Return to WhenItWasCool.com Home Page

Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1973

By: Karl Stern

The year in pro wrestling 1973 is covered on the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1973

01-05-1973: Ron & Don Wright capture the Tennessee tag team titles from Tommy Gilbert & Bearcat Wright in Knoxville, TN.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 11,116: Ronnie Etchison defeats Leo Seitz… Jean Antone & Marina Rey defeat Betty Niccoli & Estela Molina 2 falls to 1… Ivan Koloff wrestled Tony Marino to a 20 minute draw… Rufus R. Jones defeats Dan Miller… Jerry Brisco & Johnny Valentine & Pat O'Connor defeats Hans Schmidt & Big Bill Miller & The Invader (Dick Murdoch)… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. defeats Harley Race by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

01-06-1973: Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens win their second AWA World tag team championship from Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson in St Paul, MO at the Civic Center. Attendance 10,000.

01-09-1973: Ox Baker defeats Dick Steinborne for the All South Georgia TV title in Atlanta.

Mark Lewin defeats Buddy Colt for the Southern (Florida) title in Tampa.

01-10-1973: Hiro Matsuda defeats Bill Dromo for the All South Columbus Georgia title.

01-13-1973: Detroit, MI: Cobo Arena: Attendance 12,643: Jess Ortega defeats Jim Lancaster… Lou Klein defeats Rick Luka… Mike Loren defeats Dr. Beach… JB Psycho defeats Dr. Jerry Graham… Bulldog Brower defeats Ray Elmore… Tiger Jeet Singh defeats Sweet Daddy Siki… Great Kabooki (Rey Urbano) defeats Ben Justice… George Steele defeats Dan Miller… NWA World Tag Team champions Kurt von Hess & Karl von Schotz wrestled Johnny Valentine & Tex McKenzie to a Double DQ… Tim Brooks wrestled Tony Marino to a draw… Pampero Firpo defeats Haystacks Calhoun… Bobo Brazil defeated NWA United States champion (Detroit version) The Sheik in a Steel Cage Match.

In Boston, MA with a crowd of 12,032 at Boston Gardens: Bruno Sammartino defeated Ray Stevens to retain the WWWF title… Fabulous Moolah defeated Helen O’Connell… Manuel Soto defeated Chuck Richards… Little Brutus & Sky Low Low defeated Little Beaver & Joey Russell… Moondog Mayne defeated Chief Jay Strongbow… Bobby Shane defeated Tim Woods… King Curtis Iaukea defeated Tony Garea.

01-15-1973: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat The Bounty Hunters to win the Southern tag team titles.

At Madison Square Garden in New York City with an attendance of 22,096: Pedro Morales defeated Moondog Mayne… Bruno Sammartino defeated Toru Tanaka to retain the WWWF title… Sky Low Low & Little Brutus defeated Little Beaver & Farmer Jerome… Ray Stevens defeated Sonny King… Butcher & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Lee Wong & Ben Ortiz… Mr. Fuji went to a draw with Victor Rivera… Black Gordman defeated El Olympico… The Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable.

01-19-1973: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,750: Ronnie Etchison & Sonny Myers defeat Bennie Ramirez & Juan Sebastian in 2 straight falls… Dan Miller defeats Ben Justice… The Invader (Dick Murdoch) defeats The Viking (Bob Morse)… Terry Funk wrestled Pat O'Connor to a 20 minute draw… Jack Brisco & Rufus R. Jones defeat Bill Miller & Ivan Koloff by DQ… Johnny Valentine defeats Harley Race 2 falls to 1 to win the vacant NWA Missouri title. 

01-20-1973: In Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 6,122: Ivan Koloff defeated Verne Gagne… Billy Robinson & Don Muraco defeated The Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch)… Bill Watts defeated Nick Bockwinkel… Rene Goulet defeated Bobby Bruggers… Jim Brunzell defeated John Heidemann.

01-24-1973: Jacques Rougeau defeats Waldo Von Erich in a tournament final in Buffalo, NY to win the NWF title.

01-26-1973: Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) team together for the first time. At the Municipal Auditorium Mr. Wrestling I & II defeated Sputnik & Rocket Monroe.

01-27-1973: San Francisco, CA: Annual Battle Royal: Cow Palace: Attendance 13,785: Mighty Igor defeats Beauregard… Intern 2 defeats Reno Tuufuli… Red Bastien & Haystacks Calhoun defeat Fritz Von Goering & Kinji Shibuya… Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens & Rocky Johnson defeat Lars Anderson & Paul DeMarco & The Great Mephisto 2 falls to 1… 18 Man $11,000 Dollar Battle Royal: The Great Mephisto (Frankie Caine) wins. Other in the battle royal: Beauregard, Fritz Von Goering, Reno Tuufuli, Mighty Igor, Intern 1, Kinji Shibuya, Tio Taylor, Intern 2, Red Bastien, Pepper Gomez, Rocky Johnson, Luke Graham, Lars Anderson, Ray Stevens, Pat Patterson, Paul DeMarco, Haystacks Calhoun.

The Sheik wins the U.S. title (Detroit) from Bobo Brazil in Detroit. The Sheik had promised to leave town if he did not win. At Cobo Hall with attendance of 12,436: Tony Marino defeated Killer Brooks… J.B. Psycho defeated George Steele… Johnny Valentine & Tex McKenzie & Lord Athol Layton defeated Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Sholtz & Pampero Firpo… Tiger Jeet Singh & Dan Miller defeated Hans Schmidt & Zebra Kid… Bulldog Brower defeated Magnificent Zulu… Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Ben Justice… Kabooki defeated Rick O’Toole… Mike Loren defeated Rick Lukas… Bill Miller & Lou Klein defeated The Medics… Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Dr. Leach.

01-29-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,891: Cora Combs & Eric Von Brauner & Johnny Reb beat Peggy Patterson & Don Duffy & Cowboy Lang… Dennis Hall & Ben Justice drew Al Costello & Don Kent… Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart beat Charlie Cook & Burrhead Jones… George Cannon & Sam Bass beat Billy & Benny McGuire… Southern tag team champions Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Jim White & Jerry Lawler… Jackie Fargo won a battle royal.

02-02-1973: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,544: Ronnie Etchison defeats Bennie Ramirez… Dan Miller defeats Rick Renaldo… The Funks (Terry Funk & Dory Funk Sr.) defeat Sonny Myers & Steve Bolus 2 falls to 1… Harley Race defeated Jack Pesek… Rufus R. Jones & Jack Brisco & Pat O'Connor wrestled The Invader (Dick Murdoch) & Ivan Koloff & Bill Miller to a 20 minute draw… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. defeats Johnny Valentine 2 falls to 1.

02-03-1973: All Japan Pro Wrestling is inducted into the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

Johnny Powers defeats Karl Von Krupp for the NWF North American title.

02-05-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,917: The Great Fuji & Taro Murasaki & Al Greene & Rock Riddle & Tony Santos beat George Strickland & Eric Von Brauner & Bobby Lyons & Chief Thundercloud & Lumberjack Dupree… Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente beat Suni Warcloud & Ben Justice… Bearcat Brown & Burrhead Jones & Charlie Cook beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White & Sam Bass… Southern tag team champions Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Al Costello & Don Kent.

In Ottawa, Canada with a crowd of 6,542: Don Leo Jonathon defeated Bruno Sammartino… Mad Dog Vachon & Killer Kowalski defeated Robert Cleroux & Edouardo Carpentier in a mixed boxing and wrestling match… Dino Bravo & Gino Brito & Dominic Denucci defeated Frenchie Martin & Gilles Poisson & Maxime Zarinoff LeBoeuf.

02-06-1973: Buddy Colt regains the Southern (Florida) title from Mark Lewin in Tampa.

02-09-1973: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,567: Kim Duk defeats Jan Madrid… Masa Saito defeats Frankie Laine… Earl Maynard wrestled Juan Rivas to a Draw… Gordon Nelson defeats Kenji Shibuya… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Fred Blassie… David Morgan & Raul Mata defeat NWA Americas Tag Team champions Black Gordman & Great Goliath to win the titles… NWA Americas Heavyweight champion Victor Rivera defeats Terry Funk.

02-10-1973: Terry Funk defeated Johnny Valentine for the Missouri title in St. Louis at The Chase.

In Detroit, MI at Cobo Arena with a crowd of 12,346 fans: The Sheik defeated Johnny Valentine to retain the U.S. title… NWA World heavyweight championDory Funk, Jr. defeated Pampero Firpo… Bobo Brazil defeated Killer Brooks by DQ… Flying Fred Curry & Luis Martinez defeated Kurt Von Hess & Armelte… Tex McKenzie & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated The Medic & Dr. Bill Miller… Dan Miller & Haystacks Calhoun & J.B. Psycho & Mighty Igor defeated Zebra Kid & Rick Luka & Dr. Jerry Graham & Mike Loren… Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Magnificent Zulu… Kabooki defeated Dr. Beach… Lou Klein defeated Tom Reeseman.

02-11-1973: In Toronto, Canada at Maple Leaf Gardens with a crowd of 13,000: NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Johnny Valentine to retain the title… The Sheik defeated Tony Marino… Lee Henning & Dan Miller battled Flying Fred Curry & Haystacks Calhoun to a draw… Bulldog Brower defeated Mike Loren… Luis Martinez & Tex McKenzie defeated Butcher Vachon & Bull Gregory… Pampero Firpo defeated Ivan Kalmikoff… The Beast & Lord Athol Layton defeated Eric the Red & Big Brutus by DQ… Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Scholtz battled Sweet Daddy Siki & Mighty Igor to a draw… Tony Parisi & Dominic Denucci defeated Killer Brooks & Kabooki.

02-12-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,574: Al Costello & Don Kent beat Ben Justice & Black Atlas… Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente beat Emil Dupree & Chief Warcloud… Jerry Lawler & Jim White & Sam Bass & Taro Murasaki & The Great Fuji beat Bearcat Brown & Rufus R. Jones & Charlie Cook & Roy Lee Welch & Bobby Lyons… Al & Don Greene beat Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo beat Jimmy Kent & The Bounty Hunters… Jackie Fargo and Jerry Jarrett won a battle royal.

02-16-1973: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium NWA World heavyweight champion Dory Funk, Jr. battled Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) to a no contest.

Houston, TX: Sam Houston Coliseum: Attendance 8,000: Tiger Conway Jr. defeats Cisco Grimaldo… Ron Pritchard defeats John Foley… The Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton) defeats Ricky Hunter… Jose Lothario defeats Brute Bernard by DQ… Jack Brisco defeats Bobby Duncum in 2 falls… Russian Chain Match: Ivan Putski defeats Boris Malenko.

02-17-1973: Eric the Animal (AKA: Eric the Red) defeats Johnny Powers for the NWF North American title in Buffalo, NY.

02-20-1973: Buddy Colt wins the Florida title from Jack Brisco in Tampa.

Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett win the Southern tag team titles in Chattanooga, TN.

02-23-1973: Spectator Sports (Bruno Sammartino’s promotion): Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Arena: Attendance 10,321: The Executioner (Donn Lewin) defeated Tony DiPaolo… Gino Brito defeated Eric The Red by DQ… Tony Altimore wrestled John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) to a 15 minute draw… Waldo von Erich wrestled Baron Mikel Scicluna to a Double DQ… The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan) defeat Larry Zbyszko & Frank Holtz… Killer Kowalski & George Steele defeat Tony Parisi & Dominic DeNucci… Texas Death Match: Bruno Sammartino defeated Toru Tanaka.

02-24-1973: Detroit, MI: Cobo Arena: Attendance 12,437: Scott Elmore defeated Dr. Beech… Magnificent Zulu defeated Tom Reeseman… Heather Feather& Lucille Dupree & Joey Russell & Little Louie defeated Tanya West & Ann Casey & Pee Wee Adams & Frenchy Lamont… Lou Klein & J.B. Psycho fought Dr. Jerry Graham & Mike Loren to a draw… Kabooki (Rey Urbano) defeated Don Murry… Dan Miller defeated The Medic (Bob White)… Tex McKenzie defeated Jim Arnett… Great Igor defeated Rick Luka… Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Tex McKenzie… Fred Curry & Luis Martinez defeat NWA World Tag Team champions (DETROIT version) Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Schotz by DQ… Bobo Brazil & Tony Marino wrestled Pampero Firpo & Killer Brooks to a Double DQ… NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr. wrestled The Sheik to a Double DQ.

Baron Von Raschke & Ernie Ladd win the Detroit WWA tag team titles from Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher at the Olympia in Detroit, MI. Attendance was 6,569.

02-26-1973: At Madison Square Garden in New York City with a crowd of 22,098: Pedro Morales defeated King Curtis Iaukea… Mike Graham defeated Joe Turco… Terry Funk defeated Chuck Richards… Victor Rivera defeated Dory Funk, Sr… Verne Gagne defeated Eddie Graham… Mil Mascaras defeated Buddy Wolfe… Susan Green & Lilly Thomas defeated Peggy Patterson & Paula Kaye… Tony Garea defeated Mike Conrad.

02-27-1973: In a giant tournament spanning four months, Giant Baba gains eight wins, no losses, and two draws defeating Bruno Sammartino, Terry Funk, Abdullah the Butcher, The Destroyer, Wilbur Snyder, Don Leo Jonathan, Pat O’Connor, and Bobo Brazil. Baba draws once with Sammartino and Snyder. Giant Baba gains the All Japan PWF World title which remained the World title for All Japan (they also recognized the NWA World title) until unified into the Triple Crown in 1989. Baba holds the title until 1978.

02-28-1973: Mr. Kleen defeats Buddy Colt for the Southern (Florida) title in Miami.

AWA: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Winnipeg Arena: Attendance 11,379: Khosrow Vaziri defeats Johnny Heidman… Rene Goulet defeats Jim Brunzell… Don Muraco defeats Ivan Koloff by DQ… Billy Robinson defeats Nick Bockwinkel… The Texas Outlaws (Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes) defeat Ken Patera & Reggie Parks 2 falls to 1… Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel defeats Superstar Billy Graham.

03-02-1973: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) defeated Sputnik Monroe to win the vacant NWA Georgia title at the Municipal Auditorium.

03-03-1973: Jerry Brisco wins the NWA Eastern States (later the Mid-Atlantic) title from Rip Hawk in Winston-Salem, NC.

03-04-1973: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 15,000: Dan Miller & Mike Loren wrestled Dominic DeNucci & Tony Parisi to a Time Limit Draw… Dino Bravo wrestled Zarinoff LeBeouf to a Draw… Mighty Igor & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Lou Klein & The Masked Marvel… Tony Marino defeats Ivan Kalmikoff… Fred Curry & Haystacks Calhoun wrestled Great Kabooki & Hans Schmidt to a Time Limit Draw… Shillelagh O'Sullivan defeats Johnny Carr… Pampero Firpo defeats The Great Gama… Lord Athol Layton & The Beast wrestled Lee Henning & Tim Brooks to a Time Limit Draw… Big Brutus & John Quinn wrestled Luis Martinez & Tex McKenzie to a Time Limit Draw… Jacques Rougeau Sr. & Raymond Rougeau defeat Karl Von Schotz & Kurt Von Hess by DQ… Chief Jay Strongbow wrestled The Sheik to a No Contest.

03-05-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,027: The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) beat Ben Justice & Bobby Lyons… Bearcat Brown & Charlie Cook drew Al & Don Greene… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett.

03-07-1973: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Attendance: 11,000: Expo Convention Center: Frankie Adonis defeats Bobby Vann… Rachel Dubois defeats TN Turner… The Beast wrestled Moose Cholak to a Draw… Mitsu Arakawa & Higo Hamaguchi defeat Clem Turner & Prince Pullins… Jimmy Valiant defeats Bobby Bold Eagle… Bobby Heenan defeats Bob Ellis by DQ… Baron Von Raschke & Ernie Ladd defeat Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher to win the WWA tag team title.

03-12-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,882: Al Costello beat Tom Shaft… Don Kent drew Ben Justice… Tojo Yamamoto beat George Cannon… Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente beat Don Anderson & Eric Von Brauner… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White battled Jerry Jarrett & Jackie Fargo to a no contest.

Ray Candy defeats The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) for the Ann Gunkel promoted All South Georgia title in Atlanta.

Paul Jones defeats Mr. Kleen for the Southern (Florida) title in Orlando.

03-16-1973: St, Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,238: The Viking (Bob Morse) & Ronnie Etchison defeat Dan Miller & Bennie Ramirez 2 falls to 1… Bobo Johnson defeat Wee Willie Wilson… Steve Bolus defeats Dan Miller by DQ… Sweet Daddy Siki wrestled Big Bill Miller to a draw… Harley Race & The Invader (Dick Murdoch) wrestled Rufus R. Jones & Pat O'Connor to a Double Count Out… Gene Kiniski defeats NWA Missouri champion Terry Funk 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

In Mexico City, Mexico: Dr. Wagner defeated Enrique Vera for the National Light Heavyweight title.

03-19-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 10,023: The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) beat Jack Donovan & George Hultz… Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente beat Ben Justice & Charlie Cook… Tojo Yamamoto beat Al Ramsey… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White to win the Southern tag team titles.

03-23-1973: Tommy Tsuruta arrives in Texas to begin training with the Funk brothers.

03-26-1973:  In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,689: Ben Justice drew Jack Dalton… Tojo Yamamoto beat The Spoilers in a handicap match… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) (managed by George Cannon) beat Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente (managed by Don Duffy) in a losing manager leaves town match… Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett in a no DQ hair vs. title match to win the Southern tag team titles. Joe Walcott was the referee.

At Madison Square Garden in New York City with a crowd of 22,136: Pedro Morales defeated Freddie Blassie to retain the WWWF title… El Olympic defeated Joe Turco… Tony Garea defeated Frank Valois… Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeated Louis Tillet & Don Curtis… Mr. Fuji defeated Sonny King… Toru Tanaka battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Victor Rivera battled Great Goliath to a draw… Andre the Giant defeated Buddy Wolf. This was Andre the Giant’s debut at Madison Square Garden.

03-28-1973: Jerry Lawler & Jim White managed by Sam Bass defeat Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett for the Southern tag team titles in Nashville, TN.

AWA: Milwaukee, MI: Arena: Attendance 9,881: Rene Goulet defeats Khosrow Vaziri… Reggie Parks defeats Ric Flair… Horst Hoffman defeats Larry Hennig… Dick the Bruiser wrestled Dusty Rhodes to a Double Count Out… The Crusher & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Ivan Koloff & Superstar Billy Graham 2 falls to 1.

03-30-1973: Seiji Sakaguchi, Kengo Kimura, and Killer Kahn (Masashi Ozawa) join New Japan. NET ceases broadcasting JWA cards and begins broadcasting New Japan shows.

03-31-1973: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 15,600: Moondog Mayne won an 18-man battle royal to earn a world title shot later in the card; other participants included: Freddie Blassie, Chief Jay Strongbow, Buddy Wolf, Andre the Giant, Mike McCord, Mr. Fuji, Prof. Toru Tanaka, Lou Albano, Paul LeDuc, Jos LeDuc, Frank Valois, Bull Pometti, Arnold Skaaland, Gorilla Monsoon, Sonny King, Tony Garea, & El Olympico… Freddie Blassie defeated Sonny King… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated WWWF tag team champion Mr. Fuji… Gorilla Monsoon defeated WWWF tag team champion Prof. Toru Tanaka via DQ… Andre the Giant defeated Bull Pometti… Mike McCord defeated Arnold Skaaland… Jos Leduc defeated Frank Valois… Paul Leduc defeated Luis Torres… WWWF champion Pedro Morales pinned Moondog Mayne.

03-1973: Hacksaw Jim Duggan wins the New York State high school wrestling championship in the 250 pound weight class.

04-01-1973: Wrestling promoter Jim Crockett, Sr. dies at the age of 64.

04-06-1973: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,639: Ronnie Etchison defeats Rick Lucha… Betty Nicoli defeats Jean Antone… Billy Robinson & Jack Brisco defeat The Miller Brothers (Dan Miller & Bill Miller) 2 falls to 1… Terry Funk defeats Steve Bolus… Harley Race wrestled Rufus R. Jones to a 20 minute draw… Bruno Sammartino defeats Ivan Koloff… NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeats The Invader (Dick Murdoch) by DQ. Referee: Pat O'Connor.

04-09-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,128: The Bounty Hunters drew with Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart… Joyce Grable & Tommy Marlin beat Donna Christianello & Tony Santos… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Al Greene & Pepe Lopez… Tojo Yamamoto & Roughhouse Fargo beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White in two straight falls of a steel cage match to win the Southern tag team titles.

04-10-1973: Ron Fuller defeats Paul Jones for the Southern (Florida) title in Tampa.

04-16-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 11,118: Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat The Bounty Hunters… Bobby Hart beat Charlie Cook… Lorenzo Parente beat Jack Donovan… Marina Rey beat Estella Molina… Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Tojo Yamamoto & Roughhouse Fargo to win the Southern tag team titles in a no DQ hair vs. hair match. Fargo's hair was at stake vs. White's and manager Sam Bass'.

04-19-1973: Promoter Ray Fabiani dies of pneumonia.

04-20-1973: Japan’s JWA, in existence for twenty years, folds.

New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Seiei (Kengo) Kimura beat Masanobu Kurisu… Yoshiaki Fujiwara beat Tsutomo Oshiro… Shoji Kai beat Tatsumi Fujinami… Kotetsu Yamamoto beat Masashi Ozawa (AKA: Killer Khan)… Arpad Weber beat Little (Gran) Hamada… Katsuhisa Shibata beat Zyl… Osamu Kido beat Jozsef Molnar… Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Cyclone (Manuel) Soto & Jan Wilkins.

04-21-1973: Giant Baba wins the All Japan Champions Carnival tournament over Mark Lewin.

In Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 6,112: Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens battled The Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch) to a double DQ… Superstar Billy Graham defeated Billy Robinson… Horst Hoffman defeated Geoff Portz… Ken Patera defeated Vic Rositanni… Ric Flair defeated Jim Brunzell.

04-23-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,007: Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart beat Charlie Cook & Tommy Marlin… Al Costello & Don Kent drew Don Greene & Jack Donovan… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett & Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White & Sam Bass & The Oriental Mystery Man.

WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 10,370: Tony Garea defeated Frank Valois… Mike McCord defeated Miguel Feliciano… WWWF champion Pedro Morales fought Freddie Blassie to a no contest… Andre the Giant defeated Buddy Wolfe… Sonny Boy Hayes & Little Louie defeated Pee Wee Adams & Little Brutus… Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka & Moondog Mayne defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Arnold Skaaland & Chief Jay Strongbow.

04-27-1973: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,387: Ronnie Etchison wrestled Dan Miller to a draw… George Steele defeats Louie Tillet… Billy The Kid & Bobo Johnson defeat Little Jumbo & Johnny Reb 2 falls to 1… Rip Hawk wrestled Jerry Brisco to a draw… Terry Funk & Bill Miller defeat Rufus R. Jones & Pat O'Connor… Steel Cage Match: Bruno Sammartino defeats The Invader (Dick Murdoch)… NWA Missouri champion Gene Kiniski defeats Harley Race by DQ. Referee: Joe Louis.

04-30-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,913: Al Costello & Don Kent beat Charlie Cook & Mike Brown… Joyce Grable beat Paula Kaye… Jackie Fargo beat Jerry Lawler… Roughhouse Fargo beat Sam Bass… Jim White beat Jerry Jarrett… Tojo Yamamoto beat The Oriental Mystery Man… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett & Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo beat Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass & Jim White & The Oriental Mystery Man in a hospital elimination match.

Madison Square Garden with a crowd of 22,090: Pedro Morales defeated Don Leo Jonathan by match stoppage… Don Curtis defeated Juan Caruso… El Olympico defeated Frank Valois… Mike McCord (future Austin Idol) defeated Joe Turco… Mr. Fuji battled Tony Garea to a draw… Moondog Mayne defeated Manuel Soto… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Buddy Wolf.

05-03-1973: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1973 in Walthamstow, UK: Shown May 5, 1973 on ITV: Jackie Pallo beat Johnny Kwango… British Lightweight champion Jim Breaks defeated Johnny Saint… Mick McManus & Steve Logan beat The Barons.

05-07-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,167: Tojo Yamamoto & Gil Shelby & The Haiti Kid & Joyce Grable beat The Great Fuji & Karlos Montes & Little Bruiser & Paula Kaye… Don Greene & Charlie Cook beat Tony Santos & Al Ramsey… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo via DQ.

In Detroit, MI: Attendance: 6,952: Dick The Bruiser & Billy Red Cloud & Masked Mystery Man beat Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan & Bobby Heenan… Sailor Art Thomas beat Killer Cortez… Paul Christy beat Mark Manson… Clem Turner beat Al Barr… Bobby Van beat John Pattee… Luis Martinez beat Gil Guerrero… The Graduates beat Moose Cholak & Tom Lynch.

05-11-1973: Bill Watts defeats Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) for the Georgia title in Atlanta, GA. On the same show at the Municipal Auditorium: The Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert & Don Smith) defeated Eddie & Mike Graham to win the Georgia tag team titles.

05-12-1973: In Detroit, MI: Cowboy Bob Ellis beat Baron Von Raschke to win the WWA title.

AWA: Milwaukee, WI: Arena: Attendance 11,418: Greg Gagne defeats Kenny Jay… Reggie Parks defeats Ric Flair… Geoff Portz defeats Rene Goulet… European Rules Match: Billy Robinson defeats Horst Hoffman… AWA World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeat The Texas Outlaws (Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes) 2 falls to 1… Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel defeats Superstar Billy Graham.

05-14-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,536: Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart beat Jack Donovan & George Hultz… Gil Shelby beat Al Ramsey… The Bounty Hunters drew Charlie Cook & Don Greene… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo in a no DQ match… Lorenzo Parente won a battle royal.

WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attendance: 10,425: Tony Garea fought Mike McCord to a draw… Manuel Soto defeated Frank Hickey… Frank Valois defeated Joe Crugnale… The Fabulous Moolah & Dottie Downs defeated Tippi Wells & Lily Thomas… Gorilla Monsoon & Andre the Giant & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka & Moondog Mayne… WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Freddie Blassie when the bout was stopped due to blood.

05-18-1973: NWA Georgia promotion has been holding an on-going Cadillac Tournament for several weeks and Bobby Shane defeats Bobby Duncum in the finals to win the car at The Omni in Atlanta, GA. This is the first wrestling show held at The Omni.

St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 8,138: The Miller Brothers (Dan Miller & Bill Miller) defeat Sweet Daddy Siki & Luis Martinez 2 falls to 1… Ron Fuller defeats Rick Lucha… Jerry Brisco defeats Jim Johnson… Pat O'Connor defeats George Steele by DQ… Jack Brisco wrestled Terry Funk to a 30 minute draw swapping one fall each… Bruno Sammartino defeats Rip Hawk… NWA Missouri champion Gene Kiniski defeats Harley Race 2 falls to 1.

05-21-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,617: Eric Von Brauner beat Rock Riddle… Rufus R. Jones & Melvin Kimble beat The Masked Assassins… Al Costello & Don Kent beat Jackie Fargo & Tojo Yamamoto… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Don Greene & Charlie Cook in three falls.

05-24-1973: Harley Race defeats Dory Funk, Jr. in Kansas City, KS to win the NWA World heavyweight title for the first time. Attendance was 5,000.

05-26-1973: Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk defeat Killer Karl Krupp & Karl Von Steiger in Amarillo, TX to win the NWA International tag team titles. Krupp & Von Steiger had kept the belts after Japan’s JWA folded.

05-30-1973: Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun win the WWWF World tag team titles from Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji in Hamburg, PA.

06-01-1973: Afa & Sika the Wild Samoans win the Florida tag team titles from Mike Graham & Kevin Sullivan in St. Petersburg.

At the Atlanta, GA Municipal Auditorium Mr. Wrestling unmasks himself as Tim Woods in order to get a shot at NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race. The two then wrestle to a draw.

06-02-1973: Milwaukee, WI: Arena: Attendance 8,222: Ric Flair wrestled Greg Gagne to a time limit draw… Bob Bruggers defeats Jim Brunzell… Wahoo McDaniel defeats Blackjack Lanza… Billy Robinson defeats Dick Murdoch… Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher defeat AWA World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens by DQ.

06-03-1973: Dory Funk, Sr. dies at the age of 54 in Amarillo, TX of a heart attack.

06-04-1973: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 22,146: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Don Leo Jonathan… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Fred Blassie in a Texas death match… Gorilla Monsoon & Haystack Calhoun defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji… Victor Rivera defeated Great Goliath… Blackjack Lanza defeated Manuel Soto… World Women’s champion Fabulous Moolah battled Jan Sheridan to a draw… Moondog Mayne battled Tony Garea to a draw… Mike McCord (AKA: Austin Idol) battled El Olympico to a draw.

06-09-1973: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) & Bob Orton, Jr. defeat The Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert & Don Smith) managed by J.C. Dykes for the Georgia tag team titles.

06-10-1973: In Toronto, Canada at Maple Leaf Gardens with a crowd of 10,000: The Sheik defeated Bobo Brazil in a chain match… Lee Henning battled Ben Justice to a draw… Paul Demarco defeated Lou Klein… Tony Parisi & Dominic Denucci defeated Hans Schmidt & Mighty Ursus… Joey Russell defeated Pee Wee Adams… Johnny Valentine defeated Kabooki by DQ… Pampero Firpo defeated Mario Fratoroli… Eric the Red defeated Ron Doner… Chris Tolos & Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw with The Beast & Luis Martinez… Tony Marino defeated Dan Miller.

06-11-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,980: Charlie Cook beat Tony Santos… Lorenzo Parente beat Rufus R. Jones… Bobby Hart drew Don Greene… Billy Lane beat Steve Clements… Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert drew Al Costello & Don Kent… Jerry Jarrett & Joey Rossi beat Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass in a no DQ match. Lance Russell was the referee.

06-12-1973: Paul Jones wins the Florida title from Buddy Colt in Tampa.

06-15-1973: Tim Woods defeats Bobby Shane in a match to win the title “King of Wrestling” in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium.

St. Louis. MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10.043: Ben Justice & Ronnie Etchison defeat Ken Dillinger & Jim Dalton 2 falls to 1… Ethel Johnson defeats Marva Scott… Terry Funk wrestled Ron Fuller to a 20 minute draw… Pat O'Connor & Rufus R. Jones & Bobo Brazil defeat The Miller Brothers (Dan Miller & Bill Miller) & George Steele… NWA Missouri Heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski defeats Jack Brisco… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race wrestled Bruno Sammartino to a time limit draw swapping one fall each.

06-16-1973: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attention: 13,280: Mike McCord defeated Joe Turco… Blackjack Lanza defeated Manuel Soto… George Steele defeated El Olympico… Freddie Blassie fought Tony Garea to a draw… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Moondog Mayne… WWWF tag team champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Haystacks Calhoun… WWWF champion Pedro Morales fought Don Leo Jonathan to a double DQ.

06-18-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,948: Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo… Don Greene & Charlie Cook beat Lou Thesz & Pat O'Conner… Don Kent & Al Costello beat Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert… Frankie & Billy Laine beat Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat The Bounty Hunters… Jerry Lawler & Sam Bass beat Don Greene & Charlie Cook… Don Kent & Al Costello beat Frankie & Billy Laine… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat Don Kent & Al Costello… Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett to win the vacant Southern tag team titles.

06-24-1973: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Tony Parisi & Dominic DeNucci wrestled Hans Schmidt & Black Angus to a draw… The Beast & Ron Doner wrestled Baron Mikel Scicluna & Chris Tolos to a draw… Luis Martinez defeats Paul DeMarco by DQ… Johnny Valentine defeats Ray Elmore… The Mighty Igor defeats Lou Klein… Bobo Brazil defeats Lee Henning… Pampero Firpo defeats Ivan Kalmikoff… The Sheik defeats Eric The Animal… NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race defeats Pat O'Connor.

06-25-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,680: Johnny & Tommy Marlin beat Lorenzo Parente & Bobby Hart via DQ… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat The Bounty Hunters… Al Costello & Don Kent beat Frankie & Billy Lane… Al Costello & Don Kent battled Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert to a no contest… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Joey Rossi & Jerry Jarrett.

06-26-1973: Johnny Valentine defeats Ron Fuller for the Southern (Florida) title in Tampa.

06-30-1973: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 21,987: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated George Steele due to blood stoppage… Victor Rivera defeated Black Gordman… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Lou Albano… Haystack Calhoun defeated Moondog Mayne… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mr. Fuji… Joyce Grable & Jan Sheridan defeated Peggy Patterson & Dottie Downs… Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated El Olympico… Blackjack Lanza defeated Lee Wong.

07-02-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,926: Jerry Jarrett & Don Greene & Bearcat Brown beat The Masked Destroyers & Tonga Kid… Jackie & Roy Lee Welch beat The Masked Medic & Ronnie Garvin… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie & Johnny Marlin beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) & Steve Clements… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Roughhouse Fargo & Joey Rossi via forfeit. Fargo attacked Rossi before the match… Jerry Jarrett & Roughhouse Fargo beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White.

07-07-1973: Johnny Valentine wins the U.S. title defeating The Sheik in Detroit at Cobo Arena. Attendance 7,859.

Jerry Lawler & Jim White managed by Sam Bass win the Southern tag team titles from Jerry Jarrett & Eddie Marlin in Chattanooga, TN.

07-09-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,892: The Medic beat Jim Ledford… Ronnie Garvin beat U.S. Junior Heavyweight champion Don Greene via DQ… Joey Rossi beat Sam Bass via DQ in an Indian strap match… Roughhouse Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White to win the Southern tag team titles… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) & Steve Clements beat Tommy Gilbert & Eddie & Johnny Marlin in a Texas tornado death match.

07-13-1973: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 11,221: Tony Rocco defeats Luke Graham by DQ… Rocky Johnson defeats Art Mahalik… El Solitario defeats The Beast… Colosso Colosetti wrestled Ruben Juarez to a Draw… John Tolos defeats Sonny King… Raul Reyes & Victor Rivera defeat NWA Americas Tag Team champions Black Gordman & Great Goliath to win the titles.

07-14-1973: In Montreal, QB, Canada: Jarry Park drawing 29,127: Jackie Wiecz beat Tokyo Joe… Tom Pouce (Tom Thumb) beat Sky Low Low… Gino Brito & Dino Bravo & Tony Parisi & Dominic DeNucci beat Nick Carter & Sweet William & Sweet Daddy Siki & Bull Gregory… Don Leo Jonathan beat Toru Tanaka… Andre the Giant battled Gilles Poisson to a no contest… Eduardo Carpentier & Bruno Sammartino beat Dale Roberts & Gerry Brown to win the Grand Prix Tag Title… Maurice Vachon beat Killer Kowalski to win the Grand Prix Title.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,593: Jim Gagne defeats Rick Renaldo… Peter Maivia defeats Pedro Godoy… Don Muraco defeats Fritz Von Goering… Kinji Shibuya & Mr. Saito defeat Pepper Martin & Victor Rivera… The Interns (Intern 1 & Intern 2) defeat Red Bastien & Rocky Johnson… Dutch Savage defeats NWA San Francisco United States champion Pat Patterson 2 falls to 1. Dutch Savage did not win the title, but Pat Patterson was disqualified in the first fall.

07-16-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,918: Roy Lee Welch drew Johnny Marlin… Joey Rossi & Bearcat Brown beat Ronnie Garvin & The Medic (Jim Dalton) via DQ… Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler (managed by Sam Bass) in a Jarrett's hair vs. Bass' hair match… NWA World tag team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) battled Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin to a no contest… Southern tag team champions Jerry Jarrett & Roughhouse Fargo beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White.

07-20-1973: Jack Brisco defeats Harley Race in Houston, TX to win the NWA World heavyweight title. A new NWA World title belt (the domed globe, AKA: “Ten Pounds of Gold”) was presented to Harley Race before the match and defended for the first time here. The belt originally had a red felt strap which was later replaced by the more familiar black leather strap.

07-21-1973: WWWF: Boston, MA: Boston Garden: Attention: 14,901: Arnold Skaaland fought Ricky Sexton to a draw… Mike McCord defeated Manuel Soto… Blackjack Lanza defeated El Olympico… George Steele defeated Haystacks Calhoun via DQ… Gorilla Monsoon & Tony Garea & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji & Freddie Blassie… WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Don Leo Jonathan.

07-23-1973: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 20,629: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated George Steele… Haystack Calhoun & Tony Garea defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji… Victor Rivera defeated Fred Blassie by DQ… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mike McCord (AKA: Austin Idol)… Blackjack Lanza defeated El Olympico… Little Boy Blue & Pee Wee Adams defeated Sonny Boy Hayes & Little Louie… Manuel Soto defeated Joe Turco.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,920: Johnny Marlin beat Mike Paidousis… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) beat Joey Rossi & Bearcat Brown… Lorenzo Parente beat Don Greene to win the U.S. Junior Heavyweight title… Jerry Jarrett & Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat Jerry Lawler & Jim White & Sam Bass.

07-27-1973: NWA World heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeated Bobby Shane at the Atlanta, GA Municipal Auditorium. This marked the first time the “Domed Globe” title belt had been defended in Atlanta.

07-28-1973: Wild Red Berry (Ralph Berry) dies at the age of 66.

07-31-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,007: Johnny Marlin & Lily Thomas beat Dudley Clements & Dottie Downs… Benny & Billy McGuire beat Al Costello & Don Kent… U.S. Junior Heavyweight champion Lorenzo Parente battled Don Green to a no contest… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat Jim White & Sam Bass… Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler via DQ.

Tim Woods wins the Florida title from Paul Jones in Tampa.

07-1973: El Santo and The Blue Demon verses Dracula and The Wolfman lucha libre action movie is released in Mexico.

08-04-1973: The Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert & Don Smith) defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) & Bob Orton, Jr. at the WTCG studios in Atlanta, GA to win the Georgia tag team titles.

Indianapolis, IN: Expo Center: Attendance 10,000: Bull Bullinsky defeats Bobby Heenan… Art Thomas defeats Cowboy Parker… Luis Martinez defeats Mark Manson… Moose Cholak defeats Bob Newsome… Pepper Gomez & Wilbur Snyder defeat Mitsu Arakawa & The Great Saki… WWA World Heavyweight champion Bob Ellis defeats Jimmy Valiant… WWA World Tag Team champions Bruno Sammartino & Dick The Bruiser) defeat Baron von Raschke & Ernie Ladd by DQ

08-07-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 7,582: Joey Rossi beat Tony Santos… Lorenzo Parente beat Terry Lathan… Don Greene & Eddie Marlin drew Ronnie Garvin & The Medic… Jerry Jarrett & Tojo Yamamoto beat Al Costello & Don Kent via DQ… Al Costello & Don Kent beat Don Greene & Lorenzo Parente… Southern tag team champions Jerry Lawler & Jim White beat Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin.

08-10-1973: NWA World heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeated Harley Race by DQ in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium.

08-13-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,637: Joey Rossi beat Bill Costello… Terry Lathan drew The Medic… Don Greene & Lorenzo Parente beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello &Don Kent) & Steve Clements in a handicap match… Lou Thesz & Jerry Jarrett beat The Bounty Hunters.

08-18-1973: Bill Watts is stripped of the NWA Georgia title pending a rematch with Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker).

Detroit, MI: Cobo Arena: Attendance 10,458: Pepe Lopez defeats Rick O'Toole… Lou Klein defeats Jim Lancaster… Steve Bolus defeats Dr. Beach… Frankie Laine defeats Bobby Blaine… Tony Marino defeats Ruget Woods… Billy Red Lyons defeats Chris Tolos by DQ… Sonny King & Bearcat Wright defeat Dr. Jerry Graham & Ali Baba… Tex McKenzie defeats The Magnificent Zulu… The Mongols (Bolo & Geeto) defeat Tony Parisi & Mighty Igor by count out… The Stomper (Guy Mitchell) defeats Ben Justice by count out… Johnny Valentine & Chief Jay Strongbow defeat Killer Brooks & Pampero Firpo by DQ… NWA United States Heavyweight champion The Sheik defeats Dory Funk Jr. by DQ.

AWA: Milwaukee, WI: Arena: Attendance 8,747: Ric Flair defeats Billy Red Cloud… Greg Gagne defeats Vic Rosettani… Geoff Portz wrestled Larry Heiniemi to a Draw… Red Bastien defeats Nick Bockwinkel… Ray Stevens defeats Billy Robinson by DQ… The Crusher & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Ivan Koloff & Superstar Billy Graham 2 falls to 1.

08-21-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,155: Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin drew Jerry Lawler & The Scorpion… Lou Thesz beat Bearcat Brown… Ronnie & Terry Garvin beat Tojo Yamamoto & Johnny Marlin… NWA World tag team champions The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) beat Don Greene & Lorenzo Parente.

08-25-1973: WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Fairgrounds Coliseum: Attendance 11,000: Bruno Sammartino defeats Abdul Shikar… Art Thomas defeats Buddy Pearl… Cowboy Parker defeats Prince Pullins… Luis Martinez defeats Bobby Vann… Bobby Heenan & Jimmy Valiant defeat Bull Bullinsky & Pepper Gomez… Mitsu Arakawa defeats WWA World Heavyweight champion Bob Ellis by DQ… WWA World Tag Team champions Annihilation Inc. (Bruno Sammartino & Dick The Bruiser) defeat Baron von Raschke & Ernie Ladd (Special Referee: Sam Menacker.

AWA: AWA: St. Paul, MN: Midway Stadium: Attendance 10,000: Greg Gagne defeats Vic Rosettani by DQ… Ivan Koloff defeats Bob Bruggers… Buddy Wolff defeats Billy Red Cloud… Larry Heiniemi wrestled Reggie Parks to a Draw… Superstar Billy Graham defeats Ken Patera by Count Out… AWA World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeat Red Bastien & The Crusher… Billy Robinson defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Verne Gagne by DQ.

08-27-1973: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 18,666: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Stan Stasiak… Gorilla Monsoon defeated George Steele by count out… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka… Farmer Jerome & Little Louie defeated Little Brutus & Pee Wee Adams… Victor Rivera defeated Mr. Fuji… Manuel Soto battled El Olympico to a draw.

08-28-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,313: Darling Dagmar & Debbie Johnson beat Diamond Lil & Peggy Patterson… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat The Samoans (Reno & Tio)… Lorenzo Parente & Don & Al Greene beat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) & Steve Clements… Ronnie & Terry Garvin beat Jackie Fargo & Tojo Yamamoto.

08-31-1973: Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) regains the Georgia title from Bill Watts with Fred Blassie as special referee.

09-03-1973: The Super Infernos (Doug Gilbert & Don Smith) managed by J.C. Dykes are stripped of the Georgia tag team titles for getting themselves deliberately disqualified.

09-04-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,491: Jerry Bohn drew The Masked Red Destroyer… Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert beat The Devil's Disciples… Jerry Lawler & The Scorpion beat Billy & Benny McGuire… Terry & Ronnie Garvin beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo.

09-07-1973: In Pittsburgh, PA: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Eric the Red… Bruno Sammartino & Dick The Bruiser defeat Baron Von Raschke & Crusher Cortez (Ricky) in the main event. Attendance 5,200

09-10-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 9,682: Ronnie & Terry Garvin beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo.

09-11-1973: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji regain the WWWF World tag team titles from Tony Garea & Haystacks Calhoun in Philadelphia, PA.

09-15-1973: A group of investors launch the Puerto Rican based Capitol Sports Promotions which spawns the World Wrestling Council (WWC).

AWA: St. Paul, MN: Civic Center: Attendance 9,000: Geoff Portz defeats Bill Howard… Red Bastien defeats Reggie Parks… Ivan Koloff wrestled Ken Patera to a Draw… Ray Stevens defeats Billy Robinson by DQ… Andre The Giant defeats Buddy Wolff… Two Ring Battle Royal: Superstar Billy Graham (Ring 1 Winner) eliminates Ring 2 Winner Andre The Giant.

09-17-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,963: Johnny Marlin & Ava Seedoff & Bobo Johnson beat Steve Clements & Dottie Downs & Little Tokyo… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent)… Jerry Lawler & The Scorpion beat Don Greene & Lorenzo Parente… Ronnie & Terry Garvin beat Jackie & Roughhouse Fargo… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat Jerry Lawler & The Scorpion to win the vacant Southern tag team titles.

09-21-1973: In a tournament in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium Bobby Duncum & Stan Vachon defeated Bob Armstrong & Tom Jones to win the vacant Georgia tag team titles.

EMLL 40th Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 13,000: Rey & Ringo Mendoza beat Angel Blanco & Kim Chul Won in a hair vs. hair match… NWA World Middleweight champion Rene Guajardo drew El Halcon.

09-22-1973: Dick the Bruiser defeats Ernie Ladd in a steel cage in Indianapolis, IN to win the WWA tag team titles. Ladd had co-held the belts with Baron Von Raschke. Dick the Bruiser chooses Bruno Sammartino as his partner with whom to co-hold the titles. Attendance: 12,000.

Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin win the Southern tag team titles from the Mighty Yankees.

09-23-1973: Bill Watts brings his North American title from Louisiana to NWA Georgia where he is recognized as the North American champion there as well.

Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,000: Tony Parisi defeats Sputnik Monroe… Bearcat Wright & Sonny King defeat JB Psycho & Pat Scott… The Mongols (Bolo & Geeto) wrestled Tex McKenzie & Billy Red Lyons to a 15 minute draw… Hans Schmidt & Chris Tolos wrestled Steve Bolus & Ron Doner to a 15 minute draw… The Executioner (Don Lewin) defeats The Beast (John Yachetti) by DQ… Pampero Firpo defeats Mike Loren… Ben Justice wrestled Lee Henning to a 15 minute draw… The Sheik defeated Tony Marino… NWA World Heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeats Eric The Animal (AKA: Eric Hansen/ Eric The Red)

09-24-1973: In Ottawa, Canada with a crowd of 5,900: Mad Dog Vachon defeated Don Leo Jonathan in a lumberjack match… Chuck O’Connor & Gilles Poisson & Killer Kowalski defeated Edouardo Carpentier & Dominic Denucci & Giant Jean Ferre (Andre the Giant)… Butcher Vachon defeated Tanaka… Gigi the Greek defeated Sailor White… Dale Roberts defeated War Eagle… Tarzan Tyler defeated Billy Two Eagles… Jackie Wiece defeated Danny Babich.

09-25-1973: Missouri Mauler (Larry Hamilton) defeats Ray Candy for the All South Georgia title in Atlanta.

09-29-1973: In Milwaukee, WI with a crowd of 12,300: The Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon defeated Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff in a steel cage match… Billy Robinson defeated Nick Bockwinkel… Bill Watts defeated Buddy Wolf… Jim Brunzell defeated Bill Howard… Geoff Portz battle Reggie Parks to a draw.

10-01-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,981: Little Louie beat Frenchie LaMonte… Tojo Yamamoto & Lorenzo Parente drew The Interns… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler & The Scorpion… Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin beat Ronnie & Terry Garvin to win the Southern tag team titles.

10-02-1973: Sandy Scott & Nelson Royal win the Mid-Atlantic tag team titles from Gene & Ole Anderson in Raleigh, NC.

10-05-1973: St. Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 7,952: Tokyo Joe & Togo The Great defeat Eddie Graham & Ronnie Etchison 2 falls to 1… Dan Miller defeats Nick Kozak… Buddy Wolfe defeats Jim Johnson… Bobo Brazil defeats Hans Schmidt… Ron Fuller defeats Ivan Koloff by DQ… Johnny Valentine & Rufus R. Jones defeats Harley Race & Bill Miller… NWA World Heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeats Gene Kiniski 2 falls to 1.

10-06-1973: Tommy Tsuruta debuts in Japan at Korakuen Hall defeating Moose Morowski.

10-08-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 8,582: Bearcat Brown & Lorenzo Parente beat Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent)… Tojo Yamamoto beat Pat Patterson… Jackie Fargo & Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler & The Scorpion in a Texas tornado death match… Ronnie & Terry Garvin beat Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin to win the Southern tag team titles… NWA World heavyweight champion Jack Brisco beat Lou Thesz.

10-09-1973: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Mitsu Hirai beat Mitsuo Momota… Gentetsu Matsuoka pinned Munenori Higo… Motoshi Okuma pinned Akio Sato… Larry O'Dea beat Umanosuke Ueda… Masio Koma beat Freddie Blassie via DQ… Thunder Sugiyama pinned Mike Loren… Kintaro Oki pinned Beast… Dick Murdoch & Moose Morowski beat Akihisa Takachiho & Samson Kutsuwada… PWF U.S. champion The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Mil Mascaras… NWA International tag team champions Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta drew Terry & Dory Funk, Jr.

10-14-1973: New Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 12,000: Makoto (Don) Arakawa beat Takashi Kimura… Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Little (Gran) Hamada… Clayton Thompson beat Yoshiaki Fujiwara… Wayne Bridges & El Santo (Ham Lee) beat Shoji Kai & Masashi Ozawa… Kotetsu Yamamoto beat Anaconda… Osamu Kido beat Bobby Bold Eagle (Bob Boyer)… Victor Rivera beat Katsuhisa Shibata… Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi beat Lou Thesz & Karl Gotch.

10-15-1973: At Madison Square Garden in New York City with a crowd of 22,102: Pedro Morales defeated Stan Stasiak to retain the WWWF title… Manuel Soto defeated Tony Altimore… El Olympico defeated Mike Pappas… Jose Gonzalez defeated Pancho Valdez… Ron Fuller defeated Frank Valois… Dean Ho defeated Toru Tanaka… Andre the Giant defeated Blackjack Lanza… Don Leo Jonathan battled Chief Jay Strongbow to a draw… Victor Rivera defeated Mike McCord (AKA Austin Idol)… Vickie Williams & Joyce Grable defeated Toni Rose & Donna Christanello.

10-16-1973: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Eddie Marlin & Tommy Gilbert beat Ronnie & Terry Garvin to win the Southern tag team titles.

10-20-1973: In Minneapolis, MN with a crowd of 6,169: Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz defeated Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens… Ken Patera was injured in a weight lifting contest with Superstar Billy Graham… Larry Hennig & Buddy Wolf defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Red Cloud… Ivan Koloff defeated Reggie Parks… Tony Rocco defeated Pancho Vasquez… Ric Flair defeated Red Mendez.

10-26-1973: Taka Michinoku (Takao Yoshida) is born.

10-27-1973: A contest on NTV in Japan gives Tommy Tsuruta a new name of Jumbo Tsuruta.

In Atlanta, GA for the NWA Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong win the Georgia tag team titles from Stan Vachon & Bobby Duncum.

10-30-1973: Adam Copeland (AKA: Edge) is born.

11-02-1973: NWA World heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeated Dory Funk, Jr. in Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium. On the same show Bill Watts defeated Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker) to win the Georgia title.

WWWF: Denver, CO: Auditorium: Attention: 5,700: Greg Gagne fought Tony Rocco to a draw… Billy Red Cloud defeated Ric Flair… Ricky Romero defeated Nick Bockwinkel for the Rocky Mountain Heavyweight title… Ken Patera fought Superstar Billy Graham to a no contest in a weightlifting contest when Graham injured Patera; their wrestling match was cancelled as a result of the injury… WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Ray Stevens.

11-05-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,122: The Bounty Hunters beat Jesse James & Dwayne Peale… Al Costello & Don Kent beat Terry Latham & Johnny Marlin… Randy Curtis & Lorenzo Parente beat The Interns via DQ… Terry & Ronnie Garvin beat Bearcat Brown & Don Greene… Bobby & Marshall Fields drew The Mighty Yankees… Johnny Fields & Jackie Fargo & Tojo Yamamoto beat Don Kent & Ken Ramey & Steve Clements & Jimmy Garvin & George Harris in a handicap match… Southern tag team champions Al Greene & Jerry Lawler beat Tommy Gilbert & Eddie Marlin in a no DQ match.

Tiger Jeet Singh attacks Antonio Inoki in front of Shinjuka Isetan store in Tokyo, Japan.

11-10-1973: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 8,769: Fritz Von Goering wrestled Jim Gagne to a Draw… Raul Reyes defeats Ricky Renaldo… The Von Brauners (Karl Von Brauner & Kurt Von Brauner) defeat Bob Griffin & Earl Maynard… Don Muraco & Peter Maivia & Rocky Johnson defeat Dutch Savage & Kinji Shibuya & Mr. Saito… NWA San Francisco United States champion Pat Patterson wrestled Moondog Mayne to a No Contest - Double Blood Stoppage.

11-11-1973: Olympic Gold medalist in Judo for the Netherlands, Anton Geesink, makes his pro debut in Japan teaming with Giant Baba to defeat Bruno Sammartino & Cyclone Negro.

11-12-1973: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,148: WWWF champion Pedro Morales defeated Larry Hennig due to blood stoppage… Jose Gonzalez defeated El Olympico… Dick Slater defeated Mike Pappas… Mike McCord (AKA Austin Idol) battled Manuel Soto to a draw… Dean Ho defeated Pancho Valdez… Don Leo Jonathan defeated Tony Garea… Verne Gagne defeated Mr. Fuji… Chief Jay Strongbow & Andre the Giant defeated Blackjack Lanza & Stan Stasiak… Victor Rivera defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka.

11-14-1973: Tony Garea & Dean Ho win the WWWF World tag team titles from Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji.

11-16-1973: Jimmy Snuka defeats Bull Ramos for the Pacific Northwest title in Eugene, OR.

11-19-1973: In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 5,698: Eddie Marlin beat Don Duffy via DQ… Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat The Cuban Assassins… Lou Thesz & Jackie Fargo & Cowboy Lang beat Al Greene & Sam Bass & Billy the Kid… Terry & Ronnie Garvin beat Johnny & Marshall Fields in a no DQ match… Tommy Gilbert beat Jerry Lawler. George Gulas was the referee.

11-22-1973: Thanksgiving Night show: Greensboro Coliseum: Attendance 8,000: Nick DeCarlo defeats Joe Soto… Scott Casey defeats Joe Furr… Bob Bruggers defeats El Gaucho… Bill Watts defeats Beauregard… The Super Destroyer (Don Jardine) defeats Rufus R. Jones… Rip Hawk & Swede Hanson defeats Eddie Graham & Mike Graham… NWA Mid-Atlantic champion Jerry Brisco defeats Terry Funk… NWA World Heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeats Dory Funk Jr. Special Referee: Lou Thesz.

11-24-1973: All-Japan Pro Wrestling: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall drawing 8,500: Mitsuo Momota beat Munenori Higo… Mitsu Hirai beat Akio Sato… Motoshi Okuma beat Kazuo Sakurada… Johnny Gray beat Masio Koma… Bobby Duncum beat Thunder Sugiyama… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) beat Stan Pulaski… Kintaro Oki beat Killer Kowalski via DQ… Jumbo Tsuruta beat Mickey Doyle… Giant Baba & Anton Geesink beat Bruno Sammartino & Caribs Hurricane.

11-26-1973: In Memphis, TN at the Mid-South Coliseum: Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett beat Jerry Lawler & Al Greene to win the Southern tag team titles.

12-01-1973: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,786: Bob Griffin defeats Don Reeves… Jerry Monti defeats Rick Renaldo… The Von Brauners (Karl Von Brauner & Kurt Von Brauner) defeat Earl Maynard & Raul Mata… Don Muraco & Rocky Johnson defeat Kinji Shibuya & Pak Song… Peter Maivia defeats Mr. Saito… NWA San Francisco United States champion Pat Patterson defeats Moondog Mayne by Count Out 2 falls to 1. Special Referee: Peter Maivia.

Stan “The Man” Stasiak, managed by the Grand Wizard, upsets Pedro Morales for the WWWF title in Philadelphia, PA. In other matches: Andre the Giant & Chief Jay Strongbow & Victor Rivera defeated Blackjack Lanza & Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka… Jose Gonzalez defeated Frank Valois… Dean Ho & Tony Garea defeated Joe Turco & Pancho Valdez to retain the WWWF tag team titles… Mike McCord (later Austin Idol) defeated El Olympico… Larry Hennig defeated Manuel Soto.

12-04-1973: Brute Bernard & Mike York win the Mid-Atlantic tag team titles from Sandy Scott & Nelson Royal in Raleigh, NC.

12-06-1973: Riki Choshu (Mitsuo Yoshida), a former member of the Japanese Olympic team, joins New Japan.

12-10-1973: Bruno Sammartino defeats Stan “The Man” Stasiak for the WWWF title at Madison Square Garden in New York with a crowd of 22,000. Pedro Morales defeated Larry Hennig in a lumberjack death match… El Olympico defeated Tony Altamore… Jose Gonzalez defeated Joe Turco… Dean Ho defeated Pancho Valdez… Victor Rivera battled John Tolos to a draw… Don Leo Jonathan defeated Manuel Soto… Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Blackjack Lanza… Tony Garea defeated Mike McCord (AKA Austin Idol)

Antonio Inoki defeats Johnny Powers for the NWF title in Tokyo, Japan at the Metropolitan Gym. Attendance 6,600. Inoki had purchased controlling interest in the Buffalo, NY based NWF and the belt remained in Japan as the top title for New Japan until the IWGP title was created years later.

In Memphis, TN: Mid-South Coliseum drawing 6,508: Dennis Hall & Johnny Marlin beat The Bounty Hunters… Jackie Fargo beat Al Greene via DQ… Jerry Lawler beat Buddy Wayne Peale… The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) beat Jerry Jarrett & Tojo Yamamoto.

12-15-1973: In Detroit, MI at Cobo Arena with an attendance of 8,575: Mighty Igor & Johnny Valentine defeated The Sheik & Pampero Firpo… Bobo Brazil defeated Bearcat Wright… Fred Curry & Tony Marino defeated Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Shotz… Billy Red Lyons defeated Killer Brooks by DQ… Ben Justice defeated Tex McKenzie… Dominic Denucci defeated Kabooki… Bull Curry defeated Pepe DePasquale… Raymond Rougeau defeated Gypsy Joe… Sky Low Low defeated Little Brutus… J.B. Psycho defeated Porky the Pig by DQ… Frankie Laine defeated Magnificent Zulu.

In Atlanta, GA at WTCG Studios Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr. defeated Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller but the Georgia tag team titles are held up pending a rematch.

12-16-1973: Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance 10,500: Mike Loren defeated Ben Justice by DQ… The Beast (John Yachetti) & Ron Doner wrestled Chris Tolos & Lee Henning to a 15 minute draw… Dominic DeNucci & Tony Parisi defeat Big Brutus & The Executioner (Don Lewin)… Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Duke Alexander… Sky Low Low defeated Little Brutus… Eric the Animal defeated Lou Klein… The Love Brothers (Hartford Love & Reginald Love) fought Raymond Rougeau & Sweet Daddy Siki to a 45 minute Time Limit Draw… The Sheik defeated Billy Red Lyons… NWA World Heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeats Johnny Valentine by DQ.

12-19-1973: Ken Mantel wins the NWA World Junior title from Danny Hodge in Jackson, MS.

12-21-1973: Ron Fuller wins the NWA Georgia title from Bill Watts in Atlanta, GA with Haystacks Calhoun as special referee in a no DQ match. Also on the show, Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr. managed by Gary Hart win the NWA Georgia tag team titles from Robert Fuller & Bob Armstrong but the belts are again held up. Roberto Soto defeated Billy Spears in a loser leaves town match.

12-28-1973: In Atlanta, GA at the Municipal Auditorium NWA World heavyweight champion Jack Brisco defeated Tim Woods. Also, Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr. defeated Bob Armstrong to win the held up Georgia tag team titles.

1973: Chris Taylor wins the NCAA championship in the heavyweight division out of Iowa State University.

1973: From Illustrated Wrestling Digest Newsletter, Dave Meltzer, who would go onto to found the primer wrestling newsletter the Wrestling Observer Newsletter was already putting out a fanzine called the California Wrestling Report in 1973.

Harley Race wins the NWA World heavyweight title. Later loses it to Jack Brisco. The new “10 pounds of gold” belt is introduced, originally with a red strap.

Wrestling champions from a 1973 issue of Wrestling News magazine: Verne Gagne (AWA World champion), Jack Brisco (NWA World champion), Pedro Morales (WWWF champion), Cowboy Bob Ellis (WWA champion), Mad Dog Vachon (Grand Prix champion), Danny Hodge (NWA World Junior champion), Kim Sung Ho (NWA World Light Heavyweight champion), John Tolos (Americas champion).

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

The Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone is Karl Stern's attempt to chronicle the entire history of pro wrestling and is a work in progress with hundreds of pages of text added each month.

Please spread the word about the Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling project and support this website on Patreon to help it continue to grow and build.

Pro wrestling history. The history of professional wrestling. Timeline of pro wrestling history.

If you found this article interesting consider becoming a Patreon supporter.  That is how When It Was Cool keeps our website and podcasts online, plus you get lots of bonus content including extra and extended podcasts, articles, digital comics, ebooks, and much more.  Check out our Patreon Page to see what's up!

If you don't want to use Patreon but still want to support When It Was Cool then how about a one time $5 PayPal donation? Thank you!