American Thanksgiving Day Update November 28, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans, and good day to those who live elsewhere.

In lieu of the news, I will provide highlights from historical wrestling cards that happened on American Thanksgiving.

1983: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair defeats Harley Race for his second World title in Greensboro, NC at Starrcade ’83:

At Reunion Arena in Dallas, Mike Von Erich made his wrestling debut by defeating Skandor Akbar while his brother Kerry defeated Michael Hayes in a steel cage match.

The following year, Dusty Rhodes wanted a piece of Flair as well as $1,000,000.

Also, Mid-South held a show at the Superdome where the Rock’n’Roll Express defeated the Midnight Express in a scaffold match. World Class returned to Reunion Arena, and Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy defeated Killer Khan in a Texas Death match.

In 1985, Starrcade emanated from both Greensboro, NC and Atlanta, GA. While Tully Blanchard and Magnum T.A. had a brilliant payoff to their feud in an “I Quit” match, Rhodes captured the NWA World title only for the decision to be overturned due to interference by the Andersons.

At Reunion Arena, the Dynamic Duo defeated Kerry & Kevin Von Erich in a steel cage.

By 1986, the Road Warriors joined Jim Crockett Promotions, and Jim Cornette didn’t hesitate to piss them off. A scaffold match occurred, and Cornette will never, ever forget about it.

At Reunion Arena, Kevin Von Erich retained the WCWA World title by defeating former champion Black Bart.

Come 1987, Vince McMahon wanted some of the Thanksgiving pie and introduced Survivor Series. Andre the Giant, “Hacksaw” Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy, One Man Gang, & “Ravishing” Rick Rude (w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) beat Hulk Hogan, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, Don Muraco, Bam Bam Bigelow, & Ken Patera in a five-on-five elimination match. A tradition was born!

At Starrcade ’87, JCP relocated the event to Chicago, IL, and Flair recaptured the NWA World title by defeating Ron Garvin in a steel cage. In Dallas, Kevin Von Erich beat Al Perez in a Texas Death match.

I’ll leave the rest up for discussion as you enjoy the festivities today. Have a great holiday!