2011 in professional wrestling

none 2011 professional wrestling 2011 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 2011. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesConsejo Mundial de Lucha LibreCMLLJuggalo Championship WrestlingJCWLN PromotionsLNLucha 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 GuerrillaPWGRing of HonorROHTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTNAWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWWEIn April, the promotion ceased going by its full name and began to solely refer to itself as WWE, becoming an orphaned initialism, though the full name is still the legal name for the company.WWE divided its roster into two storyline divisions, Raw and SmackDown, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs until August, when the brand split ended. Calendar of notable shows January Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom V Tokyo Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 7/8/9 WWC Euphoria San Juan, Puerto Rico Various 9 TNA Genesis Orlando Mr. Anderson defeated Jeff Hardy (c) in a Singles match to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship This event was Matt Hardy's debut in TNA 30 WWE:Raw SmackDown Royal Rumble Boston Alberto Del Rio won the 40-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Santino Marella to earn a world championship match at WrestleMania XXVII Alberto Del Rio chose to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship.Largest Royal Rumble match, which traditionally has 30 participants, until the 50-man Greatest Royal Rumble match in 2018.(c) – denotes defending champion(s) February Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event 12 LN A Nightmare To Remember Villa Rica, Georgia Original Bad Company (Steve Lawler and John Michaels) defeated Joel Deaton and Mr. Atlanta in a Villa Rica Street Fight 13 TNA Against All Odds Orlando Jeff Hardy defeated Mr. Anderson (c) in a Ladder match to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship 15 & 20 NJPW The New Beginning Tokyo (Day 1)Sendai (Day 2) 15 Feb: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Prince Devitt defeated Kojima-gun (Satoshi Kojima and Taka Michinoku) in a Tag team match20 Feb: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Satoshi Kojima in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 20 WWE:Raw SmackDown Elimination Chamber Oakland John Cena defeated CM Punk, John Morrison, Sheamus, Randy Orton, and R-Truth in an Elimination Chamber match for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XXVII 26 ROH ROH 9th Anniversary Show Chicago Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) for a future match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) March Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event 13 TNA Victory Road Orlando Sting (c) defeated Jeff Hardy in a No Disqualification match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship 18 AAA Rey de Reyes Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico 2011 Rey de Reyes final four-way elimination match 26 JCW Hatchet Attacks Milwaukee, Wisconsin Corporal Robinson (c) defeated Ian Rotten in a Barbed wire, Tables, Ladders, and Glass match for the JCW World Heavyweight Championship (c) – denotes defending champion(s) April Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 1–2 ROH Honor Takes Center Stage Atlanta 1 Apr Eddie Edwards (c) defeated Christopher Daniels in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship2 Apr Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated The American Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) 3 WWE:Raw SmackDown WrestleMania XXVII Atlanta The Miz (c) defeated John Cena in a Singles match to retain the WWE Championship This was Edge's last PPV match in his wrestling career until January 2020 17 TNA Lockdown Cincinnati Fortune (Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Robert Roode and James Storm) defeated Immortal (Ric Flair, Abyss, Bully Ray and Matt Hardy) in Lethal Lockdown match 29 CMLL 55. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico La Máscara, La Sombra and Rush defeated La Peste Negra (Mr. Niebla and Negro Casas) and Averno(c) – denotes defending champion(s) May Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 1 WWE:Raw SmackDown Extreme Rules Tampa John Cena defeated The Miz (c) and John Morrison in a Triple threat steel cage match to win the WWE Championship This event was Michelle McCool's last PPV match in her wrestling career and Kharma's debut in WWE 3 NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Fukuoka Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 4 JCW St. Andrews Brawl Detroit, Michigan 2 Tuff Tony and Rhino vs. Rob Conway and Sabu ended in a no contest 15 TNA Sacrifice Orlando Sting (c) defeated Rob Van Dam in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship The event was notable for the return of Chyna to in-ring competition for the first time since 2002; however, it would ultimately be her last match. 22 WWE:Raw SmackDown Over the Limit Seattle John Cena (c) defeated The Miz in an "I Quit" match to retain the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) June Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event 12 TNA Slammiversary Orlando Kurt Angle defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Singles Match to determine the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight ChampionshipIf Jarrett won, Angle would have had to give Jarrett his Olympic Gold Medal. 17 CMLL Juicio Final Mexico City La Máscara defeated Averno in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, Mask vs. Mask match 18 AAA Triplemanía XIX Mexico City, Mexico Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated Rob Van Dam in a Singles match for the inaugural AAA Latin American Championship 18 NJPW Dominion Osaka Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Hirooki Goto in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 19 WWE:Raw SmackDown Capitol Punishment Washington, D.C. John Cena (c) defeated R-Truth in a Singles match to retain the WWE Championship 26 ROH Best in the World New York Davey Richards defeated Eddie Edwards (c) in a Singles match to win the ROH World Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) July Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 10 TNA Destination X Orlando A.J. Styles defeated Christopher Daniels in a Singles Match 15 WWC 38th WWC Aniversario Bayamon, Puerto Rico AJ Castillo and El Cuervo defeated Chris Joel and Steve Joel 17 WWC 38th WWC Aniversario - Night 2 Ponce, Puerto Rico Mr. Big defeated Black Pain 17 WWE:Raw SmackDown Money in the Bank Rosemont CM Punk defeated John Cena (c) in a Singles match to win the WWE ChampionshipSince Cena lost, he was supposed to be fired. The decision to fire Cena was overturned by new Chief Operating Officer Triple H and because CM Punk (kayfabe) left the WWE with the championship after winning it.This match received a 5 Star rating from Dave Meltzer, the first WWE match since 1997 to do so.(c) – denotes defending champion(s) August Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 7 TNA Hardcore Justice Orlando Kurt Angle defeated Sting (c) in a Singles Match to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship1-14NJPWG1 Climax finalTokyoShinsuke Nakamura defeated Tetsuya Naito in a G1 Climax tournament 14 JCW Bloodymania 5 Cave-In-Rock, Illinois Corporal Robinson (c) defeated Vampiro for the JCW World Heavyweight Championship 14 WWE:Raw SmackDown SummerSlam Los Angeles CM Punk (c) defeated John Cena (c) in a Singles match to win the undisputed WWE Championship with Triple H as the special guest referee, then Alberto Del Rio cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated CM Punk (c) in a Singles match to win the WWE Championship. This was the last PPV before the end of the first brand split.20PWGBattle of Los AngelesReseda, CaliforniaEl Generico defeated Kevin Steen in a Battle of Los Angeles tournament 21 CMLL Torneo de Parejas Increibles Mexico City, Mexico N/A(c) – denotes defending champion(s) September Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 11 TNA No Surrender Orlando Kurt Angle (c) defeated Sting and Mr. Anderson in a Three-way match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship 17 ROH Death Before Dishonor New York The All Night Express (Rhett Titus and Kenny King) defeated Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) in a Ladder War III to determine the number one contender for the ROH World Tag Team Championship at Glory By Honor X 18 WWE Night of Champions Buffalo Triple H defeated CM Punk in a No Disqualification match First WWE pay-per-view following the end of the first WWE brand extension. 30 CMLL CMLL 78th Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico 10-man steel cage elimination match Lucha de Apuestas, "hair vs. hair" match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) October Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event 2 WWE Hell in a Cell New Orleans Alberto Del Rio defeated John Cena (c) and CM Punk in a Triple threat Hell in a Cell match to win the WWE Championship 9 AAA Héroes Inmortales IV Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico Los Psycho Circus (Monster Clown, Murder Clown and Psycho Clown) defeated Los Perros del Mal (Damián 666, Halloween and Nicho el Millonario) in a Six-man tag team steel cage Masks vs. Hairs match 10 NJPW Destruction Tokyo Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Tetsuya Naito in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 16 TNA Bound for Glory Philadelphia Kurt Angle (c) defeated Bobby Roode in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship 23 WWE Vengeance San Antonio Alberto Del Rio (c) defeated John Cena in a Last Man Standing match to retain the WWE Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) November Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event Notes 12 NJPW Power Struggle Osaka Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Toru Yano in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 13 TNA Turning Point Orlando Bobby Roode (c) defeated A.J. Styles in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship 19 ROH Glory By Honor X Chicago Ridge Davey Richards (c) defeated El Generico in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship 20 WWE Survivor Series New York City John Cena and The Rock defeated The Miz and R-Truth in a Tag team match This was The Rock's first match since WrestleMania XX in 2004(c) – denotes defending champion(s) December Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main event1WWETribute to the TroopsFayetteville, North CarolinaJohn Cena, Big Show and CM Punk defeated Mark Henry, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in a Six-man tag team match 11 TNA Final Resolution Orlando Bobby Roode (c) wrestled A.J. Styles to a 3–3 draw in a 30-Minute Iron Man match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship 16 CMLL Sin Piedad Mexico City, Mexico Blue Panther defeated El Felino by disqualification in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, hair vs. hair match 18 WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Baltimore CM Punk (c) defeated The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in a Triple threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to retain the WWE Championship 23 ROH Final Battle New York Davey Richards (c) defeated Eddie Edwards in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) Accomplishments and tournaments AAA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRey de ReyesExtreme TigerMarch 18 JWP AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesBlue Star Cup 2011Manami KatsuNovember 20Tag League The Best 2011Kayoko Haruyama and Tsubasa KuragakiMarch 6 Ring of Honor AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesROH World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Lottery TournamentAdam Cole and Kyle O'ReillyJuly 8 TNA AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesTNA X Division Championship #1 Contender TournamentRobbie EFebruary 13Xplosion Championship ChallengeMagnusAugust 9X Division ShowcaseAustin AriesJuly 10Turkey BowlEric YoungNovember 24Maximum Impact TournamentSamoa JoeDecember 13 WWE AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleAlberto Del Rio January 30First and only 40-man Royal Rumble match. Winner received their choice of a championship match for either Raw's WWE Championship or SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXVII; Del Rio last eliminated Santino Marella to win and chose to challenge for his own brand's World Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful against Edge at the event.NXT season 4Johnny CurtisMarch 1Defeated Brodus Clay in the final to win season 4. Due to winning the season, Curtis earned himself and his Pro, R-Truth, a WWE Tag Team Championship match, but after R-Truth turned heel, Curtis teamed up with Michael McGillicutty and finally received the championship match on the October 11, 2012 episode of NXT, but they were defeated by champions Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane).Money in the Bank ladder match(SmackDown)Daniel BryanJuly 17 Defeated Cody Rhodes, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Kane, Sin Cara, Sheamus, and Wade Barrett to win a World Heavyweight Championship match contract. After a voided cash-in attempt on Mark Henry in November, Bryan successfully cashed in his contract at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs to win the title from Big Show, who had just won the title from Henry.Money in the Bank ladder match(Raw)Alberto Del Rio Defeated Alex Riley, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, R-Truth, and Rey Mysterio to win a WWE Championship match contract. Del Rio cashed in the contract at SummerSlam and won the title from CM Punk, who had just defeated John Cena to determine the undisputed WWE Champion.WWE Championship TournamentRey MysterioJuly 25Defeated The Miz in the tournament final to win the vacant WWE Championship; CM Punk had won the title the week before at Money in the Bank, but left WWE with the title, thus WWE set up a tournament to crown a new champion. WWE Hall of Fame WWE Hall of Fame CategoryInducteeInducted byIndividualShawn Michaels Shawn MichaelsTriple H"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan Jim DugganTed DiBiase"Bullet" Bob Armstrong Bob ArmstrongArmstrong Scott, Brad, and Brian ArmstrongSunnyWWE DivasAbdullah the ButcherTerry FunkGroupThe Road WarriorsDusty RhodesCelebrityDrew CareyKane Slammy Awards Slammy Award Poll WinnerOutstanding Achievement in Muppet Resemblance Sheamus and his long lost, red-headed relative BeakerThe Pee-wee Herman Bowtie Award David Otunga, for his Harvard-law-by-way-of-the-Playhouse business attireMost Predictable Outcome of the Year Kevin Nash's powerbomb to Santino Marella after the trombone danceGuess Who's Back or: Return of the Year The RockDouble Vision Moment of the Year Sin Cara vs. Sin CaraT-shirt of the Year CM Punk for "Best in the World" T-shirtWWE.com Exclusive of the Year John Laurinaitis congratulates CM PunkMost Regrettable Attire of the Year Michael Cole as Triple HCritter Moment of the Year The mouse that ran past Alberto Del Rio on RawSuperstar Transformation of the Year Zack Ryder"Tell Me I Did NOT Just See That" Moment of the Year Jim Ross dancing during the "Michael Cole Challenge" on Raw SupershowHoly $#!+ Move of the Year Big Show and Mark Henry implode the ring after a superplex at Vengeance"Pipe Bomb" of the Year CM PunkDivalicious Moment of the Year Kelly Kelly wins the WWE Divas ChampionshipOMG Moment of the Year Triple H performs The Undertaker's Tombstone Piledriver on The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII#Trending Superstar of the Year Zack RyderGame Changer of the Year John Cena vs. The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIIIWWE A-lister of the Year Nicole "Snooki" PolizziSuperstar of the Year CM Punk Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearCM PunkPWI Tag Team of the YearBeer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm)PWI Match of the YearJohn Cena vs. CM Punk (Money in the Bank)PWI Feud of the YearCM Punk vs. John CenaPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearCM PunkPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearThe MizPWI Comeback of the YearStingPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearMark HenryPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearRositaPWI Rookie of the YearAce HawkinsPWI Woman of the YearMickie JamesPWI Lifetime AchievementRandy Savage Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame InducteeKent WaltonSteve WilliamsCurtis Iaukea Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearHiroshi TanahashiMost OutstandingDavey RichardsBest Box Office DrawThe RockFeud of the YearJohn Cena vs. CM PunkTag Team of the YearBad Intentions(Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson)Most ImprovedDolph ZigglerBest on InterviewsCM Punk Title changes AAA AAA Mega ChampionshipIncoming champion – El ZorroDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 18Jeff JarrettTriplemanía XIX AAA Latin American Championship(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 18Dr. Wagner Jr.Triplemanía XIXDecember 16L.A. ParkGuerra de Titanes AAA World Mini-Estrella ChampionshipIncoming champion – OctagoncitoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 6Mini PsicosisTriplemanía XIX AAA World Cruiserweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Jack EvansDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes AAA World Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Los Maniacos (Silver King and Último Gladiador)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 21Extreme Tiger and Jack EvansAAA Sin Límite TV TapingOctober 9La Legión Extranjera(Abyss and Chessman)AAA Sin Límite TV Taping AAA World Mixed Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Faby Apache and Pimpinela EscarlataDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 13La Sociedad(Alan Stone and Jennifer Blake)AAA Television Taping AAA World Trios Championship(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 18Los Perros del Mal(Damián 666, Halloween and X-Fly)Triplemania XIX NJPW IWGP Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Satoshi KojimaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 4Hiroshi TanahashiWrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome Wrestle Kingdom V IWGP Intercontinental Championship(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 15MVPNJPW Invasion Tour 2011 Invasion Tour 2011: Attack on East CoastDefeated Toru Yano in an eight–man tournament final to become the inaugural champion.October 10Masato TanakaDestruction '11 Destruction '11 IWGP Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Prince DevittDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 18Kota IbushiDominion 6.18 Dominion 6.18September 12— Vacated–The championship was vacated after Ibushi was sidelined with a shoulder injury.September 19Prince DevittKantaro Hoshino Memorial Show Kantaro Hoshino Memorial ShowDevitt defeated Kushida to win the vacant championship. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Golden☆Lovers (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 23Apollo 55(Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi)Fantastica Mania 2011 Fantastica Mania 2011October 10No Remorse Corps(Davey Richards and Rocky Romero)Destruction '11 Destruction '11 ROH ROH World ChampionshipIncoming champion – Roderick StrongDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 19Eddie EdwardsManhattan Mayhem IVJune 26Davey RichardsBest in the World ROH World Television ChampionshipIncoming champion – Christopher DanielsDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 26El GenericoBest in the WorldAugust 13Jay LethalRing of Honor Wrestling ROH World Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)April 1Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team(Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin)Honor Takes Center StageDecember 23The Briscoe Brothers(Jay and Mark Briscoe)Final Battle TNA TNA World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Jeff HardyDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 9Anderson Mr. AndersonGenesis 2011 GenesisFebruary 13Hardy, Jeff Jeff HardyAgainst All Odds 2011 Against All OddsThis was a ladder matchFebruary 24(aired March 3)Sting StingImpact! June 12Anderson Mr. AndersonSlammiversary IX SlammiversaryJuly 11(aired July 14)Sting StingImpact Wrestling August 7Angle Kurt AngleHardcore Justice 2011 Hardcore JusticeOctober 18(aired October 20)Storm James StormImpact Wrestling October 26(aired November 3)Roode Bobby RoodeImpact Wrestling TNA X Division ChampionshipIncoming champion – Jay LethalDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 9KazarianGenesisMay 16AbyssImpact WrestlingJuly 10Brian KendrickDestination XSeptember 11Austin AriesNo Surrender TNA World Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 9Beer Money, Inc.(James Storm and Robert/Bobby Roode)GenesisAugust 9Mexican America(Anarquia and Hernandez)Impact WrestlingNovember 14Crimson and Matt MorganImpact Wrestling TNA Knockouts Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Angelina Love and WinterDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 13Mexican America(Sarita and Rosita)Victory RoadJuly 21TnT(Brooke Tessmacher and Tara)Impact WrestlingNovember 3Gail Kim and Madison RayneImpact Wrestling TNA Knockouts ChampionshipIncoming champion – Madison RayneDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)April 17Mickie JamesLockdownAugust 7WinterHardcore JusticeAugust 25Mickie JamesImpact WrestlingSeptember 11WinterNo SurrenderOctober 16Velvet SkyBound for GloryNovember 13Gail KimTurning Point TNA Television ChampionshipIncoming champion – Douglas WilliamsDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 9AbyssGenesisMarch 14— VacatedImpact!March 14GunnerImpact!May 17Eric YoungImpact WrestlingNovember 13Robbie ETurning Point WWE #FBB silver – Raw #BBF silver – SmackDown Prior to the end of the first WWE brand extension in August, Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship and a secondary championship, while the women's championship and male tag team championship were shared across the two brands. WWE ChampionshipIncoming champion – The MizDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 1John CenaExtreme RulesTriple threat steel cage match, also involving John Morrison.July 17CM PunkMoney in the BankCM Punk (kayfabe) left the WWE the day after with the championship. He returned on the July 25 episode of Raw; his reign was deemed to continue through this period.July 25Rey MysterioMonday Night RawDefeated The Miz in a tournament final for the vacant championship. CM Punk was also recognized as champion.John CenaNew Chief Operating Officer Triple H decreed that Rey Mysterio had to face former champion John Cena. CM Punk was also recognized as champion.August 14CM PunkSummerSlamDefeated John Cena in a match to determine the undisputed WWE Champion. This is considered a continuation of Punk's first reign, lasting a total of 28 days. Triple H was the special guest referee.Alberto Del RioCashed in his Money in the Bank contract after CM Punk was attacked by Kevin Nash.The first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the WWE Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown.September 18John CenaNight of ChampionsOctober 2Alberto Del RioHell in a CellTriple threat match, also involving CM Punk.November 20CM PunkSurvivor Series World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – EdgeDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 15(aired February 18)VacatedSmackDownEdge was stripped of the title by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero as a result of using the spear (which had been banned) in a previous match.Dolph ZigglerSmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero awarded the title to Ziggler.EdgeEdge was awarded a rematch the same night by returning General Manager, Theodore Long.April 12(aired April 15)VacatedSmackDownTitle declared vacant due to Edge's retirement.May 1ChristianExtreme RulesDefeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match to win the vacant title.May 3(aired May 6)Randy OrtonSmackDownJuly 17ChristianMoney in the BankDefeated Randy Orton by disqualification after being hit with a low-blow. The stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands via disqualification.August 14Randy OrtonSummerSlamNo Holds Barred matchThe first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the World Heavyweight Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown.September 18Mark HenryNight of ChampionsOn the November 25 episode of SmackDown, Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned Henry. However, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long revealed that Henry was not medically cleared to compete and voided the match. Henry remained champion and the briefcase was returned to Bryan.December 18Big ShowTLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsChairs matchDaniel BryanCashed in his Money in the Bank contract. WWE United States ChampionshipIncoming champion – Daniel BryanDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 14SheamusMonday Night RawIf Sheamus lost, he would have quit the WWE.The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand following the 2011 WWE draft when Sheamus was drafted to SmackDown.May 1Kofi KingstonExtreme RulesTables matchThe title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Kofi Kingston being a member of the Raw roster.June 19Dolph ZigglerCapitol PunishmentThe first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the United States Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown.December 18Zack RyderTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs WWE Intercontinental ChampionshipIncoming champion – Dolph ZigglerDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 4(aired January 7)Kofi KingstonSmackDownMarch 22(aired March 25)Wade BarrettSmackDownJune 19Ezekiel JacksonCapitol PunishmentAugust 9(aired August 12)Cody RhodesSmackDownThe first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the Intercontinental Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown. WWE Divas ChampionshipIncoming champion – NatalyaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 30Eve TorresRoyal RumbleFatal four-way match, also involving Layla and Michelle McCool. Eve pinned Layla to win.April 11Brie BellaMonday Night RawJune 20Kelly KellyRaw: Power to the PeopleThis was a Power to the People special episode of Raw, where Brie Bella's opponent was determined by a fan-voted poll. Kelly Kelly received the highest number of votes over Beth Phoenix and Eve Torres. October 2Beth PhoenixHell in a Cell WWE Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Santino Marella and Vladimir KozlovDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 20The Corre(Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel)Elimination ChamberFebruary 21John Cena and The MizMonday Night RawThe Corre(Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel)April 19(aired April 22)Big Show and KaneSmackDownMay 23The New Nexus(David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty)Monday Night RawOtunga and McGillicutty won the title under the name of The New Nexus, but the stable disbanded during their reign.August 22Air Boom(Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston)Monday Night Raw Debuts January 23 Eri Susa Mayu Iwatani Arisa Hoshiki February 26 - Meari Naito (Ice Ribbon) March 2 – Neko Nitta March 11 - Maki Narumiya April 17 - Sareee May 4 – Trans-Am Hiroshi May 13 - EVIL June 1 – Solo Darling June 18 – Marius Al-Ani June 19 - Bandido June 26 – Saki Kashima July 7 – Cameron July 21 - Nana Kawasa August 7 – Rabbit Miu September 7 – Punch Tominaga September 18 – Yusaku Ito October 22 – Gianni Valletta October 23 – Jason Lee October 29 – Hektor Invictus November 24 – Koji Doi December 18 – Summer Rae Retirements thumb|right|upright|120px|Edge was forced to retire due to a neck injury; however, in 2020, he was cleared to compete again and returned at that year's Royal Rumble in the namesake match Krissy Vaine (September 2000 – 2011) (returned to wrestling in 2019) Taylor Wilde (June 2003 – February 5, 2011) (returned to Impact Wrestling on April 25, 2021 at the Rebellion) Pierre Carl Ouellet (1987-February 8, 2011) (returned to wrestling in 2016) Edge (1992 – April 11, 2011) (was medically cleared in 2020 and returned in that year's Men's Royal Rumble match) Gypsy Joe (1951-January 7, 2011) Dave Kidney (1950s-January 28, 2011) Estrella Blanca (1954-April 17, 2011) Michelle McCool (November 18, 2004 – May 1, 2011) (brief return in 2018 - Royal Rumble and WWE Evolution) Chyna (1995 – May 15, 2011) Roddy Piper (1969–August 12, 2011) Brett DiBiase (July 22, 2008 – August 22, 2011) Daizee Haze (March 29, 2002 – October 1, 2011) Daikokubō Benkei (November 10, 1994 – October 23, 2011) Maryse (July 10, 2006 – October 28, 2011) (as a professional wrestler) (returned to WWE in April 2016 to become her husband's manager/valet and has had a couple of one-off tag team matches teaming with her husband, including one at WrestleMania 33) Takeshi Rikio (May 28, 2000 – November 27, 2011) Nigel McGuinness (September 1999 – December 17, 2011) Brent Albright (October 10, 1998 – December 17, 2011) Deaths thumb|120px|Randy Savage January 1 - Verne Langdon, 69 January 7 – Val Puccio, 45 January 11 - Paul Lincoln, 78 January 23 - Jack LaLanne, 96 January 26 - Shawn Osborne, 34 January 27 - Johnny Heidemann, 90 February 2 - Wolf, 38 March 17 - Fabián el Gitano, 39 March 20 – Oliver Humperdink, 62 April 9 - Chip Fairway, 38 April 11 - Larry Sweeney, 30 May 20 – Randy Savage, 58http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/randy-savage.html Randy Savage's Profile Online World of Wrestling August 17, 2017 June 21 - Tim Burke, 50 August 11 – Scott LeDoux, 62 August 20 – Rafael Halperin, (b. 1924) 86 or 87 August 25 – Donna Christianello, 69 September 6 – Little Tokyo, 70 September 20 - Johnny Barend, 82 October 11 – Doctor X, 43 October 29 - Jimmy Savile, 84 November 10 - Killer Karl Kox, 80 November 22 - Bison Smith, 38 December 21 - Umanosuke Ueda, 71 See also List of NJPW pay-per-view events List of ROH pay-per-view events List of TNA pay-per-view events List of WWE pay-per-view events References professional wrestling