This Day in Wrestling History (January 30)

111 years ago today in London, England, George Hackenschmidt defeated Ahmed Madrali to become the recognized undisputed World Heavyweight Champion. Hackenschmidt, already claiming world championship status for four years, would go on to defeat American heavyweight champion Tom Jenkins in New York City just over a year later.

Ric Flair vs Scott Steiner-WCW Heavyweight... by Yosihait

24 years ago today, WCW presented Clash of the Champions XIV: Dixie Dynamite (WWE Network link) from the Georgia Mountain Center in Gainesville, Georgia. It was the first Clash of the Champions event produced solely by WCW. It is also noted for the return of Dusty Rhodes to WCW after spending the last two years in the WWF.

• Lex Luger & Sting defeated Doom (Butch Reed & Ron Simmons) by disqualification in a WCW World Tag Team Championship match.
• The Z-Man defeated Bobby Eaton to retain the WCW World Television Championship.
• The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin & Michael Hayes) defeated Alan Iron Eagle & Tommy Rich.
• Sid Vicious defeated Joey Maggs.
• Terrance Taylor defeated Ricky Morton.
• Ranger Ross defeated El Cubano.
• Arn Anderson & Barry Windham defeated The Renegades (Chris Youngblood & Mark Youngblood).
• Flyin' Brian defeated Buddy Lee Parker.
• Missy Hyatt defeated Paul E. Dangerously in an arm wrestling match.
• Ric Flair and Scott Steiner fought to a draw for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

10 years ago today, WWE presented Royal Rumble (WWE Network link) from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. About 12,000 were in attendance, with 575,000 homes watching on PPV. That's up from 500,000 homes for the 2004 event.

• In a Sunday Night Heat preshow match, Maven defeated Rhyno.
• Edge defeated Shawn Michaels.
• The Undertaker defeated Heidenreich in a casket match.
• John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Kurt Angle and Big Show in a triple threat match to retain the WWE Championship.
• Triple H defeated Randy Orton to retain the World Heavyweight Championship .
• Batista last eliminated John Cena to win the Royal Rumble match.

Notes:

• Batista and John Cena eliminated themselves at the same time. As Vince McMahon entered the ring, he tore both his quads at once. Sitting on his rear end, he ordered a restart with the final two entrants.
• Of note, this was Daniel Puder's final notable WWE appearance. He was sent to OVW following the event, then released in September 2005 after turning down a contract to go to Deep South Wrestling.

4 years ago today, WWE presented Royal Rumble (WWE Network link) from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 15,113 were in attendance, with 446,000 homes watching on PPV. This is the only event to feature a 40-man Royal Rumble match. Booker T and Kevin "Diesel" Nash made their returns to the company.

• In a preshow dark match, R-Truth defeated Curt Hawkins in a Royal Rumble qualifying match.
• Edgedefeated Dolph Ziggler to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
• The Miz defeated Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship.
• Eve Torres defeated Natalya, Layla, and Michelle McCool in a fatal four-way match to win the WWE Divas Championship.
• Alberto Del Rio last eliminated Santino Marella to win the Royal Rumble match.

2011 Royal Rumble Results