2004 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 2004. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesConsejo Mundial de Lucha LibreCMLLGCWLucha Libre AAA WorldwideAAAThe "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.New Japan Pro-WrestlingNJPWRing of HonorROHTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTNAWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWWEWWE divided its roster into two storyline divisions, Raw and SmackDown!, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs.
Calendar of notable shows January DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event4NJPWWrestling WorldTokyo, JapanShinsuke Nakamura (c) defeated Yoshihiro Takayama (c) in a Singles match for both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (Nakamura) and the NWF Heavyweight Championship (Takayama). The NWF title was unified with the IWGP title. As a result, the NWF title was retired.25WWE:Royal RumblePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaChris Benoit won by last eliminating Big Show in a 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania XX(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
February DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event14ROHSecond Anniversary ShowBraintree, MassachusettsA.J. Styles defeated CM Punk in a tournament final for the inaugural Pure Wrestling Championship15WWE:No Way OutDaly City, CaliforniaEddie Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar (c) in a Singles match for the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
March DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event14WWE:WrestleMania XXNew York City, New YorkChris Benoit defeated Triple H (c) and Shawn Michaels by submission in a Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship21AAARey de ReyesNaucalpan, MexicoJeff Jarrett defeated Latin Lover in a Singles match in the 2004 Rey de Reyes tournament final(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
April DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event18WWE:BacklashEdmonton, AlbertaChris Benoit (c) defeated Shawn Michaels and Triple H by submission in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship30CMLL48. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoDamian El Terrible defeated Máscara Mágica in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
May DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event16WWE:Judgment DayLos Angeles, CaliforniaJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated Eddie Guerrero (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
June DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event13WWE:Bad BloodColumbus, OhioTriple H defeated Shawn Michaels in a Hell in a Cell match20AAATriplemanía XIINaucalpan, MexicoLa Parka defeated Cibernético in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas "Mask vs. Mask" match27WWE:The Great American BashNorfolk, VirginiaThe Undertaker defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) in a Handicap Concrete Crypt match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
July DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event11WWE:VengeanceHartford, ConnecticutChris Benoit (c) defeated Triple H in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship23ROHDeath Before Dishonor 2Wauwatosa, WisconsinThe Second City Saints (CM Punk and Colt Cabana) (c) vs. The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) in a Two Out of Three Falls match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship24ROHChicago Ridge, IllinoisThe Second City Saints (CM Punk and Ace Steel) vs. Dan Maff and B. J. Whitmer in a Chicago Street Fight(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
August DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event7-15NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyoHiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi by submission in a G1 Climax tournament final10GCWFirst Annual Fred Ward Memorial ShowColumbus, GeorgiaJason Cross defeated Johnny Swinger in a Finals tournament match15WWE:SummerSlamToronto, OntarioRandy Orton defeated Chris Benoit (c) in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship21WWCWWC 31st AniversarioCaguas, Puerto RicoCarly Colón defeated Eddie Colón in a Singles match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
September DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event11ROHGlory By Honor 3Elizabeth, New JerseyThe Havana Pitbulls (Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero) (c) defeated B. J. Whitmer and Dan Maff and Generation Next (Jack Evans and Roderick Strong) and The Carnage Crew (DeVito and H. C. Loc) in an Ultimate Endurance Match for the ROH Tag Team Championship 12WWE:UnforgivenPortland, OregonTriple H defeated Randy Orton (c) in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship17CMLLCMLL 71st Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoUniverso 2000 lost to Canek, also in the match: Dr. Wagner Jr. and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in a Four-way Lucha de Apuesta mask vs. mask elimination match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
October DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event3WWE:No MercyEast Rutherford, New JerseyJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) defeated The Undertaker in a Last Ride match for the WWE Championship16AAAVerano de EscándaloOrizaba, MexicoMosco de la Merced lost to Heavy Metal, El Intocable, Zorro and Los Vipers (Histeria and Psicosis) in a Steel cage match19WWE:Taboo TuesdayMilwaukee, WisconsinRandy Orton defeated Ric Flair in a Steel cage match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
November DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNotes7TNAVictory RoadOrlando, FloridaJeff Jarrett (c) defeated Jeff Hardy in a Ladder match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipTNA's first monthly three-hour PPV event.14WWE:Survivor SeriesCleveland, OhioTeam Orton (Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Maven) defeated Team Triple H (Triple H, Batista, Edge and Gene Snitsky) in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series elimination matchWhichever team won would each be in charge of Raw for the next 4 weeks(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
December DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event 5AAAGuerra de TitanesNaucalpan, MexicoCibernético and La Parka defeated La Legión Extranjera (Konnan and Rikishi) by disqualification in a tag team match 5TNATurning PointOrlando, FloridaAmerica's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) defeated Triple X (Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper) in a Six Sides of Steel match12WWE:ArmageddonDuluth, GeorgiaJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) defeated Booker T, Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker in a Fatal-4-Way match for the WWE Championship17CMLLSin PiedadMexico City, MexicoLos Hermanos Dinamita (Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000) defeated Pierroth and Vampiro Canadiense in a Best two-out-of-three falls tag team Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match23WWE:Tribute to the TroopsTirikt, IraqEddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio defeated Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns in a tag team match26ROHFinal BattlePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaSamoa Joe (c) vs. Austin Aries in a Singles match for the ROH World Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
Accomplishments and tournaments AAA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRey de ReyesJeff JarrettMarch 21
AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes Japan Grand Prix 2004Kumiko MaekawaAugust 1 Tag League The Best 2004Kumiko Maekawa and Saki MaemuraDecember 26
Ring of Honor AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesROH Pure Wrestling Championship TournamentA.J. StylesFebruary 2ROH Pure Championship TournamentDoug WilliamsJuly 17
TNA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesNWA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender TournamentJeff HardyOctober 12NWA World Tag Team Championship TournamentKid Kash and DallasMarch 312004 TNA World X Cup TournamentTeam TNAMay 262004 TNA America's X Cup TournamentTeam TNA
TNA Year End Awards
Poll Winner(s)Tag Team of the YearAmerica's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)Babe of the YearTraci BrooksFinisher of the YearThe Canadian DestroyerWho To Watch in 2005Héctor GarzaMemorable Moment of the YearPrimetime walks the Six Sides of Steel at Turning PointX Division Star of the YearA.J. StylesMatch of the YearSix Sides of Steel Match: Triple X vs. America's Most Wanted at Turning PointMr. TNAA.J. Styles
WWE AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleChris BenoitJanuary 25Winner received their choice of a championship match for either Raw's World Heavyweight Championship or SmackDown!'s WWE Championship at WrestleMania XX. Benoit from SmackDown! last eliminated Big Show to win and chose to challenge for Raw's World Heavyweight Championship, which he subsequently won from Triple H in a triple threat match that also involved Shawn Michaels.
WWE Hall of Fame
CategoryInducteeInducted byIndividualBig ShowJunkyard DogCelebrityKane
Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearChris BenoitPWI Tag Team of the YearAmerica's Most Wanted(Chris Harris and James Storm)PWI Match of the YearTriple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XX)PWI Feud of the YearTriple H vs. Chris BenoitPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearJohn CenaPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearTriple HPWI Comeback of the YearEdgePWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearRandy OrtonPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearEddie GuerreroPWI Rookie of the YearMonty BrownPWI Woman of the YearVictoriaPWI Lifetime AchievementPat Patterson
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
InducteeThe UndertakerBob BacklundMasahiro ChonoTarzán LópezKazushi SakurabaÚltimo DragónKurt Angle
Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearKenta KobashiMost Outstandingno creditBest Box Office DrawKenta KobashiFeud of the YearChris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple HTag Team of the YearKenta and Naomichi MarufujiMost ImprovedRandy OrtonBest on InterviewsMick Foley
Title changes
NJPW Incoming champion – Shinsuke NakamuraDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 5VacatedN/AFebruary 15Hiroyoshi TenzanFighting SpiritMarch 12Kensuke SasakiHyper BattleMarch 28Bob SappKing of SportsJune 2VacatedN/AJune 5Kazuyuki FujitaThe Crush IIOctober 9Kensuke SasakiPro Wrestlers Be StrongestDecember 12Hiroyoshi TenzanBattle Final
Incoming champions – Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yutaka YoshieDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 1Minoru Suzuki and Yoshihiro TakayamaFighting SpiritNovember 21VacatedN/ADecember 11Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke NakamuraBattle Final
Incoming champion – HeatDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes
Incoming champions – Gedo and JadoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 12American Dragon and Curry ManHyper BattleJune 5Gedo and JadoBest of the Super Jr. XI
WWE – Raw – SmackDown
Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship, a secondary championship, and a tag team championship for male wrestlers. SmackDown also had a title for their cruiserweight wrestlers. There was only one women's championship and it was exclusive to Raw.
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 14Chris BenoitWrestleMania XXTriple threat match, also involving Shawn Michaels.August 15Randy OrtonSummerSlamSeptember 12Triple HUnforgivenDecember 6VacatedMonday Night RawThe championship was vacated after a double fall occurred in a triple threat match, also involving Chris Benoit and Edge.
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 15Eddie GuerreroNo Way OutJune 27John "Bradshaw" LayfieldThe Great American BashTexas Bullrope match
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 11EdgeVengeanceSeptember 6VacatedMonday Night RawVacated due to injury.September 12Chris JerichoUnforgivenDefeated Christian in a ladder match for the vacant title.October 19Shelton BenjaminTaboo TuesdayDue to the stipulation of the event, fans could vote for who would face Chris Jericho for the title; Benjamin had the most votes.