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Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1968

By: Karl Stern

The year 1968 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling podcast - Click Here.

1968

01-03-1968: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Shown live on NTV with a 34.7 ratings: Gentetsu Matsuoka pinned Mr. Chin… Masio Koma pinned Haruka Eigen… Kotetsu Yamamoto pinned Akihisa Takachiho… Kantaro Hoshino pinned Masayuki Fujii… Antonio Inoki beat Ken Hollis… Prince Iaukea pinned Umanosuke Ueda… Karl Gotch pinned Jerry London… Michiaki Yoshimura & Kintaro Oki battled Ricky Hunter & Mr. X to a no contest. This match was for the vacant JWA All Asian tag team titles… NWA International champion Giant Baba pinned The Crusher.

01-05-1968: Alberto & Enrique Torres defeated Stan & Butcher Vachon to win the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,015: Thor Hagen defeats Ed Sharkey… Joe Blanchard & Ronnie Etchison defeat Mitsu Arakawa & Tor Kamata 2 falls to 1… Princess Little Cloud defeats Kay Noble… Dick the Bruiser defeated Ox Baker… Pat O'Connor & Moose Evans & Wilbur Snyder defeat Dr. Scarlet (Bill Watts) & Johnny Powers & Moose Cholak 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeats Edouard Carpentier by referee stoppage after splitting one fall each. Special Referee: Buddy Rogers.

01-11-1968: Santo vs. Los Villanos Del Ring (Santo Vs. The Villains Of The Ring) movie is released. El Santo takes down a con artist organization.

01-12-1968: Jim Hady dies.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (Sellout): Arman Hussian wrestled The Alaskan - Draw… The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat Rick Renaldo & Rocky Montero… John Tolos defeats Mr. Moto… Pepper Gomez defeats Red Baron… Fred Blassie defeats Pedro Morales… Buddy Austin defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) to retain the title in Atlanta, GA.

01-19-1968: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated Stan & Butcher Vachon to win the World tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

01-22-1968: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 8,700: Ricky Sexton defeats Mario Fraterolli… Victor Rivera defeats Wes Hutchins… Bull Ramos defeats Smasher Sloan… Miguel Perez defeats Angelo Savoldi… Earl Maynard defeats Guillotine Gordon… Dominic DeNucci & Edouard Carpentier defeat Baron Mikel Scicluna & Luke Graham… Antonio Pugliese defeats Prof. Toru Tanaka by DQ… WWWF champion Hans Mortier defeats Bruno Sammartino by DQ

01-27-1968: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,237: The Great Malenko defeats Tom Andrews… Hahn Lee defeats Don Duffy… Haru Sasaki defeats Pedro Godoy… Ciclon Negro defeats Stan Neilson… Kinji Shibuya defeats Red Bastien… Art Thomas wrestled Skull Murphy to a Draw… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Pedro Morales & Pepper Gomez defeat The Enforcers (Clyde Steeves & Bull Bulinski)… AWA San Francisco United States champion Bearcat Wright defeats Ray Stevens by DQ 2 falls to 1.

01-29-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 14,130: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka… Edouardo Carpentier battled Hans Mortier to a draw… Victor Rivera & Miguel Perez defeated Luke Graham & Guillotine Gordon… Bull Ramos defeated Antonio Pugliese… Dominic DeNucci defeated Smasher Sloan… Louis Cerdan (Gino Brito) defeated Mario Fratoroli… Earl Maynard defeated Johnny Rodz… Angelo Savoldi defeated Wes Hutchins (AKA: Hartford Love). This was the last pro wrestling show held at the third Madison Square Garden.

02-02-1968: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance: 10,181: Bob Boyer defeats Johnny Kace… Mitsu Arakawa & Tor Kamata defeat Eddie Graham & Steve Bolus 2 falls to 1… Ronnie Etchison defeats Jose Betancourt… Dick the Bruiser defeats Joe Tangaro… Dory Funk Jr. defeats Moose Cholak by DQ… Pat O'Connor & Wilbur Snyder defeat Dr. Scarlet & Stan the Moose (Bill Watts & Moose Morowski)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski wrestled Edouard Carpentier to a Time Limit Draw after splitting one fall each.

02-09-1968: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,422: Arman Hussian wrestled Ricky Romero - Draw… Don Chuy wrestled Pedro Morales - Draw… Mr. Moto defeats Rocky Montero… Fred Blassie defeats Pepper Gomez… WWA World Tag Team champions The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) wrestled John Tolos & The Alaskan - Draw… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats Buddy Austin 2 falls to 1.

02-10-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 13,376: Ricky Sexton defeats Bull Johnson… Louis Cerdan defeats Guillotine Gordon… Earl Maynard defeats Luke Graham… Prof. Toru Tanaka defeats Antonio Pugliese… Bull Ramos wrestled Edouard Carpentier to a Draw… Miguel Perez & Victor Rivera defeat The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore)… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Hans Mortier in a Texas Death Match with Special Referee NFL New Patriots star Jim Nance.

02-11-1968: The fourth Madison Square Garden holds its first event, a Bob Hope Salute to the Troops show. The new Madison Square Garden has a 20,000-seat arena, a 500-seat movie theater, and a 5,600 seat Felt Forum amphitheater.

02-19-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,989: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bull Ramos… Kentucky Butcher (AKA: John Quinn) defeated Edouardo Carpentier… Victor Rivera defeated Hans Mortier… Prof. Toru Tanaka battled Dominic DeNucci to a draw… Earl Maynard defeated Luke Graham… Little Beaver & Irish Jackie defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus… The Sheik defeated Louis Cerdan (Gino Brito) … Miguel Perez defeated Guillotine Gordon. This was the first pro wrestling show held at the fourth Madison Square Garden.

The first World heavyweight champion, George Hackenschmidt dies at the age of 90.

02-23-1968: Atacan Las Brujas (The Witches Attack) movie is released. El Santo investigates a cult of beautiful women.

02-26-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 12,800: Lenny Solomon defeats Bull Johnson… Louis Cerdan defeats Luke Graham… Virgil the Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) defeats Miguel Perez… Earl Maynard defeats Bill Miller… Bill Miller wrestled Hans Mortier to a Time Limit Draw… Bull Ramos defeats Dominic DeNucci… Toni Rose & Patti Neilson defeated Barbara Owen & Donna Christianello 2 falls to 1… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Prof. Toru Tanaka in a stretcher match.

03-01-1968: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) defeated Mr. M (El Mongol) in a mask verses mask match in Atlanta, GA.

03-04-1968: Vancouver, Canada: British Columbia: Pacific Coliseum: Attendance 9,957: Eric Froelich wrestled Tony Orford to a draw… Emile Dupree defeats Paul Dubois… Rocky Johnson wrestled Don McClarty to a draw… Gaylord George defeats Bruce Kirk… Trotski the Wrestling Bear defeated Bad Boy Frank Shields… Sky-Hi Jones defeats Karl Von Steiger… Bobo Brazil defeats The Mongol… Lou Thesz defeats Abdullah the Butcher by DQ… NWA Vancouver Canadian Tag Team champions The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) defeat Don Leo Jonathan & Gene Kiniski 2 falls to 1.

03-05-1968: Portland, OR: Memorial Coliseum: Attendance 8,000. Largest crowd in promoter Don Owen's Portland history at the time, only broken once in 1985 for Ric Flair and Billy Jack Haynes: Beauregarde defeats Sandy Barr… Paul Diamond defeats Pedro Godoy… Bearcat Wright wrestled Shag Thomas to a draw… Bud Cody defeats Jose Quintero… Johnny Kostas & Luigi Macera wrestled Ray Stevens & Tom Andrews to a draw after splitting one fall each… Special Referee: Stan Stasiak: Tony Borne defeats Lonnie Mayne by DQ 2 falls to 1.

03-08-1968: Alberto & Enrique Torres defeated El Mongol & Tarzan Tyler to win the previously vacant Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,527: Mr. Moto defeats Rick Renaldo… Lita Marez defeats Jane Shirrel… Pedro Morales defeats The Alaskan… The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat Ray Stevens & Rocky Montero… John Tolos defeats Pepper Gomez… WWA Americas Heavyweight champion Fred Blassie defeats Bobo Brazil 2 falls to 1.

03-11-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,148: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn)… Victor Rivera defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka by DQ… Edouardo Carpentier & Dominic DeNucci & Earl Maynard defeated Dr. Bill Miller & Hans Mortier & Bull Ramos… Little Beaver & Little Joe defeated Cowboy Bradley & Frenchy Lamont… Miguel Perez defeated Luke Graham… Louis Cerdan (Gino Brito) defeated Bull Johnson… George Crybaby Cannon defeated Johnny Rodz.

03-15-1968: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,765: Ronnie Etchison defeats John Fogarty… Bob Brown defeats Steve Bolus… Bobby Shane defeats Danny Dusek… Bob Geigel wrestled Bob Ellis to a 20-minute draw… Dr. Scarlet (Bill Watts) defeats Joe Blanchard… Wilbur Snyder & Edouard Carpentier defeat Stan Kowalski & The Crusher… NWA World Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski wrestled Dick the Bruiser to a double DQ after splitting one fall each. Special Referee: Pat O'Connor.

Roy Shire's AWA: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 10,622: Alberto Amessa wrestled Tom Andrews to a Draw… Haru Sasaki defeats Luigi Bassetta… Hahn Lee & Haystacks Calhoun defeat The Great Malenko & The Masked Marvel… Karl Gotch defeats Pedro Godoy… AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya defeats Bearcat Wright by DQ 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Pedro Morales & Pepper Gomez defeat Fred Blassie & Ray Stevens by referee's decision after splitting one fall each.

03-22-1968: NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) to retain the title in Atlanta, GA.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,672 (Standing room only. Sellout): Mr. X 1 defeats Mr. Moto… Pepper Gomez defeats Arman Hussian… Pedro Morales wrestled Ray Stevens to a Draw… Lita Marez defeats Pat Cherry… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Rocky Montero… The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat John Tolos & The Alaskan 2 falls to 1… Texas Death Match: Bobo Brazil defeats Fred Blassie by DQ. Fred Blassie was disqualified when The Convict (Stan Frazier) attacked Brazil.

03-23-1968: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Arena: 6,427: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bull Ramos.

03-30-1968: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 15,109: The largest indoor crowd for wrestling in Boston since 1929: Bill Miller defeats Gino Brito… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeats Bull Johnson… Virgil the Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) defeats Dominic DeNucci… Barbara Owens & Helen O'Connor defeated Toni Rose & Patti Neilson… Little Beaver & Joey Russell defeated Cowboy Bradley & Frenchy Lamont… Edouard Carpentier defeated Crybaby Cannon… Victor Rivera defeated Hans Mortier… Earl Maynard defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Bull Ramos.

04-05-1968: Los Canallas (The Scoundrels) movie is released. Mil Mascaras does battle with a biker gang of women. Despite film title using the male version of "The"(Los), the gang is actually called by the feminine "Las Angeles Infernales" (The Infernal Angels) and features both men and women.

04-06-1968: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 10,000: Gentetsu Matsuoka beat Mr. Chin… Akihisa Takachiho beat Masayuki Fuji… Len Rossi drew Kotetsu Yamamoto… Dominic DeNucci beat Kantaro Hoshino… Pat Patterson beat Mitsu Hirai… Jess Ortega beat Duke Keomuka… Michiaki Yoshimura beat Angelo Poffo… Killer Kowalski drew Giant Baba… Freddie Blassie & Tarzan Tyler beat Kintaro Oki & Antonio Inoki.

04-19-1968: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,386: Don Chuy wrestled Rocky Montero - Draw… Pedro Morales defeats Mr. X 1… Buddy Austin & John Tolos & Luke Graham defeat Pepper Gomez & The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) … NWA World Women's champion The Fabulous Moolah defeats Bette Boucher… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats The Convict (Stan Frazier) in 2 falls. Special Referee: Mr. Moto.

04-20-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston: Garden: Attendance 7,600 (Boston Globe), or 9,006 (Boston Herald): George Cannon defeats Bull Johnson… Johnny Rodz defeats Lenny Solomon… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Tony Castro… Baron Mikel Scicluna & Lou Albano defeat Arnold Skaaland & Ricky Sexton 2 falls to 1… Bull Ramos wrestled Victor Rivera to a draw… Bill Miller & Hans Mortier & Toru Tanaka defeat Earl Maynard & Edouard Carpentier & Gino Brito… Virgil the Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) defeats WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by Count Out.

04-22-1968: Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 17,348: Dale Roberts defeats Gerard Dugas… Larry Moquin defeats Terry Garvin… Little Brutus & Sky Low Low defeats Cowboy Bradley & Little Beaver… Juan Lopez & Lionel Robert defeats Pat Lawrence & Don Serrano… Gino Brito & Jacques Rougeau, Sr defeats Matt Gilmore & Brute Martin… Hans Schmidt & Baron Von Raschke defeat The Miller Brothers (Bill Miller & Dan Miller)… Edouard Carpentier defeats The Sheik 2 falls to 1… Johnny Rougeau defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

04-26-1968: Hans Schmidt & El Mongol defeated Alberto & Enrique Torres for the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

04-27-1968: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Arena: 6,712: Angelo Savoldi defeated Bull Johnson… Bull Ramos fought Louis Cerdan to a draw… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Crybaby Cannon… Little Beaver & Little Joey defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus… Victor Rivera & Eduard Carpentier & Earl Maynard defeated Hans Mortier & Prof. Toru Tanaka & Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Virgil the Kentucky Butcher in a Texas Death Match.

05-03-1968: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) defeated El Mongol to win the Georgia title in Atlanta, GA. On the same show: Big O II (Johnny Valentine) defeated The Avenger III (Pedro Valdez) and unmasked him.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,479: Joe Tangaro defeats Jack Daniels… NWA North American Tag Team champions Bulldog Bob Brown & Bob Geigel defeat Bobby Shane & Thor Hagen 2 falls to 1… Edouard Carpentier defeats Hans Schmidt… Terry Funk defeats Blackjack Lanza by DQ… Cowboy Bob Ellis & Pat O'Connor defeat Dick the Bruiser & Bulldog Brower… NWA World Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeats Bill Watts 2 falls to 1. Special Referee: Whipper Billy Watson.

05-10-1968: In Atlanta, GA Big O II (Johnny Valentine) defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) to win the Georgia title with Dick Steinborn as special referee.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,424: Luke Graham defeats Medic 1… Medic 2 wrestled Mr. Saito - Draw… Mil Mascaras & Pedro Morales defeat Mr. X 2 & Rocky Montero… Jean Antone defeats Betty Niccoli by DQ… Buddy Austin defeats The Convict (Stan Frazier) 2 falls to 1… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats John Tolos by referee's decision 2 falls to 1.

Darren "William Regal" Matthews is born.

05-11-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 11,396: Crybaby Cannon defeats Baron Mikel Scicluna… Hans Mortier defeats Louis Cerdan… Bette Boucher & The Fabulous Moolah defeat Helen Norton & Judy Grable… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Bill Miller… Edouard Carpentier wrestled Prof. Toru Tanaka to a draw… Bull Ramos & Homer O'Dell defeat Earl Maynard & Victor Rivera by DQ… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Virgil The Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) in a Texas Death Match.

05-18-1968: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1968 in Trowel, UK: Shown on ITV: Chic Purvey & Steve Clements beat Bobby Barnes & Adrian Street via DQ… Ted Heath beat Chic Purvey… Mick McManus drew Alan Miquet in three falls after each had won a fall.

05-20-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,506: WWWF heavyweight champion battled George Steele to a draw… Victor Rivera defeated George Cannon… Gorilla Monsoon & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Bobo Brazil & Earl Maynard… Ernie Ladd defeated Mike Paidousis… Cowboy Bradley & Irish Jackie defeated Frenchy Lamont & Sonny Boy Cassidy… Hans Mortier battled Bull Ramos to a no contest… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Louis Cerdan (Gino Brito).

05-24-1968: Big O II, the Georgia champion, went to a one hour draw with Dick Steinborn in Atlanta, GA. Big O II voluntarily unmasked as Johnny Valentine.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,647: Mr. Moto defeats Gorilla Marconi… Betty Niccoli defeats Jean Antone… Mil Mascaras defeats Masked Texas… Ray Stevens wrestled Pedro Morales - Draw… The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat Fred Blassie & Buddy Austin by DQ 2 falls to 1… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeated Luke Graham by DQ 2 falls to 1.

05-29-1968: in Bombay, India drawing 50,000: Dara Singh beat Lou Thesz in three falls to win a version of the World title.

WWWF Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 10,404: The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore) defeat Arnold Skaaland & Louis Cerdan… Earl Maynard & Victor Rivera defeat Bull Ramos & Homer O'Dell… Cowboy Bradley & Irish Jackie defeat Frenchy Lamont & Sonny Boy Cassidy… Hans Mortier defeats Baron Mikel Scicluna… Prof. Toru Tanaka defeats Crybaby Cannon… Gorilla Monsoon & Virgil the Kentucky Butcher defeat Bruno Sammartino & Edouard Carpentier 2 falls to 1.

05-31-1968: Alberto & Enrique Torres defeated Hans Schmidt & El Mongol to win the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

Aranas Infernales (Infernal Spiders) movie is released. Blue Demon fights spider aliens.

06-07-1968: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,674: Don Chuy wrestled Masked Texas to a Draw… Mr. Saito defeats Gorilla Marconi… Pedro Morales defeats Fred Blassie by DQ… WWA World Tag Team champions The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat Jim Osborne & Pat Patterson… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats Luke Graham… WWA Americas Heavyweight Title Tournament Final: Mil Mascaras defeats Buddy Austin by Count Out 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

06-14-1968: NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeated Pat O’Connor in Atlanta, GA. On the same show Tarzan Tyler defeated Johnny Valentine to win the Georgia title.

06-21-1968: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10.775: Mr. Moto defeats Masked Texas… Pedro Morales defeats Mr. X 1… Jim Osborne & Luke Graham wrestled The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) to a Draw… Bobo Brazil defeats The Convict (Stan Frazier)… Fred Blassie defeats WWA Americas Heavyweight champion Mil Mascaras by referee stoppage for blood in one fall. The title did not change hands.

06-22-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,580: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele… Ernie Ladd defeated Earl Maynard… Bobo Brazil & Victor Rivera battled Gorilla Monsoon & Prof. Toru Tanaka to a draw… Edouardo Carpentier defeated Hans Mortier… Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) defeated George Cannon… Bull Ramos defeated Louis Cerdan (Gino Brito)… Johnny Rodz defeated Carlos Colon… Angelo Savoldi defeated Lenny Soloman.

06-26-1968: La Sombra Del Murcielago (The Shadow Of The Bat) movie is released. A Phantom Of The Opera-like villain named El Murcielago (The Bat) haunts a woman who Blue Demon tries to protect.

06-27-1968: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Masio Koma beat Ushinosuke Hayashi via DQ… Akihias Takachiho pinned Masayuki Fujii… Mitsu Hirai pinned Haruka Eigen… Tony Marino pinned Gentetsu Matsuoka… Jess Ortega pinned Kantaro Hoshino… Rocky Montero beat Kotetsu Yamamoto via DQ… Kintaro Oki pinned John Tolos… Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura beat Calypso Hurricane & Mario Milano… Giant Baba beat Bobo Brazil to win the NWA International title.

06-29-1968: El Mongol defeated Louie Tillet to win the Texas Brass Knux title in Atlanta, GA.

07-04-1968: El Tesoro De Moctezuma (The Treasure Of Montezuma) movie is released. El Santo, as an international spy, tries to put a stop to foreign criminals seeking the treasure of Montezuma.

07-05-1968: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,563: Darling Dagmar defeats Diamond Lil… Buddy Moreno wrestled John Tolos to a Draw… Hahn Lee defeats Rocky Montero… WWA World Tag Team champions The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) wrestled Jim Osborne & Luke Graham to a Draw… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil wrestled The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) to a Draw… WWA Americas Heavyweight champion Mil Mascaras defeats Fred Blassie by DQ 2 falls to 1.

In Atlanta, GA Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated Tarzan Tyler & El Mongol to win a tournament for the Georgia tag team titles with Lou Thesz as special referee.

07-06-1968: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 8,474: Lenny Solomon defeats Carlos Colon… John Tzinas defeats Johnny Rodz… Homer O'Dell defeats Arnold Skaaland… Ann Casey & Toni Rose defeat Barbara Owens & Donna Christianello… Bull Ramos defeats Crybaby Cannon… George Steele defeats Earl Maynard… Bruno Sammartino & Edouard Carpentier & Victor Rivera defeat Gorilla Monsoon & Toru Tanaka & Virgil the Kentucky Butcher 3 falls to 2.

07-08-1968: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Stadium: Kotetsu Yamamoto beat Masayuki Fuji… Akihisa Takachiho beat Haruka Eigen… Gino Brito beat Kantaro Hoshino… Ray Stevens beat Antonio Inoki… Giant Baba beat Mike Loren… Klondike Bill & Skull Murphy beat Kintaro Oki & Michiaki Yoshimura to win the JWA All Asian tag team titles.

07-11-1968: Blue Demon Destructor De Espias (Blue Demon, Destroyer of Spies) movie is released. A James Bond-like Spy thriller with Blue Demon.

07-13-1968: WWWF in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 9,783: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ernie Ladd by count out… Edouardo Carpentier battled George Steele to a draw… Bobo Brazil & Victor Rivera defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Prof. Toru Tanaka by DQ… Earl Maynard defeated Bull Ramos… Little Beaver & Irish Jackie defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus… Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) defeated Carlos Colon… Johnny Rodz defeated Pete Sanchez.

07-19-1968: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,534: Luke Graham defeats Lou Anthony… Jim Osborne wrestled Mr. Moto to a Draw… Buddy Moreno wrestled Rocky Montero to a Draw… John Tolos defeats Hahn Lee… WWA World Tag Team champions The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat Mil Mascaras & Pedro Morales… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats The Sheik by DQ 2 falls to 1.

07-27-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 9,730: Ricky Sexton defeats Pete Sanchez… Johnny Rodz defeats Lenny Solomon… John Tzinas defeats Jack Murphy… Virgil the Kentucky Butcher defeats Angelo Savoldi… Earl Maynard defeats Bull Ramos… Arnold Skaaland defeats Homer O'Dell… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Edouard Carpentier… Victor Rivera defeats Prof. Toru Tanaka… George Steele defeats WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by DQ.

AWA: Chicago, IL: International Amphitheater: Attendance 12,108: Angelo Poffo defeats Bob Boyer… Lord Littlebrook & Wee Willie Wilson defeat Little Beaver & The Mighty Atom… Moose Cholak defeats Big K… Mad Dog Vachon defeats Dutch Savage… AWA World Tag Team champions Dr. Moto & Mitsu Arakawa wrestled Bill Watts & Wilbur Snyder to a Double DQ… AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne defeats Blackjack Lanza.

08-03-1968: Big Time Wrestling: in Arlington, TX: Turnpike Stadium drawing 19,000: Danny Plechas drew Benny Mata… Rene Goulet beat Pedro Valdez… Billy Red Lyons beat Smasher Sloan… Duke Keomuka beat Dusty Rhodes… Grizzly Smith & Evelyn Stevens vs. The Spoiler (Don Jardine) & Barbara Galento… NWA World champion Gene Kiniski beat Fritz Von Erich in a Texas death match.

08-07-1968: JWA: in Osaka, Japan: Osaka Stadium: Attendance: 14,000: Klondike Bill beat Kotetsu Yamamoto… Mike Loren beat Mitsu Hirai via DQ… Kintaro Oki beat Gino Brito… Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura battled Skull Murphy & Ray Stevens to a double count out… NWA International champion Giant Baba beat Bruno Sammartino 2 falls to 1.

08-09-1968: In Atlanta, GA in a mask verses mask match: The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeated Mr. Wrestling and unmasked him as Dick Steinborn. (Tim Woods also still wrestled periodically in the area as Mr. Wrestling).

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 11,564: Buddy Moreno & Pedro Morales defeat Jim Osborne & Rocky Montero… Betty Niccoli defeats Kathy Starr… Crybaby Cannon & Luke Graham wrestled The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) to a Draw… WWA Americas champion Mil Mascaras defeats John Tolos 2 falls to 1… Fred Blassie defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

08-10-1968: Roy Shire's AWA: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,008: Jean Antone defeats Betty Niccoli… Bearcat Wright & Hahn Lee defeat Haru Sasaki & The Alaskan… Eddie Graham defeats Pedro Godoy… AWA San Francisco World Tag Team champions Kinji Shibuya & Masa Saito defeat Pedro Morales & Pepper Gomez… AWA San Francisco United States champion King Curtis Iaukea defeats Haystacks Calhoun.

08-17-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,360: Bruno Sammartino & Victor Rivera defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Prof. Toru Tanaka in 2 falls… Bobo Brazil defeated Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) … Argentina Apollo defeated Bull Ramos… Earl Maynard battled Dick Steinborn to a draw… Irish Jackie & Jamaica Kid defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus… Arnold Skaaland defeated Frank Hickey… Edouardo Carpentier defeated George Steele.

Blue Demon Contra Cerebros Infernales (Blue Demon Against the Infernal Brains) movie is released. This film is ahead of its time. Dealing with the sci-fi idea of transfer of consciousness from one body to another. Blue Demon fights a group of evil scientists who want to steal the consciousness of geniuses in their plan for world domination.

AWA: Bloomington, MN: Met Center. Attendance 8,970: Frankie Laine defeats Roberto Pico… Chris Markoff wrestled Luke Brown to a Draw… Cowboy Lang & Wee Willie Wilson defeat Little Bruiser & The Mighty Atom… Wilbur Snyder defeats Dutch Savage… Harley Race & Larry Hennig defeat Lord Littlebrook & The Crusher… Dr. X (Dick Beyer) defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

08-23-1968: The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeated Tarzan Tyler to win the Georgia title in Atlanta.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,807: Rick Renaldo defeats Jerry Monti… Buddy Moreno wrestled Jim Osborne to a Draw… Pedro Morales defeats Fritz Von Goering… The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat Buddy Austin & El Mongol by DQ… Mad Dog Vachon defeats Mil Mascaras 2 falls to 1… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil defeats Fred Blassie 2 falls to 1.

08-24-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston, Garden: Attendance 11,734: Irish Jackie & The Jamaica Kid defeat Little Brutus & Sky Low Low… Earl Maynard defeats Dick Steinborn… Rocky Fitzpatrick defeats Prof. Toru Tanaka… Arnold Skaaland defeats Johnny Rodz… Ricky Sexton defeats Frank Hickey… Edouard Carpentier & Victor Rivera defeat Gorilla Monsoon & Virgil the Kentucky Butcher 2 falls to 1… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino wrestled George Steele to a no contest. The referee was struck with a flying chair thrown by Steele and was stretchered out. Both men were claiming victory. 

08-31-1968: Verne Gagne regains the AWA World heavyweight title from Dr. X (Dick Beyer) in Minneapolis, MN. This would begin a seven-year run as AWA World champion for Verne Gagne.

09-06-1968: Stan & Butcher Vachon defeated Alberto & Ramon Torres for the Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

The last WWA card before changing the name of the booking office to NWA Hollywood: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 11,153: Hahn Lee defeats Rick Renaldo… Steve Bolus defeats Rocky Montero… Buddy Moreno wrestled Skull Murphy to a Draw… El Mongol defeats Mil Mascaras… Buddy Austin & Fred Blassie defeat WWA World Tag Team champions The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) by DQ 2 falls to 1… Mad Dog Vachon defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil by DQ.

09-07-1968: WWWF: Philadelphia, PA: Arena: Attendance: 7,000: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele via count-out.

09-13-1968: In Atlanta, GA: The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski by DQ.

09-14-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 12,979: Angelo Savoldi defeats Lenny Solomon… Ricky Sexton defeats Johnny Rodz… Earl Maynard wrestled Baron Mikel Scicluna to a 20 minute draw… John Tzinas defeats Pete Sanchez… Arnold Skaaland defeats Dan Richardson… Rocky Fitzpatrick defeats Bull Ramos… Victor Rivera wrestled Gorilla Monsoon to a Double Count Out… Spiros Arion defeats The Kentucky Butcher… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino wrestled George Steele to a double blood stoppage.

09-20-1968: Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated Stan & Butcher Vachon to win the Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta.

EMLL 35th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 15,000: El Santo & Rey Mendoza beat Angel Blanco & Dr. Wagner… NWA World Middleweight champion Rene Guajardo beat Tony Oxford… NWA World Welterweight champion Karloff Lagarde beat Blue Demon.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,527: Jack Garfano wrestled Rocky Montero to a Draw… Crybaby Cannon wrestled Pedro Morales to a Draw… Steve Bolus defeats Rick Renaldo… Buddy Austin & Fred Blassie & Thunderbolt Patterson defeat Bobo Brazil & The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2)… El Mongol (Raul Molina) defeats WWA Americas Heavyweight champion Mil Mascaras to win the title.

09-23-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 9,382: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ricky Fitzpatrick (Bob Orton)… Spiros Arion defeated Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn)… Bobo Brazil battled Gorilla Monsoon to a double count out… Victor Rivera defeated George Steele… Earl Maynard battled Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw… The Sicilians (Tony Altomare & Lou Albano) defeated Arnold Skaaland & Pete Sanchez… Bull Ramos defeated Lenny Solomon… Johnny Rodz defeated Chuck Adcox.

09-26-1968: Blue Demon Contra Las Diabolicas (Blue Demon Against The Diabolical Ones) movie is released. Blue Demon fights a gang of criminals lead by an evil Blue Demon.

10-01-1968: WWA drops recognition of their own world heavyweight title and recognize the NWA World heavyweight title and Gene Kiniski as world champion. A match between NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski and the last WWA World champion, Bobo Brazil is set for December.

10-04-1968: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,673: Sonny Myers defeats The Viking… Betty Nicoli defeats Mae Young… Bulldog Brower defeats Chief White Owl… Dick The Bruiser defeats The Funks (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Sr.) by DQ in a handicap match… Pat O'Connor defeats Baron Von Raschke… Blackjack Lanza & Bob Geigel wrestled Lou Thesz & Edouard Carpentier to a double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeats Bill Watts 2 falls to 1.

10-08-1968: Eddie Graham is severely injured in a dressing room accident in Tampa, FL. A 75 pound steel window falls, hitting him on the head. He needs 300 stitches and suffers eye damage that required surgery. Graham would be out of wrestling for a little over a year.

10-12-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 15,109: Joe Lacreta defeats Angelo Savoldi… Johnny Rodz defeats Lenny Solomon… Arnold Skaaland defeats Chuck Adcox… Rocky Fitzpatrick defeats Ernie Lassiter… Victor Rivera defeats Baron Mikel Scicluna… Haystacks Calhoun defeats Bull Ramos… Gorilla Monsoon wrestled Spiros Arion to a draw… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats George Steele.

The WWA Promotion changed it’s name to NWA Hollywood since September. In Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,694: Medic 2 defeats Tony Romano… Pedro Morales defeats The Invader… El Mongol wrestled Medic 1 to a Draw… Crybaby Cannon wrestled Steve Bolus to a Draw… Lord Littlebrook & Pee Wee Wilson defeat Little Bruiser & The Mighty Atom… Fred Blassie & Thunderbolt Patterson defeat Bobo Brazil & Buddy Austin 2 falls to 1.

10-21-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,443: The Sheik defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by count out… Spiros Arion defeated Rocky Fitzpatrick (Bob Orton)… Victor Rivera & Haystack Calhoun defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Baron Mikel Scicluna… Bobo Brazil & Ernie Lassiter defeated Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn) & Bull Ramos… Tony Altomare defeated Johnny Rodz… Pete Sanchez defeated Chuck Adcox.

11-01-1968: NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski went to a double countout with The Professional (Doug Gilbert) in Atlanta, GA.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,273: Samba Lumumba wrestled Tony Romano to a Draw… Hahn Lee defeats Crybaby Cannon by DQ… Pedro Morales defeats Steve Bolus… The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) defeat El Mongol & Rocky Montero… Bobo Brazil defeats John Tolos by DQ… Buddy Austin wrestled Fred Blassie to a No Contest Double Blood Stoppage.

11-02-1968: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 8,000: Haruka Eigen pinned Motoyuki Kitazawa… Masayuki Fujii beat Mr. Chin… Motoshi Okuma pinned Katsuji Adachi… Kantaro Hoshino pinned Hideo Koma… Mitsu Hirai drew Buddy Moreno… Kotetsu Yamamoto battled Karl Karlsson to a double count out… Kintaro Oki pinned Medico 1 (Pedro Godoy) … Mad Dog Vachon & Red Bastien beat Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura… NWA International champion Giant Baba beat Karl Kox.

11-08-1968: Johnny Valentine defeated The Professional (Doug Gilbert) for the Georgia title in Atlanta, GA.

11-09-1968: WWWF Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 11,225: Pete Sanchez defeats Johnny Rodz… Joe LaCreta defeats Chuck Adcox… Little Beaver & Joey Russell defeat Little Brutus & Billy the Kid… Bull Ramos defeats Louis Cerdan… Haystacks Calhoun & Spiros Arion & Antonio Pugliese defeated Gorilla Monsoon & George Steele & Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Rocky Fitzpatrick (Bob Orton Sr.) by DQ.

In San Francisco, CA at the Cow Palace with a crowd of 13,957: Pepper Gomez & Ray Stevens defeated Kinji Shibuya to win the World tag team titles… Bill Miller won an 18 man battle royal featuring Don Leo Jonathan… NWA World heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeated Fred Curry to retain the title… Don Leo Jonathan defeated The Alaskan… Bill Miller defeated Gene Dubuque… Freddie Blassie defeated Pepper Martin… also featuring Man Mountain Mike.

11-11-1968: IWE: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Ray Golden Appollon battled Tadaharu Tanaka to a double count out… Peter Maivia beat Billy Robinson via DQ… Masao Kimura & The Great Kusatsu beat Michael Nador & Gilbert Voiney… TWWA tag team champions Toyonobori & Sugiyama beat George Gordienko & John DaSilva.

Montreal, Canada: Montreal Forum: Attendance 20,890: Eddie Auger defeats Buster Lloyd… Whipper Billy Watson wrestled Brute Martin to a draw… Larry Moquin defeats Chin Lee… Antonio Pugliese & Gino Brito defeat The Vachons (Maurice Vachon & Paul Vachon)… The Garvin Brothers (Ron Garvin & Terry Garvin) defeat The Masks (Mask 1 & Mask 2) by DQ… Matt Gilmore & Doug Kent defeat Paul LeDuc & Jos LeDuc… Abdullah The Butcher defeat Dale Roberts… Hans Schmidt defeats Don McClarity… Jacques Rougeau, Sr. defeats Baron Von Raschke… Johnny Rougeau defeats Montreal World Heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff 2 falls to 1 to win the title. Special Referee: Yvon Robert.

11-18-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,000: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated The Sheik by DQ… Spiros Arion & Haystack Calhoun & Victor Rivera defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Kentucky Butcher & Baron Scicluna… Pete Sanchez defeated Bull Ramos… Rocky Fitzpatrick (Bob Orton) defeated Ernie Lassiter… Tony Altomare defeated Lenny Solomon… Lou Albano defeated Angelo Savoldi… Johnny Rodz defeated Chuck Adcox.

11-22-1968: The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) defeated Alberto & Ramon Torres to win the Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta.

12-06-1968: The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeated Johnny Valentine to win the Georgia title in a No DQ match with Joe Louis as special referee.

JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 9,200: Ushinosuke Hayashi pinned Masayuki Fujii… Haruka Eigen pinned Katsuji Adachi… Motsohi Okuma pinned Steve Bolus… Kantaro Hoshino battled Paul DeMarco to a double count out… Brute Bernard pinned Mitsu Hirai… Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura beat Lonnie Mayne & Joe Scarpa (Jay Strongbow)… NWA International champion Giant Baba beat Gene Kiniski.

12-08-1968: Michael Cole is born.

12-09-1968: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,943: In a Texas Death Match WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated The Sheik… Killer Kowalski defeated Antonio Pugliese (Tony Parisi)… Victor Rivera defeated Rocky Fitzpatrick (Bob Orton)… Gorilla Monsoon battled Haystack Calhoun to a double count out… Spiros Arion defeated Kentucky Butcher (John Quinn)… Dominick DeNucci defeated Bull Ramos… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Chuck Adcox… Carlos Colon defeated Lou Albano… Tony Altomare defeated Pepe Sanchez… Johnny Rodz defeated Lenny Solomon.

Kurt Angle is born.

12-13-1968: In Mexico City, Mexico, El Solitario defeated Ray Mendoza in a mask verses hair match.

12-16-1968: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance 9,005: Pete Sanchez & Victor Rivera defeat The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore) … Carlos Colon defeats Johnny Rodz… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeats Chuck Adcox… Arnold Skaaland defeats Virgil the Kentucky Butcher… The Sheik defeats Spiros Arion… Killer Kowalski defeats Bull Ramos… Bruno Sammartino & Haystacks Calhoun defeat Rocky Fitzpatrick (Bob Orton Sr) & Gorilla Monsoon in 2 straight falls.

12-18-1968: NWA World Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski wrestled Bobo Brazil to a time limit draw, swapping one fall each at the Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium. Attendance 10,127.

12-19-1968: Billy Robinson defeats Toyonobori in the finals of an eleven-man tournament in Okayama, Japan to become the first IWA World champion.

12-20-1968: In a Masks verses World tag titles match in Atlanta, GA, The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller to win the World tag team titles.

12-26-1968: Blue Demon En Pasaporte a La Muerte (Blue Demon in Passport to Death) movie is released. A genre-mixing movie where Blue Demon as a Spy does battle with an evil scientist.

12-27-1968: Dale Lewis defeated The Professional (Doug Gilbert) for the Georgia title in Atlanta, GA.

Verne Gagne vs Dr. X (Dick Beyer)

DragonKingKarl (Karl Stern) is a long time pro wrestling historian who has been published in books, newsletters, and podcasts since the mid-1990s.

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