1972 in professional wrestling

1972 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of notable promotions[]

These promotions held notable shows in 1972.

Calendar of notable shows[]

Notable events[]

• January 12 – Antonio Inoki created New Japan Pro-Wrestling
• October 21 Giant Baba created All Japan Pro Wrestling

Awards and honors[]

1972 PWI Wrestler of the Year, Pedro Morales

Pro Wrestling Illustrated[]

Championship changes[]

EMLL[]

NWA[]

Births[]

Dwayne Johnson

• January 10 – Brian Christopher(died in 2018) [1]
• January 19 – Ron Killings
• January 24 - Fabián el Gitano (died in 2011)
• February 8 – Big Show
• February 19 – Francine
• March 1 - Último Guerrero
• March 7 - Major Gunns
• March 12 – Nunzio
• March 21 – Chris Candido (died in 2005)
• March 27 – Charlie Haas
• April 11 – Balls Mahoney(died in 2016) [2]
• April 14 - Julio Dinero
• May 2 – Dwayne Johnson^[8]
• May 17 - Masakazu Fukuda (died in 2000)
• June 5 - Mike Bucci
• June 29 – Canyon Ceman
• July 13 – X-Pac^[9]
• July 21 - Shinjiro Otani
• August 1 – D-Von Dudley^[10][11]
• August 27 – The Great Khali
• September 3 - Bob Evans (wrestler)
• September 17 – Phantasio
• October 4 - Otto Schwanz
• November 7 - Chip Fairway (died in 2011)
• November 14 – Matt Bloom^[12]
• December 6 – El Oriental
• December 7 – Tammy Lynn Sytch^[13]
• December 31 - Ryan Sakoda (d. 2021)

Debuts[]

• February 1, 1972–El Texano^[14]
• March 13, 1972–Rick Martel^[15]
• March 16, 1972–Gran Hamada^[15]
• March 20, 1972–Mr. Pogo^[15]
• May 22, 1972–Moondog King^[15]
• August 2, 1972–Kengo Kimura^[15]
• September 1, 1972–Larry Zbyszko^[15]
• September–Jaque Mate^[15]
• November 12, 1972–Yoshiaki Fujiwara^[14]
• December 1, 1972–Bruce Hart^[15]
• December 3, 1972–Kuniaki Kobayashi^[15]
• December 10, 1972–Ric Flair^[15]
• December 15, 1972–^[14]
• December 28, 1972–Jim Brunzell^[15]
• Debut date uncertain
  • Al Madril^[15]
  • Austin Idol^[15]
  • Ax^[15]
  • Big John Studd^[15]
  • Bobby Jaggers^[15]
  • Bob Orton Jr.^[15]
  • El Canek^[15]
  • Clem Turner^[15]
  • Dutch Mantell^[15]
  • Colonel DeBeers^[15]
  • George Wells^[15]
  • The Iron Sheik^[15]
  • Ken Patera^[15]
  • Mike Graham^[15]
  • Pez Whatley^[15]
  • Pierre Lefebvre^[15]
  • Ron Bass^[15]
  • Scott Casey^[14]
  • Sgt. Slaughter^[14]
  • Smith Hart^[14]
  • Steve Keirn^[14]

Retirements[]

• Johnny Barend (1949 – 1972)
• Angelo Savoldi (1937 – 1972)

Deaths[]

• February 21 – Luther Lindsay 47
• August 1 – Ray Gunkel 48
• September 15 - Billy Sandow, 88
• October 7 - Whitey Caldwell 37
• November 5 - George Turner, 96

References[]