This Day in Wrestling History (March 30)

17 years ago today on RAW is WAR (WWE Network link) from the Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York, The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg Jesse James and Bad Ass Billy Gunn) defeated Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie to win the vacated WWF Tag Team Championship. The championships were held up after Cactus and Chainsaw put the Outlaws in the wrong dumpster (one backstage instead of one in the ring) the previous night at Wrestlemania XIV. Post-match, the Outlaws joined a reformed D-Generation X with Triple H, Chyna, and the returning Sean Waltman, who was last in WCW as Syxx, but was in the WWF during the mid-1990s as the 1-2-3 Kid. It was a cap to a very eventuful show. Here's what else happened:

• Marc Mero defeated WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku in a non-title match. Post-match, Michinoku was attacked by three Japanese men. The three would be identified as Kai En Tai.
• The New Midnight Express (Bodacious Bart and Bombastic Bob) defated The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship.
• Steve Blackman and Ken Shamrock defeated Faarooq and The Rock after The Rock walked out on Faarooq and refused to tag in the match. Post-match, the rest of the Nation turned on Faarooq.
• Stone Cold Steve Austin was awarded a new WWF Championship belt. Known commonly as "Big Eagle", the belt would be around for most of the next four years (outside of a brief period in 1998 and 1999) before the belt was deactivated for a new version a few weeks after Wrestlemania X-8.

14 years ago today, WWE issues a press release stating that their acquisition of WCW assets is complete. On the same day, they announce that Gene Okerlund and Bobby Heenan would appear at Wrestlemania X-Seven. It would be the first appearance for both men since 1993.

12 years ago today, WWE presented Wrestlemania XIX: Dare to Dream from Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. 54,097 were in attendance, with just 560,000 homes watching on PPV. That's down from 840,000 for Wrestlemania X-8 and just over half of Wrestlemania X-Seven (1,040,000 homes). A number of theories have emerged to why such the low buyrate, from Triple H's less-than-compelling reign of terror to WWE going digital cable only for the event. The event was noted for Shawn Michaels' return to the event after a five year absence and Steve Austin's final wrestling match.

Star ratings are provided by Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer as recorded in the Internet Wrestling Database. All star ratings are out of 5.

• In a Sunday Night Heat preshow match, Lance Storm and Chief Morley defeated Kane and Rob Van Dam to retain the World Tag Team Championship.
• Matt Hardy defeated Rey Mysterio to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. (1.25/5)
• The Undertaker defeated The Big Show and A-Train in a handicap match. (2.25)
• Trish Stratus defeated Victoria and Jazz to win the WWE Women's Championship. (3)
• Team Angle (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) defeated Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) & Chris Benoit and Rhyno in a triple threat tag team match to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship. (3)
• Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho. (4.25)
• Triple H defeated Booker T to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. (3.25)
• Hulk Hogan defeated Vince McMahon in a street fight. Had Hogan lost, he would have been forced to retire. (3)
• The Rock defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin. (4)
• Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle to win the WWE Championship. Near the end of the match, Lesnar fell short on a shooting star press and nearly injured his neck. Angle also worked the bout with an injured neck. (4.25)

7 years ago today at Ring of Honor's All Star Extravaganza III in Detroit, Micihgan, The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) defeated Naruki Doi and Shingo to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship.

7 years ago today, WWE presented Wrestlemania XXIV from the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. 74,635 were in attendance, with 1,024,000 homes watching on PPV. Despite the impressive number, it's down from a record 1,188,000 buys for Wrestlemania 23. It was the first Wrestlemania to be held in an open-air venue since Wrestlemania IX in Las Vegas. The event grossed $5.85 million in ticket sales and another $23.8 million in PPV revenue, both WWE records at the time. The show is noted for being Ric Flair's retirement match.

• In a preshow dark match, Kane won a 24-man battle royal for the right to challenge for the ECW Championship during the show. Other participants were Brian Kendrick, Chuck Palumbo, Cody Rhodes, Deuce, Domino, Elijah Burke, Festus, Hardcore Holly, Jamie Noble, Jesse,Jim Duggan, Jimmy Wang Yang, Kofi Kingston, Lance Cade, Shannon Moore,Snitsky, Stevie Richards, The Great Khali, The Miz, Tommy Dreamer, Trevor Murdoch and Val Venis.
• John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Finlay in a Belfast Brawl. (2.25/5)
• CM Punk defeated Carlito, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mr. Kennedy and Shelton Benjamin in a Money in the Bank ladder match. (3.25)
• Batista defeated Umaga. (1.25)
• Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero in just 10 seconds to win the ECW Championship. This was (and still is) the fastest championship win in Wrestlemania history. (no rating)
• Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair in a career threatening match. With the loss, Flair was forced to retire. The retirement didn't stick, as Flair was back in the ring about a year and a half later for an Australian tour with Hulk Hogan, and on mainstream programming with TNA in March 2010. (3.5)
• Beth Phoenix and Melina) defeated Maria and Ashley in a Playboy Bunnymania lumberjack match. This was the last time Playboy was associated with Wrestlemania, as the company would begin its PG initiative that summer. In a humorous note, the lights went out during the match. (0.25)
• Randy Orton defeated John Cena and Triple H in a triple threat match to retain the WWE Championship. (3.5)
• Floyd Mayweather defeated The Big Show by knockout in a no holds barred match. (3)
• The Undertaker defeated Edge by submission to win the World Heavyweight Championship. This was the third straight year, the fourth time in five years, and the last time Wrestlemania ended with a submission until Wrestlemania XXX. (4.25)

2 years ago today, Charlie Haas announces his retirement from wrestling via Twitter:

"Officially retired. No match against @Sheltyb803 nxt week NYC. Time to be a full time dad and husband. I've turned my spandex in for scrubs. Thanks to all the fans throughout the years. I love you all. Stay safe and God bless. WGTT will always be a top Tag Team, forever."

In his final bout for Ring of Honor, he is defeated by Jeff Louis Neal.