This Day in Pro Wrestling History (July 24)

27 years ago today, Sherri Martel makes her World Wrestling Federation debut against the Fabulous Moolah in a match for the WWF Womens Championship at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston, Texas. And Sherri wins. She would hold the title for more than a year before losing it to Rockin' Robin.

18 years ago today, The Steiner Brothers defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship. The Steiners would lose them just three days later in Atlanta back to Harlem Heat.

15 years ago today, Edge defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship at the Skydome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ken Shamrock was the originally scheduled opponent, but due to travel issues, he could not make the show. Edge wasn't even aware he was going to win the title that night until the referee made the three count.

14 years ago today, on Nitro from the Convocation Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Lance Storm defeated Big Vito to in a title versus title match to win the WCW Hardcore Championship. Storm's WCW United States Championship was also on the line.

13 years ago today at a Smackdown taping at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kurt Angle defeated Booker T by submission to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. During the same taping, Chris Kanyon is awarded the WCW United States Championship by Booker T and Stephanie McMahon.

10 years ago today behind the Break Away Tavern in Smyrna, Delaware, Wifebeater defeated Necro Butcher in the final match to win CZW's Tournament of Death III. The final match was an "Anything Goes 200 Light Tubes Double Hell Deathmatch". Sexxxy Eddy also made the finals of the twelve-man tournament, but could not compete due to an arm injury. Other participants included Arsenal, Evil Ninja #2, Nick Gage, Ruckus, Mad Man Pondo, Ian Knoxx, The Great Phantom, JC Bailey, and Chris Cash. WARNING: THE ABOVE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL VIEWERS.

9 years ago today, WWE presented The Great American Bash (WWE Network link) from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. About 8,000 were in attendance with 279,000 homes watching on PPV. The event won Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Worst Major Show of 2005. It was also the final show for Mark Copani, aka controversial gimmick Muhammad Hassan. Hassan was taken off television with mounting pressure from UPN earlier in the month, and was released two months later.

• In a preshow match on Heat: Paul London defeated Nunzio to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
• The Legion of Doom (Heidenreich and Road Warrior Animal) defeated MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) to win the WWE Tag Team Championships.
• Booker T defeated Christian.
• Orlando Jordan defeated Chris Benoit to retain the United States championship.
• The Undertaker defeated Muhammad Hassan.
• The Mexicools (Super Crazy, Juventud & Psicosis) defeated The Blue World Order (Big Stevie Cool, The Blue Meanie & Hollywood Nova) in a six-man tag team match.
• Rey Mysterio defeated Eddie Guerrero.
• Melina defeated Torrie Wilson in a Bra and Panties match with Candice Michelle as the special guest referee.
• John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated Batista by disqualification in a match for the World heavyweight championship. Batista retained the World Heavyweight Championship.

A happy 39^th birthday today to former WWE Diva and 1999 Miss Galaxy Torrie Wilson.