2011 in professional wrestling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of years in 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 shows in 2011.

Promotion Name Abbreviation Notes
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre CMLL
Juggalo Championship Wrestling JCW
LN Promotions LN
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide AAA The "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-Wrestling NJPW
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla PWG
Ring of Honor ROH
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling TNA
World Wrestling Council WWC
World Wrestling Entertainment WWE In 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:
 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) (with The Nightmare II) 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 match
20 Feb: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Satoshi Kojima in a Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
20 WWE:
 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 Championship
2 Apr Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated The American Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)
3 WWE:
 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:
 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 (with Charlie Brown) 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:
 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 Championship
If 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. (with Dr. Wagner III) defeated Rob Van Dam in a Singles match for the 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:
 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:
 Money in the Bank Rosemont CM Punk defeated John Cena (c) in a Singles match to win the WWE Championship
Since 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 Championship
1-14 NJPW G1 Climax final Tokyo Shinsuke 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:
 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.
20 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Reseda, California El 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) (with ) 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 Event
1 WWE Tribute to the Troops Fayetteville, North Carolina John Cena, Big Show and CM Punk defeated Mark Henry, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) 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[]

Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Rey de Reyes Extreme Tiger March 18

Ring of Honor[]

Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
ROH World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Lottery Tournament Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly July 8

TNA[]

Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
TNA X Division Championship #1 Contender Tournament Robbie E February 13
Xplosion Championship Challenge Magnus August 9
X Division Showcase Austin Aries July 10
Turkey Bowl Eric Young November 24
Maximum Impact Tournament Samoa Joe December 13

WWE[]

Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Royal Rumble Alberto Del Rio January 30 First 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 4 Johnny Curtis March 1 Defeated 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 Bryan July 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 Tournament Rey Mysterio July 25 Defeated 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[]

Main article: WWE Hall of Fame
Category Inductee Inducted by
Individual Shawn Michaels Triple H
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan Ted DiBiase
"Bullet" Bob Armstrong Scott, Brad, and Brian Armstrong
Sunny WWE Divas
Abdullah the Butcher Terry Funk
Group The Road Warriors Dusty Rhodes
Celebrity Drew Carey Kane

Slammy Awards[]

Main article: Slammy Award
Poll Winner
Outstanding Achievement in Muppet Resemblance Sheamus and his long lost, red-headed relative Beaker
The Pee-wee Herman Bowtie Award David Otunga, for his Harvard-law-by-way-of-the-Playhouse business attire
Most Predictable Outcome of the Year Kevin Nash's powerbomb to Santino Marella after the trombone dance
Guess Who's Back or: Return of the Year The Rock
Double Vision Moment of the Year Sin Cara vs. Sin Cara
T-shirt of the Year CM Punk for "Best in the World" T-shirt
WWE.com Exclusive of the Year John Laurinaitis congratulates CM Punk
Most Regrettable Attire of the Year Michael Cole as Triple H
Critter Moment of the Year The mouse that ran past Alberto Del Rio on Raw
Superstar 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 Supershow
Holy $#!+ Move of the Year Big Show and Mark Henry implode the ring after a superplex at Vengeance
"Pipe Bomb" of the Year CM Punk
Divalicious Moment of the Year Kelly Kelly wins the WWE Divas Championship
OMG Moment of the Year Triple H performs The Undertaker's Tombstone Piledriver on The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII
#Trending Superstar of the Year Zack Ryder
Game Changer of the Year John Cena vs. The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII
WWE A-lister of the Year Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
Superstar of the Year CM Punk

Awards and honors[]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated[]

Main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards
Category Winner
PWI Wrestler of the Year CM Punk
PWI Tag Team of the Year Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm)
PWI Match of the Year John Cena vs. CM Punk (Money in the Bank)
PWI Feud of the Year CM Punk vs. John Cena
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year CM Punk
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year The Miz
PWI Comeback of the Year Sting
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Mark Henry
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Rosita
PWI Rookie of the Year Ace Hawkins
PWI Woman of the Year Mickie James
PWI Lifetime Achievement Randy Savage

Wrestling Observer Newsletter[]

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame[]

Main article: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Inductee
Kent Walton
Steve Williams
Curtis Iaukea

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards[]

Main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Category Winner
Wrestler of the Year Hiroshi Tanahashi
Most Outstanding Davey Richards
Best Box Office Draw The Rock
Feud of the Year John Cena vs. CM Punk
Tag Team of the Year Bad Intentions
(Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson)
Most Improved Dolph Ziggler
Best on Interviews CM Punk

Title changes[]

AAA[]

AAA Mega Championship
Incoming champion – El Zorro
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 18 Jeff Jarrett Triplemanía XIX
AAA Latin American Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 18 Dr. Wagner Jr. Triplemanía XIX
December 16 L.A. Park Guerra de Titanes
AAA World Mini-Estrella Championship
Incoming champion – Octagoncito
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 6 Mini Psicosis Triplemanía XVIII
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship
Incoming champion – Jack Evans
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
No title changes
AAA World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Los Maniacos (Silver King and Último Gladiador)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 21 Extreme Tiger and Jack Evans AAA Sin Límite TV Taping
October 9 La Legión Extranjera
(Abyss and Chessman) 		AAA Sin Límite TV Taping
AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Faby Apache and Pimpinela Escarlata
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 13 La Sociedad
(Alan Stone and Jennifer Blake) 		AAA Television Taping
AAA World Trios Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 18 Los Perros del Mal
(Damián 666, Halloween and X-Fly) 		Triplemania XIX

NJPW[]

IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Satoshi Kojima
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 4 Hiroshi Tanahashi Wrestle Kingdom V
IWGP Intercontinental Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
May 15 MVP Invasion Tour 2011: Attack on East Coast Defeated Toru Yano in an eight–man tournament final to become the inaugural champion.
October 10 Masato Tanaka Destruction '11
IWGP Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
No title changes
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Prince Devitt
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 18 Kota Ibushi Dominion 6.18
September 12 Vacated – The championship was vacated after Ibushi was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
September 19 Prince Devitt Kantaro Hoshino Memorial Show Devitt defeated Kushida to win the vacant championship.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Golden☆Lovers (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 23 Apollo 55
(Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi) 		Fantastica Mania 2011
October 10 No Remorse Corps
(Davey Richards and Rocky Romero) 		Destruction '11

ROH[]

ROH World Championship
Incoming champion – Roderick Strong
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 19 Eddie Edwards
June 26 Davey Richards Best in the World
ROH World Television Championship
Incoming champion – Christopher Daniels
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 26 El Generico Best in the World
August 13 Jay Lethal Ring of Honor Wrestling
ROH World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 1 Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
(Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) 		Honor Takes Center Stage
December 23 The Briscoe Brothers
(Jay and Mark Briscoe) 		Final Battle

TNA[]

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Jeff Hardy
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 9 Mr. Anderson Genesis
February 13 Jeff Hardy Against All Odds This was a ladder match
February 24
(aired March 3) 		Sting Impact!
June 12 Mr. Anderson Slammiversary
July 11
(aired July 14) 		Sting Impact Wrestling
August 7 Kurt Angle Hardcore Justice
October 18
(aired October 20) 		James Storm Impact Wrestling
October 26
(aired November 3) 		Bobby Roode Impact Wrestling
TNA X Division Championship
Incoming champion – Jay Lethal
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 9 Kazarian Genesis
May 16 Abyss Impact Wrestling
July 10 Brian Kendrick Destination X
September 11 Austin Aries No Surrender
TNA World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 9 Beer Money, Inc.
(James Storm and Robert/Bobby Roode) 		Genesis
August 9 Mexican America
(Anarquia and Hernandez) 		Impact Wrestling
November 14 Crimson and Matt Morgan Impact Wrestling
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Angelina Love and Winter
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 13 Mexican America
(Sarita and Rosita) 		Victory Road
July 21 TnT
(Brooke Tessmacher and Tara) 		Impact Wrestling
November 3 Gail Kim and Madison Rayne Impact Wrestling
TNA Knockouts Championship
Incoming champion – Madison Rayne
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 17 Mickie James Lockdown
August 7 Winter Hardcore Justice
August 25 Mickie James Impact Wrestling
September 11 Winter No Surrender
October 16 Velvet Sky Bound for Glory
November 13 Gail Kim Turning Point
TNA Television Championship
Incoming champion – Douglas Williams
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 9 Abyss Genesis
March 14 Vacated Impact!
March 14 Gunner Impact!
May 17 Eric Young Impact Wrestling
November 13 Robbie E Turning Point

WWE[]

  – Raw
  – 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 Championship
Incoming champion – The Miz
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
May 1 John Cena Extreme Rules Triple threat steel cage match, also involving John Morrison.
July 17 CM Punk Money in the Bank CM 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 25 Rey Mysterio Monday Night Raw Defeated The Miz in a tournament final for the vacant championship. CM Punk was also recognized as champion.
John Cena New Chief Operating Officer Triple H decreed that Rey Mysterio had to face former champion John Cena. CM Punk was also recognized as champion.
August 14 CM Punk SummerSlam Defeated 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 Rio Cashed 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 18 John Cena Night of Champions
October 2 Alberto Del Rio Hell in a Cell Triple threat match, also involving CM Punk.
November 20 CM Punk Survivor Series
World Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Edge
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 15
(aired February 18) 		Vacated SmackDown Edge 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 Ziggler SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero awarded the title to Ziggler.
Edge Edge was awarded a rematch the same night by returning General Manager, Theodore Long.
April 12
(aired April 15) 		Vacated SmackDown Title declared vacant due to Edge's retirement.
May 1 Christian Extreme Rules Defeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match to win the vacant title.
May 3
(aired May 6) 		Randy Orton SmackDown
July 17 Christian Money in the Bank Defeated 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 14 Randy Orton SummerSlam No Holds Barred match
The first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the World Heavyweight Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown.
September 18 Mark Henry Night of Champions On 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 18 Big Show TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Chairs match
Daniel Bryan Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
WWE United States Championship
Incoming champion – Daniel Bryan
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 14 Sheamus Monday Night Raw If 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 1 Kofi Kingston Extreme Rules Tables match
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Kofi Kingston being a member of the Raw roster.
June 19 Dolph Ziggler Capitol Punishment
The first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the United States Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown.
December 18 Zack Ryder TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Incoming champion – Dolph Ziggler
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 4
(aired January 7) 		Kofi Kingston SmackDown
March 22
(aired March 25) 		Wade Barrett SmackDown
June 19 Ezekiel Jackson Capitol Punishment
August 9
(aired August 12) 		Cody Rhodes SmackDown
The first WWE brand extension ended on August 29, and the Intercontinental Champion could appear on both Raw and SmackDown.
WWE Divas Championship
Incoming champion – Natalya
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 30 Eve Torres Royal Rumble Fatal four-way match, also involving Layla and Michelle McCool. Eve pinned Layla to win.
April 11 Brie Bella Monday Night Raw
June 20 Kelly Kelly Raw: Power to the People This 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 2 Beth Phoenix Hell in a Cell
WWE Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 20 The Corre
(Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel) 		Elimination Chamber
February 21 John Cena and The Miz Monday Night Raw
The Corre
(Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel)
April 19
(aired April 22) 		Big Show and Kane SmackDown
May 23 The New Nexus
(David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty) 		Monday Night Raw Otunga and McGillicutty won the title under the name of The New Nexus, but the stable disbanded during their reign.
August 22 Air Boom
(Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston) 		Monday Night Raw

Debuts[]

  • July 7 - Cameron
  • December 18 - Summer Rae

Retirements[]

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)
  • 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)
  • Michelle McCool (November 18, 2004 – May 1, 2011) (brief return in 2018 - Royal Rumble and WWE Evolution)
  • Chyna (1995 – May 15, 2011)
  • Brett DiBiase (July 22, 2008 – August 22, 2011)
  • Daizee Haze (March 29, 2002 – October 1, 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[]

Randy Savage
  • January 7 – Val Puccio, 45
  • January 23 - Jack LaLanne, 96
  • January 26 - Shawn Osborne, 34
  • 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, 58[1]
  • August 11 – Scott LeDoux, 62
  • August 20 – Rafael Halperin, (b. 1924) 86 or 87
  • August 25 – Donna Christianello, 69
  • September 6 – Little Tokyo, 70
  • October 11 – Doctor X, 43
  • November 22 - Bison Smith, 38

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Randy Savage's Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 1, 2008.
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