Return to WhenItWasCool.com Home Page

Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1981

By: Karl Stern

The year in pro wrestling history 1981 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast in these parts: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5

1981

01-01-1981: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan. Also on the show: Bobby Eaton defeated The Assassin (Jody Hamilton)… Jos LeDuc defeated Jerry Oates… Kevin Sullivan battled Steve Keirn to a draw… NWA World Junior heavyweight champion Les Thornton defeated Steve O… NWA Georgia champion Tony Atlas defeated Alexis Smirnoff… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated NWA National champion Mongolian Stomper by DQ… Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase defeated NWA National tag team champions Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts by DQ… In a No DQ match Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson.

01-02-1981: Mike Graham & Barry Windham defeated Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler to win the Florida tag team titles in Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium.

All-Japan Pro Wrestling hold two shows in Tokyo, Japan on this date: Abdullah the Butcher & Mark Lewin defeated Prince Tonga & Jumbo Tsuruta… Giant Baba & Rocky Hata defeated J.J. Dillon & Guy Mitchell… Kazuo Sakurada defeated Thunderbolt Williams… Mad Dog Marten defeated Masoa Ito. Show Two: The Sheik battled Abdullah the Butcher to a draw… Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Mark Lewin & Guy Mitchell… Prince Tonga defeated Mad Dog Martin… Kazuo Sakurada battled J.J. Dillon to a draw… Akio Sato defeated Thunderbolt Williams.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,580: Bruce Reed defeats Ben Deleone… Buzz Tyler & Sandy Partlow defeat Kerry Brown & Jean Antone 2 falls to 1… Rufus R. Jones defeats Mike Kelly… David Von Erich defeats Bob Brown… NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Ted DiBiase defeats Ox Baker… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody & Pat O'Connor defeat Big John Studd & Mike Kelly… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Ken Patera 2 falls to 1.

01-03-1981: At the Capital Centre in Landover, MD Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by DQ. Attendance was 11,398. Also, Johnny Rodz wrestled Yoshiaki Yatsu to a Time Limit Draw… Larry Sharpe defeats Ron Shaw… SD Jones defeats Jose Estrada… Killer Khan defeats Dominic DeNucci… Tony Atlas defeats The Hangman… Tony Atlas defeats Ernie Ladd by Count Out… The Moondogs (Moondog King & Moondog Rex) defeat WWF World tag team champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea by DQ… Bulldog Brower defeats Rick McGraw.

Ron Fuller, previously a heel, returns to Southeastern Championship Wrestling television as a babyface and announces he will wrestle under a mask as the Tennessee Stud. Full TV review - click here.

AWA in Chicago, IL: Jerry Graham, Jr defeated Buck Zumhofe… Steve Regal battled El Bracero to a draw… Spike Huber defeated Ali Hassan… Bobo Brazil defeated Bobby Van… Tito Santana defeated King Kong Bruiser Brody… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Billy Robinson… Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher defeated Jerry Blackwell & Big John Studd by DQ.

01-04-1981: Jim Crockett Promotions in Roanoke, VA at the Roanoke Civic Center: NWA World Tag Team Title Match Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & Paul Jones defeated Greg Valentine & Roddy Piper… Mid Atlantic Title Match: Ricky Steamboat defeated Ray Stevens… Johnny Weaver & Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson) defeated Swede Hanson & Jacques Goulet… Frank Monte defeated Rick Ferrara… Ron Ritchie defeated Jim Nelson (AKA: Boris Zhukov)

In Dallas, TX: Andre The Giant battled Bruiser Brody to a No Contest… Kevin Von Erich defeated Gary Young… David Von Erich defeated Gino Hernandez… Killer Brooks defeated Raul Mata… Brian Blair defeated Jesse Barr.

01-05-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 6,571: Billy Robinson battled Tony Charles to a draw.. Tommy Gilbert & Koko Ware & Ricky Morton defeated Jimmy Kent & The Angel & Bill Irwin… Jerry Lawler defeated Paul Ellering… Jerry Lawler defeated Jimmy Valiant & Jimmy Hart… Billy Robinson won a 10 man $1000 battle royal… Tojo Yamamoto & Jimmy Valiant & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Carl Fergie & Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich. By match stipulation Carl Fergie had to leave town.

01-08-1981: Jim Crockett Promotions in Norfolk, VA at the Scope Coliseum: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ric Flair… Texas Street Fight: Blackjack Mulligan defeated Bobby Duncum… NWA TV Title Match: Roddy Piper defeated Johnny Weaver… Ray Stevens defeated Paul Jones… Jacques Goulet & Tenryu defeated Don Kernodle & Steve Muslin… Frank Monte battled Rick Ferrara to a draw… Nick DeCarlo & Cy Jernigan defeated Gene Lewis & Jim Nelson.

01-09-1981: Los Angeles, CA: Hot Stuff Rodriguez defeated Great Goliath… Twin Devils defeated Ox Baker & Victor Rivera… El Mongol defeated Al Madril… Salvatore Bellamo & Chris Adams defeated John Tolos & Assassin (Jody Hamilton) by DQ… Andre The Giant defeated Toru Tanaka… Twin Devil 1 (Alfonso Sanchez) won the annual Battle royal.

01-10-1981: WWF at the Philadelphia, PA Spectrum attendance 8,732: Frank Savage battled Jim Duggan to a 20-minute time-limit draw… S.D. Jones defeated the Black Demon… Larry Sharpe defeated Rick Stallone… Pat Patterson defeated Bulldog Brower… The Moondogs (Rex & King) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea via DQ… Tony Atlas defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out… Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via count-out.

01-11-1981: Maple Leaf Gardens; Toronto, Canada: Ivan Koloff defeated Angelo Mosca by DQ... Black Jack Mulligan defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas street fight... Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated Ray Stevens... The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Great Hussein defeated George Wells & Don Kernodle... Tony Parisi defeated Charlie Fulton... Frankie Laine defeated Joe Marcus.

AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Attendance: 8,904: Jerry Blackwell defeated Tito Santana… Big John Studd defeated Mad Dog Vachon… Buck Zumhofe defeated Bobby Heenan… Brad Rheingans defeated Steve Regal… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Dino Bravo by DQ… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell defeated Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura by DQ.

01-12-1981: Barry Windham wins the NWA Florida title in West Palm Beach from Dory Funk, Jr.

At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN attendance 5,934: Hector Guerrero defeated Jimmy Kent… Tony Charles & Ken Lucas defeated Gypsy Joe & The Angel… The Bounty Hunters defeated Koko Ware & Tommy Gilbert… Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich defeated Jimmy Valiant & Tojo Yamamoto… Jerry Lawler defeated Austin Idol with Jimmy Hart’s Gold Record at stake.

Al Tomko’s Vancouver promotion: Buddy Rose & Rip Oliver defeated Joe Lightfoot & Jay Youngblood to win the Canadian tag-team titles.

01-13-1981: At a TV taping in Allentown, PA for the WWF, Sgt. Slaughter issues a $5,000 Cobra Clutch challenge to anyone who can break his Cobra Clutch. Jim Duggan, who has been appearing in WWF as an enhancement wrestler tries and fails to break the hold.

In Mobile, AL Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose defeated Bob & Brad Armstrong for the Southeastern tag team titles.

01-15-1981: AWA in Oakland, CA: Andre The Giant defeated Jerry Blackwell… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Tito Santana… Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson defeated Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… Big John Studd battled Dino Bravo to a draw… Greg Gagne defeated Bobby Heenan… Ole Anderson defeated Jerry Monti… Crusher Jerry Blackwell won a battle royal.

01-16-1981: Steve O (Steve Olsonoski) wins the NWA National TV title from Kevin Sullivan in Atlanta, GA at the Omni. In other matches: Bobby Eaton battled Charlie Cook to a draw… Jos LeDuc defeated Bill Dromo… Steve Keirn defeated Ted Oates… Mongolian Stomper battled Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) to a no contest… NWA National tag team champions Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase… Dusty Rhodes & Tony Atlas defeated Harley Race & Ole Anderson.

Rick Martel suffers an elbow injury in Pittsburgh, PA which requires surgery. Martel & Tony Garea had retained the WWF tag team titles over The Moondogs (Rex & King) by DQ.

Ernie Ladd defeated Jake Roberts to win the Mid-South Louisiana title in Shreveport, LA.

In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler defeated Mike Graham & Manny Fernandez to win the vacant Florida tag team titles.

Jim Crockett Promotions in Richmond, VA at the Coliseum: Mid Atlantic Title Match
Ricky Steamboat defeated Jimmy Snuka… NWA TV Title Match: Roddy Piper defeated Johnny Weaver… Ivan Koloff defeated Iron Sheik… Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson) defeated Mr. Fuji by DQ… Dewey Robertson & George Wells defeated Kim Duk & Tenryu… Don Kernodle battled Cy Jernigan to a draw… Ron Ritchie defeated Gene Lewis… Steve Muslin defeated Rick Ferrara.

AWA in Denver, CO: Buck Zumhofe & Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Nick Bockwinkel & Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens… Dino Bravo battled Jesse Ventura to a draw… Brad Rheingans defeated Adrian Adonis… Big John Studd defeated Steve Regal… Tito Santana defeated Jerry Blackwell by DQ.

01-17-1981: In Roanoke, VA at the Civic Center: US Title Match: Ric Flair defeated Greg Valentine… NWA TV Title Match: Roddy Piper battled Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) to a double DQ… Dewey Robertson & George Wells defeated Kim Duk & Tenryu… Swede Hanson battled Don Kernodle to a draw… Cy Jernigan defeated Rick Ferrara

01-18-1981: Shohei “Giant” Baba defending the PWF title battles Verne Gagne, defending the AWA World heavyweight title, to a double count out in Tokyo, Japan. In other matches: Jumbo Tsuruta & Prince Tonga defeated Abdullah the Butcher & Guy Mitchell… Mark Lewin defeated Kazuo Sakurada… Takashi Ishikawa defeated J.J. Dillon… Akio Sato defeated Mad Dog Martin… Great Kojika defeated Thunderbolt Williams.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,108: Koko Ware beat Gypsy Joe… Hector Guerrero beat Bill Irwin… Tommy & Eddie Gilbert beat Angel & Skull Murphy… The Bounty Hunters beat Sonny King & Ricky Morton… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) beat Ken Lucas… Billy Robinson beat Tony Charles via forfeit… Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jimmy Valiant… Jos LeDuc beat Jerry Lawler via DQ. As a result, Lawler received ten lashes. LeDuc's manager Jimmy Hart would have received the lashes if LeDuc had lost.

01-19-1981: In San Juan, Puerto Rico WWC: Carlos Colon & Invader I (Jose Gonzalez) defeated Dutch Mantel & Danny Condrey (Wayne Farris, AKA: Honky Tonk Man) to win the WWC North American tag team titles.

01-20-1981: Jerry Stubbs is stripped of the NWA U.S. Junior title and a tournament is held in Mobile, AL at Expo Hall to crown a new champion. Brad Armstrong wins the tournament and the title which also featured Oki Shikina, Roy Lee Welch, Ricky Fields, and Robert Gibson. On the same show Jerry Stubbs defeated Les Thornton for the NWA World Junior heavyweight title.

01-22-1981: Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by countout in Freehold, NJ.

Bobby Eaton wins the NWA National TV title from Steve O in Atlanta, GA.

01-23-1981: Steve O regains the NWA National TV title from Bobby Eaton in Atlanta.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: 11,081: Terry Taylor battled Bulldog Brown to a draw… Mike & Pat Kelly defeated Butch Reed & Jerry Roberts… Pat O'Conner defeated Billy Starr… Dick The Bruiser & Spike Huber defeated Buzz Tyler & Ox Baker… Kevin Von Erich defeated Big John Studd by DQ… Andre The Giant & Bruiser Brody defeated Dick Murdoch & Ric Flair… Andre The Giant & Butch Reed won a battle royal.

01-24-1981: In Dothan, AL Les Thornton regains the NWA World Junior heavyweight title from Jerry Stubbs.

The first NWA World heavyweight champion Orville Brown dies. Orville Brown had been a multi-time Mid West champion and the group’s promoter and was awarded the NWA World title to become the first champion in 1948. He was scheduled to meet the National Wrestling Association world champion Lou Thesz on November 25, 1949 to unify the titles but 24 days earlier he was seriously injured in an automobile accident, thus Thesz was awarded the unified title.

Pat Patterson wins the final Cow Palace battle royal in San Francisco, CA by tossing Dick Slater to win. Attendance was 8,500. Also on the show Pat Patterson defeats NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race by count out.

01-25-1981: AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Big John Studd & Jerry Blackwell… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Dino Bravo… Brad Rheingans defeated Ben DeLeon… Tito Santana defeated Jesse Ventura… Jim Brunzell defeated Adrian Adonis.

01-26-1981: Ted DiBiase & Stan Frazier win the NWA National tag team titles from The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts) in Augusta, GA.

Volador, Jr is born.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 5,687: Hector Guerrero & Sonny King defeated The Bounty Hunters by DQ… Tojo Yamamoto defeated Koko Ware… Tommy Rich defeated Bill Irwin… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Ricky Morton… Jimmy Valiant defeated Bill Dundee… Jerry Lawler defeated Ron Bass.

01-27-1981: Roddy Piper defeats Ric Flair for the NWA U.S. title in Raleigh, NC. Roddy Piper was the reigning NWA TV champion and vacates that title to hold the U.S. belt.

In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory Mike Graham defeated Dick Slater to win the Southern (FL) heavyweight title.

01-29-1981: Junkyard Dog & Killer Karl Kox defeated Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown to win the Mid-South tag team titles in Biloxi, MS.

01-31-1981: At WTBS Studios in Atlanta, GA Bobby Eaton defeated Steve O for the NWA National TV title.

The Grappler (Len Denton) defeated Killer Karl Kox to win the Mississippi title in Greenwood, MS.

01-1981 (unspecified): Big Time Wrestling out of San Francisco promoter by Roy Shire ceases operation.

02-01-1981: Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown defeated Junkyard Dog & Killer Karl Kox to win the Mid-South tag team titles in Lake Charles, LA.

In Toronto, Canada: Angelo Mosca defeated Ivan Koloff… Ric Flair defeated Greg Valentine… Iron Sheik defeated George Wells… Jimmy Snuka defeated Johnny Weaver… Billy Red Lyons & Tony Parisi defeated Jim Nelson & Frankie Laine… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) battled Louis Lawrence to a draw.

02-02-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: The Bounty Hunters beat Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich in a no DQ hair vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles. The Bounty Hunters' manager Jimmy Kent had his hair on the line.

02-03-1981: Dick Slater defeated Mike Graham in Tampa, FL at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory to regain the Southern (FL) heavyweight title.

02-04-1981: Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) wins a tournament final over The Assassin (Tom Renesto) to win the NWA Southern (Florida version) title in Ft. Myers, FL.

02-06-1981: Dick Slater, Terry Funk, and Tully Blanchard are injured in a car accident in Houston, TX. Slater is reported to be the worst injured but is wrestling again in about a week. Terry Funk does miss at least one match with a leg injury sustained in the car accident.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,840: Jerry Roberts & Terry Taylor defeat The Kelly Twins (Mike Kelly & Pat Kelly) 2 falls to 1… Sandy Partlow defeats Karen Harrington… Bruce Reed wrestled Buzz Tyler to a 20 minute draw… Rufus R. Jones defeats JJ Dillon by DQ… Spike Huber & Dick The Bruiser & King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeat Bob Brown & Big John Studd & Dick Murdoch… Ted DiBiase defeats NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ 2 falls to 1.

02-07-1981: On Southeastern Championship Wrestling television Ron Fuller vacates the Southeastern heavyweight title and announces he is leaving the area for a while after his cousin Jimmy Golden turned heel on him. For full TV review Click Here.

WWF at Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 13,414: Joe Crugnale defeated Pete Doherty… Manuel Soto defeated Mike Smith… Angelo Gomez defeated Fred Marzino… Bruno Sammartino battled Stan Hansen to a double DQ… Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated Larry Zbyszko… Steve King defeated the Black Demon… Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada at 6:10

WWF at Baltimore, MD: Civic Center Attendance: 11,800: Larry Sharpe defeated Rick Stallone… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Johnny Rodz via DQ… The Moondogs (Rex & King) defeated S.D. Jones & Frank Savage… S.D. Jones defeated Bulldog Brower via DQ… WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Hulk Hogan & The Hangman… Tony Atlas defeated Sgt. Slaughter via DQ… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Killer Khan

In Greensboro, NC Jim Crockett Promotions: Masked Superstar & Paul Jones defeated Ivan Koloff & Ray Stevens by DQ… Blackjack Mulligan defeated Iron Sheik… Mr. Fuji & Tenryu defeated Dewey Robertson & George Wells… Roddy Piper defeated Ric Flair… Steve Muslin & Frank Monte defeated Jim Nelson & Ricky Ferrara… Bruno Sammartino Jr. (David Sammartino) battled Jacques Goulet to a draw.

In Portland, OR Pacific Northwest Wrestling: Jay Youngblood defeated Rip Oliver by DQ… Igor Volkoff battled Terry Allen (AKA: Magnum TA) to a draw… Jonathan Boyd battled Siva Afi to a draw… Matt Borne & Buzz Sawyer battled Buddy Rose & The Destroyer (David Sierra) to a draw… Joe Lightfoot beat Tonga. The story goes that Terry Allen had paid Buzz Sawyer to train him and Sawyer, as he had been known to do elsewhere, skipped town. Terry Allen tracked him down in Portland to make him give his money back or break him into the wrestling business. So, Sawyer got Allen booked into Portland wrestling.

02-08-1981: UWA holds it’s 6th Anniversary show at El Toreo de Naucalpan in Naucalpan, Mexico. Results: Perro Aguayo & Dr. Wagner & El Canek defeated Angel Blanco & Fishman & Enrique Vera… Chabela Romero defeated Irma Gonzalez to retain the UWA World Womens championship… El Solitario battled Villano III to a time limit draw to retain the UWA World lightweight title.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Charlie Cook defeated Alexis Smirnoff… Ted Oates defeated Jim Duggan… Steve O defeated Bobby Eaton to win the NWA National TV title… Kevin Sullivan defeated Steve Keirn in a Boston Street fight… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole Anderson by DQ… In a Town Car vs $15,000 match Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase defeated The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts)… Andre the Giant defeated The Mongolian Stomper by DQ… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Tony Atlas to a double count out.

In Dallas, TX Brian Blair defeated Raul Castro… Billy White Cloud defeated Jesse Barr… Jose Lothario defeated The Monk… Kerry Von Erich battled the Great Kabuki to a double count out… Killer Brooks defeated Raul Mata.

02-09-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 9,007 Jerry Lawler defeated Hulk Hogan by DQ. Hogan is managed by Jimmy Hart. In other matches: Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee defeated The Bounty Hunters… Jimmy Valiant defeated Tony Charles… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & The Angel & Ali Hassan & Gypsy Joe defeated Sonny King & Eddie Gilbert & Eddie Hogan (AKA: Brutus Beefcake) & Hector Guerrero… Eddie Hogan & Eddie Gilbert defeated The Angel & Ali Hassan… Hector Guerrero defeated Gypsy Joe.

WWC in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Maravilla defeated Danny Condrey (Wayne Farris, AKA: Honky Tonk Man) to win the WWC Caribbean title.

02-12-1981: Ox Baker appears on the TV game show The Price is Right as a contestant.

Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes defeated Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler to win the Florida tag team titles in Gainesville, FL at the O’Connell Center.

New Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan: Antonio Inoki defeated Bobby Duncum… Seiji Sakaguchi & Riki Choshu defeated The Samoans (Afa & Sika)… Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Tatsumi Fujinami by count out… Ken Patera & Allan Coage (Bad News Allen) defeated Kengo Kimura & Kobayshi…. The Enforcer defeated Haruka Eigen by DQ… Kido defeated Tom Prichard.

02-14-1981: WWF Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum Attendance: 10,719: Bulldog Brower defeated Angelo Gomez… Larry Sharpe defeated Steve King… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Frank Savage… Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci… WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales battled Stan Hansen to a double DQ… Killer Khan defeated Rick McGraw… Sgt. Slaughter battled WWF World Champion Bob Backlund to a double count-out… The Hangman defeated Johnny Rodz… S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated The Moondogs (Rex & King) in a Texas Death Match. Gorilla Monsoon was the guest referee. 

AWA in Milwaukee, WI: Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis defeated The Highfliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell)… Nick Bockwinkel defeated Tito Santana… Jerry Blackwell defeated Billy Robinson by DQ… Brad Rheinigans defeated Steve Regal… Curt Hennig defeated Gary Lindren… Juan Valez battled Ben Deleon to a draw.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, OR: Jay Youngblood defeated Rip Oliver… Buddy Rose defeated Buzz Sawyer… Johnny Boyd defeated Tonga… Matt Borne defeated Igor Volkoff… Siva Afi battled Terry Allen (AKA: Magnum T.A.) to a draw… Joe Lightfoot defeated Destroyer (Fidel Sierra) by DQ.

02-15-1981: Dusty Rhodes & Andre the Giant defeated Bobby Jaggers & R.T. Tyler (Rip Tyler) for the Florida tag team titles. The tag titles are soon abandoned.

Jim Crockett in Roanoke, VA at the Civic Center: US Title Match: Special Referee: George Scott: Ric Flair defeated Roddy Piper via DQ… Mid Atlantic Title Match:
Ricky Steamboat battled Jimmy Snuka to a Double DQ… Blackjack Mulligan defeated Greg Valentine… George Wells & Dewey Robertson defeated Swede Hanson & Tenryu… Bruno Sammartino, Jr battled Ron Ritchie to a draw… Abe Jacobs defeated Charlie Fulton.

All Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan: Giant Baba defeated Harley Race by DQ… Tiger Toguchi & Kim Duk defeated Dick Murdoch & Mario Milano… Killer Karl Kox defeated Takashi Ishikawa… Dos Caras & Akio Sato defeated Twin Devils…  Bulldog Bob Brown battled Great Kojika to a draw.

02-16-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 20,808. Results: Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci… Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeated Johnny Rodz… Hulk Hogan defeated Rick McGraw… The Hangman (Neil Guay) defeated Frank Savage… S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Pedro Morales defeated Sgt. Slaughter by DQ to retain the WWF Intercontinental title… WWF champion Bob Backlund battled Stan Hansen to a draw due to blood from both men… Pat Patterson & Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated The Moondogs (Rex & King) & Capt. Lou Albano in a best 2 out of 3 falls match.

In Chalmette, LA Junkyard Dog & Don Diamond defeated Leroy Brown & Ernie Ladd to win the Mid-South tag team titles.

02-19-1981:  Tye Dillinger (Ronnie W. Arneill) is born.

02-20-1981: AWA in St. Paul, MN: Verne Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel… Greg Gagne & Jim Bruznell defeated Jerry Blackwell & Big John Studd… Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis defeated Tito Santana & Ray Stevens… Brad Rheingans defeated Steve Regal… Buck Zumhoffe defeated Bill Howard… Curt Hennig defeated Kenny Jay.

In St. Louis, MO: Art Crews defeated Tiny Anderson… J.J. Dillon defeated Jerry Roberts…Mike & Pat Kelly defeated Spike Huber & Terry Taylor… Rufus Jones defeated Buzz Tyler by DQ… Bruiser Brody & Bruce (Butch) Reed defeated Baron Von Raschke & Johnny Valiant… Ric Flair battled Dick The Bruiser to a double count out… Ted DiBiase defeated Ken Patera.

02-21-1981: On Memphis wrestling television Dutch Mantel defeated Koko Ware for the CWA TV title.

On Southeastern Championship Wrestling television Paul Orndorff & Norvel Austin defeated Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose to win the NWA Southeastern tag team titles.

On Georgia Championship Wrestling from the WTBS Studios in Atlanta, GA Kevin Sullivan defeated Steve O for the NWA National TV title.

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico for WWC Medico #2 defeated Maraville to win the WWC Caribbean title.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, OR: Jay Youngblood & Joe Lightfoot defeated Destroyer (Fidel Sierra) & Rip Oliver by DQ… Buddy Rose defeated Siva Afi… Jonathan Boyd defeated Moose Morowski by DQ… Buzz Sawyer & Matt Borne defeated Gene Kiniski & Igor Volkoff… Terry Allen (AKA: Magnum TA) defeated Tonga.

02-22-1981: Ray Stevens & Ivan Koloff defeated Paul Jones & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) for the NWA World tag team titles in Greensboro, NC.

World Class Star Wars is taped at Reunion Arena in Dallas, TX: Mil Mascaras defeated Killer Tim Brooks… Fritz Von Erich defeated Great Kabuki in a Texas Death Match… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Kerry Von Erich to a double count out… David & Kevin Von Erich defeated Ali Mustafa & Hercules Ayala to win the World Class tag team titles… Bruiser Brody wins a $5,000 Battle Royal.

02-23-1981: In Louisville, KY Jerry Lawler defeated Jimmy Valiant to win the Southern heavyweight title.

02-24-1981: Don Muraco makes his WWF debut at a TV taping in Allentown, PA defeating Steve King. On the same show Pat Patterson finally accepted the Cobra Clutch challenge of Sgt. Slaughter and escaped the hold only to be attacked by Slaughter.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, OR: Andre The Giant won a battle royal… Andre The Giant & Matt Borne & Buzz Sawyer defeated Gene Kiniski & Rip Oliver & Moose Morowski… Tony Borne battled Siva Afi to a draw… Jonathon Boyd defeated Tonga… Terry Allen (AKA: Magnum TA) battled Kelly Kiniski to a draw.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,180: Tommy Gilbert beat Tojo Yamamoto via DQ… Jimmy Valiant & Dream Machine & Wayne Ferris beat Eddie Gilbert & Koko Ware & Sonny King… The Bounty Hunters beat Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich. in a loser receives ten lashes match… CWA champion Billy Robinson pinned Tony Charles… Jerry Lawler & Jackie Fargo beat Austin Idol & Dutch Mantel via DQ.

02-25-1981: Jaguar Yokota defeats Jackie Sato to win the WWWA World Womens title. Mimi Hagiwara wins the All Pacific Womens title from Yumi Ikeshita.

Manny Fernandez defeated Baron Von Rashke in Tampa, FL to win the Florida TV title.

02-28-1981: Paul Orndorff & Norvell Austin vacate the NWA Southeastern tag team titles on television following an injury to Norvell Austin.

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) defeated Carlos Colon & Invader I (Jose Gonzalez) for the WWC North American tag team titles.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, OR: Andre The Giant defeated Buddy Rose… Destroyer (Fidel Sierra) & Rip Oliver defeated Jay Youngblood & Joe Lightfoot… Jonathon Boyd defeated Tonga… Matt Borne defeated Eric Frolich… Gene Kiniski defeated Terry Allen (AKA: Magnum TA)… Buzz Sawyer defeated Moose Morowski.

02-1981: International champion Pierre Lefebvre is sentenced to five days in jail for punching a fan in Montreal and breaking his jaw.

03-01-1981: In Pensacola, FL Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose win a tournament to win the NWA Southeastern tag team titles.

Steve Keirn wins the NWA National TV title from Kevin Sullivan in Atlanta, GA at the Omni. Other matches include: Charlie Cook defeated Jim Duggan… Jos LeDuc defeated Steve O… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Bobby Eaton… Dick Slater defeated Ole Anderson… In a Fantasia Gamble Match: Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts & Michael Hayes defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase & Junkyard Dog… Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA National champion Mongolian Stomper by DQ… In a steel cage match NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Tony Atlas.

AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell battled Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura to a no contest… Baron Von Raschke beat Big John Studd… Nick Bockwinkel beat Tito Santana… Buck Zumhofe & Brad Rheingans beat Jerry Blackwell… Steve Regal beat Bill Howard… Gary Lindgren beat Frank Reese… Curt Hennig beat Nacho Berrara.

03-02-1981: Lance Cade (died 2010) is born.

In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jack Brisco. In other matches: Barry Windham defeated R.T. Tyler… The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Roger Smith) defeated Manny Fernandez & Bugsy McGraw… Les Thornton defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young).

03-03-1981: Paul Lloyd, Jr. (AKA: Justin Gabriel) is born.

In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Manny Fernandez… R.T. Tyler defeated Barry Windham… El Gran Apollo defeated Bill Irwin… The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Roger Smith) defeated Jack Brisco & Bugsy McGraw… Les Thornton defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) to retain the NWA World Junior title by DQ… Jerry Brisco defeated Kim Sung (Kim Kwangsik)… Sgt. Jacques Goulet defeated Gerald Finley… Reggie Parks defeated Lord Alfred Hayes.

03-05-1981: At the Sebring, FL High School: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Bugsy McGraw to a double count out.

03-06-1981: At the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium in Orlando, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Barry Windham to a draw.

03-07-1981: Ringo Rodriguez, age 26, once a member of the lucha libre tag team the Legionairos was killed in a car accident in Mexico. He was trained by Rene Guarando.

Jimmy Garvin defeated Ernie Ladd for the Louisiana title in Shreveport, LA.

Mike Graham defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ in Ft. Myers, FL.

WWF in Baltimore, MD at the Civic Center Attendance: 11,200: Rick McGraw battled Johnny Rodz… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… S.D. Jones defeated Chris Canyon (AKA: King Kong Bundy)… Dominic DeNucci defeated Bulldog Brower… WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated The Moondogs (Rex & King)… WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated The Hangman… Andre the Giant defeated Sgt. Slaughter… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund battled Stan Hansen to a double DQ.

03-09-1981: At Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Bob Armstrong defeated Mr. Saito to win the Alabama title. Stan Lane defeated Brad Armstrong to win the NWA U.S. Junior title and Harley Race defeated Ken Lucas to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

In Memphis, TN at Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 7,916: The Turk & El Toro defeated Eddie & Tommy Gilbert… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Chief Thundercloud… The Angel & Ali Hassan defeated Koko Ware & Ron Sexton… Tojo Yamamoto & Wayne Farris defeated Sonny King & Roy Rogers (AKA: Johnny Rich)… Austin Idol & Dutch Mantel defeated Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich by DQ… Bill Dundee & Dream Machine defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Wayne Farris… Jerry Lawler defeated Jimmy Valiant to retain the Southern title.

03-12-1981: In Lexington, KY Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich defeated Austin Idol & Dutch Mantel for the CWA tag team titles.

KENTA / Hideo Itami (Kenta Kobayashi) is born.

03-14-1981: WWF at the Boston Garden in Boston, MA with attendance of 15,300: Pete Doherty defeated Fred Marzino… Johnny Rodz defeated Joe Crugnale… Frank Savage defeated Angelo Gomez… Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Hansen in a steel cage match… The Moondogs (Spot & King) defeated Pedro Morales & Dominic DeNucci… The Hangman (Neil Guay) defeated Steve King… Hulk Hogan defeated John Callahan… SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico: Killer Karl Krupp defeated Pierre Martel to win the WWC North American title.

03-15-1981: WWF at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD: SD Jones defeated Larry Sharpe… Tony Garea defeated The Hangman (Neil Guay)… Rick Martel defeated Bulldog Brower… Pat Patterson defeated Lou Albano via DQ… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… The Moondogs (Rex & King) defeated Rick McGraw & Dominic DeNucci… Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Savage… Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan by pinfall… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a lumberjack match.

In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Barry Windham… Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Roger Smith) by DQ… Bugsy McGraw battled R.T. Tyler to a double DQ… Dick Slater defeated Reggie Parks… Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) defeated Jacques Goulet by DQ… Reggie Parks defeated Hans Schroeder… Mr. Pogo defeated Scott McGhee.

03-16-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 21,000+. Results: Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz… Moondog Rex defeated Rick McGraw… Dominic DeNucci defeated Larry Sharpe… Stan Hansen defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by count out… Pedro Morales defeated Moondog King… Andre the Giant defeated Sgt. Slaughter by DQ… Rick Martel defeated The Hangman (Neil Guay)… Tony Garea defeated Bulldog Brower… Tony Atlas defeated Hulk Hogan by pinfall.

In Birmingham, AL at Boutwell Auditorium Ken Lucas defeated Jimmy Golden for the Southeastern heavyweight title with Buddy Fuller as special referee.

03-17-1981: WWF TV taping in Allentown, PA The Moondogs (Rex & King) defeated Tony Garea & Rick Martel to win the WWF tag team titles.

In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker).

03-19-1981: In Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the Sunrise Theater: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Manny Fernandez in a lights out Bunkhouse match.

03-20-1981: In Altoona, PA at the Jaffa Mosque Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,822: J.J. Dillon defeats Tom Andrews… Bruce Reed defeats Ox Baker by DQ… Spike Huber defeats John Valiant… The Kelly Twins (Pat Kelly & Mike Kelly) wrestled Bob Brown & Terry Taylor to a Draw… Rufus R. Jones defeats Big John Studd… Baron Von Raschke & Dick Murdoch defeat David Von Erich & Pat O'Connor… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Dick The Bruiser by DQ 2 falls to 1.

03-21-1981: WWF at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA with an attendance of 17,678: Moondog King defeated Rick McGraw… Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan by pinfall… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a steel cage match… Stan Hansen defeated Tony Garea… WWF Intercontinental champion Pedro Morales defeated Moondog Rex… SD Jones battled Bulldog Brower to a double DQ… Rick Martel defeated The Hangman (Neil Guay)… Larry Sharpe defeated Frank Savage… Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Dominick DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz.

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: Dusty Rhodes defeated R.T. Tyler in a hair vs hair match… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ted DiBiase… Dory Funk, Jr. battled Barry Windham to a 60 minute draw… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton)… Jack Brisco defeated Mr. Pogo… Manny Fernandez defeated The Assassin III (Roger Smith)… Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) & Mike Graham defeated Sgt. Jacques Goulet & Dick Slater… Jerry Brisco defeated Lord Alfred Hayes… El Gran Apollo defeated Bill Irwin.

03-22-1981: Several WWF talents appear on a Jim Crockett Promotions show at the Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. Results: Jim Nelson defeated Ricky Ferrara… Don Kernodle defeated Kurt Von Hess… Bruno Sammartino, Jr. defeated Gene Lewis… Mr. Fuji & Genichiro Tenryu defeated Sweet Ebony Diamond & George Wells… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum… Ricky Steamboat defeated Jimmy Snuka to win the Mid-Atlantic title… Paul Jones & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated Ray Stevens & Ivan Koloff to win the NWA World tag team titles… SD Jones defeated Capt. Lou Albano.. WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a Texas Death Match… Tony Garea defeated Davey O’Hannon… Rick Martel defeated The Hangman (Neil Guay)… Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan by pinfall.

According to the March 23, 1981 Minneapolis Star, this show drew a sellout crowd and a record gross of more than $130,000

AWA: St. Paul, MN: Civic Center: Attendance 17,500 (sellout): Curt Hennig defeats Billy Howard… Brad Rheingans defeats Steve Regal… Bobby Heenan defeats Buck Zumhofe… Tito Santana defeats Big John Studd by DQ… Nick Bockwinkel defeats Pat O'Connor… Baron Von Raschke defeats Jerry Blackwell… Non-Title: Steel Cage Tag Team Match: The High Flyers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeat The East-West Connection (Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura)

03-23-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN attendance: 7,101: Jerry Lawler & Tommy Rich defeated Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi… Jerry Lawler defeated Terry Funk (Norm Dooley, the wrestling writer upon whom Dave Meltzer based the star rating system, gave this match five stars, the first ever five star match. The previous top of the chart had been four stars)… Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Wayne Farris to win the Southern tag team titles… Dutch Mantel defeated Sonny King… The Turk & El Toro battled Big Red & Eddie Gilbert to a draw.

03-26-1981: Perro Aguayo defeats El Gran Hamada in a tournament final in Shimizu, Japan to become the first UWA WWF lightweight champion.

03-27-1981: WWF in Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena with a crowd of 15,000: A steel cage match between Bruno Sammartino and Stan Hansen was cancelled. Other matches: Johnny DeFazio battled Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw… Dominic DeNucci defeated The Red Demon… S.D. Jones defeated Capt. Lou Albano when the match was stopped due to blood… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a Texas Death Match… Tony Garea defeated Davey O'Hannon (sub. for Johnny Valiant)… Rick Martel defeated The Hangman… Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan in a Texas Death Match.

03-28-1981: In Old Saybrook, CT at the Senior High School Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan.

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico: Tommy Gilbert defeated Medico 2 to win the WWC Caribbean title.

03-29-1981: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: Kevin Sullivan defeated Mike Davis… Bobby Eaton defeated Roberto Soto… Steve Keirn & Steve O defeated Ole & Gene Anderson by DQ… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Jim Duggan… Junkyard Dog & Tommy Rich defeated Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts… Steve O defeated Mongolian Stomper for the NWA National title… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Ivan Koloff.

Toronto, Canada: Frank Tunney: Maple Leaf Wrestling: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 12,066: Frankie Lane wrestled The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) to a Time Limit Draw… Tony Parisi defeats Mr. Fuji… Swede Hanson & The Iron Sheik defeat George Wells & Johnny Weaver… Texas Death Match: Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson) defeats Bobby Duncum four falls to three… Andre the Giant defeats Hulk Hogan… NWA Canadian Heavyweight champion Angelo Mosca defeats Jimmy Snuka by Count Out.

03-30-1981: In Scranton, PA WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Hulk Hogan by count out.

In Birmingham, AL at Boutwell Auditorium Ron Bass defeated Ken Lucas to win the Southeastern heavyweight title.

At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN Masa Fuchi & Mr. Onita defeated Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) to win the Southern tag team titles. On the same show Jerry Lawler defeated Dory Funk, Jr. by DQ with Jimmy Hart suspended above the ring. Attendance 7,382. Other matches: Gypsy Joe & The Angel & The Bounty Hunters & Jimmy Kent defeated Sonny King & Big Red & Eddie Gilbert… Tojo Yamamoto defeated Ron Sexton… Dutch Mantel defeated Koko Ware.

The Mid-South tag team titles are declared vacant following a match at the New Orleans, LA Municipal Auditorium when Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdock defeated Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown with Bill Watts as special referee.

Principal photography begins on the Rocky III movie which, in 1982, would launch both Hulk Hogan and Mr. T into mainstream, pop culture stardom.

04-01-1981: The International Grand Prix (IWGP) committee is formed. It would still be over two years before they would crown their first IWGP World champion. The original idea was for Antonio Inoki to hold a multinational tournament using champions from Japan, United States, and Europe to create one “super” world title. Most of the tournament is fictional until the famous finals in Japan where Hulk Hogan defeats Antonio Inoki to win.

04-02-1981:  A bomb scare at the Los Angeles Sports Arena forces the evacuation of 4,000 people including the cast and crew of Rocky III, background actors, stuntmen, and production. The movie is not significantly delayed. It is unknown if Hulk Hogan and Mr. T were on the set that day.

04-03-1981: EMLL holds it’s 25th Anniversary show for Arena Mexico in Mexico City. Results: Ringo Mendoza defeated Sangre Chicana to win the NWA World Middleweight title… Americo Rocca & Divino Roy defeated Aguila India & Gran Cochisse in a hair vs hair match… Tony Salazar defeated Alfonso Dantes. Dantes retains the NWA World light heavyweight championship.

04-04-1981: WWF in Boston, MA: Boston Garden Attendance 13,724: Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Doherty… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Johnny Rodz… Dominic DeNucci defeated the Hangman… Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah & Leilani Kai defeated Suzette Ferrera & Joan Fontaine… S.D. Jones defeated Frank Savage… Andre the Giant defeated Stan Hansen… WWF Tag Team Champions the Moondogs (Rex & King) & Capt. Lou Albano defeated Rick Martel & Tony Garea & Pedro Morales… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter.

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico: The Medics defeated The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) to win the WWC North American tag team titles.

04-05-1981: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Hiro Matsuda.

04-06-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 25,302 plus 3,334 at the Felt Forum. Results: Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeated Terry Gunn… Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci… WWF Intercontinental champion Pedro Morales defeated Moondog Rex… Pat Patterson battled Sgt. Slaughter to a double DQ… Mil Mascaras defeated Moondog King… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Stan Hansen in a steel cage match… SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Fabulous Moolah & Lelani Kai defeated Jill Fontaine & Suzette Ferriera… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz & Larry Sharpe. Historian Evan Ginzburg said of the title match between Backlund and Hansen that it was one of the worst main events in the history of Madison Square Garden.

At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with an attendance of 8,147 Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi to win the Southern tag team titles. In the main event Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier (Stan Frazier) defeated Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk in a Texas Death Match. Other matches include: Eddie Gilbert defeated Jimmy Kent… Tojo Yamamoto defeated Big Red… The Bounty Hunters defeated Koko Ware & Chief Thundercloud… El Toro & The Turk defeated Ron Sexton & Vinnie Romeo… Dutch Mantel defeated Sonny King. Earlier in the day the famous Terry Funk verses Jerry Lawler empty arena match is taped with Lance Russell present. Funk loses after Jerry Lawler “injures” his eye during the match.

04-07-1981: At a WWF TV taping in Allentown, PA George “The Animal” Steele returns defeating Jack Carson. He is managed by Fred Blassie. Also on the card Mil Mascaras pins the future King Kong Bundy Chris Canyon and Tony Atlas later pins him as well.

04-08-1981: Dory Funk, Jr. is awarded the NWA Florida title when champion Barry Windham is injured in a car accident along with Manny Fernandez.

04-11-1981: On Southeastern Championship Wrestling television show it is announced that Paul Orndorff is the new Alabama champion (possibly a phantom title change).

In Florida, Mr. Saito replaces Roger Smith under the mask as The Assassin III.

04-12-1981: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Steve Keirn defeated French Angel… Roberto Soto defeated Gypsy Joe… Robert Gibson defeated Jim Duggan… Mongolian Stomper battled Tony Atlas to a no contest… Ole & Gene Anderson battled Mr. Wrestling (Johnny Walker) & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) to a draw… Steve O defeated Bobby Eaton to retain the NWA National title… Tommy Rich & Junkyard Dog defeated Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts… Dusty Rhodes defeated Don Carson in a Texas Bullrope match.

04-13-1981: The NWA orders Kintaro Ohki (Kim Ill) to vacate the NWA International title which he has been defending on and off since 1972.

WWF in Rochester, NY: War Memorial Attendance: 9,646: Yoshiaki Yatsu battled The Hangman to a draw… Arnold Skaaland defeated Johnny Rodz via DQ… Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah & Leilani Kai defeated Jill Fontaine & Suzette Ferrera… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan. Khan was credited with breaking Andre's ankle during this bout even though the actual injury took place several weeks later… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Moondog Rex & Sgt. Slaughter (sub for Moondog King) via DQ with guest referee S.D. Jones… Pat Patterson defeated Sgt. Slaughter via count-out.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 5,800: Jerry Lawler & Kevin Sullivan battled El Toro & The Turk & Jimmy Hart to a no contest… Mr. Onita & Tojo Yamamoto & Masa Fuchi defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Bill Dundee & Dutch Mantel by DQ… The Bounty Hunters defeated Big Red & Eddie Gilbert… Sonny King defeated Buddy Wayne… Ron Sexton defeated Vinnie Romeo… Koko Ware defeated Jimmy Kent.

04-14-1981: Don Kernodle is injured in a car accident and misses a few dates.

WWF in Syracuse, NY: War Memorial Attendance: 6,334: Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz… Jill Fontaine defeated Leilani Kai… Moondog Rex & Sgt. Slaughter (sub. for Moondog King) defeated S.D. Jones & Yoshiaki Yatsu… Tony Garea battled Killer Khan to a draw… Andre The Giant defeated Sgt. Slaughter… Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah defeated Suzette Ferrara… Pat Patterson defeated the Hangman.

04-16-1981: Ivan Koloff wins the Mid Atlantic title from Ricky Steamboat in Norfolk, VA. In other matches at the Scope Coliseum: Gene & Ole Anderson defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & Paul Jones by DQ… Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson) battled Greg Valentine to a draw… Texas Street Fight: Blackjack Mulligan defeated Iron Sheik… Ivan Koloff defeated Ricky Steamboat… Tommy Rich defeated Mr. Fuji… Tenryu defeated Frank Monte… Steve Muslin defeated Gene Lewis.

04-18-1981: WWF in Landover, MD at the Capital Centre. Attendance 7,278. Tony Atlas defeated Hulk Hogan by pinfall and Killer Khan defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by DQ. In other matches: Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Savage… Tony Garea & Andre the Giant defeated Moondog Rex & Sgt. Slaughter (sub. for Moondog King) via DQ… Larry Sharpe defeated Tony Altimore… Yoshiaki Yatsu battled The Hangman to a time-limit draw… Pat Patterson defeated Sgt. Slaughter via DQ… Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Lelani Kai & Fabulous Moolah defeated Jill Fontaine & Suzette Ferreira.

Mid-South wrestling at the New Orleans Superdome with an attendance of 22,000. Results: Coco Samoa defeated Larry Booker (who would soon replace Moondog King in the WWF as Moondog Spot)… King Cobra defeated Bull Ramos… Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo… Carl Fergie defeated Kelly Kiniski… Luke Graham defeated Chick Donovan… Mid-South tag team title tournament: The Grappler (Len Denton) & Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) defeated Jimmy Garvin & Jake Roberts… Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes defeated Afa & Sika the Samoans… Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown defeated Tony Charles & Don Diamond… The Freebirds defeated Buck Robley & Coco Samoa… Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch drew a bye… The Grappler & Super Destroyer defeated Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes… Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch defeated Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown… The Freebirds drew a bye… Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch defeated The Freebirds… The Grappler & Super Destroyer drew a bye… The Grappler & Super Destroyer defeated Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch to win the Mid-South tag team title.

04-20-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 7,102: Barbie Doll defeated Diamond Lil… Suzette Ferrera defeated Wendi Richter… Jerry Lawler battled Kevin Sullivan to a no contest… Sonny King defeated Vinnie Romeo… Billy the Kid defeated Tiny Tom… Koko Ware defeated Tojo Yamamoto… Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated The Turk & El Toro… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi defeated Austin Idol & Dutch Mantel.

04-21-1981: Sgt. Jacques Goulet (Rene Goulet) wins the NWA Southern (Florida) title from Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) in Tampa, FL.

04-22-1981: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center with a crowd of 7,460: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a draw. In other matches: Bill Watts battled R.T. Tyler to a draw… The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Mr. Saito) defeated Mike Graham & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Superfly… NWA World Junior champion Les Thornton defeated Jerry Brisco by DQ… Manny Fernandez defeated Mr. Pogo by DQ… Bugsy McGraw defeated The Stomper… El Gran Apollo defeated Sgt. Jacques Goulet… El Gran Apollo defeated Bill Irwin.

04-23-1981: All heavyweight titles in New Japan are abandoned as wrestlers prepare for the first International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament. Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) makes his debut defeating Dynamite Kid sparking one of the most revolutionary feuds in pro wrestling history. Antonio Inoki defeats Stan Hansen in the last defense of the NWF title. New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Shown May 1, 1981 on TV: Yoshiaki Fujiwara beat Akira Maeda… Kantaro Hoshino & Haruka Eigen beat Osamu Kido & Black Cat… Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) beat Dynamite Kid… Kengo Kimura beat Biko Botowamungo… Seiji Sakaguchi & Riki Choshu beat Ken Patera & Rick McGraw… El Canek beat Tatsumi Fujinami via DQ… Antonio Inoki pinned Stan Hansen to win the held-up NWF Title.

Giant Baba wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival Tournament over Bruiser Brody for All Japan.

04-24-1981: In Shreveport, LA: Jimmy Garvin defeated The Grappler (Len Denton) by DQ to win the North American title.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,465: Bruce Reed defeats Mike Blood… Buzz Tyler wrestled Terry Taylor to a 20 minute time limit… JJ Dillon wrestled Spike Huber to Double Count Out… The Von Erichs (David Von Erich & Kerry Von Erich) defeat The Kelly Twins (Mike Kelly & Pat Kelly)… Big John Studd defeats Pat O'Connor… Dick Murdoch & Bobby Jaggers defeat Dick The Bruiser & Bulldog Bob Brown… NWA World Heavyweight
Harley Race wrestled Ric Flair to a draw after splitting one fall each.

04-25-1981: Johnny Valiant defeats Dick the Bruiser for the Indianapolis WWA World title.

In St. Petersburg, FL Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race in a non-title steel cage match.

WWF in Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 9,400: Baron Mikel Scicluna battled Johnny Rodz to a double DQ… Farmer Jerome & Carolina Kid defeated Kid Chocolate & Sky Low Low… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Rick McGraw… Rick Martel defeated the Hangman (Neil Guay)… Tony Garea defeated Sgt. Slaughter via DQ… Capt. Lou Albano (sub. for Moondog King) & Moondog Rex defeated S.D. Jones & Dominic DeNucci… Killer Khan defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales via DQ… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Stan Hansen via count-out. Gorilla Monsoon was the guest referee for the bout.

04-26-1981: Andre the Giant seriously injures his ankle in a fall which requires surgery. In storyline the injury was blamed on an attack by Killer Khan but Andre actually twists his ankle underneath him getting out of bed.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Bobby Eaton defeated Roberto Soto… Robert Gibson defeated Gypsy Joe… Steve Keirn & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Jim Duggan & French Angel… Dusty Rhodes defeated Mongolian Stomper… The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) battled Ted DiBiase & Junkyard Dog to a no contest… Tommy Rich defeated Bull Ramos… Ric Flair defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

04-27-1981: Tommy Rich defeats NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race in Augusta, GA to win the NWA World heavyweight championship.

In New Orleans, LA at the Municipal Auditorium Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch defeated The Grappler (Len Denton) & Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) to win the Mid-South tag team titles.

04-29-1981: Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson) wins the NWA TV title over Greg Valentine in a tournament in Raleigh, NC.

FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1981 in Walthamstow, UK: Shown May 9, 1981 on ITV: Little Prince drew Peter Kaye in three falls after each had won a fall… Big Daddy & Alan Kilby beat Giant Haystacks & Wild Angus.

04-30-1981: Dory Funk, Jr. is awarded the NWA International title after tournament finalist Bruiser Brody is unable to wrestle in the finals due to injury. Dory Funk, Jr. then defends the title against his brother Terry Funk and retains the title.

05-01-1981: Harley Race regains the NWA World heavyweight title for the 6th time by defeating Tommy Rich in Gainesville, GA.

UWA wrestling in Mexico City, Mexico at El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos: Billy Robinson & Fishman & Gran Hamada defeated Ray Mendoza & El Escorpion & Strong Kobayashi… El Canek defeated Tatsumi Fujinami to retain the UWA title… WWF champion Bob Backlund went to a draw with NWF champion Antonio Inoki.

Gene & Ole Anderson defeat Paul Jones & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) for the NWA World tag team titles.

Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) defeated Jimmy Garvin for the Louisiana title in Shreveport, LA.

Don Muraco defeated Manny Fernandez in Orlando, FL for the Florida TV title.

05-02-1981: On the CWA Memphis wrestling television show Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris defeated Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) to win the Southern tag team titles.

WWF at Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 14,900: Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Rick McGraw battled S.D. Jones to a draw… Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated Frank Savage & the Hangman… Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci… WWF Intercontinental champion Pedro Morales defeated Moondog Rex… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Stan Hansen via DQ… Sgt. Slaughter battled Pat Patterson to a double DQ… Farmer Jerome & Carolina Kid defeated Sky Low Low & Kid Chocolate.

05-03-1981: Chief Jay Strongbow & Jim Wilson defeat Afa & Sika the Samoans for the IWL tag team titles in Atlanta, GA. Jim Wilson and Thunderbolt Patterson were running outlaw shows against the Georgia wrestling promotion at the time.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,898: Billy Red Lyons wrestled Frankie Laine to a 15 minute draw… Bruno Sammartino Jr. defeats Ricky Harris (AKA: Black Bart)… Tony Parisi & George Wells defeated Ray Stevens & Kurt von Hess via DQ… Dewey Robertson defeated Swede Hanson… NWA United States Heavyweight champion Roddy Piper defeats Ric Flair in a no DQ match… NWA Canadian Heavyweight champion Angelo Mosca defeats Jimmy Snuka in a lumberjack match.

05-04-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 24,000+ attendance: It is announced that Andre the Giant has a broken ankle… SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz… The Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeated The Hangman (Neil Guay)… WWF Intercontinental champion Pedro Morales defeated Killer Khan… Dominick DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Peter Maivia defeated Rick McGraw… Angelo Mosca defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by DQ… Pat Patterson defeated Sgt. Slaughter in an Alley Fight match… The Carolina Kid & Farmer Jerome defeated Sky Low Low & Kid Chocolate… Tony Garea & Rick Martel & Gorilla Monsoon (substituting for Andre the Giant) defeated Stan Hansen & Moondog Rex & Capt. Lou Albano. The alley fight match between Sgt. Slaughter and Pat Patterson on this show is consider one of the best matches of this era. It won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter match of the year for 1981.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 5,078: Jerry Lawler defeated Crusher Blackwell… Wayne Farris & Kevin Sullivan defeated Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham)… Sonny King & Chief Thundercloud defeated Ron Sexton & Roy Rogers (AKA: Johnny Rich)… Koko Ware battled Eddie Gilbert to a draw… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi defeated Dutch Mantel & Giant Frazier (AKA: Uncle Elmer)… The Turk & El Toro & Jimmy Hart defeated The Bounty Hunters & Jimmy Kent in a loser leaves town match.

05-08-1981: Abdullah the Butcher, who has been working for All Japan, appears on a New Japan show beginning a promotional war between the two companies.

05-09-1981: On CWA Memphis TV wrestling show Kevin Sullivan defeated Dutch Mantel to win the TV title.

05-10-1981: Carlos Colon defeated Killer Karl Krupp in Bayamon, Puerto Rico for the WWC North American title.

AWA: Verne Gagne retires for the first time following a successful defense of the AWA World heavyweight title against Nick Bockwinkel. Gagne retires as champion and vacates the title which is then awarded to Nick Bockwinkel. St Paul MN. Civic Center: Attendance 15,780: Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie wrestled Tito Santana to a No Contest… Brad Rheingans wrestled Jerry Blackwell to a Time Limit Draw… Larry Hennig defeats Adrian Adonis… Baron Von Raschke defeats Big John Studd in a loser leaves town match… The High Flyers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) & Buck Zumhofe defeat Bobby Heenan & The Blond Bombers (Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens). Verne Gagne retains the title and retires as champion. Several days later on TV, the title is awarded to Nick Bockwinkel.

05-12-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Mr. Saito) to win the North American tag team titles.

The first ever insider newsletter Five Star rated match takes place as wrestling historian and pioneer newsletter writer Norm Dooley (with input from Jim Cornette who was taking photos ringside) ranks a match between Jerry Lawler and Terry Funk at “Five Stars” from the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, KY.

05-13-1981: WCW and WWE wrestler Jimmy Yang is born.

05-15-1981: In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium Mr. Pogo defeated Bugsy McGraw in a loser leaves town match.

05-16-1981: On Southeastern Championship Wrestling television from Dothan, AL, Jerry Stubbs debuts his Mr. Olympia gimmick defeating Stan Lane by DQ. Mr. Olympia would go on to be a top star in SECW, Continental, Mid-South, and elsewhere.

In Tulsa, OK Ricky Morton & Eddie Gilbert defeated Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane for the Tri-States tag team titles.

Kim Sung defeated Tommy Gilbert in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Caribbean title.

05-17-1981: Tommy Rich defeats Greg Valentine in a tournament final in Atlanta, GA to win the Georgia heavyweight title at the Omni. Results: Tommy Rich defeated Bill Irwin… Ken Patrea defeated Ray Candy… Dusty Rhodes defeated French Angel… Greg Valentine defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)… Mike Sharpe defeated Jim Duggan… Round Two: Tommy Rich defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Dusty Rhodes battled Ken Patrea to a double DQ… Greg Valentine defeated Mike Sharpe… In non-Tournament matches: Robert Gibson defeated Bryan St. John… Roberto Soto defeated Bobby Eaton… Ricky Gibson defeated Gypsy Joe… Ted DiBiase & Junkyard Dog defeated The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) in a no DQ match.

05-18-1981: At a WWF TV taping in Scranton, PA Moondog Spot (Larry Booker, AKA: Larry Latham) debuts replacing Moondog King who is unable to return to the United States due to legal issues and has missed numerous dates. The Moondogs remain WWF tag team champions as Rex & Spot.

At Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 5,718 on hand Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Wayne Farris & Kevin Sullivan to win the Southern tag team titles. Also on the show Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Jack Brisco & Jerry Lawler. In other matches: Sonny King & Tim Leonard defeated The Turk & El Toro… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Eddie Gilbert & Koko Ware… Tojo Yamamoto defeated Ron Sexton… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi defeated Dutch Mantel & Stan Frazier (AKA: Uncle Elmer)… Bill Dundee won a battle royal… Roy Rogers (AKA: Johnny Rich) defeated Jimmy Hart by DQ.

At Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose for the Southeastern tag team titles.

05-21-1981: Jackie Sato retires.

05-22-1981: Daniel Bryan / Bryan Danielson (Bryan Lloyd Danielson) is born.

05-23-1981: WWF at Philadelphia, PA Spectrum: Attendance: 6,352: Rick McGraw defeated Johnny Rodz via referee's decision… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Ron Shaw (sub. for the Hangman)… S.D. Jones defeated Frank Savage… Tony Garea & Rick Martel & WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated The Moondogs (Rex & Spot) & Capt. Lou Albano… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Angelo Mosca via DQ… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Chris Canyon (AKA: King Kong Bundy)… Carolina Kid & Farmer Jerome defeated Sky Low Low & Kid Chocolate… Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci.

In Tokyo, Japan Kevin & David Von Erich defeated Great Kojika & Mr. Okuma for the All Japan All-Asian tag team titles.

05-25-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris defeated Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) to win the Southern tag team titles.

At Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Mr. Saito defeated Ken Lucas to win the Southeastern heavyweight title. Mr. Olympia (Jerry Stubbs) defeated Stan Lane for the NWA U.S. Junior title.

WWF at Rochester, NY War Memorial Attendance: 7,078: Frank Savage battled Mike Hall to a time-limit draw… Johnny Rodz defeated Yoshiaki Yatsu via count-out… Carolina Kid & Farmer Jerome defeated Sky Low Low & Kid Chocolate… Killer Khan defeated Rick McGraw… Tony Garea & Rick Martel & S.D. Jones defeated Capt. Lou Albano & The Moondogs (Rex & Spot) via DQ… WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated Angelo Mosca via DQ.

In San Jose, CA: Peter Maivia beat Victor Rivera for Americas Title.

05-26-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dory Funk, Jr. to 60 minute draw.

05-27-1981: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dory Funk, Jr. to a double count out.

05-29-1981: Steve O defeats the Mongolian Stomper for the NWA National title in Atlanta, GA.

In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn.

05-30-1981: Mr. Olympia (Jerry Stubbs) vacates the NWA U.S. Junior heavyweight title due to being over the weight limit and wanting to move up to heavyweight.

Jake Roberts defeated The Grappler (Len Denton) in Shreveport, LA for the North American title.

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ted DiBiase.

05-31-1981: Jake Roberts defeated The Grappler (Len Denton) to win the Mid-South North American title in Shreveport, LA.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated French Angel & Bobby Eaton… Steve O defeated Bryan St. John… Mike Sharpe defeated Ken Patrea by DQ… Ted DiBiase defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Ole & Gene Anderson defeated The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) in a steel cage match to retain the NWA World tag team titles… Junkyard Dog defeated Michael Hayes in a dog collar match… Abdullah the Butcher battled Bruiser Brody to a no contest… Tommy Rich defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ… Bruce (Butch) Reed defeated Bruiser Brody by DQ in a lights out match.

In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ted DiBiase. (Must have been an afternoon show to allow Race time to get to the Omni. Jacksonville to Atlanta is a five hour drive so I’m not sure this is correct (taken from Mark James Florida results book)

06-01-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 7,000 Bill Dundee defeated Stan Lane to win the U.S. Junior title. In other matches: Sonny King defeated Buddy Wayne… Plowboy Frazier defeated Jim Dalton… Koko Ware defeated Tojo Yamamoto… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi defeated Tim Leonard & Chief Thundercloud… Roy Rogers (AKA: Johnny Rich) defeated Chick Donovan… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Jerry Lawler & Dutch Mantel defeated Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris & The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) by DQ.

At Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Jimmy Golden defeated Ken Lucas to win the Alabama title. Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose defeated Bob & Brad Armstrong to win the NWA Southeastern tag team titles.

NJPW at Okayama, Japan: Akira Maeda defeated Hiroyuki Saito… Makoto Arakawa defeated Norio Honaga… George Takano defeated Kuroneko… Haruka Eigen defeated Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Kantaro Hoshino battled Osamu Kido to a draw… Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura defeated Chris Adams & Mike Masters… Riki Choshu defeated Sgt. Slaughter via DQ…Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Seiji Sakaguchi… Antonio Inoki & WWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Hansen & Hulk Hogan & Bobby Duncum.

06-02-1981: NJPW in Hamamatsu, Japan: Norio Honaga defeated Nobuhiko Takada… Akira Maeda defeated Shinichi Nakano… Makoto Arakawa & Haruka Eigen defeated Osamu Kido & Kuroneko… Kantaro Hoshino defeated Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Stan Hansen defeated Chris Adams… Hulk Hogan defeated Mike Masters… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Dusty Rhodes defeated Seiji Sakaguchi & Kengo Kimura… Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Riki Choshu… Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Sgt. Slaughter & Bobby Duncum.

06-03-1981: A big show featuring NJPW and WWF talent takes place in Nagoya, Japan. Results: Yoshiaki Fujiwara defeated Hiroyuki Saito to win a 13 man battle royal… Yoshiaki Fujiwara defeated Akira Maeda… Osamu Kido defeated Kuroneko… Riki Choshu & Kengo Kimura defeated Kantaro Hoshino & Haruka Eigen… Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Chris Adams… Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Mike Masters… Stan Hansen battled Tiger Jeet Singh to a double count out… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Hulk Hogan by DQ due to the interference of Stan Hansen… Antonio Inoki & Dusty Rhodes defeated Sgt. Slaughter & Bobby Duncum.

06-04-1981: Antonio Inoki wins the annual New Japan Madison Square Garden League tournament over Stan Hansen via count out. The final tournament standings are: 1) Antonio Inoki, 2) Stan Hansen, 3) Tiger Jeet Singh, 4) Hulk Hogan, 5) Seiji Sakaguchi, 6) Tatsumi Fujinami, 7) Riki Choshu, 8) Bobby Duncum, 9) Sgt. Slaughter, 10) Chris Adams, 11) Mike Masters. In Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,600: Shinichi Nakano defeated Norio Honaga… Yoshiaki Fujiwara defeated Kuroneko… Kantaro Hoshino & Haruka Eigen defeated George Takano & Akira Maeda… Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Kengo Kimura… Tatsumi Fujinami & Tiger Mask defeated Chris Adams & Mike Masters… Hulk Hogan pinned Riki Choshu… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Dusty Rhodes defeated Sgt. Slaughter & Bobby Duncum… Antonio Inoki battled Tiger Jeet Singh to a double count-out… Antonio Inoki defeated Tiger Jeet Singh via DQ in a lumberjack match… Antonio Inoki defeated Stan Hansen via count-out.

06-06-1981: WWF in Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,700: Yoshiaki Yatsu battled Larry Sharpe to a 20-minute time-limit draw… Bulldog Brower defeated Rick McGraw… Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Savage… S.D. Jones & Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated Capt. Lou Albano & WWF Tag Team Champions the Moondogs (Rex & Spot)… WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated Killer Khan via DQ… Angelo Mosca defeated Pat Patterson via count-out… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele.

06-07-1981: Terry Taylor defeats Les Thornton in Roanoke, VA to win the NWA World Junior heavyweight title. In other matches: Ivan Koloff battled Wahoo McDaniel to a double DQ… Greg Valentine defeated Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson)… Mongolian Stomper defeated Blackjack Mulligan, Jr (Barry Windham)… Super Destroyer defeated Denny Brown… Tony Peters & Rick Connors defeated Tony Anthony & Keith Larsen… Tim Horner defeated Tony Russo.

AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Baron Von Raschke & The Crusher beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura by DQ… Jim Brunzell beat Jerry Blackwell… Adnan Al Kassiey beat Wilbur Snyder… Ray Stevens beat Bill Howard… Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan… Laurent Soucie beat Tony Leone.

Wrestling Star Wars is held by NWA Big Time Wrestling at Reunion Arena in Dallas, TX. Known results: Kerry Von Erich defeated Ernie Ladd for the NWA American title… Bruiser Brody defeated Great Kabuki in a Texas Death Steel Cage match… Fritz Von Erich defeated Gary Hart in a steel cage match.

06-08-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 24,000+. Results: Curt Hennig defeated Johnny Rodz… Larry Sharpe defeated Rick McGraw… Don Muraco defeated Rick Martel… SD Jones defeated Frank Savage… Dusty Rhodes defeated Killer Khan… Tony Garea defeated Man Mountain Cannon (King Kong Bundy)… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Angelo Mosca with special referee Pat Patterson… The Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) & Tatsumi Fujinami defeated WWF World tag team champions The Moondogs (Spot & Rex) in a best 2 out of 3 falls match but did not win the tag team titles… Pedro Morales defeated Sgt. Slaughter to retain the WWF Intercontinental title.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 7,891: Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris & The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Dutch Mantel in a no time limit, no DQ match… Sonny King battled Tojo Yamamoto to a draw… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi defeated Koko Ware & Plowboy Frazier… Steve Keirn defeated Jim Dalton… Chick Donovan defeated Roy Rogers (AKA: Johnny Rich).

06-09-1981: In Tampa, FL The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) in a mask verses mask match.

06-10-1981: Ted DiBiase & Steve O win the NWA National tag team titles from the Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts).

06-11-1981: Akio Sato & Takashi Ishikawa defeated Kevin & David Von Erich to win the All Asian tag team titles.

06-12-1981: Ken Patera wins the Georgia title from Tommy Rich in Atlanta, GA.

St. Louis, MO: Checkerdome: Attendance 16,088: Spike Huber defeats Steve Lawler… Terry Gibbs & Rufus R. Jones defeat Gene Lewis & Bob Sweetan… Jack Brisco defeats Bobby Heenan… Bulldog Bob Brown & Rocky Johnson defeat JJ Dillon & Buzz Tyler… Dick Murdoch wrestled Kerry Von Erich to a double count out… Dick the Bruiser & Dusty Rhodes defeats Ric Flair & Ken Patera via DQ: 18 Man Battle Royal: Pat O'Connor defeats Ric Flair, Gene Lewis, Bob Brown, Bob Sweetan, Rufus R. Jones, Terry Gibbs, Spike Huber, Dick the Bruiser, JJ Dillon, Bobby Heenan, Buzz Tyler, Kerry Von Erich, Ken Patera, Rocky Johnson, Dusty Rhodes, Dick Murdoch, Jack Brisco… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Ted DiBiase 2 falls to 1.

06-13-1981: Twins Pat & Mike Kelly win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Spike Huber in Indianapolis, IN.

06-14-1981: The Highfliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeat The East West Connection (Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura) for the AWA World tag team titles in Green Bay, WI.

06-15-1981: In Owenton, KY Lanny Poffo & George Weingroff defeated Doug Vines & Jeff Sword for the ICW tag team titles.

In West Palm Beach, FL Jack Brisco defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 5,500: Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris defeated Steve Keirn & Dutch Mantel by DQ… Plowboy Frazier defeated Tojo Yamamoto… Sonny King defeated Jim Dalton… Mr. Onita defeated Tim Leonard… Chick Donovan defeated Koko Ware… Jerry Lawler & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Jimmy Hart & The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis).

06-16-1981: In Tampa, FL The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) defeated Coco Samoa & Tommy Gilbert in a tournament final to win the North American tag team titles. On the same show NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Charlie Cook to a no contest.

06-17-1981: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center with a crowd of 4,787 Charlie Cook defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

06-18-1981: In Kansas City Bob Sweetan & Terry Gibbs defeated The Freebirds to win the Central States tag team titles in a tournament final.

In Jacksonville, FL Charlie Cook defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

06-19-1981: In Orlando, FL Jack Brisco defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

WWF in Worcester, MA: Holy Cross Stadium: Attendance: 8,000: Curt Hennig defeated Johnny Rodz… Dominic DeNucci defeated Frank Savage… S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Tony Garea & Rick Martel & Rick McGraw defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Moondogs (Rex & Spot) & Capt. Lou Albano… Don Muraco defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales via DQ… Pat Patterson defeated Sgt. Slaughter in an alley fight; after the bout, both men were taken out in ambulances… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund battled Angelo Mosca to a double DQ.

06-20-1981: WWF at the Philadelphia, PA Spectrum: Attendance: 5,111: Don Muraco defeated Pedro Morales to win the WWF Intercontinental title… Johnny Rodz battled Curt Hennig to a draw… Larry Sharpe defeated Tony Altimore… Strong Kobayashi defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Angelo Mosca defeated Tony Garea… Sgt. Slaughter defeated Rick McGraw… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) defeated George Steele… WWF Tag Team Champions the Moondogs (Rex & Spot) defeated Dominic DeNucci & S.D. Jones… Rick Martel defeated Capt. Lou Albano via count-out

Les Thornton defeats Terry Taylor for the NWA World Junior title in Roanoke, VA. In other matches: Big John Studd defeated Blackjack Mulligan Sr… Blackjack Mulligan Jr (Barry Windham) defeated Mongolian Stomper by DQ… The Wolfman defeated Tony Anthony… Super Destroyer defeated Tim Horner… Rick Connors defeated Denny Brown… Keith Larsen battled Tony Russo to a draw.

AWA in Chicago, IL: Greg Wojokowski beat Max Blue… Paul Christy battled El Bracero to a draw… Moose Cholak beat Dr. Jerry Graham, Jr.. Spike Huber beat Johnny Starr… Wilbur Snyder beat Johnny Valiant by DQ… Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… Bobo Brazil battled Jerry Valiant to a double DQ.

06-21-1981: Dusty Rhodes wins the NWA World heavyweight title for a second time when he defeats Harley Race in Atlanta, GA at the Omni. On the same show Ken Patera defeated Tommy Rich for the Georgia title… Terry Gordy & Bryan St. John defeated Robert & Ricky Gibson… Mike Sharpe defeated Bruce (Butch) Reed… Mike Graham defeated French Angel… Jimmy Snuka defeated Terry Taylor… Ted DiBiase & Steve O defeated Ole & Gene Anderson… Blackjack Mulligan battled Bruiser Brody to a no contest.

06-22-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum with a crowd of 5,918 Jimmy Hart defeated Jerry Lawler for the Southern heavyweight title with Wayne Farris and Kevin Sullivan as special referees. In other matches: Sonny King defeated Tojo Yamamoto by DQ… Plowboy Frazier defeated Jim Dalton… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi defeated Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) & Koko Ware… Steve Keirn defeated Chick Donovan… Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris & The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee & Dutch Mantel & Dream Machine (Troy Graham).

06-23-1981: In Mobile, AL at Expo Hall Brad Armstrong defeated Stan Lane to win the NWA U.S. Junior title but had to vacate it due to injury.

06-24-1981: One of the biggest shows of the year is held by New Japan Pro Wrestling: Sumo Hall drawing 11,000: Shown live on TV. Abdullah the Butcher, who had surprised everyone by jumping to New Japan a month earlier, appears for the first time on a show with Stan Hansen. Abdullah the Butcher & Stan Hansen defeated Antonio Inoki & Yoshiaki Yatsu… Tiger Toguchi defeated Killer Khan by DQ… Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) defeated Villano III… Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Black Cat. After Abdullah jumps ship to New Japan, Giant Baba doubles Tiger Jeet Singh’s pay to jump from New Japan to All Japan.

06-27-1981: Nikolai Volkoff & Chris Markoff managed by Lord Alfred Hayes win the NWA Mid Atlantic tag team titles from Dewey Robertson & Johnny Weaver.

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeats Sweet Brown Sugar in a mask vs mask, Texas Death match. Sweet Brown Sugar is unmasked as Skip Young.

06-28-1981: AWA in St. Paul, MN: Laurent Soucie beat Ben Howard… Adrian Adonis beat Jim Brunzell… Jerry Blackwell beat Ben Deleone… Mike Graham beat Buck Zumhofe… Tito Santana battled Sheik Adnon Al Kassie to a draw… Nick Bockwinkel beat Baron Von Raschke.

06-29-1981: The Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN draws a crowd of 10,129 to see the following card: Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi (managed by Tojo Yamamoto) defeated Sonny King & Koko Ware… Chick Donovan defeated Steve Keirn by DQ… Wayne Farris defeated Roy Rogers (AKA: Johnny Rich)… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) in a handicap match… Kevin Sullivan defeated Dutch Mantel by DQ… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Bill Dundee & Dream Machine… Jerry Lawler defeated Jimmy Hart in a no DQ lumberjack match… Loser’s battle royal featuring Wayne Farris, Kevin Sullivan, The Nightmares, and Jimmy Hart with Dutch Mantel being the final loser.

At Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, AL Ray Candy defeated Jimmy Golden for the Alabama title in a Lumberjack match.

07-01-1981: In a famous scene that played on television many times over the years and was on various opening montages for the WWF at a TV taping for Championship Wrestling (which would actually air on August 1) WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Moondog Rex in a non-title match. Backlund was then mobbed in the ring by about a hundred fans, with some of the fans holding Backlund up on their shoulders, as he held the championship in the air.

Florida wrestling from Miami Beach, FL Convention Hall with an attendance of 5,187: Jack Brisco defeated Dory Funk, Jr. by DQ in a Texas Death, Steel cage match… Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young)… Charlie Cook defeated Terry Funk… Mighty Igor battled Hulk Hogan to a double count out… El Gran Apollo & Cocoa Samoa & Mike Graham defeated Joel Deaton & Dave Deaton & Jim Kent… Professor Sonoda & Assassin III (Mr. Saito) defeated Bubba Douglas & Kelly Kiniski… El Gran Apollo battled Buzz Sawyer to a draw.

07-03-1981: Tiger Jeet Singh, one of the top stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling, appears on an All Japan show.

07-04-1981: Mid-South Wrestling at the New Orleans, LA Superdome: Attendance: 18,000. Results: Junkyard Dog defeated Paul Orndorff in a lights out match… Kerry Von Erich defeated The Grappler (Len Denton)… Dick Murdoch & Junkyard Dog defeated Afa & Sika the Samoans… Paul Orndorff defeated Jake Roberts to win the North American title… Super Destroyer (Bill Irwin) defeated Tommy Rich… Jimmy Garvin defeated Frank Dusek… Great Kabuki defeated Don Diamond… Kim Duk defeated Tony Charles… King Cobra defeated Carl Fergie… Ken Mantell defeated Buddy Landell.

In Hampton, VA: Dusty Rhodes defeated Roddy Piper to retain the NWA World heavyweight title with Pat O’Connor as special referee.

07-05-1981: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Bruno Sammartino, Jr. defeated French Angel… Robert & Ricky Gibson defeated Jim Duggan & Bryan St. John… King Kong Mosca battled Steve O to a draw… Bruce (Butch) Reed & George Wells defeated Greg Valentine & Terry Gordy… Jimmy Snuka defeated Jay Youngblood… Bruiser Brody defeated Blackjack Mulligan in a no DQ, No count out match… Ken Patera defeated Tommy Rich to retain the NWA Georgia title… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ted DiBiase to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

07-06-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 7,340 Steve Keirn defeated Ron Bass for the Mid-America title. In other matches: Wayne Farris & Kevin Sullivan defeated Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee… Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi & Tojo Yamamoto battled Plowboy Frazier & Koko Ware & Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) to a draw… Chick Donovan defeated Sonny King… No DQ, Mask vs Mask: The Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Dutch Mantel defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis).

Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka defeat Ted DiBiase & Steve O in Augusta, GA for the NWA National tag team titles.

07-07-1981: In a tournament in Mobile, AL at Expo Hall, Tommy Wright wins the NWA U.S. Junior title in a tournament over Roy Lee Welch, Mike Jackson, and Mr. Junior America (Michael Norris).

07-08-1981: In Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the Sunrise Theater: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled Dory Funk, Jr. to a draw.

07-13-1981: In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry Funk.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 8,209: Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated Jim Dalton… Sonny King defeated Tom Stanton… Steve Keirn & Koko Ware defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis)… Masa Fuchi & Tojo Yamamoto & Mr. Onita defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Dutch Mantel & Steve Keirn… Plowboy Frazier defeated Chick Donovan by DQ… Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee defeated Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris in Lawler’s Hair vs the Southern tag team titles match. Lawler & Dundee win the titles… In a no time limit, Mask vs Hair match: The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Dutch Mantel & Dream Machine (Troy Graham)

07-14-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Assassin I (Jody Hamilton).

07-15-1981: At Miami Beach, FL Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton).

07-16-1981: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton)

07-17-1981: Dusty Rhodes defeats Terry Funk to retain the NWA World heavyweight title and Jerry Lawler defeated Hulk Hogan in St. Petersburg, FL.

07-18-1981: At the Nashville Fairgrounds arena The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Dutch Mantel & The Dream Machine where the Dream Machine was unmasked as Troy Graham.

On Portland, OR television Matt Borne revels that Buddy Rose has married Borne’s sister and the two feud over this. At one point they get into a legitimate fight over Rose’s alleged abuse of Borne’s sister.

In Shreveport, LA Bob Roop defeated Super Destroyer (Bill Irwin) to win the Louisiana title.

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry Funk by count out.

07-19-1981: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: French Angel battled Ted Oates to a draw… Bruno Sammartino, Jr. defeated Ken Timbs… Mike Sharpe defeated Abe Jacobs… George Wells & Bruce (Butch) Reed defeated Bryan St. John & Professor Sonoda… Steve O defeated Jim Duggan… Tommy Rich & Ted DiBiase defeated Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka to win the NWA National tag team titles… Blackjack Mulligan defeated Bruiser Brody in a Texas Street Fight… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

AWA in St. Paul, MN: Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey beat Tito Santana by count out… Jerry Blackwell beat Brad Rheingans… Baron Von Raschke beat Ben DeLeon… Buck Zumhofe beat George Gadaski… Laurent Soucie beat Chris Curtis.

07-20-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 22,091. Results: Johnny Rodz defeated Terry Gunn… SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Curt Hennig defeated Strong Kobayashi… Sgt. Slaughter defeated Dominic DeNucci… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated George “The Animal” Steele… Pat Patterson defeated Angelo Mosca by DQ… WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco battled Pedro Morales to a 20 minute time limit draw… Andre the Giant battled Killer Khan to a double DQ… Tony Garea & Rick Martel battled WWF World tag team champions The Moondogs (Rex & Spot) to a time limit draw.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 9,284 a tournament was held for the Southern heavyweight title. Results: Bugsy McGraw defeated The Dream Machine (Troy Graham)… Bill Dundee defeated Mr. Onita… Ron Bass defeated Jerry Lawler… Steve Keirn defeated Mr. Fuchi… Steve Keirn defeated Ron Bass… Bugsy McGraw defeated Bill Dundee… Steve Keirn defeated Bugsy McGraw to win the Southern heavyweight title… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Ricky & Robert Gibson… Bullwhip on a ladder match: Dutch Mantel defeated Tojo Yamamoto… Steve Keirn & Bill Dundee defeated Mr. Onita & Mr. Fuchi in a hair vs hair match.

07-21-1981: At the WWF TV tapings in Allentown, PA Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated The Moondogs (Spot & Rex) to win the WWF World tag team titles. On the same show Mr. Saito made his WWF debut teaming with Mr. Fuji to defeat Curt Hennig & Terry Gunn. Later in the show they also won over Steve King & SD Jones.

In Portland, OR The Destroyer unmasks and reveals he is David Sierra who would go on to do several other masked gimmicks in the area.

07-24-1981: Bobo Brazil defeats Johnny Valiant for the WWA World title in Indianapolis, IN.

07-25-1981: Finn Balor / Prince Devitt (Fergal Devitt) is born.

WWF in Baltimore, MD: Civic Center attendance 11,600: Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jack Carson… Ron Shaw defeated Chris Canyon (AKA: King Kong Bundy)… Dominic DeNucci defeated Bulldog Brower… S.D. Jones defeated Larry Sharpe (sub. for Chris Canyon)… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated Pedro Morales via DQ… WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated Capt. Lou Albano (sub. for Moondog Spot) & Moondog Rex… Bruno Sammartino defeated Angelo Mosca via count-out.

AWA in Chicago, IL: Laurent Soucie beat Chris Curtis… Brad Rheingans beat Ben LeLeon… Tito Santana battled Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey to a draw… Ray Stevens beat Buck Zumhofe… Jerry Blackwell beat Baron Von Raschke… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel beat The Crusher.

07-26-1981: Afa & Sika the Samoans defeated Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch for the Mid-South tag team titles in Monroe, LA.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,869: Nick DeCarlo defeats Goldie Rogers… Billy Red Lyons defeats Bob Marcus… Tony Parisi defeats Frankie Laine… Greg Valentine defeats Sweet Ebony Diamond (Rocky Johnson)… Ric Flair & Andre The Giant defeat Roddy Piper & Ray Stevens… Angelo Mosca defeats NWA Canadian Heavyweight champion Mr. Fuji in a Texas Death match.

07-27-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 9,628: Jerry Lawler defeated The Dream Machine (Troy Graham) by DQ… Bill Dundee & Dutch Mantel & Steve Keirn defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi in a bullwhip match… In a No DQ, No Time Limit match: Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis)… Bugsy McGraw defeated Koko Ware… Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated Jim Dalton… Sonny King defeated Tom Stanton.

07-28-1981: In Tampa, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Dory Funk, Jr. by DQ with special referee John Heath.

07-29-1981: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled Terry Funk to a double count out.

07-30-1981: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled Dory Funk, Jr. to a double DQ.

07-31-1981: In Melbourne, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Buzz Sawyer.

In Los Angeles, CA: Great Goliath beat Sal Bellomo to win the European title.

07-1981 (unspecified): At an AWA TV taping for AWA All-Star Wrestling and then at the house shows in July, Hulk Hogan turns babyface. Crusher Jerry Blackwell attacks Brad Rheingans and Hulk Hogan makes the save. Hogan is managed at the time by Johnny Valiant who sides with Crusher Blackwell.

08-01-1981: WWF at the Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum Attendance 19,500. Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Angelo Mosca won a $10,000 20-man battle royal and due to prematch stipulations earned a world title match later in the show… Larry Sharpe defeated Jack Carson… Bulldog Brower defeated Ron Shaw… Killer Khan defeated Curt Hennig… Pat Patterson defeated Sgt. Slaughter in an alley fight… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated S.D. Jones… Andre the Giant defeated Moondog Rex… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Angelo Mosca… WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea defeated George Steele via DQ… WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel pinned Moondog Spot.

08-03-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 11,600. Results: Jerry Lawler & Mystery Partner (Jimmy Valiant) battled to a no contest with Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Bugsy McGraw managed by Jimmy Hart… Koko Ware & Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated Jim Dalton & Tom Stanton… Plowboy Frazier battled to a no contest with The Phantom (Sonny King)… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn by DQ… Rick & Robert Gibson defeated Mr. Onita & Mr. Fuchi… In a Judo Jacket Match Dutch Mantel defeated Tojo Yamamoto by DQ.

08-06-1981: Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Don Diamond for the Mississippi title in Greenville, MS.

New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,000: Shown August 7, 1981 on TV: Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) beat Scorpio, Sr… Makoto Arakawa beat Black Cat… Ryuma Go beat Akira Maeda… Roland Bock & Michael Nador beat Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Abdullah the Butcher battled Seiji Sakaguchi to a no contest… Tatsumi Fujinami beat Stan Lane… Antonio Inoki pinned The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie).

08-07-1981: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,414: Buzz Tyler & JJ Dillon defeats Bob Sweetan & Ron Sexton 2 falls to 1… Bobo Brazil defeats Gene Lewis by DQ… Pat O'Connor defeats Bobby Jaggers… Kerry Von Erich & Dick the Bruiser defeat Dick Murdoch & Baron Von Raschke… David Von Erich wrestled Rocky Johnson to a 20 minute draw… Ken Patera wrestled Jack Brisco to a double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeats Ric Flair 2 falls to 1.

08-08-1981: Wahoo McDaniel wins the NWA U.S. title from Roddy Piper in Greensboro, NC.

WWF in Boston, MA at Boston Garden - Attendance: 13,414: Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Johnny Rodz… Roberto Soto battled Curt Hennig to a draw… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea… Pedro Morales defeated George Steele via DQ… Angelo Mosca defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund due to blood loss stoppage… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan… Dominic DeNucci defeated Moondog Spot… S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel defeated Moondog Rex.

AWA in St. Paul, MN: Buck Zumhofe beat Kenny Jay… Baron Von Raschke beat Eddie Boulder (AKA: Brutus Beefcake/Ed Leslie)… Billy Robinson battled Tito Santana to a draw… Hulk Hogan & Brad Rheingans beat Ray Stevens & Jerry Blackwell… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey by DQ.

08-09-1981: IWE Japan holds it’s last show. Might Inoue, Goro Tsurumi, Hiromichi Fuyuki, Ashura Hara, and Nobuyoshi Sugawara join All Japan Pro Wrestling.

In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: Blackjack Mulligan, Jr. (Barry Windham) defeated French Angel… Professor Sonoda defeated Abe Jacobs… Bruno Sammartino, Jr. battled Bryan St. John to a draw… Big John Studd & Mike Sharpe defeated Bruce (Butch) Reed & George Wells… Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated Steve O… Bruiser Brody defeated Blackjack Mulligan in a Lumberjack match… Tommy Rich defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) to retain the NWA Georgia title… Jimmy Snuka & Terry Gordy defeated Ted DiBiase & Michael Hayes to retain the NWA National tag team titles.

In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Dory Funk, Jr.

AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey beat AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ… Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell… Jerry Blackwell battled Brad Rheingans to a non contest… Billy Robinson beat Ed Boulder (Ed Leslie)… Hulk Hogan beat Terry Scholes & Nacho Barrera & Chuck Gonzales… Laurent Soucie beat Kenny Jay.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 11,855: Frankie Lane wrestled Steve Bolus to a 15 minute draw… Billy Red Lyons defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) via DQ… Tony Parisi defeats Goldie Rogers… Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood defeat NWA Mid-Atlantic tag team champions Chris Markoff & Nikolai Volkoff by DQ… NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff defeats Ricky Steamboat… Andre The Giant defeats Roddy Piper… NWA Canadian champion Angelo Mosca defeats Ray Stevens.

08-10-1981: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,246: The Heartbreakers beat Koko Ware & Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… The Phantom beat Chief Thundercloud… Ricky & Robert Gibson battled Atsushi Onita & Masa Fuchi to a no contest… Dutch Mantel beat Tojo Yamamoto in a bullwhip vs. kendo stick match… Jerry Lawler beat Dream Machine (Troy Graham) via DQ… Bill Dundee & Plowboy Frazier & Steve Keirn beat Bugsy McGraw & The Nightmares in a back alley street brawl match.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico: Abdullah the Butcher defeated Carlos Colon to win the WWC Puerto Rican & North American titles.

08-11-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Hesterly Armory The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes by DQ. On the same show Charlie Cook defeated Dory Funk, Jr. for the Florida title.

08-12-1981: Buddy Austin (Francis Gabor) dies.

In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,363: The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes by DQ… Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Terry & Dory Funk, Jr… Jill Fontaine & Barbie Doll defeated Donna Christianello & Diamond Lil… Jerry Lawler battled Buzz Sawyer to a draw… Assassin III (Mr. Saito) defeated Carlos Colon… Mike Graham defeated Hiro Matsuda… Bobby Jaggers defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young)… Charlie Cook defeated Jim Kent… Kiwi Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) defeated Cocoa Samoa & Bubba Douglas.

08-13-1981: In Jacksonville, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) to a double DQ.

08-14-1981: Kofi Kingston is born.

WWF in Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - Attendance: 17,700: The Red Demon defeated Bill Dixon… Dominic DeNucci defeated Tony Altimore… Jim Grabmire defeated Billy Berger… Andre the Giant battled Killer Khan to a double DQ… Tony Atlas defeated Angelo Mosca via count-out… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny DeFazio… WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated The Moondogs (Spot & Rex)

In Sarasota, FL at the Robarts Arena: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled to a double DQ with Dory Funk, Jr.

08-15-1981: In Key West, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled Dory Funk, Jr. to a double DQ.

08-16-1981: In Jackson, TN Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Steve Keirn to win the Southern heavyweight title.

In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes battled The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) to a double count out.

08-17-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 7,889: Lights Out, Stretcher Match, No Time Limit, No DQ, Barbed Wire: Dutch Mantel defeated Tojo Yamamoto… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) & Bugsy McGraw & Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Jerry Lawler & Dutch Mantel & Rick Gibson & Robert Gibson by DQ… Masa Fuchi & Mr. Onita defeated Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn… Plowboy Frazier & Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated The Heartbreakers… Koko Ware defeated Tom Stanton.

08-22-1981: Nick Bockwinkel retains the AWA World heavyweight title over Tito Santana in Milwaukee, WI. In a handicap match Hulk Hogan defeated Adrian Adonis & Nacho Berrea.

WWF in Rochester, NY at the War Memorial - Attendance: 8,122: Mike Hall defeated Tony Altimore… Steve King defeated Angelo Gomez… Roberto Soto defeated Johnny Rodz… Pat Patterson battled Angelo Mosca to a double DQ… Curt Hennig defeated Frank Savage… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel… Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Andre the Giant battled Killer Khan to a double DQ… Dominic DeNucci defeated Moondog Spot… WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea defeated Moondog Rex… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele.

08-24-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 22,000. Results: Curt Hennig defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Dominic DeNucci defeated Frank Savage… SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz… El Canek defeated Jose Estrada… WWF champion Bob Backlund battled WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco to a 60 minute time limit draw… Pedro Morales defeated Angelo Mosca by DQ… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan in a Texas Death Match with Pat Patterson and Gorilla Monsoon as special referees… Tony Garea defeated Bulldog Bower… Rick Martel defeated Moondog Spot… Tony Atlas defeated Moondog Rex.

At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 8,089 Jerry Lawler defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) to win the Southern heavyweight title. Also on the card Bugsy McGraw defeated Steve Keirn to win the Mid-America title… Rick & Robert Gibson defeated The Heartbreakers (Joey Cagle & Rocky Sortar)… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Koko Ware & Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… The Nightmares & Jimmy Hart & The Heartbreakers defeated Plowboy Frazier & Koko Ware & Roy Rogers & Ricky & Robert Gibson… Dutch Mantel & Bill Dundee defeated Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi by DQ.

08-25-1981: In Tampa, FL Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Mr. Saito) to win the North American tag team titles.

08-29-1981: NWA National champion Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated NWA Georgia champion Tommy Rich to win both titles in Atlanta, GA at the Omni. In other matches: French Angel defeated Rick Ferrara… Bruno Sammartino, Jr. defeated David Sierra… Steve O defeated Professor Sonoda… Kevin Von Erich defeated Bryan St. John… Bruiser Brody defeated Chris Canyon (AKA: King Kong Bundy)… George Wells & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Mike Sharpe & Big John Studd… Michael Hayes & Andre the Giant defeated Jimmy Snuka & Terry Gordy.

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) in a Texas Death Match… Jack Brisco defeated Dory Funk, Jr… Jerry Brisco defeated The Assassin III and unmasked him as Mr. Saito in a hair vs mask match… Jerry Lawler battled Terry Funk to a double count out in a taped fist match… Charlie Cook defeated Buzz Sawyer to retain the Florida title… Kiwi Sheepherders (Jonathan Boyd & Luke Williams) defeated Mike Graham & Steve Keirn… El Gran Apollo defeated Bobby Jaggers… Tommy Gilbert battled Hiro Matsuda to a draw.

WWF in Springfield, MA at the Civic Center Attendance: 9,000: S.D. Jones defeated Johnny Rodz… Roberto Soto defeated Pete Doherty… Curt Hennig defeated Jose Estrada via DQ… Angelo Mosca defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea… Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci… WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Pedro Morales battled WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco to a double DQ… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele in a Texas death match.

08-30-1981: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 15,000: Billy Red Lyons wrestled Frankie Laine to a 20 minute draw… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Steve Bolus… NWA Mid-Atlantic tag team champions Nikolai Volkoff & Chris Markoff defeats Dewey Robertson & Tony Parisi… NWA Canadian Heavyweight champion Angelo Mosca defeats Greg Valentine… NWA World tag team champions The Andersons (Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson) defeats Ric Flair & Jay Youngblood in a Texas Death match… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeats Big John Studd.

08-31-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with an attendance of 9,110. Results: Bill Dundee & Jerry Lawler defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Jimmy Hart where Hart lost the fall and must leave town… Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated The Nightmares (Danny Davis & Ken Wayne) and Ken Wayne must leave town after losing the fall… Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated Buddy Wayne… Koko Ware defeated The Assassin I (Jim Dalton)… King Cobra defeated The Assassin II (Tom Stanton)… Dutch Mantel defeated Tojo Yamamoto… Dutch Mantel & Koko Ware & King Cobra & Roy Rogers defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Buddy Wayne & The Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin… The Heartbreakers (Joey Cagle & Rocky Sortar) defeated Plowboy Frazier… Ricky Morton & Eddie Gilbert defeated Mr. Onita & Mr. Fuchi to win the Southern tag team titles… Bugsy McGraw defeated Steve Keirn by DQ.

In Birmingham, AL at Boutwell Auditorium Dennis Condrey defeated Ray Candy for the Alabama title.

An episode of the Phil Donahue show airs devoted to pro wrestling featuring AWA wrestlers including a match between Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell against Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis.

09-04-1981: The third famous Tupelo, Mississippi concession stand brawl takes place. There had been two previous ones in 1979 and 1980. This one featured Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton fighting Masa Fuchi & Atsushi Onita.

09-06-1981: Ron Bass defeats Greg Valentine for the NWA TV title in Asheville, NC.

09-07-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with an attendance of 7,236 The Heartbreakers (Joey Cagle & Rocky Sortar) defeated Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton to win the Southern tag team titles… Steve Keirn defeated Bugsy McGraw to win the Mid-America title…. The Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Jerry Lawler in a match where Lawler had to leave town.

In West Palm Beach, FL The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes by DQ.

09-08-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Harley Race in a lights out match.

09-09-1981: In Miami Beach, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Harley Race by DQ.

09-11-1981: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,985: Gene Lewis & JJ Dillon defeat Bulldog Brown & Terry Gibbs 2 falls to 1… Bob Sweetan defeats Buzz Tyler… Billy Robinson wrestled Pat O'Connor to a no contest… Rufus R. Jones wrestled Baron Von Raschke to a 20 minute draw… David Von Erich & Dick the Bruiser defeat Sgt. Slaughter & Johnny Valiant… Harley Race defeats Kerry Von Erich… Texas Death Match: Jack Brisco defeats Ken Patera.

09-12-1981: WWF in Boston, MA at the Boston Garden Attendance: 13,997: Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Pete Doherty… Roberto Soto defeated Jose Estrada… WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Killer Khan & George Steele… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated Pedro Morales via DQ… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Angelo Mosca… S.D. Jones defeated Johnny Rodz via DQ… Curt Hennig defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Dominic DeNucci defeated Jose Estrada.

AWA in Chicago, IL: Paul Christy battled Jose Martinez to a draw… Spike Huber beat Johnny Starr… Billy Robinson beat Johnny Valiant… Pat & Mike Kelly beat Bobo Brazil & Wilbur Snyder… Dick the Bruiser beat Baron Von Raschke… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura.

09-13-1981: Jerry Brisco wins the NWA World Junior heavyweight title from Les Thornton in Orlando, FL. at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium. In other matches: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) in a Bullrope match… Jack Brisco defeated Mr. Saito… Charlie Cook & Mike Graham defeated Dory Funk, Jr. & Tully Blanchard… Jerry Lawler defeated Bobby Jaggers… Kiwi Sheepherders (Jonathan Boyd & Luke Williams) defeated Tommy Gilbert & Coco Samoa… Mr. Saito defeated Bubba Douglas.

AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Evan Johnson beat Kenny Jay… Buck Zumhofe beat George Gadaski… Tito Santana beat Eddie Boulder (Ed Leslie)… Billy Robinson beat Ray Stevens… Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell & Hulk Hogan battled Jerry Blackwell & Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis to a no contest… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel
beat Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey.

09-14-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with an attendance of 7,371 Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated The Heartbreakers (Joey Cagle & Rocky Sortar) to win the Southern tag team titles… Jimmy Valiant won a 14 man elimination battle royal to win the Southern heavyweight title.

09-17-1981: Ric Flair wins the NWA World heavyweight title for the first time when he defeats champion Dusty Rhodes in Kansas City, MO.

09-18-1981: EMLL holds it’s 48th Anniversary show at Arena Mexico in Mexico City. 48th Anniversary Show: Yanco beat Bufalo Salvaje… Babe Face & Tony Salazar & Fishman beat Ringo Mendoza & El Faraon & El Satanico via DQ… Mexican National Lightweight champion Fuerza Guerrera pinned Negro Casas… Cachorro Mendoza beat Mocha Cota in a hair vs. hair match… Vengador lost a mask vs. mask vs. mask match against Espectro, Jr. and Supremo… Alfonso Dantes beat Enrique Verato win the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title.

09-21-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 20,920. Results: Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Mr. Saito & Mr. Fuji co-won a 20 Man battle royal which included Rick Martel, Bulldog Brower, Ron Shaw, Curt Hennig, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Steve O, Jose Estrada, Great Yatsu, Mil Mascaras, Pedro Morales, Angelo Mosca, Killer Khan, Johnny Rodz, Roberto Soto, Larry Sharpe, Tony Garea, SD Jones, and Dominic DeNucci… Steve O defeated Ron Shaw… Mr. Fuji defeated Curt Hennig… Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci… Mr. Saito defeated Roberto Soto… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco in a Texas Death Match… Pedro Morales defeated Larry Sharpe… Mil Mascaras defeated Bulldog Brower… WWF tag team champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 6,912: Dream Machine (Troy Graham) & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) defeated Rocky Johnson & Jimmy Valiant… Masa Fuchi & Mr. Onita defeated Ricky Morton & Eddie Gilbert… Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis)… Bill Dundee defeated The Heartbreakers in a loser leaves town match… Steve Keirn battled Dutch Mantel to a no contest… Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated The Assassin (unknown).

09-23-1981: Andre the Giant battles Stan Hansen to a wild no contest in Tokyo, Japan at Denen Coliseum in Tokyo: Attendance 13,500.

Eddie Mansfield defeated Tommy Gilbert to win the Florida TV title in Tampa, FL.

09-25-1981: Great Kabuki defeats Kerry Von Erich in Lawton, OK for the World Class American title.

09-26-1981: In Memphis, TN at the Cook Convention Center Stan Lane & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) defeated Rick Gibson & Bill Dundee (substituting for Robert Gibson) to win the Southern tag team titles… Dutch Mantel defeated Steve Keirn to win the Mid-America title… Jimmy Valiant defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) in a match that allowed Jerry Lawler to return to Memphis.

WWF: Baltimore Civic Center: Attendance 19,500 (sellout): Great Yatsu (Yoshiaki Yatsu) defeats Baron Mikel Scicluna… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeats Joe Cox… Angelo Mosca defeats SD Jones… Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeat Dominic DeNucci & Roberto Soto… Donna Christianello & The Fabulous Moolah defeat Candi Malloy & Judy Martin… WWF Tag Team champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeat Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada by DQ… Pedro Morales defeats WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco by DQ… George Steele wrestled Tony Atlas to a Double Count Out… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeats Killer Khan.

09-27-1981: Michael Hayes & Otis Sistrunk win the NWA National tag team titles from Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka in Atlanta, GA.

09-28-1981: Tommy Rich defeats Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) for the NWA National title in Augusta, GA.

10-02-1981: AWA in Denver, CO: Bobby Heenan beat Buck Zumhofe… Billy Robinson beat Sheik Adnan Al Kaissey… Hulk Hogan & Jim Brunzell & Greg Gagne beat Jerry Blackwell & Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel drew Tito Santana.

St Louis, MO: Checkerdome: Attendance 18,055: Record attendance and gate: Dewey Robertson wrestled Bob Brown to a 15 minute draw… Rufus R. Jones defeats Gene Lewis… The Von Erichs (Kevin Von Erich & Kerry Von Erich & David Von Erich) defeat Johnny Valiant & Greg Valentine & JJ Dillon… Dick the Bruiser defeats Baron Von Raschke… Jack Brisco defeats NWA Missouri champion Ted DiBiase to win the title… Andre The Giant & Rocky Johnson defeat Ken Patera & Sgt. Slaughter via DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Ric Flair wrestled Harley Race to a time limit draw after splitting one fall each.

10-03-1981: WWF in Springfield, MA at the Civic Center Attendance: 8,000: Women's Champion Fabulous Moolah & Donna Christanello defeated Kandi Malloy & Judy Martin… Curt Hennig defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz… Tony Atlas defeated Ron Shaw… Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated Dominic DeNucci & S.D. Jones… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel… Mil Mascaras defeated George Steele… Andre the Giant & Pedro Morales defeated Angelo Mosca & Killer Khan.

10-04-1981: WWF make their debut at the Brendan Byrne Arena (Meadowlands): Attendance 10,961: in East Rutherford, NJ and the show features what is billed as Bruno Sammartino’s last match as a full time wrestler and he defeats George “The Animal” Steele. In other matches: Curt Hennig defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Women's Champion Fabulous Moolah & Donna Christanello defeated Kandi Malloy & Judy Martin… Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated S.D. Jones & Dominic DeNucci… WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Larry Sharpe & Bulldog Brower… Tony Atlas defeated The Executioner (Ron Shaw)… Andre the Giant defeated Angelo Mosca… Mil Mascaras defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco via DQ.

AWA in Minneapolis, MN: Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell by count out… Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey beat Baron Von Raschke… Jim Brunzell beat Bobby Heenan… Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis beat Billy Robinson & Tito Santana… Evan Johnson battled Laurent Soucie to a draw… Buck Zumhofe beat Ed Boulder (Ed Leslie)

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: Attendance 11,000: Steve Bolus wrestled Frankie Laine to a 20 minute draw… Tony Parisi defeats Goldie Rogers… NWA United States champion Sgt. Slaughter defeats Jay Youngblood… Killer Khan defeats Johnny Weaver… Pat Patterson defeats Ivan Koloff… Leroy Brown defeats Ole Anderson by DQ… Wahoo McDaniel & Dusty Rhodes wrestled Roddy Piper & Abdullah The Butcher to a curfew time limit draw.

10-08-1981: Former IWE wrestlers Rusher Kimura, Animal Hamaguchi, and Isamu Teranishi join New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) & Bobby Jaggers to win the vacant North American tag team titles in Jacksonville, FL.

New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,800": Shown October 9, 1981 on TV: Shinichi Nakano beat Nobuhiko Takada… Haruka Eigen & Makoto Arakawa beat Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Junji Hirata… The Assassin (Tom Renesto, Jr.) beat Akira Maeda… Negro Navarro & El Texano & El Signo beat George Takano & Kantaro Hoshino & Gran Hamada… Shozo Kobayashi & Seiji Sakaguchi drew Bad News Allen & Billy Crusher (Bill Eadie)… Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) beat Masked Hurricane (Bobby Lee) in a mask vs. mask match… Stan Hansen & Hulk Hogan beat Riki Choshu & Dino Bravo… Animal Hamaguchi beat Ryuma Go… Tatsumi Fujiwara beat Isamu Teranishi… Rusher Kimura beat Antonio Inoki via DQ.

10-09-1981: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: 10th Anniversary Show: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,000: Mr. Hayashi pinned Masaji (Tarzan) Goto… Mitsuo Momota & Mitsuharu Misawa beat Nobuyoshi Sugawara & Hiromichi Fuyuki… Motoshi Okuma & The Great Kojika beat Rocky Hata & Shiro Koshinaka… Kintaro Oki pinned Mister X… Akio Sato & Takahashi Ishikawa beat Buck Robley & The Destroyer (Dick Beyer)… Jimmy Snuka pinned Prince Tonga (Haku/Meng)… Ashura Hara & Genichiro Tenryu & Terry Funk beat Dominic DeNucci & Harley Race & Mister X… IWA Heavyweight champion Mil Mascaras pinned Mighty Inoue… Bruiser Brody beat Dory Funk, Jr. via DQ to win the NWA International title… NWA World champion Ric Flair beat Jumbo Tsuruta… Giant Baba & Bruno Sammartino battled Tiger Jeet Singh & Umanosuke Ueda to a double count out.

WWF in Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena: Attendance: 16,000: Johnny DeFazio defeated Tony Altimore… Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah & Donna Christianello defeated Kandi Malloy & Judy Martin… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund battled WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco to a 60-minute draw… Angelo Mosca defeated S.D. Jones… Pedro Morales defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Tony Atlas defeated The Executioner (Ron Shaw)… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan in a Mongolian Stretcher Match with Gorilla Monsoon as the guest referee.

10-10-1981: Ricky Steamboat regains the Mid Atlantic title from Ivan Koloff. Greensboro Coliseum; Greensboro NC. In other matches: Wahoo McDaniel defeated Roddy Piper… Leroy Brown defeated Ole Anderson… Sgt. Slaughter defeated Sweet Ebony Diamond… Sgt. Jacques Goulet defeated Tony Anthony… Ron Ritchie defeated Ricky Harris (AKA: Black Bart)… Don Kernodle defeated Mike Miller… Mike Davis beat Tony Russo

WWF in Boston, MA at Boston Garden: Attendance: 13,002: Jerry Johnson defeated Fred Marzino… Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada defeated Pete Mitchell & Angelo Gomez… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund battled WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco to a 60-minute draw… Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated Curt Hennig & Lee Wong… WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated The Executioner (Ron Shaw) & Joe Cox… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan in a Mongolian Stretcher Match.

10-11-1981: Blackjack Mulligan defeats Bobo Brazil for the WWA title in Indianapolis, IN.

10-12-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum with an attendance of 6,000 TV star Andy Kaufman took on four women from the audience in a $500 challenge. In other matches: Ricky Morton & Eddie Gilbert defeated Bobby Monroe & The Assassin II (unknown)… Stan Lane battled Steve Keirn to a no contest… Tojo Yamamoto defeated Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… Bill Dundee defeated Chick Donovan… In a Hospital Elimination Match: Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) by DQ… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Dutch Mantel… No time limit, No DQ: Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) defeated Jerry Lawler.

10-15-1981: In Jackson, MS Junkyard Dog & Mike George defeated Afa & Sika the Samoans for the Mid-South tag team titles.

10-16-1981: After a successful title defense against Steve Travis, WWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami vacates the title in order to move up to the heavyweight division.

Les Thornton defeats Jerry Brisco for the NWA World Junior heavyweight title in Knoxville, TN.

10-17-1981: WWF in Landover, MD at Capital Centre: Attendance: 19,000: Evening Show: Curt Hennig defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Jose Estrada defeated Joe Cox… Johnny Rodz defeated Lee Wong… Angelo Mosca defeated Tony Garea… Rick Martel defeated George Steele… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan in a Mongolian Stretcher Match… WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated Tony Atlas & S.D. Jones… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund battled WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco to a 60-minute draw.

WWF in Philadelphia, PA at the Spectrum: Attendance: 15,078: Night Show: Curt Hennig defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada… Pedro Morales defeated Angelo Mosca via DQ… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) battled WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco to a 60-minute time-limit draw… Tony Atlas defeated George Steele… Andre the Giant battled Killer Khan to a double count-out… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Larry Sharpe & Bulldog Brower.

AWA in Chicago, IL: Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis… Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell by count out… Wilbur Snyder beat Sgt. Jacques (Rene) Goulet… Bobo Brazil battled Blackjack Mulligan to a double DQ… Billy Robinson beat Bobby Heenan… El Bracero beat George Gadaski.

10-18-1981: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: Brian Blair battled Bryan St. John to a draw… Steve O defeated Jim Duggan… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Mike Sharpe… Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo… Great Kabuki defeated George Wells… Michael Hayes defeated Terry Gordy in a Baby Bottle Match… Tommy Rich & Dick Slater defeated Ray Stevens & Tor Kamata… Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

10-19-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 18,120. Results: Curt Hennig defeated Joe Cox… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito by referee stoppage… Pedro Morales defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco due to referee stoppage due to blood. Muraco retained the title… Dusty Rhodes defeated Ron Shaw… WWF champion Bob Backlund went to a no contest with Greg Valentine. This match had a controversial finish. Backlund pinned Valentine but dazed referee John Stanley gave the title to Valentine and raised his hand by mistake. The State Athletic Commission became involved and held up the WWF title pending an investigation though Backlund continued to defend the title on other WWF shows… Pat Patterson defeated Angelo Mosca… Dominic DeNucci & SD Jones defeated Jose Estrada & Johnny Rodz… Tony Atlas defeated Killer Khan via count out.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 7,345: Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Chick Donovan & Bobby Monroe… Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton defeated The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis)… Steve Keirn defeated Stan Lane by DQ… Dutch Mantel defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) by DQ… Jimmy Hart defeated Jerry Calhoun… Loser Leaves Town: Bill Dundee & Tojo Yamamoto defeated Mr. Onita & Masa Fuchi… Non-sanctioned, barbed wire match: Jerry Lawler defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware)… Jerry Lawler defeated Killer Karl Krupp by DQ.

10-23-1981: La Fiera defeats Lizmark for the NWA Welterweight title in Mexico City.

10-24-1981:  Big Time Wrestling holds another Star Wars card at Reunion Arena in Dallas, TX.  Results: Frank Dusek defeated Jesse Leon... Terry Orndorff defeated Richard Blood (not Ricky Steamboat)... Chan Chung (AKA: Kendo Nagasaki) defeated Big Daddy Bundy (AKA: King Kong Bundy) by DQ... Junkyard Dog defeated Armand Hussein... Ernie Ladd defeated Jose Lothario to retain the Texas Brass Knux title... David Von Erich defeated Killer Tim Brooks in a Bunkhouse match... Kerry Von Erich & Terry Orndorff defeated Great Kabuki & Chan Chung to win the NWA American tag team titles... Al Madril defeated Bill Irwin by DQ to retain the NWA Texas title.

WWF in Baltimore, MD at the Civic Center: Attendance: 11,400: Johnny Rodz battled Jose Estrada to a 20-minute time-limit draw… The Executioner (Ron Shaw) defeated Curt Hennig… S.D. Jones defeated Bulldog Brower… Larry Sharpe defeated Jerry Johnson… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito via DQ… Pat Patterson defeated Angelo Mosca… Tony Atlas defeated George Steele in a steel cage.

10-25-1981: AWA in St. Paul, MN: Attendance: 17,168: Evan Johnson beat Eddie Boulder (Ed Leslie)… Tito Santana beat Bobby Heenan… Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Billy Robinson & Rene Goulet… Sheik Adnon Al Kaissey beat Baron Von Raschke by DQ… Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell… $100,000 Dollar 18 Man Battle Royal: Andre The Giant wins over Adrian Adonis, Baron Von Raschke, Billy Robinson, Bobby Duncum, Bobby Heenan, Buck Zumhofe, Eddie Boulder, Evan Johnson, Greg Gagne, Jerry Blackwell, Jesse Ventura, Jim Brunzell, Ken Patera, Laurent Soucie, Rene Goulet, Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie, Tito Santana.

Big Time Wrestling: Star Wars: in Dallas, TX: Reunion Arena drawing: Frank Dusek pinned Jesse Leon… Terry Orndorff pinned Richard Blood… Chan Chung beat Big Daddy Bundy via DQ… Junkyard Dog pinned Armand Hussein… World Class Brass Knuckles champion Ernie Ladd pinned Jose Lothario… David Von Erich beat Killer Tim Brooks in a bunkhouse match… Kerry Von Erich & Terry Orndorff beat The Great Kabuki & Chan Chung to win the World Class tag team titles… World Class Texas champion Al Madril beat Bill Irwin via DQ.

10-26-1981: Dutch Mantel defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) to win the Southern title at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN.

In West Palm Beach, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Charlie Cook in a Lumberjack match.

10-27-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Harley Race.

10-28-1981: In Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the Sunrise Musical Theatre: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Mike Graham.

10-30-1981: In Los Angeles, CA: Fishman beat Perro Aguayo for WWF Light Heavyweight title.

10-31-1981: Roddy Piper joins Gordon Solie as the color commentator for Georgia Championship Wrestling. The show also saw the return of Austin Idol under a mask attacking Michael Hayes. Also returning are Ivan Koloff and Gene & Ole Anderson.

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ… The Assassin I (Jody Hamilton) defeated Bugsy McGraw in a mask vs hair match… Jerry Brisco defeated Les Thornton by DQ… The Spoiler (Don Jardine) defeated Steve Sybert & Mike Bond in a handicap match… Ron Ritchie won a 6-man elimination match over David Sierra, Cocoa Samoa, Bobby Jaggers, Buzz Sawyer, and Eddie Mansfield… Charlie Cook defeated Rick Oliver… Eric Embry battled James J. Dillon to a draw… Masa Fuchi & Mr. Onita defeated Bubba Douglas & Chic Donovan.

11-1981: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine (cover date February 1982) hits the stands featuring Ric Flair on the cover. Includes stories on Ken Patera, Bob Backlund, Harley Race, and Rick Martel.

11-01-1981: Roddy Piper wins the Mid Atlantic title from Ricky Steamboat in Greensboro, NC. In other matches: United States title: Leroy Brown defeated Sgt. Slaughter by DQ… Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Jake Roberts… The Grappler (Len Denton) defeated Jay Youngblood… Jimmy Valiant defeated Ricky Harris (AKA: Black Bart)… The Ninja defeated Mike Davis… Blackjack Mulligan, Jr (Barry Windham) defeated Jim Nelson… Buddy Landell defeated Mike Miller.

Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Bruiser Brody to retain the NWA International title in Japan.

In Lake Charles, LA Ted DiBiase defeated Paul Orndorff to win the North American title.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Big Red defeated Mike Sharpe… Bruno Sammartino, Jr. defeated French Angel… Terry Gordy defeated Brian Blair… Michael Hayes defeated Bryan St. John… Great Kabuki defeated Steve O… Austin Idol defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) by DQ… Dick Slater defeated Ray Stevens by DQ… Stan Hansen & Tommy Rich defeated Super Destroyer & Tor Kamata with Big Red as special referee… Ric Flair defeated Tommy Rich by DQ to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

11-03-1981: In Mobile, AL Jimmy Golden & Randy Rose defeated Robert Fuller & Jos LeDuc to win the NWA Southeastern tag team titles.

Ivan Koloff defeats Ron Bass for the NWA TV title in Charlotte, NC.

The Spoiler (Don Jardine) wins the NWA Florida title from Charlie Cook in Tampa, FL.

11-05-1981: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 13,000: Shown November 6, 1981 on TV: El Signo & El Texano & Negro Navarro beat Kantaro Hoshino & Osamu Kido & George Takano… Seiji Sakaguchi & Riki Choshu beat Billy Crusher (Bill Eadie) & Steve Travis… Dino Bravo beat Abdullah the Butcher via DQ… Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) beat Gran Hamada… Kengo Kimura beat Isamu Teranishi… Tatsumi Fujinami beat Animal Hamaguchi via DQ… Antonio Inoki defeated Rusher Kimura in a lumberjack match.

11-06-1981: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,965: Dewey Robertson & Tommy Martin defeat Ron McFarlane & Jerry Brown 2 falls to 1… Bulldog Brown defeats Gene Lewis… Pat O'Connor defeats Ox Baker… David Von Erich & Rufus R. Jones defeat Ken Patera & Bob Sweetan… Sgt. Slaughter wrestled Dick The Bruiser to a Double DQ… Harley Race defeats Rocky Johnson… Kerry Von Erich defeats Greg Valentine.

11-07-1981: WWF in Boston, MA at Boston Garden: Attendance: 14,600: Johnny Rodz defeated Lee Wong… Hans Schroeder defeated Pete Doherty… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito via DQ… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via count-out… S.D. Jones pinned Jose Estrada… Tony Atlas defeated Killer Khan via count-out…The Haiti Kid defeated Little Boy Blue… Pat Patterson defeated Angelo Mosca.

11-08-1981: AWA in St. Paul, MN: Laurent Soucie beat Ed Boulder (Ed Leslie)… Tito Santana beat Rene Goulet… Ken Patera battled Billy Robinson to a double countout… Sheik Adnan Al Kaissey beat Buck Zumhofe… Greg Gagne beat Bobby Duncum by DQ… Hulk Hogan & Andre the Giant beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis & Jerry Blackwell.

11-09-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. Attendance: 5,100: Ricky Morton battled Nightmare Speed (Ken Wayne) to a draw… Tommy Gilbert defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) by DQ… Dream Machine won an elimination match over: Plowboy Frazier, Ricky Gibson, Robert Gibson, Tommy Gilbert, Ricky Morton, The Nightmare (Danny Davis), Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich), Speed (Ken Wayne), Super Destroyer (unknown)… Dutch Mantel defeated Gypsy Joe… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Lawler defeated The Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin… Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn battled Stan Lane & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) to a double count out… In a Lumberjack match: Jerry Lawler defeated Killer Karl Krupp.

11-10-1981: In San Jose, CA: Perro Aguayo beat Fishman for WWF Light Heavyweight title.

11-13-1981: AWA in Denver, CO: Bobby Duncum beat Johnny Valiant… Ken Patera beat Jim Brunzell… Tito Santana beat Sheik Adnan Al Kaissey by DQ… Greg Gagne beat Pat Patterson… Hulk Hogan & Andre the Giant beat Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis & Jerry Blackwell.

11-14-1981: WWF in Philadelphia, PA at the Spectrum: Attendance: 11,095: The Haiti Kid defeated Little Boy Blue… Pedro Morales defeated The Executioner (Ron Shaw)… Greg Valentine defeated Tony Garea… WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated Tony Atlas & S.D. Jones via DQ… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Tony Altimore… Curt Hennig defeated Jose Estrada… Johnny Rodz defeated Jerry Johnson… Angelo Mosca defeated Dominic DeNucci… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan in a stretcher match… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco.

11-15-1981: In Toronto, Canada at the Maple Leaf Gardens: Tunney 50th Anniversary Show: Attendance 16,000: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Harley Race… Andre the Giant battled Killer Khan to a double DQ… Angelo Mosca defeated Big John Studd by count out… Ron Bass defeated Mike Miller… Johnny Weaver defeated Charlie Fulton… Tony Parisi & Mike Davis defeated Doug Vines & Izzy Slapowitz.

11-16-1981: Early 1900s World champion wrestler Ali Baba (Arteen Ekizian) dies at the age of 80.

In West Palm Beach, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair battled Jack Brisco to a double DQ.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum. Attendance: 5,823: Ricky Morton battled Gypsy Joe to a draw… The Super Destroyer (unknown) defeated Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… The Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin defeated Ricky & Robert Gibson… Jerry Lawler & Tojo Yamamoto & Ricky Morton defeated Killer Karl Krupp & The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis)… Dream Machine (Troy Graham) defeated Dutch Mantel by DQ… No DQ, No Time Limit: Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn defeated Stan Lane & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) to win the Southern tag team titles… Jerry Lawler defeated Super Destroyer… Jerry Lawler defeated Jimmy Hart by DQ.

11-17-1981: In Tampa, FL at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes.

11-18-1981: Mike Graham defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair by DQ with special referee Pat O’Connor.

11-19-1981: In Jacksonville, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair battled Jack Brisco to a double count out with special referee Pat O’Connor.

11-20-1981: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,760: Chang Chung & Jerry Brown defeat Tommy Martin & Buzz Tyler 2 falls to 1… Gene Lewis wrestled Billy Robinson to a 20 minute draw… Dewey Robertson defeats Ron McFarlane… Rufus R. Jones & Pat O'Connor wrestled Bob Sweetan & Crusher Blackwell to a double count out… NWA Missouri champion Ken Patera defeats Bulldog Bob Brown… Dusty Rhodes defeats Sgt. Slaughter… NWA World Heavyweight Ric Flair defeats David Von Erich 2 falls to 1.

11-21-1981: WWF in Baltimore, MD at the Civic Center: Attendance: 10,040: The Haiti Kid defeated Little Boy Blue… Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King… S.D. Jones defeated Jose Estrada… Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Hans Schroeder & Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Saito defeated Dominic DeNucci… WWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji defeated Curt Hennig… Mil Mascaras defeated The Executioner (Ron Shaw)… Dusty Rhodes defeated Angelo Mosca via DQ… WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated Tony Atlas via count-out… Greg Valentine defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via DQ.

11-23-1981: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Attendance 21,104. Results: Mr. Saito defeated SD Jones… Rick Martel defeated Hans Schroeder… Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Dominic DeNucci & Curt Hennig defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada… Pedro Morales defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco in a Texas Death Match to win the title… Haiti Kid defeated Little Boy Blue… Bob Backlund defeated Greg Valentine to win the held up (in New York) WWF title… Dusty Rhodes defeated Angelo Mosca by count out… Mil Mascaras defeated The Executioner (Ron Shaw)… Tony Atlas defeated Mr. Fuji… Greg Valentine defeated Manuel Soto… WWF Intercontinental champion Pedro Morales defeated Jerry Johnson… Tony Atlas defeated Victor Mercado.

At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN with a crowd of 5,393 fans Andy Kaufman again wrestled four women from the crowd, defeating three and going to a draw with a fourth. In other matches: Texas Tornado Match: Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn defeated Stan Lane & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware)… Ricky Morton defeated Gypsy Joe… Bobby Eaton defeated Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin by DQ… Southern Title vs Diamond Ring: Dutch Mantel (champion) defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) by DQ… Piledriver is Legal Match: Jerry Lawler defeated Super Destroyer by DQ.

11-26-1981: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: National tag team title tournament: Mr. Saito & Mr. Fuji defeated Ted & Jerry Oates… Ray Candy & Buzz Sawyer defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Chris Markoff… Rick Martel & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ray Stevens & Super Destroyer… Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris (AKA: Honky Tonk Man) defeated Steve O & Gran Apollo… Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated The Sheepherders (Jonathan Boyd & Luke Williams)… Terry Gordy & Austin Idol battled Michael Hayes & Big Red to a double DQ… Mr. Saito & Mr. Fuji defeated Ray Candy & Buzz Sawyer… Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris defeated Rick Martel & Mr. Wrestling II… Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris… Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Mr. Saito & Mr. Fuji to win the NWA National tag team titles… Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated Tommy Rich in a Texas Death Match to win the NWA National title.

At the Superdome in New Orleans, LA: Attendance: 18,000: Don Serrano defeated Jesse Barr… Jerry Novak defeated Tony Charles… Ed Wiskowski defeated Jimmy Garvin… Frank Monte & Barbi Doll defeated Ricky Ferrara & Diamond Lil… Iron Sheik defeated King Cobra… Ernie Ladd defeated Kerry Von Erich by count out… Dusty Rhodes defeated Great Kabuki… Ted DiBiase defeated Bob Roop… Junkyard Dog & Mike George defeated Paul Orndorff & Bob Orton, Jr. to retain the Mid-South tag team titles.

At Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC: In a steel cage match: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Ole Anderson… Lights out match: Blackjack Mulligan battled Big John Studd to a double DQ… Jake Roberts won a tournament to win a Cadillac; participants included Greg Valentine, Ivan Koloff, Angelo Mosca, Blackjack Mulligan Jr, Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, Sgt. Slaughter, and Wahoo McDaniel

AWA in St. Paul, MN: Evan Johnson beat Kenny Jay… Adrian Adonis battled Buck Zumhofe to a draw… Judy Martin beat Joyce Grable… Billy Robinson & Tito Santana & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Jerry Blackwell… Hulk Hogan beat Jesse Ventura in arm wrestling… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnan Al Kaissey.

11-28-1981: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Jack Brisco.

11-30-1981: In the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. Attendance: 5,851: Steve Keirn defeated The Nightmare (Danny Davis)… Bobby Eaton defeated Tommy Gilbert… Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose & Norvell Austin) defeated Ricky Morton & Eddie Gilbert… Dutch Mantel defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham)… Loser Gets 10 Lashes: The Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin defeated Ricky & Robert Gibson… Stan Lane defeated Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… Super Destroyer & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) defeated Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee by DQ… Andy Kaufman defeated Foxy in an Intergender championship match.

12-02-1981: Wahoo McDaniel defeated Eddie Mansfield in Miami Beach, FL to win the Florida TV title.

12-04-1981: NWA World champion Ric Flair wins a battle royal and defeats Jack Brisco in St. Louis, MO.

AWA in Denver, CO: Tito Santana beat Bad Boy Brown… Jim Brunzell beat Adrian Adonis… Bobby Duncum beat Greg Gagne… Hulk Hogan beat Jesse Ventura… Judy Martin beat Joyce Grable… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnan Al Kaissey.

12-06-1981: In Orlando, FL at the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Wahoo McDaniel.

12-07-1981: Years before they became one of the most successful tag teams in history, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane team together at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane by DQ. Attendance 5,122. In other matches: No DQ, No Time Limit: Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee defeated Super Destroyer & Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware)… Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated The Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin by DQ… Dutch Mantel defeated Dream Machine (Troy Graham) in a loser wears a chicken suit match… Midnight Express defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Ric McCord… Ricky Morton defeated Gypsy Joe… Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich) defeated The Nightmare (Danny Davis).

Junkyard Dog defeated Great Kabuki in New Orleans, LA at the Municipal Auditorium to win the Louisiana title.

In West Palm Beach, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Jack Brisco.

12-08-1981: In Tampa, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker).

New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Attendance 11,500: Shown December 18, 1981 on TV: Super Maquina beat George Takano… Seiji Sakaguchi battled Bad News Allen to a double count out… Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) battled El Canek to a double count out… Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch beat Tiger Toguchi & Rusher Kimura via DQ… Andre the Giant pinned Killer Khan… Stan Hansen & Roland Bock beat Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami.

12-09-1981: In Miami, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Wahoo McDaniel.

12-10-1981: Bob Sweetan defeats Tommy Martin for the Central States title in Kansas City.

In Jacksonville, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker)

12-11-1981: WWF in Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena: Attendance: 9,000: Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Bruno Sammartino Jr. (David Sammartino) defeated Jose Estrada… Johnny DeFazio defeated Bill Berger… WWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji defeated Tony Atlas via DQ… WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Don Muraco… S.D. Jones defeated Jim Grabmire… WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Saito… Pat Patterson defeated Angelo Mosca.

JCP: Richmond, VA: Coliseum: Attendance: 6,400: NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeated Ole Anderson… Blackjack Mulligan defeated Big John Studd… Jake Roberts defeated Gene Nelson… Jimmy Valiant defeated Chris Markoff… Sgt. Slaughter defeated Paul Jones… Roddy Piper & Ivan Koloff defeated Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood.

12-12-1981: WWF in Philadelphia, PA at the Spectrum: Attendance: 9,620: Johnny Rodz defeated Ron Shaw… S.D. Jones defeated Jose Estrada… Bulldog Brower defeated Curt Hennig… Rick Martel defeated Larry Sharpe by count out… Killer Kahn defeated Tony Garea… Greg Valentine defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by count out… Andre the Giant & Tony Atlas defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito & Lou Albano in a handicap match… Pedro Morales defeated Don Muraco… Pat Patterson defeated Angelo Mosca.

12-13-1981: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Terry Gordy defeated Gran Apollo… Buzz Sawyer defeated Ray Candy… Leroy Brown & Big Red defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & Super Destroyer (Bill Irwin)… Austin Idol defeated Michael Hayes… Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris… Dusty Rhodes defeated Great Kabuki… Ric Flair defeated Tommy Rich to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Atsushi Onita drew Ricky Steamboat… Genichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara beat Umanosuke Ueda & The Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin)… Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta battled Tiger Jeet Singh & Professor Ito to a double count out… Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka beat Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. to win the 1981 Real World Tag League tournament. Following the death of Bruiser Brody in 1988, Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer wrote the following: December 13, 1981. It was time for the finals of Giant Baba's annual tag team tournament. Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka were facing off against The Funk Brothers. The match started out slow, but built up to the point that it is generally regarded as one of the greatest matches in the history of the Orient. Certainly it was among the most memorable. All four men were at their best here and when the dust settled, Stan Hansen had shocked the crowd by showing up at ringside (he had just a few days earlier finished a tour with Inoki, and this arrival signaled his jump to Baba). Brody pinned Dory after a kneedrop to win the tournament. For the next three years, Brody and Hansen repeated the same scene, not always winning, but always getting into the finals of the tournament, and on the final night having classic matches that fans will never forget. And that's the bottom line. Whether you saw him before 200 fans at an independent show, where he made the building look like a tornado had just hit when he was finished, or at a major arena before a sellout crowd, Brody was one of those rare wrestling personalities that fans will never forget.

12-14-1981: Bob Brown replaces an injured Tommy Martin against Bob Sweetan in Wichita, KS and wins the Central States title.

12-21-1981: Sports Illustrated magazine runs a multi-page feature story on Andre the Giant.

12-24-1981: Former wrestler and promoter Rudy Miller dies at age 92.

12-25-1981: Big Time Wrestling holds it’s third Star Wars show from Reunion Arena in Dallas, TX. Results: El Negro Assassino battled Richard Blood to a draw… Tiny Tom defeated Little Tokyo… Jose Lothario defeated Ernie Ladd to win the Texas Brass Knux title… Blue Demon & Al Madril defeated Arman Hussein & Carlos Zapata… El Solitario defeated Killer Tim Brooks to retain the UWA World Junior Lightweight title… Great Kabuki defeated Fritz Von Erich in a Texas Death Match… Kerry & Kevin & David Von Erich defeated Frank Dusek & Bill Irwin & Ten Gu (AKA: Kendo Nagasaki)… Big Daddy Bundy (AKA: King Kong Bundy) wins a two ring battle royal which included Al Madril, Armand Hussein, Bill Irwin, Blue Demon, Carlos Zapata, David Von Erich, Frank Dusek, Jose Lothario, Kerry Von Erich, Killer Tim Brooks, El Negro Assassino, Richard Blood, and Ten Gu.

At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Ron Bass defeated Ted Oates… Jimmy Garvin defeated Terry Gordy by DQ… Buzz Sawyer battled Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) to a double countout… Austin Idol defeated Michael Hayes in a match with two referees… Leroy Brown & Big Red & Andre the Giant defeated Super Destroyer (Bill Irwin) & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & The Assassin (Jody Hamilton)… Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Ox Baker… Tommy Rich defeated Abdullah the Butcher by DQ… Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ to retain the NWA World heavyweight title.

At the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium in Orlando, FL: Dusty Rhodes & Bugsy McGraw defeated Mike Sharpe & Ox Baker… Eric Embry defeated James J. Dillon in a Russian Chain match… Steve Keirn & Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated The Spoiler (Don Jardine) & Masa Fuchi & Mr. Onita… David Sierra defeated Gordon Nelson… Dick Slater defeated Steve Sybert… Bubba Douglas defeated Bill Snyder… Dick Slater defeated Cocoa Samoa.

AWA in St. Paul, MN: Curt Hennig battled Evan Johnson to a draw… Rene Goulet beat Kenny Jack… Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan… Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Al Kaissey beat Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell… Bobby Duncum & Ken Patera beat Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana by DQ… AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson.

12-26-1981: David Von Erich (managed by J.J. Dillon) wins the Southern (Florida) heavyweight title from Jack Brisco in St. Petersburg. Also on the show, Eric Embry wins a tournament final for the Florida TV title… NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair battled Wahoo McDaniel to a 60 minute draw.

WWF in Baltimore, MD at the Civic Center: Attendance: 11,941: Manuel Soto defeated Lee Wong… Larry Sharpe defeated Jerry Johnson… Greg Valentine defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales via count-out… Dominic DeNucci defeated Davey O'Hannon… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan… S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Tony Atlas defeated Don Muraco in a steel cage match.

AWA in Denver, CO: Nick Bockwinkel beat Tito Santana… Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Billy Robinson & Baron Von Raschke… Hulk Hogan beat Sheik Adnan Al Kaissey… Greg Gagne beat Bobby Heenan… Jim Brunzell beat Rene Goulet.

12-27-1981: GCW Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Center: Attendance 11,000: Buzz Sawyer defeats El Gran Apollo… Big Red defeats Terry Gordy… Austin Idol defeats Michael Hayes… NWA National tag team champions The Armstrongs (Bob Armstrong & Brad Armstrong) defeat The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & The Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin)… Dusty Rhodes defeats The Great Kabuki by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Ric Flair defeats Tommy Rich.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: 14,000: Big John Studd defeated Leroy Brown… Andre the Giant defeated Killer Khan… Ivan Koloff defeated Ron Bass… Jake Roberts & Blackjack Mulligan defeated Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) & The Grappler (Len Denton)… Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood defeated Kurt Von Hess & Frankie Lane… Tony Parisi defeated Tim Gerrard… Billy Red Lyons defeated Kurt Von Hess… Farmer Pete defeated Little John.

12-28-1981: At the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. Attendance: 5,740: Randy Rose won a battle royal… Bill Dundee & Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Cuban Assassin & Iranian Assassin & Stan Lane… Sweet Brown Sugar (Koko Ware) defeated Dutch Mantel by DQ… Bobby Eaton defeated Tom Maley… Midnight Express (Norvell Austin & Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) defeated Chief Thundercloud & Ricky Morton & Roy Rogers (Johnny Rich)… The Nightmares (Ken Wayne & Danny Davis) defeated Tim Leonard & Ric McCord… Gypsy Joe defeated Dennis Upton.

12-31-1981: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated The Spoiler to win the Florida title in Jacksonville, FL.

1981 (exact date not known): Steve “Dr. Death” Williams sets a record at the University of Oklahoma for the fastest pinfall in wrestling by pinning Perr Kaufman in 20 seconds. Williams is named an All-American.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year 1981 - Ric Flair

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestler of the Year 1981 - Ric Flair

Tokyo Sports Wrestler of the Year 1981 - Antonio Inoki

Tokyo Sports tag team of the Year 1981 - Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami

Movies - Mexican lucha libre legend El Santo released two movies in 1981: Santo Contra el Asesino de la T.V. (Santo vs the Television Killer) and Chanoc y el Hijo del Santo vs Los Vampiros Asesinos (Chanoc & The Son of Santo vs the Killer Vampires)

Wrestling World Magazine Top 50 for 1981:

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!

If you don't want to use Patreon but still want to support When It Was Cool then how about a one time $5 PayPal donation? Thank you!

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.