This Day in Wrestling History (January 5): House Party!

68 years ago today in Des Moines, Iowa, Orville Brown defeated Sonny Myers to win the National Wrestling Association Heavyweight Championship. When the National Wrestling Alliance forms about six months later, Brown would be its first champion.

20 years ago today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ECW presented 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. Highlights of the show would air on the January 16, 23, and 30 episodes of ECW Hardcore TV (WWE Network links).

• 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 knockout to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
• Sabu defeated Stevie Richards.
• The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed).

5 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.

5 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.