On this day in pro wrestling history (May 22): Smoky Mountain Wrestling crowns 1st champion, Jeff Jarrett wins WCW title

  • F4W Staff
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By Brian Hoops, WrestlingObserver.com

1965 – In a title change only acknowledged in Omaha, Nebraska; Mad Dog Vachon beat Mighty Igor Vodik to regain AWA title

1970 – In a steel cage match, The Crusher defeated Mad Dog Vachon in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

1974 – In Duluth, Minnesota; Wahoo McDaniel beat Buddy Wolff in an Indian Strap Match and Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Larry Hennig & Paul Perschmann

1984 – NWA World Champion Kerry Von Erich fought Jumbo Tsuruta to a double countout in the main event of an All Japan Pro Wrestling card in Tokyo, Japan

1985 – The Nightmare defeated Terry Taylor in Shreveport, Louisiana for the Mid-South North American Title.

1987 – NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Florida Heavyweight Champion Mike Rotundo in the main event of a Championship Wrestling from Florida event in Jacksonville, FL

1988 – In Atlanta, Georgia; NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Fantastics, Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a match where the losers were whipped with belts.

1989 – Lex Luger defeated Michael Hayes to win the NWA United States championship in Bluefield, WV

1992 – Smoky Mountain Wrestling crowned their first champion, Brian Lee, who won a tournament by beating Paul Orndorff in the finals, at the first ever Volunteer Slam, held in Knoxville, TN at the Civic Coliseum.

1994 – At the WCW Slamboree PPV in Philadelphia, PA; Cactus Jack & Kevin Sullivan defeated The Nasty Boys in a “Broadstreet Bully” match to win the WCW World Tag Team Title. Sting defeated Vader to win the vacant WCW International World Title.

1995 – Jeff Jarrett defeated Razor Ramon to win the WWF Intercontinental Title in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec

2000 – In Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jeff Jarrett defeated Kevin Nash in a falls count anywhere match  to win the vacant WCW World Title.