143 Fun Facts About Wrestling

How is a wrestler eliminated from a Royal Rumble match?

A wrestler is eliminated only by going over the top rope with both feet touching the floor; leaving under or between the ropes does not count, a loophole many entrants have used to hide outside.

In what year did Dwayne Johnson debut in the WWF as Rocky Maivia at Survivor Series?

Dwayne Johnson, later known as The Rock, debuted in the WWF as Rocky Maivia at Survivor Series in November 1996.

Who was the first ever Undisputed WWF Champion, unifying the WWF and WCW World Championships?

Chris Jericho became the first Undisputed WWF Champion at Vengeance in December 2001, defeating The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night.

In what year was Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, a major Mexican wrestling promotion, founded by Antonio Peña?

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, commonly known as AAA, was founded in Mexico City in 1992 by Antonio Peña after he left CMLL.

Who was the first winner of the women's Royal Rumble match, which debuted in 2018?

Asuka made history by becoming the inaugural winner of the women's Royal Rumble match in 2018.

What was the initial ring name used by Steve Austin when he debuted in the WWF in early 1996?

When Steve Austin first joined the WWF in late 1995/early 1996, he debuted under the moniker 'The Ringmaster' and was managed by Ted DiBiase.

In what iconic arena was the first-ever WrestleMania event held?

WrestleMania I took place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, setting the stage for WWE's biggest annual event.

What catchphrase does "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair famously shout?

Ric Flair's signature "Woo!" was borrowed from Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire"; crowds yell it whenever any wrestler lands a knife-edge chop.

Who broke The Honky Tonk Man's record for longest WWE Intercontinental reign in 2023?

Gunther passed The Honky Tonk Man's 454-day Intercontinental mark in September 2023; his 666-day reign ran from June 2022 until he lost to Sami Zayn at WrestleMania XL in April 2024.

New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom, its answer to WrestleMania, is held every January in which venue?

Wrestle Kingdom is held at the Tokyo Dome, where NJPW has run its January 4 show every year since 1992, the biggest annual wrestling event outside the United States.

How many wrestlers took part in the first-ever televised Royal Rumble match in 1988?

The 1988 original was a 20-man affair; the field grew to 30 the next year and ballooned to 40 for a single year in 2011.

Which Attitude Era tag team was known for 'five-second poses for the benefit of those with flash photography'?

Edge & Christian struck their 'five-second pose' as a running gag in 2000–01 while winning the WWF Tag Team Championship seven times together.

WCW billed Goldberg's 1997–98 undefeated streak at how many consecutive wins?

173 was the billed figure; the real count was well short, and the streak ended at Starrcade 1998 when Kevin Nash won with help from a taser.

At which WWE pay-per-view event did the faction known as The Shield make their debut?

The Shield, consisting of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, debuted at Survivor Series on November 18, 2012, interfering in the main event.

The first-ever Hell in a Cell match pitted The Undertaker against which legendary opponent?

The inaugural Hell in a Cell match, known for its extreme violence, pitted The Undertaker against Shawn Michaels at Badd Blood: In Your House in October 1997.

Which wrestler is widely credited with inventing the Superkick maneuver?

Adams, an English judoka, adapted the kick from his martial-arts background and later trained a young Steve Austin in Texas.

What wrestling term refers to a one-sided bout where a star quickly crushes a lesser opponent?

Squashes are used to get a wrestler or a new gimmick over; the losers are called jobbers or enhancement talent.

Which August round-robin tournament sends its winner to challenge for New Japan's top title at Wrestle Kingdom?

It is a brutal month of round-robin matches; the winner traditionally carries a briefcase contract into January.

In what year did the WWE Network officially launch in the United States?

The WWE Network, a subscription video-on-demand streaming service, launched in the United States on February 24, 2014, providing access to a vast library of WWE content and live pay-per-views.

Which wrestler is known by the nickname "The Game"?

By January 2000 he had declared himself not merely the best in the game but the game itself.

Which wrestler holds the record for the most WWE Championship reigns?

Cena's 14 reigns came between 2005 and 2025; his 17 total world titles across WWE's championships are also a company record.

WWE officially recognizes Ric Flair as a world champion how many times?

Depending on which reigns you count, the true number is anywhere from 16 to 25; John Cena passed the official mark in 2025 with a 17th world title.

When the nWo split in 1998, the Wolfpac splinter group wore which colors?

The Wolfpac was the first nWo incarnation to wrestle as fan favorites, and its red-and-black merchandise became WCW's hottest seller.

Which legendary wrestler has the most cumulative eliminations in Royal Rumble history?

Kane holds the record for the most cumulative eliminations in Royal Rumble history with 46.

Who was the first-ever winner of the annual Royal Rumble match?

The first Royal Rumble match was held in 1988, and the winner was 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan.

Which wrestler is known for winning the Royal Rumble match a record three times?

Stone Cold Steve Austin holds the record for most Royal Rumble victories, winning the event three times (1997, 1998, 2001).

What is the term for a villainous character in professional wrestling?

A 'heel' is the villain of a wrestling storyline, booked to cheat and draw boos; Ric Flair's Four Horsemen were archetypal heels of the 1980s.

In Lucha Libre, what is the term for a villainous wrestler?

In Lucha Libre, the Mexican style of professional wrestling, a villainous character is known as a 'rudo', which is equivalent to a 'heel' in American wrestling.

Which masked high-flyer finishes opponents with the 619, swinging through the ropes to kick a draped foe?

Rey Mysterio named the 619 after the San Diego area code; born in Chula Vista, he brought the move from WCW to WWE when he debuted on SmackDown in 2002.

Which luchador, star of more than 50 films, was buried wearing his silver mask?

El Santo, star of 52 films, unmasked only once, on television days before his death in February 1984, and was buried in his silver mask; his son wrestles as El Hijo del Santo.

Who was the first woman to enter the men's Royal Rumble match, coming in at number 30 in 1999?

Chyna entered the 1999 Royal Rumble at number 30, the first woman in the match, and later that year became the first woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship.

What nickname did Becky Lynch adopt during her rise to prominence, declaring herself the top star?

Becky Lynch adopted the nickname 'The Man' during her 2018 resurgence, claiming to be the top wrestler in the company, a play on Ric Flair's famous catchphrase.

Which referee called for the bell in the 1997 Montreal Screwjob without a submission?

Earl Hebner called for the bell at Survivor Series 1997 while Bret Hart sat in the Sharpshooter; Hart had agreed to the hold because he trusted Hebner as a close friend.

Whose first WWWF/WWE Championship run, at 2,803 days, is the longest in the title's history?

Sammartino held the belt for seven years, eight months and one day, and later added a second run of over three years.

Which wrestler is nicknamed 'The Phenomenal One'?

AJ Styles, 'The Phenomenal One', was TNA's flagship star for a decade before debuting in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble and winning the WWE Championship that September.

Which type of amateur wrestling prohibits the use of holds below the waist?

Greco-Roman wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that forbids holds below the waist, focusing on throws and upper-body attacks. Freestyle wrestling allows leg attacks.

In what year did the WWWF, now WWE, establish its first world championship?

The WWWF (now WWE) established its first world title, the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, in 1963.

Which professional wrestling promotion, founded in 1933, is the oldest still running?

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) began in Mexico City in 1933 as Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), founded by Salvador Lutteroth, and has run without interruption since.

André the Giant played the gentle giant Fezzik in which 1987 film?

André the Giant played Fezzik in The Princess Bride (1987) and called it his favorite role; after his death in 1993 he was the sole inaugural WWF Hall of Fame inductee.

What term refers to a wrestler who is generally considered a good guy or hero in professional wrestling?

In professional wrestling, a 'face' (short for 'babyface') is a heroic protagonist character, designed to be cheered by the audience.

Which professional wrestler is nicknamed 'The Beast Incarnate'?

Brock Lesnar is widely known by his intimidating nickname, 'The Beast Incarnate', due to his powerful and dominant style.

What is the name of the annual WWE event where 30 wrestlers compete in an over-the-top-rope battle royal?

The Royal Rumble is an annual WWE pay-per-view event, featuring a signature match where 30 (or sometimes more) wrestlers aim to eliminate opponents by tossing them over the top rope until only one remains.

Which former WWF wrestler and color commentator was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998?

Jesse Ventura ran as the Reform Party candidate on a shoestring budget with ads urging voters not to 'vote for politics as usual'.

Which former WWF star walked out of the Nitro crowd on May 27, 1996, launching the nWo angle?

Scott Hall, billed as an unnamed outsider, walked through the crowd on the May 27, 1996 Nitro; Kevin Nash arrived two weeks later and Hulk Hogan was revealed as the third man at Bash at the Beach.

In which year did The Undertaker make his televised WWF debut as a mystery partner?

He was introduced as Kane the Undertaker, a mystery partner on Ted DiBiase's team, and went on to a 30-year run with the company.

Which submission hold, grapevining the leg and wrenching the foot, was Kurt Angle's signature finisher?

The Ankle Lock was Kurt Angle's signature submission alongside the Angle Slam; he adopted the hold from Ken Shamrock, who had used it in the WWF in the late 1990s.

Who is called 'The Icon' in pro wrestling, known mainly for a long career in WCW?

Sting is widely recognized as 'The Icon' in professional wrestling, having spent the majority of his career as a top star in WCW.

Which flamboyant 1950s wrestler, with platinum curls and a valet, inspired Muhammad Ali's showmanship?

Gorgeous George, the television-era villain with dyed platinum curls and a perfume-spraying valet, met a young Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas in 1961 and inspired his boasting style.

Before wrestling, "Macho Man" Randy Savage played which professional sport?

Randy Savage played minor-league baseball from 1971 to 1974 in the Cardinals, Reds and White Sox systems before turning to wrestling full-time.

What is the wrestling term for a pre-determined character a performer portrays?

In professional wrestling, a 'gimmick' refers to the pre-determined character or persona that a wrestler portrays to entertain the audience.

What is the real name of the professional wrestler known as The Rock?

Dwayne Johnson is widely recognized by his ring name, The Rock, a name derived from his father Rocky Johnson and grandfather Peter Maivia, both professional wrestlers.

Which tag team's first WWF World Tag Team Championship reign lasted a then-record 478 days?

Demolition, consisting of Ax and Smash, dominated the WWF tag team division in the late 1980s, setting a record for the longest World Tag Team Championship reign at 478 days.

What term in professional wrestling refers to the portrayal of staged events as real?

Kayfabe is kept up by performers, promoters and fans alike, who maintain the illusion that scripted storylines and rivalries are legitimate.

Which event was the inaugural pay-per-view for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in May 2019?

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) held its first official event and pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, on May 25, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Which wrestler is credited with innovating the DDT?

Jake 'The Snake' Roberts innovated the DDT in the early 1980s, by his own account by accident when an opponent tripped while in his front facelock; he also draped his python Damien over fallen foes.

Which wrestler won the inaugural Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21 in 2005?

The first Money in the Bank ladder match took place at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, where Edge emerged victorious, earning a contract for a world championship match.

Which member of the backstage group known as The Kliq wrestled in WCW under the name Syxx?

Sean Waltman was the sixth man in the nWo, hence the name Syxx; in the WWF he had wrestled as the 1-2-3 Kid and later as X-Pac.

Kurt Angle won his 1996 Olympic freestyle gold in which weight class?

Kurt Angle won freestyle gold at 100 kg (220 lb) in Atlanta, beating Iran's Abbas Jadidi in the final by referees' decision after a 1-1 draw.

What was the main event of WrestleMania III, held in 1987?

WrestleMania III, a landmark event in professional wrestling, was headlined by the iconic match between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Which wrestler holds the longest single IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign, at 720 days?

Kazuchika Okada holds the record for the longest single reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion in NJPW, with his fourth reign lasting an impressive 720 days.

Roman Reigns' record run as WWE Universal Champion lasted how many days?

It was the longest world-title run WWE had recognized since 1988 and ended at WrestleMania XL against Cody Rhodes.

Which wrestler's finisher was the Jackhammer, a delayed vertical suplex dropped into a slam?

Goldberg finished opponents with the Jackhammer, a delayed vertical suplex dropped into a slam, usually after a Spear; he debuted in WCW in September 1997.

In what year did Vince McMahon buy the WWF from his father?

Vince McMahon bought Capitol Wrestling, the WWF's parent company, from his father in 1982, then broke the territory system by raiding rival promotions for talent and airing WWF shows nationwide.

Which 1980s manager, 'The Mouth of the South', carried a megaphone to ringside?

Jimmy Hart, 'The Mouth of the South', shouted instructions through a megaphone while managing The Hart Foundation, The Honky Tonk Man and later Hulk Hogan.

Which promotion did Mitsuharu Misawa found in 2000 after leaving All Japan?

Mitsuharu Misawa founded Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2000 after a boardroom split with All Japan's Motoko Baba, taking most of the AJPW roster with him.

What is the wrestling term for the hostile crowd reaction a heel tries to draw?

'Heat' is the boos and hostility a heel works to draw; 'cheap heat' means insulting the local crowd or its sports teams to get it quickly.

Which WWE Hall of Famer is famously associated with the "Sharpshooter" submission hold?

While variations of the move existed before, Bret "The Hitman" Hart popularized the "Sharpshooter" and made it his signature submission finisher, often applying it in the center of the ring.

Which promotion was known for its "Attitude Era" in the late 1990s?

The "Attitude Era" of the WWF, characterized by edgier, more adult-oriented content and rebellious characters, was a period of immense popularity for professional wrestling in the late 1990s.

Who became the youngest world champion in WWE history at age 24 in 2004?

His Evolution stablemates turned on him the next night, kicking off his run as a solo star.

Which WWE title, created in 1979, has long been called a "stepping stone" to a world title?

Pat Patterson was the inaugural holder; the longest single reign in its history ran 666 days from 2022 to 2024.

Which WWE event, first held in 1988, is the traditional August pay-per-view?

SummerSlam debuted in August 1988 and became WWE's 'biggest party of the summer'; the 1992 edition drew about 80,000 fans to Wembley Stadium in London.

Who was recognized as the first-ever WWWF World Heavyweight Champion?

"Nature Boy" Rogers lost the belt just weeks later in a 48-second match at Madison Square Garden; Ric Flair later borrowed his nickname and strut.

Which NJPW stable, formed in 2013 when Prince Devitt turned on Ryusuke Taguchi, borrowed the nWo's 'Too Sweet'?

Bullet Club, formed in May 2013 around Prince Devitt, Karl Anderson, Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga, later launched AJ Styles, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks to global fame.

Extreme Championship Wrestling, the hardcore promotion run by Paul Heyman, was based in which city?

Its home was a bingo hall in South Philadelphia that fans simply called the ECW Arena.

What wrestling move lifts an opponent into a fireman's carry before driving them down onto their back?

The Samoan Drop is a wrestling maneuver where a wrestler drapes an opponent over their shoulders in a fireman's carry position and then falls backward, driving the opponent down to the mat on their back.

Which city hosted WrestleMania VI in 1990, the first WrestleMania held outside the United States?

WrestleMania VI at Toronto's SkyDome drew an announced 67,678 fans and saw the Ultimate Warrior beat Hulk Hogan title-for-title.

Roman Reigns, Rikishi and Yokozuna all belong to which wrestling family?

The Anoa'i family includes The Usos, Umaga and Solo Sikoa, and reaches Dwayne Johnson through his mother, the adopted daughter of Peter Maivia, a 'blood brother' of patriarch Amituana'i Anoa'i.

What is the signature finishing maneuver most famously associated with The Undertaker?

The Undertaker's iconic finishing maneuver, the Tombstone Piledriver, involved lifting an opponent upside down and dropping them head-first into the mat, often followed by his signature pin.

The WWF renamed itself WWE in 2002 after losing a trademark dispute with which organization?

The World Wildlife Fund, with its panda logo, won the trademark case in a UK court, and the company rebranded as WWE in May 2002, blurring old WWF logos in its video library for years.

What is the lucha libre term for a match wagering a wrestler's mask or hair?

A lucha de apuestas ('betting match') stakes a mask or hair; the loser of a máscara contra máscara bout must unmask and reveal his real name, lucha libre's highest-stakes stipulation.

Which Japanese wrestling legend is credited with creating the 'Strong Style' philosophy?

Antonio Inoki, founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, is renowned for pioneering "Strong Style," a wrestling philosophy that blends martial arts with professional wrestling, emphasizing realistic strikes and submissions.

Whose 'Yes!' chant swept WWE crowds on his way to the WrestleMania XXX main event?

Daniel Bryan's 'Yes!' chant fueled the fan movement that put him in the WrestleMania XXX main event in April 2014, where he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

What organization was the primary rival to WWE during the "Monday Night Wars" of the 1990s?

The "Monday Night Wars" was a period in the late 1990s where the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) went head-to-head with their weekly television shows, battling for ratings and market dominance.

What is the steel cage match with wrestlers locked in pods inside a large structure called?

The Elimination Chamber is a unique steel structure match where multiple wrestlers start in pods and are released at timed intervals to compete in the enclosed ring, with eliminations occurring via pinfall or submission.

Who retired in 2006 after winning a then-record seventh WWE Women's Championship?

Trish Stratus beat Lita for a then-record seventh Women's Championship at Unforgiven in September 2006, in her hometown, and retired the same night.

Which wrestler pulled a sock off his foot to create the puppet Mr. Socko?

Mankind first produced Mr. Socko as a one-off joke at Vince McMahon's hospital bedside in 1998; the sock became an overnight sensation and a mandible-claw accessory.

From which 2011 event did CM Punk "walk out" with the WWE Championship?

CM Punk's contract expired on July 17, 2011, the night of Money in the Bank in Chicago, so he beat John Cena for the title and left the building with it.

Who was the primary leader of the nWo Wolfpac?

When the nWo fractured in 1998, Nash's Wolfpac splinter became the first version of the group to wrestle as fan favorites, opposite Hogan's nWo Hollywood.

Which championship from the NWA's Mid-Atlantic territory was adopted by WCW and later WWE?

The United States Championship has a rich history, originating in the NWA's Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1975, then being carried over through WCW, and eventually becoming a championship in WWE.

What term describes a wrestling promotion's top star, especially in Japanese wrestling?

In professional wrestling, especially in Japan, the term "ace" refers to the top star or main attraction of a promotion, who is considered the face of the company and a consistent draw for audiences.

Which three women competed in WrestleMania's first women's main event, at WrestleMania 35 in 2019?

Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair fought a Winner Takes All triple threat for both the Raw and SmackDown women's titles.

What is a "turnbuckle" in wrestling?

The ends facing into the ring are padded, though exposing a steel turnbuckle is a classic heel trick.

Which hardcore, table-loving tag team popularized the 3D finisher?

The Dudley Boyz, consisting of Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley, became synonymous with hardcore wrestling and table spots, with their "Dudley Death Drop" (3D) becoming one of the most iconic tag team finishers.

What is the wrestling term for a character who is neither fully face nor fully heel?

A "tweener" in professional wrestling refers to a character who exhibits traits of both a heroic "face" and a villainous "heel," often acting in their own self-interest and eliciting mixed reactions from the audience.

Which legendary promoter founded World Championship Wrestling (WCW)?

Media mogul Ted Turner founded World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1988, transforming it into a major rival to WWE during the "Monday Night Wars" before its eventual acquisition by WWE.

Which wrestler, known for his Frog Splash finisher, lived by 'Lie, Cheat and Steal'?

Eddie Guerrero, a beloved and influential wrestler, popularized the "Frog Splash" as his high-flying finishing move and was known for his "Lie, Cheat, and Steal" persona, often associated with the Los Guerreros stable.

What does the abbreviation WWE stand for?

WWE stands for World Wrestling Entertainment, the name adopted in May 2002 when the company dropped 'World Wrestling Federation' after losing a trademark dispute.

Who ended Hulk Hogan's first WWF Championship reign in February 1988?

André the Giant beat Hulk Hogan on The Main Event on February 5, 1988, helped by a crooked referee's fast count, and immediately handed the title to Ted DiBiase.

What is John Cena's signature catchphrase?

"You Can't See Me!" became John Cena's iconic catchphrase, accompanied by his signature hand wave in front of his face.

Which Detroit stadium hosted WrestleMania 23 and its 'Battle of the Billionaires' in 2007?

WrestleMania 23 at Ford Field drew an announced 80,103 fans; Donald Trump's man Bobby Lashley beat Vince McMahon's Umaga, and Trump shaved McMahon's head.

What is the real name of the wrestler who joined the WWF in 1990 and became famous as The Undertaker?

Calaway kept the macabre gimmick for three decades, winning the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Best Gimmick award a record five years running.

Hawk and Animal, with spiked shoulder pads, wrestled in the WWF as which tag team?

The Legion of Doom, the WWF name for Hawk and Animal's Road Warriors, won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1991 and 1997 using the Doomsday Device as their finisher.

How does a wrestler win a Last Man Standing match?

A Last Man Standing match has no pinfalls or submissions; a wrestler wins only when the opponent fails to answer a ten-count, as John Cena did against Umaga at the 2007 Royal Rumble.

How many consecutive WrestleMania wins did The Undertaker's 'Streak' reach before it ended in 2014?

The Streak reached 21-0, beginning with a win over Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania VII in 1991 and ending against Brock Lesnar in New Orleans in 2014.

Which wrestler opened matches by checking an imaginary watch and shouting 'It's clobberin' time!'?

CM Punk shouted 'It's clobberin' time!', a line borrowed from Marvel's The Thing, before matches from his Ring of Honor days through his WWE title reigns.

Which wrestler, nicknamed 'The Animal', won the 2005 Royal Rumble?

Batista, 'The Animal', won the 2005 Royal Rumble and went on to beat his Evolution leader Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21.

Which weekly AEW show premiered on TNT in October 2019?

AEW Dynamite premiered on TNT on October 2, 2019 from Washington, D.C., running head-to-head with WWE NXT in the 'Wednesday Night Wars'.

Which ECW star, 'Mr. Monday Night', held the ECW Television Championship for nearly two years?

Rob Van Dam, 'Mr. Monday Night', held the ECW World Television Championship from April 1998 until a broken leg forced him to vacate it in March 2000.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage was famous for which exclamation?

"Macho Man" Randy Savage's raspy "Oh Yeah!" (also associated with the Slim Jim commercials: "Snap into a Slim Jim!") became one of wrestling's most quotable catchphrases.

Stone Cold Steve Austin famously stunned which WWE owner on live television multiple times?

The Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon rivalry was the defining feud of the Attitude Era, with Austin delivering his Stone Cold Stunner to the boss on countless occasions.

Which stipulation, first contested at SummerSlam 2000, is built around ladders, tables and chairs?

Edge & Christian won the first TLC (Tables, Ladders and Chairs) match at SummerSlam 2000 in a three-way with two rival tag teams; the stipulation later got its own annual pay-per-view.

Which double underhook facebuster is the signature finisher of the wrestler nicknamed 'The Game'?

The Pedigree, a double underhook facebuster, has been Triple H's finishing move throughout his career and became one of the most protected finishers in WWE history.

Which commentator's catchphrase was "Good God Almighty!" and "Bah Gawd!"?

Jim Ross ("J.R.") is considered the greatest wrestling commentator of all time. His passionate calls like "Bah Gawd!" and "Good God Almighty!" defined the Attitude Era's biggest moments.

Which wrestler completed his "story" by winning the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40?

Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 Night 2 to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, completing his multi-year "finish the story" arc.

What was the name of the tag team formed by storyline half-siblings The Undertaker and Kane?

The Undertaker and Kane, portrayed as half-brothers in WWE storyline, formed The Brothers of Destruction and were one of the most dominant tag teams in the company's history.

Which tag team, known for their high-flying style, performed the "Swanton Bomb" and "Twist of Fate"?

The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) were one of the most popular tag teams of the Attitude Era. Jeff's Swanton Bomb and Matt's Twist of Fate became signature moves in their legendary career.

Which faction, formed in 1997 with Chyna and Rick Rude, began as a foil to the Hart Foundation?

D-Generation X's best-known members included Shawn Michaels, Chyna, X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws; it disbanded in August 2000 before later reunions.

Who won WrestleMania's first women's main event in 2019, taking both women's titles?

Becky Lynch pinned Ronda Rousey to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships in the WrestleMania 35 main event, the first women's match to close WrestleMania.

Which faction, led by Roman Reigns as 'Tribal Chief', included The Usos and Paul Heyman?

The Bloodline formed in 2020 around Roman Reigns, the self-styled Tribal Chief, with The Usos and Paul Heyman; Solo Sikoa joined in 2022 and its family saga became WWE's top storyline.

What object did Paul Bearer carry to the ring as the supposed source of The Undertaker's power?

Paul Bearer (William Moody) carried the urn, said to hold The Undertaker's power, from 1991; in a 1998 storyline he revealed himself as the father of The Undertaker's half-brother Kane.

Which of Mick Foley's three WWF personas was a tie-dyed, jive-talking hippie?

Foley debuted Dude Love in July 1997, a year after Mankind and after his Cactus Jack years; the three personas became known as the 'Three Faces of Foley'.

Which longtime WWE composer wrote 'No Chance in Hell', the entrance theme of the tyrant boss?

Johnston said the idea was that the character 'had the power, the money' and was the only game in town, and the tune stayed with the boss character for decades.

Which wrestling style, Japan's national sport, is fought on a clay ring called a dohyō?

Sumo, Japan's national sport, is fought on a raised clay dohyō; a rikishi loses by stepping out of the ring or touching the ground with anything but his feet.

At which pay-per-view was Mankind thrown off the top of the Hell in a Cell cage?

Less than two minutes in, The Undertaker threw Mankind from the top of the 16-foot cell through the Spanish announce table, then later chokeslammed him through the roof, knocking him out for real.

Which legendary manager was known as "The Brain" and managed wrestlers like Andre the Giant?

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was considered the greatest manager and one of the best commentators in wrestling history. He managed Andre the Giant, among many others, and was known for his quick wit.

Which British wrestler beat Bret Hart for the Intercontinental title before 80,000 at Wembley in 1992?

Davey Boy Smith, 'The British Bulldog', beat his brother-in-law Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in the SummerSlam 1992 main event at Wembley Stadium.

Which annual New Japan round-robin tournament is contested by junior heavyweights?

Best of the Super Juniors is New Japan's annual junior-heavyweight round-robin, begun in 1988 as Top of the Super Juniors; Jushin Thunder Liger and Koji Kanemoto each won it three times.

Who won the first women's Money in the Bank ladder match in 2017?

Carmella won the first women's Money in the Bank ladder match in June 2017 after James Ellsworth pulled the briefcase down for her, then won the ordered rematch days later.

Which WCW announcer infamously revealed Mick Foley's WWF title win on Nitro, sending viewers to Raw?

Schiavone sneered that the result would 'put some butts in the seats', and roughly 600,000 households immediately switched from Nitro to Raw.

Which WCW executive created the 1996 'hostile takeover' storyline and put Nitro up against Raw?

Bischoff wanted an angle in which WCW appeared to be sabotaged by an outside group, initially hinted to be the WWF since the invaders had just come from there.

Kenny Omega's finishing move, a one-armed electric chair driver, is called what?

Kenny Omega named the One-Winged Angel after Sephiroth's theme from Final Fantasy VII; it lifts the opponent in an electric chair and drops them into a driver, one of wrestling's most protected finishers.

Who ended Bob Backlund's near-six-year WWF Championship reign in December 1983?

The Iron Sheik beat Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship on December 26, 1983 when Backlund's manager threw in the towel, then dropped the belt to Hulk Hogan four weeks later.

At which 1997 WCW pay-per-view did Sting finally face Hollywood Hogan for the title?

Starrcade 1997 was WCW's highest-grossing pay-per-view, yet the botched finish of Sting's title win over Hogan is widely cited as the moment the company's decline began.

What does Kazuchika Okada call his short-arm lariat finisher in NJPW?

Okada's Rainmaker is a short-arm lariat: he spins the opponent back by the wrist and clotheslines them on the rebound, named for his money-raining entrance.

Which wrestler alone has won the WCW World Heavyweight, WWF/WWE, World Heavyweight and WWE-era ECW titles?

Big Show (Paul Wight) debuted in WCW in 1995 as The Giant and won its world title that year; he later held the WWE, World Heavyweight and ECW championships, the only wrestler to hold all four.

Who beat Chris Jericho for the AEW World Championship at Revolution in February 2020?

Jon Moxley, formerly WWE's Dean Ambrose, beat Chris Jericho for the AEW World Championship at Revolution on February 29, 2020, then lost it to Kenny Omega in December 2020.

In which Japanese joshi promotion was Aja Kong trained and made a star?

Kong graduated from AJW's class of 1986 and later founded her own promotion, Arsion, in 1997.

Wrestling first appeared in the ancient Olympic Games in which year?

Wrestling joined the ancient Games in 708 BC, the 18th Olympiad, alongside the pentathlon, and became a focal sport; pankration followed in 648 BC.

Women's freestyle wrestling was added to the Olympic programme in which year?

Women's freestyle wrestling debuted at the 2004 Athens Games with four weight classes; men's freestyle had been Olympic since 1904 and Greco-Roman since the first modern Games in 1896.

Wrestling's world governing body, FILA, adopted which name in 2014?

FILA rebranded as United World Wrestling in September 2014, a year after the IOC's February 2013 vote to drop wrestling from the 2020 programme had forced sweeping reforms.

Which Turkish folk style, the country's national sport, is known as yağlı güreş?

Oil wrestling, Turkey's national sport, has wrestlers douse themselves in olive oil and grapple for holds on the leather trousers, the kisbet; the Kırkpınar tournament in Edirne dates to the 14th century.

In which Iowa city were the first annual NCAA Wrestling Championships held in 1928?

Folkstyle, which grew out of English catch-as-catch-can and Irish collar-and-elbow wrestling, is the most popular US form.

In which ancient work does the hero prove himself as a leader by wrestling Enkidu?

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk wrestles the wild man Enkidu to a standstill and the two become inseparable friends; Homer's Iliad also describes a wrestling bout at Patroclus's funeral games.