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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: WCW'S LAST NITRO BEFORE THE BUYOUT, THE FIRST AND LAST WCW UNCENSORED EVENTS AND MORE

By Ryan Martinez on 2008-03-19 08:00:00

March 18th

On this day in history in ....

1943 - El Santo defeats Murcielago Velazquez to win the Mexican National Middleweight Title.

1953 - Lou Klein defeats Ed Francis in Columbus, Ohio for the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

1955 - Roy McClarty and Pat O'Connor defeat Reggie Lisowski and Art Neilson to win the Chicago NWA World Tag Team Title in Moline, Illinois.

1956 - Don Evans defeats Bull Curry for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Fort Worth, Texas, ending Curry's third reign.

1965 - Buddy Fuller and Jesse James defeat The Mysterious Medics to win the Georgia NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending the Medics' second reign.

1968 - Tojo Yamamoto defeats Len Rossi for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ending Rossi's fifth reign.

1973 - Jackie Fargo and Jerry Jarrett defeat Jerry Lawler and Jim White to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, to begin their fourth reign.

1974 - The Texan (Blackjack Mulligan) defeats Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Heavyweight Title, ending Von Erich's 11th reign.

1975 - Mach Fumiake defeats Jumbo Miyamoto for the WWWA World Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Miyamoto's third reign.

1976 - Wahoo McDaniel wins the Crockett Cadillac Cup Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. The results are unknown, but the othre participants were Tiger Conway, Mike DuBois, Jack Evans, Doug Gilbert, Jacques Goulet, Two Ton Harris, Paul Jones, Klondike Bill, Danny Miller, Angelo Mosca, Blackjack Mulligan, Rufus R. Jones, Johnny Weaver, Bill White, and Tim Woods.

1977 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, with 10,580 fans attending. The results:
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Pete Doherty.
- Johnny Rivera and Manuel Soto fought to a draw.
- Jose Gonzalez defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Ken Patera defeated WWWF World Tag Team Champion Billy White Wolf.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champion Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Tor Kamata.
- Carlos Rocha defeated Frankie Williams.
- Tony Garea and Larry Zbyzsko defeated The Executioners (Killer Kowalski and Big John Studd).
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak.

1978 - Tim Woods defeats Blackjack Mulligan for the NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.

1979 - Rick Martel defeats Mad Dog Martin in Auckland, New Zealand for the New Zealand NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title, beginnig his second reign. Leo Burke had vacated the title earlier in the year.

1979 - Robert Fuller defeats Toru Tanaka by forfeit to win the the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, but the title was returned to Tanaka.

1980 - Gypsy Joe and Tojo Yamamoto defeat Rocky Brewer and Pat Rose for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee.

1983 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Jose Estrada defeated Pete Sanchez.
- Pancho Boy and Sonny Boy defeated Butch Cassidy and Tiger Jackson.
- Ray Stevens and Jules Strongbow fought to a double disqualification.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated Rocky Johnson by disqualification after Johnson hit the referee.
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated Superstar Billy Graham by countout.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund, André the Giant and Jimmy Snuka defeated Afa, Lou Albano and Big John Studd, 3-0, in a best-of-five falls match.

1984 - Bobby Fulton defeats Adrian Street to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title in San Antonio, Texas.

1986 - Invader III defeats Chicky Starr in Caguas, Puerto Rico for the WWC Junior Heavyweight Title, to begin his fourth reign.

1988 - Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka) defeat The Midnight Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Las Vegas, Nevada, ending the Rockers' second reign.

1989 - Erica Shishido (Aja Kong) defeats Manami Toyota to win the vacant AJW Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan.

1990 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Jim Powers pinned Iron Mike Sharpe after a powerslam.
- Hercules defeated Black Bart by submission with a backbreaker. This match aired on the April 9 Prime Time Wrestling.
- The Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka (with Mr. Fuji)) defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash) by countout after Sato threw salt in Ax's eyes when Ax was going to hit Fuji with Fuji's cane.
- Koko B. Ware pinned Frenchy Martin after the Ghostbuster. This match aired on the April 9 Prime Time Wrestling.
- Earthquake (with Jimmy Hart) pinned Jim Duggan after an elbow drop.
- Bret Hart (subbing for Roddy Pipre) fought Rick Martel to a time-limit draw.
- Dino Bravo (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Brutus Beefcake by countout, after Earthquake pulled Beefcake to the floor and attacked him.
- Tugboat Thomas pinned Pez Whatley after a splash. This match aired on the April 9 Prime Time Wrestling.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior pinned Mr. Perfect after a gorilla press slam and splash.

1992 - Pierroth, Jr. defeats Jerry Estrada for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

1993 - El Hijo del Santo wins his second WWA World Welterweight Title in Tijuana, Mexico, defeating Espanto, Jr.

1994 - Brian Christopher defeats Eddie Gilbert by countout to win the USWA Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Gilbert's second reign and beginning Christopher's 12th.

1995 - WCW held the first-annual Uncensored pay-per-view event at the Tupelo Coliseum in Tupelo, Mississippi. The event got a 0.96 buyrate, and its results were:
WCW Main Event matches:
- Alex Wright pinned Mark Starr.
- Steve Austin pinned Tim Horner.
- Stars 'n' Stripes (Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot) defeated Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater, when Bagwell pinned Slater.
Pay-per-view matches:
- The Blacktop Bully defeated Dustin Rhodes in a King of the Road match. This match took place on the back of an in-motion 18-wheeler, where the winner is the first one to ring a bell. The match was taped days earlier outside of Atlanta, Georgia and was heavily edited.
- Meng pinned Jim Duggan in a martial arts match.
- Johnny B. Badd defeated WCW World Television Champion Arn Anderson by knockout in a Boxer vs. Wrestler match, at 0:22 of round three.
- Randy Savage defeated Avalanche by disqualification after a "female fan" (Ric Flair) attacked Savage on the floor, with Hulk Hogan making the save.
- Big Bubba Rogers pinned Sting.
- The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) in a Falls Count Anywhere match, when Knobbs pinned Booker after a slam onto a collapsed funnel cake stand near the entrance.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Vader in a Strap match when Hogan dragged Ric flair, who had interfered, to four corners of the ring.  The reason for the unusual finish is that neither Vader or Hogan would do a clean job for the other, so they came up with a scenario where Flair would interfere and end up tied to the strap.

1995 - Cactus Jack defeats T. Rantula for the Steel City Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

1996 - John Rambo defeats Jimmy Snuka in a tournament final to win the ECCW Heavyweight Title in Port Alberni, British Columbia. Bodyguard had been stripped of the title in February.

1997 - Shoichi Funaki defeats Pantera to win the vacant UWA World Middleweight Title in Yonezawa, Japan.

1998 - WCW held the 11th episode of Thunder live from the Hulman Civic in Terre Haute, Indiana. The show got a 3.8 rating on TBS. The results were:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated Super Calo to retain the title.
- Kendall Windham defeated El Dandy.
- Saturn defeated La Parka.
- Ray Traylor defeated Barry Darsow.
- Prince Iaukea defeated Yuji Nagata (with Sonny Onoo).
- Brian Adams defeated Marty Jannetty.
- Eddie Guerrero defeated Psychosis.
- Raven (with Hammer, Kidman and Reese) defeated Brad Armstrong.
- Scott Norton (with Vincent) defeated Chris Benoit.
- Goldberg defeated Wayne Bloom.
- Rick Steiner (with Ted DiBiase) defeated Curt Hennig (with Rick Rude) by disqualification.

1999 - CMLL held the Salvador Lutteroth Tournament at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. The results:
First round:
- Último Guerrero and Violencia defeated Kahoz and Scorpio.
- CMLL World Middleweight Champion Ringo Mendoza and Super Astro defeated Felino and Máscara Magica.
- Negro Navarro and Signo defeated Ólimpico and Tony Rivera.
- Mr. Niebla and Shocker defeated Fishman and Villano III.
Semifinals:
- Ringo Mendoza and Super Astro defeated Último Guerrero and Violencia.
- Mr. Niebla and Shocker defeated Negro Navarro and Signo.
Finals:
- Ringo Mendoza and Super Astro defeated Mr. Niebla and Shocker.

1999 - Steve Bradley defeats Lance Jade and Erin O'Grady (Crash Holly) in a three-way match to win the Power Pro Wrestling Young Guns Title in Memphis, Tennessee. The title was vacated after Kid Wikkid won the PPW Tag Team Title with Derrick King on March 7.

1999 - Yuko Kosugi defeats Emi Motokawa in Tokyo, Japan for the American Wrestling Federation World Women's Title.

2000 - WCW held the sixth-annual, and final, Uncensored pay-per-view event at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Uncensored was replaced by Greed the following year. Uncensored 2000 earned a 0.13 buyrat, and the results were:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea (with Paisley) pinned Psychosis (with Juventud Guerrera) after a Tornado DDT to retain the title.
- Norman Smiley and The KISS Demon defeated Idol and Rave when Smiley made Lane submit with the Norman Conquest.
- Bam Bam Bigelow defeated The Wall by disqualification after The Wall chokeslammed Bigelow through a table.
- Brian Knobbs defeated WCW Hardcore co-Champions 3 Count (Shane Helms, Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore) in a Handicap Elimination match to win the title. Knobbs pinned Helms after hitting him with a chair, Karagias after a Running powerbomb through a table, and Moore after hitting him with a garbage can. This began Knobbs' third reign.
- Billy Kidman (with Torrie Wilson) and Booker defeated Harlem Heat 2000 (Big T and Stevie Ray) (with Cash and J. Biggs)), when Kidman pinned Big T with a Sunset Flip.
- Vampiro pinned Fit Finlay in a Falls Count Anywhere match after a Nail in the Coffin on the floor.
- The Harris Brothers (Ron and Don) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny the Bull (with Disco Inferno)), when Ron pinned Stamboli after a H-Bomb, to win the title. This began the Harris' third reign and ended the Mamalukes' second reign.
- Dustin Rhodes pinned Terry Funk in a Bullrope match after a DDT onto the rope's cowbell.
- Sting pinned The Total Package (with Miss Elizabeth) in a Lumberjacks with Casts match, after a Scorpion Deathdrop. The lumberjacks were Big T, Curt Hennig, Doug Dillinger, Fit Finlay, Don Harris, Ron Harris, Brian Knobbs, Hugh Morrus, Stevie Ray and Vampiro.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sid Vicious pinned Jeff Jarrett, after a leg drop from Hulk Hogan, to retain the title.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Ric Flair in a Strap match.

2000 - Rex King defeats Glamour Boy Shane for the WWC Television Title in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, ending Shane's third reign.

2001 - The Monday Night War entered its last week before the WWF buyout of WCW. WWF RAW is WAR defeated WCW Monday Nitro, 4.6 to 2.1 in the ratings.

The 285th edition of WCW Monday Nitro was held live on the campus of the University of Florida, at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. The results:
- Jason Jett defeated Disqo (with Mike Sanders).
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms defeated Billy Kidman to retain the title.
- Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Shawn Stasiak.
- Kanyon defeated M.I. Smooth.
- Rick Steiner defeated Konnan by disqualification.
- Team Canada (Mike Awesome and Lance Storm) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions The Natural Born Thrillers (Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo).

The WWF held the 408th episode of RAW live at Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York. Beforehand, the 82nd episode of Jakked was taped. The results were:
Jakked:
- Billy Gunn defeated Gary Stenstrom.
- A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Faarooq) defeated Dave Danger and J.P. Black.
- Haku defeated Johnny Starr.
- Essa Rios defeated Low Ki.
RAW is WAR:
- Raven defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Big Show to win the title, after Kane interfered and hit Show with a flying clothesline. This began Raven's 11th reign.
- Edge and Christian (subbing for The Dudley Boyz) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt (with Lita)), when Edge pinned Jeff after the debuting Rhyno interfered and Gored Jeff, to win the title. This ended the Hardys' fourth reign and began Edge and Christian's sixth, breaking The New Age Outlaws' record of five reigns.
- Tazz defeated Steven Richards (with Val Venis) by disqualification when Venis interfered.
- WWF European Champion Test and Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) fought to a no-contest, after Kane chased Stephanie into the crowd, and The Undertaker took out Big Show and Test.
- X-Factor (Justin Credible and X-Pac (with Albert)) defeated Grandmaster Sexay and Steve Blackman, when Credible pinned Sexay after Albert interfered and Baldo Bombed Sexay from the top.
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian to win the title, after the debuting Spike Dudley dropkicked a chair in Christian's face, and the Dudleys 3D'd Edge. This began the Dudleys' third reign.
- Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and William Regal defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho and WWF Champion The Rock in a handicap match, when Regal pinned Jericho after hitting him with the Intercontinental Title belt.

2002 - The WWF taped the 136th edition of SmackDown! and the 188th edition of Sunday Night Heat at the Corel Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The results:
Dark matches:
- Albert and Scotty 2 Hotty defeats Justin Credible and Billy Kidman.
- Tommy Dreamer defeated Randy Orton.
Heat:
- Val Venis defeated Lance Storm.
- Big Show and Kane defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von).
- Rikishi defeated Goldust.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam defeated Mr. Perfect.
SmackDown!:
- Booker T pinned Edge after the scissors kick after Kurt Angle interfered and hit the Angle Slam on Edge.
- Lita and Trish Stratus defeated Ivory and WWF Women's Champion Jazz, when Trish pinned Jazz after a bulldog.
- William Regal defeated WWF European Champion Diamond Dallas Page by knockout/submission to win the title. Regal put Page in the Regal Stretch after hitting him with brass knuckles. This began Regal's third reign.
- Test pinned WWF Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri (with Torrie Wilson) after a big boot.
- The Hurricane and Molly Holly fought to a no-contest when Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman came through the crowd to the ring and Lesnar F5'd Hurricane and clotheslined Molly.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo (with Rico) defeated The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt), when Gunn pinned Matt with the Fameasser after Rico knocked Matt off the top rope.
- The Rock defeated Kevin Nash (with Scott Hall) by disqualification when Hall prevented a pinfall after the People's Elbow. Hulk Hogan made the save and legdropped Hall and Nash, but then X-Pac ran to the ring in nWo attire and nailed Hogan with a chair, with Hall and Nash also hitting Hogan with the chair. X-Pac then spraypainted "nWo" on Hogan's back.

2004 - Rey Bucanero and Último Guerrero win their third CMLL World Tag Team Title in Mexico City, Mexico, defeating L.A. Park and Shocker.

2005 - IWA Mid-South held "Blood is Thicker Than Water" at the Lincoln Center in Highland, Indiana. The results were:
- Chandler McClure defeated Steve Stone.
- Brad Bradley defeated Brad Martin.
- NWA Midwest X Division Champion Matt Sydal defeated Jimmy Jacobs to retain the title.
- IWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions Ryan Boz and Trik Davis defeated Eric Priest and Silas Young to retain the title.
- The Bad Breed (Axl and Ian Rotten) defeated J.C. Bailey and Tracy Smothers.
- Eric Priest defeated Shark Boy.
- The Iron Saints (Sal and Vito Thomaselli) defeated B-Boy and Brandon Thomaselli.
- IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion Danny Daniels defeated B.J. Whitmer in a Dog Collar match to retain the title.

2005 - 3PW held "March Madness" at Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- C.J. O'Doyle pinned Tommy Suede.
- Rockin' Rebel defeated Dirk Ciglar.
- The Blue Meanie pinned Ron Zombie.
- Homicide vs. Ruckus ended in a no-contest due to a double pin.
- C.J. O'Doyle defeated Cesar Smalls.
- 3PW Tag Team Champion Simon Diamond pinned Monsta Mack.
- Damian Adams pinned Sterling James Keenan.
- 3PW Heavyweight Champion Slyck Wagner Brown pinned Roadkill to retain the title.

2005 - RAVE (Kristian Frost and Zack Statik) defeat Sabotage (D.C. Dillinger and Eddie Edwards) for the New England Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Framingham, Massachussetts, ending Sabotage's third reign.

2005 - The Southside Playaz II (J-Money and Will B. Smooth) defeat Twisted Aggression (Ivan Koloff and Sean Powers) to win the AWA/Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title in Pfafftown, North Carolina.

2005 - Geni del Male (Il Drago and Tsunami) defeats Forza Bruta (Darkness and Raiss) for the Italian Championship Wrestling Italian Tag Team Championship in Magenta, Italy.

2005 - Rico Suave defeats Mad Cow to win the Freestyle Championship Wrestling European Title in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

2006 - Hiromichi "Kodo" Fuyuki dies at age 42 from cancer in Yokohama, Japan. He had been battling intestinal cancer, which spread to his liver. Fuyuki was a mainstay of FMW in Japan during the 1990s, winning nearly every title in the promotion. He also worked for International Pro Wrestling, All Japan and WAR.

2006 - At an OVW house show in Louisville, Kentucky, The Untouchables (Deuce and Domino) win the OVW Southern Tag Team Title, after Deuce defeats The Miz in a singles match. Miz had held the title with Chris Cage since February 8, but Cage was released from the company days before.

2006 - Masato Yoshino defeats champion Dragon Kid and Naoki Tanizaki in a three-way match in Saitama, Japan to win the Dragon Gate Open the Brave Gate Title.

2006 - Kagetora defeats Makoto Oishi for the Michinoku Pro Wrestling Tohuku Junior Heavyweight Title in Yahaba, Japan. Taka Michinoku had vacated the title on March 7 due to a finger injury.

2007 - Sports Illustrated reports that several WWE wrestlers are linked to Scottsdale, Arizona doctor David Wilbirt, who was under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency for being a part of an Internet drug ring, writing nearly 4,000 illegal prescriptions. Names included in the report included Kurt Angle, Edge, Eddie Guerrero, Gregory Helms, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and at least five others.

2007 - WWE held the 721st edition of RAW and the 452nd edition of Heat at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. RAW aired live on USA Network and got a 3.7 rating. The results were:
- In a dark match, The Majors Brothers (Brett and Brian) defeated Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch.
Heat:
- Charlie Haas (with Shelton Benjamin) defeated Robbie McAllister (with Rory McAllister).
- Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad Gaspard) defeated Mike Tolar and Bryan Wenzel.
- Jim Duggan defeated Jason Bates.
- Mickie James defeated Victoria.
RAW:
- World Tag Team Champion Shawn Michaels vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield didn't take place due to JBL coming to the ring in a suit and tie. He said Michaels had had several chances to use the Sweet Chin Music his tag team partner John Cena prior to their upcoming WrestleMania match but didn't, because inside he knew he couldn't beat Cena. HBK replied by saying he would win and use the Sweet Chin Music when he felt like it and when it was least expected, before nailing JBL with the Sweet Chin Music.
- ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley defeated Chris Masters in a Masterlock Challenge, marking the first (official) time that the Masterlock was broken. The move had been broken by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant José Avila on the Christmas in Iraq special in December 2006, but was disallowed due to interference from JBL.
- Edge defeated Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra, Ric Flair, Charlie Haas, Johnny Nitro, Super Crazy, Val Venis and Viscera in a 10-man "Last Chance" Money in the Bank qualifying battle royal, by last eliminating Flair, to earn the eighth and final spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder match at WrestleMania 23. Flair appeared to have won the match, by eliminating Carlito, before Edge, who had been on the outside being attended to after a "knee injury" suffered early in the match, got back in the ring and dumped Flair out.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Umaga (with Armando Estrada and Vince McMahon) pinned Eugene after the Samoan Spike. After the match, Vince got on the mic and told Estrada and Jonathan Coachman to put Eugene in the barber chair which was at ringside, and Umaga to choke Eugene out. McMahon then shaved Eugene's head while pretending that Eugene was Donald Trump. Umaga dumped Eugene out of the chair and carried him backstage so Vince could finish the job. Later on, a totally bald Eugene was shown looking in a mirror backstage and crying and asking "why me?".
- WWE Women's Champion Melina defeated Candice Michelle in a Bra and Panties match.
- Jeff Hardy defeated Randy Orton by disqualification after Edge slid a ladder in the ring, and Orton hit Hardy with it.
- WWE and World Tag Team Champion John Cena defeated WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit by submission with the STFU. After the match, Shawn Michaels, who was on commentary, got in the ring and faked the Sweet Chin Music. Cena then lifted Michaels up for the FU but put him down. JBL then came out and said Cena and Michaels would take on SmackDown!'s World Heavyweight Champion Batista and The Undertaker the next week on RAW.
- In a dark match after the show, WWE and World Tag Team Champion John Cena defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Umaga by disqualifiction.

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