1975 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of

professional wrestling Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable shows in 1975.

Calendar of notable shows

Notable events

* promoter Francisco Flores and wrestler

Ray Mendoza José Díaz Velázquez (July 6, 1929 – April 16, 2003), better known by his ring name Ray Mendoza, was a Mexican ''luchador'' (or professional wrestler). After working for Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), Mendoza had great success in th ...

break away from

Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre Co., Ltd. (CMLL; , "World Wrestling Council") is a ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City. The promotion was previously known as (EMLL) (''Mexican Wrestling Enterprise''). Founded in 1933, it is the oldest profe ...

and, along with investor Benjamin Mora Jr., create the

Universal Wrestling Association The Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) was a Mexican ''Lucha Libre'' or professional wrestling promotion based in Naucalpan, Mexico State that operated from 1975 until 1995. The name of the actual promotion was Promociones Mora y Asociados and ...

(UWA). *October 8 -

WCW Worldwide ''WCW WorldWide'' is an American syndicated television show that was produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) that aired from October 8, 1975, to March 31, 2001. At the time of its cancellation, ''WorldWide'' was the longest-running, unin ...

premiered on television. *November 18 - Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi defeat The Blackjacks to become the new WWWF Tag Team Champions.

Accomplishments and tournaments

AJW

JCP

Awards and honors

''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''

Championship changes

EMLL

NWA

Births

*Date of birth uncertain: ** Damian Steele (died in 2009) * January 1 -

Kid Romeo Samuel Román (born 1975) is a United States, Puerto Rican-American former Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling in 2001 under the ring name Kid Romeo, where he was one half ...

* January 23 -

Tito Ortiz Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz () is an American politican and retired mixed martial artist and Submission grappling, submission grappler. Ortiz is best known for his career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC ...

* January 28 -

Shark Boy Dean Matthew Roll (born January 28, 1975) is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Shark Boy. Prior to his appearances in TNA, Roll competed on the independe ...

* January 30 –

Dark Ozz Marcos Tinajero (born January 30, 1975) is a Mexican Luchador ( wrestler) who is known under the names Ozz / Dark Ozz, a Face character (referred to as a "Tecnico" in Lucha Libre) that works for Lucha Libre Elite. Best known for his work in Lucha ...

* February 8 – Shane Shamrock (d. 1998) * February 18 -

Charly Manson Jesús Luna Pozos (born February 18, 1975) is a Mexican luchador ( professional wrestler) who primarily works on the Mexican independent circuit as Sharlie Rockstar, where he competes as a member of ''The Kl4n''. Pozos is best known under the r ...

* February 22 - Andy Anderson * March 15 - Lobo * March 17 –

Test Test(s), testing, or TEST may refer to: * Test (assessment), an educational assessment intended to measure the respondents' knowledge or other abilities Arts and entertainment * ''Test'' (2013 film), an American film * ''Test'' (2014 film) ...

(d. 2009) * April 12 –

Cibernético Octavio López Arreola (born April 12, 1975), better known by the ring name Cibernético, is a Mexican professional wrestler, currently working for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA). During AAA's short partnership with the World Wrestling Federat ...

* April 14 – Lita * April 15 - Paul E. Normous (d. 2009) * April 25 -

BLK Jeez Darnell Kittrell (born April 25, 1975) is an American professional wrestler. He performs for the National Wrestling Alliance under the ring name BLK Jeez (pronounced "Black Jeez"). Professional wrestling career Debut (2000–2003) After comple ...

* May 6 -

Germán Figueroa Germán Figueroa Sullivan (born May 6, 1975) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler, actor and mixed martial artist better known as "El León" Apollo (alternatively spelled "Apolo") and El León. Figueroa began performing in Puerto Rico's ind ...

* May 8 – Truth Martini * May 12 -

Ricky Ortiz Richard Young (born May 12, 1975) is an American former professional wrestler and football player. He is best known for his work with WWE performing under the ring name Ricky Ortiz. Young spent time in the XFL, Canadian Football League (CFL), ...

* May 15: **

La Parkita Alberto Pérez Jiménez (May 15, 1975 – June 29, 2009) was a Mexican ''Luchador'' '' enmascarado'' who worked in the ''Mini-Estrella'' division from 1990 until his death in 2009. He was best known under the ring name La Parkita, having used th ...

(d. 2009) **

Espectrito II Alejandro Pérez Jiménez (May 15, 1975 – June 29, 2009) was a Mexican ''Mini-Estrella Luchador'', or midget professional wrestler who worked mainly under the name Espectro II. Alejandro's twin brother, Alberto, was also a midget professional wre ...

(d. 2009) * May 17 –

Alex Wright Alexander Wright (born May 17, 1975) is a German former Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and professional wrestling promotion, professional wrestling promoter. He wrestled professionally in Germany and Japan before signing with World ...

* May 22 –

Traci Brooks Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian former professional wrestler, wrestling valet and referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where she spent most ...

* June 2 – Chessman * June 18 - Darren Wyse * June 18 - Bam Neely * July 3 -

Johnny Swinger Joseph Dorgan (born July 3, 1975) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), using the ring name Johnny Swinger. Dorgan is also known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and Ext ...

* July 9 –

Shelton Benjamin Shelton James Benjamin (born July 9, 1975) is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler. , he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Hurt Syndicate and is one-half of the AEW World Tag Team Champ ...

* July 15 –

Cherry A cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus ''Prunus'', and is a fleshy drupe (stone fruit). Commercial cherries are obtained from cultivars of several species, such as the sweet '' Prunus avium'' and the sour '' Prunus cerasus''. The na ...

* July 17 : **

Daffney Shannon Claire Spruill (July 17, 1975 – September 1, 2021) was an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler, Manager (professional wrestling), wrestling manager and actress better known by her ring name Daffney. Daffney began her ...

(died in 2021) **

UltraMantis Black UltraMantis Black (born July 17, 1975) is a Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and musician, who performed primarily in the Chikara (professional wrestling), Chikara professional wrestling promotion. He is a former one-time Chikara Gra ...

Yuki Kondo is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. He has officially 112 professional fights, making him one of the most experienced mixed martial artists ever. He has also competed for the UFC, PRIDE, Sengo ...

* July 23 – Drago * July 24 –

Torrie Wilson Torrie Anne Wilson (born July 24, 1975) is an American model (person), model, former fitness competitor and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in WWE and WCW. As a fitness competitor, Wilson won the Miss Galaxy compet ...

* July 25 – El Zorro * August 2 -

Blitzkrieg ''Blitzkrieg'(Lightning/Flash Warfare)'' is a word used to describe a combined arms surprise attack, using a rapid, overwhelming force concentration that may consist of armored and motorized or mechanized infantry formations, together with ...

* August 17 - Palmer Canon * August 31 -

Takahiro Suwa , better known simply as Suwa (stylized in all capital letters), is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He originally retired from professional wrestling in 2007, but later returned for a short period of time in 2013 as Maybach Taniguchi J ...

* September 20 -

Joel Gertner Joel Gertner (born September 20, 1975) is an American professional wrestling announcer, color commentator, and manager. He is best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1995 to 2001. Professional wrestling career ...

* October 7 –

Rhyno Terrance Guido Gerin (born October 7, 1975) is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Rhyno (or Rhino). He is a freelancer, appearing for various promotions such as All Elite Wrestling (AEW), National Wrestling Alliance ...

* October 19 - Mrs. Yamaguchi-San * November 17 –

Ranjin Singh David Kapoor (born November 17, 1975) is an American writer and former professional wrestling manager, better known by his ring name, Ranjin Singh. He is best known for his time in WWE, where he worked on the writing team as the senior vice presi ...

* November 18 - Taiyo Kea * December 9 -

Juggernaut A juggernaut (), in current English usage, is a literal or metaphorical force regarded as merciless, destructive, and unstoppable. This English usage originates in the mid-nineteenth century. ''Juggernaut'' is the early rendering in English ...

* December 10 : **

Steve Bradley Steven James Bisson (December 10, 1975 – December 4, 2008) was an American professional wrestler who wrestled under the ring name Steve Bradley. He competed in various North American independent promotions as well as spending over three years ...

(died in 2008) **

Tomohiro Ishii is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is currently a double champion: being the Strong Openweight Champion in his first reign, and one-half of the current IWGP Tag Team Champions with Ta ...

* December 17 –

Nick Dinsmore Nicholas David Dinsmore (born December 17, 1975), better known by his ring name Eugene, is an American professional wrestler. Dinsmore's career began in 1996 in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he became the OVW Heavyweight Champion a record eight ...

* December 18 –

Trish Stratus Patricia Anne Stratigeas (; born December 18, 1975), better known by the ring name Trish Stratus, is a Canadian professional wrestler, yoga instructor, actress and former fitness model. She is signed to WWE. An inductee of the 2013 WWE Hall ...

* December 31 -

Vance Nevada Vern May (born December 31, 1975) better known by his ringname Vance Nevada is a Canadian professional wrestler, author, professional wrestling promoter and wrestling historian. Professional wrestling career Since his earliest matches in 1993, ...

Debuts

* Uncertain debut date :*

Leilani Kai Patty Seymour (born January 23, 1957) is an American retired professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Leilani Kai. She is best known for her work in All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, All Japan Women's Pro Wrestl ...

Debbie Combs Deborah Szostecki (born April 18, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler better known as Debbie Combs. Early life Her mother, Cora Combs, was also a professional wrestler. Debbie Combs made her wrestling debut at Louisville Garden ...

Rick McGraw Richard McGraw (March 19, 1955 – November 1, 1985) was an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name "Quickdraw" Rick McGraw from 1980 until his death in 1985 ...

Hillbilly Jim James Morris (born July 5, 1952) is an American retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and current radio host, better known by his ring name, Hillbilly Jim. He is best known for his appearances with the WWE, World Wrestling Federa ...

:* Yumi Ikeshita (All Japan Women's) * January 15 -

Américo Rocca Javier Hernández Padilla (born September 22, 1952) is a semi-retired Mexican ''Luchador'', or professional wrestler best known under the ring name Américo Rocca. Hernández also worked as the '' enmascarado'' (masked) ''Ponzoña'' from 1990 un ...

and Kazuharu Sonoda * March 19 - Maki Ueda (All Japan Women's) * April 27 -

Jackie Sato , better known as , was a Japanese professional wrestler. In the 1970s, while wrestling for All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), she formed the tag team, the Beauty Pair, with Maki Ueda. Following in the steps of , the Beauty Pair was part o ...

* May 2 - Hubert Gallant * May 13 -

Jake Roberts Aurelian Smith Jr. (born May 30, 1955) better known by the ring name Jake "the Snake" Roberts, is an American actor, podcaster and retired professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs as the on-screen ma ...

* July 17 - Lola Gonzales * November 11 - Rayo de Jalisco Jr. * December 24 -

Dynamite Kid Thomas Wilton Billington (5 December 1958 – 5 December 2018), best known by the ring name the Dynamite Kid, was a British professional wrestler. Trained by former wrestler "Dr Death" Ted Betley, he competed in the World Wrestling Federatio ...

Retirements

* Argentina Apollo (1960 – 1975) *

Harold Sakata , better known as Harold Sakata, was an American Olympic weightlifter, professional wrestler, and film actor of Japanese descent. He won a silver medal for the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London in weightlifting, and late ...

(1949 – 1975)

Deaths

* January 5 - Ray Morgan (announcer), 60 * February 20 –

Bobby Shane Robert Lee Schoenberger (August 25, 1945 – February 20, 1975), better known as Bobby Shane, who also wrestled as Bobby Schoen and as The Challenger, was an American professional wrestler known for his time in NWA Florida in the late 1960s and ...

, 29 * May 13 - John Bilbo (wrestler), 69 * May 28 -

Ezzard Charles Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 – May 28, 1975), was an American professional boxer who competed from 1940 to 1959. Known as "the Cincinnati Cobra", Charles was respected for his slick defense and precision, and is often regarded as the gre ...

, 53 * July 7 -

Henri Deglane Henri Deglane (22 June 1902 – 7 July 1975) was a French wrestler. He was an Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling and AWA World Champion. In May 1931, Deglane faced Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship ...

, 73 * August 19 -

Jim Londos Christos Theofilou (; January 2, 1894 – August 19, 1975), better known as "The Golden Greek" Jim Londos ( Greek: Τζιμ Λόντος), was a Greek American professional wrestler. Londos was one of the most popular stars on the professional ...

, 81 * October 17 - Ron Dupree (wrestler), 40

References

{{Years in professional wrestling