1986 in professional wrestling explained

1986 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable events in 1986.

Promotion NameAbbreviation
American Wrestling AssociationAWA
EMLL
Jim Crockett PromotionsJCP
Pacific Northwest WrestlingPNW
WCCW
World Wrestling CouncilWWC
WWF

Calendar of notable shows

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
January 21PNWSuperstar ExtravaganzaPortland, OregonRic Flair (c) defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
February 7JCPSuperstars on the SuperstationAtlanta, GeorgiaRic Flair (c) defeated Ron Garvin in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship[1]
February 14CWFBattle of the Belts IIOrlando, FloridaRic Flair (c) fought Barry Windham to a double count-out in a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
February 15WWFSaturday Night's Main EventPhoenix, ArizonaHulk Hogan (c) defeated The Magnificent Muraco (with Bobby Heenan) by disqualification for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
AJWAll Japan Women's event at Kawasaki-shi TaiikukanKawasaki, Japan
April 5AJWAll Japan Women's event at Ryōgoku KokugikanTokyo, JapanJaguar Yokota vs Devil Masami in a WWWA World Title Match, Chigusa Nagayo vs Dump Matsumoto in a All Pacific Title match
April 7WWFWrestleMania 2Uniondale, New York
Rosemont, Illinois
Los Angeles, California
Hulk Hogan (c) defeated King Kong Bundy in a steel Cage match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship[2] [3] [4]
April 19JCP1st Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentLouisiana SuperdomeThe Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated Ron Garvin and Magnum T. A. in a tournament final[5]
April 20AWAWrestleRock 86East Rutherford, New JerseyNick Bockwinkel defeated Stan Hansen (c) by disqualification in a singles match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
April 28AWA / NWARage in a CageMinneapolis, MinnesotaThe Road Warriors (Road Warrior Hawk & Road Warrior Animal) defeated Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff in a Steel Cage Match
May 1WWFSaturday Night's Main EventProvidence, Rhode IslandHulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog (with The Haiti Kid) defeated Terry Funk and Hoss Funk (with Jimmy Hart)
May 4WCCW3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of ChampionsIrving, TexasSteve Simpson, Kerry Von Erich and Lance Von Erich defeated the Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) (c) in a Lumberjack elimination match for the WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship[6]
June 19NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki defeated Dick Murdoch in the finals
June 22AJWJapan Grand PrixTokyo, JapanChigusa Nagayo defeated Yukari Omori in the finals
June 28AWABattle By The BayOakland, CaliforniaLarry Zbyszko fought Scott LeDoux to a double count-out
July 1 August 2JCPThe Great American Bash (1986)MultipleVarious
July 14WWFKing of the Ring (1986)Foxborough, MassachusettsBritish Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) (c) defeated The Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake) in a steel cage match for the WWF World Tag Team Championship[7]
August 9PPPA Hot Summer Night IIHonolulu, HawaiiSuperfly Tui fought Lars Anderson in a Steel Cage Match for the NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Championship
August 23AJWAll Japan Women's event at Kawasaki-shi TaiikukanKawasaki, JapanDevil Masami defeats Yukari Omori in a WWWA World Title match
August 28WWFThe Big EventToronto, OntarioHulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff via disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
August 29WWFSam Muchnick Memorial TournamentSt. Louis, MissouriHulk Hogan (c) and Paul Orndorff fought to a double-disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship[8] [9]
September 13WWFSaturday Night's Main EventRichfield, OhioHulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) by disqualification in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
September 19EMLLEMLL 53rd Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoAmérico Rocca, Tony Salazar and Ringo Mendoza defeated Los Misioneros de la Muerte (El Signo, Negro Navarro and El Texano) in a Lucha de Apuestas triple hair vs. triple hair match[10]
WWCWWC 13th AniversarioPonce, Puerto RicoTony Atlas vs. Hiroshi Wajima in a singles match (result unknown)
September 20Mayagüez, Puerto RicoRic Flair (c) defeated Miguel Perez, Jr. in a singles match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship
October 12WCCW3rd Cotton Bowl ExtravaganzaDallas, TexasBruiser Brody defeated Abdullah the Butcher in a steel cage match with guest referee Fritz Von Erich[11] [12]
October 10AJWTag League the BestTokyo, JapanThe Crush Gals defeated Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano in the finals
November 7AJWAll Japan Women's at Osaka Jo HallOsaka, JapanChigusa Nagayo defeats Dump Matsumoto in a hair vs hair rematch.
November 15WWFSaturday Night's Main EventLos Angeles, CaliforniaHulk Hogan (c) defeated Hercules Hernandez (with Bobby Heenan) in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
November 27JCPStarrcadeGreensboro, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Ric Flair (c) wrestled Nikita Koloff to a double disqualification in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
December 12NJPWWorld Tag LeagueTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Kengo Kimura & Tatsumi Fujinami in the finals
December 14WWFSaturday Night's Main EventHartford, ConnecticutHulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) in a Steel cage match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship
December 25AWABrawl in St. PaulSt. Paul, MinnesotaThe Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) defeated Buddy Rose & Doug Somers in a Steel Cage Match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Notable events

Tournaments and accomplishments

AJW

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Japan Grand Prix 1986Yukari OmoriJune 28
Rookie of the Year Decision TournamentKiyo Toyoda
Tag League the Best 1986Chigusa Nagayo and Yumiko HottaOctober 10

JCP

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Bunkhouse StampedeDusty Rhodes[13] [14]
NWA World Television Championship TournamentArn AndersonJanuary 4
Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentRoad Warriors (Hawk and Animal)April 19

WWF

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
King of the RingHarley RaceJuly 14
Sam Muchnick Memorial TournamentHarley RaceAugust 29

Slammy Awards

See main article: Slammy Award.

PollWinner
Best Personality in Land of a Thousand Dances"Rowdy" Roddy Piper[15] [16] [17]
Best ProducerMona Flambe aka Cyndi Lauper
Best CommentatorGene Okerlund
Most IgnominiousNikolai Volkoff
Best Single PerformerJunkyard Dog

Awards and honors

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

See main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards.

CategoryWinner
PWI Wrestler of the YearRic Flair
PWI Tag Team of the YearThe Rock 'n' Roll Express
(Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson)
PWI Match of the YearRic Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (The Great American Bash)
PWI Feud of the YearHulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearRoddy Piper
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearPaul Orndorff
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearTerry Gordy
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearChris Adams
PWI Rookie of the YearLex Luger
PWI Lifetime AchievementVerne Gagne
PWI Editor's AwardLou Albano

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

See main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards.

CategoryWinner
Wrestler of the YearRic Flair
Most OutstandingRic Flair
Feud of the YearHulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff
Tag Team of the YearThe Midnight Express
(Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton)
Most ImprovedSteve Williams
Best on InterviewsJim Cornette

Title changes

WWF

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
No title changes
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 8Randy SavageHouse show
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
No title changes
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 22VacantN/A
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
No title changes
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
July 3Velvet McIntyreLive event
July 9The Fabulous MoolahLive event
Incoming champions – The Dream Team
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
April 7The British Bulldogs
WrestleMania 2

Births

Debuts

Unknown date

Retirements

Deaths

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 411MANIA. The Name on the Marquee: NWA Superstars on the Superstation (2.7.1986). en-US. 2019-08-21.
  2. Web site: WrestleMania II results. Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments. 2008-05-25.
  3. Web site: WrestleMania II Facts/Stats. WWE. 2008-05-25.
  4. Web site: WrestleMania 2 review. Gerweck.net. 2008-05-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20080623075756/http://www.gerweck.net/wrestlemania2.htm. 2008-06-23. dead.
  5. Web site: 1st Annual Crockett Cup . Wrestling Supercards & Tournaments . August 23, 2009.
  6. Web site: 3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions . May 4, 1986 . April 10, 2015 . Pro Wrestling History.
  7. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=9851 WWF King Of The Ring 1986
  8. [Larry Matysik|Matysik, Larry]
  9. Web site: Sam Muchnik Tournament . Misc. Tournaments . ProWrestlingHistory.com .
  10. Web site: 53rd Anniversary Show. September 19, 1986. Pro Wrestling History. September 27, 2012.
  11. Web site: 3rd Cotton Bowl Extravaganza . October 12, 1986 . April 10, 2015 . Pro Wrestling History.
  12. News: Historical Cards: 3rd Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 12, 1986. Dallas, Texas) . PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts . Kappa Publications. 2007 Edition. 172.
  13. Web site: Bunkhouse Stampedes . Pro Wrestling History . June 17, 2015.
  14. Book: 1. The History of Professional Wrestling: Jim Crockett Promotions & the NWA World Title 1983-1988. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2013-12-25. 9781494803476. English. Graham. Cawthon. Jim. Cornette. Grant. Sawyer.
  15. Web site: Slammy Awards History. Wrestling Information Archive. 2008-02-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20110908073222/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/slammy.htm. 2011-09-08. dead.
  16. Web site: WWF Slammy Awards (1986). TWNP News. 2008-02-22.
  17. Web site: WWF Slammy Awards (1986). Pro Wrestling History. 2008-02-22.
  18. Web site: Chad Gable: Profile & Match Listing . The Internet Wrestling Database . July 18, 2015.
  19. Web site: Mustafa Ali. Cagematch. January 17, 2017.
  20. Web site: Charlotte. NXT Wrestling. August 27, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120830002631/http://www.fcwwrestling.info/Roster/Charlotte.html. August 30, 2012.
  21. Web site: Alicia Fox. https://archive.today/20130115083512/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/fox_alicia.html. dead. January 15, 2013. January 7, 2011. Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer.
  22. Web site: Mojo Rawley: Profile & Match Listing. profightdb.
  23. Web site: ラジャ・シン. 21 June 2015. Inoki Genome Federation. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20150621185938/http://www.igf.jp/fighter/raj-singh/. 2015-06-21. dead.
  24. Web site: Colin Cassady: Profile & Match Listing. profightdb. May 24, 2015.
  25. Web site: Interview on From the Top Rope Ep20. Barstool Sports.
  26. Web site: Colin Cassady – old NXT profile. NXT Wrestling. 30 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20130518162425/http://www.fcwwrestling.info/Roster/Collin-Cassady.html. 18 May 2013.
  27. Web site: OWOW profile. 2017-12-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20090820084836/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/p/pac.html. 2009-08-20. dead.
  28. Web site: Viva Vavoom! Extravaganza blends Mexican masked wrestling, comedy. https://web.archive.org/web/20120514100812/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weekend/12278913-421/viva-vavoom-mexican-masked-wrestling-burlesque-comedy-combine-for-a-unique-extravaganza.html. Hoekstra. Dave. May 14, 2012. May 2, 2012. January 3, 2014. Chicago Sun-Times.
  29. Web site: Enzo Amore: Profile & Match Listing. profightdb. May 24, 2015.
  30. Book: Kristian Pope & Ray Whebbe . The Encyclopedia of Professional Wrestling: 100 Years of History, Headlines & Hitmakers . Krause Publications . 2003. 2nd . 978-0-87349-625-4.
  31. Web site: History of El Solitario . 2017-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081207040612/http://www.elsolitario.com.mx/Historia.htm . 2008-12-07 . dead .
  32. Book: Madigan, Dan. Mondo Lucha a Go-Go: the bizarre and honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publishers. 2007. Ángel Blanco. 102–105. 978-0-06-085583-3.
  33. Web site: En un día como hoy… 1986: Fallece El Ángel Blanco en trágico accidente — Rudy Reyna triunfa en Pachuca . Teddy . Centinela . April 27, 2015 . July 1, 2015 . SuperLuchas Magazine . Spanish.