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2008 in professional wrestling

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2008 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of notable promotions

[edit]

These promotions held notable events in 2008.

Promotion Name Abbreviation Notes
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre CMLL
Georgia Championship Wrestling GCW
Juggalo Championship Wrestling JCW
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 WWE divided its roster into three storyline divisions, Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs.

Calendar of notable shows

[edit]

January

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom II Tokyo Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
6 TNA Final Resolution Orlando, Florida Kurt Angle (c) defeated Christian Cage in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
6 WWC Euphoria Bayamón, Puerto Rico Mini Abismo Negro vs. Octagoncito
27 WWE:
 Royal Rumble New York, New York John Cena won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Triple H to earn a world championship match at WrestleMania XXIV This was the first WWE PPV to be broadcast in HD.
John Cena chose to challenge for the WWE Championship, but used his title shot at No Way Out instead of waiting until WrestleMania.
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

February

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
10 TNA Against All Odds Greenville, South Carolina Kurt Angle (c) defeated Christian Cage in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Samoa Joe as the special outside enforcer
17 WWE:
 No Way Out Las Vegas, Nevada Triple H defeated Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Umaga, and John "Bradshaw" Layfield in the Elimination Chamber match for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

March

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
9 TNA Destination X Norfolk, Virginia The Unlikely Alliance (Christian Cage, Kevin Nash and Samoa Joe) defeated The Angle Alliance (Kurt Angle, A.J. Styles and Tomko) in a Six-man Tag team match
16 AAA Rey de Reyes Monterrey, Mexico Rey de Reyes Finals Elimination match
16 ROH Take No Prisoners Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nigel McGuiness (c) defeated Tyler Black in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship
30 WWE:
 WrestleMania XXIV Orlando, Florida The Undertaker defeated Edge (c) by submission in a Singles match to win the World Heavyweight Championship Ric Flair wrestled his last WWE match at this PPV against Shawn Michaels
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

April

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
13 TNA Lockdown Lowell, Massachusetts Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle (c) in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match to win TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
If Joe had lost, he had to retire from professional wrestling.
18 CMLL 52. Aniversario de Arena México Mexico City, Mexico Héctor Garza and Místico (c) drew with Los Perros del Mal (Averno and Mephisto) - Double disqualification in a Best two-out-of-three falls tag team match for the CMLL World Tag Team Championship
27 WWE:
 Backlash Baltimore, Maryland Triple H defeated Randy Orton (c), John Cena, and John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a Fatal-4-Way elimination match to win the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

May

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
11 TNA Sacrifice Orlando, Florida Samoa Joe (c) defeated Kaz and Scott Steiner in a Three-way match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
18 WWE:
 Judgment Day Omaha, Nebraska Triple H (c) defeated Randy Orton in a Steel Cage match to retain the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

June

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
1 WWE:
 One Night Stand San Diego, California Edge defeated The Undertaker in the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship
7 ROH Respect is Earned Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) (c) defeated TeamWork (Austin Aries and Bryan Danielson) in a Tag team match to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship
8 TNA Slammiversary Southaven, Mississippi Samoa Joe (c) defeated Booker T, Christian Cage, Rhino and Robert Roode in the King of the Mountain match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Kevin Nash as special guest enforcer
13 AAA Triplemanía XVI Naucalpan, Mexico Cibernético (c) defeated El Zorro in a Singles match for the AAA Mega Championship
13 CMLL Infierno en el Ring Mexico City, Mexico 10-man Infierno en el Ring, Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair Steel cage match
29 WWE:
 Night of Champions Dallas, Texas Triple H (c) defeated John Cena in a Singles match to retain the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

July

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event Notes
13 TNA Victory Road Houston, Texas Samoa Joe (c) vs Booker T went to a no contest in a Singles match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
19 WWC 35th WWC Aniversario San Juan, Puerto Rico Ray Gonzalez defeated Carlito
20 WWE:
 The Great American Bash Uniondale, New York Triple H (c) defeated Edge in a Singles match to retain the WWE Championship This PPV is notable for being the last TV-14 rated WWE PPV. Immediately after the PPV, WWE turned their product PG
The event also determined the inaugural champion for the Diva Championship, new title for the SmackDown Divas, where Michelle McCool defeated Natalya.
25 CMLL International Gran Prix Mexico City, Mexico Místico defeated Perro Aguayo Jr. (2-1) in a Best two-out-of-three-falls match, 2008 Leyenda de Plata tournament final
26 ROH New Horizons Detroit, Michigan Bryan Danielson defeated Tyler Black in a Singles match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

August

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
10 JCW Bloodymania II Cave-In-Rock, Illinois Corporal Robinson (c) defeated Raven for the JCW World Heavyweight Championship
10 TNA Hard Justice Trenton, New Jersey Samoa Joe (c) defeated Booker T in the Six Sides of Steel Weapons match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
9-17 NJPW G1 Climax final Tokyo Hirooki Goto defeated Togi Makabe in a G1 Climax tournament
17 WWE:
 SummerSlam Indianapolis, Indiana The Undertaker defeated Edge in Hell in a Cell match
29 CMLL Sin Piedad Mexico City Blue Panther, Dos Caras Jr. and Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated Black Warrior, Mr. Niebla and Rey Bucanero
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

September

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
4 GCW Fifth Annual Fred Ward Memorial Show Phenix City, Alabama Micah Taylor and Diane Hewes defeated Johnny Swinger and Quentin Michaels in an All or Nothing match for control of GCW
7 WWE:
 Unforgiven Cleveland, Ohio Chris Jericho defeated Batista, Kane, John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Rey Mysterio in the Championship Scramble to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship
14 AAA Verano de Escándalo Zapopan, Mexico Vampiro defeated El Mesías
14 TNA No Surrender Oshawa, Ontario Samoa Joe (c) defeated Christian Cage and Kurt Angle in the Three Ways to Glory match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
19 ROH Driven Boston, Massachusetts Kevin Steen and El Generico defeated The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) (c) in a Tag team match to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship
19 CMLL CMLL 75th Anniversary Show Mexico City, Mexico Villano V defeated Blue Panther in a Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

October

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
5 WWE:
 No Mercy Portland, Oregon Chris Jericho (c) defeated Shawn Michaels in the Ladder match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
12 TNA Bound for Glory Hoffman Estates, Illinois Sting defeated Samoa Joe (c) in a Singles match to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
13 NJPW Destruction Tokyo Keiji Mutoh (c) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
24 AAA Antonio Peña Memorial Show Veracruz, Mexico La Legión Extranjera (Electroshock, Konnan, Rellik and Kenzo Suzuki) defeated Team AAA (Latin Lover, Octagón, La Parka and Super Fly) in a steel cage elimination match
26 WWE:
 Cyber Sunday Phoenix, Arizona Batista defeated Chris Jericho (c) in a Singles match to win the World Heavyweight Championship with Stone Cold Steve Austin as special guest referee.
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

November

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
1-2 PWG Battle of Los Angeles Burbank, California Low Ki defeated Chris Hero in a Battle of Los Angeles tournament
9 TNA Turning Point Orlando Sting (c) defeated A.J. Styles in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
14 N/A Second Annual Sensational Sherri Memorial Cup Tournament Montreal, Quebec Misty Haven and Michael Von Payton defeated Kacey Diamond and Marko Estrada
22 ROH Rising Above Chicago Ridge, Illinois Nigel McGuinness (c) defeated Bryan Danielson in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship
23 WWE:
 Survivor Series Boston, Massachusetts John Cena defeated Chris Jericho (c) in a Singles match to win the World Heavyweight Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

December

[edit]
Date Promotion(s) Event Location Main Event
5 WWE:
 Tribute to the Troops Baghdad John Cena, Batista and Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Big Show in a Six-man tag team match
6 AAA Guerra de Titanes Orizaba, Mexico Steel Cage Match Luchas de Apuestas
7 TNA Final Resolution Orlando The Main Event Mafia (Sting (c), Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner and Booker T) defeated The TNA Front Line (A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, Brother Ray and Brother Devon) in an Eight-man tag team match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
14 WWE:
 Armageddon Buffalo, New York Jeff Hardy defeated Edge (c) and Triple H in a Triple threat match to win the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

Accomplishments and tournaments

[edit]

AAA

[edit]
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Rey de Reyes El Zorro March 16

AAA Hall of Fame

[edit]
Main article: AAA Hall of Fame
Inductee
Eddie Guerrero

Ring of Honor

[edit]
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
ROH World Championship #1 Contender Tournament Kevin Steen February 22
ROH World Championship #1 Contender Tournament Tyler Black March 16
ROH World Tag Team Championship Tournament The Age of the Fall (Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs) June 6

Sendai Girls

[edit]
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Jaja Uma Tournament Hiroyo Matsumoto June 27

TNA

[edit]
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament The Latin American Xchange (Hernandez and Homicide) May 11
2008 TNA World X Cup Tournament Team Mexico July 13
Turkey Bowl Rhino November 27

WWE

[edit]
Accomplishment Winner Date won Notes
Royal Rumble John Cena January 27 Winner received their choice of a championship match for either Raw's WWE Championship, SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship, or the ECW Championship at WrestleMania XXIV; Cena last eliminated Triple H to win but instead of waiting until WrestleMania, Cena used his championship opportunity to challenge Randy Orton for his own brand's WWE Championship at No Way Out. Cena did not win the championship at No Way Out, but still ended up being in the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania but was also unsuccessful there where Orton retained over Cena and Triple H in a triple threat match.
Money in the Bank ladder match CM Punk March 30 Defeated Carlito, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, Mr. Kennedy, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Shelton Benjamin to win a world championship match contract. Punk from Raw cashed in his contract and won SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship from Edge on the June 30 episode of Raw after Edge had just received a beat down from Batista. The World Heavyweight Championship was transferred to Raw upon Punk's win.
King of the Ring William Regal April 21 Defeated CM Punk in the tournament final to win and be crowned King of the Ring.
Championship Chase Tournament Edge May 9 Last eliminated Batista to win a battle royal, which was a tournament final to determine The Undertaker's challenger for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at Judgment Day; Undertaker had been stripped of the title for using a banned submission hold, Hell's Gate, on Edge in their match at Backlash. The match at Judgment Day, however, ended in a countout victory for Undertaker. The two faced each other again for the vacant title at One Night Stand where Edge defeated Undertaker to win the title.
WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender's Tournament CM Punk December 14 Defeated Rey Mysterio in the tournament final to win an Intercontinental Championship match, which Punk received on the January 5, 2009 episode of Raw, but failed to win the title due to William Regal getting himself counted out. Punk gained the title in a rematch two weeks later that was contested under no disqualification rules.
Race To The Rumble Tournament John "Bradshaw" Layfield December 29 Defeated Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Chris Jericho in a fatal four-way match, which was the final of a tournament to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at the 2009 Royal Rumble. JBL, however, was unsuccessful against John Cena at the event.

WWE Hall of Fame

[edit]
Main article: WWE Hall of Fame
Category Inductee Inducted by
Individual "Nature Boy" Ric Flair Triple H
"High Chief" Peter Maivia The Rock
"Soulman" Rocky Johnson The Rock
Mae Young Pat Patterson
Eddie Graham Dusty Rhodes
Gordon Solie Jim Ross
Group The Brisco Brothers
(Jack Brisco and Gerald Brisco) 		John "Bradshaw" Layfield

Slammy Awards

[edit]
Main article: Slammy Award
Poll Results
Best WWE.com Exclusive John Morrison and The Miz present "The Dirt Sheet"
Breakout Star of the Year Vladimir Kozlov
Best Musical Performance R-Truth – "What's Up?" (SmackDown, Sept 15)
Announce Team of the Year Todd Grisham and Matt Striker (ECW)
Best Impersonation Charlie Haas as "The GlamaHaas" (Raw, Oct 27)
Tag Team of the Year John Morrison and The Miz
Finishing Maneuver of the Year Air Bourne (Evan Bourne)
Extreme Moment of the Year Jeff Hardy gives Randy Orton the Swanton Bomb from the top of the Raw set (Raw, January 14)
Couple of the Year Edge and Vickie Guerrero
Diva of the Year Beth Phoenix
"OMG!" Moment of the Year CM Punk cashes in Money in the Bank briefcase and defeats Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship on the June 30 edition of Raw
Match of the Year Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XXIV
"Damn!" Moment of the Year The Great Khali hosts the Kiss Cam (SmackDown, November 7)
Superstar of the Year Chris Jericho

Title changes

[edit]

AAA

[edit]
AAA Mega Championship
Incoming champion – El Mesias
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 16 Cibernético Rey de Reyes
October 24 Vacated Antonio Peña Memorial Show
December 6 El Mesias Guerra de Titanes
AAA World Mini-Estrella Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
September 14 Mini Charly Manson Verano de Escándalo
AAA World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Mexican Powers (Crazy Boy and Joe Líder)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 27 La Familia de Tijuana
(Halloween and Extreme Tiger) 		AAA Sin Límite TV Taping
September 14 La Hermandad 187
(Joe Líder and Nicho el Millonario) 		Verano de Escándalo
AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Gran Apache and Mari Apache
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
September 14 Cynthia Moreno and El Oriental Guerra de Titanes

NJPW

[edit]
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Hiroshi Tanahashi
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 4 Shinsuke Nakamura Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome
April 27 Keiji Mutoh Circuit2008 New Japan Brave tour
IWGP Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – RISE (Giant Bernard and Travis Tomko)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 17 The Most Violent Players
(Togi Makabe and Toru Yano) 		Circuit 2008 New Japan Ism
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Wataru Inoue
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 16 Vacated N/A
July 8 Tiger Mask New Japan Trill
September 21 Low Ki New Japan Generation
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Dick Togo and Taka Michinoku
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 27 Prince Prince
(Minoru and Prince Devitt) 		Circuit 2008 New Japan Ism
February 17 Legend
(Akira and Jushin Thunder Liger) 		Circuit 2008 New Japan Ism
July 21 Prince Prince
(Minoru and Prince Devitt) 		Circuit2008 New Japan Soul: Novello Sparks
October 13 No Limit
(Tetsuya Naito and Yujiro Takahashi) 		Destruction '08

ROH

[edit]
ROH World Championship
Incoming champion – Nigel McGuinness
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
No title changes
ROH World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champion(s) – The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 26 No Remorse Corps
(Davey Richards and Rocky Romero) 		Without Remorse
April 12 The Briscoe Brothers
(Jay and Mark Briscoe) 		Injustice
May 10 Vacated A New Level
June 6 The Age of the Fall
(Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) 		Up for Grabs
September 19 El Generico and Kevin Steen Driven

TNA

[edit]
TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Kurt Angle
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 13 Samoa Joe Lockdown This was a six sides of steel cage title vs. career match
October 12 Sting Bound for Glory This was a match, where the loser can't get a rematch
TNA X Division Championship
Incoming champion – Jay Lethal
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 21 Johnny Devine Impact!
February 10 Jay Lethal Against All Odds
April 15 Petey Williams Impact!
September 14 Sheik Abdul Bashir No Surrender
December 7 Eric Young Final Resolution
Vacated
TNA World Beer Drinking Championship
Incoming champion – Eric Young
Unsanctioned championship
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
February 25 James Storm Impact!
February 26 Deactivated Impact!
TNA World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Christian's Coalition (A.J. Styles and Tomko)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 15 Kaz and Eric Young/Super Eric Impact!
April 15 Vacated Impact!
May 11 The Latin American Xchange
(Homicide and Hernandez) 		Sacrifice
August 10 Beer Money, Inc.
(James Storm and Robert Roode) 		Hard Justice
December 16 Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed Impact!
TNA Women's World Championship
Incoming champion – Gail Kim
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 7 Awesome Kong Impact!
June 24 Taylor Wilde Impact!
October 23 Awesome Kong Impact!
TNA Television Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
October 23 Booker T Impact!

WWE

[edit]
  – Raw
  – SmackDown
  - ECW

Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship, a secondary championship, a women's championship, and a male tag team championship. ECW only had a world championship.

WWE Championship
Incoming champion – Randy Orton
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 27 Triple H Backlash Fatal four-way elimination match, also involving John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand following the 2008 WWE draft when Triple H was drafted to SmackDown.
November 23 Edge Survivor Series Triple threat match, also involving Vladimir Kozlov. Jeff Hardy had originally been scheduled to take part in the match, but did not participate after being (in storyline) attacked prior to the event. Triple H and Kozlov started the match before Edge was revealed as Hardy's surprise replacement.
December 14 Jeff Hardy Armageddon Triple threat match, also involving Triple H.
World Heavyweight Championship
Incoming champion – Edge
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 30 The Undertaker WrestleMania XXIV
April 29
(aired May 2) 		Vacated SmackDown SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the title for using the Hell's Gate submission hold, which she deemed to be dangerous.
June 1 Edge One Night Stand Defeated The Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant title. Per the pre-match stipulation, Undertaker was (kayfabe) banished from WWE.
June 30 CM Punk Monday Night Raw Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to CM Punk being a member of the Raw roster.
September 7 Chris Jericho Unforgiven Championship Scramble, also involving John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Kane. Jericho was a late replacement for champion CM Punk, who was attacked by The Legacy prior to the match.
October 26 Batista Cyber Sunday Stone Cold Steve Austin was the special guest referee.
November 3 Chris Jericho Monday Night Raw Steel cage match
November 23 John Cena Survivor Series
ECW Championship
Incoming champion – CM Punk
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
January 22 Chavo Guerrero Jr. ECW No Disqualification match.
The title became shared between the SmackDown and ECW brands due to Chavo Guerrero Jr. being a member of the SmackDown roster.
March 30 Kane WrestleMania XXIV
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand due to Kane being a member of the SmackDown roster.
The title became exclusive to the ECW brand when Kane became a member of the ECW roster two days after WrestleMania XXIV.
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2008 WWE draft when Kane was drafted to Raw.
June 29 Mark Henry Night of Champions Triple threat match, also involving SmackDown's Big Show.
The title became exclusive to the ECW brand due to Mark Henry being a member of the ECW roster.
September 7 Matt Hardy Unforgiven Scramble match, also involving Finlay, The Miz, and Chavo Guerrero Jr..
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Incoming champion – Jeff Hardy
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
March 10 Chris Jericho Monday Night Raw No disqualification match
June 29 Kofi Kingston Night of Champions
August 17 Santino Marella SummerSlam Winner Takes All Intergender tag team match in which both the Intercontinental and Women's Championships were on the line. Beth Phoenix teamed with Marella. The title was won when Phoenix pinned Mickie James, whose partner was Kofi Kingston.
November 10 William Regal Monday Night Raw
WWE United States Championship
Incoming champion – Montel Vontavious Porter
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 27
(aired March 20) 		Matt Hardy Backlash
The title became exclusive to the ECW brand following the 2008 WWE draft when Matt Hardy was drafted to ECW.
July 20 Shelton Benjamin The Great American Bash
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand due to Shelton Benjamin being a member of the SmackDown roster.
WWE Women's Championship
Incoming champion – Beth Phoenix
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
April 14 Mickie James Monday Night Raw
August 17 Beth Phoenix SummerSlam Winner Takes All Intergender tag team match in which both the Women's and Intercontinental Championships were on the line. Phoenix teamed with Santino Marella. The title was won when Phoenix pinned Mickie James, whose partner was Kofi Kingston.
WWE Divas Championship
(Title created)
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
July 20 Michelle McCool The Great American Bash Defeated Natalya to become the inaugural champion.
December 22
(aired December 26) 		Maryse SmackDown Maria served as the special guest referee.
World Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
June 29 The Legacy
(Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes) 		Night of Champions Rhodes was revealed to be DiBiase's mystery partner and turned on Hardcore Holly, resulting in a handicap match.
August 4 Batista and John Cena Monday Night Raw
August 11 The Legacy
(Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes) 		Monday Night Raw
October 27 CM Punk and Kofi Kingston Monday Night Raw
December 13 John Morrison and The Miz House show
WWE Tag Team Championship
Incoming champions – John Morrison and The Miz
Date Winner Event/Show Note(s)
July 20 Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder The Great American Bash Fatal four-way tag team match, also involving Jesse and Festus and Finlay and Hornswoggle.
The title transferred to SmackDown due to Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder being members of the SmackDown roster.
September 21
(aired September 26) 		The Colóns
(Carlito and Primo) 		SmackDown

Awards and honors

[edit]
2008 PWI Wrestler of the Year, Triple H

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

[edit]
Main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards
Category Winner
PWI Wrestler of the Year Triple H
PWI Tag Team of the Year Beer Money, Inc.
(Robert Roode and James Storm)
PWI Match of the Year Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (WrestleMania XXIV)
PWI Feud of the Year Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Jeff Hardy
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Chris Jericho
PWI Comeback of the Year Chris Jericho
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Cody Rhodes
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Ric Flair
PWI Rookie of the Year Joe Hennig
PWI Woman of the Year Awesome Kong
PWI Lifetime Achievement Ric Flair

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

[edit]

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

[edit]
Main article: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Inductee
Paco Alonso
Martín Karadagian

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

[edit]
2008 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year, Chris Jericho
Main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Category Winner
Wrestler of the Year Chris Jericho
Most Outstanding Bryan Danielson
Feud of the Year Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
Tag Team of the Year John Morrison and The Miz
Most Improved The Miz
Best on Interviews Chris Jericho

Debuts

[edit]

Retirements

[edit]

Deaths

[edit]
Killer Kowalski

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2008 in professional wrestling.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Johnny Weaver Dead at 72". Slam Wrestling. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Autobiography of Professional Wrestling Manager "Playboy" Gary Hart Released". PR.com. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  3. ^ Bestia Salvaje dead at 46 Wrestle World
  4. ^ "Ex-pro wrestler dead of apparent overdose". MSNBC. 2008-03-27. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  5. ^ "Ron Slinker". onlineworldofwrestling.com.
  6. ^ Schramm, Chris. "Mexican great Alfonso Dantés dies". SLAM! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved 2008-07-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "S.D. Jones dies in Antigua". Slam Wrestling. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  8. ^ "Pro wrestler Mike 'Mad Dog' Bell found dead at 37". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 19, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
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