This Day in Wrestling History (January 5)

Shane Douglas returns to ECW at House Party 96 by Stinger1981

19 years ago today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ECW held House Party '96. The show was main evented by the final bout of The Public Enemy, who were leaving for WCW. The show also featured the ECW debut of Rob Van Dam and the return of Shane Douglas.

• 911 and Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The Eliminators (Kronus and Saturn).
• Rob Van Dam defeated Axl Rotten.
• 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Mikey Whipwreck to win the ECW World Television Championship.
• Taz defeated Hack Myers by submission.
• Buh Buh Ray Dudley pinned Jimmy Del Ray.
• The Bad Crew and J.T. Smith & Tony Stetson fought to a no contest.
• The Sandman defeated Konnan by TKO to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. (part 1) (part 2)
• Sabu defeated Stevie Richards.
• The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed).

4 years ago today, New Japan Pro Wrestling introduces the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. The championship, at first the midcard title for New Japan like WWE's Intercontinental Championship, has, thanks in large part to Shinsuke Nakamura's 10-month run in 2012 and 2013, become more analogous to the World Heavyweight Championship during WWE's Brand Extension era. The championship was first won by MVP in May 2011 during their US tour.

4 years ago today, Paul Orndorff reveals during an interview on SiriusXM Radio's Busted Open that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Seven months later, Orndorff announced he was cancer-free.

BONUS! Watch it while you still can: the January 5, 1998 episode of RAW (taped December 30, 1997) where Stone Cold Steve Austin goes on a Stunner barrage in preparation for the Royal Rumble later in the month.