Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1979

By: Karl Stern

The year in pro wrestling history 1979 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1979

January 1979 INside Wrestling Magazine cover featuring Bruno Sammartino, Superstar Billy Graham, and Dusty Rhodes.

January 1979 INside Wrestling Magazine cover featuring Bruno Sammartino, Superstar Billy Graham, and Dusty Rhodes.

01-01-1979: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Andre the Giant to a double count out… Jack & Jerry Brisco defeat Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. in Atlanta for the NWA Georgia tag team titles… Dusty Rhodes & Tommy Rich defeated Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen by DQ… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Angelo Mosca… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Luke Graham… Bugsy McGraw defeated Kurt Von Hess… Pierre Lefevre defeated Bryan St. John… Raymond Rougeau defeated Larry Latham (AKA: Moondog Spot)

In West Palm Beach, FL Dick Slater defeated Jos LeDuc for the Florida title.

01-02-1979: Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose of Midnight Express fame) defeats Dick Murdoch for the NWA Central States title in St. Joseph, MO. 

In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Terry Funk to a draw.

Bruiser Brody starts his first tour of All Japan Pro Wrestling.

01-03-1979: In Miami Beach, Fl at the Convention Center: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Jos LeDuc.

01-05-1979: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,812: Mike Bowyer wrestled Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose) to a draw… Hartford Love defeats Rick Oliver… Joyce Grable & Vicki Williams defeat Suzette Ferreira & Leilani Kai 2 falls to 1… Ted DiBiase defeats Roger Kirby… Bobo Brazil & Tom Andrews & Pat O'Connor defeat Lord Alfred Hayes & Bob Sweetan & Bobby Duncum… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Dick the Bruiser by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

01-06-1979: Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeats Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) for the NWA Georgia title. Also Thunderbolt Patterson defeats Gene Anderson for the NWA Georgia TV title.

01-07-1979: Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy win the Mid America tag team titles from George Gulas & Bobby Eaton in Chattanooga, TN. 

Houston, TX: The Summit: Bull Ramos defeated Nick Kozak… Tiger Conway Jr. wrestled Superstar Billy Graham to a 20 minute draw… Ox Baker defeated Gino Hernandez by DQ… Dusty Rhodes defeats NWA Texas Brass Knuckles championMark Lewin to win the title… Jose Lothario & Mil Mascaras defeats The Funk Brothers (Dory Funk Jr. & Terry Funk) 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Andre The Giant to a double count out. Harley Race won one fall by count out. Andre won the second fall. The third fall went to a double count out. Harley Race body slammed Andre the Giant during this match.

01-11-1979: AWA Wrestling: Winnipeg, Canada: Arena: Attendance: 11,000: Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens… Mighty Igor defeated Super Destroyer Mark II (Robert Remus)… Bobby Duncum & Stan Hansen defeated High Fliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell)… Billy Robinson defeated Iron Sheik… Moose Morowski battled Steve Olsonoski to a draw… Frank Hill defeated Doug Sommers.

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01-14-1979: Dino Bravo defeated AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ in Toronto, Canada at the Maple Leaf Gardens.

01-15-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,000: Jackie Welch beat Danny Davis… Dennis Condrey & Don Fargo beat Pez Whatley & Roger Howell… Rip Smith & Bill Dundee & Tommy Gilbert beat Chris Colt & David Schultz & Wayne Ferris via DQ… Ron Fuller beat Austin Idol to win the Southern title.

01-16-1979: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker).

01-17-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Mike Graham.

01-19-1979: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeat Jack & Jerry Brisco for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium.

01-20-1979: Thor the Viking (Scott Irwin) defeats Terry Funk for the Southern (FL) title in St. Petersburg.

01-21-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,118: Tommy Gilbert & Jackie Welch beat David Schultz & Wayne Ferris… Toru Tanaka & Ron Fuller beat The Destroyer & Don Fargo… Dennis Condrey & Don Fargo beat Jimmy Golden & Roger Howell… Toru Tanaka & Ron Fuller beat Tommy Gilbert & Jackie Welch… Toru Tanaka & Ron Fuller beat Dennis Condrey & Don Fargo to win the vacant Southern tag team titles… The Mongolian Stomper beat Koko Ware & Robert Gibson in a handicap match… Bill Dundee beat Chris Colt… Jerry Lawler beat Austin Idol.

01-22-1979: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,000: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Peter Maivia in a steel cage match… Ivan Koloff defeated Ivan Putski by count out… WWWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Johnny Rodz… Dusty Rhodes defeated Yukon Lumberjack Pierre (Pierre Lefleur)… WWWF World tag team champions Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Victor Rivera & Stan Stasiak… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Roddy Piper defeated Frankie Williams… Fabulous Moolah & Suzette Ferrara defeated Joyce Grable & Winona Little Heart.

01-27-1979: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 14,150: Terry Funk defeats The Intern… Ray Stevens defeats Ron Pope… The Anoia Brothers (Afa & Sika Anoia) defeats Ed Wiskoski & Ernie Ladd… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Ron Starr to a double count out… Ron Starr wins the Cow Palace battle royal by eliminating Harley Race.

01-28-1979: UWA Mexico: 4th Anniversary Show in Naucalpan, Mexico: El Toreo drawing 20,000: Dr. Wagner beat Angel Blanco in a mask vs. hair match.

01-29-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,874: Danny Davis beat Koko Ware… Chris Colt & Don Fargo beat Tommy Gilbert & Jackie Welch… Bill Dundee beat Dennis Condrey… Ricky & Robert Gibson beat David Schultz & Wayne Ferris… Jerry Lawler & Jackie Fargo beat Mil Mascaras & Austin Idol in a stretcher match (Promoter Jerry Jarrett insists this was the real Mil Mascaras).

02-02-1979: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeated Dusty Rhodes & Bill Watts by DQ to retain the NWA Georgia tag team titles… Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) by count out… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ox Baker… Ernie Ladd defeated Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods)… The Sheik defeated Tony Atlas… Blackjack Lanza defeated Tommy Rich… Stan Hansen & Angelo Mosca defeated Jack Brisco & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) in a Texas Tornado match… Raymond Rougeau defeated Luke Graham… Vickie Williams defeated Leilani Kai… Jerry Roberts (Jacques Rougeau) defeated Larry Latham.

St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,800: Bobo Brazil & Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose) & Tom Andrews defeat Bob Sweetan & Hartford Love & Siegfried Stanke… David Von Erich defeats Pierre Bonnet… Pat O'Connor defeats Mike Bowyer… Dick Murdoch defeats Bryan St. John… NWA Missouri champion Dick The Bruiser defeats Bulldog Brown… 16 Man Battle Royal Andre The Giant defeats Pierre Bonnet; Hartford Love; David von Erich; Mike Bowyer; Tom Andrews; Randy Alls; Bryan St. John; Dick The Bruiser; Siegfried Stanke; Bobo Brazil; Ric Flair; Pat O'Connor; Dick Murdoch; Bulldog Brown; Bob Sweetan… Texas Tornado Match: Ric Flair & Dick Murdoch defeat Andre the Giant & Rocky Johnson.

02-05-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,310: The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Roger Howell & Tommy Gilbert… Chris Colt & Don Fargo beat Ricky & Robert Gibson… Dennis Condrey & Don Carson beat Bill Dundee & Jimmy Golden… Jerry Lawler & Jackie Fargo beat Austin Idol & Tojo Yamamoto.

New Japan Pro Wrestling chooses Japanese Congressman Susumu Nikaido as commissioner.

02-10-1979: AWA & AJPW Chicago, IL: Spike Huber defeats Doug Gilbert… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats Juan Valez… Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta defeat Mad Man Mitchell & Roger Kirby… Giant Baba defeats PWF Heavyweight champion Abdullah The Butcher to win the title 2 falls to 1… Ernie Ladd defeats Bobo Brazil by DQ… AWA World Tag Team champions Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens defeat Dick the Bruiser & Pepper Gomez… Verne Gagne defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel by DQ.

In Lakeland, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Rocky Johnson.

02-11-1979: In Orlando, FL: Andre the Giant defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

02-12-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,318: Buzz Sawyer beat Roger Howell… Jimmy Golden beat Chris Colt… The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Bill Dundee & Tommy Gilbert… World Brass Knuckles champion Don Fargo beat Robert Gibson… Toru Tanaka beat Ron Fuller via forfeit to win the Southern title… Dennis Condrey & Don Carson & Austin Idol beat Jerry Lawler & Jackie & Don Fargo.

In Fort Pierce, FL at the St. Lucie Civic Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Jimmy Garvin to a draw.

02-14-1979: In Hollywood, FL at the Sportatorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Andre the Giant to a double count out.

02-15-1979: Saga of Manny Fernandez: Possible debut match for Manny Fernandez in the Amarillo territory, losing to Grizzly Boone.

02-16-1979: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) wins the North American title from Ernie Ladd in Atlanta, GA. He is the last North American champion under Leroy McGuirk before Bill Watts buys the promotion. 

In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ.

02-17-1979: Roddy Piper wins his first NWA Pacific Northwest title from Jonathan Boyd. 

In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Mike Graham by DQ.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Wembley Skating Rink: Bull Hefer promoter: Attendance: About 5,000: South African champion Jan Wilkens defeated Spiros Arion…

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02-18-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,200: Don Fargo beat Roger Howell… Robert Gibson drew Buzz Sawyer… The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Larry Hardin & Kevin Sullivan… The Mongolian Stomper pinned Tommy Gilbert… Jimmy Golden beat Toru Tanaka via DQ… Southern tag team champions Dennis Condrey & Don Carson beat Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller… Jerry Lawler beat Austin Idol in a lumberjacks with straps match.

02-19-1979: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,255: WWWF champion Bob Backlund battled Greg Valentine to a draw… Ivan Koloff battled Ivan Putski to a draw… Ivan Putski defeated Victor Rivera by count out… WWWF World tag team champions Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Peter Maivia & Stan Stasiak… WWWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Tony Russo… Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Allen) defeated Frankie Williams… Steve Travis defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.

02-22-1979: The planned New Orleans, LA Superdome show is cancelled due to a police strike in the city.

02-23-1979: St. Louis, MO: Attendance: 10,100: Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose) & Brian St. John defeated Bob Brown & Mike Boyer… Bobo Brazil defeated Jerry Brown… Dick Murdoch defeated Tom Andrews… NWA Missouri champion Dick the Bruiser defeated Roger Kirby… Pat O’Connor & Ox Baker defeated King Kong (Bruiser) Brody & Bob Sweetan by DQ… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Ric Flair 2 falls to 1.

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02-24-1979: AWA wrestling: Milwaukee, WI: Attendance: 5,857: AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel battled Billy Robinson to a draw… Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) defeated The Crusher by DQ… High Fliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeated Bobby Duncum & Pat Patterson… Ray Stevens defeated Steve Olsonoski… Cecil Dubois battled Juan Valdez to a draw.

WWWF: Springfield, MA: Civic Center: Attendance: 6,614: Ivan Koloff defeated WWWF champion Bob Backlund by DQ… Ivan Putski defeated Victor Rivera… Dusty Rhodes defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Steve Travis defeated Gypsy Rodriguez… Dominic Denucci defeated Joe Crugnale… Pete Doherty defeated Fred Marzino… Dave Darrow defeated Mike Hall.

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02-26-1979: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller beat Dennis Condrey & Don Carson to win the Southern tag team titles.

02-27-1979: "High Chief" Peter Maivia defeats NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race by disqualification in Auckland, New Zealand and is given the belt. Maivia, however, refuses to accept the title and the belt is returned to Race. The attendance for this show was 10,000: Del Adams wrestled Sammy Hartrum to a Draw… John Da Silva & Samoan Joe defeat James J. Dillon & Marv Fortune… Mad Dog Martin defeats Jack Claybourne… Rick Martel & Rocky Johnson defeat The Kiwis (Bob Miller & Sweet William AKA: The Sheepherders: Butch Miller & Luke Williams)

All-Japan Women: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 10,000: WWWA champion Jackie Sato pinned Makiko Ueda in a loser retires match.

Second generation British wrestler Dominic Pye was killed in an accidental shotgun shooting near Blackpool, England.

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03-01-1979: New Japan Pro Wrestling: Tsu, Japan: Attendance: 5,100: Antonio Inoki & Riki Choshu defeated Johnny Mantell & Tiger Jeet Singh… Seiji Sakaguchi & Osamu Kido defeated Umanosuke Ueda & Masa Saito by DQ… Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Stan Stasiak… Shozo Kobayashi battled Perro Aguayo to a no contest… Baby Face defeated Yoshiaki Fujiwara.

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03-02-1979: Ole Anderson defeats Thunderbolt Patterson for the NWA Georgia TV title in Atlanta. 

03-03-1979: Carlos Colon defeats Gorilla Monsoon for the WWC North American title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Ron Starr defeats Roddy Piper in a tournament final in San Francisco, CA to win the NWA US (CA) title. 

In St. Joseph, MO, Sonny Myers was nominated to run for Sheriff again. He had previously been elected Sheriff but had been removed from office due to an ethics violation.

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03-04-1979: CWA in Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,019: Koko Ware beat The Destroyer… Danny Davis beat Roger Howell… Dennis Condrey beat Robert Gibson… The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Tommy Gilbert & Buzz Sawyer… Tony Charles beat Don Carson… The Mongolian Stomper beat Jimmy Golden… Toru Tanaka & Austin Idol beat Southern tag team champions Robert Fuller & Bill Dundee via DQ… Bill Dundee won a two ring battle royal.

JCP: Greensboro, NC: Coliseum: Attendance: 7,129: NWA Mid-Atlantic champion Ken Patera battled Wahoo McDaniel to a double count out… Blackjack Mulligan defeated Big John Studd… Ernie Ladd defeated Rufus R. Jones… Jimmy Snuka defeated Baron Von Raschke… Mr. X I defeated Gary Young… Steve Regal battled David Patterson to a draw… Gene Anderson & Kim Duk & Moose Morowski defeated Skip Young & Pedro Morales & Nick DeCarlo.

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03-06-1979: Johnny Valiant & Jerry Valiant (Guy Mitchell) win the WWWF World tag team titles from Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko in Allentown PA. 

03-09-1979: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: In a Texas Bullrope match: Bill Watts & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff… In an Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel defeated Stan Hansen… Mr. Wrestling (Johnny Walker) battled Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) to a no contest… Ric Flair battled Tony Atlas to a no contest… Tommy Rich & Bob Armstrong & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Luke Graham & Kurt Von Hess & Blackjack Lanza… Raymond Rougeau defeated Larry Latham… Pierre Lefebvre defeated John Wolfe… Ted Oates defeated Rick Oliver.

03-10-1979: AWA: Milwaukee, WI: Auditorium: Attendance: 5,895: AWA World tag team champions Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens defeated Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson… The Crusher defeated Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) by count out… Cecil Dubois defeated Dick Reynolds… Steve Olsonoski defeated Buddy Wolfe… Sailor Art Thomas defeated Doug Sommers.

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03-11-1979: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: Baraki, Japan: 6,800: Giant Baba defeated Mario Milano… Abdullah the Butcher defeated Don Milano… Dos Caras defeated Big Red… Great Kojika battled Takashi Ishikawa to a no contest… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Tor Kamata & Kim Ill by DQ… Dick Slater defeated Rocky Hata… Great Okuma defeated Billy Francis.

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03-15-1979: AWA Winnipeg, Canada: Attendance: 7,000: AWA World tag team champions Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens defeated High Fliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell)… The Crusher & Lord Littlebrook defeated Lord Alfred Hayes & Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin)… British Empire champion Billy Robinson battled Cecil Dubois to a no contest… Buddy Wolfe battled Steve Olsonoski to a draw… Bobby Duncum defeated Doug Gilbert… Mad Dog Vachon defeated Sheik Adnan Al Kassie.

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03-17-1979: WWWF at the Philadelphia, PA Spectrum with an attendance of 15,855: Victor Rivera defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Ivan Koloff defeated Dusty Rhodes due to blood stoppage… Greg Valentine defeated Steve Travis by count out… Bob Backlund defeated Peter Maivia to retain the WWWF title… Ernie Ladd defeated Dominic Denucci… Bulldog Brower defeated S.D. Jones… Jerry & Johnny Valiant & Lou Albano defeated Ivan Putski & Larry Zbyszko & Tony Garea.

AWA: Omaha, NE: City Auditorium: Attendance: 6,359: Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon defeated AWA World tag team champions Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens in a non-title steel cage match… High Fliers (Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell) defeated Cecil Dubois & Iron Sheik… Bobby Duncum battled Billy Robinson to a double DQ… Steve Olsonoski defeated Joe Scarpello… Doug Gilbert battled Buddy Wolff to a 15 minute draw.

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03-19-1979: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Robert Fuller beat Toru Tanaka via forfeit to win the Southern title. Fuller later returned the belt… Austin Idol beat Bill Dundee via DQ in a loser leaves town match.

03-20-1979: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: Kyoto, Japan: Attendance: 8,200: Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Dick Slater… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeated Great Kojika… Mario Milano defeated Don Milano.

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03-23-1979: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,946: Randy Alls (AKA: Randy Rose) & Tom Andrews defeat Mike Bowyer & Hartford Love in 2 falls… Bob Sweetan defeats Bryan St. John… Bobo Brazil & Pat O'Connor defeat Jerry Brown & Bulldog Brown… Dick Murdoch wrestled Ted DiBiase to a 20 minute draw… Dick the Bruiser defeats Siegfried Stanke… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats King Kong (Bruiser) Brody 2 falls to 1.

03-25-1979: In Toronto, ON: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: 9,000: John Yachetti beat Terry Yorkston… Dewey Robertson pinned Al Costello… Moose Morowski pinned Steve Bolus…. NWA World tag team champions Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff beat Big John Studd & Ken Patera… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel battled WWWF World champion Bob Backlund to a double count out… Greg Valentine beat Canadian champion Dino Bravo via DQ… NWA U.S. champion Ricky Steamboat pinned Ric Flair.

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03-26-1979: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,000: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Greg Valentine… Bruno Sammartino defeated Ivan Koloff by count out… Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant & Lou Albano defeated Dusty Rhodes & Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko… Fred Curry defeated Victor Rivera by count out… Dick Murdoch defeated Johnny Rodz… Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Steve Travis defeated Mike Hall… Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Allen) defeated S.D. Jones… Ivan Putski defeated Peter Maivia.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,211: Buzz Sawyer beat Koko Ware… Ron Slinker beat Hans Schroeder via countout… Tommy Gilbert drew Mike Stallings… The Mongolian Stomper & The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Jimmy Golden & Tony Charles & Bill Dundee… Toru Tanaka beat Southern champion Robert Fuller via DQ… Bill Dundee battled Austin Idol to a double DQ.

Mike Graham & Steve Keirn defeated Bugsy McGraw & Pak Song for the Florida tag team titles in West Palm Beach, FL.

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03-31-1979: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center a tournament is held for the U.S. tag team titles: Round 1: Ray Candy & Bubba Douglas defeated Mike Hammer & Herb Calvert… Wayne Farris & Larry Latham defeated Bill Dromo & Cyclone Negro… Killer Khan & Pak Song defeated Don Serrano & Killer Karl Kox… Round 2: Larry Latham & Wayne Farris defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco by DQ… Killer Khan & Pak Song defeated Ray Candy & Bubba Douglas… Finals: Killer Khan & Pak Song defeated Larry Latham & Wayne Farris to win the U.S. tag team titles… Steve Keirn defeated Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton)… Jimmy Garvin defeated Thor the Viking (Bill Irwin) to win the Southern title… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Dusty Rhodes to a draw.

WWWF: Springfield, MA: Civic Center: Attendance: 8,000: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Ivan Koloff… Dave Darrow defeated Victor Rivera by DQ… Jerry & Johnny Valiant defeated SD Jones & Ivan Putski… Steve Travis defeated High Chief Peter Maivia by DQ… Johnny Rodz defeated Mike Hall… Allen Cohen defeated Frank Williams… Greg Valentine defeated Tony Garea… Bulldog Brower defeated Larry Zbyszko.

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04-01-1979: Ric Flair recaptures the NWA U.S. title from Ricky Steamboat in Greensboro, NC in a steel cage match.

Roger Kirby & Igor Volkoff win the WWA tag team titles from Wilbur Snyder & Pepper Gomez in Indianapolis. 

04-02-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,329: Koko Ware drew Danny Davis… Ron Slinker pinned Hans Schroeder… Tony Charles beat Tuffy Taylor… Jimmy Golden beat Tommy Gilbert… Bill Dundee & Tony Charles beat The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) via DQ… Southern champion Buzz Sawyer vs. The Mongolian Stomper. The Southern title was held-up after this match… Jerry Lawler & Robert Fuller beat Austin Idol & Toru Tanaka in a Texas tornado match.

04-05-1979: AWA Wrestling: Winnipeg, Canada: Attendance: 5,000+: Mad Dog Vachon defeated AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel but AWA President Stanley Blackburn held up the title (only in Winnipeg) following a referee dispute… Jesse Ventura & Bobby Duncum defeated Jim Brunzell & Steve Olsonoski… Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) defeated The Crusher by DQ… British Empire champion Billy Robinson defeated Cecil Dubois… Buddy Wolfe defeated Chris Pepper… Dave Kochen defeated Fred Peloquin… Paul Ellering defeated Ron Ritchie.

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04-06-1979: Abdullah the Butcher wins the annual All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Jumbo Tsuruta. 

04-09-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,061: Tony Charles won an elimination match. Also in the match were: Jerry Bryant, Danny Davis, Roger Howell, Hans Schroeder, & Tuffy Taylor… Jimmy Golden & Ron Slinker beat Tommy Gilbert & Buzz Sawyer… Southern tag team champions Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller beat The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) via DQ… Austin Idol & The Mongolian Stomper beat Jerry Lawler & Toru Tanaka in a no DQ match.

04-14-1979: AWA: Denver, CO: Auditorium: Attendance: 5,127: AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel defeated Mad Dog Vachon by DQ… Bobby Duncum defeated Steve Olsonoski… Pat Patterson defeated Paul Ellering… Billy Robinson defeated Ray Stevens… The Crusher defeated Super Destroyer Mark II (Robert Remus AKA: Sgt. Slaughter)

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04-15-1979: AWA: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance: 8,000: The Crusher defeated The Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin)… Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson… Buddy Wolfe defeated Kenny Jay… Bobby Duncum defeated Frankie Hill… Paul Ellering & Steve Olsonoski defeated Iron Sheik & Cecil Dubois.

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04-16-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,684: Tommy Gilbert pinned Bruce Stanton… Tony Charles beat Hans Schroeder… Jimmy Golden beat Ron Slinker… The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Robert Fuller & Bill Dundee in a Texas death match… Southern champion The Mongolian Stomper beat Toru Tanaka via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Austin Idol via DQ in a steel cage match.

In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn.

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04-17-1979: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jimmy Garvin by DQ.

04-18-1979: Lizmark defeats Americo Rocca in Acapuica, Mexico for the Mexican National Welterweight title. 

In Hollywood, FL at the Sportatorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Jimmy Garvin to a draw.

04-21-1979: In New Orleans, LA: The Superdome drawing 16,000: Tiny Tom & Cowboy Lang beat Billy the Kid & Butch Cassidy… Ric Flair beat Randy Tyler… Tank Patton beat Gama Singh… Black Atlas & Charlie Cook beat Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody via DQ… Mike George beat Jerry Stubbs to win the Louisiana Title… Mid-South North American champion Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) beat Karl Krupp in a lumberjacks with riding crops match… Dusty Rhodes & Bill Watts beat The Assassin & The Angel in a double bullrope match.

04-23-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,319: Jerry Bryant beat Mike York via DQ… Tommy Gilbert pinned Hans Schroeder… Tony Charles beat Larry Cheatem… Jimmy Golden beat Ron Slinker in a loser leaves town match… The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller to win the Southern tag team titles… Southern champion The Mongolian Stomper beat Toru Tanaka… Jerry Lawler beat Austin Idol in a hair vs. loser leaves town steel cage match.

04-24-1979: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1979 in Guildford, UK: Shown May 12, 1979 on ITV: Big Daddy & Ringo Rigby beat John Quinn & Mark Rocco… British Welterweight champion Jim Breaks drew Steve Grey in three falls after each had won a fall.

04-27-1979: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: In a steel cage match: Dusty Rhodes & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Ivan Koloff & Ole Anderson… NWA U.S. champion Ric Flair defeated Wahoo McDaniel… North American champion Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) by DQ… Tony Atlas & Norvell Austin defeated Blackjack Lanza & Angelo Mosca… Bobby Heenan defeated Tommy Rich… Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mike Stallings defeated Kurt Von Hess & Luke Graham… Ron Bass defeated Bill Dromo via DQ… Rick Oliver defeated Frank Dusek… Genichiro Tenryu defeated John Wolfe.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,675: Bobo Brazil & Bryan St. John defeat Bulldog Brown & Roger Kirby 2 falls to 1… Marie Laverne defeats Early Dawn… Dick The Bruiser defeats Rip Hawk… The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & David von Erich) defeat Jerry Brown & Siegfried Stanke… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats Ox Baker… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Ted DiBiase 2 falls to 1.

04-28-1979: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jimmy Garvin with Killer Karl Kox as special referee.

WWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance 12,085: Nikolai Volkoff defeats Baron Mikel Scicluna… Allen Coage (AKA: Bad News Brown/Allen) defeats Mr. X… Johnny Valiant defeats Dominic DeNucci… WWF North American champion Ted DiBiase defeats Jerry Valiant… Greg Valentine defeats WWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund by referee's decision on a blood stoppage… Butch Cassidy & Little Tokyo defeat Cowboy Lang & Tiny Thumb… Bruno Sammartino defeats Ivan Koloff.

04-30-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Bulldog Brower… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Travis… Verne Gagne defeated Mr. X (Jack Evans)… Andre the Giant & Ted DiBiase & Dominic DeNucci defeated Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant & Jerry Valiant (Guy Mitchell)… Roddy Piper defeated Steve King… Cowboy Lang & Tiny Thumb defeated Little Tokyo & Butch Cassidy… Allen Coage (AKA: Bad New Allen) defeated Jose Estrada… Ivan Putski battled Greg Valentine to a draw… Johnny Rodz defeated Frankie Williams.

04-1979: The World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) shortens it’s name to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

05-04-1979: Ron Slinker defeats David Schultz for the Gulf Coast title in Dothan, AL.

05-05-1979: WWWF: Springfield, MA: Civic Center: Attendance: 9,125: Steve Travis defeated Johnny Rodz… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Mike Hall… Jimmy Valiant defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Little Tokyo & Butch Cassidy defeated Cowboy Lang & Tiny Thumb… Greg Valentine defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund via DQ… Dave Darrow defeated Mr. X… Pete Doherty defeated Steve King… Hussein Arab (Iron Sheik) defeated SD Jones… WWF North American champion Ted DiBiase defeated Jerry Valiant… Bulldog Brower defeated Dominic DeNucci… Bruno Sammartino defeated Johnny Valiant when the match was stopped due to blood.

05-06-1979: AWA: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,870: Buddy Wolff wrestled Doug Gilbert to a Draw… Jesse Ventura wrestled Paul Ellering to a No Contest… Bobby Duncum defeats Steve Olsonoski… Greg Gagne defeats Cecil DuBois… The Super Destroyer Mark II (Bob “Sgt. Slaughter” Remus) defeats Billy Robinson by DQ… Steel Cage Match: Mad Dog Vachon & Verne Gagne defeat The Blond Bombers (Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens).

05-07-1979: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller beat The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) in a loser leaves town vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles.

05-12-1979: WWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,200: Nikolia Volkoff defeated Johnny Rivera… Tito Santana defeated Johnny Rodz… Cowboy Lang & Tiny Thumb defeated Little Tokyo & Butch Cassidy… WWF champion Bob Backlund fought Greg Valentine to a no contest… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated SD Jones… WWF North American champion Ted DiBiase defeated Jimmy Valiant via DQ… WWF tag team champions Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated Steve Travis & Dominic DeNucci… Ivan Putski defeated Bulldog Brower via count-out.

05-14-1979: Wahoo McDaniel defeated The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) for the Georgia title in Augusta, GA. Also on the card Blackjack Mulligan defeated Bob Armstrong for the Georgia TV title.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,300: Tommy Gilbert beat Danny Davis… Kevin Charles beat Plowboy Frazier… Dick Slater beat Kevin Sullivan… Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji beat Bill Dundee & Robert Fuller to win the Southern tag team titles… Terry Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan) beat Southern champion The Mongolian Stomper via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Jimmy Golden in a no DQ loser leaves town match.

05-16-1979: In Tampa, FL King Curtis defeated Jimmy Garvin for the Florida title.

Later that night in Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.

05-17-1979: In Jacksonville, FL at the Coliseum: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Jimmy Garvin.

05-18-1979: Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in a tournament finals at the Omni in Atlanta, GA. The Double Cadillac Georgia tag team title tournament: Round 1: Blackjack Lanza & Ron Bass defeated Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller… Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater defeated Pak Song & Kim Duk… Wahoo McDaniel & Tommy Rich defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco… Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated The Masked Superstars… Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeated Ray Candy & Norvel Austin… Second Round: Blackjack Lanza & Ron Bass defeated Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater by DQ… Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeated Mr. Wrestling & Mr. Wrestling II… Round 3: Wahoo McDaniel & Tommy Rich defeated Blackjack Lanza & Ron Bass… also on the show: Lou Thesz defeated Luke Graham.

Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Knoxville, TN: Mr. Fuji pinned Terry Gibbs… Southern champion Mongolian Stomper pinned Ken Lucas… Southeastern tag team champions Bob Roop & Bob Orton, Jr. beat Jerry Blackwell & Dean Ho… Alexis Smirnoff defeated Ronnie Garvin to win the Southeastern title… Kevin Sullivan pinned Mike Graham to win the U.S. Junior Heavyweight title… CWA champion Thunderbolt Patterson beat Boris Malenko… NWA World champion Harley Race battled Ron Fuller to a double DQ.

05-26-1979: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn on a reverse decision.

WWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 9,085: Johnny Rivera fought Mr. X to a draw… Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Frank Williams… Bulldog Brower defeated SD Jones… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Greg Valentine via referee's decision. Haystacks Calhoun was the special referee… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Jose Estrada… WWF tag team champions Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated Steve Travis & Gorilla Monsoon… Tito Santana defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… WWF North American champion Ted DiBiase fought Jimmy Valiant to a draw.


Karl Stern from When It Was Cool wrote an entry for this book!

06-04-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,000: The Great Hossien (AKA: Iron Sheik) won a 20 man battle royal… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Great Hossien… Tito Santana defeated Jose Estrada… Nikolai Volkoff defeated S.D. Jones… Greg Valentine defeated Dominic DeNucci… Jimmy Valiant battled Ted DiBiase to a draw… Bulldog Brower defeated Mr. X… Ivan Putski defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated Haystack Calhoun & Steve Travis.

In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka to win the Southern tag team titles… Robert Fuller beat The Mongolian Stomper in a loser leaves town vs. title match to win the Southern title.

06-07-1979: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 9,500: Chavo Guerrero beat Kuniaki Kobayashi… Strong Kobayashi & Kengo Kimura beat Victor Rivera & Larry Zbyszko… Mr. Ito beat Haruka Eigen… Seiji Sakaguchi & Riki Choshu & Osamu Kido beat Andre the Giant & Masa Saito & Tony Garea… WWF Junior Heavyweight champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned El Canek… Antonio Inoki pinned Stan Hansen to win the 2nd Annual MSG League.

06-08-1979: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeat Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Georgia tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

06-09-1979: WWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 7,850: Jose Estrada defeated Steve King… Johnny Rodz fought Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw… Tito Santana defeated Mr. X… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Mike Hall… Bulldog Brower defeated SD Jones… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Frank Williams… Bulldog Brower defeated Frank Williams… Jimmy & Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated Ted DiBiase & Dominic DeNucci & Haystacks Calhoun… WWF champion Bob Backlund fought Greg Valentine to a double DQ.

06-10-1979: Ricky Steamboat defeats Paul Jones for the NWA TV title in Asheville, NC. 

06-11-1979: The first ever Tupelo, Mississippi concession stand brawl takes place during a Jerry Jarrett promoted show at the Sports Arena. The Blonde Bombers (Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris) win the Southern tag team titles from Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee then the two teams brawl their way back to the concession stand where it is filmed for television. The brawl is finally broken up by Jerry Jarrett and others. The promotion would do similar brawls multiple times in the future. The next one would take place on April 11, 1980.

06-15-1979: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: In a No DQ match: Bill Watts & Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ernie Ladd & Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff… In a Lumberjack match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Bobby Heenan by DQ… Bob Armstrong & Tony Atlas defeated Blackjack Lanza & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) by DQ… Tony Atlas defeated Masked Superstar… Stan Hansen defeated Gene Anderson… Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) defeated Kurt Von Hess… Ray Candy & Norvell Austin defeated Doug Somers & Carl Fergie… Mike Stallings defeated Bill Howard… Jerry Roberts (Jacques Rougeau) defeated Mike Hammer.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,000: Bryan St. John & Frank Hill defeat The Turk & Steve Hall 2 falls to 1… Bulldog Brown defeats Tom Andrews… Kevin Von Erich & Rufus R. Jones defeat Jerry Brown & Bob Sweetan… Dick Murdoch defeats Pat O'Connor… NWA Missouri champion Dick the Bruiser defeats King Kong (Bruiser) Brody by DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats David Von Erich 2 falls to 1.

06-17-1979: Buddy Rogers referees an NWA US. title match between champion Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes win the match and the title, but the NWA reverses the decision on the grounds that Rogers was not an impartial referee in Greensboro NC: Attendance 9,321: Plus: Coco Samoa defeated Tony Russo… Les Thornton & Leo Burke defeated Kim Duk & Mr. X 1… Len Denton & Rudy Kay defeated Don Kernodle & Gary Young… Jim Brunzell defeated Moose Morowski…. Canadian Heavyweight Champion Dino Bravo defeated Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Ken Patera via disqualification… Ricky Steamboat defeated NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race by DQ 2 falls to 1.

06-18-1979: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Karachi, Pakistan drawing 25,000: Antonio Inoki drew Tiger Jeet Singh.

06-19-1979: Pat Patterson defeats Ted DiBiase for the WWF North American title in Allentown, PA. By September, the title is replaced by the WWF Intercontinental title which Patterson wins in a fictional Brazilian tournament.

06-23-1979: WWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 9,060: Johnny Rivera pinned Jose Estrada… Nikolai Volkoff pinned Johnny Rodz… Steve Travis pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) pinned SD Jones… Ivan Putski defeated Lou Albano via count-out… WWF champion Bob Backlund pinned Bulldog Brower… Tito Santana pinned Mr. X… Jimmy & Jerry & Johnny Valiant defeated Ted DiBiase & Dominic DeNucci & Gorilla Monsoon… Greg Valentine defeated Haystacks Calhoun via count-out.

06-26-1979: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Jimmy Garvin.

06-27-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.

06-30-1979: Olympic medalist and former AWA wrestler Chris Taylor dies at the age of 29 in Story City, IA.

WWF: Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance: 10,000: Jim Grabmire pinned Ronnie Lee… Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Nick Busick… WWF champion Bob Backlund pinned Johnny Valiant… Dominic DeNucci defeated Nikolai Volkoff via DQ… Ted DiBiase fought Jimmy Valiant to a double DQ… Johnny DeFazio pinned JoJo Andrews… Bruno Sammartino pinned Jerry Valiant.

07-01-1979: In Orlando, FL NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn by DQ.

07-02-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,055: Pat Patterson defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by count out… Greg Valentine defeated Chief Jay Strongbow by count out… Ivan Putski defeated Bulldog Brower… Jimmy & Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated Haystack Calhoun & Ted DiBiase & Steve Travis… Great Hossien (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Dominic DeNucci… Tito Santana defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Nikolai Volkoff defeated S.D. Jones… Mr. X battled Johnny Rivera to a draw.

07-06-1979: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ernie Ladd… Dusty Rhodes & Bobo Johnson defeated Killer Karl Kox & Bobby Heenan… In a Texas Death Match: Tommy Rich defeated Ole Anderson with Ray Candy as special referee… In a Texas Tornado match: Stan Hansen & Tony Atlas defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) & Blackjack Lanza… Bobo Brazil defeated Ivan Koloff… Missouri Mauler defeated Jerry Brisco… Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) defeated Carl Fergie… Candy Rich & Jerry Roberts (Jacques Rougeau) defeated Fabulous Moolah & Bill Howard… Jerry Roberts battled Genichiro Tenryu to a draw.

07-07-1979: Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes lose their first match in Chattanooga, TN to Tojo Yamamoto & Great Togo.

WWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attention: 8,200: Jose Estrada fought Steve King to a draw… Dominic DeNucci defeated Moose Monroe… SD Jones defeated Joe Mascara… Jerry Valiant defeated Steve Travis… Jimmy Valiant defeated Ivan Putski… Tito Santana defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Johnny Rivera… WWF champion Bob Backlund pinned Greg Valentine.

07-08-1979: In the famous “Battle of the Nature Boys”, Ric Flair defeats Buddy Rogers with the figure four leg lock in Greensboro, NC. In other matches: Gary Young pinned Tony Russo… Les Thornton drew Mr. X… Tony Garea beat Charlie Fulton… Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood beat Gene Anderson & Swede Hanson… Jim Brunzell & Rufus R. Jones beat Big John Studd & Ken Patera… Dusty Rhodes battled Ernie Ladd to a double count out… Ricky Steamboat beat NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race via DQ.

07-09-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,440: Steve Regal beat Pete Austin via DQ… Hans Schroeder & The Gestapo beat Ricky Morton & Dallas Montgomery… Tommy & Eddie Gilbert beat Buddy & Ken Wayne via DQ in an elimination match… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris & Pete Austin… Bill Dundee beat Danny Davis in a hair vs. hair match… Southern champion Ron Bass beat Randy Tyler.

07-11-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,460: Dusty Rhodes defeated King Curtis by DQ in a cage match… Steve Keirn & Jimmy Garvin defeated Jos LeDuc & Don Muraco by DQ… Killer Khan defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young)… Jimmy Garvin defeated Thor the Viking (Bill Irwin)… Bugsy McGraw defeated Reggie Parks… Buzz Sawyer defeated Mike Hammer.

07-15-1979: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Dewey Robertson defeats John Forsythe… Tiger Jeet Singh defeats Brian Mackney… Paul Orndorff & Jay Youngblood defeat Gene Anderson & Swede Hanson… Jim Brunzell defeats Greg Valentine… Ricky Steamboat defeats Ernie Ladd… NWA Canadian Heavyweight champion Dino Bravo wrestled. Ken Patera to a double DQ… WWF Heavyweight Title vs NWA United States Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Backlund (WWF champion) defeats Ric Flair (NWA U.S. champion) by count out.

07-16-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,751: Ken Wayne drew Ricky Morton… Randy Tyler & Eddie Gilbert beat Hans Schroeder & The Gestapo… Steve Regal beat The Hangman… Buddy Wayne pinned Tommy Gilbert in a no DQ match… Terry & Eddie Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan & Ed Leslie) beat Ron Bass & Pete Austin… Southern tag team champions Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris beat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee via DQ.

07-21-1979: In New Orleans, LA: The Superdome drawing 15,000: Mike Bowyer beat Ken Lucas… John Tolos & Mike George beat Stan Lane & Billy Starr… Jerry Oates beat Tank Patton… Charlie Cook pinned Luke Graham… Vickie Williams won a battle royal. Also in the match were: Kitty Adams, Fabulous Moolah, Winona Littleheart, Cindy Major, Judy Martin, Candy Rich, Toni Rose, Vivian St. John, and Lilly Thomas… Mike Sharpe pinned Ivan Koloff… Angelo Mosca beat Paul Orndorff… Dusty Rhodes beat Karl Kox… Mid-South North American champion Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) beat Ernie Ladd via DQ… Mid-South Louisiana tag team champions Bill Watts & Buck Robley beat The Assassin & The Angel in a steel cage match to win the Mid-South U.S. tag team title.

WWF: Philadelphia, PA: Spectrum: Attendance: 16,232: Televised on the PRISM Network… Tito Santana defeated Johnny Rodz… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jose Estrada… SD Jones defeated Joe Mascara… Greg Valentine defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out… Bulldog Brower defeated Johnny Rivera… WWF tag team champions Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund & Ivan Putski… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Dominic DeNucci… Jimmy Valiant defeated Steve Travis… WWF North American champion Pat Patterson pinned Ted DiBiase.

07-23-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,982: Ricky Morton & Eddie Gilbert beat The Hangman & Ken Wayne… Randy Tyler & Steve Regal beat Hans Schroeder & Gestapo… Buddy Wayne pinned Tommy Gilbert in a taped fist match… World Women's champion The Fabulous Moolah battled Vivian St. John to a double DQ… Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee beat The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes)… Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo battled Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris & Danny Davis to a no contest in a handicap match… Terry & Eddie Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan & Ed Leslie) beat Ron Bass & Pete Austin.

07-25-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 6,288: King Curtis & Killer Khan defeated Dusty Rhodes & Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) by DQ… Jack Brisco defeated Don Muraco… Jimmy Garvin defeated Jos LeDuc by DQ… Steve Keirn & Jerry Brisco defeated Bugsy McGraw & Thor the Viking (Bill Irwin)… Buzz Sawyer battled Jim Shields to a draw… Reggie Parks defeated Mike Hammer.

07-27-1979: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff… Andre the Giant defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie)… Wahoo McDaniel defeated The Sheik… Ray Candy defeated Blackjack Lanza by DQ… Bill Watts defeated Bobby Duncum… Bob Armstrong & Stan Hansen defeated Killer Karl Kox & Austin Idol… Jerry Brisco defeated Doug Somers… Mike Stallings defeated Carl Fergie… Jerry Stubbs defeated Bill Howard.

07-28-1979: Nelson Royal is awarded the NWA World Junior in Atlanta, GA.

Kevin Sullivan defeats Mike Graham in title when champion Al Madril is unable to defend it due to illness. 

07-30-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance:18,000: WWF champion Bob Backlund battled Pat Patterson to a double count out… Chief Jay Strongbow battled Greg Valentine to a no contest in an Indian Strap Match… Andre the Giant & Ivan Putski & Tito Santana & Dominic DeNucci defeated Jimmy & Johnny & Jerry Valiant & Lou Albano… Ted DiBiase battled Great Hossien (Iron Sheik) to a draw… Roddy Piper defeated Johnny Rodz… Nikolai Volkoff defeated Jose Estrada… Steve Travis defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna… Fabulous Moolah & Kitty Adams defeated Joyce Grable & Vivian St. John.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,618: Southern champion Ron Bass beat Terry Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan)… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Bill Dundee.

Masked Superstar defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the NWA Georgia title in Augusta, GA. Also on the show Ray Candy wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Blackjack Lanza.

In Sarasota, FL at the Robarts Arena: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Mike Graham.

07-31-1979: Bull Martin (Murray Grondin) dies of a heart attack at the age of 34 following a match in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.

07-1979: One of the most popular wrestling magazines of all time Pro Wrestling Illustrated debuts with a photo of Mil Mascaras & Dusty Rhodes dominating the cover. 

08-04-1979: Indianapolis, IN: Attendance 8,100: Moose Cholak defeats The Black Saint (Gil Guerrero)… Roger Kirby defeats Steve Cooper… The Cuban Assassin defeats Jose Elizia… Bobo Brazil defeats Doorknob Nixon… Jackie Ruffin defeats Steve Cooper… The Black Saint defeats Jose Elizia… El Bracero defeats Dutch Savage… WWA World tag team champions Paul Christy & Roger Kirby wrestled Spike Huber & Wilbur Snyder to a Double Count Out… King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Dick The Bruiser in a Texas Death Match to win the title.

08-06-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,549: Tommy & Eddie Gilbert beat Bud Smith & Bo Taylor… Dallas Montgomery beat Ken Wayne… Eddie Boulder (Ed Leslie) beat Pete Austin… The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) beat Jimmy Valiant & Steve Regal via DQ… Terry Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan) & Jackie Fargo beat Ron Bass & Sonny King… Southern tag team champions Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris beat Ricky Morton & Bill Dundee.

08-08-1979: Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan win the NWA World tag team titles over Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones in Raleigh, NC, because of this Flair vacates the NWA U.S. title. 

08-11-1979: WWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 11,000: Jose Estrada defeated Joe Mascaro… Johnny Rodz pinned Steve King… Pete Sanchez pinned Frankie Williams… Nikolai Volkoff pinned Steve Travis… Fabulous Moolah & Kitty Adams defeated Joyce Grable & Vivian St. John… Ivan Putski pinned Jimmy Valiant… Andre the Giant pinned Jerry Valiant… Bruno Sammartino defeated Johnny Valiant via referee's decision.

08-13-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,907: Pete Austin beat Jerry Bryant… Bill Dundee & Ricky Morton beat Hans Schroeder & Gestapo… Southern tag team champions Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham beat Tommy & Eddie Gilbert… Southern champion Ron Bass battled Terry Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan) to a no contest… Jimmy Valiant & Steve Regal beat The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) in a no DQ match.

08-15-1979: Dennis Condrey defeats Gypsy Joe for the Southern Brass Knux title in Nashville, TN. 

08-17-1979: “Dr. D” David Schultz defeats Gypsy Joe for the World Brass Knux title in Chattanooga, TN. Also on the show: Ken Lucas battled Dennis Condrey to a double count out… Ricky & Robert Gibson defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Great Togo… Prince Tonga & Chief Thundercloud defeated Ken Hawk & The Demon I… Ted Allen battled Pat Rose to a draw… Ronnie Gossett fought Ginger the wrestling bear to a draw.

In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Tony Atlas… In a Hangman’s Match: Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA Georgia champion Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie). The Georgia title was held up due to Tommy Rich interfering in the match… In a Bunkhouse Match: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeated Bill Watts & Dusty Rhodes… Tony Atlas won a battle royal which included: Bob Armstrong, Killer Karl Kox, Jerry Brisco, Jerry Blackwell, Jerry Stubbs, Doug Somers, Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods), Ernie Ladd, Austin Idol, Jonathan Boyd, Tommy Rich, Bill Howard, Haystacks Calhoun, Ray Candy, and Carl Fergie.

08-20-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,889: Dallas Montgomery beat Ken Wayne… The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) beat Tommy & Eddie Gilbert… Terry Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan) pinned Sonny King… Ricky Morton beat Southern champion Ron Bass via DQ… Southern tag team champions Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris beat Jimmy Valiant & Steve Regal… Jerry Lawler pinned Bill Dundee.

In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn.

08-21-1979: Dusty Rhodes defeats Harley Race in Tampa, FL to win the NWA World heavyweight title. Rhodes thus vacates Florida title. 

Dusty Rhodes NWA champion.jpg

08-22-1979: Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones regain the NWA World tag team titles in Raleigh, NC over Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan.

In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,490: Dusty Rhodes & Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) defeated Killer Khan & King Curtis… Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakaruda… Don Muraco defeated Steve Keirn by DQ… Bryan St. John defeated Manny Fernandez by DQ… Joyce Grable defeated Leilani Kai… Reggie Parks defeated Bill Irwin… Don Serrano defeated Mike Hammer.

08-23-1979: In Key West, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Harley Race.

08-24-1979: Killer Karl Kox defeated Bob Armstrong in a tournament final to win the vacant NWA Georgia title at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA.

08-25-1979: In St. Petersburg, FL at the Bayfront Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry Funk.

08-26-1979: Harley Race defeats Dusty Rhodes in Orlando, FL to win the NWA World Heavyweight title for the third time. Earlier in the day in Jacksonville, FL, Dusty Rhodes had successfully defended the title against Don Muraco.

Tokyo Sports All-Star Dream Card: in Tokyo, Japan: Budokan Hall drawing 16,500: Kotetsu Yamamoto (NJPW) won a battle royal. Also in the match were: Masa Fuchi (AJPW), Mr. Hayashi (AJPW), Muneteru Higo (IWE), Junji Hirata (NJPW), Masao Ito (AJPW), Shouji Kai (NJPW), Kuniaki Kobayashi (NJPW), Shiro Koshinaka (AJPW), Akira Maeda (NJPW), Mitsuo Momota (AJPW), Devil Murasaki (IWE), Atsushi Onita (AJPW), Hiroyuki Saito (NJPW), Kazuharu Sonoda (AJPW), George Takano (NJPW), Masahiko Takasugi (IWE), Goro Tsurumi (IWE), Ichimisa Wakamatsu (IWE), and Tsutomu Yonemura (IWE)… New Japan Kagoshima champion Makoto Arakawa (NJPW) pinned Snake Amami (IWE)… Kantaro Hoshino (NJPW) & Mighty Inoue (IWE) beat Osamu Kido (NJPW) & Takashi Ishikawa (AJPW)… Kengo Kimura (NJPW) & Akio Sato (AJPW) & Ashura Hara (IWE) beat Ismu Teranishi (IWE) & Haruka Eigan (NJPW) & Yoshiaki Fujiwara (NJPW)… The Great Kojika (AJPW) & Motoshi Okuma (AJPW) beat Riki Choshu (NJPW) & Animal Hamaguchi (IWE) via DQ… Seiji Sakaguchi (NJPW) pinned Rocky Hata (AJPW)… Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW) & Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW) & Mil Mascaras (AJPW) beat Masa Saito (freelance) & Akihisa Takachiho (AJPW) & Tiger Toguchi (AJPW)… IWE World champion Rusher Kimura (IWE) beat Strong Kobayashi (NJPW) via countout… Giant Baba (AJPW) & Antonio Inoki (NJPW) beat Abdullah the Butcher (AJPW) & Tiger Jeet Singh (NJPW)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine 1979 Harley Race wins NWA title Dusty Rhodes.JPG

08-27-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Pat Patterson defeated WWF champion Bob Backlund by count out… Bruno Sammartino defeated Nikolai Volkoff… Andre the Giant defeated Jerry Valiant… Ted DiBiase battled Jimmy Valiant to a double count out… Johnny Valiant defeated Dominic DeNucci by count out… Greg Valentine defeated Steve Travis… Great Hossien (Iron Sheik) battled Tito Santana to a draw… Billy the Kid & Ivan the Terrible defeated Butch Cassidy & Tiny Tom… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Bulldog Brower… S.D. Jones defeated Frank Rodriguez.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,000: Ken & Buddy Wayne drew Dallas Montgomery & Eddie Gilbert… Terry Boulder (AKA: Hulk Hogan) & Tommy Gilbert beat Southern tag team champions Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris via DQ… The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) beat Steve Regal & Ricky Morton… Bill Dundee pinned Ron Bass to win the Southern title… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel battled Jerry Lawler to a draw.

08271979 Memphis Wrestling Hulk Hogan Jerry Lawler.JPG

09-1979: Leon White (AKA: Big Van Vader) is on the injured reserve list for NFL season with the Los Angeles Rams.

09-01-1979: Jimmy Snuka managed by Buddy Rogers wins a tournament over Ricky Steamboat in Charlotte, NC to win the vacant NWA U.S. title. 

09-05-1979: Mike George defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) in Shreveport, LA at KTBS Studios to win the North American title. Later than night in Baton Rouge, LA: Mike Sharpe defeated Mike George to win the Louisiana title.

From Wrestling News Magazine 1979

From Wrestling News Magazine 1979

09-08-1979: George Gulas & Bobby Eaton defeat Tojo Yamamoto & David Schultz for the Mid America tag teams titles.

09-09-1979: Dewey Robertson defeated Greg Valentine for the NWA Canadian title in a tournament final in Toronto, Canada.

09-14-1979: Jim Brunzell wins the NWA Mid Atlantic title from Ken Patera in Richmond, VA... Ray Candy wins the NWA Georgia TV title from Lord Jonathan Boyd in Atlanta. 

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,051: George Wells & Frank Hill defeat Roger Kirby & Steve Hall 2 falls to 1… Ron Starr defeats The Turk… David Von Erich defeats Bulldog Bob Brown… Dick The Bruiser & Kevin Von Erich & Pat O'Connor defeat Lord Alfred Hayes & Bob Sweetan & Bobby Duncum… NWA Missouri champion Dick Murdoch wrestled Dory Funk Jr. - Draw… Andre The Giant defeats King Kong (Bruiser) Brody by DQ… 16 Man Battle Royal: King Kong (Bruiser) Brody defeats Kevin Von Erich; Steve Hall; Bob Sweetan; Dick Murdoch; Andre The Giant; The Turk; Frank Hill; Ron Starr; Dory Funk Jr.; Lord Alfred Hayes; Bulldog Brown; George Wells; David von Erich; Roger Kirby; Bobby Duncum.

09-17-1979: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Bill Dundee beat Ron Bass in a no DQ match to win the held-up Southern title

09-19-1979: In Jackson, MS: Mike Sharpe defeated Mike George to win the Mississippi title.

In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,486: Dusty Rhodes & Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) battled Terry Funk & Bugsy McGraw to a double DQ… Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakaruda defeated Buzz Sawyer & Steve Keirn… Ray Stevens defeated Killer Khan by DQ… Manny Fernandez defeated Bryan St. John… Buzz Sawyer & Mark Totten defeated Raul Mata & Don Serrano… Ray Steele defeated Reggie Parks… Jerry Roberts defeated Mike Hammer.

09-21-1979: In Atlanta, GA at the Omni: In a Lights Out Match: Bill Watts defeated Ernie Ladd… In a Steel Cage Match: Tommy Rich & The Crusher defeated Ivan Koloff & Ole Anderson to win the Georgia tag team titles… Tony Atlas defeated Killer Karl Kox… The Sheik defeated Ray Candy… Bob Armstrong defeated Toru Tanaka… Rick Oliver & Jonathan Boyd defeated Ricky Fields & Bill Dromo… Buzz Sawyer defeated Carl Fergie.

EMLL: 46th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Colieso: NWA World Middleweight champion Satoru Sayama beat Ringo Mendoza… Gran Cochisse beat Americo Rocca in a hair vs. hair match.

09-24-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,255: WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Pat Patterson in a steel cage match… Andre the Giant & Tito Santana defeated Jimmy & Jerry Valiant… Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Valiant by DQ… Greg Valentine defeated Dominic DeNucci… Chief Jay Strongbow battled Nikolai Volkoff to a draw… Ted DiBiase defeated Jose Estrada… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated S.D. Jones by count out… Johnny Rivera defeated Frank Rodriguez… Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King.

In West Palm Beach, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Manny Fernandez.

09-25-1979: In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race in a non-title death match.

09-26-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by DQ.

09-28-1979: In Shreveport, LA in a singles match Mike George defeated Buck Robley. By match stipulation Mike George wins the Mid-South tag team titles for himself and partner Bob Sweetan.

09-29-1979: In St. Petersburg, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn.

09-1979: Pat Patterson is awarded the WWF Intercontinental title. The television storyline is that he won a tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the title (possibly to unify the North & South American titles) but no such tournament ever took place.

10-01-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,032: Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham beat Ricky Morton & Sonny King in a no DQ hair vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles… Bill Dundee pinned Jerry Lawler in a no DQ hair vs. title match to win the Southern title. Plowboy Frazier was the special referee.

10-02-1979: Pat McGinnis defeats Hector Guerrero for the Memphis CWA World title in Louisville, KY.

Ryuma Go defeats Tatsumi Fujinami for the WWF Junior title in Osaka, Japan.

10-04-1979: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 7,500: Willem Ruska & Masa Saito beat Strong Kobayashi & Yoshiaki Fujiwara… The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) beat Haruka Eigen & Kantaro Hoshino… The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) beat Kengo Kimura… Seiji Sakaguchi beat Gama Singh… Riki Choshu beat Joey Rossi… Akira Maeda beat Hiroyuki Saito… Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Ryuma Go to win title WWF Junior Heavyweight title… NWF champion Antonio Inoki battled Tiger Jeet Singh to a no contest in an "Indian death" match.

10-05-1979: Ole Anderson & Ernie Ladd win the Georgia tag team titles from Tommy Rich & The Crusher in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,565: Frank Hill & Ron Starr defeat Ron McFarlane & Rock Hunter 2 falls to 1… George Wells defeats The Turk by DQ… Kevin Von Erich & Pat O'Connor defeat Bulldog Bob Brown & Tommy Sharpe… Gene Kiniski defeats Ox Baker… NWA Missouri champion Dick Murdoch defeats Bobo Brazil… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats King Kong (Bruiser) Brody 2 falls to 1.

10-06-1979: Landover, MD: Capital Centre: Attendance 10,393: Steve King defeats Charlie Sharkey… Larry Zbyszko defeats Jose Estrada… Dominic DeNucci defeats Johnny Rodz… Chief Jay Strongbow & Gorilla Monsoon defeat WWF World tag team champions The Valiant Brothers (Jerry Valiant & Johnny Valiant) by DQ 2 falls to 1… WWF Intercontinental champion Pat Patterson defeats Ted DiBiase… Bruno Sammartino defeats Nikolai Volkoff… WWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund defeats Hussein Arab (Future Iron Shiek).

10-07-1979: Dick the Bruiser & Spike Huber win the WWA tag team titles from Roger Kirby & Paul Christy in Indianapolis.

10-08-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,311: The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) beat Steve Regal & Eddie Gilbert… Ron Bass drew Tommy Gilbert… Hector Guerrero & Sonny King & Rick Morton beat Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham & Danny Davis… Tommy Marlin pinned Jimmy Hart… Jimmy Valiant & Bill Dundee beat Jerry Lawler & Plowboy Frazier via DQ… Superstar Billy Graham beat Pat McGinnis in an arm wrestling match… Superstar Billy Graham beat Pat McGinnis to win the CWA title.

10-10-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Hall: Attendance: 6,178: Andre the Giant & Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry & Dory Funk, Jr… Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Bill Irwin & Thor the Viking… Mike Graham & Ray Stevens defeated Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakaruda… Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) defeated Bugsy McGraw… Killer Khan defeated Manny Fernandez by DQ… Steve Keirn defeated Bryan St. John… Jerry Roberts defeated Masked Terror.

10-13-1979: WWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 9,200: Pete Sanchez defeated Gypsy Rodriguez… Mr. X defeated Frank Williams… Larry Zbyszko defeated Jose Estrada… Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King… Hussein Arab (AKA: Iron Sheik) defeated Moose Monroe… Ted DiBiase & Tito Santana defeated Jimmy & Jerry Valiant via DQ… Bruno Sammartino defeated Greg Valentine via count-out… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Pat Patterson.

10-15-1979: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jerry Lawler pinned Bill Dundee to win the Southern title.

10-16-1979: Lou Klein dies at the age of 62 at his Florida home.

In Tampa, FL at the Fort Hesterly Armory: NWA World champion Harley Race defeated Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young).

10-19-1979: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Bobby Heenan suspended in a cage above the ring: Ole Anderson & Bob Armstrong defeated Ernie Ladd & Killer Karl Kox… In an Indian Strap match: Wahoo McDaniel defeated Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie)… Tony Atlas & Tommy Rich defeated Austin Idol & Superstar Billy Graham… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Angelo Mosca… Sterling Golden (AKA: Hulk Hogan) defeated Stan Hansen… Bret Hart (Barry Horowitz) defeated Carl Fergie… Bobby Jaggers defeated Ted Allen… Chris Markoff & Jacques (Rene) Goulet battled Buzz Sawyer & Ricky Fields to a draw.

10-21-1979: Manny Fernandez defeats Terry Funk in Orlando for the Florida title.

10-22-1979: WWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,000: WWF champion Bob Backlund battled Bobby Duncum to a draw… Dusty Rhodes defeated Swede Hanson… WWF World tag team champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Johnny & Jerry Valiant… WWF Intercontinental champion Pat Patterson defeated Ted DiBiase… Great Hossien (Iron Sheik) defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Dominic DeNucci defeated Bulldog Brower… Lou Albano defeated Jimmy Valiant… David Von Erich defeated Davey O’Hannon… Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rodz.

10-24-1979: Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood win their first NWA World tag team championship over Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones in Raleigh, NC.

In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Hall: Attendance: 5,386: Bobo Brazil & Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) battled Jos LeDuc & Terry Funk to a double count out… Jerry Brisco defeated Mr. Hito… Manny Fernandez & Steve Keirn battled Bryan St. John & Stan Lane to a draw… Ray Stevens defeated Bugsy McGraw by DQ… Raul Mata defeated The Gestapo… Steve Travis defeated Masked Terror… Bill Irwin defeated Don Serrano.

10-26-1979: Tommy Rich defeats Killer Karl Kox for the NWA Georgia title in Atlanta.

10-30-1979: Stan Lane & Bryan St. John win the NWA Florida tag team titles from Mike Graham & Steve Keirn in St. Petersburg, FL. 

10-31-1979: Giant Baba defeats Harley Race to become a two NWA World heavyweight champion in Nagoya, Japan.

In Miami, FL at the Marine Stadium: Attendance: 5,322: Mike Graham & Ray Stevens defeated Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakaruda… Manny Fernandez defeated Terry Funk… Jos LeDuc & Bugsy McGraw defeated Haystacks Calhoun & Jerry Brisco… Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) defeated Ernie Ladd… Tommy Rich defeated The Gestapo… Bryan St. John defeated Raul Mata… Stan Lane defeated Don Serrano.

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November 1979 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine cover featuring Bruno Sammartino, Ric Flair, and Ricky Steamboat.

November 1979 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine cover featuring Bruno Sammartino, Ric Flair, and Ricky Steamboat.

November 1979 Inside Wrestling Magazine featuring Ivan Putski on the cover

November 1979 Inside Wrestling Magazine featuring Ivan Putski on the cover

11-01-1979: Antonio Inoki defeats Dusty Rhodes by disqualification in Tokyo, Japan to retain the NWF title.

11-02-1979: Stan Hansen defeated Ernie Ladd to win the Georgia TV title at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 7,844: Tom Andrews & Frank Hill defeat Rock Hunter & Carlos Rodriguez… The Turk defeats Bruce Reed… George Wells defeats Tommy Sharpe… Kerry Von Erich & Dick The Bruiser defeats King Kong (Bruiser) Brody & Gama Singh… Gene Kiniski defeats Bulldog Brown… Kevin Von Erich defeats NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Dick Murdoch to win the title.

11-03-1979: At the WTBS Studios in Atlanta, GA: Killer Karl Kox defeated Stan Hansen to win the Georgia TV title.

11-05-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,865: Cowboy Lang pinned Billy the Kid… Koko Ware & Steve Kyle beat Buddy & Ken Wayne… Sonny King & Ricky Morton beat The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes)… Southern tag team champions Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham battled Hector Guerrero & Bill Dundee to a no contest… Southern champion Jerry Lawler beat Paul Orndorff.

11-07-1979: Harley Race regains the NWA World heavyweight title from Giant Baba in Amagasaki, Japan.

Harley Race NWA World champion 3.jpg

11-08-1979: Seiji Sakaguchi defeats Pat Patterson for the WWF North American championship, the predecessor to today’s WWF Intercontinental title. The WWF had stopped recognizing the title but Sakaguchi continues to defend the title until early 1981.

11-10-1979: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 6,420: Bob Sweetan beat Ron Starr… George Wells beat The Assassin… Chavo Guerrero & Pepper Gomez beat Masked Intern & Steve Winters… Steve Strong beat Twin Devil… Pat Barrett beat Masked Avenger… Jerry Monti beat Mablo Cordoza.

11-12-1979: Jerry Lawler defeats Superstar Billy Graham for the Memphis CWA World title in Memphis. 

In Alexandria, LA Bill Watts & Buck Robley defeated Mike George & Bob Sweetan to win the Mid-South tag team titles. (May have been a phantom title change and location is not certain.)

11-16-1979: Buddy Rose wins his first Pacific Northwest title from Stan Stasiak.

11-19-1979: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Hector Guerrero & Steve Regal beat Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham to win the Southern tag team titles… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sonny King.

11-21-1979: In Miami Beach, FL at the Convention Center: Attendance: 5,790: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes… Manny Fernandez battled Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) to a double count out… Bryan St. John & Stan Lane & Super Destroyer defeated Mike Graham & Steve Keirn & Jerry Brisco… Sweet Brown Sugar (Skip Young) defeated Bugsy McGraw by DQ… Jack Brisco defeated Killer Khan… Leroy Brown defeated Raul Mata & Don Serrano in a handicap match… The Gestapo defeated Mike Miller.

11-22-1979: At the Omni in Atlanta, GA: Georgia tag team title tournament: Round 1: Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Bobby Jaggers & Luke Graham… Ricky Fields & Buzz Sawyer defeated Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakaruda… Austin Idol & Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated Stan Hansen & Wahoo McDaniel… Tony Atlas & Ray Candy defeated Ox Baker & Killer Khan… Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Tom Shaft & Killer Karl Kox… Round 2: Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Ricky Fields & Buzz Sawyer… Austin Idol & Masked Superstar defeated Tony Atlas & Ray Candy… Round 3: Austin Idol & Masked Superstar defeated Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling II… Finals: Austin Idol & Masked Superstar defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco to win the Georgia tag team titles… Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Impostor Mr. Wrestling II (Joe Powell)… In a Steel Cage Match Loser Leave Town Match: Tommy Rich defeated Bobby Heenan… In a Lights Out Match: Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ernie Ladd & Ivan Koloff.

In Jacksonville, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes.

11-23-1979: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,672: Bulldog Bob Brown & The Turk defeat Gama Singh & Frank Hill 2 falls to 1… Ed Wiskowski defeats Tom Andrews… NWA World Women's champion The Fabulous Moolah defeats Winona Little Heart… Dick The Bruiser & Pat O'Connor defeat Dick Murdoch & King Kong (Bruiser) Brody by DQ… NWA Missouri champion Kevin Von Erich defeats Ox Baker… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Gene Kiniski 2 falls to 1.

11-24-1979: In St. Petersburg, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes.

11-26-1979: In West Palm Beach, FL at the Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Steve Keirn.

11-28-1979: In Miami, FL: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Manny Fernandez to a double count out.

11-30-1979: In a match which the WWF in the United States never acknowledged until the late 1990’s, Antonio Inoki defeated Bob Backlund in Tokushima, Japan for the WWF World heavyweight title.

In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium: NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race battled Tommy Rich to a draw.

12-1979: Nelson Royal vacates the NWA World Junior title when he retires for the first time.

12-02-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,481: Ricky Morton beat The Avenger… Sonny King beat Koko Ware… Big Red beat Danny Davis… The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) beat Hector Guerrero & Steve Regal to win the Southern tag team titles… Billy Robinson beat Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham via DQ in a handicap match… CWA champion Jerry Lawler beat Austin Idol via DQ.

12-06-1979: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 9,500: Yoshiaki Fujiwara beat Akira Maeda… Haruka Eigen beat Kuniaki Kobayashi… Kengo Kimura & Osamu Kido beat Junji Hirata & Kantaro Hoshino… Strong Kobayashi beat Nikolai Volkoff via DQ… Tatsumi Fujinami & Riki Choshu beat Greg Valentine & Pedro Morales via countout… Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Tiger Jeet Singh in a chain death match… Antonio Inoki fought Bob Backlund to a no contest at 27:19; Backlund had scored a pinfall after coming off the top rope, following outside distraction from Tiger Jeet Singh, however WWF President Hisashi Shinma overruled the decision and declared it a no contest; only the WWF title was on the line.

12-07-1979: Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) regains the Georgia title from Tommy Rich in Atlanta, GA.

12-10-1979: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,981: Steve Regal beat Ken Wayne… Paul Ellering & Billy Robinson beat The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith)… Koko Ware beat The Super Destroyer… Sonny King & Tojo Yamamoto beat Ricky Morton & Big Red… AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel beat CWA champion Jerry Lawler via DQ.

Steve Keirn defeats Chavo Guerrero in Los Angeles to become the first NWA International Junior champion.

12-13-1979: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Wahoo McDaniel & Frank Hill beat The Great Kojika & Motoshi Okuma… Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & The Masked Strangler (Jose Rivera) beat Genichiro Tenryu & Akihisa Takachiho… Tor Kamata & Kintaro Oki beat Rocky Hata & Tiger Toguchi… Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta beat Mil Mascaras & Dos Caras… Terry & Dory Funk, Jr. beat Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik to win the 1979 Real World Tag League tournament.

12-14-1979: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,000: Carlos Mata defeats Colosso Colosetti… Romero defeats Big Ben Alexander… The Twin Devils (Twin Devil 1 & Twin Devil 2) defeat Al Madril & Mando Guerrero… Victor Rivera defeats Wahoo McDaniel: Steel Cage Match: Chavo Guerrero defeats Bad News Allen.

12-17-1979: The WWF returns to Madison Square Garden. Bob Backlund faces Bobby Duncum in the main event. Backlund appears without the WWF title belt. No official announcement is made of the situation with Antonio Inoki that occurred in Japan. Inoki is on the same card facing Great Hossien (the Iron Sheik) with the World Martial Arts title belt. When the show is aired in Japan it is announced that the Backlund verses Duncum match was for the “vacant” WWF title. Attendance: 20,255: WWF Intercontinental champion Pat Patterson defeated Dominic DeNucci… NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes… Antonio Inoki defeated Great Hossien… WWF World Junior champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Johnny Rivera… WWF World tag team champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Victor Rivera & Swede Hanson… Hulk Hogan defeated Ted DiBiase… North American tag team champions Seiji Sakaguchi & Riki Choshu defeated Allen Coage (Bad News Allen) & Jojo Andrews… Mike Graham defeated Johnny Rodz… Larry Zbyszko defeated Bulldog Brower.

12-21-1979: Dynamite Kid & Sekigawa defeated Leo Burke & Hubert Gallant in the finals of a tournament in Calgary, Canada to win the Stampede International tag team titles.

12-25-1979: Sangre India dies during a match in Mexico City after missing a tope and breaking his neck. He was 23 years old. EMLL held its usual Tuesday night show at La Arena Coliseo in Mexico City. Sangre India was in the semifinal teaming with Leo Lopez against El Vengador and Cesar Atlas Curiel, the man with whom Sangre India was to be feuding at the time and the father of later CMLL wrestler Neutron. In the first fall, Jose gave Sangre India two very strong chops. Cesar, who responded with an Irish whip and dropkick, knocking Sangre India over the top rope and outside of the ring. He fell down head first, cracking his neck and upper back full force against the ring apron and then the floor. He reached out his hand and slammed the ring canvas once. As he tried to do so again, he fell down face first against the floor and cutting a big gash in his chin. The ring doctor, Reynaldo Garcia Ramirez, was in attendance and ran over to help. The match was stopped. By all accounts, Sangre India died within seconds, almost surely of a broken neck.

At the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA: In a Steel Cage Match: Mask vs Mask: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Impostor Mr. Wrestling II (Joe Powell)… Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff by DQ with special referees Gene Anderson & Tom Shaft… In a No DQ match: Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) defeated Dick Slater… Abdullah the Butcher defeated Tony Atlas… WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Kevin Sullivan… Ric Flair battled Austin Idol to a no contest… In a Judo Jacket match: Killer Khan defeated Bob Armstrong… Tommy Rich & Ray Candy defeated Ernie Ladd & Ox Baker… Steve Travis battled Toru Tanaka to a draw.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,487: Buddy Wayne beat Jerry Bryant.. Slim the Hillbilly beat Ken Wayne… Paul Ellering beat The Grappler (Len Denton)… Steve Regal beat Jimmy Hart… Ricky & Robert Gibson beat Southern tag team champions The Assassins (Don Bass & Roger Smith) via DQ… Ricky Morton & Big Red beat Tojo Yamamoto & Sonny King in a Texas death match… Jerry Lawler beat Steve Regal… Jerry Lawler beat Ken Lucas.

12-29-1979: WWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 11,000: Davey O'Hannon pinned Joe Mascara… Jose Estrada pinned Ben Ortiz… Johnny Rodz pinned Angelo Gomez… Bulldog Brower pinned Mike Masters… Andre the Giant & Larry Zbyszko & Tito Santana & Dominic DeNucci defeated Swede Hanson & Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant & Jerry Valiant… WWF champion Bob Backlund pinned WWF Intercontinental champion Pat Patterson in a lumberjack match.

12-30-1979: In Toronto, Canada at the Maple Leaf Gardens: WWWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Pat Patterson… Jimmy Snuka & Ray Stevens defeated Ric Flair & Dewey Robertson… Andre the Giant defeated The Destroyer & Brute Bernard in a handicap match… Johnny Weaver defeated Frank Monte… Billy Red Lyons defeated John Bonello… Sweet Daddy Siki defeated John Forsythe.

12301979 Toronto Wrestling.JPG

1979: Steve "Dr. Death" Williams is named All American in wrestling during his first year in college at the University of Oklahoma 

Bob Backlund WIWC.jpg

WWF World champion Bob Backlund

From Wrestling News Magazine 1979

From Wrestling News Magazine 1979

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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