1980 in professional wrestling

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1980 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

Contents

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable shows in 1980.

Promotion NameAbbreviationNotes
Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre EMLL
World Wrestling Federation WWFPreviously known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).

Calendar of notable shows

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
April 7 EMLL 24. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico El Faraón and Ringo Mendoza defeated Adorable Rubí and El Nazi in a Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match [1]
May 1 AJPW Champion Carnival Tokyo, Japan Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Dick Slater
June 5 NJPW MSG League Tokyo, Japan Antonio Inoki defeated Stan Hansen by disqualification
July 14 AWA SuperBowl VI Chicago, Illinois Verne Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel (c) for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
August 3 CWF The Last Tangle in Tampa Tampa, Florida Harley Race (c) fought Dusty Rhodes to a time-limit draw in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with Fritz Von Erich as Special Guest Referee
August 9 WWF Showdown at Shea Flushing, New York Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a steel cage match [2]
September 26 EMLL EMLL 47th Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico Sangre Chicana (c) wrestled El Fantasma to a no contest for the NWA World Middleweight Championship [3]
December 5 Juicio Final Sangre Chicana and Alfonso Dantés defeated El Jalisco and El Cobarde in a Lucha de Apuestas , hairs vs hairs match [4] [5]
December 10NJPW MSG Tag League Tokyo, Japan Antonio Inoki and Bob Backlund defeated Stan Hansen and Hulk Hogan
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Notable events

Accomplishments and tournaments

AJW

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Rookie of the Year Decision Tournament Tomoko Kitamura

AJPW

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Champion Carnival Jumbo Tsuruta May 1

NJPW

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
G1 Climax Antonio Inoki June 5

Awards and honors

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

CategoryWinner
PWI Wrestler of the Year Bob Backlund
PWI Tag Team of the Year Jimmy Snuka and Ray Stevens
PWI Match of the Year Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko (Showdown at Shea)
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Mr. Wrestling II
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Larry Zbyszko
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Tony Atlas
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Junkyard Dog
PWI Rookie of the Year Terry Taylor
PWI Manager of the Year Oliver Humperdink

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

CategoryWinner
Wrestler of the Year Harley Race
Feud of the Year Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko
Tag Team of the Year The Fabulous Freebirds
(Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts)
Most Improved Larry Zbyszko

Births

Randy Orton 2015-04-17 22-40-25 ILCE-6000 1545 DxO (19578403660).jpg
Randy Orton

Deaths

Debuts

Retirements

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1993 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

1984 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

1982 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

1981 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

1972 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

References

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