This Day in Wrestling History (Jan. 27): CM Punk Walks Out on WWE

112 years ago today in Bellingham, Washington, Frank Gotch defeated Tom Jenkins to win the American Heavyweight Championship.

35 years ago today in Raleigh, North Carolina, Roddy Piper defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship. With the win, Piper had to vacate the NWA World Television Championship he had won from The Masked Superstar almost three months earlier.

30 years ago today in New York City, Randy Savage defeated WWF Champion Hulk Hogan via countout. The two would have a much more famous battle three years later that would at the time be the most-watched wrestling event in PPV history when they met for the WWF Championship at Wrestlemania V.

26 years ago today, WWF airs the twenty-fifth episode of Saturday Night's Main Event (WWE Network link) from the UTC Arena in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The episode was taped January 3.

• Randy Savage defeated Jim Duggan.
• Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior defeated Mr. Perfect & The Genius.
• Jake Roberts defeated Greg Valentine by disqualification.
• Dusty Rhodes and Rick Rude fought to a double count-out.
• Dino Bravo defeated Ronnie Garvin.

24 years ago today, WWF tapes the thirtieth edition of Saturday Night's Main Event (WWE Network link) from the Municipal Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas. The show, airing February 8, was the first for the FOX Network after airing on NBC the previous seven years. The decreasing popularity of wrestling would essentially discontinue the series, with just one more episode airing in November.

• Roddy Piper defeated The Mountie to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
• Hulk Hogan and Sid Justice defeated Ric Flair and The Undertaker by disqualification.
• Sgt. Slaughter and Jim Duggan (substituting for the Legion of Doom) defeated The Beverly Brothers (Blake Beverly and Beau Beverly).
• Randy Savage defeated Jake Roberts. Post-match, Roberts was looking to hit Miss Elizabeth with a steel chair as she came through the backstage curtain, but The Undertaker prevented the attack.

23 years ago today, Andre Rene Roussimoff, best known to millions as the legendary Andre the Giant, dies in his sleep of acromegaly in a hotel room in Paris, France. He was 46.

Born to Bulgarian and Polish parents in Grenoble, France on May 19, 1946, Andre experienced symptoms of gigantism very early. At age 12, He was 6'3, 240 pounds; so large, he couldn't fit on the school bus. He was driven to school by neighbor and future Nobel Prize winner Samuel Beckett. Beckett bought some land in the early 1950s and built a cottage for himself with the help of Andre's father Boris. Andre himself was a good student, but he felt a high school education wasn't necessary for a farm laborer, so he dropped out after eighth grade. Though he did farm labor, woodworking, and helped manufacture engines for hay balers, it wasn't good enough for Andre.

At age 17, Andre moved to Paris and was taught the art of professional wrestling. Billed as Geant Ferre, he moonlighted as a wrestler while working as a mover to pay living expenses. He worked Paris and the surrounding areas before Canadian wrestler/promoter Frank Valos found Andre in 1966. He would be his business manager and advisor and would travel the world, making a name for himself in Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia. It was while he was in Japan it was discovered Andre was suffering from acromegaly, a disorder where the anterior pituitary gland produces excessive growth hormone, causing severe disfigurement. The condition is often not diagnosed in its early stages. Roussimoff was a regular in Montreal, selling out the Montreal Forum regularly, but the novelty wore off as the number of credible opponents dwindled. He occasionally wrestled for the AWA as a special attraction, then under the advice of WWWF founder Vince McMahon Sr., suggested Andre be a worldwide special attraction and book him as an immovable monster. He would available to any organization anywhere, but only for a guaranteed fee.

Andre debuted for the WWWF in 1973 and quickly became one of the most beloved babyfaces in the sport. Though he was billed as undefeated prior to his Wrestlemania III match with Hulk Hogan, Andre had taken losses, though there were few and far between. He was beaten by El Canek in 1984, submitted by Antonio Inoki in 1986, and went to one-hour draws with Harley Race and Nick Bockwinkel in world title bouts. Andre also had a boxer versus wrestler win over Chuck Wepner (the inspiration of the Rocky film series) in 1976.

Andre's biggest feuds came against Hulk Hogan, which spanned two continents, Killer Khan (culminating in a stretcher match in November 1981), and Big John Studd, which culminated in a $15,000 Bodyslam match at the inaugural Wrestlemania. Though Andre won the match, he never got his reward as he had the bag stolen from him as he was throwing cash to the fans. The next Wrestlemania, he won a 20-man battle royal featuring WWF wrestlers and top stars from the NFL.

Around the time of Andre's feud with King Kong Bundy, he would score a part in the film The Princess Bride. It was also around that time his acromegaly was taking a toll on his physical health. Upon his return from filming, Andre wore a mask and wrestled briefly as Giant Machine as part of "The Machines" stable. Though Bobby Heenan, Studd, and Bundy tried to prove Andre the Giant and Giant Machine were one and the same, they could not, and the indefinitely suspended Andre the Giant was reinstated.

Amazingly, it would be Heenan that managed Andre the Giant for the biggest feud of his career, Hulk Hogan. It began over jealousy that Andre received a smaller trophy for never being pinned or made to submit in a WWF ring, while Hogan received a larger trophy for his three year run as WWF Champion. Andre, at the behest of Heenan, challenged Hogan to a WWF Championship match, then proceeded to rip Hogan's T-shirt and crucifix. Andre also ripped into Hogan's skin a bit, as a fingernail scratch caused Hogan to bleed. Though Andre gained a psychological advantage by eliminating Hogan in a battle royal just weeks before Wrestlemania III (a battle royal won by Hercules), it was Hogan who would bodyslam the giant en route to Andre's first pinfall loss in a WWF ring. Famously, Andre, at 520 pounds, wore a back brace covered by his wrestling singlet. It wouldn't be the first time Hogan slammed Andre. Andre was slammed by a then-heel Hogan twice in the summer of 1980. Harley Race, El Canek, and Stan Hansen all also slammed the Giant at one point.

The Andre-Hogan feud would continue into the following year. On the first episode of The Main Event in February 1988, Andre defeated Hogan with the help of some shady refereeing to win his first and only WWF Championship...which Andre almost immediately sold to Ted DiBiase. That title change was made null and void, and the title made vacant until Wrestlemania IV. Though both Hogan and Andre eliminated each other with a double disqualification, they both had a say in the final match, as Randy Savage with Hogan's help went on to defeat DiBiase to win the WWF Championship. The feud came to an end when Hogan and Savage, known as the Mega Powers, defeated Andre the Giant and DiBiase, known as the Mega Bucks.

Andre would feud with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Big John Studd, and the Ulitmate Warrior thoughout late 1988 and most of 1989. Late in the year, Andre along with Haku (known as the Colossal Connection) won the WWF Tag Team Championship from Demolition. The two would hold the titles from mid-December toWrestlemania VI in April 1990. Post-match, Heenan berated Andre, but Andre responded with a huge slap in the face.

With his health declining, Andre's appearances became more and more sporadic until Summerslam 1991 (his final WWF television appearance). His last appearance came at a house show in his hometown of Paris, France in October. Andre's last television appearance came for WCW in a brief interview in September 1992 at Clash of the Champions XX. Andre's final in-ring appearances were for Mexico's Universal Wrestling Association in April and May 1992, and for All Japan Pro Wrestling in late 1992.

Roussimoff has been called by those around him among the most gentle and generous people they've known (one story said Arnold Schwarzenegger try to pay for a meal, but Andre insisted so much that he carried him out of the restaurant and put him on top of his car). He was also the unofficial world's greatest drunk. Legend had it that he consumed over 100 sitting on multiple occasions.

Roussimoff died in his sleep of congestive heart failure in a hotel room in Paris (he was there to attend his father's funeral). His body was cremated and his ashes spread at his ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.

He left a lasting legacy after his death. The year of his death, Andre the Giant was the first inductee into the then-WWF Hall of Fame. He served as the inspiration the OBEY brand and the 1998 movie My Giant, written by Billy Crystal. A biographical video was released by WWE in 2005 based on his life, a reissue of the 1985 video cassette. A graphic novel, Andre the Giant: The Life and The Legend was released last year. At Wrestlemania XXX, a battle royal was conducted, with the winner (Cesaro) getting the Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy.

Andre is also a charter member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame class in 1996, the Professional Wrestling  Hall of Fame class of 2002, and the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also posthumously honored by Pro Wrestling Illustrated with the Editor's Award in 1993 and listed as the third greatest wrestler of the PWI Years in 2003.

22 years ago today, WCW presented Clash of the Champions XXVI (WWE Network link) from the Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

• Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Too Cold Scorpio defeated Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma).
• Ron Simmons defeated Ice Train.
• Lord Steven Regal and Dustin Rhodes went to a 15-minute time limit draw for the WCW World Television Championship.
• Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne defeated The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags).
• Flyin' Brian defeated Col. Robert Parker. With the loss, Parker was forced to wear a chicken suit.
• Ric Flair & Sting defeated Rick Rude & Vader in a tag team elimination match.

Tough Enough III co-winners Matt Cappotelli vs... by 2kdam

13 years ago today on RAW from Chicago, Illinois, Tough Enough III winners Matt Cappotelli and John Hennigan made their WWE debuts. They went to a no contest when another Tough Enough alum, Christopher Nowiski, interfered. For Cappotelli, it was his only match on RAW; just as he was about to be called up in 2006, Matt would be diagnosed with brain cancer and was forced to retire.

8 years ago today, WWE makes its high-definition PPV debut with Royal Rumble (WWE Network link) from Madison Square Garden in New York City. 20,793 were in attendance, with 533,000 homes watching on PPV.

• In a dark match, Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore defeated Deuce & Domino.
• Ric Flair defeated Montel Vontavious Porter.
• John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated Chris Jericho by disqualification.
• Edge defeated Rey Mysterio to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
• Randy Orton defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the WWE Championship.
• John Cena last eliminated Triple H to win the Royal Rumble match. Of note, this was Cena's first match since October when he injured his pectoral muscle. Cena's return was not advertised beforehand.

2008 Royal Rumble Results

Notes:

• Finlay was disqualified for entering the match before his number came up. He did so when Hornswoggle was attacked by Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. Hornswoggle, who was then rescued by Finlay, left through the ropes and never returned to the match.
• Cena was the second man to win from #30. He was the last until Triple H did it earlier this week.
• Cena's 8 minutes, 27 seconds was the shortest time spent in the ring by a Rumble winner. That mark would be broken two years later by Edge.

3 years ago today, WWE presented Royal Rumble (WWE Network link) from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 15,103 were in attendance, with 498,000 homes watching on PPV. Though it was up from 446,000 homes for the 2012 edition, the number was seen as disappointing by the higher-ups in WWE.

• In a preshow match, Antonio Cesaro defeated The Miz to retain the United States Championship.
• Alberto Del Rio defeated Big Show in a Last Man Standing match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
• Team Hell No (Kane & Daniel Bryan) defeated Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow) to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.
• John Cena last eliminated Ryback to win the Royal Rumble match.
• The Rock defeated CM Punk to win the WWE Championship. CM Punk won the match originally with interference from The Shield, but the match was restarted. The Rock won just a minute later, ending CM Punk's world championship run at 434 days, the longest since Hulk Hogan's four-year run ended in 1988.

2013 Royal Rumble Results

2 years ago today following a meeting with Vince McMahon and Triple H prior to RAW, CM Punk left WWE. After not showing up the next night at the Smackdown taping, Punk would be removed from all advertising. He would sit the remainder of his contract and was eventually fired for breach of contract. Punk would finally open up about his final days with WWE late in the year as a guest on the Art of Wrestling podcast with Colt Cabana. He would announce his retirement from pro wrestling and sign with the UFC.

A day late, but a happy 24^th birthday to Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, best known to wrestling fans these days as Sasha Banks.

Born in Fairfield, California, Kaestner-Varnado began training for Boston-area independent Chaotic Wrestling in 2008. It wouldn't be until two years later she made her debut for the promotion in an intergender tag team match. As Mercedes KV, she formed an alliance with Nikki Roxx (you may know her from her time as Roxxi Laveaux). In December 2011, she defeated Alexxis in an I Quit match for the Chaotic Wrestling Women's Championship. She would hold the championship for nearly nine months, vacating it when she signed a WWE developmental deal.

That deal came two months after participating in a WWE tryout camp. She was assigned to NXT, WWE's developmental territory. In December, Mercedes made her television debut as Sasha Banks. She was involved in a "secret admirer" storyline revealed to be Audrey Marie, who was jealous of Banks' sudden success.

In September 2013, after being defeated in an NXT Womens Championship match by Paige, Sasha, influenced by Summer Rae, attacked the champion. After defeating Bayley two weeks later, Sasha cut a promo and proclaimed herself as "The Boss". Banks and Rae would become the BFFs, the Beautiful Fierce Females. Charlotte would join the group two months later after attacking Bayley. When Summer Rae moved up to the main roster in early 2014, Sasha and Charlotte continued their rivalry with Bayley. The group split that summer when after they defeated Bayley and Becky Lynch, Charlotte left Banks behind to be assaulted by Bayley.

Late in the year, Sasha used the same influence that was used on her on Becky Lynch and after Becky turned on Bayley, the two aligned unofficially as Team BAE (Best at Everything). Sasha continued to contend for the NXT Womens Championship late in the year, but would lose to Charlotte on four consecutive occasions in December 2014 and January 2015.

At NXT Takeover: Rival on February 11, Banks defeated Charlotte in a fatal four-way match that included Becky Lynch and Bayley to win the NXT Women's Championship. She would have notable successful defenses against Charlotte and Alexa Bliss. She'd hold the championship for just over six months before losing to Bayley in a classic at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. Post-match, the combatants along with former rivals Becky Lynch and Charlotte shared a hug. The bout was highly praised by wrestling pundits and fans alike, and would win the NXT Year-End Award for Match of the Year. The two rematched at Takeover: Respect in a 30-minute Ironman match, the first involving women in WWE history. Bayley retained with a 3-2 win in Banks' final NXT match.

Sasha along with Becky Lynch and Charlotte made their official RAW debuts in July as part of a "revolution" of the Divas division. Sasha would align with Naomi and Tamina as Team BAD (Beautiful and Dangerous). In her PPV debut at Battleground, Sasha was defeated in a triple threat match involving Brie Bella and Charlotte. Sasha defeated Nikki Bella in a non-title match via submission in July and wrestled Paige to a draw in a women's "Beat the Clock" challenge. After briefly feuding with Paige, Sasha went on a winning streak before being taken off television, allegedly due to injury (an injury Sasha denied). Sasha returned at the Royal Rumble earlier this week, attacking both Charlotte and Becky Lynch, seemingly putting her name in the hunt for the Divas Championship.

Mercedes, a cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg, enjoys K-pop music and loves the anime Sailor Moon. Mercedes cites her favorite wrestler as Eddie Guerrero, and was in attendance for the Eddie Guerrero tribute show on RAW in November 2005. In a 2015 interview on Talk is Jericho, Mercedes revealed that she was unaware that Eddie had died until she arrived in the building. Mercedes was selected as Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Woman of the Year for 2015 and had the publication's match of the year with Bayley.