This Day In Wrestling History – December 19th

1999 – WCW Starrcade is held in Washington, D.C. in front of 8,582 fans.  Madusa defeats Evan Karagias, to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship (Madusa is the first female wrestler to hold the title).   Chris Benoit defeats Jeff Jarrett in a Ladder Match, to retain the United States Championship.  In the main event, Bret Hart defeats Goldberg, in a No Disqualification Match, to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.  During the match, Hart suffered what would eventually be a career-ending concussion, after Goldberg connected on a mule kick.

2005 – On WWE RAW: Holiday With The Troops, Mick Foley defeats John “Bradshaw” Layfield in a No Holds Barred Match.  Ric Flair retains the Intercontinental Championship after defeating Jonathan Coachman.  And Shawn Michaels defeats Triple H in a Boot Camp Match.

2008 – Maryse defeats Maria, to become the #1 contender for the WWE Divas Championship, on this evening’s Friday Night SmackDown.

2009 – At Ring of Honor Final Battle 2009, The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark) defeat The American Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards), to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship.  In the main event for the ROH World Championship, challenger Tyler Black and Champion Austin Aries battle to a one-hour time limit draw;  Aries retains the title.

2010 – WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders, & Chairs is held in Houston in front of 11,500 fans.  Edge becomes the new World Heavyweight Champion after defeating Kane, Rey Mysterio, and Alberto Del Rio in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match.  The Miz retains the WWE Championship after defeating Randy Orton in a Tables Match.

2013 – On Impact Wrestling: Final Resolution, Magnus defeats Jeff Hardy, in a Dixieland Match, to win the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

2015 – On OVW TV, Rob Conway wins the Ohio Valley Wrestling Heavyweight Championship for the 5th time, this time defeating Ryan Howe.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:  Former East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) Heavyweight Champion Ricky “The Model” Martinez (28 years old).  Martinez performed at a dark match prior to WWE Main Event on 11/15/2016, losing to James Ellsworth.  Also celebrating birthdays today are indy wrestler Ann Brookstone (38 years old);  former Pro Wrestling NOAH performer Dakota (39 years old);  and former WCW/WWF/ECW/TNA/AJPW talent Erik Watts (49 years old;  also a former AWA International Heavyweight Champion).

Today would’ve been the 55th birthday for NFL Hall of Famer, and Super Bowl XXXI Champion with the Green Bay Packers Reggie White.  White had a feud with another former NFL player, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, who helped the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX in 1986.  The two had a match at WCW Slamboree in 1997.  You can check out the video below;  it starts at the 1 hour, 48 minute mark (sorry for the sound quality).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqVtvKQbCcY

SOURCES: Pro Wrestling Wiki, Gerweck.net Archives, wrestlingdata.com, The Internet Wrestling Database