On This Day - A Look Back Into Pro Wrestling's Past - January 15, 2019

Professional Wrestling has a long, storied history full of ups and downs. As with anything, we fans like to get nostalgic and take a look back at where we've been, so we can have a clear picture of where we are going in the future.

That said, let's take a moment and reflect on this day in professional wrestling history.

HAPPY BARBIE BIRTHDAY - Jan 15, 1987

image source: DeviantArt

Barbie Blank, better known to wrestling fans as Kelly Kelly was born 32 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kelly Kelly has a unique reputation/legacy in professional wrestling, much of which I won't get into, you can do some google research if you want to look more into it.
In the meantime, you can learn about Kelly Kelly on her Wikipedia Page.

THE ROYALIEST OF RUMBLES - Jan 15, 1989

image source: TJR Wrestling

The WWF held the first ever PPV edition of The Royal Rumble 30 years ago at The Summit in Houston, Texas.
The original Royal Rumble was not a PPV event, but it was so well liked that WWF moved forward with a yearly event around the match.
The highlights of this particular version include The Ultimate Warrior defeating Ravashing Rick Rude in a posedown competition; Haku defeating Harley Race to the undisputed "unofficial" King of the Ring, and Big John Studd winning the Royal Rumble, having entered at Number 27.

THE RINGMASTER ARRIVES - Jan 15, 1996

image source: Wrestling News Source

The ill-fated debut gimmick for Steve Austin in WWE was The Ring Master, which was really no gimmick, outside of a name. Then they decided he, being a plain-Jane, basic ring-gear wearing, mat technician, should be the protege of the Million Dollar Man and start wearing the Million Dollar Championship.
Yeah, all that really happened. On this date, 23 years ago, The Ringmaster debuted, defeating Matt Hardy by submission via The Million Dollar Dream.

TNA GIVES UP - Jan 15, 2013

image source: Wrestling With Text

TNA dropped a lawsuit stemming from former TNA office worker Brian Wittenstein, who stole confidential information from TNA and attempted to hand it over to WWE.
WWE, to their credit, contacted TNA and informed them what Wittenstein was doing. However, TNA felt they needed to sue WWE for being targeted, since at the same time this stuff was happening, Ric Flair was trying to leave TNA to go back to WWE.
TNA would eventually advise the cour that both sides had agreed to cover their own legal costs and they withdrew the lawsuit.
Fans may remember how restricted talent were at that time from even mentioning the letters T, N, or A.
You can read more about the lawsuit on Wikipedia.

SUPER FLIES AWAY - Jan 15, 2016

image souce: Rolling Out

Superfly Jimmy Snuka passed away at the age of 73 years. Snuka had been battling stomach cancer and dementia.Also of note, at the time of his passing, officials were looking back into the early 1980's death of Snuka's girlfriend, in which Snuka was an initial suspect.
Snuka was one of the biggest babyfaces of his era; he had a charisma that is hard to describe. People just loved Superfly.
Read more about him on his Wikipedia Page.

Well, as you can see, a lot can happen on any given day in the crazy world of professional wrestling, so thank you for joining me on this journey, as we reflect upon what happened ON THIS DAY!

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