2013 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 2013.

Calendar of notable shows

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Accomplishments and tournaments

AAA

JWP

Ring of Honor

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

WWE

Title changes

AAA

NJPW

ROH

The Crash Lucha Libre

TNA

WWE

NXT

Awards and honors

AAA Hall of Fame

''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''

TNA Hall of Fame

''Wrestling Observer Newsletter''

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

WWE

WWE Hall of Fame

Slammy Awards

Debuts

* January 3 – Rutsuko Yamaguchi (Ice Ribbon) * January 8 – Dan Moloney * January 20 –

Aliyah ''Aliyah'' (, ; ''ʿălīyyā'', ) is the immigration of Jews from Jewish diaspora, the diaspora to, historically, the geographical Land of Israel or the Palestine (region), Palestine region, which is today chiefly represented by the Israel ...

* February 19 –

Jay White Jamie White (born 9 October 1992), better known by the ring name Jay White, is a New Zealand professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Bullet Club sub-group Bang Bang Gang. White is a former ...

* February 23 – Kotori * March 24 – The Rotation * March 29 –

Renee Young Renee Jane Paquette is a Canadian-American television personality. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a backstage interviewer and pre-show panelist. She was previously known for her time in WWE between 2012 and 2020, where she served ...

* April 14 – U-T * May 17 – No Way Jose * May 25 **

Akane Fujita is a Japanese voice actress from Shizuoka Prefecture. She is affiliated with Ken Production. After passing an audition in 2011, she made her debut as a voice actress in 2012, and she played her first main role in 2016. She is known for her role ...

** Big Boss Shimizu * May 29 –

Mojo Rawley Dean Muhtadi (; born July 17, 1986) is an American professional wrestler and former American football player. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Mojo Rawley. He has also become known in football bettin ...

* June 20 –

Alexa Bliss Alexis Cabrera ( Kaufman; born August 9, 1991) is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Alexa Bliss. In 2013, Bliss signed a contract with WWE and was assigne ...

* June 26 – JoJo * July 1 –

Eva Marie Natalie Eva Marie Nelson (born September 19, 1984) is an American media personality, professional wrestler, model, actress and businesswoman. She is best known for her tenures in WWE from 2013–2017 and 2020–2021, where she performed under ...

* July 6 – Laurance Roman * August 3 –

Lana Austin LeeAnn Adele "Lana" Austin (born 22 September 1986) is an English professional wrestler who currently performs on the independent circuit. She is best known for her tenure with Progress Wrestling, where she became a one-time Progress Wrestling ...

* August 12 – Anthony Gangone * August 17 – KANNA (TJPW) * August 18 **

Saki Akai is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, idol, model, and tarento, currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT) and its sister joshi promotion Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW). Her father is fo ...

Yako Fujigasaki is a Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese professional wrestling promotion, promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu and Pure-J. Professional wrestling c ...

* August 23 – Koyuki Hayashi (Ice Ribbon) * August 25 – Kyuri * August 31 – Mike D Vecchio * September – Carmella * September 6 –

Ace Romero Justin Romero (born May 1, 1990) is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Ace Romero. He is best known for his tenure with Impact Wrestling, where he performed under the ring name Acey Romero. He has previously wrestled ...

* September 28 - Ayame Yabe (Ice Ribbon) * October 23 –

Lana Lana may refer to: *Lana (given name) *Francesco Lana de Terzi (1631–1687), Italian Jesuit priest and scientist *Lana Del Rey, American singer-songwriter *Lana Turner, American actress *Lana Rhoades, American former adult film actress * CJ Perr ...

* November 3 –

Keisuke Okuda is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist currently working as a freelancer. He is best known for his tenure with Dragon Gate where he is a former Open the Brave Gate Champion. Career He had a strong background in Greco-Ro ...

* November 4 **

Koguma is a Japanese professional wrestler. She currently works for World Wonder Ring Stardom. Koguma is a former two-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion, one-time Artist of Stardom Champion, and one-time High Speed Champion. Koguma is one of the wi ...

Rina Yamashita is a Japanese people, Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time in Pro Wrestling Wave.In World Wonder Ring Stardom, she is a part of Mi Vida Loca. Professional wrestling career Independen ...

* November 9 –

Kid Lykos Ethan Beach (born 22 March 1997) – better known by his ring name Kid Lykos – is an English professional wrestler, who currently performs on the British independent circuit. Professional wrestling career European independent scene (2012� ...

* November 19 –

LEONA Leona is a female given name derived from the Latin word ''leo'' for "lion". People and fictional characters named Leona include: People * Leona (wrestler) (born 1980), Japanese professional wrestler * Leona Aglukkaq, Canadian politician * Leon ...

* December 1 – Ayumi Takada (TJPW) * December 6 –

Deonna Purrazzo Deonna Lynn Purrazzo (born June 10, 1994) is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Purrazzo began training in December 2012, and then started wrestling in various independent promotions the following y ...

* December 14 –

Kona Reeves Noah Gregory Kekoa Haaheo Pang-Potjes (born June 5, 1991) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in WWE, where he performed on their NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Kona Reeves. Pan ...

* December 15 –

Takayuki Ueki is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer, predominantly for DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he is a current KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Champion. He is best known for his time in the Japanese promotions Big Japan Pro Wrestling (B ...

* December 31 – Bin Wang (IGF and NXT)

Retirements

Butch Reed Bruce Franklin Reed (July 11, 1954 – February 5, 2021) was an American professional wrestler and football player, better known by the ring name Butch Reed. He played college football at the University of Central Missouri, was a star in Mid-Sou ...

(1978-2013) *

Diane Von Hoffman Phyllis Burch (April 13, 1962 – July 6, 2017) was an American professional wrestler active from 1979 to 2013. Burch wrestled under the names Diane Von Hoffman, The Teutonic Terror, and Lady Beast. She wrestled in Memphis's United States W ...

(1981–2013) *

Viscera In a multicellular organism, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to a ...

(1991–2013) *

Eve Torres Eve Torres Gracie (born Eve Marie Torres on August 21, 1984) is an American actress, dancer, model, martial arts instructor and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her tenure in WWE, where she was a record tying three-time WWE D ...

(October 29, 2007 – January 14, 2013) *

Robbie Ellis Rob Elowitch (born April 8, 1943), better known by his ring name, Robbie Ellis, is an American professional wrestler who has competed in New England and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit as well as international promotions in Europe. The co-owner ...

(1966-March 22, 2013) *

Jerry Lynn Jeremy Lynn (born June 12, 1963), better known by the ring name Jerry Lynn, is an American retired professional wrestler signed with All Elite Wrestling as a producer and coach. Lynn has worked for professional wrestling promotion, promotions ...

(March 23, 1988 – March 23, 2013) *

Frank Durso Frank N. Sciullo (January 30, 1937 – December 7, 2018) was an American professional wrestler who wrestled for the World Wide Wrestling Federation, Studio Wrestling and local Pittsburgh promotions. Professional wrestling career Durso made hi ...

(1961-March 23, 2013) *

Big Bully Busick Nicholas Busick (June 1, 1954 – May 8, 2018) was an American professional wrestler and police officer, better known by his ring name Big Bully Busick. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1991, where ...

(1977-April 19, 2013) *

Kenta Kobashi (born, March 27, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestling promoter and retired wrestler. Broadly referred to by the nickname , he is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He is best known for his two run ...

(February 26, 1988 – May 11, 2013) *

Epiphany Epiphany may refer to: Psychology * Epiphany (feeling), an experience of sudden and striking insight Religion * Epiphany (holiday), a Christian holiday celebrating the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ ** Epiphany seaso ...

(October 2008 – July 4, 2013) *

Natsumi Showzuki better known by her ring name , and previously known as , is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Dream Star Fighting Marigold, where she was the inaugural Marigold Super Fly Champion. Sumikawa is also known for her tenure with World Won ...

(January 2012 – July 31, 2013) (returned to wrestling in 2021) *

Ayumi Kurihara (born July 13, 1984) is a retired '' joshi puroresu '' wrestler best known for her tenures with Pro Wrestling Wave and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling. Professional wrestling career Kurihara entered training with the women's pro wrestling promo ...

(April 24, 2005 – August 4, 2013) * Ted DiBiase Jr. (2006 – September 1, 2013) *

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 7, 2000 – September 25, 2013) *

Ivan Koloff Oreal Donald Perras (August 25, 1942 – February 18, 2017) was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by the ring name "the Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff, where he was billed from Russia and, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, ...

(1961-November 16, 2013) *

William Regal Darren Kenneth Matthews (born 10 May 1968), better known by the ring name William Regal, is an English retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he serves as the vice-president of Global Talent Development. He is also known for ...

(1983-November 21, 2013) * Manny Fernandez (1977-November 30, 2013) (returned to wrestling in 2017) *

Roxxi Laveaux Nicole Raczynski (born April 19, 1979) is an American former Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. She is best known for her tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring names Roxxi Laveaux, The Voodoo Queen, and Roxxi. She is ...

(2002 - December 6, 2013)

Deaths

*January 11 -

Billy Varga William Joe Varga (January 10, 1919 – January 11, 2013), billed as Count Billy Varga, was an American professional wrestler and actor. He was born to Rose and Joe Varga; his father was a professional wrestler in Europe known as Count Joseph V ...

, 94 *February 8 - Jim Jefferson, 52 *February 20 - Cyclone Negro, 80 * March 5 –

Paul Bearer William Alvin Moody (April 10, 1954 – March 5, 2013) was an American Manager (professional wrestling), professional wrestling manager and licensed funeral director. He is best known for his tenure with the WWE, World Wrestling Federation (WWF ...

, 58. * March 16 -

Don Carson Donald or Don Carson may refer to: * D. A. Carson (born 1946), theologian and professor of the New Testament * Donald "Tee" Carson (died 2000), American jazz pianist * Don Carson (rugby union), Canadian rugby union player * Don Carson (wrestler) ...

, 78 * March 21 –

Moondog Spike William Smithson (May 31, 1950 – March 21, 2013) was a professional wrestler who wrestled as Moondog Spike during the early 1990s with Moondog Spot from 1991 to 1992 and Moondog Cujo from 1992 to 1993 as part of The Moondogs. Professional ...

, 62. * March 21 –

Reid Flair Richard Reid Fliehr (February 26, 1988 March 29, 2013), better known by his ring name Reid Flair, was an American professional wrestler. He was the youngest son of professional wrestler Ric Flair, the younger half-brother of wrestler David Fl ...

, 25. * April 18 - Jerry Balisok, 57 * May 22 – Mick McManus, 93 * May 26 –

Héctor Garza Héctor Solano Segura (June 12, 1969 – May 26, 2013) was a Mexican professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Héctor Garza. During his career he worked for various major Mexican professional wrestling promotions such as Consejo Mu ...

, 43. * May 28 -

Buck Robley Philip Thompson Robley (January 19, 1945 – May 28, 2013) was an American professional wrestler who worked as Col. Buck Robley mainly in the Mid-South/NWA Tri-State during the 1970s and early 1980s. He also worked in St. Louis, Florida, Kans ...

, 68 * June 7 –

Mark Starr Mark Ashford-Smith (26 December 1962 – 7 June 2013), best known by his ring name Mark Starr, was an English professional wrestler. Early life Mark Ashford-Smith was born in Staffordshire on 26 December 1962. His older brother Chris was also a ...

, 50. * June 14 –

Al Green Albert Leornes Greene (born April 13, 1946), known professionally as Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer. He is best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including " Tired of ...

, 57. * June 24 –

Jackie Fargo Henry Faggart (June 26, 1930 – June 24, 2013) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Jackie Fargo. He competed in Southeastern regional promotions and the National Wrestling Alliance during the 1950s, 1960s and ...

, 82. * June 28 –

Matt Borne Matthew Wade Osborne (July 27, 1957 – June 28, 2013), known professionally as Matt Borne, was an American professional wrestler. Osborne was a second generation wrestler, the son of Tony Borne, and is best known as being the first wrestler to ...

, 55. * July 19 -

Geeto Mongol Newton Tattrie (July 12, 1931 – July 19, 2013) was a Canadian professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Geeto Mongol (also spelled Geto Mongol). Tattrie started his career in the 1960s working for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling promo ...

, 82 * July 31 - Corey Maclin, 43 * August 3 –

Dutch Savage Frank Stewart (June 9, 1935 – August 3, 2013) was an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter, best known for his time spent competing in Pacific Northwest Wrestling under the ring name Dutch Savage. Career Savage made his pro d ...

, 78. * August 14 - Gia Allemand, 29 * September 20 –

Angelo Savoldi Mario Louis Fornini (April 21, 1914 – September 20, 2013) was an Italian/American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter, better known professionally as Angelo Savoldi. At the time of his death, he was known as the world's oldest retired ...

, 99. * September 29 –

Gene Petit Gene Petit (c. May 19, 1949 – September 29, 2013) was an American professional wrestler best known for his portrayal of Cousin Luke in the World Wrestling Entertainment, World Wrestling Federation. He also competed under several other gimmicks ...

, c.64. * October 15 –

El Brazo Juan Alvarado Nieves (July 30, 1961 – October 15, 2013) was a Mexican '' luchador'' (professional wrestler). He was best known under the ring name El Brazo (Spanish for "the Arm"), which he used since his debut in 1980. Alvarado was part of th ...

, 52. * October 21 -

Randhawa (wrestler) Sardar Singh Randhawa, popularly known as Randhawa (193321 October 2013), was an Indian professional wrestler and actor. He was the younger brother of wrestler and actor Dara Singh. Early life Randhawa was born in 1933 at Dharmuchakk, a villa ...

, 79/80 * November 4 -

Doug Gashouse Gilbert Douglas Allan Lindzay (1937 – November 4, 2013) was an American professional wrestler who was best known as Doug Gilbert or Gashouse Gilbert in various territories including American Wrestling Association, Georgia Championship Wrestling, an ...

, 76 * November 21 –

Mad Dog Vachon Joseph Maurice Régis Vachon (September 14, 1929 − November 21, 2013) was a Canadian professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Mad Dog Vachon. He was the older brother of wrestlers Paul and Vivian Vachon, and the uncle of wrestl ...

, 84. * December 1 – Garry Robbins, 56 * December 18 -

Onno Boelee Onno Boelee (30 July 1945 – 18 December 2013) was a Dutch-New Zealand actor, judoka, stuntman and professional wrestler. In 1966 he won the Oceania Judo Championships. Although he never won a championship title, he was a popular star in Steve ...

, 68 * December 19 -

Pedro Septién Pedro Septién Orozco (March 21, 1916 – December 19, 2013) was a Mexican sports broadcaster. He was nicknamed ''El Mago'' (Spanish for "The Wizard"). Septien was famous in Mexico due to his vast knowledge about Major League Baseball. He worked ...

, 97 * December 29 –

Ari Romero Jose Luis Arias Romero (December 20, 1951 – December 29, 2013), was a Mexican professional wrestler who wrestled in Mexico, the United States and Japan, under the ring name Ari Romero. Romero earned the nickname "El Rey del Tenedor" ("The King ...

, 62.

References

{{Years in professional wrestling