On this day in pro wrestling history: The hard way or the easy way match; Lawler vs. Kerry with two world titles

By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

1931 – Ed “Strangler” Lewis defeated Ed Don George in Los Angeles, California to win the World Heavyweight Title. This was the famous “easy way or the hard way” match where Lewis told George when the match started that the title was going back to him when George was under the impression he was retaining.

1959 – Ben and and Mike Sharpe defeated Chief Big Heart and Little Eagle to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.

1971 – Terry Funk defeated The Grappler (Johnny Walker) for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Miami, Florida.

1976 – Angelo Mosca defeated Tim Woods in the finals of a two-month-long tournament to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title

1980 – Bulldog Brower and Luke Graham are awarded the WWC North American Tag Team Title after Gorgeous George, Jr. and Luke Graham left the promotion.

1985 – Ray Steele defeated Tony St. Clair for the British Heavyweight Title

1989 – Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Title, a rematch from their match on April 5. Lawler unified the WCWA title with his AWA title to become the Unified World Heavyweight Champion, which would become the top title in the USWA.

1994 – Villanos IV and V defeated Emilio Charles, Jr. and Scorpio, Jr. for the UWA World Tag Team Title in Acapulco, Mexico

1996 – Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Apolo Dantés to win the CMLL World Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

2000 – Samu defeated Ace Darling in Belvidere, New Jersey to win the Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title

2007 – Dennis Condrey defeated Brad Armstrong in Graysville, Alabama to become the first NWA Wrestle Birmingham Television Champion.