2015 in professional wrestling

Last updated
List of years in professional wrestling
+...

2015 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

Contents

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable events in 2015.

Promotion NameAbbreviationNotes
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre CMLL
Global Force Wrestling GFW
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide AAAThe "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling NJPW
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla PWG
Revolution Pro Wrestling RevPro
Ring of Honor ROH
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling TNA
World Wrestling Council WWC
WWE WWE stands for World Wrestling Entertainment, which is still the legal name, but the company ceased using the full name in April 2011, with the WWE abbreviation becoming an orphaned initialism.
NXT served as WWE's developmental territory.

Calendar of notable shows

January

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
3 WWC Euphoria Bayamon, Puerto Rico Carlito (c) defeated The Mighty Ursus in an Inferno match for the WWC Universal Championship
4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9 Tokyo Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Kazuchika Okada in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
25 WWE Royal Rumble Philadelphia Roman Reigns won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Rusev to earn a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 31
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

February

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
11 WWE:
TakeOver: Rival Winter Park Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn (c) by referee stoppage to win the NXT Championship
11 NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka Osaka A.J. Styles defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
13 TNA One Night Only: Hardcore Justice Orlando, Florida Bobby Roode defeated Lashley in a Last Man standing match
13 TNA One Night Only: Global Impact – USA vs. The World Orlando, Florida Team International's The Great Muta defeated Team USA's Mr. Anderson
14 NJPW The New Beginning in Sendai Sendai Shinsuke Nakamura (c) defeated Yuji Nagata in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
14 TNA One Night Only: Joker's Wild Orlando, Florida 16-person intergender Joker's Wild gauntlet battle royal
15 TNA One Night Only: X-Travaganza Orlando, Florida Ultimate X match
15 TNA One Night Only: Knockouts Knockdown Orlando, Florida Knockouts Gauntlet match to crown the "Queen of the Knockouts"
15 TNA One Night Only: World Cup Orlando, Florida Six-on-Six Elimination Tag Team match
16 TNA One Night Only: Gut Check Orlando, Florida Five-way elimination match
16 TNA One Night Only: The TNA Classic Orlando, Florida Gunner defeated Bram
22 WWE Fastlane Memphis Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan in a Singles match to retain his spot as the #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

March

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
1 ROH ROH 13th Anniversary Show Las Vegas Jay Briscoe (c) defeated Tommaso Ciampa, Michael Elgin and Hanson in a Four corner survival match to retain the ROH World Championship
15 NJPW New Japan Cup Final Hiroshima Kota Ibushi defeated Hirooki Goto in the tournament final to win the 2015 New Japan Cup
18 AAA Rey de Reyes Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico Four-way elimination Rey de Reyes tournament final match
27 ROH Supercard of Honor IX Redwood City Jay Briscoe (c) defeated Samoa Joe in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship
29 WWE WrestleMania 31 Santa Clara Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar's (c) singles match to make it a triple threat match and pinned Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

April

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
5 NJPW Invasion Attack Tokyo A.J. Styles (c) defeated Kota Ibushi in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
26 CMLL 59. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico Marco Corleone defeated La Sombra, Pólvora, Barbaro Cavernario, Dragon Lee, Kamaitachi, La Máscara, Ripper, Morphosis and Titán
26 WWE Extreme Rules Rosemont Seth Rollins (c) defeated Randy Orton in a Steel Cage match to retain WWE World Heavyweight Championship with the RKO banned and Kane as the gatekeeper
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

May

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
3 NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Fukuoka Hirooki Goto defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
12 ROH
NJPW
War of the Worlds Philadelphia Chaos (Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura) defeated The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) in a Tag Team match
13 The Kingdom (Adam Cole, Matt Taven and Michael Bennett) defeated Bullet Club (A.J. Styles, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in a Six-man tag team match
15 ROH
NJPW
Global Wars Toronto ROH All Stars (Hanson, Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Ray Rowe and Roderick Strong) defeated Bullet Club (A.J. Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in a Ten-man tag team match
16 Bullet Club (A.J. Styles, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) defeated Chaos (Beretta, Kazuchika Okada and Rocky Romero) in a Six-man tag team match
17 WWE Payback Baltimore Seth Rollins (c) defeated Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Randy Orton in a Fatal 4-Way match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Had Rollins lost the title, Kane would have been fired as the Director of Operations.
20 WWE:
TakeOver: Unstoppable Winter Park Kevin Owens (c) vs Sami Zayn in a Singles match for the NXT Championship ended in a no contest
31 WWE Elimination Chamber Corpus Christi Dean Ambrose defeated Seth Rollins (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

June

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
7 NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Tokyo Kushida defeated Kyle O'Reilly in final match in Best Of The Super Junior 2015.
14 AAA Verano de Escándalo Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Myzteziz, La Parka and Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Johnny Mundo, El Mesias and Pentagón Jr. in a Six-man tag team match
14 WWE Money in the Bank Columbus Seth Rollins (c) defeated Dean Ambrose in a Ladder match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
19 ROH Best in the World New York City Jay Lethal (c - TV) defeated Jay Briscoe (c - World) in a Winner Take All singles match to win both the ROH World Championship and ROH World Television Championship
28 TNA Slammiversary Orlando Jeff Jarrett defeated Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Drew Galloway, and Bobby Roode in a King of the Mountain match to win the TNA King of the Mountain Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

July

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
4 WWE The Beast in the East Sumida John Cena and Dolph Ziggler defeated Kane and King Barrett in a Tag Team match
5 NJPW Dominion Osaka Kazuchika Okada defeated A.J. Styles (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
17 CMLL Sin Salida Mexico City, Mexico Último Guerrero defeated Rey Escorpión in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match
19 WWE Battleground St. Louis Brock Lesnar defeated Seth Rollins (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
24 GFW One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology – Part 1 Las Vegas, Nevada GFW Global Championship Tournament match
24 ROH Death Before Dishonor Baltimore Jay Lethal (c) vs. Roderick Strong ended in a 60-minute time limit draw in a Singles match for the ROH World Championship
25 GFW One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology – Part 2 Las Vegas, Nevada GFW Global Championship Tournament match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

August

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
9 AAA Triplemanía XXIII Mexico City Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Myzteziz
16 NJPW G1 Climax Final Tokyo Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the final of the 2015 G1 Climax
21 GFW One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology – Part 3 Las Vegas, Nevada GFW Global Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat match
21 GFW One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology – Part 4 Las Vegas, Nevada GFW Global Championship Finals match
22 ROH Field of Honor Brooklyn Jay Lethal and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) in a Tag Team match
22 WWE:
TakeOver: Brooklyn Brooklyn Finn Bálor (c) defeated Kevin Owens in a Ladder match to retain the NXT Championship
23 WWE SummerSlam Brooklyn The Undertaker defeated Brock Lesnar by submission in a Singles match
28–30 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Reseda, California Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Chris Hero and Mike Bailey in an elimination three-way match to win the 2015 Battle of Los Angeles tournament
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

September

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
18 CMLL CMLL 82nd Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico Atlantis defeated La Sombra in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, mask vs. mask match
18 ROH All Star Extravaganza San Antonio Jay Lethal (c) defeated Kyle O'Reilly in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship
20 WWE Night of Champions Houston Seth Rollins (c) defeated Sting in a Singles match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
23 NJPW Destruction in Okayama Okayama Togi Makabe (c) defeated Kota Ibushi in a Singles match to retain the NEVER Openweight Championship
26 WWC 42nd WWC Aniversario Bayamón, Puerto Rico Tommy Diablo vs. Peter the Bad Romance (c) for the WWC Junior Heavyweight Championship
27 NJPW Destruction in Kobe Kobe Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Hirooki Goto (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

October

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
2 NJPW / RevPro Uprising Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom AJ Styles (c) defeated Marty Scurll and Will Ospreay in a Three-way match for the British Heavyweight Championship
3 NJPW / RevPro Global Wars UK Reading, United Kingdom AJ Styles (c) defeated Jyushin Thunder Liger in a Singles match for the British Heavyweight Championship
3 WWE Live from Madison Square Garden New York City John Cena (c) defeated Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage match to retain the WWE United States Championship
4 AAA Heroes Inmortales San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico El Patrón Alberto (c) (with Psycho Clown) defeated Johnny Mundo (with Brian Cage) in a Singles match for the AAA Mega Championship
4 TNA Bound for Glory Concord Matt Hardy defeated Ethan Carter III (c) and Drew Galloway in a Three-Way match to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Jeff Hardy as special guest referee
7 WWE:
TakeOver: Respect Winter Park Bayley (c) defeated Sasha Banks 3–2 in a 30-minute Iron Man match to retain the NXT Women's Championship
12 NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated A.J. Styles in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
23 GFW GFW Amped Anthology – Part 3 Las Vegas, Nevada GFW Global Championship Finals match
23 ROH Glory By Honor Kalamazoo The Kingdom (Adam Cole, Matt Taven and Michael Bennett) defeated Dalton Castle and War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) in a Six-man tag team match
24 Dayton ROH Champions (Jay Lethal, Roderick Strong and The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Michael Bennett)) defeated ROH All-Stars (Moose, The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) and Dalton Castle) in an Eight-man elimination tag team match
25 WWE Hell in a Cell Los Angeles Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

November

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
7 NJPW Power Struggle Osaka Shinsuke Nakamura (c) defeated Karl Anderson in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
13 ROH Survival of the Fittest Milwaukee Bullet Club (A.J. Styles and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)) defeated The House of Truth (Jay Lethal, Donovan Dijak and Joey Daddiego) in a Six-man tag team match
14 Hopkins Michael Elgin defeated Jay Briscoe, Christopher Daniels, A. C. H. and Silas Young to win Survival of the Fittest tournament final Five-way elimination match. Winner will receive an ROH World Championship match
22 WWE Survivor Series Atlanta Roman Reigns defeated Dean Ambrose in the tournament final to win the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship, then Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Reigns (c) in a singles match to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

December

DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event
8 WWE Tribute to the Troops Jacksonville, Florida Dean Ambrose, The Dudley Boyz, Ryback, Kane, The Bloodline (Roman Reigns & The Usos) defeated The League of Nations & The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman & The Reapers)
13 WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Boston Sheamus (c) defeated Roman Reigns in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
16 WWE:
TakeOver: London London Finn Bálor (c) defeated Samoa Joe in a Singles match to retain the NXT Championship
18 ROH Final Battle Philadelphia Jay Lethal (c) defeated A.J. Styles in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Notable events

Tournaments and accomplishments

Roman Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble match Roman Reigns in Lafayette.jpg
Roman Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble match
Big Show, the winner of Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31 Big Show with Andre the Giant trophy.jpg
Big Show, the winner of André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31

AAA

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Rey de Reyes El Texano Jr. March 18
Alas de Oro Drago June 14Last eliminated Super Fly to win.
Copa Antonio Peña TaurusOctober 4Last eliminated La Parka to win.

JWP

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Tag League the Best 2015 Aoi Kizuki and Kayoko Haruyama March 22

Ring of Honor

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
ROH World Television Championship #1 Contender Tournament Bobby Fish July 17

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Joker's Wild Lashley February 14
Knockouts Knockdown Awesome Kong February 15
World Cup Team Hardy (Jeff Hardy, Gunner, Crazzy Steve, Davey Richards, Rockstar Spud, Gail Kim)February 15
TNA X Division Championship Tournament Tigre Uno June 27

WWE

AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes
Royal Rumble Roman Reigns January 25Last eliminated Rusev to win a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 31, but was unsuccessful in his match against champion Brock Lesnar due to Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, converting the singles match into a triple threat match in which Rollins pinned Reigns to win Lesnar's title.
NXT Championship #1 Contender's Tournament Finn Bálor February 11Defeated Adrian Neville in the tournament final to win a match for the NXT Championship on the March 25 episode of NXT , but was unsuccessful against champion Kevin Owens.
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Qualifying Tournament Hideo Itami March 28Defeated Finn Bálor in the tournament final to win a spot in the battle royal, but was unsuccessful in winning the battle royal.
André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Big Show March 29Last eliminated Damien Mizdow to win the André the Giant Memorial Trophy.
King of the Ring Bad News Barrett April 28Defeated Neville in the tournament final to win and be crowned King of the Ring. Barrett subsequently changed his ring name to King Barrett.
Money in the Bank ladder match Sheamus June 14Defeated Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Neville, Kofi Kingston, Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton to win a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match contract. Sheamus cashed in and won the title from Reigns at Survivor Series after Reigns had just defeated Dean Ambrose to win the vacant title.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finn Bálor and Samoa Joe October 7Defeated Baron Corbin and Rhyno in the tournament final to win the Dust Rhodes Tag Team Classic Trophy.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Roman Reigns November 22Defeated Dean Ambrose in the tournament final to win the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship; previous champion Seth Rollins vacated the title due to suffering a legitimate injury.

Title changes

AAA

AAA Mega Championship
Incoming champion – El Patrón Alberto
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
November 9 Vacated N/A
AAA Latin American Championship
Incoming champion – Chessman
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
August 31 Psycho Clown Sin Límite
AAA World Mini-Estrella Championship
Incoming champion – Dinastía
No title changes
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship
Incoming champion – El Hijo del Fantasma
No title changes
AAA Reina de Reinas Championship
Incoming champion – Taya
No title changes
AAA World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Los Perros del Mal (Joe Líder and Pentagón Jr.)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
October 4Los Güeros del Cielo
(Angélico and Jack Evans)
Héroes Inmortales IX
AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – La Sociedad (Pentagón Jr. and Sexy Star)
No title changes
AAA World Trios Championship
Incoming champions – Los Hell Brothers (Averno, Chessman and Cibernético)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
June 14Los Hell Brothers
(Averno, Chessman and Ricky Marvin)
Verano de Escándalo

NJPW

IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Hiroshi Tanahashi
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 11 A.J. Styles The New Beginning in Osaka
July 5 Kazuchika Okada Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall
IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Incoming champion – Shinsuke Nakamura
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
May 3 Hirooki Goto Wrestling Dontaku
September 27 Shinsuke Nakamura Destruction in Kobe
Incoming champions – Bullet Club (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 4 Meiyu Tag
(Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata)
Wrestle Kingdom 9
February 11 Bullet Club
(Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)
The New Beginning in Osaka
April 5 The Kingdom
(Matt Taven and Michael Bennett)
Invasion Attack
July 5 Bullet Club
(Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)
Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall
Incoming champion – Ryusuke Taguchi
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 4 Kenny Omega Wrestle Kingdom 9
July 5 Kushida Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall
September 23 Kenny Omega Destruction in Okayama
Incoming champions – reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 11 The Young Bucks
(Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)
The New Beginning in Osaka This was a three-way match, also involving Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and Kushida).
April 5 Roppongi Vice
(Beretta and Rocky Romero)
Invasion Attack
May 3 The Young Bucks
(Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)
Wrestling Dontaku This was a three-way match, also involving reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly).
August 16 reDRagon
(Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly)
G1 Climax 25
Incoming champion – Tomohiro Ishii
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 4 Togi Makabe Wrestle Kingdom 9
February 14 Vacated The title was vacated due to Togi Makabe being sidelined with influenza.
February 14 Tomohiro Ishii The New Beginning in Sendai Defeated Tomoaki Honma to win the vacant title.
April 29 Togi Makabe Wrestling Hinokuni
October 12 Tomohiro Ishii King of Pro-Wrestling

ROH

Incoming champion – Jay Briscoe
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
June 19 Jay Lethal Best in the World
Incoming champion – Jay Lethal
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
October 23 Roderick Strong Glory By Honor XIV
Incoming champion(s) – reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly )
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
April 4 The Addiction
(Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian)
Ring of Honor Wrestling
September 18 The Kingdom
(Matt Taven and Michael Bennett )
All Star Extravaganza VII
December 18 War Machine
(Hanson and Raymond Rowe )
Final Battle

The Crash Lucha Libre

Incoming champion – Ángel Metálico [1]
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
May 8 Pentagón Jr. The Crash showThis was a four-way match also involving Drago and Zarco [2]
October 2 Bestia 666 The Crash show [3]
(Title created)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
July 3Star DragónThe Crash show [4]
October 11MirageThe Crash show [5]
(Title created)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
May 8Black Boy and Rey Horus The Crash showDefeated Bestia 666 and Mosco Negro, and Daga and Steve Pain in the Three way match to become the inaugural champions. [6]
September 18Tony Casanova and ZarcoThe Crash show [7]

TNA

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Bobby Roode
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 7 Lashley Impact Wrestling
January 31
(aired March 20)
Kurt Angle Impact Wrestling
June 25
(aired July 1)
Ethan Carter III Impact Wrestling
October 4 Matt Hardy Bound for Glory This was a three-way match also involving Drew Galloway. Jeff Hardy was the special guest referee
October 6 Vacated Vacated due to a legal injunction filed by Ethan Carter III as part of the storyline
TNA X Division Championship
Incoming champion – Low Ki
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 7 Austin Aries Impact Wrestling
January 8
(aired January 16)
Low Ki Impact Wrestling
January 31
(aired March 20)
Rockstar Spud Impact Wrestling Spud invoked his Feast or Fired title opportunity.
March 15
(aired May 1)
Kenny King Impact Wrestling This was a four-way ladder match also involving Tigre Uno and Mandrews.
May 10
(aired May 29)
Rockstar Spud Impact Wrestling This was a gauntlet match featuring King, Suicide/Manik, Zema Ion, Mandrews, Argos, Crazzy Steve, and Tigre Uno.
May 10
(aired June 10)
Vacated Impact Wrestling Rockstar Spud vacated the title in exchange for an opportunity to wrestle for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
June 24 Tigre Uno Impact Wrestling Tigre Uno defeated Low Ki and Grado in a three-way elimination match to win the vacant championship.
TNA World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – The Revolution (Abyss and James Storm)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 30
(aired March 6)
The Wolves
(Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)
Impact Wrestling
March 13
(aired April 3)
Vacated Impact Wrestling
March 16
(aired April 17)
The Hardys
(Jeff and Matt Hardy)
Impact Wrestling
May 8 Vacated Impact Wrestling Vacated due to Jeff Hardy suffering a broken leg.
June 25
(aired July 1)
The Wolves
(Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)
Impact Wrestling
July 28
(aired September 2)
Brian Myers and Trevor Lee Impact Wrestling
July 29
(aired September 9)
The Wolves
(Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)
Impact Wrestling
TNA King of the Mountain Championship
(Title reactivated)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
June 28 Jeff Jarrett Slammiversary The TNA Television Championship was reactivated on June 25 and renamed the "TNA King of the Mountain Championship." Jeff Jarrett defeated Matt Hardy, Drew Galloway, Eric Young, and Bobby Roode in a King of the Mountain match to win the reactivated championship.
July 27
(aired August 12)
Vacated Impact Wrestling The title was vacated after Jeff Jarrett became TNA General Manager.
July 27
(aired August 12)
PJ Black Impact Wrestling PJ Black defeated Lashley, Chris Mordetzky, Eric Young, and Robbie E in a King of the Mountain match to win the vacant title.
July 28
(aired September 2)
Bobby Roode Impact Wrestling
TNA Knockouts Championship
Incoming champion – Taryn Terrell
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
June 25
(aired July 15)
Brooke Impact Wrestling Brooke was formerly known as Miss Tessmacher
July 29
(aired September 16)
Gail Kim Impact Wrestling Fatal four-way match also involving Awesome Kong and Lei'D Tapa.

WWE

Incoming champion – Brock Lesnar
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
March 29 Seth Rollins WrestleMania 31 Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during a singles match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, thus making it a triple threat match. Rollins pinned Reigns to win the championship, thus becoming the first wrestler to cash in their Money in the Bank contract during a match as well as cash-in and win the title without pinning or submitting the champion.
November 4 Vacated WWE Live Vacated after Seth Rollins suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and a damaged meniscus at a live show in Dublin, Ireland.
November 22 Roman Reigns Survivor Series Defeated Dean Ambrose in a tournament final for the vacant title.
Sheamus Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
December 14 Roman Reigns Monday Night Raw Title vs. career match
Incoming champion – Dolph Ziggler
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 5 Bad News Barrett Monday Night Raw Dolph Ziggler originally retained his title against Barrett, but Director of Operations Kane made the match a two-out-of-three falls match, which Barrett won.
March 29 Daniel Bryan WrestleMania 31 Seven-way ladder match, also involving Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, R-Truth, and Stardust.
May 11 Vacated Monday Night Raw Vacated due to injury.
May 31 Ryback Elimination Chamber Elimination Chamber match for the vacant title, also involving Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Mark Henry, R-Truth, and King Barrett (formerly Bad News Barrett).
September 20 Kevin Owens Night of Champions
December 13 Dean Ambrose TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs
Incoming champion – Rusev
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
March 29 John Cena WrestleMania 31
August 23 Seth Rollins SummerSlam Winner Takes All match, in which Rollins also defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
September 20 John Cena Night of Champions
October 25 Alberto Del Rio Hell in a Cell Open challenge.
Incoming champion – Nikki Bella
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
September 20 Charlotte Night of Champions
Incoming champions – The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 22 Tyson Kidd and Cesaro Fastlane
April 26 The New Day
(Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
Extreme Rules Big E and Kingston won the match, but Woods was also recognized as champion under the Freebird Rule.
June 14 The Prime Time Players
(Darren Young and Titus O'Neil)
Money in the Bank Big E and Xavier Woods represented The New Day.
August 23 The New Day
(Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
SummerSlam Fatal four-way tag team match, also involving The Lucha Dragons and Los Matadores.
Big E and Kingston won the match, but Woods was also recognized as champion under the Freebird Rule.

NXT

Incoming champion – Sami Zayn
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 11 Kevin Owens TakeOver: Rival Owens won when the referee decided that Sami Zayn was unable to continue.
July 4 Finn Bálor The Beast in the East
Incoming champion – Charlotte
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
February 11 Sasha Banks TakeOver: Rival Fatal four-way match, also involving Bayley and Becky Lynch.
August 22 Bayley TakeOver: Brooklyn
Incoming champions – The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)
DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)
January 15
(aired January 28)
Blake and Murphy
(Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy)
NXT During their reign, their ringnames were shortened to Blake and Murphy, respectively.
August 22 The Vaudevillains
(Aiden English and Simon Gotch)
TakeOver: Brooklyn
October 22
(aired November 11)
The Revival
(Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson)
NXT They won the titles as Dash and Dawson. During their reign, they were renamed to The Revival.

Awards and honors

AAA Hall of Fame

Inductee
Héctor Garza
El Hijo del Perro Aguayo

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

CategoryWinner
Wrestler of the Year Seth Rollins
Tag Team of the Year The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
Match of the Year Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (NXT TakeOver: Respect)
Feud of the Year Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker
Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Dean Ambrose
Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Seth Rollins
Comeback of the Year The Undertaker
Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Roman Reigns
Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Bayley
Rookie of the Year Moose
Woman of the Year Sasha Banks
Stanley Weston Award (Lifetime Achievement) Roddy Piper

TNA Hall of Fame

Inductee
Jeff Jarrett
Earl Hebner

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

CategoryInductee
Individual Brock Lesnar
Shinsuke Nakamura
Perro Aguayo, Jr.
Ivan Koloff
Carlos Colón
Eddie Quinn
Group The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

CategoryWinner
Wrestler of the Year A.J. Styles
Most Outstanding A.J. Styles
Tag Team of the Year The Young Bucks
(Matt and Nick Jackson)
Most Improved Bayley

WWE

WWE Hall of Fame

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual Randy Savage Hulk Hogan
Rikishi The Usos
Alundra Blayze Natalya Neidhart
Larry Zbyszko Bruno Sammartino
Tatsumi Fujinami Ric Flair
Kevin Nash Shawn Michaels
Group The Bushwhackers John Laurinaitis
Celebrity Arnold Schwarzenegger Triple H
Warrior Award Connor "The Crusher" Michalek Dana Warrior and Daniel Bryan

Slammy Awards

Poll [8] Winner
Tag Team of the Year The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso)
Best John Cena's U.S. Open Challengevs. Cesaro on Raw (July 6)
Hashtag of the Year #SuplexCity
Celebrity Moment of the Year Stephen Amell dives onto Stardust and King Barrett at SummerSlam
"Tell Me You Didn't Just Say That" Insult of the Year Brock Lesnar coins "Suplex City" at WrestleMania 31
Rivalry of the Year The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
Best Original WWE Network Show Stone Cold Podcast
Double-Cross of the Year Damien Mizdow eliminates The Miz from the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31
Extreme Moment of the Year Roman Reigns attacks Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Rusev, and Triple H with a steel chair at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs
Breakout Star of the Year Neville
LOL! Moment of the Year R-Truth mistakes himself of being in the Money in the Bank ladder match on Raw . (June 8)
The "OMG!" Shocking Moment of the Year Kalisto executes Salida del Sol off the top of a ladder through another ladder on Jey Uso at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs
Superstar of the Year Seth Rollins
"The Hero in All of Us" Award, presented by Coca-Cola John Cena
Surprise Return of the Year Sting returns, as Seth Rollins' statue, and attacks Rollins on Raw. (August 24)
Diva of the Year Nikki Bella
"This is Awesome!" Moment of the Year The Rock and Ronda Rousey attack Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.
Match of the Year Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match at Hell in a Cell

NXT Year-End Awards

PollWinner [9]
Tag Team of the Year Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady
Female Competitor of the Year Bayley
Male Competitor of the Year Finn Bálor
TakeOver of the Year NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn
Match of the Year Sasha Banks (c) vs. Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn
Overall Competitor of the Year Finn Bálor

Debuts

Liv Morgan Liv Morgan NXT.jpg
Liv Morgan
Sonya Deville Sonya Deville Total Divas crop.jpg
Sonya Deville

Retirements

Hulk Hogan Hulk Hogan3.jpg
Hulk Hogan
Jimmy Snuka Jimmy Superfly Snuka Paparazzo Photography.jpg
Jimmy Snuka
Tomoka Nakagawa's final match took place at SHIMMER Volume 75. Nakagawa and Kellie Skater defeated the Canadian NINJAs (Nicole Matthews & Portia Perez) in the main event. Immediately afterwards a retirement ceremony was held and her career was celebrated by the entire roster. SHIMMER Volume 75 - Tomoka Nakagawa Retirement ceremony 14.jpg
Tomoka Nakagawa's final match took place at SHIMMER Volume 75. Nakagawa and Kellie Skater defeated the Canadian NINJAs (Nicole Matthews & Portia Perez) in the main event. Immediately afterwards a retirement ceremony was held and her career was celebrated by the entire roster.

Deaths

Dusty Rhodes Dusty Rhodes cropped and retouched.jpg
Dusty Rhodes
Roddy Piper Roddy Piper (2014-04-04 19-10-01 NEX-6 7421 DxO (13933727033)).jpg
Roddy Piper

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roddy Piper</span> Canadian professional wrestler and actor (1954–2015)

Roderick George Toombs, better known as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, was a Canadian professional wrestler and actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perro Aguayo Jr.</span> Mexican professional wrestler (1979–2015)

Pedro Aguayo Ramírez was a Mexican professional wrestler and promoter who achieved fame in wrestling as Perro Aguayo Jr. or El Hijo del Perro Aguayo. He was the real-life son of lucha libre legend Perro Aguayo and not a storyline "Junior". Aguayo was best known as the leader of the Los Perros del Mal stable, which he started in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in mid-2004. The stable became a significant draw in Mexican professional wrestling, peaking during Aguayo's storyline rivalries with Místico and Héctor Garza. In October 2008, Aguayo left CMLL to start his own independent professional wrestling promotion Perros del Mal Producciones, built around members of his Los Perros del Mal stable. In June 2010, Aguayo returned to AAA after a seven-year absence to start an invasion storyline involving his stable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Místico</span> Mexican professional wrestler

Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde, better known by his ring name Místico, is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, who currently works for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), where he is the current NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion, in his first reign. He also makes appearances for partner promotions All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he is the current MLW World Middleweight Champion, in his first reign. Initially working as Místico, he later signed with WWE, where he was known under the name Sin Cara. Upon his return to Mexico, he worked under the name Myzteziz in AAA, before settling on the ring name Carístico upon returning to CMLL in 2015. In 2021, he regained the Místico name, due to his successor and tag team partner Místico II leaving CMLL.

Erick Francisco Casas Ruiz is a Mexican professional wrestler currently working under the ring name Heavy Metal for AAA. He is the son of referee Pepe Casas and part of the Casas wrestling family; the brother of Negro Casas and Felino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Perros del Mal</span> Professional wrestling team

Los Perros del Mal was a Mexican Lucha libre wrestling group stable, originally competed in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and in Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA). The name is a play on the name of the founder of the group, Perro Aguayo Jr. It was one of the main rudo (heel) stables in CMLL until October 2008, when Aguayo along with Mr. Águila and Damián 666 left the company to form Perros del Mal Producciones. The stable is a part of the new promotion, despite its namesake. Their motto is "Dios perdona, los Perros no". The group originally started under the name La Furia del Norte but evolved into Los Perros del Mal as wrestlers not from northern Mexico joined the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrade El Idolo</span> Mexican professional wrestler

Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza is a Mexican professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Andrade. He is best known for his appearances in Mexico for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling under the ring name La Sombra, in the American promotion WWE under the ring name Andrade "Cien" Almas, and in the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Andrade El Idolo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perros del Mal (promotion)</span> Mexican professional wrestling promotion

Perros del Mal Producciones, often referred to as just 'Perros del Mal', was a Mexican professional wrestling promotion founded in October 2007 by Perro Aguayo, Jr. when he left Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and became inactive around 2015. The promotion shared a name with Aguayo, Jr.'s wrestling stable (group) Los Perros del Mal and the stable is the main Rudo (villain) group in the promotion. The promotion had an "open door policy" which meant they did not generally have wrestlers under contract but hired them on a per appearance basis. Perros del Mal was also a booking agency, responsible for hiring the core Perros del Mal group and others to various independent promotions all over Mexico.

Juan Francisco Domínguez is a Mexican luchador or professional wrestler, currently performing under the ring name X-Fly. He is also known as the original Mosco de la Merced, a name which has since been given another luchador. He is best known for his stints with the AAA promotion, the latest while representing Los Perros del Mal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bestia 666</span> Mexican professional wrestler

Leornardo Carrera Lizarraga is a Mexican luchador or professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Bestia 666. He is currently working for various promotions across Mexico, while also performing in the United States for several California-based promotions. Bestia 666's father is professional wrestler Leonardo Carrera, who performs as Damián 666 and who inspired his son's current character. He is the current leader of La Rebelión Amarilla. He is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triplemanía XX</span> 2012 Lucha Libre AAA World Wide event

Triplemanía XX was a professional wrestling event scripted and produced by the AAA promotion, which took place on August 5, 2012, at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, Mexico. The event was the twentieth annual Triplemanía, which is AAA's biggest show of the year, and marked AAA's debut in the new Arena Ciudad de México. The event was headlined by a match between Dr. Wagner Jr. and Máscara Año 2000 Jr., where the loser was forced to unmask himself. In the semi-main event, El Mesías defended the AAA Mega Championship against the 2012 Rey de Reyes, El Hijo del Perro Aguayo. The event also featured Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) performer Kurt Angle's AAA debut and an induction into the AAA Hall of Fame. This event marked the first time in four years that a Triplemanía was not broadcast live on pay-per-view. Instead, the event would be broadcast in three parts on AAA's official website, starting August 19. The event was attended by 21,000 people, the largest crowd for a professional wrestling event in Mexico in almost five years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sasha Banks</span> American professional wrestler (born 1992)

Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado is an American professional wrestler and actress. She is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name Mercedes Moné, where she is a former IWGP Women's Champion. Varnado also appears in NJPW's sister promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom. She is best known for her time in WWE from 2012 to 2022, where she performed under the ring name Sasha Banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Kay</span> Australian professional wrestler

Jessica McKay is an Australian professional wrestler. She is known for her time in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Billie Kay. She is also known for her time in Impact Wrestling where she performed as Jessie McKay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triplemanía XXII</span> 2014 Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide event

Triplemanía XXII was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) produced by the AAA promotion. It took place on August 17, 2014, at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, Mexico. The event was the twenty-second annual Triplemanía, which is AAA's biggest show of the year, airing in Mexico as a regular PPV and internationally as an internet pay-per-view (iPPV). This was the first AAA PPV event to be broadcast simultaneously in English through SAP, having Hugo Savinovich and Vampiro as announcers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triplemanía XXIII</span> 2015 Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide event

Triplemanía XXIII was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) produced by the Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) promotion. It took place on August 9, 2015, at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, Mexico. The event was the twenty-third year in a row that AAA has held a Triplemanía show, and was the thirtieth show held under the Triplemanía name since 1993 as AAA held multiple Triplemanía shows some years. The annual Triplemanía show is AAA's biggest show of the year, serving as the culmination of major storylines and feature wrestlers from all over the world competing in what has been described as AAA's version of WrestleMania or their Super Bowl event.

2016 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

2017 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

2014 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

2018 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

2019 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

References

  1. Pérez Navarro, Samuel (February 2, 2014). "¡Ángel Metálico, nuevo campeón Crucero! ¡Impulso es el ganador absoluto del primer torneo 2014!". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  2. Pérez Navarro, Samuel (May 10, 2015). "¡Pentágon Jr. es el nuevo campeón de peso crucero, y dedica su triunfo al líder de la jauría!". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  3. Zellner, Kris (October 4, 2015). "The Lucha Report". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  4. "The Crash Junior Championship >> Title history >> 03.07.2015 - 11.10.2015: Star Dragon". CageMatch (in German). Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  5. "The Crash Junior Championship >> Title history >> 11.10.2015 - 12.02.2016: Mirage". CageMatch (in German). Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  6. "The Crash Tag Team Championship >> Reigns >> 08.05.2015 - 18.09.2015: Black Boy & Rey Horus". CageMatch (in German). Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  7. "The Crash Tag Team Championship >> Reigns >> 18.09.2015 - 13.08.2016: Tony Casanova & Zarco". CageMatch (in German). Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  8. "2015 Slammy Awards voting opens tonight!". WWE. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  9. "The 2015 NXT Year-End Award acceptance speeches". WWE. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  10. Jeet Rama, Cagematch, 2023, retrieved 12 April 2023
  11. "RIP The ECW Zombie Tim Roberts, 1976–2015". 7 January 2015.
  12. "ORIGINAL ECW BOOKER, TWA STAR LARRY WINTERS PASSES AWAY | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  13. "Pro Wrestlers Who Have Died In 2015 – Rowdy Roddy Piper Makes 14". 1 August 2015.
  14. Daniel Brand's obituary
  15. "東京五輪レスリング銅メダルの堀内岩雄さん 糖尿病で死去" (in Japanese). Sponichi. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  16. "Falleció el Hijo del Perro Aguayo". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). MSN. March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  17. "Fallece en Tijuana "El Hijo del Perro Aguayo". El Mexicano (in Spanish). March 21, 2015. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  18. "NZ wrestling great dies". Radio New Zealand. 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  19. "Breaking News: wrestling legend, Observer first year Hall of Famer Verne Gagne passes away at 89". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  20. "WWE Legend Roddy Piper Dies at 61 | Variety". Archived from the original on 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2015-07-31.