2000 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 events in 2000.

Calendar of notable shows

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Accomplishments and tournaments

AAA

AJW

AJPW

ECW

WCW

WWF

Awards and honors

''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

Title changes

ECW

NJPW

WCW

WWF

Births

*February 11 –

Ryuki Honda is a Japanese professional wrestler working for the Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling where he was formerly World Tag Team Champions in his first reign alongside Shotaro Ashino. Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2018& ...

*February 16 –

Tetsuya Izuchi is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist currently signed to Gleat where he is a former G-Infinity Champion and a member of Black Generation International. He is also known for his tenure with Pro Wrestling Heat Up. Profes ...

*February 25 – Daniel Benoit, son of Nancy and

Chris Benoit Christopher Michael Benoit ( ; May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He worked for various pro-wrestling promotions during his 22-year career, but is notorious for Chris Benoit double-murd ...

(d.

2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...

) *March 8 –

Peter Tihanyi Peter Tihanyi () is a Hungarian professional wrestler currently signed to Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) where he is a former wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion in his first reign. He is also known for his work in various promotions from t ...

*March 22 –

Momo Watanabe (born March 22, 2000) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of H.A.T.E. Since Watanabe made her Stardom debut on November 16, 2014, she became a three-time Artist of Stardom Cha ...

*May 17 –

Misa Matsui is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to Dream Star Fighting Marigold and is apart of Darkness Revolution. She is previously known for her tenure with the Japanese promotion Actwres girl'Z (AWG) and several brief others from th ...

*May 31 – Gable Stevenson *September 14 – Hanako *September 27 – Titus Alexander *October 29 –

Takuro Niki is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Active Advance Pro Wrestling where he is a former 2AW Openweight Champion. He is also known for competing in Tenryu Project and Wrestle-1. Professional wrestling career Wrestle-1 (2019–2020) Nik ...

*December 1 –

Maya Fukuda better known by her ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, former kickboxer and karateka signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom where she is a member of God's Eye. She is also known for her tenure with Gleat and other promotions from the ...

Debuts

*Uncertain debut date :* Jack Evans :*

Nattie Neidhart Natalie Katherine Neidhart-Wilson ( Neidhart; born May 27, 1982) is a Canadian-American professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Natalya. She also wrestles on the independent circui ...

Tank Toland John Joseph Toland (born August 31, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Tank Toland. Toland is best known for his appearances on the independent circuit with promotions such as Ring of Honor, Ohio Va ...

Shelly Martinez Shelly Leonor Martinez (born February 9, 1980) is an American model, actress, retired professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total ...

:* Eric Angle :*Chie Terashita (All Japan Women's) * February –

Kenny Omega Tyson Smith (born October 16, 1983), better known by the ring name , is a Canadian-born professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the current AEW International Champion in his first reign. He also works as an ...

* March 15 -

Leon Leon, Léon (French) or León (Spanish) may refer to: Places Europe * León, Spain, capital city of the Province of León * Province of León, Spain * Kingdom of León, an independent state in the Iberian Peninsula from 910 to 1230 and again fro ...

* March 18 -

Randy Orton Randal Keith Orton (born April 1, 1980) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He has been signed to WWE since 2000, where he performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown brand. Orton is widely regarded as one of t ...

* March 19 –

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 ...

* March 24 -

Roderick Strong Christopher Lindsey (born July 26, 1983), better known by his ring name Roderick Strong, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Paragon stable and is a former one-time AEW I ...

* April 14 -

Tomohiko Hashimoto is a Japanese professional wrestler and former judoka and mixed martial artist, best known for his time with Dramatic Dream Team (DDT), where he competed as a mainstay from 2000 to 2006. After working as a freelancer on the Japanese independent ...

* April 24 –

David Arquette David Arquette (; born September 8, 1971) is an American actor, producer, and retired professional wrestler. Arquette's breakout came with his starring role as Dewey Riley in the slasher film '' Scream'' (1996), a role which he later reprised i ...

* May 7 –

Kevin Steen Kevin Yanick Steen (born May 7, 1984) is a Canadian Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Kevin Owens. As of A ...

and Ralphus (WCW) * May 20 **

Jay Briscoe Jamin Dale Pugh (January 25, 1984 – January 17, 2023), known by his ring name Jay Briscoe, was an American professional wrestler. He was known for his time with his brother Mark Briscoe as the Briscoe Brothers in Ring of Honor, where he was ...

Mark Briscoe Mark Pugh (born January 18, 1985) is an American professional wrestler best known as Mark Briscoe. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), where he made a name teaming with his brother Jay as the Briscoe Brothers. ...

* May 24 -

Kenta Kobayashi , known mononymously as Kenta (stylised in all caps), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to Pro Wrestling Noah. A former amateur kickboxer, Kobayashi's wrestling style is based upon strong kicks and strikes. Kobayashi pioneere ...

* July –

Lance Archer Lance Hoyt (born February 28, 1977), better known by his ring name Lance Archer, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where is a member of The Don Callis Family and one-half of The Murder Machines w ...

* September 7 –

Yoshihito Sasaki is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his time with the Japanese professional wrestling promotions Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2001–201 ...

* September 29 -

Alberto Del Rio José Alberto Rodríguez Chucuan (born 25 May 1977) is a Mexican professional wrestler, professional wrestling promoter, sports commentator, and mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to WWE and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), where h ...

* September 30 - Mika Nishio (All Japan Women's) * October 7 –

The Great Khali Dalip Singh Rana (born 27 August 1972), better known by his ring name The Great Khali, is an Indian-born American former Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, promoter, and actor. He is best known for his tenure with WWE, where he be ...

* October 20 –

Matt Sydal Matthew Joseph Korklan (born March 19, 1983), better known by the ring name Matt Sydal, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is also known for his tenure with WWE from 2008 to 2014 under the ring nam ...

* November 6 -

Chris Sabin Joshua Harter (born February 4, 1982), better known by the ring name Chris Sabin, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand. After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 f ...

* November 11 –

Austin Aries Daniel Healy Solwold Jr. (born April 15, 1978), better known by his ring name Austin Aries, is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is known for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, where he is a t ...

* November 12 - Tadanobu Fujisawa * November 19 –

Yasu Urano is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer. He is best known for his tenures with Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) and Kaientai Dojo promotions. Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2001-present) Although some ...

* December 3 –

Yuu Yamagata better known by her ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Kaientai Dojo and Pro Wrestling Wave. Professional wrestling career Independent c ...

* December 26 -

Scotty Mac Scott Schnurr, best known by his ring name Scotty Mac, is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling/Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling, as well as several independent promotio ...

Retirements

Bret Hart Bret Sergeant Hart (born July 2, 1957) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. A member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler, he has an amateur wrestling background at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal U ...

(1978–2000) *

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Raymond Louis Heenan (November 1, 1944 – September 17, 2017) was an American professional wrestling manager, color commentator, and wrestler. He performed with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now ...

(1960–2000) * Bobby Walker (1989–2000) *

Nicole Bass Nicole Fuchs (''née'' Bass; August 10, 1964 – February 17, 2017) was an American bodybuilder, actress, professional wrestler, and professional wrestling valet. She worked for companies such as Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling ...

(1998–2000) * Fishman (1969–2000) *

Angel of Death Angel of Death may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional characters * Adam or Andrew, in ''Touched by an Angel'' * Azrael, in ''Lucifer'' * Loki, in the film ''Dogma'' Gaming * '' Broken Sword: The Angel of Death'', a 2007 compute ...

(1986–2000) *

Biff Wellington Shayne Alexander Bower (April 18, 1963 – June 24, 2007), better known by his ring name Biff Wellington, was a Canadian professional wrestler who was born, raised, and died in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Professional wrestling career Shayne Bowe ...

(1986–2000) *

Randy Savage Randy Mario Poffo (November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011), better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler and professional baseball player, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation ( ...

(1973–2000) (Returned for one match in 2004) *

Miss Elizabeth Elizabeth Ann Hulette (November 19, 1960 – May 1, 2003), best known in professional wrestling circles as Miss Elizabeth, was an American professional wrestling Manager (professional wrestling), manager, occasional professional wrestler and prof ...

(1985–1992, 1996–2000) *

Mick Foley Michael Francis Foley (born June 7, 1965) is an American retired professional wrestler and author. He is signed to WWE, under a Legends contract while also serving as an ambassador. Foley worked for many wrestling promotions, including the W ...

(1986-April 2, 2000 returned to wrestling in 2004 and retired in 2012) *

Gerald Brisco Floyd Gerald "Jerry" Brisco (born September 19, 1946) is an American retired professional wrestler. Brisco is best known for his time in the wrestling promotion WWE, where he was a backstage producer, and, during the 1990s, an on-screen charact ...

(1967–1985, 1998-June 2000) * Pat Patterson (1959–1985, 1998-June 2000) *

Paul Orndorff Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (October 29, 1949 – July 12, 2021), nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Champions ...

(1976–2000) (returned for a match in 2017)

Deaths

* January 7 –

Gary Albright Gary Mitchell Albright (May 18, 1963 – January 7, 2000) was an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Japan, first with UWF International (UWFi), and later All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). In AJPW, Albright was a two ...

, 36 * January 22 –

Al Costello Giacomo Costa (14 December 1919 – 22 January 2000) was an Italian Australian professional wrestler best known by his ring name, Al Costello. Costello was the first professional wrestler to be nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Holds" because of ...

, 80 * January 24 –

Bobby Duncum Jr. Bobby Edward Duncum Jr. (August 26, 1965 – January 24, 2000) was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling as a member of the short-lived men's country music band, The West Texas Rednec ...

, 34 * February 12 – Ray Hrstich, 79 * April 19 –

Masakazu Fukuda (May 17, 1972 – April 19, 2000) was a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his appearances in WAR and NJPW. He also joined a short-lived stable known as ''Fighting Club G-EGGS'', the stable included Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata ...

, 27 * April 25 - Assassin #1, 72 * May 4 –

Sugi Sito Francisco Javier Mar Hernández (December 4, 1926 – May 4, 2000) was a Mexican professional wrestler and Promoter (entertainment), promoter, known by the ring name "El Orgullo de Oriente" ("The pride of the Orient") Sugi Sito. He was born in Gua ...

, 73 * May 13 –

Jumbo Tsuruta , better known by his ring name , was a Japanese professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) for most of his career, and is well known for being the first ever Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, having won the PWF Heavy ...

, 49 * July 27 –

Gordon Solie Gordon Solie (born Francis Jonard Labiak, later Jonard Pierre Sjoblom, January 26, 1929July 27, 2000) was an American professional wrestling play-by-play announcer. He is best known for working for Georgia Championship Wrestling, Championship Wr ...

, 71 * July 28 – Jaime Cardriche, 32 * August 19 – Tony Parisi, 59 * August 22 –

Toru Tanaka Charles J. Kalani Jr. (January 6, 1930 – August 22, 2000) was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, martial artist and actor. He was known by the ring names Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka. He was best know ...

, 70 * August 25 – Chris Duffy, 35 * August 25 –

Ramón Torres (wrestler) Ramón S. Torres (January 13, 1932 – August 25, 2000) was an American professional wrestler. Primarily a babyface throughout his career, he was a part of 'The Famous Torres Brothers' with Alberto & Enrique Torres and was a major star in the 1 ...

, 68 * October 3 –

Klondike Bill William Soloweyko (December 1, 1931 – October 3, 2000), better known by his ring name Klondike Bill, was a Canadian professional wrestler. He wrestled in various National Wrestling Alliance territories throughout the 1960s and 1970s, before movin ...

, 68 * October 17 –

Leo Nomellini Leo Joseph Nomellini (June 19, 1924 – October 17, 2000) was an Italian-American professional football player and professional wrestler. He played college football for the Minnesota Gophers and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the ...

, 76 * October 23 –

Yokozuna , or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ('' rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments. This is the o ...

, 34"Third time charm for Bischoff?"
MikeMooneyham.com "A coroner has attributed fluid in the lungs as the reason for the death of former WWF champ Yokozuna (Rodney Anoia) last October while the 750-pound Yoko was on tour in

Liverpool, England Liverpool is a port city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population of (in ), Liverpool is the administrative, c ...

. It originally had been reported that he died of heart failure." * November 22: **

Yoshihiro Momota (March 15, 1946 – November 22, 2000) was a professional wrestler and a former ring announcer, known for his tenure in All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was the son of wrestler Rikidozan and the older brother of Mitsuo Momota. Career On October 21 ...

, 54 **

Doug Hepburn Douglas Ivan Hepburn (September 16, 1926 – November 22, 2000) was a Canadian strongman and weightlifter. He won weightlifting gold medals in the 1953 World Weightlifting Championships as well as the 1954 British Empire Games in the heavyweig ...

, 74 * November 24 – Eddie Sullivan, 59 * December 16 –

Blue Demon Alejandro Muñoz Moreno (October 12, 1922 – December 16, 2000), better known by the ring name Blue Demon (''Demonio Azul'' in Spanish), was a Mexican film actor and ''luchador enmascarado'' (Spanish for masked professional wrestler). Blue D ...

, 78

Notes

References

{{Years in professional wrestling