1974 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions Only one promotion held notable shows in 1974. Promotion NameAbbreviationAJPWBTWEMLLNJPW
Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventMarch 26BTWParade of ChampionsDallas, TexasJack Brisco (c) defeated Clay Spence in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipMarch 27Parade of ChampionsSan Antonio, TexasJack Brisco (c) wrestled Dory Funk Jr. to a draw in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 24EMLL18. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoAníbal and Steve Wright defeated Rene Guajardo and Tigre Colombiano in a Lucha de Apuestas mask and hair vs. mask and hair matchMay 8NJPWWorld LeagueTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki defeated Seiji SakaguchiMay 26AJPWInternational Junior Heavyweight Title LeagueTokyo, JapanChavo Guerrero defeated Ultra SevenDecember 8AJPWKarl Gotch CupTokyo, JapanTatsumi Fujinami defeated Masashi OzawaSeptember 20EMLLEMLL 41st Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoLa Ola Blanco (Dr. Wagner and Ángel Blanco) defeated Super Star and Enrique Vera in a best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuesta mask and mask vs. mask and hair matchDecember 13EMLLJuicio FinalMexico City, MexicoDr. Wagner and Ringo Mendoza defeated Ángel Blanco and Coloso Colosetti in a best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, hair vs. hair match(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
Notable events May 8 - The Valiant Brothers defeat Tony Garea and Dean Ho to become the WWWF World Tag Team Champions. October 24 - Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens defeat The Crusher and Billy Robinson to become the AWA World Tag Team Champions.
Awards and honors
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearBruno SammartinoPWI Tag Team of the YearJimmy and Johnny ValiantPWI Match of the YearJack Brisco vs. Dory Funk Jr.PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearBilly RobinsonPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearThe Great MephistoPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearDick MurdochPWI Rookie of the YearLarry ZbyszkoPWI Woman of the YearRachel DuboisPWI Midget Wrestler of the YearDarlin` DagmarPWI Manager of the YearLou Albano
Championship changes EMLL DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 17VacantN/ASeptember 22Dr. WagnerEMLL 41st Anniversary Show
Incoming champion – Rene GuajardoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 17VacantEMLL showSeptember 20AníbalEMLL show
Incoming champion – Mano Negra No title changes
Incoming champion – Enrique Vera No title changes
Incoming champion – Adorable RubíDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 28AníbalEMLL showSeptember 20VacantN/ANovember 29Ringo MendozaEMLL show
Incoming champion – Tauro No title changes
Incoming champion – Dr. WagnerDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)September 22VacantN/ANovember 15Alfonso DantesEMLL show
Incoming champion – Fishman No title changes
Incoming champion – Uncertain No title changes
NWA Incoming champion – Jack BriscoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)December 2Giant BabaHouse showDecember 9Jack BriscoHouse show
Births January 4 – Dark Cuervo January 5 - Yutaka Yoshie (died in 2024) February 19 – Danny Doring March 1 – Brandi Alexander March 4 – Crowbar March 11 - Jonny Fairplay March 14 - Santino Marella March 27 – Russ Haas (d. 2001) April 6 – Flash Flanagan April 9 – Jenna Jameson April 14 - Toshie Uematsu April 21 – Orlando Jordan April 24 – Octagoncito April 27 - Johnny Devine May 11 – Billy Kidman May 21 - Josef Samael June 6 – 2 Tuff Tony June 22 - Amber O'Neal June 26 – Matt Striker June 27: Ace Darling Rob Dyrdek July 6: Harashima Black Buffalo July 12 – Gregory Helms July 13 – Konan Big July 16 – Chris Chetti July 19 – Rey Bucanero Jeremy Borash July 23 – Sonny Siaki July 25 : Kenzo Suzuki Mikael Judas August 5 – Rob Black August 8 – Scott D'Amore September 5 – Derick Neikirk September 8 - Rick Michaels September 9 – Jun Kasai September 18 – Reckless Youth September 20 - Robbie McAllister September 23 – Matt Hardy September 24: Carl Leduc Dru Onyx September 30 – Eli Cottonwood October 8 – H. C. Loc October 14 – Shaggy 2 Dope October 17 – Cincinnati Red (died in 2015) October 31 - Jungle Grrrl November 16: John Cone Starman (died in 2022) November 28 – Rob Conway November 30 – Juventud Guerrera December 6 - Kentaro Shiga December 11 – Rey Mysterio December 12 – Chad Collyer December 31 – Tzuki
Debuts Uncertain debut date Adrian Adonis Jake Roberts Jesse Ventura Jerry Blackwell Tommy Rich Dave Finlay Lanny Poffo Mach Fumiake (All Japan Women) Shinobu Aso (All Japan Women) April 8 - Antonio Peña April 22 - Masanobu Fuchi July 10 - Tony Atlas August 6 - Vivian St. John August 8 - Riki Choshu
Retirements Fred Atkins (? – 1974) Dave Ruhl (1946 – 1974) Bearcat Wright (1959 – 1974)
Deaths January 25 - Joe Savoldi, 65 March 13 - Gene Dubuque, 46 March 29 - Joe Stecher, 80 April 2 - Lee Wykoff, 76 May 31 - Sky Hi Lee, 53 June 24 – Mangla Rai, 60 July 26 – Freddie Sweetan, 36 August 21 – Buford Pusser, 37 September 3 – Mighty Jumbo (wrestler), 51 September 13 - Jack Pfefer, 79 September 18 - Ray Richards, 68 October 29 - Axel Cadier, 68
References