1994 in professional wrestling explained

1994 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable events in 1994.

Promotion NameAbbreviationNotes
All Japan Women's Pro-WrestlingAJW
AAA
Catch Wrestling AssociationCWA
CMLL
ECWIn August, Eastern Championship Wrestling seceded from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and became Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Frontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFMW
International Wrestling CouncilIWC
New Japan Pro-WrestlingNJPW
Universal Wrestling AssociationUWA
Universal Wrestling FederationUWF
World Championship WrestlingWCW
World Wrestling CouncilWWC
WWF

Calendar of notable shows

January

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
January 4NJPWBattlefieldTokyo, JapanGenichiro Tenryu defeated Antonio Inoki in a Singles match
January 22WWFRoyal RumbleProvidence, Rhode Island, United StatesBret Hart and Lex Luger co-won the Royal Rumble by last eliminating each other in a 30-man Royal Rumble match for a WWF World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania X[1]
January 30UWAUWA 19th Anniversary ShowNaucalpan, MexicoYamato and Los Villanos (Villano III and Villano V) defeated El Canek, Gran Hamada and Transformer in a Best two out of three falls Six-man tag team match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

February

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
February 5ECWThe Night the Line Was CrossedPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesSabu (with 911 and Paul E. Dangerously), Shane Douglas (with Sherri Martel), and Terry Funk (c) wrestled to a time limit draw in a Three way dance for the ECW Heavyweight Championship
February 20WCWSuperBrawl IVAlbany, Georgia, United StatesRic Flair (c) defeated Vader (with Harley Race) by submission in a Thundercage match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

March

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
March 20WWFWrestleMania XNew York City, New York, United StatesBret Hart defeated Yokozuna (c) (with Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette) in a Singles match for the WWF Championship with Roddy Piper as special guest referee[2] [3]
March 26ECWUltimate JeopardyDevon, Pennsylvania, United StatesShane Douglas, Mr. Hughes and the Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated Terry Funk (c), Road Warrior Hawk, Kevin Sullivan and the Tazmaniac by pinfall in an Ultimate Jeopardy Steel Cage match for the ECW Heavyweight Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

April

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
CMLLInternational Gran PrixMexico City, MexicoEmilio Charles Jr. defeated La Fiera in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match[4]
CMLL38. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, Mexico[5]
April 17WCWSpring StampedeChicago, Illinois, United StatesRic Flair (c) fought Ricky Steamboat to a double pin in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
AAATriplemanía II-AAguascalientes, Aguascalientes, MexicoHeavy Metal defeated Jerry Estrada in a Lucha de Apuestas "Hair vs. Hair" match[6]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

May

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
May 1NJPWWrestling DontakuFukuoka, JapanAntonio Inoki defeated The Great Muta in a Singles match
May 5FMWFMW 5th Anniversary ShowKawasaki, Kanagawa, JapanGenichiro Tenryu defeated Atsushi Onita in a No Rope Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch
May 14ECWWhen Worlds CollidePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesBobby Eaton and Sabu (with 911 and Paul E. Dangerously) defeated Arn Anderson and Terry Funk by submission in a tag team match
AAATriplemanía II-BZapopan, Jalisco, MexicoKonnan, Perro Aguayo, and Cien Caras defeated Jake Roberts, Love Machine, and Miguel Pérez Jr. in a Best two-out-of-three falls six-man "lucha libre rules" tag team match[7]
May 22WCWSlamboreePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesSting defeated Vader by pinfall in a Singles match for the vacant WCW International World Heavyweight Championship
AAATriplemanía II-CTijuana, Baja California, MexicoKonnan defeated Jake Roberts (with The Warlord) in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuesta, "Hair vs. Hair" match[8]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

June

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
June 19WWFKing of the RingBaltimore, Maryland, United StatesRoddy Piper defeated Jerry Lawler in a Singles match[9]
June 24ECWHostile City ShowdownPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesSabu (with Paul E. Dangerously and 911) defeated Cactus Jack in a Singles match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

July

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
July 9CWAEuro Catch Festival in GrazGraz, AustriaRambo (c) defeated Papa Shango in Round 6 in a Singles match for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship
July 14FMWFMW/LLPW/AJWTokyo, JapanBull Nakano defeated Shinobu Kandori in a Chain match
July 16ECWHeat WavePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) defeated Terry Funk and Dory Funk, Jr. in a barbed wire match
July 17WCWBash at the BeachOrlando, Florida, United StatesHulk Hogan (with Mr. T and Jimmy Hart) defeated Ric Flair (c) (with Sensuous Sherri) in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship[10]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

August

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
August 6WWCWWC 21st AniversarioBayamón, Puerto RicoEddie Gilbert defeated Huracán Castillo, Jr. in a "Fire" match
August 7NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyo, JapanMasahiro Chono defeated Power Warrior
August 13ECWHardcore HeavenPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesCactus Jack fought Terry Funk to a no-contest in a Singles match
August 27ECWNWA World Title TournamentPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesShane Douglas defeated 2 Cold Scorpio by pinfall in a tournament final for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
August 28FMWSummer SpectacularOsaka, Japan Atsushi Onita defeated Masashi Aoyagi via knockout in a No Ropes Electrified Explosive Barbed Wire Barricade Double Hell match
August 29WWFSummerSlamChicago, Illinois, United StatesThe Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) defeated The Undertaker (with Ted DiBiase) in a Singles match[11]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

September

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
September 18WCWFall BrawlRoanoke, Virginia, United StatesDusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes and The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated The Stud Stable (Terry Funk, Arn Anderson, Bunkhouse Buck and Col. Robert Parker) (with Meng) in a WarGames match
UWFBlackjack BrawlLas Vegas, Nevada, United StatesSteve Williams (c) defeated Sid Vicious by disqualification in a Singles match for the UWF World Heavyweight Championship
CMLLCMLL 61st Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoRicky Santana defeated El Texano in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, hair vs. hair match[12]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

October

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
October 22AJPW22nd Anniversary ShowTokyo, JapanToshiaki Kawada defeated "Dr. Death" Steve Williams (c) to win the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship
October 23WCWHalloween HavocDetroit, Michigan, United StatesHulk Hogan (c) (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Ric Flair (with Sensuous Sherri) in a Steel Cage Retirement match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship with Mr. T as special guest referee
CMLLCopa de OroMexico City, MexicoApolo Dantes and El Dandy defeated Pierroth, Jr. and El Satanico in a tournament final[13]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

November

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
November 5ECWNovember to RememberPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesChris Benoit (with The Public Enemy) vs. 2 Cold Scorpio went to a double count-out in a Singles match
November 6AAA
WCW
IWC
When Worlds CollideLos Angeles, California, United StatesPerro Aguayo defeated Konnan in a Steel Cage match
November 20AJWBig Egg Wrestling UniverseTokyo, JapanAkira Hokuto defeated Aja Kong in a V*TOP Five Star Tournament final round match
November 23WWFSurvivor SeriesSan Antonio, Texas, United StatesThe Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) defeated Yokozuna (with Jim Cornette and Mr. Fuji) in a Casket match with Chuck Norris as special guest referee
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

December

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
Notes
December 17ECWHoliday HellPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) (c) defeated Sabu and the Tazmaniac (with Paul E. Dangerously) by pinfall in a tag team match for the ECW World Tag Team Championship
CWAEuro Catch Festival in BremenBremen, GermanyRambo (c) defeated Big Titan in Round 5 in a Singles match for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship
December 27WCWStarrcadeNashville, Tennessee, United StatesHulk Hogan (c) (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The Butcher in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
December 30CMLLTorneo Gran AlternativaMexico City, MexicoHector Garza and Negro Casas defeated Arkangel de la Muerte and El Satanico in a tournament final
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Notable events

Accomplishments and tournaments

AJW

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Japan Grand Prix 1994Yumiko HottaAugust 28
Rookie of the Year Decision TournamentYoshiko Tamura
Tag League The Best 1994Kyoko Inoue and Manami ToyotaDecember 10

AJPW

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Asunaro Cup 1994Jun AkiyamaJanuary 29
Champion Carnival 1994Toshiaki KawadaApril 16
World's Strongest Determination League 1994Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu MisawaDecember 10

WCW

WCW Hall of Fame

See main article: WCW Hall of Fame.

WWF

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Royal RumbleBret Hart
Lex Luger
January 22
King of the RingOwen HartJune 19

WWF Hall of Fame

See main article: WWF Hall of Fame.

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual
Gorilla Monsoon

Slammy Awards

See main article: Slammy Award.

PollWinner
Most IntimidatingThe Undertaker
Best EntertainerOscar
Worst IdeaAbe Knuckleball Schwartz on strike
SweatiestIrwin R. Shyster
Biggest RatOwen Hart
GreediestTatanka
Most Spectacular MatchLadder match

Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania X

Best Coliseum Home VideoWWF Raw: Video Strategies & Secrets
Best Tag TeamDiesel & Shawn Michaels
Worst Tag TeamDiesel & Shawn Michaels
MouthiestJerry The King Lawler
Most EccentricBob Backlund
Smelliest(TIE) Henry Godwinn / Duke The Dumpster Droese
Most Likely To See Jenny CraigBastion Booger
Best PPVWrestleMania X
Best ManagerThe Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase
Best New Generation SpotBret The Hitman Hart "Go get 'em, champ!" commercial
Best EtiquetteThe Headshrinkers
Most DevastatingBull Nakano
FunniestDink The Clown
MVPDiesel
Best ShowWWF Mania
Most Evolutionary(TIE) Gorilla Monsoon / King Kong Bundy
Most PatrioticLex Luger
Best DressedJames E. Cornette
Biggest HeartThe 123 Kid

Awards and honors

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

See main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards.

CategoryWinner
PWI Wrestler of the YearHulk Hogan
PWI Tag Team of the YearThe Nasty Boys
(Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags)
PWI Match of the YearRazor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania X)
PWI Feud of the YearBret Hart vs. Owen Hart
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearSting
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearBob Backlund
PWI Comeback of the YearHulk Hogan
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearDiesel
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearBret Hart
PWI Rookie of the Year911
PWI Lifetime AchievementCaptain Lou Albano
PWI Editor's AwardJimmy Hart

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

See main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards.

CategoryWinner
Wrestler of the YearToshiaki Kawada
Most OutstandingKenta Kobashi
Feud of the YearLos Gringos Locos vs. Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Tag Team of the YearLos Gringos Locos
(Eddy Guerrero and Art Barr)
Most ImprovedDiesel
Best on InterviewsRic Flair

Title changes

ECW

width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
March 26Shane DouglasUltimate Jeopardy (1994)
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
March 6The TazmaniacHardcore TV #48
March 6J.T. SmithHardcore TV #49
April 16Gary WolfeLive event
May 13Mikey WhipwreckHardcore TV #57
August 13JasonHardcore Heaven
November 42 Cold ScorpioHardcore TV #83
November 4Dean MalenkoHardcore TV #84
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
February 5VacantN/A
March 5Kevin Sullivan and The TazzmaniacN/A
March 6The Public Enemy
Hardcore TV #47
August 27Cactus Jack and Mikey WhipwreckHardcore TV #73
November 5The Public Enemy
November to Remember
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
March 6DeactivatedN/ATitle abandoned when J.T. Smith won the ECW World Television Championship.

FMW

FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 6Mr. PogoFMW
September 7Atsushi OnitaFMW
FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 18Big Titan and The GladiatorFMW
April 21Mr. Pogo and Hisakatsu OyaFMW
July 31Atsushi Onita and Mitsuhiro MatsunagaFMW
OctoberVacantFMW
October 28W*ING Alliance
FMW
FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight Championship
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
December 20Ricky FujiHouse show
FMW Women's Championship
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 11VacantFMW
February 25Megumi KudoFMW
June 19Combat ToyodaFMW
August 28Yukie NabenoSummer Spectacular
December 12VacantN/A

NJPW

Incoming champion – Shinya Hashimoto
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
April 4Tatsumi FujinamiBattle Line Kyushi
May 1Shinya HashimotoWrestling Dontaku 1994
Incoming champions – The Jurassic Powers
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
January 4The Hell Raisers
Battlefield
November 25Hiroshi Hase and Keiji MutohBattle Final 1994
Incoming champion – Jushin Thunder Liger
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
September 24VacantN/A
September 27Norio HonagaG1 Climax Special 1994

WCW

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
April 17VacantSpring StampedeA title match between Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat ended in a double pin, which resulted in the title being vacated
April 21Ric FlairSaturday NightAired on tape delay on May 14.
July 17Hulk HoganBash at the Beach
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
March 16Hiroshi HaseHouse show
March 24Rick RudeHouse show
April 17StingSpring Stampede
May 1Rick RudeWrestling Dontaku
May 1VacantN/ARude's victory is reversed due to use of the belt as a weapon. Sting refuses the title, leaving it vacant
May 22StingSlamboreeDefeated Vader to win the vacant title.
June 23Ric FlairClash of the Champions XXVIITitle ceases to exist after winning
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
August 24Ricky SteamboatClash of the Champions XXVIII
September 18Steve AustinFall Brawl
September 18Jim DugganFall Brawl
December 27VaderStarrcade
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
May 2Larry ZbyszkoSaturday NightAired on tape delay on May 28.
June 23Lord Steven RegalClash of the Champions XXVII
September 18Johnny B. BaddFall Brawl
Incoming champions – The Nasty Boys
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
May 22Cactus Jack and Kevin SullivanSlamboree
July 17Pretty Wonderful
Bash at the Beach
September 25Stars and Stripes
Main Event
October 23Pretty Wonderful
Halloween Havoc
November 16Stars and Stripes
Clash of the Champions XXIX
December 8Harlem Heat
Saturday NightAired on tape delay on January 14.

WWF

DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
March 20Bret HartWrestleMania XRoddy Piper was the guest referee
November 23Bob BacklundSurvivor SeriesIt was a submission match.
November 26DieselHouse showthis title change occurred in New York City's Madison Square Garden. The time of the fall: 8 seconds
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
April 13DieselSuperstarsThis was aired on tape delay on April 30.
August 29Razor RamonSummerSlam
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
November 20Bull NakanoBig Egg Wrestling Universe
Incoming champions – The Quebecers
width=14%Datewidth=14%Winnerwidth=14%Event/Showwidth=58%Note(s)
January 10The 1-2-3 Kid and Marty JannettyRaw
January 17The Quebecers
Raw
March 29Men on a Mission
House show
March 31The Quebecers
House show
April 26The Headshrinkers
Raw
August 28Two Dudes with Attitudes
House show
November 23VacantSurvivor SeriesVacated when Diesel and Michaels could not function as a tag team

Births

Debuts

Retirements

Deaths

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Royal Rumble 1994. Pro Wrestling History. 2007-10-23.
  2. Web site: WrestleMania X. Pro Wrestling History. 2008-01-20. Pro Wrestling History.
  3. Web site: WrestleMania PPV Cards. Wrestling Information Archive. 2008-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20071231214118/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfwm.htm. December 31, 2007. dead. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: Gran Prix Tournament 1994 . April 15, 1994 . August 30, 2009 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  5. News: Lucha 2000 Staff . Arena México: 50 anos de Lucha Libre . Lucha 2000 . Especial 28 . April 2006 . Spanish.
  6. Web site: Asistencia Asesoría y Administración TripleManía . 2009-02-19. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  7. Web site: Asistencia Asesoría y Administración TripleManía . 2009-02-19. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  8. Web site: Asistencia Asesoría y Administración TripleManía . 2009-02-19. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  9. Web site: King of the Ring 1994. Pro Wrestling History. 2007-11-01.
  10. Web site: Bash at the Beach 1994. July 17, 1994. Pro Wrestling History. September 1, 2015.
  11. Web site: SummerSlam 1994. Pro Wrestling History. 2007-11-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061913/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/summer.html#94. October 23, 2013. dead.
  12. Web site: 61st Anniversary Show . September 30, 1994 . February 19, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.
  13. Book: Royal Duncan and Gary Will. Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. Mexico: Copa de Oro 1994. 398. 2000. 0-9698161-5-4.
  14. Web site: JoJo profile. The Internet Wrestling Database.
  15. Web site: Tian Bing: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). www.profightdb.com. 2017-12-27.
  16. Web site: Liv Morgan. Online World of Wrestling. March 16, 2016. March 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170301183857/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/l/liv-morgan/. dead.
  17. Web site: Lio Rush. February 14, 2016. The Internet Wrestling Database.
  18. Web site: Jasmin Areebi . Online World of Wrestling . March 18, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115632/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/j/jasmin-areebi/ . April 2, 2015 . mdy .