2003 in professional wrestling

none 2003 professional wrestling 2003 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 2003. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesConsejo Mundial de Lucha LibreCMLLLucha Libre AAA WorldwideAAAThe "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.New Japan Pro-WrestlingNJPWPro Wrestling IronPWIRing of HonorROHWorld Japan Pro WrestlingWJWorld Wrestling All-StarsWWAWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWWEWWE divided its roster into two storyline divisions, Raw and SmackDown!, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs. Calendar of notable shows January DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJanuary 4 NJPWWrestling WorldTokyo, JapanYuji Nagata (c) defeated Josh Barnett in a Singles match for the IWGP Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 19 WWE:Raw SmackDown!Royal RumbleBoston, MassachusettsBrock Lesnar won by last eliminating The Undertaker in a 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at Wrestlemania XIXhttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#2003 Royal Rumble Event Results Pro Wrestling History 2009-07-09(c) – denotes defending champion(s) February DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventFebruary 8 ROHOne Year Anniversary ShowQueens, New YorkDa Hit Squad (Mafia and Monsta Mack), Divine Storm (Chris Divine and Quiet Storm), The S.A.T. (Jose and Joel Maximo) and Mikey Whipwreck defeated Special K (Angel Dust, Brian XL, Deranged, Dixie, Hydro, Izzy, Jody Fleisch, Slim J, Slugger and Yeyo) in a Handicap Scramble matchFebruary 23 WWE:Raw SmackDown!No Way OutMontreal, QuebecThe Rock defeated Hulk Hogan in a Singles matchhttp://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/nowayout.html#2003 WWE No Way Out 2003 Pro Wrestling History 2008-03-13(c) – denotes defending champion(s) March DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventMarch 1 WJWJ MAGMA01Tokyo, JapanRiki Choshu defeated Genichiro Tenryu at the first World Japan eventMarch 16 AAARey de ReyesZapopan, Jalisco, MexicoLa Parka Jr. defeated Abismo Negro in a 2003 Rey de Reyes tournament finalMarch 30 WWE:Raw SmackDown!WrestleMania XIXSeattle, WashingtonBrock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle (c) in a Singles match for the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) April DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventApril 4 CMLL47. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoShocker defeated Vampiro Canadiense in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair matchApril 27 WWE:Raw SmackDown!BacklashWorcester, MassachusettsGoldberg defeated The Rock in a Singles match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) May DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventMay 9 CMLLInternational Gran PrixMexico City, MexicoBrazo de Plata, Cien Caras, and Gran Markus Jr. defeated Los Boricuas (Pierroth Jr., Sadam, and Violencia) in a Best two-out-of-three falls six-man tag team matchMay 18 WWE:Raw SmackDown!Judgment DayCharlotte, North CarolinaBrock Lesnar (c) defeated Big Show in a Stretcher match for the WWE ChampionshipMay 25 WWAThe ReckoningAuckland, New ZealandJeff Jarrett (NWA World Heavyweight Champion) defeated Sting (WWA World Heavyweight Champion) in a Title Unification match to unify the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the WWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipMay 31 N/ASecond Annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial ShowFranklin Square, New YorkRaven defeated Balls Mahoney (c) in a Singles match for the USA Pro Heavyweight Championship (c) – denotes defending champion(s) June DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJune 7 WWE:RawInsurrextionNewcastle, England Triple H (c) defeated Kevin Nash in a Street Fight for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 15 AAATriplemanía XINaucalpan, MexicoLizmark, La Parka, Octagón and Super Caló defeated Abismo Negro, Cibernético and The Headhunters (Headhunter A and Headhunter B) by disqualification in a Best two-out-of-three falls eight-man "Atómicos" tag team matchJune 15 WWE:RawBad BloodHouston, TexasTriple H (c) defeated Kevin Nash in a Hell in a Cell match for the World Heavyweight Championship with Mick Foley as special guest referee(c) – denotes defending champion(s) July DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJuly 19 ROHDeath Before DishonorElizabeth, New JerseySamoa Joe (c) vs. Paul London for the ROH World Championship WWCWWC 30th AniversarioCarolina, Puerto RicoThunder versus Lightning went to a no contest in a Singles matchJuly 20WJWJ MAGMA03TokyoKensuke Sasaki defeats Kenzo Suzuki in a tournament final for the vacant WMG Heavyweight TitleJuly 27 WWE:SmackDown!VengeanceDenver, ColoradoKurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar (c) and Big Show in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) August DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventAugust 10–17NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyoHiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Jun Akiyama by submission in a G1 Climax tournament finalAugust 24 WWE:Raw SmackDown!SummerSlamPhoenix, ArizonaTriple H (c) defeated Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Kevin Nash in an Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 31 AAA Verano de Escándalo-AMonterrey, MexicoLa Parka and Latin Lover defeated Cibernético and Héctor Garza in a tag team match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) September DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventSeptember 16 AAA Verano de Escándalo-BSan Luis Potosí, MexicoLa Parka, Latin Lover and Máscara Sagrada defeated Cibernético, Héctor Garza and Juventud Guerrera in a Six-man Lucha Libre rules tag team matchSeptember 19 CMLLCMLL 70th Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoShocker defeated Tarzan Boy in a Best two-out-of-three Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair matchSeptember 20 ROHGlory By Honor IIPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaSamoa Joe (c) vs. Christopher Daniels for the ROH World ChampionshipSeptember 21 WWE:RawUnforgivenHershey, PennsylvaniaGoldberg defeated Triple H (c) in a Title vs. Career match for the World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/unforgiven.html#2003 Unforgiven 2003 Pro Wrestling History 2008-02-22September 28 AAA Verano de Escándalo-CGuadalajara, MexicoLa Parka defeated Cibernético in a Street Fight(c) – denotes defending champion(s) October DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventOctober 19 WWE:SmackDown!No MercyBaltimore, MarylandBrock Lesnar (c) defeated The Undertaker in a Biker Chain match for the WWE Championshiphttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/nomercy.html#2003 No Mercy 2003 at Pro Wrestling History Pro Wrestling History 2008-11-03(c) – denotes defending champion(s) November DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNovember 15 PWI Mike Lockwood Memorial ShowLathrop, CaliforniaDonovan Morgan, Frank Murdoch and Vinny Massaro defeated Hook Bomberry and the Thomaselli Brothers (Vito and Sal Thomaselli) in a Six-man tag team matchNovember 16 WWE:Raw SmackDown!Survivor SeriesDallas, Texas Goldberg (c) defeated Triple H in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight ChampionshipNovember 30 AAAGuerra de TitanesVeracruz, MexicoLatin Lover and Michael Shane defeated Mr. Aguila and David Young in a Final tag team match in the Televisa Tag Team Tournament(c) – denotes defending champion(s) December DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventDecember 5 CMLLSin PiedadMexico City, MexicoUniverso 2000 defeated Pierroth Jr. in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair matchDecember 14 WWE:RawArmageddonOrlando, FloridaTriple H defeated Goldberg (c) and Kane in a Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/armageddon.html#2003 Armageddon 2003 results Pro Wrestling History https://web.archive.org/web/20080623205432/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/armageddon.html#2003 June 23, 2008 dead August 4, 2008December 25WWE:SmackDown!Tribute to the TroopsBaghdad, IraqJohn Cena defeated Big Show in a Singles matchDecember 27 ROHFinal BattlePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Prophecy (Christopher Daniels and Dan Maff) vs. The Great Muta and Arashi(c) – denotes defending champion(s) Accomplishments and tournaments AAA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRey de ReyesLa Parka Jr.March 16 AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesJapan Grand Prix 2003Amazing KongAugust 3Tag League The Best 2003Ayako Hamada and Nanae TakahashiDecember 23 AJPW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesChampion Carnival 2003Satoshi KojimaMarch 28Junior Heavyweight Champion CarnivalCarl MalenkoApril 10World's Strongest Determination League 2003Justin Credible and JamalDecember 2 Ring of Honor AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesField of HonorMatt StrykerDecember 27 TNA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesTNA Hard 10 TournamentThe SandmanTNA Anarchy Alliance Tag Team TournamentAmerica's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)June 112003 TNA Super X Cup TournamentChris SabinSeptember 3 TNA Year End Awards Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Year End Awards Poll Winner(s)Tag Team of the YearAmerica's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)Babe of the YearTrinityFinisher of the YearThe Styles ClashWho To Watch in 2004AbyssMemorable Moment of the YearJeff Jarrett attacks Hulk Hogan in JapanX Division Star of the YearMatt BentleyMatch of the YearThe first ever Ultimate X MatchMr. TNAA.J. Styles World Japan AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesWJ Strongest TournamentKensuke SasakiJuly 20WMG Tag Team Title TournamentGenichiro Tenryu and Riki ChoshuAugust 21WMJ Young Magma CupTomohiro IshiiAugust 13 WWE AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleBrock LesnarJanuary 19Winner received a match for their own brand's world championship at WrestleMania XIX—either Raw's World Heavyweight Championship or SmackDown's WWE Championship. Lesnar from SmackDown last eliminated The Undertaker to win a match for the WWE Championship, which he subsequently won from Kurt Angle.WWE Championship #1 Contender's TournamentJohn CenaApril 15Defeated Chris Benoit in the tournament final to win a match for the WWE Championship at Backlash, but was unsuccessful against Brock Lesnar.WWE United States Championship TournamentEddie GuerreroJuly 27Defeated Chris Benoit in the tournament final to win the reinstated United States Championship, which was previously a World Championship Wrestling title; the title was deactivated in 2001 when it was unified with the Intercontinental Championship at that year's Survivor Series. Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearKurt AnglePWI Tag Team of the YearThe World's Greatest Tag Team(Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin)PWI Match of the YearKurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (SmackDown!, September 16)PWI Feud of the YearBrock Lesnar vs. Kurt AnglePWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearKurt AnglePWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearTriple HPWI Comeback of the YearKurt AnglePWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearJohn CenaPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearZach GowenPWI Rookie of the YearZach GowenPWI Woman of the YearTrish StratusPWI Lifetime AchievementBret Hart Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame InducteeChris BenoitEarl CaddockFrancisco FloresShawn Michaels Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearKenta KobashiMost OutstandingKurt AngleFeud of the YearKurt Angle vs. Brock LesnarTag Team of the YearKenta and Naomichi MarufujiMost ImprovedBrock LesnarBest on InterviewsChris Jericho Title changes NJPW IWGP Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Yuji NagataDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 2Yoshihiro TakayamaUltimate CrushNovember 3Hiroyoshi TenzanYokohama Dead OutDecember 9Shinsuke NakamuraBattle Final IWGP Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Cho-Ten (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 13Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yutaka YoshieCrushDecember 14Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Osamu NishimuraBattle Final IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Koji KanemotoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)April 23Tiger MaskStrong EnergySeptember 23VacatedN/A October 13JadoUltimate CrushDecember 14HeatBattle Final IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Tsuyoshi Kikuchi and Yoshinobu KanemaruDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 26Jushin Thunder Liger and Koji KanemotoThe First NavigationNovember 4VacatedN/ANovember 29Gedo and JadoBattle Final WWE #FBB silver – Raw #BBF silver – SmackDown Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship, a secondary championship, and a tag team championship for male wrestlers. SmackDown also had a title for their cruiserweight wrestlers. There was only one women's championship and it was exclusive to Raw. World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Triple HDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)September 21GoldbergUnforgivenCareer vs. title matchDecember 14Triple HArmageddonTriple threat match, also involving Kane. WWE ChampionshipIncoming champion – Kurt AngleDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 30Brock LesnarWrestleMania XIXJuly 27Kurt AngleVengeanceTriple threat match, also involving Big Show.September 16(aired September 18)Brock LesnarSmackDown!60-minute Iron Man match. WWE Intercontinental Championship(Title reactivated)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 18ChristianJudgment DayRaw Co-General Manager Stone Cold Steve Austin reactivated the title. Christian won the revived title in a battle royal. July 7Booker TMonday Night RawAugust 10ChristianHouse showSeptember 29Rob Van DamMonday Night RawLadder matchOctober 27Chris JerichoMonday Night RawRob Van DamSteel cage matchDecember 14Randy OrtonArmageddonMick Foley was the special guest referee. WWE United States Championship(Title reactivated)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 27Eddie GuerreroVengeanceFormerly the WCW United States Championship, the title was reactivated as an exclusive title of the SmackDown! brand. Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit in a tournament final for the revived title. October 19Big ShowNo Mercy WWE Women's ChampionshipIncoming champion – VictoriaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 30Trish StratusWrestleMania XIXTriple threat match, also involving Jazz.April 27JazzBacklashJune 30Gail KimMonday Night RawSeven-woman battle royal, also involving Ivory, Jacqueline, Molly Holly, Trish Stratus, and Victoria. July 28Molly HollyMonday Night Raw World Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Booker T and GoldustDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 6William Regal and Lance StormMonday Night RawJanuary 19The Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)Royal RumbleJanuary 20William Regal and Lance StormMonday Night RawMarch 24VacatedMonday Night RawVacated due to William Regal getting injured.Chief Morley and Lance StormMorley awarded himself and Storm the titles.March 31Kane and Rob Van DamMonday Night RawThree-way tag team elimination match, also involving The Dudley Boyz. June 15La Résistance(René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier)Bad BloodSeptember 21The Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)UnforgivenHandicap tables match in which Robért Conway teamed with La Résistance. December 14Evolution(Batista and Ric Flair)ArmageddonTag team turmoil match, also involving Robért Conway and René Duprée, The Hurricane and Rosey, Mark Jindrak and Garrison Cade, Val Venis and Lance Storm, and Test and Scott Steiner. WWE Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero Jr.)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 4(aired February 6)Team Angle(Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas)SmackDown!May 18Eddie Guerrero and TajiriJudgment DayLadder match. Los Guerreros had invoked their rematch clause, but Chavo Guerrero Jr. got injured prior to the match. Instead of forfeiting, Tajiri replaced Chavo.July 1(aired July 3)The World's Greatest Tag Team(Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas)SmackDown!After Benjamin and Haas lost the titles to Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri, they were "fired" from Team Angle. They then became known as The World's Greatest Tag Team.September 16(aired September 18)Los Guerreros(Eddie and Chavo Guerrero Jr.)SmackDown!October 21(aired October 23)The Basham Brothers(Doug and Danny Basham)SmackDown! WWE Cruiserweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Billy KidmanDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 23Matt HardyNo Way OutJune 3(aired June 5)Rey MysterioSmackDown!September 23(aired September 25)TajiriSmackDown!December 30(aired January 1, 2004)Rey MysterioSmackDown! Births January 5 – Sloane Jacobs January 23 – Kaho Matsushita February 5 - Starboy Charlie March 10 – Komomo Minami March 27 – Kazuma Sumi June 22 – Ema Maishima August 3 – Bozilla August 30 – Jackson Drake September 9 – Thea Hail October 13 – Zayda Steel December 11 – Kylie Paige December 23 – Kikyo Furusawa Debuts thumb|120px|right|Drew McIntyre Uncertain debut date Aero Star Drew McIntyre John Wayne Murdoch January 31 – Nobutaka Moribe June 26 – Daichi Kakimoto February 2 - Hiroshi Nagao February 15 - LA Knight March 16 - Hiroshi Nagao and Takaya Shibayama July 6 - Deborah K July 7 - Kuniyoshi Wada July 20 - Kyoko Kimura August 1 – Mike Mizanin August 2 – Mickie Knuckles September 17 - TAMURA October 3 - Andrade El Idolo October 11 - Ricochet December 14 - Yuya Susumu, Juri Ogawa and Yumiko Kawada Retirements Steve Austin (1989–March 2003) (returned to wrestle at Wrestlemania 38) Bruce Hart (1972–2003)https://archive.today/20240524144150/https://www.webcitation.org/5knSG6rek?url=http://www.geocities.com/canadianwrestlemedia/Canwest5.htm Vance Nevada's Canadian Wrestling Results Archive (Stampede, December 2, 1972) Brian Adams (1986–January 2003) Eric Angle (2000-December 2003) Taylor Matheny (2001–2003) Nick Mondo (1999-2003) (Returned for a match in 2017) Christopher Nowinski (2001-June 24, 2003) Ahmed Johnson (1989-November 2003) Deaths thumb|right|120px|Curt Hennig January 18 - The Original Sheik, 76 February 3 - Shadito Cruz, 88 February 10 – Curt Hennig, 44 March 19 – Hiromichi Fuyuki, 42 March 20 - Sailor Art Thomas, 79 April 16 - Ray Mendoza, 73 May 1 – Miss Elizabeth, 42 June 2 – Freddie Blassie, 85 July 20 - Bullwhip Johnson, 49 August 8 - Giant Ochiai, 30 August 24 - Kent Walton, 86 September 7 - Great Antonio, 75 September 25 – Anthony Durante, 36 October 16 – Stu Hart, 88CLEVETT, Jason (October 24, 2003). "Friends and family celebrate Stu". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. October 19 – Road Warrior Hawk, 46 October 26 - Floyd Creatchman, 46 November 6 - Crash Holly, 32 November 24 - Dick Hutton, 80 November 29 – Moondog Spot, 51 December 6 – Jerry Tuite, 36 December 19 - Mike Lozansky, 35 December 26 – Danny Fargo, 44 See also List of WWA pay-per-view events List of WWE pay-per-view events References professional wrestling