1990 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of

professional wrestling Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...

List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable shows in 1990.

Calendar of notable shows

Notable events

* January 1 – The

CWA CWA or Cwa may refer to: Organisations * CWA Constructions, a Swiss manufacturer of gondolas and people mover cabins, a division of Doppelmayr Garaventa Group * Catch Wrestling Association, a former German professional wrestling promotion * Contin ...

merges with the

United States Wrestling Association The United States Wrestling Association (USWA) was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. The company was founded when the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association merged with the Dallas-based World Class Wrestling ...

* May 5 – Two World title matches was held at a

AWA Awa (or variants) may refer to: People * Awa (given name), notable people named Awa or Hawa * Awá (Brazil), an indigenous people of Brazil * Awa-Kwaiker, an indigenous people of Colombia and Ecuador Languages * Awa language (China) or Wa (Va) ...

Twin Wars '90 live event where

Larry Zbyszko Lawrence Whistler (born December 5, 1951), better known by the ring name Larry Zbyszko, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, Bruno Sammartino, during the early 1980s as well as his ...

defeated

Nikita Koloff Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson on March 9, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with Jim Crockett Promotions and its successor, World Championship Wrestling between 1984 and 1992, where ...

to retain the

AWA World Heavyweight title The AWA World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship and the highest ranked championship in the defunct American Wrestling Association (AWA). All AWA trademarks, including the AWA World Heavyweight C ...

and

NWA World Heavyweight Champion The NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship is a world heavyweight professional wrestling championship owned and promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an American professional wrestling promotion. The current champion is Tyrus, who is in ...

Ric Flair Richard Morgan Fliehr (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American professional wrestler. Regarded by multiple peers and journalists as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Flair has had a career spanni ...

defeated

Brian Pillman Brian William Pillman (May 22, 1962 – October 5, 1997) was an American professional wrestler and professional football player best known for his appearances in Stampede Wrestling in the 1980s and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Ch ...

* July 16-

The Road Warriors The Road Warriors, also known as the Legion of Doom, were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Road Warrior Hawk (Michael Hegstrand) and Road Warrior Animal (Joseph Laurinaitis).. They performed under the name "The Road Warriors" in th ...

and "The Texas Tornado"

Kerry Von Erich Kerry Gene Adkisson (February 3, 1960 – February 18, 1993), better known by his ring name Kerry Von Erich, was an American professional wrestler. He was part of the Von Erich family of professional wrestlers. He is best known for his time with ...

made their WWF debuts at a

WWF Wrestling Challenge ''WWF Wrestling Challenge'' is a professional wrestling television show that was produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as WWE). It was syndicated weekly and aired from 1986 to 1995. The show became simply known as ''WWF Cha ...

TV taping. * August 12 – The

hosts their Team Challenge Series final and two title changes were taped with Buck Zumhoff defeating Jonnie Stewart for the reactivated AWA Light Heavyweight title and The Trooper and D.J. Peterson defeating the Destruction Crew for the AWA World Tag Team titles at their final TV taping in Rochester, MN * August 26 – The

Herb Abrams Herbert Charles Abrams (July 9, 1955 – July 23, 1996), also known by the nickname Mr. Electricity, was an American professional wrestling promoter from Queens, New York, who founded the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) in 1990. Early life ...

version of the

Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams) Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) was an American professional wrestling promotion owned by Herb Abrams from 1990 to 1996. The company aired nationally on SportsChannel America, and later on Prime Ticket and ESPN2. History Herb Abrams founded ...

was launched at a Wrestling fans convention in New York, NY * November 22 –

The Undertaker Mark William Calaway (born March 24, 1965), better known by the ring name The Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Calaway spent the vast majority ...

and

The Gobbledy Gooker The Gobbledy Gooker is a professional wrestling turkey mascot originally portrayed by Héctor Guerrero. In the weeks leading up to the 1990 Survivor Series, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) hyped its debut by showcasing a large eg ...

(

Héctor Guerrero Héctor Manuel Guerrero Llanes (born October 1, 1954) is a Mexican American former commentator and professional wrestler. He is a part of professional wrestling's Guerrero family along with his father Gory, brothers Chavo, Mando, and Eddie ...

) debut at WWF Survivor Series * November 23 –

World Class Championship Wrestling World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), later known as the World Class Wrestling Association (WCWA) (1986–1991) was an American professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed ...

(WCCW) held its final show. * December 1 –

WCW World Championship Wrestling, Inc. (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of Nationa ...

drops the

NWA NWA or Nwa most commonly refers to: * N.W.A ("Niggaz Wit Attitudes"), a hip hop group from Compton, California, US * National Wrestling Alliance, a professional wrestling organization NWA or Nwa may refer to: Music * New Weird America, a subgenr ...

brand from their TV shows and championships.

Accomplishments and tournaments

AJW

AJPW

WCW

WWF

Awards and honors

''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Title changes

WWF

Debuts

Debut date

* January 17 - Yukihide Ueno and

Ryo Miyake is a Japanese fencer. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he competed in the Fencing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's foil, Men's foil, but was defeated in the second round. He won a silver medal in the team foil event. During the postponement of ...

* January 13 – Tatanka * February 12 - Lee Gak Soo(이각수) (FMW) * February 22 -

Masao Orihara (born June 16, 1969) is a Japanese professional wrestler. Orihara is known by his career in numerous Japanese promotions such as Michinoku Pro Wrestling, Wrestle Association R, Battlarts and Dramatic Dream Team. Professional wrestling career O ...

* March 10 - Kim Hyun Hwan (FMW) * March 15 - Ultraman Robin * March 27 - Hiroaki Hatanaka * May 12 - Flying Kid Ichihara * May 19 –

El Gigante EL, El or el may refer to: Religion * El (deity), a Semitic word for "God" People * EL (rapper) (born 1983), stage name of Elorm Adablah, a Ghanaian rapper and sound engineer * El DeBarge, music artist * El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American po ...

* June 9 - J.T. Smith * July 21 - Akemi Torisu (All Japan Women's) * July 22 - Shooter Niiyama * August 13 -

Takaku Fuke Takaku Fuke (冨宅飛駈; January 30, 1969), born Yusuke Fuke (冨宅裕介) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial arts fighter. He was most notably involved in the early days of Pancrase, at infancy of Mixed Martial Arts ...

* September 21 –

Tomoko Watanabe Tomoko Watanabe (born 14 April 1971) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and com ...

* October 2 –

Chris Jericho Christopher Keith Irvine (born November 9, 1970), better known by the ring name Chris Jericho, is an American-Canadian professional wrestler and singer. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Jeri ...

* October 10 - Numacchi (All Japan Women's) * November 1 –

Mikiko Futagami better known by her ring name (often stylized in capital letters as GAMI) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, Arsion and JWP Joshi Puroresu. Professional wrestl ...

(JWP) and Sumiko Saito (JWP) * December 20 - Kintaro Kanemura * December 22 -

Bad Nurse Nakamura is a retired Japanese professional wrestler known as . She worked most of her career for Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling. Career After dropping out of high school, Rie Nakamura joined the Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling Dojo, where she was traine ...

Uncertain debut date

Bill DeMott William Charles DeMott II (born November 10, 1966) is an American retired professional wrestler and road agent and trainer. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Hugh Morrus and World Wrestling Federatio ...

Sweet Saraya Julia Hamer (née Hamer; born 19 October 1971), better known by her ring names Sweet Saraya and Saraya Knight, is an English professional wrestler, trainer and promoter. She is also the mother of AEW wrestler Saraya. Early life Hamer was bor ...

Debbie Malenko Deborah Killian (born March 10, 1971) is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her work in ''joshi puroresu'' organizations such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Professional wrestling career Early Career (1990) Malenk ...

Ray González Ramón González Rivera (born May 4, 1972), better known by his ring name Ray González, is a Puerto Rican Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and businessman. He has performed in the World Wrestling Council (WWC) and International Wres ...

Marc Mero Marc Mero (born July 9, 1960) is an American former Amateur boxing, amateur boxer and professional wrestling, professional wrestler, as well as a motivational speaker. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF ...

* The Gambler * Big Vito *

Buff Bagwell Marcus Alexander Bagwell (born January 10, 1970) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Buff Bagwell. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1991 to 2 ...

*Shiho Tsubaki (All Japan Women)

Retirements

Otto Wanz Otto Wanz (June 13, 1943 – September 14, 2017) was an Austrian professional wrestler and Boxing, boxer. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1968. He is a one time American Wrestling Association champion and former operator of the Catch W ...

(1968–1990) *

Frenchy Martin Jean Gagné (July 19, 1947 – October 21, 2016) was a French–Canadian professional wrestler and manager, best known under the ring name Frenchy Martin. During his World Wrestling Federation heyday in the 1980s as the manager of Canadian wrestle ...

(1971–1990) *

Ann Casey Lucille Ann Casey (September 29, 1938 – March 1, 2021) was an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Ann Casey, or Panther Girl. Early life Casey was born in Saraland, Alabama, one of nine children to John and Viola Cas ...

(1962–1990) *

Nick Kiniski Nicholas Kiniski (born August 25, 1961) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his work with WCCW, PNW and AWA and for being one half of the tag team American Force with Paul Diamond in Texas All-Star Wrestling. He an ...

(1985–1990) *

Ole Anderson Alan Robert Rogowski (born September 22, 1942), better known by the ring name Ole Anderson (), is an American retired professional wrestler, referee, manager, and promoter. Part of the Anderson family, Anderson was a founding member of the influen ...

(1967–1990) *

Ray Candy Ray Canty (December 3, 1951 – May 23, 1994), better known by the ring name Ray Candy, was an American professional wrestler who worked for a variety of different wrestling promotions in the United States, Japan and Puerto Rico such as Jim Crocke ...

(1973–1990) *

Raymond Rougeau Raymond Rougeau (born February 18, 1955) is a Canadian politician, former professional wrestler and French language commentator. He most notably worked for the World Wrestling Federation between 1986 and 2002, firstly as one of The Fabulous Rouge ...

(1971–1990) *

Ron Hutchison Ron Hutchison (born February 7, 1964) is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, trainer and promoter who competed for Canadian independent promotions such as Grand Prix Wrestling and Maple Leaf Wrestling as well as a brief stint in the World Wre ...

(1983–1990) *

Scott Casey Scott Casey (born March 19, 1947) is an American retired professional wrestler, best known for his stint in the World Wrestling Federation between 1987 and 1990. Professional wrestling career Early career Scott Casey began his wrestling caree ...

(1970–1990) *

Seiji Sakaguchi is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and judoka, Sakaguchi holds a 7th dan red and white belt in Judo. Sakaguchi was a mainstay of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the Nati ...

(August 5, 1967 – March 15, 1990) *

Soldat Ustinov Jim Lanning (born October 10, 1960) is a retired American professional wrestler, best known by the ring name Soldat Ustinov, who competed in North American regional promotions including the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and the American Wres ...

(1985-October 25, 1990) *

Uncle Elmer Stanley C. Fraizer (August 16, 1937 – July 1, 1992), also known as Plowboy Frazier, was an American professional wrestler. He was primarily a regional gimmick wrestler, employed for his massive size and unique personality. He is best known as U ...

(1960–1990) *

Lou Thesz Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz (April 24, 1916 – April 28, 2002) was an American professional wrestler. He was a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and held the title for a combined total of 10 years, three months and nine days (3,749 ...

(1932–December 26, 1990) *

Les Thornton Les Thornton (9 April 1934 – 1 February 2019) was a British professional wrestler who competed in Great Britain, Japan, European and North American regional promotions throughout the 1970s and 1980s including Joint Promotions, Stampede Wrestli ...

(1957–1990)

Births

*January 7 - Jack Gallagher *January 14 –

Kacy Catanzaro Kacy Esther Catanzaro (born January 14, 1990) is an American professional wrestler, gymnast and athletics-based television personality. She is currently signed with WWE on the NXT brand under the ring name Katana Chance. She competed at ...

, American female wrestler *January 23 - Alex Silva, Canadian wrestler *March 6 –

Demitrius Bronson Demitrius Bronson (born March 6, 1990) is an American professional wrestler and retired American football running back of the National Football League. During his time in the NFL, Bronson was a member of the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins. ...

, American wrestler *March 7 –

Chase Owens Chase Owens (チェーズ・オーエンズ ''Chēzu Ōenzu'', born March 7, 1990) is an American professional wrestler currently signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club. He is a former IWGP Tag Team Champ ...

, American wrestler *March 15 -

Jordan Devlin Jordan Devlin (born 15 March 1990) is an Irish professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name JD McDonagh. He previously performed in NXT UK, where was a one-time and the longest rei ...

*March 24 –

Lacey Evans Macey Estrella-Kadlec (née Evans; born March 24, 1990) is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Lacey Evans. Originally introduced to wrestling while serving as a militar ...

, American female wrestler *April 2 –

Sawyer Fulton Jacob Southwick (born April 2, 1990) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madman Fulton, where he was a former member of OVE (Ohio Versus Everything). He also wr ...

, American wrestler *April 30 –

Tomahawk T.T. is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Gleat. He also previously worked for Oriental Wrestling Entertainment promotion under the ring name T-Hawk. He is also known for his work with Mexican promotion International Wrestlin ...

, Japanese wrestler *May 1 -

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 ...

*May 2 -

Mahabali Shera Amanpreet Singh Randhawa (born 2 May 1990) is an Indian professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling where he performs under the ring name Mahabali Shera or simply Shera. He also had a brief stint under con ...

*May 25 –

Bo Dallas Taylor Michael Rotunda (born May 25, 1990) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Bo Dallas. Rotunda is a third-generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Blac ...

*June 27 –

Kimber Lee Kimberly Ann Frankele (born June 27, 1990), better known by her ring name Kimber Lee, is an American professional wrestler who is currently a free agent. She is known for her work on both the American and international independent circuits, mos ...

*July 6 –

Puma Puma or PUMA may refer to: Animals * ''Puma'' (genus), a genus in the family Felidae ** Puma (species) or cougar, a large cat Businesses and organisations * Puma (brand), a multinational shoe and sportswear company * Puma Energy, a mid- and d ...

, Mexican luchador *July 8 –

Axel Dieter Jr. Marcel Barthel (born 8 July 1990) is a German professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Ludwig Kaiser. He is a member of Imperium. Before coming to WWE, Barthel wrestled primari ...

*July 18 **

Golden Magic Golden Magic (born July 18, 1990) is a Mexican ''luchador enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotions Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), where he is a former AAA World Trios Ch ...

, Mexican luchador **

Mandy Rose Amanda Rose Saccomanno (born July 18, 1990) is an American professional wrestler, television personality, and fitness and figure competitor. She is best known for her time in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Mandy Rose. Rose began ...

, American female wrestler *July 21 –

Fabian Aichner Fabian Aichner (born 21 July 1990) is an Italian professional wrestler signed to WWE where he performs on SmackDown brand under the ring name Giovanni Vinci. He is a member of Imperium. Aichner previously worked on the U.S. independent circuit, ...

, Italian wrestler *July 24 – Angelo Dawkins, American wrestler *July 24 –

Tucker Knight Levi Rolla Cooper (born July 24, 1990) is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Tucker. After signing with WWE in 2013, he was assigned to their developmental brand NXT, under t ...

*August 8 -

Zack Gibson Jack Rea (born 8 August 1990) is an English professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Rip Fowler. He is also known for his work as Zack Gibson on the UK independent circuit. He f ...

, English wrestler *August 15 –

Diamante A diamanté (also spelled diamante) is a glittering ornament, such as an artificial jewel (e.g. a rhinestone) or a sequin. Diamante may also refer to: Places Argentina * Diamante, Entre Ríos, a ''municipio'' in Diamante Department * Diamante ...

, American female wrestler *August 17 - Danhausen *September 15 – Titán, Mexican luchador *September 18 –

Herodes Jr. Herodes Jr. (born September 18, 1990) is a Mexican ''luchador'', or professional wrestler best known for working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) portraying a ''rudo'' ("bad guy") wrestling ...

, Mexican luchador *September 26 – Eterno, Mexican luchador *September 30 ** Isaiah Swerve Scott ** Toru Sugiura *October 2 -

Barbi Hayden Callee Wilkerson (October 2, 1990) is an American retired professional wrestler, known by her ring names Barbi Hayden and Abilene Maverick. She is a one-time NWA World Women's Champion. She is best known for her frequent work in ACW, the NWA, an ...

*October 14 –

Raquel Diaz Shaul Marie Guerrero (born October 14, 1990) is an American professional wrestler, ring announcer and burlesque performer. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she performed under the ring name Raquel Di ...

, American retired professional wrestler *October 17 –

, Indian wrestler *November 9 –

Robin Robin may refer to: Animals * Australasian robins, red-breasted songbirds of the family Petroicidae * Many members of the subfamily Saxicolinae (Old World chats), including: **European robin (''Erithacus rubecula'') **Bush-robin **Forest rob ...

, Mexican luchador *December 27 –

Zelina Vega Thea Megan Trinidad Büdgen (born December 27, 1990) is an American professional wrestler and actress. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Zelina Vega, and is a member of Legado Del Fantas ...

, American female wrestler *December 30 –

Fenix Fenix, Fénix (Spanish and Portuguese) and Fênix (Brazilian Portuguese) all mean Phoenix (mythology), phoenix and may refer to: Business * Fenix Automotive, a British supercar manufacturer founded by Lee Noble in 2009 * Fénix Directo, a Spanish ...

, Mexican luchador enmascarado

Deaths

* January 7 –

Bronko Nagurski Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian-born professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL), renowned for his strength and size. Nagurski was also a successful professional w ...

, American football player and wrestler (born 1908) * February 4 –

Whipper Billy Watson William John Potts, (June 25, 1915 to February 4, 1990) was a Canadian professional wrestler best known by his ring name "Whipper" Billy Watson. He was a two-time world champion, having held both the National Wrestling Association title and the ...

, Canadian wrestler (born 1915) * February -

Frank Sexton Frank Sexton (1914–February 1990) was an American professional wrestler in the early to mid-twentieth century. Along with Orville Brown, Bill Longson, and Lou Thesz, he was one of the biggest stars of the 1940s. A multiple-time world champio ...

(born 1914) * March 2 – Ivan Gomes (born 1939) * April 18 –

Gory Guerrero Salvador Guerrero Quesada (January 11, 1921 – April 18, 1990), better known as Gory Guerrero, was one of the premier Mexican American professional wrestlers in the early days of Lucha Libre when most wrestlers were imported from outside Mexico ...

, American wrestler (born 1921) * July 7 - Chief Little Eagle, American wrestler (born 1935) * August 15 – Pat O'Connor, New Zealand wrestler (born 1924) * August 31 –

Bert Assirati Bartolomeo "Bert" Assirati (9 July 1908 – 31 August 1990), was an English professional wrestler who became a multiple-time British Heavyweight Champion, and, posthumously, a charter member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. He ...

, British wrestler (born 1908) * November 21 –

Dean Hart Dean Harry Anthony Hart (January 3, 1954 – November 21, 1990) was a Canadian–American amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, referee, wrestling as well as music promoter and member of the Hart family who wrestled in Canadian regional pro ...

, Canadian music promoter and wrestling referee (born 1954) * December 9 –

Mike Mazurki Mike Mazurki (December 25, 1907 – December 9, 1990) was a Ukrainian-American actor and professional wrestler who appeared in more than 142 films. His 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) presence and face had him typecast as often brainless athletes ...

, American actor and wrestler (born 1907) * December 31 –

Ed Gantner Edward James Gantner Jr. (February 4, 1959 – December 31, 1990) was an American professional wrestler and American football player. Early life Edward James Ganter Jr. was born in Orlando, Florida, the youngest of four children. Ed was the only ...

, American wrestler (born 1959)

References

{{Years in professional wrestling