January 1985
or: "all the non-WWF companies sign all the same talent"
World Wrestling Federation
Happenings
The new top stars of the Heenan Family are set to be Big John Studd (winner, Worst Feud of 1984) and Paul Orndorff.
In the backrooms, the WWF's main strategy seems to be to bolster its women's division (soon, Lady Wrestling shall be the future, apparently) and continuing to buy out the competition.
Part of that involves breaking off all of its relationships, with AJW, NJPW, WWC, Stampede, and UWA all left in the cold now.
Signings and Departures
In: Debbie Combs, Candi Devine, Vivian Vachon, Blackjack Mulligan, Buddy Rose, Rick Martel, Vicky Williams, Joyce Grable, Road Warrior Hawk, Velvet McIntyre, Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Garvin, Sherri Martel, Tracy Richards, Winona Little Heart, Dino Bravo, Ron Garvin, Road Warrior Animal, Bob Backlund, Michael Hayes, Jim Brunzell
Title Changes
None.
Jim Crockett Promotions
Happenings
Not quite a happening for this promotion, but one that'll surely matter in the future: Ted Turner has chosen to leave the business behind. No WCW rebrand anymore, I guess...
The next hot stable in the region is called the Really Rottens. Led by Dory Funk Jr. and also including Barbarian, Krusher Kruschev, Denny Brown, and Mark Fleming, it's going to be the main force going up against Ric Flair for a while. Terry Funk hasn't joined his brother as he's leaving for Japan.
Signings and Departures
In: Bart Batten, Barry Horowitz, Johnny Rich, Pat Rose, Terry Taylor, Scott Armstrong, Mike Davis, Big Bully Busick
Out: Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, Ron Garvin
Title Changes
W3 Tues -
NWA National Heavyweight Championship: Ron Garvin ->
VACANT
W3 Sat -
NWA National Heavyweight Championship: VACANT ->
Pat Rose
American Wrestling Association
Happenings
The first Sunday of January was a dark day for AWA, as it was announced that WWF had successfully signed their World Champion, Women's Champion, and one half of their Tag Champions, as well as losing their Light Heavyweight champ to Japan. Plans were changed, and quick. Animal would later follow Hawk out of the door next week.
... and then the NEW champion, Jim Brunzell, accepted a WWF offer. AWA cannot catch a break with tag teams.
Tom Zenk staged a walkout a few days later, having fallen out with the Gagnes, but has not actually left the promotion.
Signings and Departures
In: Afa, Sika, Haku, Bobby Duncum, Doug Somers, Dennis Stamp, Marty Jannetty, Rocky Johnson, Judy Martin, Invader #3, Dutch Mantel, Pat O'Connor, Harley Race, Koko B. Ware, Rip Rogers, Austin Idol, Len Denton, Jerry Oates, Jay Youngblood, Eddie Gilbert, Peggy Lee Leather, Donna Christenello, Porkchop Cash, Sue Green, Lars Anderson, Butch Miller, Don Bass, Madusa Miceli
Out: Rick Martel, Candi Devine, Road Warrior Hawk, Mr. Electricity Steve Regal, Jimmy Garvin, Road Warrior Animal, Bob Backlund, Jim Brunzell
Title Changes
W2 Tues -
AWA World Heavyweight Championship: Rick Martel ->
Sgt. Slaughter
W2 Tues -
AWA World Light Heavyweight Championship: Mr. Electricity Steve Regal ->
Koko B. Ware
W2 Tues -
AWA World Tag Team Championship: The Road Warriors (Hawk/Animal) ->
The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell/Greg Gagne)
W2 Sun -
AWA Women's Championship: Candi Devine ->
Judy Martin
Others
Happenings
WCCW's feud plans in early January look promising: Kerry Von Erich vs. Chris Adams, Kevin and Mike vs. the Freebirds, and Jake Roberts vs. Iceman Parsons. It's just a shame Michael Hayes got snapped up by the WWF early on.
Shock has washed over Florida as CWF's popular up-and-comer Rick Rude suffered a near-fatal drug overdose.
Jerry Lawler, on top of being a top guy in Memphis, has swooped in to start booking Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling in the Maritimes, Canada. Presumably by telephone.
Mid-South have had a few of their stars snapped up by NJPW on exclusive contracts, which is rough.
Signings and Departures
CWA In: Brian Blair, Bobby Eaton, Bill Dundee, Mike Graham, Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Jay Youngblood, Arn Anderson, Chris Adams, Lord Humongous, Ivan Koloff, Dennis Condrey, Jimmy Golden, Gino Hernandez, Bill Irwin, Nikita Koloff, Rick Rude, Norvell Austin, Black Bart, Mark Youngblood, Bob Armstrong, Pez Whatley
CWF In: Dick the Bruiser, Kevin Wacholz, Joe Savoldi, Vinny Valentino, Cactus Jack, Nightmare Danny Davis, Tonga Kid, Spike Huber, Tony Rumble, Jerry Oates, Wendell Cooley
CWF Out: Michael Hayes
Mid-South In: Kendo Nagasaki II, Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Jim Brunzell, Chris Adams, Billy Jack Haynes, Lord Humongous, Jesse Barr, Ivan Putski, Dennis Condrey, Al Madril, Kendall Windham, Bobby Fulton, Tommy Rogers, Bill Irwin, Wendell Cooley, Dory Funk Jr., Mike Miller, Iceman Parsons, Fred Ottman, Bob Sweetan, Bob Armstrong, Skip Young, Leroy Brown, Lars Anderson, Tiger Conway Jr.
Mid-South Out: Ted DiBiase, Hector Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero Sr.
WCCW In: Hugo Savinovich, John Nord, Jim Duggan, Dutch Mantel, Butch Reed, Ron Bass, Manny Fernandez, Buzz Sawyer, Steve Williams, The Barbarian, Buddy Roberts, Super Destroyer #1, Super Destroyer #2, Dick Slater, Al Madril, Kendall Windham*, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Taylor, Buddy Landel, Sam Houston, Steve Armstrong, Fred Ottman, Bob Sweetan, Black Bart, Al Perez, Danny Spivey
WCCW Out: Michael Hayes
Title Changes
W1 Mon -
Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship: Brad Armstrong ->
Kamala
W1 Sat -
NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship: VACANT ->
Jesse Barr
W1 Sat -
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship: VACANT ->
The Assassins (Assassin #1/Assassin #2)
* this is actually a signing I made in my current WCCW save
