1981 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions These promotions held notable shows in 1981. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesBig Time WrestlingBTWRenamed to World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) the following year.Joint Promotions—EMLLNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWUniversal Wrestling AssociationUWA
Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventFebruary 8 UWAUWA 6th Anniversary ShowNaucalpan, MexicoEl Solitario (c) wrestled Villano III to a timelimit draw In a match for the UWA World Light Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 3EMLL25. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoTony Salazar defeated Alfonso Dantés (c) in a best two-out-of-three falls match for the NWA World Light Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 4NJPWMSG LeagueTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki defeated Stan Hansen by count-outBTWWrestling Star Wars (June)Dallas, TexasFritz Von Erich defeated Gary Hart in a steel cage matchSeptember 18EMLLEMLL 48th Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoEspectro Jr. defeated El Vengador in a Lucha de Apuesta mask vs. mask vs. mask match; El Supremo was also in the matchSeptember 29Dale Martin PromotionsMike Marino Memorial ShieldCroydon, EnglandMal Sanders defeated Syd Cooper in the tournament finalOctober 24BTWWrestling Star Wars (October)Dallas, TexasAl Madril (c) defeated Bill Irwin via disqualification in a singles match for the NWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipOctober 4JointDale Martin ExtravaganzaLondon, EnglandBig Daddy defeated Giant Haystacks in a "Knockout Only, No Rounds" matchDecember 4EMLLJuicio FinalMexico City, MexicoRingo Mendoza defeated El Faraón in a Lucha de Apuestas, hair vs. hair matchDecember 10NJPWMSG Tag LeagueTokyo, JapanAndré the Giant and Rene Goulet defeated Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi FujinamiDecember 25BTWChristmas Star WarsDallas, TexasBig Daddy Bundy defeated Al Madril, Armand Hussein, Bill Irwin, Blue Demon, Carlos Zapata, David Von Erich, Frank Dusek, José Lothario, Kerry Von Erich, Killer Tim Brooks, El Negro Assassino, Richard Blood and Ten Gu in a Two-ring battle royal(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
Notable events June 20 - At the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Don Muraco pinned Pedro Morales to become the new WWF Intercontinental Champion. July 21 - On WWF Championship Wrestling, Rick Martel and Tony Garea regain the WWF Tag Team Championship by defeating The Moondogs. October 13 - On WWF Championship Wrestling, Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito defeated Tony Garea and Rick Martel to become the new WWF Tag Team Champions, Garea would never again wear any WWF Title in his career. November 23 - At New York's Madison Square Garden in a Texas Death Match, Pedro Morales regained the WWF Intercontinental Championship by pinning Don Muraco.
Accomplishments and tournaments
AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRookie of the Year Decision TournamentChigusa Nagayo
AJPW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesChampion's CarnivalGiant BabaApril 23
JCP AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesNWA United States Championship TournamentSgt. SlaughterOctober 4
NJPW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesG1 ClimaxAntonio InokiJune 4defeated Stan Hansen in the finals
Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearRic FlairPWI Tag Team of the YearThe Fabulous Freebirds(Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy)PWI Match of the YearAndré the Giant vs. Killer KhanPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearTommy RichPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearKen PateraPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearKevin SullivanPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearBob BacklundPWI Rookie of the YearDavid SammartinoPWI Editor's AwardBruno SammartinoPWI Manager of the YearLou Albano
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearHarley RaceFeud of the YearAndré the Giant vs. Killer KhanTag Team of the YearJimmy Snuka and Terry GordyMost ImprovedAdrian AdonisBest on InterviewsLou Albano / Roddy Piper
Tournaments
IWE AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesLou Thesz CupNo winner The league was scheduled to go three rounds but never finished due to the closure of IWE Births
January 11 - King Mo January 12: Jeet Rama Krissy Vaine January 13 – Shad Gaspard (died in 2020) January 17 - Adam Windsor (died in 2022) January 26 – Volador Jr. February 9 - Daisuke Sekimoto February 14 - Ayako Hamada February 15 - Jenna Morasca February 18 - Larry Sweeney (died in 2011) February 19 – Tye Dillinger February 26 - Kaori Yoneyama March 2 – Lance Cade (died in 2010) March 3 – Justin Gabriel March 12 – Hideo Itami April 4 – Tigre Uno April 28 - Alex Riley April 29 - Neil Faith May 8 – Stephen Amell May 13 – Jimmy Yang May 22 – Daniel Bryan June 2 – Velvet Sky July 8 - Luke Hawx July 22 Fandango Kenny King July 25 – Finn Bálor August 14 – Kofi Kingston August 19 – Percy Watson August 20 – Byron Saxton August 21 – Trent Seven August 26 - Petey Williams September 6 - Chris the Bambi Killer September 10 - Rain September 13 – Angelina Love September 26 – Asuka October 7 - Thunder (died in 2016) October 9 - Daniel Puder October 11 - Arturo Ruas November 1 - Hallowicked November 3 – Jackie Gayda November 10 – Ryback November 28 – Erick Rowan December 7 - Luster the Legend December 11 - Fuego December 14 - Johnny Jeter December 17 - Tim Wiese December 18 - Eddie Kingston December 23 - Arik Cannon December 25 - Rhaka Khan December 31 – Martin Stone
Debuts Uncertain debut date King Kong Bundy El Dandy Jake Milliman Wendell Cooley Itzuki Yamazaki Mike Rotunda January 10-Fumihiro Niikura February 19 - Tarzan Goto April 25 - Nobukazu Hirai July 12 - Noriyo Tateno December 8 - Shunji Takano
Retirements Black Shadow (1942–1981) Tony Borne (1952–1981) Verne Gagne (1949–1981) Dutch Savage (1962–1981) The Missouri Mauler (1950–1981)
Deaths January 24 - Orville Brown, 72 February 6 - Goga Pehlwan, 43 April 9 - Wee Willie Davis, 74 April 12 - Joe Louis, 66 August 12 – Buddy Austin, 52 August 24 - Mike Marino, 59 November 16 - Ali Baba (wrestler), 80
References