1986 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 1986. Promotion NameAbbreviationAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFEMLLJim Crockett PromotionsJCPNational Wrestling AllianceNWANew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWPPPWCCWWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWWF
Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJanuary 21PNWSuperstar ExtravaganzaPortland, OregonRic Flair (c) defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 7JCPSuperstars on the SuperstationAtlanta, GeorgiaRic Flair (c) defeated Ron Garvin in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 14CWFBattle of the Belts IIOrlando, FloridaRic Flair (c) fought Barry Windham to a double count-out in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 15WWFSaturday Night's Main EventPhoenix, ArizonaHulk Hogan (c) defeated The Magnificent Muraco by disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJWAll Japan Women's event at Kawasaki-shi TaiikukanKawasaki, JapanJaguar Yokota has her retirement match in a 5-minute exhibition match against Devil Masami April 5AJWAll Japan Women's event at Ryōgoku KokugikanTokyo, JapanJaguar Yokota vs Devil Masami (c) in a WWWA World Title Match, Chigusa Nagayo vs Dump Matsumoto in a All Pacific Title match April 7WWFWrestleMania 2Uniondale, New YorkRosemont, IllinoisLos Angeles, CaliforniaHulk Hogan (c) defeated King Kong Bundy in a steel Cage match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 19JCP1st Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentNew Orleans, LouisianaThe Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated Ron Garvin and Magnum T. A. in a tournament finalApril 20AWAWrestleRock 86East Rutherford, New JerseyNick Bockwinkel defeated Stan Hansen (c) by disqualification in a singles match for the AWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 28AWA / NWARage in a CageMinneapolis, MinnesotaThe Road Warriors (Road Warrior Hawk & Road Warrior Animal) defeated Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff in a Steel Cage MatchMay 1WWFSaturday Night's Main EventProvidence, Rhode IslandHulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog defeated Terry Funk and Hoss Funk in a tag team matchMay 4WCCW3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of ChampionsIrving, TexasSteve Simpson, Kerry Von Erich and Lance Von Erich defeated the Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) (c) in a Lumberjack elimination match for the WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team ChampionshipJune 19NJPWIWGP LeagueTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki defeated Dick Murdoch in the finalsJune 22AJWJapan Grand PrixTokyo, JapanChigusa Nagayo defeated Yukari Omori in the finalsJune 28AWABattle By The BayOakland, CaliforniaLarry Zbyszko fought Scott LeDoux to a double count-out in a singles matchJuly 1 August 2JCPThe Great American Bash (1986)MultipleVariousJuly 14WWFKing of the Ring (1986)Foxborough, MassachusettsBritish Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) (c) defeated The Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake) in a steel cage match for the WWF World Tag Team ChampionshipWWF King Of The Ring 1986August 9PPPA Hot Summer Night IIHonolulu, HawaiiSuperfly Tui fought Lars Anderson in a Steel Cage Match for the NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 23AJWAll Japan Women's event at Kawasaki-shi TaiikukanKawasaki, JapanDevil Masami (c) defeats Yukari Omori in a WWWA World Title match August 28WWFThe Big EventToronto, OntarioHulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff via disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 29WWFSam Muchnick Memorial TournamentSt. Louis, MissouriHulk Hogan (c) and Paul Orndorff fought to a double-disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipMatysik, Larry. Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling. Toronto: ECW Press, 2005. (pg. 213) September 13WWFSaturday Night's Main EventRichfield, OhioHulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff by disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 19EMLLEMLL 53rd Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoAmérico Rocca, Tony Salazar and Ringo Mendoza defeated Los Misioneros de la Muerte (El Signo, Negro Navarro and El Texano) in a Lucha de Apuestas triple hair vs. triple hair matchWWCWWC 13th AniversarioPonce, Puerto RicoTony Atlas vs. Hiroshi Wajima in a singles match (result unknown)September 20Mayagüez, Puerto RicoRic Flair (c) defeated Miguel Perez, Jr. in a singles match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight ChampionshipOctober 12WCCW3rd Cotton Bowl ExtravaganzaDallas, TexasBruiser Brody defeated Abdullah the Butcher in a steel cage match with guest referee Fritz Von ErichOctober 10AJWTag League the BestTokyo, JapanThe Crush Gals defeated Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano in the finalsNovember 7AJWAll Japan Women's at Osaka Jo HallOsaka, JapanChigusa Nagayo defeats Dump Matsumoto in a hair vs hair rematch.November 15WWFSaturday Night's Main EventLos Angeles, CaliforniaHulk Hogan (c) defeated Hercules Hernandez in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipNovember 27JCPStarrcade '86: The SkywalkersGreensboro, North CarolinaAtlanta, GeorgiaRic Flair (c) wrestled Nikita Koloff to a double disqualification in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 12NJPWWorld Tag LeagueTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Kengo Kimura & Tatsumi Fujinami in the finalsDecember 14WWFSaturday Night's Main EventHartford, ConnecticutHulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff in a Steel cage match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 25AWABrawl in St. PaulSt. Paul, MinnesotaThe Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) defeated Buddy Rose & Doug Somers in a Steel Cage Match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
Notable events Benjamin Mora Jr. creates the World Wrestling Association (WWA) based out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Wrestling Power magazine hit the newsstands with its first issue. Superstar Wrestler magazine hit the newsstands with its first issue. February 18 - World Class Championship Wrestling seceded from the National Wrestling Alliance March - Bill Watts renames his Mid South Wrestling territory the Universal Wrestling Federation August 30 - The final episodes of both WWF Championship Wrestling and WWF All Star Wrestling airs on syndication. September 6 and 7 - WWF debuted two new weekly shows WWF Superstars of Wrestling and WWF Wrestling Challenge on syndication replacing both WWF Championship Wrestling and WWF All Star Wrestling September - WCCW debuts on ESPN
Tournaments and accomplishments AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesJapan Grand Prix 1986Yukari OmoriJune 28Rookie of the Year Decision Tournament Kiyo ToyodaTag League the Best 1986Chigusa Nagayo and Yumiko HottaOctober 10
JCP AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesBunkhouse StampedeDusty RhodesNWA World Television Championship TournamentArn AndersonJanuary 4Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentRoad Warriors (Hawk and Animal)April 19
WWF AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesKing of the RingHarley RaceJuly 14Sam Muchnick Memorial TournamentHarley RaceAugust 29
Slammy Awards
PollWinnerBest Personality in Land of a Thousand Dances "Rowdy" Roddy PiperBest Producer Mona Flambe aka Cyndi LauperBest Commentator Gene OkerlundMost Ignominious Nikolai VolkoffBest Single Performer Junkyard Dog
Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearRic FlairPWI Tag Team of the YearThe Rock 'n' Roll Express(Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson)PWI Match of the YearRic Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (The Great American Bash)PWI Feud of the YearHulk Hogan vs. Paul OrndorffPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearRoddy PiperPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearPaul OrndorffPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearTerry GordyPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearChris AdamsPWI Rookie of the YearLex LugerPWI Lifetime AchievementVerne GagnePWI Editor's AwardLou Albano
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearRic FlairMost OutstandingRic FlairFeud of the YearHulk Hogan vs. Paul OrndorffTag Team of the YearThe Midnight Express(Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton)Most ImprovedSteve WilliamsBest on InterviewsJim Cornette
Title changes WWF DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 8Randy SavageHouse show
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 22VacantN/A
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 3Velvet McIntyreLive eventJuly 9The Fabulous MoolahLive event
Incoming champions – The Dream Team DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)April 7The British BulldogsWrestleMania 2
Births
January 7 – Melanie Cruise January 14 – Matt Riddle January 24 – Vinny Marseglia February 1 – Jaka (died in 2025) February 5 – Madison Rayne February 17 – Ricardo Rodriguez March 1: Big E Langston Kazumi Kikuta March 4 – Dalton Castle March 8 – Chad Gable March 16 – Kenny Dykstra March 27 – So Cal Val March 28 – Mustafa Ali April 5 – Charlotte Flair April 19 – Maxine April 22 – Chuck Taylor April 23 – Jessie Godderz May 19 – Danny Havoc (died in 2020) May 24 – Erina Yamanaka May 28 – Seth Rollins May 29 – Hornswoggle June 15 – Cezar Bononi June 20: Shadia Bseiso Jessicka Havok June 24 – Jessamyn Duke June 29 Serena Súper Nova June 30 – Alicia Fox July 17: Mojo Rawley Lacey Von Erich July 19 – Jinder Mahal July 22 – Thunder Rosa August 6 – Reby Sky August 16 – Big Cass August 22 – Neville September 4 – Xavier Woods September 7 – Colin Delaney September 22 – Lana Austin September 25 – Tyson Maeguchi October 5 – Joaquin Wilde October 7 – Kaitlyn October 12 – Gregory Iron October 15 - Paul Walter Hauser October 31 – Aki Shizuku November 5 – Alexander Wolfe November 6 – Nick Aldis November 13 – Act Yasukawa November 14 – Kalisto November 25 – Karsten Beck (died in 2020) December 3 – Wolfgang December 8 – Enzo Amore
Debuts Unknown date John Laurinaitis Norman Smiley Cody Michaels Brian Adams Doug Gilbert Joey Jackson (wrestler) Paul Heyman Scott Steiner The Warlord Charles Robinson Luna Vachon Mountain Fiji Babe the Farmer's Daughter Mark Starr Derrick Dukes Tough Tom (wrestler) Chuck Coates Wellington Wilkins Jr. February 16 - Kensuke Sasaki February 28 - Hiroshi Hase April 6 - Jeff Jarrett April 20 - Hisakatsu Oya May 24 - Akira Katayama May 30 - Owen Hart July 24 - El Samurai August 8 - KAORU and Megumi Kudo August 17 - Shinobu Kandori, Mayumi Ozaki, Dynamite Kansai, Harley Saito, Rumi Kazama, Plum Mariko, Yu Yamazaki (JWP), Dirty Yamato (JWP), Yuki Ito (JWP) and Maiko Tsurugi (JWP) September 5 - Eagle Sawai (JWP and LLPW) and Xóchitl Hamada September 7 - Reggie Bennett September 10 - Bison Kimura (All Japan Women's) September 16 - Aja Kong September 17 - Combat Toyoda September 19 - Cutie Suzuki September 22 - Oscar Tomo (JWP) September 25 - Reibun Amada (All Japan Women's), Mika Takahashi (All Japan Women's) and Miori Kamiya (All Japan Women's) October - Ron Simmons December 1 - Road Dogg (Made his debut for only one appearance at 17 before he went into the marines. He returned to wrestling in 1991.)
Retirements Bobby Duncum Sr. (1967 - 1986) Don Kent (1956 - 1986) Dr. Wagner (July 16, 1961 - April 27, 1986) Dick the Bruiser (1954 - 1986) Ernie Ladd (1961 - 1986) Hubert Gallant (May 2, 1975 - 1986) Jacques Rougeau, Sr. (1956 - 1986) Kurt Von Hess (September 1968 - 1986) Lars Anderson (1965 - 1986) Mad Maxine (1984 - 1986) Mario Milano (1953 - 1986) Maurice Vachon (1950 - 1986) Pampero Firpo (1953 - 1986) Stu Hart (1943-July 25, 1986) Swede Hanson (1957 - 1986) Vivian St. John (August 6, 1974 - 1986)