1976 in professional wrestling

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1976 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

These promotions held notable shows in 1976.

Promotion Name Abbreviation
All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling AJW
Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre EMLL
World Wide Wrestling Federation WWWF

Calendar of notable shows

Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
April 23 EMLL 20. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico Fishman defeated El Faraón in a best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask match[1][2]
May 11 NJPW World League Tokyo, Japan Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Pedro Morales
June 5 BTW Superbowl of Wrestling Irving, Texas Terry Funk (c) wrestled Fritz Von Erich to a double count-out in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
June 25/26 WWWF Showdown at Shea Queens, New York Bruno Sammartino (c) defeated Stan Hansen by countout in a singles match for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship[3]
NJPW / various The War of the Worlds Tokyo, Japan Muhammad Ali fought Antonio Inoki to a draw in a "Wrestler vs Boxer" Match for the Real World Martial Arts Championship (match broadcast via CCTV to other locations)
Atlanta, Georgia Jack Brisco fought Dory Funk Jr. to a draw
Chicago, Illinois Nick Bockwinkel (c) fought Verne Gagne to a draw for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
Detroit, Michigan The Sheik fought Pampero Firpo to a no contest
Houston, Texas Terry Funk (c) defeated Rocky Johnson to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Los Angeles, California Gory Guerrero defeated Roddy Piper
San Francisco, California Pat Patterson defeated Mr. Fuji in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match
September 24 EMLL EMLL 43rd Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico El Faraón defeated Perro Aguayo in a best two-out-of-three falls match Lucha de Apuesta mask vs. hair match[4]
December 19 Juicio Final Mano Negra defeated Demonio Blanco in a best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, mask Vs. mask match[5]
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Awards and honors

1976 PWI Wrestler of the Year, Terry Funk

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Category Winner
PWI Wrestler of the Year Terry Funk
PWI Tag Team of the Year The Executioners
(#1 and #2)
PWI Match of the Year Bruno Sammartino vs. Stan Hansen
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Wahoo McDaniel
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Stan Hansen
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Bruno Sammartino
PWI Rookie of the Year Bob Backlund
PWI Woman of the Year Sue Green
PWI Midget Wrestler of the Year Lord Littlebrook
PWI Manager of the Year Bobby Heenan

Notable events and incidents

Accomplishments and tournaments

AJW

Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Rookie of the Year Decision Tournament Victoria Fujimi
World League Jackie Sato

Championship changes

EMLL

incoming champion – Dr. Wagner[6]
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 27 Adorable Rubí EMLL show [6]
July 16 Carlos Plata EMLL show [6]
October 24 Alfonso Dantés EMLL show [6]
Incoming champion – Perro Aguayo
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
October 22 El Faraon EMLL show
Incoming champion – Blue Demon
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 19 Mano Negra EMLL show
April 9 Fishman EMLL show
Incoming champion – El Halcon
No title changes
Incoming champion – Ringo Mendoza
No title changes
Incoming champion – Tauro[7]
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
October 30 Flama Azul EMLL show [7]
Incoming champion – Alfonso Dantes
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 11 Dr. Wagner EMLL show
Incoming champion – Fishman
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 9 Vacant EMLL show
July 30 Blue Demon EMLL show
Incoming champion – Uncertain
No title changes

NWA

Incoming champion – Terry Funk
No title changes

Births

Stephanie McMahon

Debuts

  • Uncertain debut date

Retirements

Deaths

References

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