1973 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions Only one promotion held notable shows in 1973. Promotion NameAbbreviationNJPWEMLL
Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventApril 21AJPWChampion's Carnival FinalsTokyo, JapanGiant Baba defeated Mark LewinAprilEMLL17. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoSeptember 21EMLL 40th Anniversary ShowRay and Ringo Mendoza defeated Ángel Blanco and Kim Chul Won in a Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair match
Notable events April 14 - Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance closed. September 6 - Carlos Colon, Victor Jovica and Gorilla Monsoon launched Capitol Sports Promotions in Puerto Rico. December 1 - Stan Stastak wins the WWWF Heavyweight title from Pedro Morales in Philadelphia, PA December 10 - Bruno Sammartino becomes the first two time WWWF Heavyweight Champion when he defeated Stan Stastak in New York, NY.
Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearJack BriscoPWI Tag Team of the YearNick Bockwinkel and Ray StevensPWI Match of the YearDory Funk Jr. vs. Harley RacePWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearChief Jay StrongbowPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearSuperstar Billy GrahamPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearJohnny ValentinePWI Rookie of the YearBob Orton Jr. / Tony GareaPWI Woman of the YearJoyce GrablePWI Midget Wrestler of the YearLittle BeaverPWI Manager of the YearThe Grand Wizard
Championship changes EMLL DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 29Kim Sung HoEMLL showDecember 21Ray MendozaEMLL show
Incoming champion – AníbalDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 30Rene GuajardoEMLL show
Incoming champion – Alberto MunozDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)October 25VacantEMLL showDecember 14Mano NegraEMLL show
Incoming champion – Angel BlancoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)October 26Enrique VeraEMLL show
Incoming champion – Ciclon Veloz, Jr.DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)December 14Adorable RubíEMLL show
Incoming champion – Estrella BlancaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)April 11TauroEMLL show
Incoming champion – Enrique VeraDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 16Dr. WagnerEMLL show
Incoming champion – Karloff LagardeDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)August 11El MarquezEMLL showOctober 3FishmanEMLL show
Incoming champion – Uncertain No title changes
NWA Incoming champion – Dory Funk, Jr.DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 24Harley RaceHouse showJuly 20Jack BriscoHouse show
Tournaments
IWE AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesIWA World SeriesGreat KusatsuOctober 10IWA World Tag TournamentBig John Quinn and Kurt Von HessMarch 25
Births Date of birth uncertain: Dudley Dudley January 9 - Magnum Tokyo January 14 - Miss Janeth (died in 2025) January 25 - Ace Steel January 26 - The Maestro February 8 - Raziel (died in 2022) February 11 – Hernandez February 21 - Brodus Clay February 22 - Mr. Niebla (died in 2019) February 28 – Masato Tanaka March 7 - Brazo de Platino March 8 - Aya Koyama (died in 2018) March 11 - Wataru Sakata March 20 - Scott Vick March 23 - Kevin Northcutt March 28 – Umaga (died in 2009) April 2 - Skulu (died in 2020) April 24 - StarBuck April 27 - E. Z. Money May 8 - Giant Ochiai (died in 2003) May 18: Kaz Hayashi The Blue Meanie May 25 - Rich Myers (wrestler) May 29 – Steve Corino June 4: Mikey Whipwreck Pablo Marquez June 19 - Lou Marconi June 21 - Tsubasa July 2 – Scotty 2 HottyOfficial MySpace profileIntelius search July 13: Necro Butcher Wifebeater July 26 - Yukio Sakaguchi August 12 – Jonathan Coachman August 25 - José Estrada Jr. August 27 - Jazz (wrestler) August 29 - Sinn Bodhi August 31 - Tank Toland September 22 - Bob Sapp September 24 - Bison Smith (died in 2011) September 29 - Wavell Starr September 30 - Cerebro Negro October 4 – Abyss October 16 – Justin Credible October 19 - Corporal Punishment October 26 – Taka Michinoku October 28 – Montel Vontavious Porter October 30 – Edge November 3 - Chase Tatum (died in 2008) November 20 - Becca Swanson November 27 – Evan Karagias November 30 – Christian December 3 – Super Crazy December 7: Hack Meyers (died in 2015) Wolfie D December 20 – Toscano December 25 – Chris Harris
Retirements Dory Funk, Sr. (1940-April 26, 1973) Fritz Von Goering (1949-1973)
Debuts Uncertain debut date Randy Savage Sika Anoa'i Bob Backlund Ray Candy Hector Guerrero Smith Hart Dean Hart Bruiser Brody Don Kernodle Dennis Condrey Gene Petit Pez Whatley Ron Mikolajczyk January 1 - Stan Hansen July - Sangre Chicana September 29 - KY Wakamatsu
Deaths February 10 - Everett Marshall, 67 March 8 - Bill Malone (broadcaster), 48 April 1 – Jim Crockett, 63 May 1 - Haystacks Muldoon, 43 June 3 – Dory Funk, 54 July 21 - Wild Red Berry, 66 July 31 - Azumafuji Kin'ichi, 51 December 1 – Black Guzmán, 57 December 17 - Kazuo Okamura, 62
References