry Lawler won a battle royal.
04-05-1978: Ernie Ladd & The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeated Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the Mid-South U.S. tag team titles.
04-07-1978: Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Abdullah the Butcher.
St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,450: David Von Erich defeats Jimmy Valiant… Bob Sweetan defeats Lord Alfred Hayes… Winona Little Heart defeats Terri Shane… Dick the Bruiser & Pat O'Connor & Rocky Johnson defeat Ric Flair & Ivan Koloff & Bulldog Brown… Jack Brisco defeats NWA Missouri champion Dick Murdoch by DQ… NWA World champion Harley Race defeats Terry Funk when both win one fall but Funk is injured in fall 3 and can’t continue.
04-08-1978: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: 10,000+: Nikolai Volkoff defeated Joe Turco… Dino Bravo defeated Johnny Rodz… Peter Maivia defeated Strong Kobayashi… Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out… WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham via DQ. Andre the Giant was the guest referee… Spiros Arion defeated SD Jones… Peter Maivia & Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & Stan Stasiak.
04-09-1978: Ric Flair wins the NWA U.S. title from Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) in Charlotte, NC. Also, Ken Patera wins the Mid-Atlantic title from Wahoo McDaniel.
04-10-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,096: Jerry Bryant beat Frank Dalton… Norvell Austin drew Kojak… Steve Kyle & Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Brown beat Danny Davis & Al Costello & El Diablo… John Louie pinned Bill Dundee… Sonny King beat Jimmy Valiant via DQ in a steel cage match… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Ron Slinker.
In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.
04-11-1978: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes.
04-15-1978: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 5,150: Takashi Onome beat Ted Heath… Pampero Firpo beat Hiro Ota… Pepper Gomez & Mando Guerrero beat Mr. America & Rock Riddle… Earl Maynard beat Al Madril… Lonnie Mayne beat Black Gordman & Great Goliath Handicap match.
04-16-1978: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Billy Graham… Thunderbolt Patterson & Rocky Johnson defeated Ole Anderson & Ernie Ladd… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) to retain the AWA World heavyweight title… Stan Hansen defeated Ric Flair to retain the Georgia title… Abdullah the Butcher defeated Tommy Rich… Raymond Rougeau & Pez Whatley defeated Wolfgang Schmidt & Helmut Schmidt… Adrian Adonis defeated John Ruggers.
04-19-1978: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1978 in Croydon, UK: Shown May 6, 1978 on ITV: Jim Breaks drew Steve Grey in three falls after each had won a fall… Big Daddy & Tony St. Clair beat Giant Haystacks & Bruiser Muir… Mick McManus battled Kung Fu to a no contest.
04-21-1978: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Colosso Colosetti beat Kengo Kimura… Willem Ruska beat Pete Reeves… Nikolai Volkoff beat Mitsu Yoshida… Tony Garea & Jay Strongbow beat Kantaro Hoshino & Osamu Kido… Tatsumi Fujinami beat Umanosuke Ueda via DQ… Antonio Inoki beat Seiji Sakaguchi via countout.
04-23-1978: Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat win a tournament in Greensboro, NC for the NWA World tag team titles. This was a one night tournament. Valentine & Flair were stripped of the titles for too many disqualifications on April 15, 1978… Attendance 9,732: 1st Round: Wahoo McDaniel & Andre The Giant beat Ric Flair & Greg Valentine by forfeit… Ken Patera & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) beat Tony Atlas & Bobo Brazil… Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco… Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Cyclone Negro & Baron Von Raschke… Stan Hansen & Blackjack Mulligan beat Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Johnny Weaver… 2nd Round: Ken Patera & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) beat Wahoo McDaniel & Andre The Giant by coin flip… Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson… Stan Hansen & Blackjack Mulligan received a bye… Semifinals: Ken Patera & Masked Superstar beat Blackjack Mulligan & Stan Hansen by DQ… Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat received a bye… NWA World tag team titles: Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat defeat Ken Patera & Masked Superstar to win the titles.
04-24-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,088: Jim Rey beat Frank Dalton… Kojak drew Jerry Bryant… Plowboy Frazier beat The Masked Marvel… Steve Kyle & Tommy Gilbert beat Ron Slinker & Norvell Austin via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat John Louie in a hair vs. hair match… Bill Dundee & Jimmy Valiant beat Jos LeDuc & Sonny King in a Texas death match. Eddie Marlin was the special referee.
WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City with a crowd of 26,092: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham in a steel cage match… Ken Patera defeated Larry Zbyszko… Kobayashi defeated Steve King… Luke Graham defeated S.D. Jones… Spiros Arion battled Dusty Rhodes to a draw… Dino Bravo & Dominic Denucci defeated Stan Stasiak & Johnny Rodz… Mil Mascaras defeated Golden Terror (Davey O’Hannon)… Peter Maivia defeated Butcher Vachon… Strong Kobayashi defeated Steve King.
Dino Bravo and Dominic Denucci - WWWF World tag team champions
04-26-1978: In Miami Beach, FL: Attendance: 5,861: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by count out… Jack Brisco defeated Ivan Koloff by DQ… Bobby Duncum defeated Steve Keirn… Pedro Morales & Tiger Conway, Jr. defeated Mr. Sato & Mr. Saito… The Spoiler (Don Jardine) defeated Hiro Matsuda… Jose Azzari battled Len Denton to a draw.
04-27-1978: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes.
04-29-1978: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 5,150: Lonnie Mayne beat Don Muraco… Dean Ho beat Earl Maynard… Mando Guerrero & Pampero Firpo beat Texas Red & Masked Avenger… Pepper Gomez beat Takashi Onome… Vicki Williams & Joyce Grable beat Lelaini Kai & Pepper LaBianca. Attendance 5,150.
04-30-1978: In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.
05-01-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,413: Jerry Bryant beat El Diablo… Kojak beat Frank Dalton… Ron Slinker drew Plowboy Frazier… Tommy Gilbert pinned Jim White… Steve Kyle beat Norvell Austin via countout… Bill Dundee & Jimmy Valiant & Jerry Lawler battled Jos LeDuc & John Louie & Sonny King to a no contest.
05-05-1978: Bruno Sammartino defeats Gorilla Monsoon for the WWC North American title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
05-08-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,111: Mike Hendricks beat Frank Dalton… Jerry Bryant & Lord Littlebrook beat Jim White & Hillbilly Pete… Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer beat Tommy Gilbert & Kojak… Porkchop Cash beat Ron Slinker… Steve Kyle beat Norvell Austin in a lumberjack match… Lord Littlebrook won a pole battle royal… Jerry Lawler & Jimmy Valiant & Bill Dundee beat Sonny King & Jos LeDuc & John Louie in a no DQ match.
05-10-1978: Lanny Poffo becomes the first ICW champion for his father Angelo Poffo's Kentucky based promotion.
05-12-1978: Thunderbolt Patterson wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Gene Anderson in Augusta, GA.
05-15-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,105: Kojak beat The Red Shadow… Lord Littlebrook beat Little John… Ron Slinker beat Mike Hendricks… Tommy Gilbert beat Bill Ryalis… Steve Kyle beat Norvell Austin… Porkchop Cash & Rocky Johnson beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer… Jos LeDuc & John Louie & Sonny King beat Jerry Lawler & Jimmy Valiant & Bill Dundee in a hospital elimination match.
05-20-1978: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 11,206: Johnny Rivera fought Jim Ray to a draw… Dino Bravo defeated Strong Kobayashi… Peter Maivia fought Stan Stasiak to a draw… Haystacks Calhoun defeated Butcher Vachon… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski when the match was stopped due to blood… Mil Mascaras defeated Luke Graham… WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele via count-out… Spiros Arion defeated SD Jones… The Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Larry Zbyszko via DQ.
05-22-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera… Superstar Billy Graham battled Gorilla Monsoon to a double count out… The Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) defeated Haystack Calhoun & Larry Zbyszko… Spiros Arion defeated Peter Maivia… Mil Mascaras defeated Stan Stasiak… Luke Graham defeated Tank Patton… Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo defeated Mr. Saito & Mr. Sato… S.D. Jones defeated Strong Kobayashi.
In Memphis, TN at Mid-South Coliseum: Southern tag team champions Jos LeDuc & John Louie battled Jimmy Valiant & Jerry Lawler to a no contest. As a result, the title was held-up.
05-23-1978: The Spoiler (Don Jardine) wins the Florida title from Jack Brisco in Tampa, FL.
05-29-1978: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Lawler & Jimmy Valiant beat Jos LeDuc & John Louie via DQ to win the held-up Southern tag team titles.
05-30-1978: Antonio Inoki defeats Andre the Giant via count out to win the first New Japan Madison Square Garden League tournament.
06-01-1978: Giant Baba loses the All Japan PWF World title for the first time since winning it in 1973 when Tor Kamata defeats him in Akita, Japan.
New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 13,000: Kuniaki Kobayashi pinned Jo Beak-san… Yoshiaki Fujiwara pinned Ray Steele… Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Makoto Arakawa… Willem Ruska beat Osamu Kido… Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Allen) pinned Bugsy McGraw… Tatsumi Fujinami & Riki Choshu beat Tony Garea & Nikolai Volkoff… Seiji Sakaguchi battled Andre the Giant to a double count out… WWWF World champion Bob Backlund drew NWF champion Antonio Inoki.
06-03-1978: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dory Funk, Jr. to a double DQ.
06-04-1978: In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium: Jack Brisco defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.
06-05-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,382: Jerry Bryant beat Mike Hendricks… Hans Schroeder & The Assassin beat Kojak & Steve Kyle… Porkchop Cash beat Norvell Austin via DQ… Jimmy Valiant & Rocky Johnson & Bill Dundee beat John Louie & Sonny King & Gorgeous George Jr… Jos LeDuc beat Jerry Lawler via DQ… Jerry Lawler won a two-ring battle royal.
06-06-1978: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.
06-07-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.
06-09-1978: Angelo Mosca wins a tournament to fill the vacant NWA Mid Atlantic title in Atlanta, GA. Others in the tournament included Dick Slater, Abdullah The Butcher, Mr. Wrestling II, Ivan Koloff, the Assassin, Stan Hansen, Mad Dog Martin, Mr. Wrestling I, Rick Martel, Ole Anderson, Tommy Rich, Adrian Adonis, Hartford Love, and Len Denton. A battle royal reportedly determined the pairings for the Georgia Title tournament
06-12-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,270: King Cobra drew The Bounty Hunter… Hans Schroeder & Norvell Austin beat Kojak & Steve Brodie… Porkchop Cash beat John Louie via DQ… Tommy Gilbert & Steve Kyle beat The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith)… Mike Boyer & Frankie Laine beat Jimmy Valiant & Bill Dundee… Sonny King beat Rocky Johnson… Jerry Lawler beat Jos LeDuc in a no DQ no time limit match.
Billy Robinson defeats Tor Kamata for the All Japan PWF World title.
06-14-1978: Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine defeat Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat for the NWA World tag team titles in Raleigh, NC at the WRAL TV Studios.
06-18-1978: Dusty Rhodes defeats Dick Slater for the NWA Southern (FL) title in Miami.
06-19-1978: Dusty Rhodes defeats The Spoiler for the NWA Florida title in West Palm Beach.
06-23-1978: Mongolian Stomper defeated Ron Slinker in a tournament for the Southeastern heavyweight title.
At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Stan Hansen & Dick Slater defeated Abdullah the Butcher & Ric Flair… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ernie Ladd… Thunderbolt Patterson & Tony Atlas defeated Georgia tag team champions Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by DQ… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) … Angelo Mosca defeated Klondike Bill & Bill Irwin in a handicap match… Pez Whatley & Rick Martel defeated Hartford Love & The Angel… Rick McGraw defeated Len Denton.
06-24-1978: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 7,350: Hiro Ota beat Don Ross… Pepper Gomez beat Black Gordman… Buddy Rose beat Takashi Onome… Jimmy Snuka & Mando Guerrero beat Red Bastien & Great Goliath… Roddy Piper beat Lonnie Mayne… Dean Ho beat Harley Race DQ.
06-25-1978: Al Madril defeats Nelson Royal for the NWA World Junior title in Houston, TX. In the main event of this show, Harley Race successfully defended the NWA World Title against Wahoo McDaniel in a "Texas Death Steel Cage Match".
06-26-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,092: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Spiros Arion… Andre the Giant & Ivan Putski defeated Superstar Billy Graham & Luke Graham (in the third fall of the match, Dusty Rhodes replaced Ivan Putski due to blood)… George Steele defeated Tony Garea… Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) defeated WWWF World tag team champions Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo.. Jack Brisco defeated Butcher Vachon… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Stan Stasiak defeated S.D. Jones… Mil Mascaras battled Ken Patera to a draw.
06-27-1978: Robert Lee Vaughn of Bowling Green, KY files criminal charges against Tojo Yamamoto for hitting him in the head with his wooden shoe at a wrestling show at Beech Bend Park. The case is settled in 1980 when Tojo Yamamoto is found not guilty.
The Spoiler I (Don Jardine) & The Spoiler 2 (Bobby Duncum) defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco to win the Florida tag team titles in Tampa, FL.
06-30-1978: Mad Dog Michael Martel (brother of Rick Martel) dies of a heart attack in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
07-02-1978: Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 11,267: Johnny Weaver defeats Mr. X 2… Sgt. Jacques Goulet defeats Jerry Stubbs… Mr. X 1 defeats Mr. Sato… Don Kernodle & Ted Oates defeat Bill Howard & Frank Monte… Jay Youngblood & Tony Atlas defeat Cyclone Negro & Jerry Blackwell… Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeats Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods)… Blackjack Mulligan defeats NWA United States Heavyweight champion Ric Flair via DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Dick Murdoch.
07-09-1978: Steve Keirn & Mike Graham defeated Mr. Saito & Mr. Sato to win the U.S. tag team titles in Orlando, FL.
07-10-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,867: Porkchop Cash pinned Steve Brodie… Steve Kyle beat Mike Hendricks… Tommy Gilbert beat The Bounty Hunter… Robert Gibson & Jackie Welch beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer via DQ… Jimmy Valiant beat Hans Schroeder… Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich beat AWA tag team champions Don Carson & The Red Shadow via DQ. The title was billed as being sanctioned by the Atlantic Wrestling Alliance… WWA World champion Dick the Bruiser beat John Louie… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Sonny King. If Lawler had lost he would have left town.
07-14-1978: Dick the Bruiser defeated Dick Murdoch for the NWA Missouri title in St. Louis, MO.
07-15-1978: Don Leo Jonathan is recognized as the first Catch Wrestling Association World champion by promoter Otto Wanz. Wanz defeats Jonathan for the title in Graz, Austria. He holds the title uninterrupted until 1987.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 8,250: Reno Tufuuli beat Takashi Onome… Mando Guerrero beat Hiro Ota… Buddy Rose beat Carlos Mata… Jimmy Snuka & Dean Ho beat Pak Chu & Red Bastien… Billy & Benny McGuire beat Professor Ito… Great Goliath & Hiro Ota & The Masked Avenger & Moondog Mayne beat Roddy Piper.
07-17-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,896: Porkchop Cash pinned Steve Brodie… Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer drew Tommy Gilbert & Steve Kyle… The Kisser (Wayne Farris) beat Danny Davis… Robert Gibson & Jackie Welch beat Hans Schroeder & The Bounty Hunter… WWA U.S. champion Bob Roop beat Jean Louie via DQ…. AWA (Atlantic) tag team champions Don Carson & The Red Shadow beat Bill Dundee & Jimmy Valiant… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Jos LeDuc in a match with no referee in the ring.
07-21-1978: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Stan Hansen defeated Angelo Mosca in a steel cage match… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated NWA U.S. champion Ric Flair by DQ… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ernie Ladd… Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) to retain the Georgia tag team titles by DQ… Rick Martel & Tommy Rich defeated French Angel & Hartford Love… The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeated Pez Whatley… Sonny King defeated Steve Regal… Wenona Little Heart won a women’s battle royal.
07-22-1978: In New Orleans, LA: The Superdome drawing 23,800: Mike George beat The Angel (Frank Morell)… Ron Bass pinned Randy Tyler… Bobby Jaggers beat Brian Blair… Jose Lothario beat Jerry Brown… Wenona Littleheart won a women's battle royal. Also in the match were: Kitty Adams, Fabulous Moolah, Suzette Ferrera, Joyce Grable, Leilani Kai, Marie Laverne, Pepper Libanca, Angel Vachon, and Vicki Williams… Dusty Rhodes beat Superstar Billy Graham… Steven Littlebear & Eric the Red beat The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) & The Brute (Bugsy McGraw)… Mid-South North American champion Paul Orndorff beat Bruiser Brody… Ray Candy pinned Ernie Ladd in a steel cage match.
WWC in Bayamon, PR: Juan Lobriel Stadium drawing 25,000: Pierre & Jean Martel beat Carlos Colon & Chief Thundercloud to win the WWC North American tag team titles… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWC North American title. This is one of the very few jobs Sammartino did during his wrestling career.
Jimmy & Johnny Valiant win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Dominic Denucci in Indianapolis.
07-24-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,092: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele… Jack Brisco defeated Stan Stasiak… WWWF World tag team champions The Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) defeated Gorilla Monsoon & S.D. Jones… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ… Ivan Putski defeated Spiros Arion by DQ… Luke Graham defeated Dominic DeNucci by count out… Dino Bravo defeated Butcher Vachon… Victor Rivera battled Tony Garea to a draw… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Tony Russo.
In Memphis, TN at Mid-South Coliseum: Don Carson & Jimmy Valiant won a battle royal to win the vacant AWA (Atlantic) tag team titles.
In Vancouver, BC, Canada: The Iron Sheik & The Texas Outlaw defeated Don Leo Jonathon & Jake Roberts to win the Canadian tag team titles in a tournament final.
07-27-1978: In Jacksonville, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a draw.
New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 10,700: Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Allen) beat Haruka Eigan… Osamu Kido beat Peter Maivia… Chavo Guerrero beat Kantaro Hoshino… Mitsuo Yoshida beat Haystacks Calhoun via DQ… Strong Kobayashi & Seiji Sakaguchi beat Pedro Morales & Larry Zbyszko… WWWF World Junior Heavyweight champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Ryuma Go… WWWF heavyweight champion Bob Backlund drew Antonio Inoki.
07-28-1978: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Thunderbolt Patterson.
07-29-1978: In Lakeland, FL at the Civic Center: Jack Brisco defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Jay Youngblood beat Johnny Mantell… Alexi Smirnoff beat Takashi Onome… Dean Ho & Jimmy Snuka beat Red Bastein & Hiro Ota… Mil Mascaras beat Pak Chu… Buddy Rose beat Hector Guerrero… Nelson Royal beat Mando Guerrero for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight title… Lonnie Mayne beat Roddy Piper.
07-31-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,015: George Weingeroff pinned The Bounty Hunter… Porkchop Cash & Steve Kyle & Wayne Ferris drew Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer & Hans Schroeder… Robert Gibson & Butch Cassidy beat Don Carson & Billy the Kid… John Louie beat Jackie Welch… Bill Dundee battled Jimmy Valiant to a no contest… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Jos LeDuc.
08-07-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,764: Tommy Gilbert & George Weingroff & Wayne Ferris beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer & Hans Schroeder… Eddie Sullivan & Don Bass beat Steve Kyle & Porkchop Cash… Lou Thesz beat The Bounty Hunter… Jean Louie beat Jackie Welch in a match with two referees… Bill Dundee & Nelson Royal beat Jimmy & Johnny Valiant… Jos LeDuc beat Jerry Lawler to win the Southern title.
In West Palm Beach, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Jack Brisco to a draw.
08-09-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.
All-Japan Women: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall: Maki Ueda pinned Chabera Romero to win the Hawaiian Pacific title… Lucy Kayama & Tomi Aoyama beat Nancy Kumi & Victoria Fujimi to win the WWWA tag team title… WWWA champion Jackie Sato drew Yumi Ikeshita.
08-10-1978: In Jacksonville, FL: Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.
08-11-1978: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,804: Jesse Ventura & Tank Patton defeat Gary Young & Don Diamond 2 falls to 1… Buck Robley defeats Tom Andrews… Bob Sweetan defeats Ron Starr… Ted DiBiase defeats Bulldog Brown… The Brisco Brothers (Jack & Jerry Brisco) defeat Dory Funk Jr. & Pat O'Connor… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Dick The Bruiser to a draw. After splitting one fall each the third went to a double count out.
08-12-1978: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Jack Brisco to a draw.
WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 14,344: Televised on the PRISM Network: Johnny Rodz pinned Tony Russo… Victor Rivera won an 18-man $5,000 battle royal… Luke Graham pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna… George Steele defeated Haystacks Calhoun via count-out… Victor Rivera pinned SD Jones… Eric the Lumberjack (Scott Irwin) pinned Moose Monroe… Superstar Billy Graham defeated WWWF champion Bob Backlund via count-out… Dino Bravo pinned Butcher Vachon… Tony Garea fought Pierre the Lumberjack (Pierre LeFevre)… Bobo Brazil pinned Stan Stasiak.
08-13-1978: Moondog Lonnie Mayne (Ronald Mayne) dies in a car accident. He was the U.S. (California) champion at the time.
08-14-1978: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Lawler beat Jos LeDuc to win the Southern title.
08-15-1978: Ernie Ladd defeats Paul Orndorff for the Mid South North American title.
08-18-1978: Mil Mascaras defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) for the All Japan PWF U.S. title in Kagohsima, Japan.
At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson… Stan Hansen defeated NWA U.S. champion Ric Flair by DQ… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ernie Ladd in a Texas Bullrope match… Dick Slater defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine)… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ivan Koloff… Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Hartford Love & French Angel… Tommy Rich defeated Sonny King… Rick Martel defeated The Challenger… Pez Whatley battled Mr. Saito to a draw.
08-21-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,000: Porkchop Cash & Steve Kyle & Bearcat Brown beat Hans Schroeder & Don Bass & The Bounty Hunter… NWA Women’s tag team champions Beverly Shade & Natasha beat Ann Casey & Sherri Lee… Bill Dundee & Dick the Bruiser & Tommy Gilbert & Wayne Ferris battled Jos LeDuc & Jean Louie & Jimmy & Johnny Valiant to a no contest… NWA World Junior Heavyweight champion Nelson Royal beat Jackie Welch… Verne Gagne beat Eddie Sullivan… AWA World tag team champions The Highfliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer… Jerry Lawler beat AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel via DQ.
08-26-1978: In St. Petersburg, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by reverse decision.
WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 9,000: SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz via DQ… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Butcher Vachon… Superstar Billy & Luke Graham defeated Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci… Stan Stasiak fought Larry Zbyszko to a draw… WWWF champion Bob Backlund pinned Spiros Arion… WWWF World tag team champions the Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric & Pierre) defeated Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun… Women's champion the Fabulous Moolah pinned Vickie Williams… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated George Steele via count-out.
08-27-1978: El Canek defeats Lou Thesz in Mexico City, Mexico to win the UWA World heavyweight title.
08-28-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,000: Ivan Koloff defeated WWWF champion Bob Backlund by referee stoppage… Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Billy Graham by count out in an Indian Bullrope Match… Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo & Tony Garea defeated The Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) & Spiros Arion… Peter Maivia defeated Luke Graham by DQ… Haystack Calhoun defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Victor Rivera defeated S.D. Jones… Dominic DeNucci battled Stan Stasiak to a draw… Fabulous Moolah defeated Vickie Williams.
In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jos LeDuc beat Jerry Lawler to win the Southern title.
08-29-1978: In Tampa, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ.
08-1978: Japanese Karate champion and student of Karl Gotch, Akira Maeda makes his wrestling debut for New Japan.
09-1978: Leon White (AKA: Big Van Vader) is on the injured reserve list for NFL season with the Los Angeles Rams.
09-01-1978: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Thunderbolt Patterson to a draw.
09-03-1978: In Orlando, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ.
09-04-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,000: Jackie Welch & Verlon Biggs beat Don Bass & Eddie Sullivan… Lou Thesz drew Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn)… Ray Stevens beat Tommy Gilbert… Bobo Brazil & Bill Dundee beat Nelson Royal & John Louie… Wayne Ferris & Jimmy Valiant beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer… Jerry Lawler beat Southern champion Jos LeDuc via DQ… Jerry Lawler won a 50-man battle royal.
In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.
09-05-1978: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.
09-06-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Wahoo McDaniel.
09-09-1978: WWWF: Springfield, MA: Civic Center: Attendance: 5,000: Dave Darrow defeated Dennis Johnson… Victor Rivera defeated Jim Ray… Luke Graham defeated Sylvano Sousa… Vicki Williams defeated Leilani Kai… Stan Stasiak fought Dominic DeNucci to a draw… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Dusty Rhodes when the match was stopped due to blood… Butcher Vachon defeated SD Jones… Tony Garea defeated Tony Russo… Dino Bravo defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia defeated WWWF World tag team champions the Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric & Pierre) via count-out.
09-10-1978: In Sarasota, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco. Later that night in Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a draw.
Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Billy Red Lyons & Nick DeCarlo defeat The Wolfman & Chris Tolos… Andre The Giant defeats Waldo von Erich… Steve Bolus wrestle The Wildman to a draw… Sweet Daddy Siki defeats Kim Chang… Verne Gagne defeats Lord Alfred Hayes… Andre The Giant defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel by count out… WWWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund defeats Gorilla Monsoon.
09-11-1978: The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) regains the All Japan PWF U.S. title from Mil Mascaras in Morioka.
09-12-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,750: Steve Kyle beat The Ironman via DQ… King Cobra beat Hans Schroeder… Jackie Welch beat Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn)… Jimmy Valiant & Wayne Ferris beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer… NWA World Junior heavyweight champion Nelson Royal beat Terry Sawyer… Southern tag team champions Jos LeDuc & Jean Louie beat Jerry Lawler & The Mongolian Stomper via DQ.
09-16-1978: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 16,811: Televised on the PRISM Network: Tony Russo defeated Jim Ray… SD Jones defeated Tony Altimore… Victor Rivera defeated Dominic DeNucci… The Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric & Pierre) defeated Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko… Dino Bravo defeated Luke Graham… WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham in a Sicilian Stretcher Match… Dusty Rhodes defeated George Steele via count-out… Cowboy Lang & Coconut Willie defeated Little Tokyo & Billy the Kid… Chief Jay Strongbow fought Spiros Arion to a draw.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 8,250: NWA San Francisco United States Heavyweight Title Tournament: Buddy Rose defeats Chavo Guerrero… Ed Wiskoski defeats Kevin Sullivan… Dean Ho defeats Ernie Ladd… Peter Maivia defeats Alexis Smirnoff… Jimmy Snuka defeats Java Ruuk… Buddy Rose defeats Peter Maivia… Dean Ho defeats Ed Wiskoski… Buddy Rose defeats Jimmy Snuka… Buddy Rose defeats Dean Ho by referee's decision to win the NWA U.S. title (San Francisco version)
09-17-1978: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Angelo Mosca defeated Dick Slater by DQ… Andre the Giant defeated Ernie Ladd… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Stan Hansen… Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by DQ… Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey… Tommy Rich defeated Dr. X… Rick Martel defeated The French Angel… Pez Whatley & Joyce Grable defeated Hartford Love & Suzette Ferreira… Sonny King defeated Rick McGraw.
09-18-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,307: Lou Thesz drew Tommy Gilbert… Tommy Gilbert & Wayne Ferris beat Frankie Laine & Mike Boyer… Jackie Welch beat Mr. Wrestling (Dick Steinborn) in a loser leaves town match… Terry Sawyer beat NWA World Junior heavyweight champion Nelson Royal via DQ… Jerry Lawler & The Mongolian Stomper beat Jos LeDuc & Jean Louie in a steel cage match… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Jimmy Valiant.
09-22-1978: The AWA World tag team champions “The Highfliers” Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell are stripped of the tag team titles when Brunzell is injured in a softball game. The titles are awarded to Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens.
EMLL: 45th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 14,500: Leo Lopez beat El Imposter… Mano Negra & TNT beat El Nazi & Bruno Victoria… NWA World Middleweight champion Tony Salazar beat Satoru Sayama… El Santo & Blue Demon & El Halcon beat Alfonso Dantes & Dr. Wagner & Angel Blanco via DQ… Sangre Chicana & Rubi Rubalcaba beat El Cobarde & Dragon Rojo in a hair & hair vs. hair & mask match.
09-23-1977: The Spoiler (Don Jardine) wins the Florida title over Dusty Rhodes in Lakeland, FL.
At WTCG Studios in Atlanta, GA: Rick Martel & Tommy Rich defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff for the Georgia tag team titles.
EMLL: 45th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 14,500: Leo Lopez beat El Imposter… Mano Negra & TNT beat El Nazi & Bruno Victoria… NWA World Middleweight champion Tony Salazar beat Satoru Sayama… El Santo & Blue Demon & El Halcon beat Alfonso Dantes & Dr. Wagner & Angel Blanco via DQ… Sangre Chicana & Rubi Rubalcaba beat El Cobarde & Dragon Rojo in a hair & hair vs. hair & mask match.
09-25-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,000: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Ivan Koloff… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Dusty Rhodes defeated Yukon Lumberjack Eric (Scott Irwin)… Dino Bravo defeated Yukon Lumberjack Pierre (Pierre Lefleur) by count out… Luke Graham defeated Dominic DeNucci by count out… Victor Rivera defeated Larry Zbyszko… Spiros Arion battled Tony Garea to a draw… Crusher Jerry Blackwell defeated S.D. Jones… Stan Stasiak defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Coconut Willie & Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo & Billy the Kid… Peter Maivia defeated Butcher Vachon.
09-27-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,200: The Spoiler (Don Jardine) defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ… Dusty Rhodes & Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated Mr. Sato & Mr. Saito & Killer Karl Kox… Andre the Giant defeated Bobby Duncum & Phil Mercado in a handicap match… Jimmy Garvin defeated Phil Mercado… Prince Tonga defeated Sir Winston… Bobby Duncum defeated Steve Brody.
10-06-1978: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,130: Kevin Von Erich & Tom Andrews defeat Jesse Ventura & Gene Stevens in 2 straight falls… Tank Patton defeats Gary Young… Paul Orndorff wrestled Bulldog Brown to a 20 minute draw… Ted DiBiase & Rocky Johnson defeat Buck Robley & Bob Sweetan… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats Pat O'Connor… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Ric Flair 2 falls to 1 with the final fall a count out.
10-07-1978: Buck Robley defeats Doug Gilbert (AKA: The Professional) for the NWA Central States title in Des Moines, IA.
10-09-1978: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: The Bounty Hunters beat Bill Dundee & Jimmy Valiant to win the vacant Southern tag team titles.
10-13-1978: Tommy Rich & Rick Martel win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in Atlanta, GA.
Houston, TX: Houston Summit: No reported attendance for a loaded show: Tiger Conway Jr. wrestled The White Knight to a 15 minute draw… Al Madril defeats Bill White by DQ… Coconut Willie & Cowboy Lang defeat Billy the Kid & Little Tokyo… Suzette Ferreira defeats Joyce Grable to win the Texas Women’s title… Gino Hernandez defeats David Von Erich to win the NWA Texas title… Bruiser Brody defeats Rocky Johnson to win the NWA Texas Brass Knux title… AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel defeats Dusty Rhodes 2 falls to 1… Though he didn't pin him, Harley Race retains the NWA World title over Andre the Giant after body slamming him. The match went to a double count out.
10-14-1978: In Lakeland, FL: Pak Song & Eric the Red defeated Mike Graham & Steve Keirn for the Florida tag team titles.
WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 10,134: Tony Russo defeated Tony Altimore… Johnny Rodz defeated Jim Ray… Luke Graham defeated SD Jones… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Dusty Rhodes via DQ… Crusher Blackwell defeated Tony Garea… WWWF champion Bob Backlund pinned Victor Rivera… Dino Bravo defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out… WWWF World tag team champions the Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric & Pierre) defeated Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow.
10-16-1978: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) wins his ninth NWA Georgia title from Angelo Mosca.
10-18-1978: Abdullah the Butcher defeats Billy Robinson in Japan for the All Japan PWF World championship in Utsunomiya, Japan
10-20-1978: At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Tommy Rich & Rick Martel to win the Georgia tag team titles.
10-23-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,111: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Ernie Ladd… Bruno Sammartino defeated Superstar Billy Graham due to blood stoppage… Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia… Ivan Koloff defeated Tony Garea… Crusher Jerry Blackwell defeated Tony Russo… Larry Zbyszko defeated Spiros Arion by DQ… Victor Rivera defeated Dominic DeNucci… Johnny Rodz defeated Del Adams… Dino Bravo defeated Luke Graham… Baron Mikel Scicluna battled S.D. Jones to a draw.
10-27-1978: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeat Tommy Rich & Mr. Wrestling II (replacing Rick Martel) for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.
10-28-1978: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.
10-29-1978: In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled WWWF champion Bob Backlund to a draw.
10-30-1978: Ric Flair & Big John Studd defeated Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat in Greenville, SC far the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team championship.
10-31-1978: In Tampa, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Wahoo McDaniel by DQ.
11-01-1978: In Miami, FL at the Jai Alai Fronton: Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.
11-05-1978: Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat regain the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Ric Flair & Big John Studd in Greensboro, NC.
In Lakeland, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a double count out.
11-06-1978: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat The Bounty Hunters to win the Southern tag team titles.
In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Wahoo McDaniel by count out.
11-09-1978: Eric the Red (Eric Hansen) is struck by a car near Tampa, FL while trying to change a flat tire on his own car.
11-11-1978: Dutch Mantel defeats Mexican Angel for the Mid America title in Nashville, TN only to turn around and lose it on the same show to Randy Savage.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 7,150: Magnificent Zulu beat Bill Ash… Red Bastein beat Mike Hammer… Chavo Guerrero & Pedro Morales beat Eddie Mansfield & The Grappler… Ron Starr & Enrique Vera beat John Tolos & Ed Wiskwoski… Jimmy Snuka beat Buddy Rose in one fall but Buddy Rose retained the NWA (San Francisco) U.S. title.
11-12-1978: Dick Slater defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Southern (FL) title.
11-13-1978: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,129: Robert Gibson & Jackie Welch beat Mike & Pat Kelly… Joyce Grable beat Leilani Kai… Terry Sawyer beat Lou Thesz… Jos LeDuc & Don Fargo beat Jimmy Valiant & Wayne Ferris via DQ… Chuck Malone beat Heather Feather via DQ… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat The Bounty Hunters. As a result, the Bounty Hunters' manager Chuck Malone lost his hair.
11-15-1978: Promoter Willie Gilzenberg dies at the age of 77.
11-18-1978: Eric the Red (Eric Hansen) dies as a result of the injuries he received after being struck by a car a week earlier.
WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 15,249: Televised on the PRISM Network: SD Jones fought Johnny Rodz to a draw… Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Tony Altimore… Luke Graham pinned Tony Russo… Peter Maivia defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out… Ivan Koloff pinned Larry Zbyszko… WWWF champion Bob Backlund pinned Crusher Blackwell… Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Billy Graham in a bullrope match via count-out… Tony Garea fought Victor Rivera to a draw… Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated The Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric & Pierre) & Spiros Arion.
11-19-1978: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 9,000: Dewey Robertson defeats Kim Chang… Steve Bolus defeats Joe Marcus… Johnny Weaver defeats Steve Muslin… Jay Youngblood defeats Geoff Portz… Bob Backlund & Dino Bravo defeats AWA World Tag Team champions Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson by DQ… Tony Atlas defeats Ken Patera… NWA United States champion Ric Flair defeats Ricky Steamboat
11-20-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,092: Peter Maivia defeated WWWF champion Bob Backlund by count out… Andre the Giant defeated Ernie Ladd… Superstar Billy Graham battled Dino Bravo to a no contest… Yukon Lumberjacks (Pierre Lefleur & Scott Irwin) & Ivan Koloff defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko… Chief Jay Strongbow battled Victor Rivera to a draw… Luke Graham defeated Mike Paidousis.. Spiros Arion defeated S.D. Jones… Jose Estrada defeated Tony Russo… Crusher Jerry Blackwell defeated Dominic DeNucci.
In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Tommy Gilbert pinned Don Fargo to win the Southern title.
11-21-1978: Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko win the WWWF World tag team titles from The Yukon Lumberjacks in Allentown, PA.
11-22-1978: In Miami, FL at the Jai Alai Fronton: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes.
11-23-1978: (Thanksgiving Night): Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. win a tournament in Atlanta, GA at the Omni for the NWA Georgia tag team titles defeating Jack & Jerry Brisco in the finals. Attendance: 16,500: Complete results: Rick Martel & Tommy Rich defeat The Islanders (Afa & Sika)… The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeat Bugsy McGraw & Rufus R. Jones by DQ… Brisco Brothers (Jerry Brisco & Jack Brisco) defeat Pak Song & King Kong Mosca… The Funk Brothers (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.) defeat Haystacks Calhoun & Klondike Bill… Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen defeat Mr. Wrestling & Mr. Wrestling II (Tim Woods & Johnny Walker)… The Funk Brothers (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.) defeat Rick Martel & Tommy Rich… Dick Slater & Dusty Rhodes defeat Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen… The Brisco Brothers (Jerry Brisco & Jack Brisco) defeat The Assassin & Masked Superstar… The Funk Brothers (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.) defeat Dick Slater & Dusty Rhodes… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson… The Funk Brothers (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.) defeat The Brisco Brothers (Jerry Brisco & Jack Brisco) to win the NWA Georgia tag team titles.
Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 13,347: Steve Regal defeats Frank Monte… Gary Young & Richard Blood (Tito Santana) defeat Chris Tolos & Mr. X 1… Jay Youngblood & Johnny Weaver defeat Brute Bernard & Swede Hanson… Don Kernodle defeats Steve Muslin… Tony Atlas defeats NWA Mid-Atlantic champion Ken Patera by DQ… Ricky Steamboat defeats Big John Studd… NWA United States champion Ric Flair defeats Blackjack Mulligan in a steel cage match.
11-24-1978: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,500: Buck Robley wrestled David Von Erich to a draw… Kevin Von Erich defeats Bulldog Brown by DQ… Rocky Johnson & Pat O'Connor & Tom Andrews defeat Tank Patton & Bob Sweetan & Coloso Colosetti… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats Bobby Duncum… Dick the Bruiser defeats Alexi Smirnoff & Tank Patton in a handicap match… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Ted DiBiase. Race won one fall and then DiBiase was injured and could not continue.
11-25-1978: Dusty Rhodes wins a St. Petersburg FL tournament final over Bob Roop to win the vacant NWA Florida title. On the same show NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jos LeDuc.
WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 10,500: Gypsy Rodriguez fought Mike Paidousis to a draw… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jose Estrada… Crusher Blackwell defeated SD Jones… Ivan Koloff defeated WWWF champion Bob Backlund via count-out… Spiros Arion fought Tony Garea to a draw… Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Yukon Lumberjack Pierre & Luke Graham… Dino Bravo defeated Dominic DeNucci… Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele.
11-26-1978: In Orlando, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Rocky Johnson.
11-27-1978: In West Palm Beach, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jos LeDuc.
11-28-1978: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco.
11-29-1978: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Hall: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes in a lumberjack match.
Warren, MI newspaper article from November 1978: Fake Gorgeous George (Grant) says he was “oblivious” to the real Gorgeous George (Wagner).
12-01-1978: George Gulas & Bobby Eaton & Arvil Hutto win the Nick Gulas World 6-Man tag team titles in a Huntsville, AL tournament.
Big Daddy Ritter (AKA: Junkyard Dog) defeats Alo Leilani in Calgary for the Stampede North American title for the Stu Hart promotion.
At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Thunderbolt Patterson.
12-02-1978: Wilbur Snyder & Pepper Gomez win the WWA tag team titles from Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in Indianapolis.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 7,100: Jimmy Snuka beat Buddy Rose… Ron Starr & Enrqiue Vera beat Ed Wiskwoski & John Tolos… Red Bastein & Tony Rocca beat Masked Grappler & Bill Ash… Magnificent Zulu beat Pete Marquez… Jerry Monti beat Buck Zumhoff.
12-04-1978: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Lawler beat Tommy Gilbert to win the Southern title.
WWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 6,850: Tony Russo defeated Sylvania Sousa… Johnny Rodz defeated Pete Doherty… Victor Rivera defeated S.D. Jones… Chief Peter Maivia defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Dominic Denucci defeated Mike Paidousis… Spiros Arion defeated Tony Garea… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Ivan Koloff in a Texas Death match… Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo defeated Yukon Lumberjack Pierre & Crusher Blackwell.
12-08-1978: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,000: The Von Erichs (David Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) defeat Coloso Colosetti & Bulldog Brown 2 falls to 1… Bob Sweetan defeats Rick Oliver… Pat O'Connor & Tom Andrews defeat Buck Robley & Hartford Love… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats Pierre Lefebvre… Bobo Brazil defeats Bob Sweetan by DQ… Non Title Steel Cage Match
Dick the Bruiser defeats NWA World champion Harley Race.
12-09-1978: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,000: Kim Ill & Kim Duk beat Wild Angus & Billy Robinson… Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta beat Nick Bockwinkel & Blackjack Lanza… Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik beat Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. via DQ.
12-12-1978: Mr. Uganda (AKA: Ciclon Negro) managed by Sonny King wins the NWA Florida title from Dusty Rhodes in Tampa.
12-15-1978: Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta verses Abdullah the Butcher & Tor Kamata for the Real World League tournament victory goes to a draw but Baba & Tsuruta win the tournament based on points.
12-16-1978: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Osamu Kido & Riki Choshu beat Isamu Teranishi & Animal Hamaguchi… Kantaro Hoshino beat Ryuma Go… Tatsumi Fujinami battled Masa Saito to a double count out… Strong Kobayashi beat Thunder Sugiyama via DQ… Seiji Sakaguchi beat Mr. Ito via DQ… Antonio Inoki beat Hiro Matsuda via submission to win the Pre-Japanese Tournament.
12-17-1978: Ricky Steamboat wins the NWA U.S. title from Ric Flair in Toronto, Canada.
12-18-1978: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 21,201: WWWF champion Bob Backlund battled Peter Maivia to a double count out… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Tony Garea… WWWF World Martial Arts champion Antonio Inoki defeated Texas Red (Red Bastien)… WWWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Jose Estrada… Ivan Koloff & Victor Rivera & Yukon Lumberjack Pierre Lefleur defeated Dusty Rhodes & Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo… Ernie Ladd defeated Larry Zbyszko… Spiros Arion battled Chief Jay Strong
In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Dennis Condrey & Phil Hickerson beat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee to win the Southern tag team titles.
12-19-1978: Jos LeDuc wins the NWA Florida title over Mr. Uganda (AKA: Ciclon Negro) in Tampa.
12-22-1978: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dick Slater.
12-25-1978: In New Orleans, LA: The Superdome drawing 15,900: Buck Robley beat Bill Irwin… Jerry Stubbs beat Assassin #1 to win the Louisiana Title… Ron Bass beat Karl Kox to win Brass Knuckles Title… Ernie Ladd beat Ray Candy via forfeit to win the North American Title… Jack & Jerry Brisco beat Terry Latham & Ricky Fields… Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen beat The Angel & Gama Singh… Wahoo McDaniel & Jim Shields beat The Assassins… Bobby Jaggers & Jerry Brown beat Randy Tyler & Mike George via DQ… Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes beat Ron Bass & Ron Slinker… Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen beat Jack & Jerry Brisco… Bobby Jaggers & Jerry Brown beat Wahoo McDaniel & Jim Shields… Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes beat Bobby Jaggers & Jerry Brown… Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes beat Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen to win the vacant U.S. tag team title. Danny Hodge was the special referee.
Jim Crockett Promotions: Charlotte Coliseum: Attendance 11,303: Frank Monte defeats Joe Furr… Don Kernodle defeats David Patterson… Mr. X 1 defeats Gary Young… Jay Youngblood & Skip Young defeat Brute Bernard & Jacques Goulet… Johnny Weaver defeats NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight champion Ken Patera by DQ… NWA Television champion Paul Jones defeats Ricky Steamboat… NWA United States champion Ric Flair defeats Blackjack Mulligan in a steel cage match.
In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Austin Idol defeats Jerry Lawler for the Southern title.
Kevin Von Erich wins his first NWA American title in Ft. Worth, TX from Bruiser Brody.
12-28-1978: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Arena: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Mike Graham. Also on the show: Terry Funk defeated Dick Slater to win the Southern title.
12-30-1978: Terry Funk defeats Dick Slater for the NWA Southern (FL) title in St. Petersburg FL.
Jim Crockett Promotions: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 10,327: Herb Gallant wrestled Steve Regal to a 20 minute time limit draw… Abe Jacobs defeated Charlie Fulton… Don Kernodle defeated David Patterson… The Oates Brothers (Jerry Oates & Ted Oates) defeated Brute Bernard & Gene Anderson… Blackjack Mulligan wrestled John Studd to a double DQ… NWA Television champion Paul Jones defeated Paul Orndorff… NWA United States champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair in a steel cage match.
San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 9,000: Buddy Rose beat Jimmy Snuka… Ed Wiskowski beat Magnificent Zulu… Coconut Willie & Cowboy Lang beat Yukon Jack & Billy the Kid… Afa & Sika Anoia beat Pete Marquez & Masked Grappler… Ron Starr beat Bill Ash.
12-1978: Robert Fuller begins discussions with Nick Gulas and his father Buddy Fuller about leaving his brother Ron Fuller’s Southeastern Championship Wrestling Gulf Coast Promotion to book, instead, for the Memphis promotion. This booking change would ultimately kick off a series of events that would lead to Bob Roop being appointed booker in Southeastern Wrestling Knoxville in 1979 and Roop would ultimately try to over throw the territory along with Ron Garvin, Bob Orton, Jr,, and Boris Malenko, leading to a promotional war in Knoxville.
Superstar Billy Graham - WWWF World champion
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