1991 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 1991. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesAll Japan Women's Pro-WrestlingAJWCatch Wrestling AssociationCWAEMLL/CMLLDuring the fall, EMLL was renamed to CMLL.Frontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFMWNew Japan Pro-WrestlingNJPWUniversal Wrestling AssociationUWAUniversal Wrestling FederationUWFWorld Championship WrestlingWCWWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWWF
Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJanuary 11 AJWAll Japan Women's event at Kawasaki-shi Taiikukan Kawasaki, JapanBull Nakano and Kyoko Inoue defeat Aja Kong and Bison Kimura in a tag team hair vs hair matchJanuary 19 WWFRoyal RumbleMiami, FloridaHulk Hogan won by last eliminating Earthquake in the 30-man Royal Rumble matchJanuary 27 UWAUWA 16th Anniversary ShowNaucalpan, MexicoMil Mascaras, Dos Caras and El Canek defeated The Hawaiian Beasts (Fatu, Kokina and Nikozuna) in a Best two out of three falls Six-man tag team matchJanuary 30WCWClash of the Champions XIV: Dixie DynamiteGainesville, GeorgiaRic Flair (c) fought Scott Steiner to a draw in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 24WrestleWarPhoenix, ArizonaThe Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Barry Windham and Sid Vicious) and Larry Zbyszko defeated Sting, Brian Pillman and The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) in a WarGames matchMarch 21 WCWNJPWWCW/New Japan Supershow ITokyo, JapanTatsumi Fujinami (IWGP Champion) defeated Ric Flair (NWA Champion) in a Title for Title for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight ChampionshipMarch 24 WWFWrestleMania VIILos Angeles, CaliforniaHulk Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter (c) in a Singles match for the WWF ChampionshipMarch 30 WWF / SWS WrestleFestTokyo, JapanThe Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk & Road Warrior Animal) beat Hulk Hogan & Genichiro Tenryu via countoutApril 15WWFSaturday Night's Main EventOmaha, Nebraska20-Man Battle RoyalApril 24UK RampageLondon, EnglandHulk Hogan (c) defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a Singles match for the WWF ChampionshipMay 19WCWSuperBrawl ISt. Petersburg, FloridaRic Flair (c-WCW) defeated Tatsumi Fujinami (c-NWA) in a Singles match for the NWA and WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipsJune 9UWFBeach BrawlPalmetto, FloridaSteve Williams defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in a Tournament final for the inaugural UWF SportsChannel Television ChampionshipJune 12WCWClash of the Champions XV: Knocksville USAKnoxville, TennesseeRic Flair (c) defeated Bobby Eaton 2-1 in a Two-out-of-three falls match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 6WWCWWC 18th AniversarioBayamón, Puerto RicoDino Bravo defeated Carlos Colón (c) via reverse decision in a Singles match for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship with El Vikingo as the special referee.July 14WCWThe Great American BashBaltimore, MarylandRick Steiner defeated Arn Anderson and Paul E. Dangerously in a Steel Cage match NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyo, JapanKeiji Mutoh defeated Masahiro Chono in the finalsAugust 18 AJWAll Japan Women's event at Korakuen HallTokyo, JapanKyoko Inoue defeats Bison Kimura in the finals of the Japan Grand Prix 1991August 26WWFSummerSlamNew York City, New YorkHulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior defeated the Triangle of Terror (Col. Mustafa, General Adnan and Sgt. Slaughter) in a handicap match with Sid Justice as special guest refereeSeptember 5WCWClash of the Champions XVI: Fall BrawlAugusta, GeorgiaThe Enforcers (Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko) defeated Rick Steiner and Bill Kazmaier in a tag team match for the vacant WCW World Tag Team ChampionshipSeptember 7WWFKing of the RingProvidence, Rhode IslandBret Hart defeated Irwin R. Schyster in a King of the Ring tournament final matchAJWExciting Zone Omiya Night Omiya, JapanBull Nakano (c) defeats Kyoko Inoue in a WWWA World Title matchSeptember 8EMLLEMLL 58th Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoKonnan defeated Perro Aguayo, Cien Caras was also on the match in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, triangular hair vs. hair matchSeptember 23 FMWFMW 2nd Anniversary ShowKawasaki, Kanagawa, JapanAtsushi Onita defeated Tarzan Goto by knockout in a No Rope Exploding Barbed Wire Steel Cage DeathmatchOctober 3 WWFBattle Royal at the Albert HallLondon, EnglandThe British Bulldog won by last eliminating Typhoon in a 20-man battle royalOctober 27WCWHalloween HavocChattanooga, TennesseeLex Luger (c) defeated Ron Simmons in a Two-out-of-three-falls match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipNovember 19Clash of the Champions XVIISavannah, GeorgiaLex Luger (c) defeated Rick Steiner in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipNovember 21 AJWWrestle Marinepiad '91 Kawasaki, JapanBull Nakano and Monster Ripper defeat Aja Kong and Bison Kimura in a cage match. Nakano and Ripper then advance into a singles cage match which Nakano wins.November 27 WWFSurvivor SeriesDetroit, MichiganThe Undertaker defeated Hulk Hogan (c) in a Singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 3This Tuesday in TexasSan Antonio, TexasHulk Hogan defeated The Undertaker (c) in a Singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 9 AJWAll Japan Women's event at Korakuen HallTokyo, JapanToshiyo Yamada and Kyoko Inoue defeat Aja Kong and Bison Kimura in the finals of Tag League the Best 1991December 12 WWF / SWS SuperWrestleTokyo, JapanHulk Hogan defeated Genichiro TenryuDecember 13CMLLJuicio FinalMexico City, MexicoMáscara Año 2000 defeated Aníbal (2-1) in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask matchDecember 21CWAEuro Catch FestivalBremen, GermanyRambo (c) defeated Ken Patera in Round 8 in a Singles match for the CWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 29 WCWStarrcadeNorfolk, VirginiaSting last eliminated Lex Luger to win the Battlebowl battle royal(c) – denotes defending champion(s)
Accomplishments and tournaments
AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes Japan Grand Prix 1991Kyoko InoueAugust 18Rookie of the Year Decision TournamentAkemi Torisu Tag League The Best 1991Kyoko Inoue and Toshiyo YamadaDecember 9
AJPW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesChampion Carnival 1991Jumbo TsurutaApril 18World's Strongest Determination League 1991Terry Gordy and Steve WilliamsDecember 6
JWP AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRookie of the Year TournamentYasha KurenaiFebruary 11
WCW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesWCW United States Championship TournamentStingAugust 25WCW World Tag Team Championship TournamentThe Enforcers (Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko)September 5WCW Light Heavyweight Championship TournamentBrian PillmanOctober 27
WWF AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleHulk HoganJanuary 19King of the RingBret HartSeptember 7
Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearHulk HoganPWI Tag Team of the YearThe Enforcers(Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko)PWI Match of the YearSteiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) vs. Sting and Lex Luger (SuperBrawl I)PWI Feud of the YearUltimate Warrior vs. The UndertakerPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearStingPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearSgt. SlaughterPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearDustin RhodesPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearThe PatriotPWI Rookie of the YearJohnny B. BaddPWI Lifetime AchievementThe Fabulous MoolahPWI Editor's AwardBobby Heenan
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearJumbo TsurutaMost OutstandingJushin Thunder LigerFeud of the YearMitsuharu Misawa and company vs. Jumbo Tsuruta and companyTag Team of the YearMitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki KawadaMost ImprovedDustin RhodesBest on InterviewsRic Flair
Title changes WWF DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 19Sgt. SlaughterRoyal RumbleMarch 24Hulk HoganWrestleMania VIINovember 27The UndertakerSurvivor SeriesDecember 3Hulk HoganThis Tuesday in TexasDecember 4VacantSuperstars of WrestlingHogan was stripped of the title by WWF President Jack Tunney due to the controversy surrounding both of the previous title changes. It aired on tape delay on December 7, 1991.
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)August 26Bret HartSummerSlam
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 7Perro Aguayo and Gran HamadaN/ALater abandoned in 1991.
Incoming champions – The Hart Foundation DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 24The Nasty BoysWrestleMania VIIAugust 26The Legion of DoomSummerSlam
unsanctioned championshipDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)August 26VirgilSummerSlamNovember 11Ted DiBiaseSurvivor Series Showdown This program aired on tape delay on November 24, 1991.
WCW DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 11Ric FlairHouse showDefeated Sting for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. WCW began recognizing Flair as WCW World Heavyweight Champion while still using the NWA belt (i.e. the Big Gold Belt)WWE recognizes this reign as an NWA world title reign (and not a WCW one)July 1VacantRic Flair left for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was stripped of the title. When Flair left, he took the Big Gold Belt, which represented the NWA and WCW world titles, with him.July 14Lex LugerThe Great American Bash
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 14VacantThe Great American BashVacated when Lex Luger won the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 25StingHouse showDefeated Steve Austin in a tournament finalNovember 19Rick RudeClash of the Champions XVII
Incoming champions – The Steiner Brothers DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)April 6VacantWorld Wide WrestlingMay 19The Fabulous FreebirdsSuperBrawlDefeated The Young Pistols for the vacant titleAugust 12The PatriotsWorld Championship WrestlingNovember 5The Young PistolsMain Event
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 7Arn AndersonWorld Wide WrestlingMay 19Bobby EatonSuperBrawlJune 3Steve AustinWorld Wide Wrestling
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)October 27Brian PillmanHalloween HavocDefeated Richard Morton in the finals of a tournament to decide the inaugural champion.December 25Jushin Thunder LigerHouse show
Incoming champions – Doom DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 24The Fabulous FreebirdsWrestleWarFebruary 18The Steiner BrothersProJuly 20VacantWCWSeptember 5The EnforcersClash of the Champions XVI: Fall BrawlNovember 19Ricky Steamboat and Dustin RhodesClash of the Champions XVII
(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 17Junkyard Dog, Ricky Morton and Tommy RichHouse showJune 3The Fabulous FreebirdsWCW Main EventAired on June 30August 5Big Josh, Dustin Rhodes and Tom ZenkWCW WorldwideAired on August 24October 8The York FoundationWCW Main EventAired on November 10December 1DeactivatedN/A
Births January 9 – Ruby Riott, American wrestler January 12 - Raquel Rodriguez (wrestler) January 17 – Alexander Hammerstone January 28 – Bronson Matthews, American wrestler January 30 – Natsuko Tora February 1 – Saori Anou February 4 – Santana February 5 – Brennan Williams, American wrestler February 7 – Hikuleo February 12 – Boby Zavala, Mexican luchador February 13 – Sumika Yanagawa February 15 – Rich Swann February 19 – David Starr February 25 – Toru April 4 – Chelsea Green, Canadian female wrestler April 17 – Jun Masaoka May 6 – Piper Niven, Scottish wrestler May 13 – Scarlett Bordeaux May 31 – Cody Hall, American wrestler June 12 – Tomoyuki Oka, Japanese wrestler June 19 – Dilsher Shanky June 25 – Jessika Carr July 7 – Josh Woods, American wrestler July 21 – Adam Page, American wrestler August 9 – Alexa Bliss August 13 – Momo Tani September 14 – Dale Patricks September 27 – Ortiz November 2 - Amber Nova November 18 – AJ Gray December 8 – Sarah Bäckman December 18 – Flip Gordon December 21 – Otis Dozovic, American wrestler December 24 – Silas Mason
Debuts Uncertain debut date Michael Modest Simon Diamond Bart Gunn Tony DeVito Vladimir Koloff January 11 - Hiroyoshi Tenzan January 25 - Ishinriki Kōji May 5 - Hayabusa July 7 - Road Dogg July 16 - Satoshi Kojima August 1 - Mitsuya Nagai August 4 - Mizuki Endo (LLPW)