1988 in professional wrestling

1988 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 1988. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAEMLLJim Crockett PromotionsJCPIn November, Turner Broadcasting System bought JCP and rebranded it as World Championship Wrestling (WCW).New Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWWCCWWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWWF

Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJanuary 24JCPBunkhouse StampedeUniondale, New York Dusty Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson, The Barbarian, Ivan Koloff, Lex Luger, Road Warrior Animal, Tully Blanchard and The Warlord in a steel cage Bunkhouse StampedeWWFRoyal RumbleHamilton, OntarioJim Duggan won the Royal Rumble by last eliminating One Man GangFebruary 21AJWThe War Dream IIKawasaki, JapanDump Matsumoto and Yukari Omori retire. The show featured Matsumoto facing partner Bull Nakano, Yukari Omori facing Lioness Asuka and a special exhibition match where long-time rivals Chigusa Nagayo and Matsumoto teamed up against Asuka and Omori. March 7WWFSaturday Night's Main EventNashville, TennesseeHulk Hogan defeated Harley Race in a singles matchMarch 27WWFWrestleMania IVAtlantic City, New JerseyRandy Savage defeated Ted DiBiase in a tournament final for the vacant WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipJCPClash of the Champions IGreensboro, North CarolinaRic Flair (c) wrestled Sting to a time-limit draw in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 22WWFSaturday Night's Main EventSpringfield, MassachusettsRandy Savage (c) defeated One Man Gang in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 22April 23JCP3rd Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentGreenville, South CarolinaGreensboro, North CarolinaSting and Lex Luger defeated Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard in a tournament finalMay 8WCCW5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of ChampionsIrving, TexasKerry Von Erich defeated Iceman Parsons (c) in a singles match for the WCWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 8JCPClash of the Champions IIMiami, FloridaArn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (c) vs. Sting and Dusty Rhodes ended in a double disqualification in a tag team match for the NWA World Tag Team ChampionshipJune 12NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki won the 5-man round-robin block to claim victory.June 28AJWJapan Grand PrixTokyo, JapanBull Nakano defeated Yumiko Hotta in the finalsJuly 10JCPThe Great American BashBaltimore, MarylandRic Flair (c) defeated Lex Luger in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 30JCPAWAWCCWSecond Annual Eddie Graham Memorial ShowTampa, FloridaKerry Von Erich (C - WCCW) defeated Jerry Lawler (C - AWA) in a singles match; AWA World Heavyweight Championship vs. WCCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 29AJPWBruiser Brody Memorial ShowTokyo, JapanGenichiro Tenryu and Ashura Hara defeated Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu in a tag team match for the World Tag Team ChampionshipWWFSummerSlamNew York City, New YorkThe Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) defeated The Mega Bucks (André the Giant and Ted DiBiase) in a tag team match with Jesse Ventura as the special guest refereeSeptember 7JCPClash of the Champions III: Fall BrawlAlbany, GeorgiaSting defeated Barry Windham (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the NWA United States ChampionshipSeptember 10WWCWWC 15th AniversarioBayamón, Puerto RicoHuracan Castillo and Miguel Pérez Jr. defeated Bobby Jaggers and Dan Kroffat in a "Hair vs. hair" tag team matchSeptember 30EMLLEMLL 55th Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoMáscara Año 2000 defeated Mogur in a Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask matchOctober 11AJWTag League the BestTokyo, JapanThe Crush Gals (Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka) defeated Bull Nakano and Condor SaitoOctober 15WCCW5th Cotton Bowl ExtravaganzaDallas, TexasKerry Von Erich (c - WCWA) defeated Jerry Lawler (c - AWA) in a Texas Death match for the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship and the AWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipOctober 16WWFKing of the RingProvidence, Rhode IslandTed DiBiase defeated Randy Savage by count-out in a King of the Ring tournament final matchOctober 25Saturday Night's Main EventBaltimore, MarylandHulk Hogan defeated King Haku in a singles matchNovember 16Saturday Night's Main EventSacramento, CaliforniaRandy Savage (c) vs. Andre the Giant in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship ended in a double disqualificationNovember 24Survivor SeriesRichfield Township, OhioHercules, Hillbilly Jim, Koko B. Ware, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage defeated Akeem, Big Boss Man, Haku, The Red Rooster and Ted DiBiase in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series matchDecember 7NJPWJapan Cup Tag LeagueTokyo, JapanTatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura defeated Antonio Inoki and Dick MurdochWCWClash of the Champions IV: Season's BeatingsChattanooga, TennesseeRic Flair and Barry Windham defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) in a tag team matchWWFSaturday Night's Main EventTampa, FloridaHulk Hogan defeated Akeem in a singles matchDecember 13AWASuperClash IIIChicago, IllinoisJerry Lawler (c - AWA) defeated Kerry Von Erich (c - WCCW) in a AWA World Heavyweight Championship/WCWA World Heavyweight Championship title unification matchDecember 26WCWStarrcadeNorfolk, VirginiaJunkyard Dog won by last eliminating Abdullah the Butcher in a 17-Man $50,000 Bunkhouse Battle Royal(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Notable events January 24 - WWE Royal Rumble was aired on USA Network against the NWA Bunkhouse Stampede that aired live on Pay Per View. March 27 - Clash of the Champions I was aired on free TV via TBS against the WWE pay-per view event WrestleMania IV. April 3 - WCW Main Event Premiered on TBS. July 16 - Bruiser Brody was stabbed by Jose Huertas Gonzalez before a WWC live event in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Brody died hours later in a local hospital. November 1 - Turner Broadcasting Systems purchased Jim Crockett Promotions the biggest National Wrestling Alliance territory. November - Jerry Jarrett buys 50 percent of WCWA from Ken Mantell December 13 - AWA World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler defeated WCWA World Heavyweight Champion Kerry Von Erich in Chicago, Illinois at AWA Superclash III to unify both the AWA and WCWA World titles.

Tournaments and accomplishments AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesJapan Grand Prix 1988Bull NakanoJune 26Rookie of the Year Decision TournamentSachiko NakamuraTag League The Best 1988 Hisako Uno and Mika SuzukiOctober 10

JCP AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesBunkhouse StampedeDusty RhodesJanuary 24Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentLex Luger and StingApril 23NWA United States Tag Team Championship TournamentThe Fantastics(Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers)April 26

WWF AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleJim DugganJanuary 24WWF World Heavyweight Championship TournamentRandy SavageMarch 27King of the RingTed DiBiaseOctober 16

Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated

CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearRandy SavagePWI Tag Team of the YearThe Road Warriors(Hawk and Animal)PWI Match of the YearHulk Hogan vs. André the Giant (The Main Event I)PWI Feud of the YearRic Flair vs. Lex LugerPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearRandy SavagePWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearAndré the GiantPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearStingPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearJerry LawlerPWI Rookie of the YearMadusa MiceliPWI Lifetime AchievementBruiser Brody, Adrian AdonisPWI Editor's AwardJ. J. Dillon

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearAkira MaedaMost OutstandingTatsumi FujinamiFeud of the YearThe Fantastics vs. The Midnight ExpressTag Team of the YearThe Midnight Express(Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane)Most ImprovedStingBest on InterviewsJim Cornette

Title changes WWF DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 5Andre the GiantThe Main Event IAfter the controversial finish, Andre "sold' his title to Ted DibiaseFebruary 5VacantThe Main Event IAs a result of that moment see above Jack Tunney declared the title vacant.March 27Randy SavageWrestleMania IVIt was a 14-man tournament to decide the undisputed WWE Champion.

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)August 29The Ultimate WarriorSummerSlam The Ultimate Warrior was a last minute replacement for Brutus Beefcake who was originally the no. 1 contender for the title.

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 24The Jumping Bomb AngelsRoyal RumbleJune 8The Glamour GirlsLive event

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)October 7Rockin' RobinPrime Time Wrestling

Incoming champions – Strike Force DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 27DemolitionWrestleMania IV

Births January 15 – Eddie Hall January 16 – Bull Dempsey January 19 Tyler Breeze Wardlow (wrestler) February 26 – Reid Flair (d. 2013) March 10 - Alex Reynolds March 11 – Katsuhiko Nakajima March 16 – Brett DiBiase March 18 – Vanessa Borne March 20 - Jonathan Gresham March 22 – Yoshikazu Yokoyama April 14 - Marina Shafir April 17 – Dasha Fuentes May 1 - Joe Hendry May 5 – Brooke Hogan May 6 – Dakota Kai May 20 – Lacey Lane May 22 – Santana Garrett May 25 - Bronson Reed May 26 – Babatunde Aiyegbusi May 30 – No Way Jose June 1 – Ross Von Erich June 2 – Grado June 11 - Hikaru Shida June 19 – Daga June 25 – Mark Haskins July 6 – Lars Sullivan July 12 – Paul Robinson July 18 - RJ City July 26 – Marty Scurll August 5 – Shane Mercer August 6 - Dan Matha August 7 – Marti Belle August 8 – Veer Mahaan August 12 – Tyson Fury August 29 – Kevin Ku August 31 – Ember Moon September 13 – Markus Crane (died in 2021) September 21 – Tom MacDonald September 23 – Kairi Hojo September 26 – Buddy Murphy September 27 – Cathy Kelley September 28 – Jason Jordan September 29 - Rush (wrestler) October 11 – Ricochet October 26 – Ayumu Honda November 2 – Dezmond Xavier November 3 – Gran Metalik November 24 – Anthony Ogogo November 29 – Dana Brooke

Debuts

Debut date

Uncertain debut date

Retirements Alexis Smirnoff (1970 - 1988) Rufus R. Jones (1969 - 1988) The Crusher (1949 - 1988) Emile Dupree (1955 - 1988) Mr. Hito (June 8, 1967 - March 25, 1988) Shunji Kosugi (1981-April 10, 1988, returned for one last match in 2010) Winona Littleheart (1977 - 1988) Jody Hamilton (1955 - 1988) John Quinn (1961 - 1988) Outback Jack (1986 - 1988) Scott McGhee (1978 - January 1988) Buddy Roberts (1965 - 1988)

Deaths March 14 - Saul Weingeroff, 72 March 30 - Stu Gibson, 62 April 30 Man Mountain Mike, 47 Tiger Joe Tomasso, 65/66 May 15 - Fred Atkins, 77/78 June 15 - Mike Clancy, 63 July 4: Adrian Adonis, 33 Dave McKigney, 56 Mike Kelly, 40 July 17 - Bruiser Brody,Atlas, Tony. ATLAS Too Much ... Too Soon. Crowbar Press. (p.197-205) 42 September 6 - Leroy Brown, 37 September 9 - Leroy McGuirk, 77 November 26 - Baron Michele Leone, 79 November 30 - Ricky Lawless, 28 December 12 - Larry Moquin, 65 December 21 - Dave Ruhl, 68

See also

List of WCW pay-per-view events List of WWF pay-per-view events

References