Return to WhenItWasCool.com Home Page

Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling - A Time Line of Every Major Event in Pro Wrestling History - 1965

By: Karl Stern

The year 1965 in pro wrestling is covered on the Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - Click Here.

1965

01-08-1965: Pat Patterson losses the Pacific Northwest title via count out to Pepper Martin in Portland, OR.

01-10-1965: WWWF: Toronto, Ontario: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: 5,500: Pat Flanagan fought Alexander the Great to a draw… Johnny Powers defeated Johnny Foti… Michele Barone defeated Hurricane Smith… The Beast defeated Tony Parisi… Chris & John Tolos defeated Paul DeMarco & Andy Robin… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino fought Waldo Von Erich to a no contest.

01-13-1965: EMLL Carnaval de Campeones in Acapulco, Mexico: Arena Coliseo: Johnny Ceballos beat Angel Lopez… El Capitan beat Abundio Radilla to win the vacant Acapulco Welterweight title… Rafael Salamanca beat Braulio Mendoza via DQ to win the vacant Acapulco Middleweight title… Rodolfo Ruiz beat Chanoc to win the Mexican National Light Heavyweight title… Mexican National Women's champion Isabel Romero beat Irma Gonzalez… Huracan Ramirez beat Rizado Ruiz to win the Mexican National Welterweight title.

01-15-1965: The Medics defeated Buddy Fuller & Eddie Graham for the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

01-16-1965: One of the most popular wrestlers of the era, Yukon Eric, commits suicide at the age of 48 in Cartersville, GA. After divorcing his wife and suffering financial problems, on January 16, 1965, Yukon Eric (Eric Holmback) drove to the church in Cartersville, Georgia where he had gotten married, and committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth with a .22 caliber pistol. He was reported missing when he failed to show for matches in Jacksonville, Florida and St. Petersburg, Florida. His body was found the next day in his car in the church parking lot. He was survived by his three children, two daughters and a son.

01-17-1965: St. Paul, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 10,993: Sell out with 2,000 turned away: Ivan Kalmikoff defeats Jack Allen… Mighty Igor Vodik defeats Pedro Santos… Bob Boyer wrestled Eddie Sharkey to a Draw… Wilbur Snyder defeats Moose Cholak… AWA World Tag Team champions Dick The Bruiser & The Crusher defeat Harley Race & Larry Hennig 2 falls to 1.

01-23-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,723: Billy White Wolf defeats Marquis de Paree (Larry Moquin) … Jack Lanza defeats Ken Yates… Ricky Romero defeats Pat Barrett… Pat Patterson defeats Red Bastien… Ernie Ladd defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana) … Don Manoukian defeated Mark Lewin by Count Out… Bearcat Wright defeats Mitsu Arakawa 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya wrestled Pepper Gomez to a double DQ after splitting one fall each.

01-25-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,875: Bruno Sammartino & Bill Watts defeated Gene Kiniski & Waldo Von Erich by DQ… Bobo Brazil battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham defeated Haystack Calhoun & Miguel Perez… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Boris Malenko… Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Luke Graham… Don McClarity defeated Smasher Sloan… Golden Terror defeated Steve Stanlee.

01-29-1965: Buddy Fuller & Mario Galento defeated The Medics for the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

01-31-1965: In Minneapolis, MN: Harley Race & Larry Hennig defeated Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher for the AWA World tag team titles. Minneapolis Auditorium. Attendance 9,176: Sid Freeman defeats Ricky Lopez… Billy Red Cloud defeats Black Bart… Bob Boyer defeats Eddie Sharkey… Wilbur Snyder defeats Mike DiBiase

02-05-1965: The Medics won a tournament final over Tony Marino & Joe Scarpa in Atlanta, GA to win the Southern tag team titles.

St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,186: Guy Mitchell wrestled Ralph Bartleman to a 15 minute draw… Dory Funk, Jr. & Joe Tangaro defeat Bob Geigel & Dan Plechas 2 falls to 1… John Paul Henning wrestled Dick the Bruiser to a double count out… Gene Kiniski defeats Moose Evans… Ilio DiPaolo defeats Bobby Graham… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Pat O'Connor.

02-10-1965: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 10,211: new record: Bill Watts pinned Smasher Sloan… The Golden Terror defeated Miguel Torres… Wahoo McDaniel pinned Tony Newberry… Bobo Brazil & Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Waldo Von Erich… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino fought Gene Kiniski to a double count-out.

02-12-1965: El Asesino Invisible (The Invisible Assassin) movie is released. A criminal murder a scientist and steals his formula for invisibility. El Enmascarado De Horo (The golden masked man) tries to solve the case. The hero looks a lot like El Santo.

02-13-1965: Harley Race is stabbed in an altercation in a bar in Minneapolis, MN.

02-14-1965: Promoter Eddie Quinn died of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 58.

02-15-1965: Pinkie George dismisses his lawsuit against Gus Karras, George Simpson, Pat O’Connor, and Bob Geigel for antitrust violations.

02-20-1965: San Francisco: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,575: Fritz Von Goering defeats Chief White Eagle… Jack Lanza defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana) … Ernie Ladd defeats Marquis de Paree (Larry Moquin) … Pepper Gomez & Ricky Romero defeat Tony Galarza & Stan Neilson… Don Manoukian & Pat Patterson defeat Pat Barrett & Billy White Wolf 2 falls to 1… Bearcat Wright defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya after taking 1 fall in 60 minutes. Bearcat Wright wins the match by only fall in 60 minutes, but did not win the title because he would have had to take two falls to do that.

02-22-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 19,101: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Watts by DQ… Gene Kiniski & Waldo Von Erich defeated Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Golden Terror… Bobo Brazil battled Gorilla Monsoon to a draw… Don McClarity defeated Sweet Daddy Siki… Miguel Perez defeated Smasher Sloan… Haystack Calhoun defeated Magnificent Maurice… Kenny Ackles defeated Steve Stanlee.

02-26-1965: Tokyo, Japan: Metropolitan Gym: Attendance 12,000: WWA World Heavyweight champion The Destroyer wrestled Toyonobori to a time limit draw splitting one fall each.

03-01-1965: Booker T (Booker Huffman) is born.

03-10-1965: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 10,890; new record: Magnificent Maurice defeated Tony Newberry… Arnold Skaaland defeated Steve Stanlee… Miguel Perez defeated Smasher Sloan… Bill Watts defeated Sweet Daddy Siki… Bobo Brazil defeated the Golden Terror… Gorilla Monsoon & Waldo Von Erich defeated Haystacks Calhoun & Don McClarity… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jerry Graham… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gene Kiniski.

03-12-1965: Pedro Morales wins the WWA World title from The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) in Los Angeles. Attendance: 8,000.

03-13-1965: Buddy Fuller & Jesse James defeated The Medics in Atlanta, GA to win the Southern tag team titles.

03-20-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 12,245: Pat Barrett defeats Tony Galarza… Jack Lanza defeats Buddy Austin… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Billy Red Lyons defeat Dale Lewis & Billy White Wolf… Ramon Torres defeats Marquis de Paree (Larry Moquin) … Pepper Gomez & Ricky Romero defeated Don Manoukian & Pat Patterson 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya wrestled Bearcat Wright to a no contest double blood stoppage after splitting one fall each.

03-27-1965: Jack Brisco wins the Division I NCAA wrestling championship at 191 pounds for Oklahoma State University.

03-29-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 19,614: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Watts by DQ… Gene Kiniski & Waldo Von Erich battled Bobo Brazil & Haystack Calhoun to a draw… Wahoo McDaniel defeated Dr. Jerry Graham… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Don McClarity… Sonny Boy Cassidy & Poncho Lopez defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Billy the Kid… Argentina Apollo defeated Smasher Sloan… Miguel Perez defeated Golden Terror.

04-01-1965: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Chief White Eagle defeats Horst Wessel… Al Greene wrestled Mr. Moto to a Draw… Billy Red Lyons defeats Gonzales Gonzales… WWA World Tag Team champions The Von Stroheims (Karl Von Stroheim & Kurt Von Stroheim) defeat Baron Gattoni & Luis Hernandez… WWA World Heavyweight champion Pedro Morales defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) by DQ 2 falls to 1.

04-03-1965: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 12,535: The Golden Terror pinned Tony Newberry… Smasher Sloan pinned the Magnificent Maurice… Pancho Lopez & Sonny Boy Cassidy defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Billy the Kid… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Rocky Storm & Miguel Perez in a handicap match… Bill Watts defeated Wahoo McDaniel via count-out… US champion Bobo Brazil defeated Waldo Von Erich… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Gene Kiniski.

04-09-1965: St Louis, MO: Arena: Attendance 13,046: Dory Funk, Sr. defeats Dutch Savage… Lorenzo Parente wrestled Joe Blanchard to a 20 minute draw… Betty Nicoli defeats Barbara Galento… Wilbur Snyder defeats Taro Myaki… Johnny Valentine defeats Bobby Graham… John Paul Henning & Pat O'Connor & Bob Ellis defeat Fritz von Erich & Hans Schmidt & Gene Kiniski 2 falls to 1… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Dick the Bruiser 2 falls to 1.

04-16-1965: Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean defeated Buddy Fuller & Jesse James to win the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

04-17-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,576: Pat Barrett defeats Dale Lewis… Ramon Torres defeats Tony Galarza… Jack Lanza defeats George Kosti… Pepper Gomez & Ricky Romero defeat Buddy Austin & Stan Neilson… The Blond Bombers (Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens) defeat AWA World Tag Team Champions The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Billy Red Lyons 2 falls to 1 to win the titles… AWA United States champion Kinji Shibuya defeats Bearcat Wright 2 falls to 1.

AWA: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,982: Reggie Parks defeats Mike Pulaski… Kenny Jay defeats Lee Mattson… Rene Goulet defeats Jose Quintero… Eddie Sharkey defeats Chris Markoff by DQ… Pampero Firpo defeats The Crusher… AWA World Heavyweight champion Mad Dog Vachon defeats Verne Gagne by DQ.

04-25-1965: In Toronto, Canada: Maple Leaf Garden: Attendance: 5,100: Victor Rivera fought Jerry London to a draw… Michele Barone fought Bob Leipler to a draw… Art Thomas defeated Fred Atkins via DQ… Pat Flanagan defeated Alexander the Great… Whipper Billy Watson & Karl Gotch defeated Prof. Hiro & the Beast… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Johnny Powers via DQ.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,742: Two On One Handicap Match: Victor The Bear defeats Bob Hudson & The Masked Marvel… Lou Palacio defeats Johnny Vander… Luke Graham defeats Al Marshall… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats Billy Kulzer… El Magnifico defeats Dick Chaney… WWA World Tag Team champions The Von Stroheims (Karl Von Stroheim & Kurt Von Stroheim) defeat Chief White Eagle & Luis Hernandez… WWA World Heavyweight champion Pedro Morales defeats Billy Red Lyons in 2 falls.

04-27-1965: Championship Wrestling, Inc (Indianapolis territory) is founded by owners Dick the Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder.

05-01-1965: FA Cup Final Day Wrestling Special 1965 in Wembley, UK: Shown on ITV: Tony Charles drew Eric Taylor… Jackie Pallo beat Bernard Murray… Mick McManus & Steve Logan beat Johnny Kwango & Lindsey Caulder… Ricky Starr defeated Johnny Czeslaw.

05-08-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 7,130: Ramon Torres defeats George Kosti… Buddy Austin defeats Alex Medina… Eric Froelich defeats Tony Galarza… Don Leo Jonathan defeats Pat Barrett… Ricky Romero & Bearcat Wright defeat The Von Stroheims (Karl & Kurt Von Stroheim)… Jack Lanza defeats Pat Patterson 2 falls to 1… AWA United States Heavyweight champion Kinji Shibuya defeats Pepper Gomez in a wire fence match after the referee stops the match due to blood. They had swapped one fall each.

05-12-1965: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,127: The Butcher (Don Jardine) defeated Billy Kulzer… Billy Red Lyons wrestled Chief White Eagle to a Draw… Luis Hernandez wrestled Jack Allen to a Draw… The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) defeat WWA World Tag Team champions The Von Stroheims (Karl Von Stroheim & Kurt Von Stroheim) to win the titles… WWA World Heavyweight champion Pedro Morales wrestled The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) to a Time Limit Draw one hour with no falls.

05-14-1965: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 12,644: Kit Fox defeats Roger Kirby… Rita Cortez defeats Barbara Galento… Pat O'Connor defeats Lorenzo Parente… Dick the Bruiser defeats Ronnie Etchison… Johnny Valentine defeats Hans Schmidt… Bob Ellis & Wilbur Snyder defeated Bob Geigel & Bobby Graham 2 falls to 1… Texas Death Match: Gene Kiniski defeated Fritz von Erich.

05-15-1965: Mighty Igor wins the AWA World heavyweight title from Mad Dog Vachon in Omaha, NE.

05-17-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 12,984: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Watts… Chief Big Heart & Chief White Owl defeated Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan… Haystack Calhoun & Argentina Apollo battled Dr. Jerry Graham & Golden Terror to a no contest… Don McClarity defeated Magnificent Maurice… Miguel Perez defeated Steve Stanlee… Arnold Skaaland defeated Tony Newberry (AKA: Geeto Mongol).

05-21-1965: Las Lobas Del Ring (The Female Wolves of the Ring) movie is released. A women's wrestling tournament takes place around a series of murders.

05-22-1965: Mad Dog Vachon regains the AWA World heavyweight title from Mighty Igor in Omaha, NE.

05-28-1965: In Atlanta, GA at Ponce de Leon Ball Park: (Attendance is disputed heavily for this show. Buddy Fuller’s son Ron Fuller claims that around 40,000 people attended this show which was exceptionally above the capacity of 6,800. The Atlanta-Constitution Newspaper gives a figure of 11,428) Buddy Fuller defeated Mario Galento to win the Georgia title with boxing legend Rocky Marciano as special referee... Kurt & Karl Von Brauner defeated Lester Welch & Ray Gunkel to retain the “World” tag team titles... Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean defeated Frankie Cain & Greg Peterson... Chief White Eagle defeated Kurt Von Steiger... Barbara Galento defeated Millie Zec... George Harris & Bob Dalton defeated Jesse James & Jerry Miller... Tony Baillargeon defeated Pedro Zapata.

05-29-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 6,969: Kinji Shibuya beat Jack Lanza… Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat Pepper Gomez & Ricky Romero… The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) beat Pat Barrett & Dick Steinborn… Bearcat Wright beat Juan Sebastian… Ramon Torres beat Buddy Austin by DQ… Jack Bence beat Alex Medina.

06-04-1965: In Atlanta, GA at Ponce de Leon Ball Park: Ray Gunkel & Lester Welch defeated “world” tag team champions Kurt & Karl Von Brauner by DQ… Buddy Fuller defeated Mario Galento in a boxing match with special referees Rocky Marciano and Al Galento… Tony Borne defeated Jesse James… Joe Scarpa & Chief Little Eagle defeated Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean to win the Southern tag team titles… Also Greg Peterson verses Red Roberts… Tony Baillargeon verses George Harris.

06-05-1965: Jack Brisco makes his pro wrestling debut in Oklahoma City, OK at WKY Studios defeating Roger Barnes (AKA: Ronnie Garvin).

WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance 10,103: Bob Boyer wrestled Ted Lewin to a 20 minute draw… Arnold Skaaland defeats Tony Newberry… Don McClarity defeats Boris Malenko… Argentina Apollo defeated Magnificent Maurice… Chief Big Heart defeated Dr. Jerry Graham… Wahoo McDaniel defeated The Golden Terror (Clyde Steeves)… WWWF United States Tag Team champions Gorilla Monsoon & Bill Watts defeat Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil by DQ.

06-07-1965: Mick Foley (AKA: Cactus Jack/Mankind/Dude Love) is born.

06-08-1965: NWA World heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeated Tojo Yamamoto in Nashville, TN to retain the title.

06-11-1965: Mario & Al Galento defeated Chief Little Eagle & Joe Scarpa to win the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

Neutron Contra los Asesinos del Karate (Neutron against the Karate Assassins) movie is released. Neutron tries to solve a series of murders done via Karate expert in Europe.

06-16-1965: A battle royal type match featuring a wrestling bear takes place in Lubbock, TX. Ivan the Wrestling Bear competes against The Mighty Yankees, Iron Mike DiBiase & John Tolos, Dory Funk & Dory Funk Jr., Jose Lothario & Tim Woods, Tony Borne & Hans Schmidt, and others.

06-18-1965: St Louis, MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 9,510: Ronnie Etchison defeats Dan Plechas… Joe Tangaro wrestled Taro Myaki to a 20 minute draw… The Funks (Dory Funk, Jr. & Dory Funk, Sr.) defeat Bobby Graham & Dick the Bruiser in 2 falls… Wilbur Snyder defeats Hans Schmidt… Jean Antone & Rita Cortez defeat Kay Noble & Jessica Rogers in 2 falls… NWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz defeats Gene Kiniski  by DQ 2 falls to 1.

06-19-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 10,502: Juan Sebastian defeats Alex Medina… Luke Graham defeats Pat Barrett… Jack Lanza defeats Stan Neilson… Red Bastien & Ramon Torres defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) by DQ… AWA San Francisco World tag team champions The Blond Bombers (Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens) defeat Pepper Gomez & Ricky Romero 2 falls to 1… AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya defeats Bearcat Wright in a Texas Death match.

06-25-1965: Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean defeated Chief Little Eagle & Joe Scarpa to win the Southern tag team title tournament in Atlanta, GA.

06-26-1965: AWA: Minneapolis, MN: Minneapolis Auditorium: Attendance 9,713: Gene Anderson wrestled Rene Goulet to a Draw… Wilbur Snyder defeats Pampero Firpo by DQ… Larry Hennig defeats Ivan Kalmikoff… Mighty Igor Vodik defeats Harley Race… The Crusher defeats Chris Markoff… Verne Gagne defeats AWA World Heavyweight champion Mad Dog Vachon by Count Out 2 falls to 1.

06-28-1965: Another Bear battle royal takes place, this time in Tulsa, OK. Terrible Ted the Wrestling Bear would be in the ring with Big Ike Eakins, Don Kent, Dandy Jack Donovan, Gene Dundee, Doug Gilbert, Jack Brisco, Joe McCarthy, and Mike DuBois.

07-09-1965: Billy Hines & Bad Boy Hines defeated Corsica Joe & Corsica Jean for the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,736: Paul Diamond defeats Art Michalik… Luke Graham defeats Ox Anderson… Don Chuy defeats Don Savage… Chief White Eagle defeats Tony Galarza… The Butcher (Don Jardine) defeats Mr. Moto… Luis Hernandez & Pedro Morales defeat WWA World Tag Team champions The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) by DQ.

07-10-1965: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance 9,650: Pancho Lopez & Jamaica Kid defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low 2 falls to 1… Chief White Owl defeated Frank Martinez… Chief Big Heart & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Dr. Jerry Graham & The Golden Terror (Clyde Steeves)… Argentina Apollo defeats Waldo Von Erich… Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Bill Watts.

07-12-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 17,134: WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Miller… Waldo Von Erich defeated Wahoo McDaniel… Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low defeated Jamaica Kid & Pancho Lopez… Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Haystack Calhoun by DQ… Argentina Apollo & Miguel Perez defeated The Sheik & Smasher Sloan… Chief Big Heart battled Golden Terror to a draw.

07-13-1965: Washington, DC: DC Stadium: Attendance 13,303: Jamaica Kid & Pancho Lopez defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low… Diamond Lil defeats Darling Dagmar… Art Thomas wrestled Gorilla Monsoon - Draw… Argentina Apollo defeats The Golden Terror (Clyde Steeves)… Dottie Carter & The Fabulous Moolah defeat Bette Boucher & Donna Christianello… WWWF United States champion Bobo Brazil defeats Bill Miller by Count Out… Special Referee: Haystacks Calhoun: Chief Big Heart & Chief White Owl & Wahoo McDaniel defeat Dr. Jerry Graham & Smasher Sloan & Waldo von Erich 3 falls to 1… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Bill Watts by DQ

07-17-1965: WWWF: Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 8,232: Chuck Martoni drew Frank Holtz… Bob Nandor drew Arnold Skaaland… Mr. Kleen beat Jim Grabmire… Pancho Lopez & Sonny Boy Cassidy beat Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Bill Miller beat Haystacks Calhoun… Gorilla Monsoon & Smasher Sloan & Waldo Von Erich beat Wahoo McDaniel & Chief Big Heart & Chief White Owl… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino battled Bill Watts to a double blood stoppage.

WWA: Indianapolis, IN: Victory Field: Attendance 11,075: Darling Dagmar defeats Diamond Lil… Angelo Poffo wrestled Bobby Managoff to a Time Limit Draw… Moose Cholak defeats Prince Pullins… The Assassins (Joe Tomasso & Guy Mitchell) defeat WWA World Tag Team champions The Volkoff Brothers (Boris Volkoff & Nicoli Volkoff) to win the titles… Gene Kiniski defeats Wilbur Snyder 2 falls to 1… WWA World Heavyweight Title / NWA World Heavyweight Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match: Dick The Bruiser (WWA) wrestled Lou Thesz (NWA) to a Double Count Out after splitting one fall each.

San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 8,188: Kinji Shibuya beat Jack Lanza by DQ… Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat Pepper Gomez & Bearcat Wright… The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) beat Red Bastein & Ramon Torres… Eric Froelich beat George Kosti…. Hard Boiled Haggerty beat Alex Medina… Luis Martinez beat Juan Sebastian.

07-19-1965: The Mummy (Benji Ramirez) is stabbed in Pasadena, CA by 79 year old John W. Jones. Ramirez had wrestled Pedro Morales that night.

07-22-1965: Shawn Michaels is born.

07-23-1965: Luke Graham defeats Pedro Morales for the WWA World title in Los Angeles. Olympic Auditorium. Attendance 10,241: Mr. Moto wrestled The Hangman (Gene Lebell) to a draw… The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat Art Michalik & The Butcher (Don Jardine)… Luis Hernandez defeats Chief White Eagle… WWA World Tag Team champions The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) (c) wrestled Billy Red Lyons & The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) to a Draw.

07-24-1965: AWA: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 8,156: Kenny Jay defeats Jose Quintero… Eddie Sharkey defeats Paul Caruso… NWA World Junior Heavyweight champion Danny Hodge defeats Gene Anderson… Tex McKenzie defeats Chris Markoff by Count Out… The Crusher & Verne Gagne defeat AWA World Tag Team champions Harley Race & Larry Hennig 2 falls to 1.

07-31-1965: Big Time Wrestling: Cobo Arena: Detroit, MI: Attendance 12,000: Gino Brito vs. Kurt von Stroheim (result unknown)… Johnny Powers wrestled The Student (George Steele) to a No Contest… Fred Curry vs. Paul DeMarco (result unknown)… Johnny Valentine vs. Professor Hiro (result unknown)… Mark Lewin defeats Man Mountain Cannon… Ethel Johnson vs. Marva Scott (result unknown)… Billy The Kid vs. Sonny Boy Cassidy (result unknown)… Lord Layton defeats Bulldog Brower… NWA United States champion The Sheik wrestled Bobo Brazil to a Time Limit Draw. Sheik and Bobo wrestled for one full hour without a fall.

08-02-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 15,064: Bill Miller defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by count out… Bobo Brazil & Sailor Art Thomas defeated Bill Watts & Gorilla Monsoon by DQ… Johnny Valentine battled Waldo Von Erich to a draw… Argentina Apollo defeated Golden Terror… Chief Big Heart defeated Steve Stanlee… Chief White Owl battled Smasher Sloan to a draw… Miguel Perez defeated Bob Boyer… Arnold Skaaland defeated Gus Kalas.

08-04-1965: A tournament for the Southern tag team titles is held in Mobile, AL. First Round: Corsica Jean & Joe and Dick Dunn & Jim King draw a bye. Ken & Chris Lucas defeated Kurt Steiger & Richard Von Kurt. Bad Boy Hines & Billy Boy Hines defeated Silento Rodriquez & El Olympico. Round 2: Corsica Jean & Joe no show giving the Lucas brothers a bye. Bad Boy & Billy Boy Hines defeated Dick Dunn & Jim King. Finals: The Lucas Brothers defeated The Hines to win.

08-07-1965: AWA: Minneapolis, MN: Auditorium: Attendance 9,652: Danny Plechas wrestled Eddie Sharkey to a Time Limit Draw… Chris Markoff defeats Larry Hennig… Tex McKenzie defeats Kurt Von Brauner… Danny Hodge defeats Rene Goulet… Harley Race & Larry Hennig defeat AWA World Tag Team champions The Crusher & Verne Gagne to win the titles.

08-08-1965: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (Sellout): Billy Red Lyons wrestled Luis Hernandez to a Draw… The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) wrestled Mr. Moto to a Draw… Pedro Morales defeated Rod O'Rell… The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat WWA World Tag Team champions The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) to win the titles… WWA World champion Luke Graham defeats The Butcher 2 falls to 1.

08-11-1965: Honolulu International Center Arena: Honolulu, HI: Attendance 8,200 (capacity): Pepper Martin defeats The Russian Wolfman (John Smith/Soldat Gorky)… Curtis Iaukea defeats Jack Lanza… Ray Stevens defeats Bearcat Wright… NWA Hawaii Tag Team champions The Torres Brothers (Alberto Torres & Enrique Torres) defeat Ripper Collins & The Spoiler (Vince Montana) 2 falls to 1… Hawaii US champion Hard Boiled Haggerty wrestled San Francisco US champion. Kinji Shibuya to a No Contest after splitting one fall each. The match ended when the referee was injured.

08-13-1965: Neutron Contra el Criminal Sadico (Neutron Against the Sadistic Criminal) movie is released. A killer sends films of his murders to the family of his victims.

08-14-1965: In Pittsburgh, PA: Forbes Field drawing 9,248: Frank Holtz beat Frank Durso… Hurricane Hunt beat Apache Pete… Chief White Owl & Chief Big Heart beat Waldo Von Erich & Ron Romano… Argentina Apollo beat Smasher Sloan… Pancho Lopez & Jamaica Kid beat Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Bill Miller beat Gorilla Monsoon… Mr. Kleen beat The Beast (John Yachetti) via DQ… Bill Watts beat WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by DQ.

Big Time Wrestling: Detroit, MI: Cobo Arena: Attendance: 11,000: Fred Curry & Gino Brito defeat Man Mountain Cannon & Prince Nero… Tony Marino defeats Joe Christie… Killer Karl Kox defeats Paul DeMarco… Johnny Valentine defeats Kurt von Stroheim by DQ… Bull Curry defeats Art Thomas… Johnny Powers & Mark Lewin defeat Professor Hiro & The Student (George Steele)… Bobo Brazil defeats NWA United States champion The Sheik by DQ in a match with two referees.

08-21-1965: The Crusher defeated Mad Dog Vachon for the AWA World title in St. Paul, MN.

Gene Kiniski defeated Dick the Bruiser for the Indiana version of the WWA World title.

08-22-1965: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Billy Red Lyons defeats Jack Allen… Yoshino Sato defeats Ron O'Reilly… Toyonobori defeats The Mummy (Benji Ramirez)… Luke Graham defeats Mr. Moto…. Pedro Morales wrestled The Butcher (Don Jardine) to a Draw… WWA World Tag Team champions The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton).

08-23-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 16,113: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Miller… Bill Watts defeated Gorilla Monsoon… Bobo Brazil & Argentina Apollo defeated Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan… Johnny Valentine defeated Golden Terror… Tarzan Tyler defeated Chief White Owl… Chief Big Heart defeated Magnificent Maurice… Miguel Perez defeated Ricky Sexton… Arnold Skaaland defeated Wild Red Berry.

08-27-1965: Nick Kozak & Dick Steinborn defeated Billy & Bad Boy Hines to win the Southern tag team titles in Atlanta, GA.

La Hacha Diabolica (The Diabolical Axe) movie is released. El Santo is killed in 1603 by an Axe-wielding killer. Both are resurrected in modern-day Mexico.

09-08-1965: Los Angel;es, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,224: Yoshino Sato defeats Bandito Lopez… Billy Red Lyons wrestled Nick Bockwinkel to a Draw… The Butcher (Don Jardine) defeats Mr. Moto… The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat The Mummy (Benny Ramirez) & Vince Bagala… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Jack Allen… Alberto Torres & Pedro Morales wrestled The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) to a draw… Toyonobori defeats WWA World champion Luke Graham by DQ 2 falls to none.

09-11-1965: Paul Heyman (AKA: Paul E. Dangerously) is born.

WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 10,537: Arnold Skaaland defeated Angelo Savoldi… Chief Big Heart & Chief White Owl defeated Smasher Sloan & the Golden Terror… Johnny Valentine defeated the Magnificent Maurice… US champion Bobo Brazil defeated Waldo Von Erich… Tarzan Tyler defeated Vittorio Apollo… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Watts via count-out.

09-18-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance: 6,371: Kinji Shibuya beat Wilbur Snyder… Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens beat The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton)… Pepper Gomez & Luis Martinez beat Don Manoukian & Stan Neilson… Luis Hernandez beat Juan Sebastian… Mitsu Arakawa beat George Drake… Eric Froelich beat The Spoiler (Don Jardine).

09-20-1965: Luke Graham defeats Toyonobori in Los Angeles to reunify the two WWA World titles that were split in 1964. Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,367: Alberto Torres defeats Jack Allen… Nick Bockwinkel wrestled Assassin 2 (Jody Hamilton) to a draw… Pedro Morales wrestled Assassin 1 (Tom Renesto) to a draw… Gorilla Monsoon defeated Tony Galarza… The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat The Butcher (Don Jardine) & Chuck Karbo

09-24-1965: Lou Thesz defeated Buddy Fuller to retain the NWA World heavyweight title in Atlanta, GA.

EMLL: 32nd Anniversary Show: in Mexico City, Mexico: Arena Mexico drawing 17,100: Mexican National Light Heavyweight champion Espanto I beat Mil Mascaras… Karloff Lagarde beat Huracan Ramirez to win the NWA World Welterweight title.

09-27-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,779: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Tarzan Tyler… Johnny Valentine battled Bill Miller to a draw… Bobo Brazil battled Bill Watts to a draw… Argentina Apollo & Miguel Perez defeated Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan… Chief Big Heart defeated Frank Martinez… Magnificent Maurice defeated Pete Sanchez… Angelo Savoldi defeated Herbie Starr. Following this show someone stole the WWWF championship belt. Willie Gilzenberg, President of WWWF at the time offered a $10,000 reward in the newspaper.

10-09-1965: WWWF Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance 9,457: Arnold Skaaland defeated Herb Starr… Pete Spatelli defeated Angelo Savoldi… Bonita White Dove & Donna Christianello defeated The Fabulous Moolah & Dorothy Carter 2 falls to 1… Tarzan Tyler defeated Miguel Perez… Johnny Valentine defeated Bill Watts by DQ… Argentina Apollo & Chief Big Heart defeated Smasher Sloan & Clyde Steeves… Bill Miller defeated WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino by Count Out.

10-15-1965: Ray Stevens is in court in Indianapolis, IN on charges of failing to pay income taxes for 1959 and 1960. He pleads “No contest”.

10-16-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 11,251: Buddy Austin defeats Eric Froelich… Jim Hady defeats George Drake… The Kentuckians (Jake “Grizzly” Smith & Luke Brown) defeats Johnny Kace & Pedro Godoy… Dominic DeNucci defeats The Spoiler (Vince Montana)… Pepper Gomez & Bearcat Wright & Luis Martinez defeat The Blond Bombers (Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens) & Don Manoukian 2 falls to 1… Bobo Brazil defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Kinji Shibuya 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

10-17-1965: Pedro Morales regains the WWA World title from Luke Graham in Los Angeles. Olympic Auditorium. Attendance 10,400 (sellout): Jack Allen defeats Johnny Vander… Nick Bockwinkel defeats Pancho Lopez… Alberto Torres defeats The Mummy (Benny Ramirez)/// WWA World Tag Team champions The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat Lonnie Mayne & Ox Anderson… Bobo Brazil vs. Gorilla Monsoon wrestled to a draw.

10-20-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,624: WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Watts… Johnny Valentine battled Bill Miller to a draw… Bobo Brazil & Miguel Perez defeated Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan… Tarzan Tyler defeated Chief Big Heart… Tiny Tim & Jamaica Kid defeated Cowboy Bradley & Pancho Lopez… Argentina Apollo defeated Gino Brito… Arnold Skaaland defeated Golden Terror.

11-02-1965: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Toyonobori & Yoshinosato beat The Assassins (Tom Renesto & Jody Hamilton) via DQ… NWA International championship Giant Baba beat Alberto Torres.

11-07-1965: In Toronto, Ontario: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: 6,000: Emile Dupre defeated Alexander the Great via referee's decision… Georgios Kanelis defeated Bob Leipler… Prof. Hiro defeated Tony Parisi… Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Paul DeMarco… The Mighty Yankees defeated Sweet Daddy Siki & Stamford Murphy… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bulldog Brower via DQ.

11-12-1965: Mad Dog Vachon regains the AWA World heavyweight title from The Crusher in Denver, CO.

Fred Kohler dissolves his wrestling company and leaves wrestling.

11-13-1965: San Francisco, CA: Cow Palace: Attendance 9,049: Johnny Kace defeats Luis Hernandez… Jim Hady defeats Buddy Austin… Wilbur Snyder defeats Freddy Barron… The Kentuckians (Luke Brown & Jake (Grizzly) Smith) defeats Pedro Godoy & The Spoiler (Vince Montana)… Dominic DeNucci defeats Don Manoukian… Pepper Gomez & Luis Martinez defeat AWA San Francisco World tag team champions The Blond Bombers (Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson) by DQ 2 falls to 1… Kinji Shibuya defeats AWA San Francisco United States champion Bobo Brazil by count out 2 falls to 1 to win the title.

11-14-1965: The original La Parka / LA Park (Adolfo Tapia Ibarra) is born in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico.

Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 9,573: Jack Allen defeats Bandito Lopez… Lonnie Mayne wrestled Nick Bockwinkel to a Draw… The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeat The Hangman (Gene LeBell) & The Mummy (Benny Ramirez)… Jamaica Kid & Pancho Lopez defeat Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low… Gorilla Monsoon defeats Bobo Brazil… WWA World Heavyweight champion Pedro Morales defeats Luke Graham 2 falls to 1.

11-15-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 13,913: U.S. tag team champions Dr. Bill & Dan Miller defeated Bruno Sammartino & Johnny Valentine… Bobo Brazil battled Waldo Von Erich to a draw… Tarzan Tyler defeated Miguel Perez… Chief Big Heart defeated Magnificent Maurice… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Chief White Owl… Smasher Sloan defeated Pete Sanchez… Angelo Savoldi defeated Tomas Marin… Tony Newberry defeated Steve Stanlee.

11-17-1965: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,626: Arnold Skaaland defeated Tony Newberry… Pete Sanchez defeated the Magnificent Maurice… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Angelo Savoldi… Smasher Sloan & Waldo Von Erich defeated Chief White Owl & Big Heart… Johnny Valentine fought Dan Miller to a draw… US champion Bobo Brazil defeated Tarzan Tyler… Bill Miller fought WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino to a curfew draw.

11-18-1965: Santo Vs. El Estrangulador (Santo vs. The Strangler) movie is released. El Santo investigates the murder of several artists who have been strangled to death.

11-19-1965: In Sacramento, CA the State Athletic board votes to allow women’s wrestling in the state of California.

St. Louis. MO: Kiel Auditorium: Attendance 10,106: Thor Hagen defeats Joe Tomasso… Angelo Poffo wrestled Moose Cholak to a Time Limit Draw… Bill Watts defeats Johnny Long… Gene Kiniski & Hercules Graham defeat Bobby Managoff & Sonny Myers… Pat O'Connor defeats Dick the Bruiser… Texas Death Match: Fritz Von Erich defeats Johnny Powers.

11-27-1965: JWA: in Tokyo, Japan: Sumo Hall: Matti Suzuki beat Masanori Saito… Masakatsu Tanaka beat Akihisa Takachiho… Alberto Torres beat Umanosuke Ueda… Toyonobori & Michiaki Yoshimura & Yoshinosato beat The Assassins (Jody Hamilton & Tom Renesto) & Johnny Kostas… NWA International champion Giant Baba battled Dick the Bruiser to a no contest.

12-05-1965: Toronto, Ontario: Maple Leaf Gardens: Attendance: 5,000: Georgios Kanelis defeated Kangaroo Kennedy… Prof. Hiro & Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Sweet Daddy Siki & Tony Parisi… Johnny Valentine fought Waldo Von Erich to a double count-out… The Mighty Yankees defeated Art Thomas & Paul DeMarco… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bulldog Brower via DQ.

12-11-1965: Big Time Wrestling: Detroit, MI: Cobo Arena: Attendance 12,000 (capacity): Art Thomas & Fred Curry & Sweet Daddy Siki defeat Man Mountain Cannon & Paul DeGalles & Ricky Cortez… Chief White Owl wrestled Waldo Von Erich to a Draw… Argentina Apollo defeats The Student (George Steele)… Lord Layton defeats Hans Schmidt… Texas Death Tag Team Match: Bobo Brazil & Johnny Powers defeat Bulldog Brower & The Sheik.

12-12-1965: Los Angeles, CA: Olympic Auditorium: Attendance 10,763 (standing room only, Sellout): The Mummy (Benji Ramirez) defeats Jack Allen… Nick Bockwinkel defeats Chief White Eagle… Enrique Torres & Pedro Morales defeat El Mongol & Lonnie Mayne… Betty Boucher defeats Toni Rose… Judy Grable defeats Maria DeLeon… Gorilla Monsoon wrestled Luke Graham to a Draw.

12-13-1965: WWWF at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY: Attendance: 10,090: Bruno Sammartino & Johnny Valentine defeated Dr. Bill & Dan Miller… Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Waldo Von Erich… Chief Big Heart defeated Smasher Sloan… Lord Littlebrook & Rollie the Hawk defeated Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid… Miguel Perez defeated Magnificent Maurice… Angelo Savoldi defeated Gino Brito.

12-21-1965: Nashville, TN: Fairgrounds Coliseum: Attendance 6,072: The Ox (Baker) defeats Tomayo Soto… Dick The Bruiser & Danny Dusek defeat Eric Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner by DQ in 2 falls… Kanji (Antonio) Inoki & Hiro Matsuda & Alex Perez & Tojo Yamamoto defeat Johnny Apollo & Corsica Joe & Len Rossi & Wilbur Snyder 2 falls to 1.

12-25-1965: Dick the Bruiser regains the Indiana version of the WWA World title from Gene Kiniski.

12-26-1965: Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA of 9,235: Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson defeated Jim Hady & Pepper Gomez… Kinji Shibuya defeated Dominick Denucci to retain the U.S. title… Betty Bouchor defeated Judy Grable… The Spoiler defeated Eric Froolio… Luke Graham defeated Freddie Baron… Luis Martinez & Luis Hernandez defeated Buddy Austin & Pampero Firpo… Dick Steinborn battled Red Bastien to a draw.

12-27-1965: WWWF: Baltimore, MD: Civic Center: Attendance: 7,800: Miguel Perez defeated Homer Marcado… Arnold Skaaland defeated Pete Sanchez… The Magnificent Maurice defeated Angelo Savoldi… Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Johnny Valentine to a draw… Dan Miller defeated Waldo Von Erich… The Golden Terror fought Pedro Morales to a no contest… WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Miller.

Verne Gagne

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!