2016 in professional wrestling explained
2016 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions
These promotions held notable events in 2016.
Calendar of notable shows
January
width=5% | Date | width=5% | Promotion(s) | width=15% | Event | width=15% | Location | width=40% | Main Event | width=20% | Notes |
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1 | CMLL | Sin Piedad | Mexico City | Negro Casas defeated Super Parka in a two out of three falls hair vs. hair match[1] | |
4 | NJPW | Wrestle Kingdom 10 | Tokyo | Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[2] | |
5–7 | TNA | One Night Only: Rivals | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Mr. Anderson vs. Bram | |
7–9 30–31 | TNA | One Night Only: Joker's Wild | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania London, England Birmingham, England | 14-person intergender Joker's Wild gauntlet battle royal | |
8 | TNA | One Night Only: Live! | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Eric Young and Bram vs. Beer Money, Inc. (Bobby Roode and James Storm) | |
9 | WWC | Euphoria | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Mr. 450 Hammett defeated Carlito in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship | |
22 | AAA | Guerra de Titanes | Zapopan | El Mesías & El Texano Jr. defeated Dr. Wagner Jr. & Psycho Clown in the semi-final of the AAA Mega Championship tournament[3] | |
22 | CMLL NJPW | Fantastica Mania (Tokyo shows) | Tokyo | Mephisto & Último Guerrero defeated Místico & Volador Jr. in a tag team match[4] | |
23 | Kazuchika Okada, Mephisto & Último Guerrero defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Místico & Volador Jr. in a 6-man tag match[5] | |
24 | Volador Jr. (c) defeated Mephisto to retain the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship[6] |
24 | WWE | Royal Rumble | Orlando, FL | Triple H won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Dean Ambrose to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which Roman Reigns, who entered at number one, was defending in the match; Triple H eliminated Reigns before lastly eliminating Ambrose[7] | First time one of WWE's world championships was defended in the Royal Rumble match, which traditionally awards the winner a match for a world championship at WrestleMania. |
(c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |
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February
March
April
May
June
July
width=5% | Date | width=5% | Promotion(s) | width=15% | Event | width=15% | Location | width=40% | Main Event | width=20% | Notes |
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1 | CMLL | International Gran Prix | Mexico City, Mexico | Volador Jr. defeated Tama Tonga to win the match for "Team Mexico"Also in the match: Team Mexico (Diamante Azul, Máximo, La Máscara, Rey Escorpión, Rush, Shocker and Último Guerrero), Team International (Johnny Idol, Kushida, Marco Corleone, Michael Elgin, Okumura, Sam Adonis and Tanga Roa) in a 2016 CMLL International Gran Prix, 16-man Torneo Cibernetico | |
13–14 | TNA | One Night Only: X-Travaganza | Orlando, Florida | 7-man Ladder match to determine the #1 contender for the TNA X Division Championship | Aired on August 26 |
24 | WWE | Battleground | Washington, D.C. | Dean Ambrose (c) defeated Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins to retain the WWE Championship[31] | Final WWE PPV before the second brand split went into full affect After the unveiling of the WWE Universal Championship for the Raw brand on July 25, the WWE Championship was renamed to WWE World Championship on July 26 |
(c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |
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August
September
width=5% | Date | width=5% | Promotion(s) | width=15% | Event | width=15% | Location | width=40% | Main Event | width=20% | Notes |
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1 | NJPW | Lion's Gate Project 3 | Tokyo, Japan | Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Katsuyori Shibata, Manabu Nakanishi, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata defeated Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Masa Kitamiya and Maybach Taniguchi in a Ten-man tag team match | |
2 | CMLL | 83rd Anniversary Show | Mexico City | Dragon Lee defeated La Máscara in a two-out-of-three falls lucha de apuestas, mask vs. mask match[39] | |
2–4 | PWG | Battle of Los Angeles | Reseda, CA | Marty Scurll defeated Trevor Lee and Will Ospreay in a three-way elimination match to win the 2016 Battle of Los Angeles tournament[40] | |
11 | WWE
| Backlash | Richmond, VA | AJ Styles defeated Dean Ambrose (c) to win the WWE World Championship[41] | First Backlash event since 2009. First brand-exclusive event since the reintroduction of the brand split, subsequently the first SmackDown-exclusive event under the second brand split. |
14 | | Cruiserweight Classic Finale | Winter Park, FL | T. J. Perkins defeated Gran Metalik in the tournament final to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship[42] | First event to feature the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (new version with a separate lineage from the original). |
17 | NJPW | Destruction | Tokyo | Bushi defeated Kushida (c) to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship[43] | |
22 | Hiroshima | Kenny Omega defeated Yoshi-Hashi to earn the right to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 11[44] | |
25 | Kobe | Tetsuya Naito defeated Michael Elgin (c) to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship[45] | |
25 | WWE
| Clash of Champions | Indianapolis, IN | Kevin Owens (c) defeated Seth Rollins to retain the WWE Universal Championship[46] | First Raw-exclusive event under the second brand split. |
30 | ROH | All Star Extravaganza | Lowell, MA | The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) defeated The Addiction (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) (c) and The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in the Ladder War VI to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship[47] | |
(c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |
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October
width=5% | Date | width=5% | Promotion(s) | width=15% | Event | width=15% | Location | width=40% | Main Event | width=20% | Notes |
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2 | AAA | Héroes Inmortales X | Monterrey | Johnny Mundo (c) defeated Garza Jr. to retain the AAA Latin American Championship[48] | |
2 | TNA | Bound for Glory | Orlando, FL | Lashley (c) defeated Ethan Carter III in a No Holds Barred match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship[49] | |
5 | TNA | One Night Only: December | Orlando, Florida | | Aired on December 12 |
9 | WWE
| No Mercy | Sacramento, CA | Advertised main event: AJ Styles (c) defeated John Cena and Dean Ambrose in a triple threat match to retain the WWE World Championship Final match: Bray Wyatt defeated Randy Orton in a singles match[50] | The advertised main event was originally the last match on the card, but was changed last minute due to the presidential debate the same night |
10 | NJPW | King of Pro-Wrestling | Tokyo | Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Naomichi Marufuji to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[51] | |
14 | ROH | Glory By Honor XV | Chicago Ridge, IL | The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) (c) defeated Colt Cabana & Dalton Castle to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship[52] | |
15 | Dearborn, MI | |
15 | WWC | WWC Anniversary 43 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Angel Cotto defeated Jaycobs (c), Angel Fashion, Tommy Diablo, Engel and OT Fernandez | |
30 | WWE
| Hell in a Cell | Boston, MA | Charlotte defeated Sasha Banks (c) in a Hell in a Cell match to win the WWE Raw Women's Championship[53] | This was the first-ever women's Hell in a Cell match and the first time that a women's match was the main event of a WWE pay-per-view |
(c) – denotes defending champion(s) | |
---|
November
December
Cancelled events
width=5% | Date | width=5% | Promotion(s) | width=15% | Event | width=15% | Location | width=40% | Main Event | width=20% | Notes |
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TBA | WWE
| WWE Elimination Chamber | TBA | TBA |
|
Accomplishments and tournaments
AAA
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
WWE
Accomplishment | Winner | Date won | Notes |
---|
Royal Rumble | Triple H | January 24 | Unlike the traditional means in which the winner received a world championship match at WrestleMania, this year's match was for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in which Roman Reigns, who entered at number one, defended the title; Triple H eliminated Reigns before lastly eliminating Dean Ambrose to win the title. |
André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal | Baron Corbin | April 3 | Last eliminated Kane to win the André the Giant Memorial Trophy. |
WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contender's Tournament | The Vaudevillains
| May 1 | Faced Enzo Amore and Big Cass in the tournament final, but the match ended in a no contest due to Enzo suffering a legitimate injury. The Vaudevillains were instead awarded the WWE Tag Team Championship match against champions The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) at Extreme Rules, but were unsuccessful. |
Money in the Bank ladder match | Dean Ambrose | June 19 | Defeated Kevin Owens, Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro to win a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match contract. Immediately following the main event that same night, Ambrose cashed in the contract and won the title from Seth Rollins, who had just won the title from Roman Reigns. |
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament | Heath Slater and Rhyno | September 11 | Defeated The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) in the tournament final to determine the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions. |
Cruiserweight Classic | T. J. Perkins | September 14 | Defeated Gran Metalik in the tournament final to win the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Championship |
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic | The Authors of Pain
| November 19 | Defeated TM-61 (Nick Miller and Shane Thorne) in the tournament final to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Trophy. | |
Title changes
AAA
TNA
TNA X Division Championship |
Incoming champion – Tigre Uno |
width=14% | Date | width=14% | Winner | width=14% | Event/Show | width=58% | Note(s) |
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January 9
| | Impact Wrestling | |
June 12 | Eddie Edwards | Slammiversary | This was a four-way match, also involving Andrew Everett and DJ Z |
June 14
| Mike Bennett | Impact Wrestling | |
June 15
| Eddie Edwards | Impact Wrestling | Ultimate X match, also involving Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett, DJ Z, Rockstar Spud, Mandrews, and Braxton Sutter. |
July 13
| Lashley | Impact Wrestling | This was a Winner Takes All Six Sides of Steel match for both Edwards's X Division Championship and Lashley's TNA World Heavyweight Championship. |
August 12
| Vacated | Impact Wrestling | Lashley unified the TNA King of the Mountain Championship with his TNA World Heavyweight Championship and vacated the X Division Championship. |
---|
August 13
| DJ Z | Impact Wrestling | Ultimate X match, also involving Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett, Rockstar Spud, Mandrews, and Braxton Sutter. |
|
NJPW
|
|
width=14% | Date | width=14% | Winner | width=14% | Event/Show | width=58% | Note(s) |
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January 4 | Kushida | | |
September 17 | Bushi | | |
November 5 | Kushida | | | |
ROH
The Crash Lucha Libre
|
|
width=14% | Date | width=14% | Winner | width=14% | Event/Show | width=58% | Note(s) |
---|
February 12 | Black Boy | The Crash show | This was a five-way elimination match also involving Jinzo and Proximo and Septimo Dragon[65] |
July 24 | Black Danger | The Crash show | [66] | |
|
|
width=14% | Date | width=14% | Winner | width=14% | Event/Show | width=58% | Note(s) |
---|
August 13 | Garza Jr. and Último Ninja | The Crash show | [67] | |
|
|
width=14% | Date | width=14% | Winner | width=14% | Event/Show | width=58% | Note(s) |
---|
November 26 | Sexy Dulce | The Crash V Aniversario | Dulce defeated Keira to become the first champion[68] | |
WWE
– Raw
– SmackDown
– NXT
Raw and SmackDown
Following the reintroduction of the WWE brand extension in July, in which titles became exclusive to a brand and others were established as counterparts to the opposing brand's championships, Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship, a secondary championship, a women's championship, and a male tag team championship. A championship was also established for Raw's cruiserweight wrestlers.
NXT
Awards and honors
AAA Hall of Fame
See main article: AAA Hall of Fame.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
See main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards.
TNA Hall of Fame
See main article: TNA Hall of Fame.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
See main article: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
See main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards.
Category | Winner |
---|
Wrestler of the Year | A.J. Styles |
Most Outstanding | A.J. Styles |
Tag Team of the Year | The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) |
Most Improved | Matt Riddle | |
WWE
WWE Hall of Fame
See main article: WWE Hall of Fame.
NXT Year-End Awards
See main article: NXT Year-End Award.
Debuts
Retirements
- Tyson Tomko (2002 – 2016)
- Cliff Compton (1998 - 2016)
- Mark Mercedes (1992-2016)
- Mr. Pogo (March 20, 1972 – 2016)
- Daniel Bryan (December 1999 – February 8, 2016) (first retirement and became General Manager of SmackDown; on March 20, 2018, Bryan was formally cleared to return to full-time in-ring action and had his first match back at WrestleMania 34)
- The Grappler (1977-March 5, 2016)
- Jim Neidhart (1978-March 5, 2016)
- Bobby Eaton (May 1976-March 19, 2016)
- Maki Narumiya (March 19, 2011[70] [71] – March 25, 2016[72])
- Sting (November 28, 1985 – April 2, 2016)[73] (first retirement; later debuted in All Elite Wrestling in December 2020 with a match at Revolution in 2021)
- Johnny Kidd (1978 – April 5, 2016, returned to wrestle in 2019)
- Brie Bella (September 15, 2007 – April 6, 2016) (semi, return in 2018)
- Cameron (July 7, 2011 – May 6, 2016) (full inactive, returned to wrestle AEW in July 2020)
- Necro Butcher (January 2, 1998 – June 11, 2016, returned to wrestling in 2018)
- Scott Hall (October 2, 1984 – June 17, 2016)
- Karsten Beck (2006 – July 2, 2016)
- Booker T (1989 – July 30, 2016)
- Scotty 2 Hotty (1989-September 2016) (became a trainer for NXT and returned to wrestling in January 2022)
- Sara Lee (August 25, 2015 – September 30, 2016)
- Darryl Sharma (January 2002 [74] – November 2016 [74])
- D-Von Dudley (1991 – December 17, 2016)
- Kouhiro Kanemura (December 20, 1990 – December 27, 2016)
- Rabbit Miu (August 7, 2011 – December 28, 2016)
Deaths
- January 9 – Bob Leonard, 74
- January 10 – The Wolfman, 80[75]
- January 17 – Mike Sharpe, 64[76]
- January 23 –
- January 27 – Taras Bulba, 59
- February 4 – Axl Rotten, 44[79]
- February 10 – Tony Nardo (Moondog Spot), 51[80]
- February 11 – Kevin Randleman, 44[81]
- February 23 – Angel Gabriele, 59[82]
- February 24 – Eddie Einhorn, 80[83]
- February 25 – Mark Young, 48
- March 3 – Hayabusa, 47[84]
- March 3 – Lord James Blears, 92[85] [86]
- March 10 – Mike Flowers (Moondog Puppy Love)[87]
- March 11 - Charlie Fulton, 67
- March 23 – Joe Garagiola, 90[88]
- March 24 – Randal Brown, 64[89]
- March 31 – Kris Travis, 32[90]
- April 1 – George Cavalaris, 84[91]
- April 7 – Blackjack Mulligan, 73[92]
- April 12 – Balls Mahoney, 44[93]
- April 14 – Christin Able, 32
- April 20 – Chyna, 46[94]
- May 6 – Billy Wicks, 84
- May 24:
- June 15 – Gypsy Joe, 82[95]
- June 30 – Thunder, 34[96]
- July 3 – Muhammad Ali, 74
- August 4 – Jean Antone, 73
- August 28 – Mr. Fuji, 82
- September 9 – Lord Littlebrook, 87
- September 10 – Moose Morowski, 81
- September 16 – Don Bass, 70
- October 9 – El Mongol, 86
- October 21 – Frenchy Martin, 69
- November 18 – Ed Francis, 90
- November 28
- December 9 – Mario Milano, 81
- December 15 – Harley Saito, 48
- December 22 – Mocho Cota, 62
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: CMLL Sin Piedad 2016. cagematch.net. 12 February 2016.
- Web site: NJPW [WRESTLE KINGDOM 10] results for January 4, 2016]. puroresuspirit.net. 12 February 2016. 2 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160302010603/http://puroresuspirit.net/2016/01/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-10-results-for-january-4-2016/. dead.
- Web site: AAA Guerra De Titanes 2016. cagematch.net. 12 February 2016.
- Web site: NJPW/CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA [Day 4] results for January 22, 2016]. puroresuspirit.net. 15 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222221726/http://puroresuspirit.net/2016/01/njpwcmll-fantastica-mania-results-for-january-22-2016/. dead.
- Web site: NJPW/CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA [Day 5] results for January 23, 2016]. puroresuspirit.net. 15 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222194151/http://puroresuspirit.net/2016/01/njpwcmll-fantastica-mania-day-5-results-for-january-23-2016/. dead.
- Web site: NJPW/CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA [Final Day] results for January 24, 2016]. puroresuspirit.net. 12 February 2016. 16 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216053847/http://puroresuspirit.net/2016/01/njpwcmll-fantastica-mania-results-for-january-24-2016/. dead.
- Web site: Triple H won the 2016 Royal Rumble Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. wwe.com. 12 February 2016.
- Web site: New Japan Pro Wrestling "THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA", 2/11/2016. puroresuspirit.net. 12 February 2016. 16 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216055153/http://puroresuspirit.net/2016/02/njpw-results-for-february-11-2016/. dead.
- Web site: NJPW New Beginnings: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kenny Omega for the IWGP IC Title . Meltzer . Dave . Dave Meltzer . February 13, 2016 . February 14, 2016 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
- Web site: ROH Honor Rising: Japan 2016 – Day 1. cagematch.net. 24 February 2016.
- Web site: ROH Honor Rising: Japan 2016 – Day 2. cagematch.net. 24 February 2016.
- Web site: WWE Fastlane 2016. wwe.com. 24 February 2016.
- Web site: 2/26 ROH 14th Anniv. PPV Results. PW Torch. 27 February 2016 . 28 February 2016.
- Web site: WWE Roadblock results: In a controversial thrill ride, The Game neutralized The Lunatic Fringe. WWE.com. 19 March 2016.
- Web site: CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2016. cagematch.net. 19 March 2016.
- Web site: AAA Rey De Reyes 2016. cagematch.net. 25 March 2016.
- Web site: NXT TakeOver: Dallas results. WWE.com. 2 April 2016.
- Web site: ROH Supercard Of Honor X. cagematch.net. 6 April 2016.
- Web site: WrestleMania 32 results. WWE.com. 13 April 2016.
- Web site: NJPW Invasion Attack 2016. cagematch.net. 14 April 2016.
- Web site: WWE Payback 2016 results. WWE.com. 2 May 2016.
- Web site: NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH/NJPW Global Wars 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Extreme Rules 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: AAA Lucha Libre Victoria World Cup – Day 2. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE NXT TakeOver: The End results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: TNA Slammiversary XIV results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW Dominion 6.19 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Money In The Bank 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH Best In The World 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Battleground 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW G1 Climax 26 – Day 19 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH Death Before Dishonor XIV results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW Super J Cup 2016 – Day 2 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE SummerSlam 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH Field Of Honor 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: AAA TripleMania XXIV results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: CMLL 83. Aniversario results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: PWG Battle Of Los Angeles 2016 – Day 3 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Backlash 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Cruiserweight Classic #10 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW Destruction In Tokyo 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW Destruction In Hiroshima 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW Destruction In Kobe 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Clash Of Champions 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH All Star Extravaganza VIII results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: AAA Heroes Inmortales X results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: TNA Bound For Glory 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE No Mercy 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH Glory By Honor XV – Day 2 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Hell In A Cell 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH Survival Of The Fittest 2016 – Day 2 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW Power Struggle 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE NXT TakeOver: Toronto results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Survivor Series 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: ROH Final Battle 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: NJPW World Tag League 2016 – Day 17 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: WWE Roadblock: End Of The Line 2016 results. Cagematch. 24 March 2017.
- Web site: The Crash Cruiserweight Championship . August 18, 2018 . CageMatch.
- Web site: The Crash Cruiserweight Championship > Title Reign > 13.08.2016 - 02.06.2017: Flamita . CageMatch . August 18, 2018.
- Web site: Santo Jr se presentó en México con triunfo . August 14, 2016 . August 15, 2016 . Terra.
- Web site: The Crash Junior Championship >> Title history >> 12.02.2016 - 24.07.2016: Black Boy . CageMatch . German . August 28, 2018.
- Web site: The Crash Junior Championship >> Title history >> 24.07.2016 - 21.01.2017: Black Danger . CageMatch . German . August 28, 2018.
- Web site: The Crash Tag Team Championship >> Reigns >> 13.08.2016 - 21.01.2017: Garza Jr. & Ultimo Ninja . August 26, 2018 . CageMatch . German.
- Web site: Rosales. Walter. Resultados The Crash 5to Aniversario - Se une el equipo de ensueño de Mysterio, Hardy y Fénix. Solowrestling. May 16, 2018. November 29, 2016.
- News: NXT TakeOver: San Antonio results - Jan. 28, 2017: Bobby Roode starts NXT's most glorious era with title win over Shinsuke Nakamura. WWE. 2018-01-04. en.
- Web site: http://iceribbon.com/fighter_detail.php?id=8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152211/http://iceribbon.com/fighter_detail.php?id=8 . ja:成宮真希 . April 2, 2015 . August 1, 2012 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: http://www.w-1.co.jp/player/narimiya.php . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014224538/http://www.w-1.co.jp//player/narimiya.php . ja:成宮 真希 . October 14, 2013 . October 6, 2012 . . Japanese.
- Web site: Daniel Bryan announces retirement. February 8, 2016. February 8, 2016. WWE. February 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160210235502/http://www.wwe.com/inside/daniel-bryan-announces-retirement. dead.
- Web site: Sting announces his retirement during WWE Hall of Fame induction. Martin. Damon. April 3, 2016. Fox Sports. April 3, 2016.
- Web site: Darryl Sharma. Cagematch. 25 June 2017.
- Web site: Wolfman Willie Farkus dies. Greg. Oliver. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112205944/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2016/01/10/22591610.html. dead. January 12, 2016. 10 January 2016. 28 February 2016. Slam! Sports. Canoe.ca.
- News: Legendary wrestler Iron Mike Sharpe dead at 67. Greg. Oliver. 18 January 2016. Toronto Sun. 28 February 2016.
- Web site: Archie 'The Stomper' Gouldie dies . https://web.archive.org/web/20160124230626/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2016/01/23/22596334.html. dead. January 24, 2016. Greg. Oliver. Canoe.ca. Slam! Sports. 23 January 2016. 28 February 2016.
- Web site: Falleció el luchador Espectrito I. MedioTiempo.com. Spanish. 24 January 2016. 28 February 2016.
- Week in Wrestling: Daniel Bryan retires; Wrestling Top 10. Justin. Barrasso. Sports Illustrated. 10 February 2016. 27 February 2016.
- Web site: Obituary for Anthony Nardo. MBook of Memory. 2016-03-13. 2016-03-17.
- Web site: ESPN. Kevin Randleman Dies at Age 44. 2016-03-19. 2016-02-12.
- Web site: In Memory of Pasqual D. Gabriele . Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service . 2016-03-26 .
- News: Eddie Einhorn, Broadcasting Executive, ChiSox Co-owner, Dies at 80. 2016-03-19. 2016-02-26. The Washington Post.
- Web site: FMW Star Hayabusa Passed Away at 47. F4W Online (Wrestling Observer). 4 March 2016.
- Meltzer. Dave. Dave Meltzer. March 14, 2016. March 14, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Diaz defeats McGregor, Hayabusa passes away. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. 1083-9593. 20.
- Web site: Lord James Blears Passes Away. Wrestling Observer Newsletter/Figure Four Online. 2016-03-06. 2016-03-18.
- News: Victory Pro Wrestling Is Saddened to Report the Loss of One of the Moondog Family. Victory Pro Wrestling. 2016-03-15. 2016-03-17.
- News: Baseball legend Joe Garagiola passes away at 90 years old . . March 23, 2016.
- Web site: Randal Brown was 'Lord of the Rings'. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329215448/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2016/03/29/22618309.html. dead. March 29, 2016. 2016-03-29. 2016-04-05. Steve. Johnson. Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer.
- Web site: Kris Travis dead: British wrestling in mourning after 'Shooting Star' loses cancer battle aged 32. International Business Times. 31 March 2016 . 1 April 2016.
- Web site: George Cavalaris Obituary. Knoxville News Sentinel. Legacy.com. 2016-04-12.
- Web site: Blackjack Mulligan Passes Away. WWE. 2016-04-07. 2016-04-07.
- Web site: Balls Mahoney passes away. WWE.com. April 13, 2016. WWE.
- News: Former American professional WWE wrestler and porn star Chyna dies aged 45. BBC News . 21 April 2016 . 21 April 2016.
- Web site: THE LEGENDARY GYPSY JOE PASSES AWAY - PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com.
- Web site: Dave. Meltzer. Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. CMLL Wrestler Thunder Passes Away. 2016-06-30. 2016-07-01.