2004 in professional wrestling

2004 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of years in professional wrestling
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List of notable promotions

These promotions held notable shows in 2004.

Promotion Name Abbreviation Notes
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre CMLL
Georgia Championship Wrestling GCW
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
Ring of Honor ROH
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling TNA
World Wrestling Council WWC
World Wrestling Entertainment WWE 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.

Calendar of notable shows

January
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
4 NJPW Wrestling World Tokyo, Japan Shinsuke Nakamura (c) defeated Yoshihiro Takayama (c) in a Singles match for both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (Nakamura) and the NWF Heavyweight Championship (Takayama). The NWF title was unified with the IWGP title. As a result, the NWF title was retired.
25 WWE:
 Royal Rumble Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Chris Benoit won by last eliminating Big Show in a 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania XX
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

February
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
14 ROH Second Anniversary Show Braintree, Massachusetts A.J. Styles defeated CM Punk in a tournament final for the inaugural Pure Wrestling Championship
15 WWE:
 No Way Out Daly City, California Eddie Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar (c) in a Singles match for the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

March
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
14 WWE:
 WrestleMania XX New York City, New York Chris Benoit defeated Triple H (c) and Shawn Michaels by submission in a Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship
21 AAA Rey de Reyes Naucalpan, Mexico Jeff Jarrett defeated Latin Lover in a Singles match in the 2004 Rey de Reyes tournament final
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

April
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
18 WWE:
 Backlash Edmonton, Alberta Chris Benoit (c) defeated Shawn Michaels and Triple H by submission in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship
30 CMLL 48. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico Damian El Terrible defeated Máscara Mágica in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

May
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
16 WWE:
 Judgment Day Los Angeles, California John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated Eddie Guerrero (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

June
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
13 WWE:
 Bad Blood Columbus, Ohio Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels in a Hell in a Cell match
20 AAA Triplemanía XII Naucalpan, Mexico La Parka defeated Cibernético in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas "Mask vs. Mask" match
27 WWE:
 The Great American Bash Norfolk, Virginia The Undertaker defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) (with Paul Heyman) in a Handicap Concrete Crypt match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

July
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
11 WWE:
 Vengeance Hartford, Connecticut Chris Benoit (c) defeated Triple H in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
23 ROH Death Before Dishonor 2 Wauwatosa, Wisconsin The Second City Saints (CM Punk and Colt Cabana) (c) vs. The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) in a Two Out of Three Falls match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship
24 ROH Chicago Ridge, Illinois The Second City Saints (CM Punk and Ace Steel) vs. Dan Maff and B. J. Whitmer in a Chicago Street Fight
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

August
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
7-15 NJPW G1 Climax Tokyo Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi by submission in a G1 Climax tournament final
10 GCW First Annual Fred Ward Memorial Show Columbus, Georgia Jason Cross defeated Johnny Swinger in a Finals tournament match
15 WWE:
 SummerSlam Toronto, Ontario Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit (c) in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
21 WWC WWC 31st Aniversario Caguas, Puerto Rico Carly Colón defeated Eddie Colón in a Singles match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

September
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
11 ROH Glory By Honor 3 Elizabeth, New Jersey The Havana Pitbulls (Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero) (c) (with Julius Smokes) defeated B. J. Whitmer and Dan Maff and Generation Next (Jack Evans and Roderick Strong) and The Carnage Crew (DeVito and H. C. Loc) in an Ultimate Endurance Match for the ROH Tag Team Championship
12 WWE:
 Unforgiven Portland, Oregon Triple H defeated Randy Orton (c) in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
17 CMLL CMLL 71st Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico Universo 2000 lost to Canek, also in the match: Dr. Wagner Jr. and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in a Four-way Lucha de Apuesta mask vs. mask elimination match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

October
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
3 WWE:
 No Mercy East Rutherford, New Jersey John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) defeated The Undertaker in a Last Ride match for the WWE Championship
16 AAA Verano de Escándalo Orizaba, Mexico Mosco de la Merced lost to Heavy Metal, El Intocable, Zorro and Los Vipers (Histeria and Psicosis) in a Steel cage match
19 WWE:
 Taboo Tuesday Milwaukee, Wisconsin Randy Orton defeated Ric Flair in a Steel cage match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

November
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
7 TNA Victory Road Orlando, Florida Jeff Jarrett (c) defeated Jeff Hardy in a Ladder match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship TNA's first monthly three-hour PPV event.
14 WWE:
 Survivor Series Cleveland, Ohio Team Orton (Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Maven) defeated Team Triple H (Triple H, Batista, Edge and Gene Snitsky) (with Ric Flair) in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series elimination match
Whichever team won would each be in charge of Raw for the next 4 weeks
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

December
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
5 AAA Guerra de Titanes Naucalpan, Mexico Cibernético and La Parka defeated La Legión Extranjera (Konnan and Rikishi) by disqualification in a tag team match
5 TNA Turning Point Orlando, Florida America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) defeated Triple X (Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper) in a Six Sides of Steel match
12 WWE:
 Armageddon Duluth, Georgia John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) defeated Booker T, Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker in a Fatal-4-Way match for the WWE Championship
17 CMLL Sin Piedad Mexico City, Mexico Los Hermanos Dinamita (Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000) defeated Pierroth and Vampiro Canadiense in a Best two-out-of-three falls tag team Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match
23 WWE:
 Tribute to the Troops Tirikt, Iraq Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio defeated Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns in a tag team match
26 ROH Final Battle Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Samoa Joe (c) vs. Austin Aries in a Singles match for the ROH World Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Accomplishments and tournaments

AAA
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Rey de Reyes Jeff Jarrett March 21

AJW
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Japan Grand Prix 2004 Kumiko Maekawa August 1
Tag League The Best 2004 Kumiko Maekawa and Saki Maemura December 26

Ring of Honor
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
ROH Pure Wrestling Championship Tournament A.J. Styles February 2
ROH Pure Championship Tournament Doug Williams July 17

TNA
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
NWA World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Tournament Jeff Hardy October 12
NWA World Tag Team Championship Tournament Kid Kash and Dallas March 31
2004 TNA World X Cup Tournament Team TNA May 26
2004 TNA America's X Cup Tournament Team TNA

TNA Year End Awards
Main article: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Year End Awards
Poll Winner(s)
Tag Team of the Year America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)
Babe of the Year Traci Brooks
Finisher of the Year The Canadian Destroyer
Who To Watch in 2005 Héctor Garza
Memorable Moment of the Year Primetime walks the Six Sides of Steel at Turning Point
X Division Star of the Year A.J. Styles
Match of the Year Six Sides of Steel Match: Triple X vs. America's Most Wanted at Turning Point
Mr. TNA A.J. Styles

WWE
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Royal Rumble Chris Benoit January 25 Winner received their choice of a championship match for either Raw's World Heavyweight Championship or SmackDown!'s WWE Championship at WrestleMania XX. Benoit from SmackDown! last eliminated Big Show to win and chose to challenge for Raw's World Heavyweight Championship, which he subsequently won from Triple H in a triple threat match that also involved Shawn Michaels.

WWE Hall of Fame
Main article: WWE Hall of Fame
Category Inductee Inducted by
Individual Big John Studd Big Show
Don Muraco Mick Foley
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine Jimmy Hart
Harley Race Ric Flair
Jesse "The Body" Ventura Tyrel Ventura
Junkyard Dog Ernie Ladd
Sgt. Slaughter Pat Patterson
Superstar Billy Graham Triple H
Tito Santana Shawn Michaels
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Blackjack Lanza
Celebrity Pete Rose Kane

Awards and honors

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards
Category Winner
PWI Wrestler of the Year Chris Benoit
PWI Tag Team of the Year America's Most Wanted
(Chris Harris and James Storm)
PWI Match of the Year Triple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XX)
PWI Feud of the Year Triple H vs. Chris Benoit
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year John Cena
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Triple H
PWI Comeback of the Year Edge
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Randy Orton
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Eddie Guerrero
PWI Rookie of the Year Monty Brown
PWI Woman of the Year Victoria
PWI Lifetime Achievement Pat Patterson

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Main article: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Inductee
The Undertaker
Bob Backlund
Masahiro Chono
Tarzán López
Kazushi Sakuraba
Último Dragón
Kurt Angle

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Category Winner
Wrestler of the Year Kenta Kobashi
Most Outstanding no credit
Best Box Office Draw Kenta Kobashi
Feud of the Year Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
Tag Team of the Year Kenta and Naomichi Marufuji
Most Improved Randy Orton
Best on Interviews Mick Foley

Title changes

NJPW
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Shinsuke Nakamura
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 5 Vacated N/A
February 15 Hiroyoshi Tenzan Fighting Spirit
March 12 Kensuke Sasaki Hyper Battle
March 28 Bob Sapp King of Sports
June 2 Vacated N/A
June 5 Kazuyuki Fujita The Crush II
October 9 Kensuke Sasaki Pro Wrestlers Be Strongest
December 12 Hiroyoshi Tenzan Battle Final
IWGP Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yutaka Yoshie
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 1 Minoru Suzuki and Yoshihiro Takayama Fighting Spirit
November 21 Vacated N/A
December 11 Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura Battle Final
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Heat
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
No title changes
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Gedo and Jado
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 12 American Dragon and Curry Man Hyper Battle
June 5 Gedo and Jado Best of the Super Jr. XI

WWE
  – Raw
  – SmackDown

Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship, a secondary championship, and a tag team championship for male wrestlers. SmackDown also had a title for their cruiserweight wrestlers. There was only one women's championship and it was exclusive to Raw.

World Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Triple H
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 14 Chris Benoit WrestleMania XX Triple threat match, also involving Shawn Michaels.
August 15 Randy Orton SummerSlam
September 12 Triple H Unforgiven
December 6 Vacated Monday Night Raw The championship was vacated after a double fall occurred in a triple threat match, also involving Chris Benoit and Edge.
WWE Championship
Incoming champion – Brock Lesnar
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 15 Eddie Guerrero No Way Out
June 27 John "Bradshaw" Layfield The Great American Bash Texas Bullrope match
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Incoming champion – Randy Orton
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
July 11 Edge Vengeance
September 6 Vacated Monday Night Raw Vacated due to injury.
September 12 Chris Jericho Unforgiven Defeated Christian in a ladder match for the vacant title.
October 19 Shelton Benjamin Taboo Tuesday Due to the stipulation of the event, fans could vote for who would face Chris Jericho for the title; Benjamin had the most votes.
WWE United States Championship
Incoming champion – Big Show
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 14 John Cena WrestleMania XX
July 6
(aired July 8)		 Vacated SmackDown! John Cena was stripped of the title after attacking SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle.
July 27
(aired July 29)		 Booker T SmackDown! Eight-way elimination match for the vacant title, also involving John Cena, René Duprée, Kenzo Suzuki, Rob Van Dam, Billy Gunn, Charlie Haas, and Luther Reigns.
October 3 John Cena No Mercy Fifth match of a Best of Five series.
October 5
(aired October 7)		 Carlito Caribbean Cool SmackDown!
November 16
(aired November 18)		 John Cena SmackDown!
WWE Women's Championship
Incoming champion – Molly Holly
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 23 Victoria Monday Night Raw Fatal four-way elimination match, also involving Jazz and Lita. Victoria pinned Lita to win the championship.
June 13 Trish Stratus Bad Blood Fatal four-way match, also involving Lita and Gail Kim. Stratus pinned Lita to win the championship.
December 6 Lita Monday Night Raw
World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Evolution (Batista and Ric Flair)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 16 Booker T and Rob Van Dam Monday Night Raw
March 22 Evolution
(Batista and Ric Flair)		 Monday Night Raw
April 19 Chris Benoit and Edge Monday Night Raw
May 31 La Résistance
(Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier)		 Monday Night Raw
October 19 Chris Benoit and Edge Taboo Tuesday Benoit and Edge were voted into this match as a result of neither winning the World Heavyweight Championship voting. Benoit won the title himself after Edge abandoned him midway through the match.
November 1 La Résistance
(Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier)		 Monday Night Raw
November 15 Eugene and William Regal Monday Night Raw Three-way elimination match, also involving Rhyno and Tajiri.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – The Basham Brothers (Doug and Danny Basham)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 3
(aired February 5)		 Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty SmackDown!
April 20
(aired April 22)		 Charlie Haas and Rico SmackDown!
June 15
(aired June 17)		 The Dudley Boyz
(Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)		 SmackDown!
July 6
(aired July 8)		 Billy Kidman and Paul London SmackDown!
September 7
(aired September 9)		 Kenzo Suzuki and René Duprée SmackDown!
December 7
(aired December 9)		 Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam SmackDown!
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Incoming champion – Rey Mysterio
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 15 Chavo Guerrero Jr. No Way Out
May 4
(aired May 6)		 Jacqueline SmackDown! Only woman under the WWE banner to win the title.
May 16 Chavo Guerrero Jr. Judgment Day Guerrero won the title with one hand tied behind his back, though his father Chavo Classic untied it during the match.
May 18
(aired May 20)		 Chavo Classic SmackDown! Triple threat match, also involving Spike Dudley.
June 15
(aired June 17)		 Rey Mysterio SmackDown!
July 27
(aired July 29)		 Spike Dudley SmackDown!
December 12 Funaki Armageddon

Debuts
Kazuchika Okada
Jon Moxley
  • Uncertain debut date

Retirements

Births

Deaths
Big Boss Man

See also

References
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