This Day In Wrestling History – December 25th
Happy Rusev Day!! (photo credit: World Wrestling Entertainment)
1968 – Ray Mendoza defeats Angel Blanco, to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship.
1981 – At WCCW’s ‘Star Wars ’81,’ Jose Lothario defeats Ernie Ladd, to win the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship.
1982 – At WCCW’s ‘Christmas Star Wars ’82,’ The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, & David Von Erich) defeat ‘Iron’ Mike Sharpe, Ben Sharpe, & Tom Steele, to become the inaugural WCCW World Six-Man Tag Team Champions. David Von Erich, subbing for Buddy Roberts, would give up his share of the title when Roberts returned to in-ring action.
1983 – At WCCW’s ‘Christmas Star Wars ’83,’ Brian Adias & King Parsons defeat The Super Destroyers, to win the WCCW American Tag Team Championship. At the same event, Jimmy Garvin defeats Chris Adams, to win the NWA American Heavyweight Championship.
1987 – At WCWA’s ‘Christmas Star Wars ’87,’ Eric Embry defeats Shaun Simpson in a Cage Match, to win the WCWA World Light Heavyweight Championship. Also, the team of Kerry Von Erich, Chris Adams, & Steve Simpson defeat the team of Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts, & Iceman Parsons, to win the vacant WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
1991 – At a house show in Atlanta, Jushin Thunder Liger defeats Brian Pillman, to win the WCW World Light Heavyweight Championship.
1994 – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) defeat The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa Saed), to win the SMW Tag Team Championship for the 10th time.
2000 – On RAW, Steve Blackman defeats Hardcore Holly and Raven, to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship. But Raven takes advantage of the title’s 24/7 rule, hits Blackman from behind with a 2-x-4, and pins him to become the new Hardcore Champion.
2003 – WWE’s inaugural Tribute to the Troops is aired from Baghdad, Iraq. The APA (Faarooq & Bradshaw) defeat The World’s Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin). Rikishi defeats Rhyno. Eddie Guerrero defeats Chris Benoit. And John Cena defeats The Big Show. The program also featured Stone Cold Steve Austin playing the role of Santa Claus.
2003 – Mr. Gannosuke & Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeat Jun Kasai & Tengu Kaiser, to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship.
2006 – WWE Tribute to the Troops is aired from Baghdad, Iraq. WWE Champion John Cena defeats Edge. CM Punk defeats Shelton Benjamin. The Undertaker defeats Johnny Nitro. Bobby Lashley defeats Hardcore Holly. Umaga defeats Jeff Hardy. And Carlito defeats Randy Orton. During the show, Director of Air Force Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Art Myers presented WWE Chairman Vince McMahon with the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award. McMahon immediately presented the award to John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, who originally suggested the idea of an annual Tribute to the Troops event, to McMahon.
2006 – Lady Apache defeats Hiroka, to win the CMLL World Women’s Championship.
2016 – At CMLL’s Chairo 7: Hell in a Christmas Cell, Black Terry & Negro Navarro defeat Guerrero Maya, Jr. & The Panther, to win the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship.
2017 – On Monday Night RAW (airing live despite the Christmas holiday), Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan defeat Cesaro & Sheamus, to win the RAW Tag Team Championship.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Current AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champion, Big Mami (29 years old); former TNA Knockout Rhaka Khan (37 years old); former Xtreme Pro Wrestler Kristi Myst (45 years old); 7-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (in TNA), Chris Harris (45 years old); and the current WWE United States Champion, Rusev (33 years old).
