2008 in professional wrestling

Professional wrestling-related events during the year of 2008

Overview of the events of 2008 in professional wrestling

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2008 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

## List of notable promotions[edit]

These promotions held notable events in 2008.

Promotion Name  | Abbreviation  | Notes

|
|

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre | CMLL  |
Georgia Championship Wrestling | GCW  |
Juggalo Championship Wrestling | JCW  |
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide | AAA  | The "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling | NJPW  |
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla | PWG  |
Ring of Honor | ROH  |
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling | TNA  |
World Wrestling Council | WWC  |
World Wrestling Entertainment | WWE  | WWE divided its roster into three storyline divisions, Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, referred to as brands, where wrestlers exclusively performed on their respective weekly television programs.

## Calendar of notable shows[edit]

### January[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

4  | NJPW | Wrestle Kingdom II | Tokyo | Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) in a Singles match to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship |
6  | TNA | Final Resolution | Orlando, Florida | Kurt Angle (c) defeated Christian Cage in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship |
6  | WWC | Euphoria | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Mini Abismo Negro vs. Octagoncito |
27  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Royal Rumble | New York, New York | John Cena won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Triple H to earn a world championship match at WrestleMania XXIV | This was the first WWE PPV to be broadcast in HD.
John Cena chose to challenge for the WWE Championship, but used his title shot at No Way Out instead of waiting until WrestleMania.
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### February[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

10  | TNA | Against All Odds | Greenville, South Carolina | Kurt Angle (c) defeated Christian Cage in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Samoa Joe as the special outside enforcer
17  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| No Way Out | Las Vegas, Nevada | Triple H defeated Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Umaga, and John "Bradshaw" Layfield in the Elimination Chamber match for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### March[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

9  | TNA | Destination X | Norfolk, Virginia | The Unlikely Alliance (Christian Cage, Kevin Nash and Samoa Joe) defeated The Angle Alliance (Kurt Angle, A.J. Styles and Tomko) in a Six-man Tag team match  |
16  | AAA | Rey de Reyes | Monterrey, Mexico | Rey de Reyes Finals Elimination match  |
16  | ROH | Take No Prisoners | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Nigel McGuiness (c) defeated Tyler Black in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship |
30  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| WrestleMania XXIV | Orlando, Florida | The Undertaker defeated Edge (c) by submission in a Singles match to win the World Heavyweight Championship | Ric Flair wrestled his last WWE match at this PPV against Shawn Michaels
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### April[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

13  | TNA | Lockdown | Lowell, Massachusetts | Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle (c) in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match to win TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
If Joe had lost, he had to retire from professional wrestling.
18  | CMLL | 52\. Aniversario de Arena México | Mexico City, Mexico | Héctor Garza and Místico (c) drew with Los Perros del Mal (Averno and Mephisto) - Double disqualification in a Best two-out-of-three falls tag team match for the CMLL World Tag Team Championship
27  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Backlash | Baltimore, Maryland | Triple H defeated Randy Orton (c), John Cena, and John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a Fatal-4-Way elimination match to win the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### May[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

11  | TNA | Sacrifice | Orlando, Florida | Samoa Joe (c) defeated Kaz and Scott Steiner in a Three-way match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
18  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Judgment Day | Omaha, Nebraska | Triple H (c) defeated Randy Orton in a Steel Cage match to retain the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### June[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

1  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| One Night Stand | San Diego, California | Edge defeated The Undertaker in the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship
7  | ROH | Respect is Earned | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) (c) defeated TeamWork (Austin Aries and Bryan Danielson) in a Tag team match to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship
8  | TNA | Slammiversary | Southaven, Mississippi | Samoa Joe (c) defeated Booker T, Christian Cage, Rhino and Robert Roode in the King of the Mountain match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Kevin Nash as special guest enforcer
13  | AAA | Triplemanía XVI | Naucalpan, Mexico | Cibernético (c) defeated El Zorro in a Singles match for the AAA Mega Championship
13  | CMLL | Infierno en el Ring | Mexico City, Mexico | 10-man Infierno en el Ring, Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair Steel cage match
29  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Night of Champions | Dallas, Texas | Triple H (c) defeated John Cena in a Singles match to retain the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### July[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

13  | TNA | Victory Road | Houston, Texas | Samoa Joe (c) vs Booker T went to a no contest in a Singles match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship |
19  | WWC | 35th WWC Aniversario | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Ray Gonzalez defeated Carlito |
20  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| The Great American Bash | Uniondale, New York | Triple H (c) defeated Edge in a Singles match to retain the WWE Championship | This PPV is notable for being the last TV-14 rated WWE PPV. Immediately after the PPV, WWE turned their product PG
The event also determined the inaugural champion for the Diva Championship, new title for the SmackDown Divas, where Michelle McCool defeated Natalya.
25  | CMLL | International Gran Prix | Mexico City, Mexico | Místico defeated Perro Aguayo Jr. (2-1) in a Best two-out-of-three-falls match, 2008 Leyenda de Plata tournament final  |
26  | ROH | New Horizons | Detroit, Michigan | Bryan Danielson defeated Tyler Black in a Singles match  |
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### August[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

10  | JCW | Bloodymania II | Cave-In-Rock, Illinois | Corporal Robinson (c) defeated Raven for the JCW World Heavyweight Championship
10  | TNA | Hard Justice | Trenton, New Jersey | Samoa Joe (c) defeated Booker T in the Six Sides of Steel Weapons match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
9-17  | NJPW | G1 Climax final  | Tokyo | Hirooki Goto defeated Togi Makabe in a G1 Climax tournament
17  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| SummerSlam | Indianapolis, Indiana | The Undertaker defeated Edge in Hell in a Cell match
29  | CMLL | Sin Piedad | Mexico City | Blue Panther, Dos Caras Jr. and Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated Black Warrior, Mr. Niebla and Rey Bucanero
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### September[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

4  | GCW | Fifth Annual Fred Ward Memorial Show | Phenix City, Alabama | Micah Taylor and Diane Hewes defeated Johnny Swinger and Quentin Michaels in an All or Nothing match for control of GCW
7  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Unforgiven | Cleveland, Ohio | Chris Jericho defeated Batista, Kane, John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Rey Mysterio in the Championship Scramble to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship
14  | AAA | Verano de Escándalo | Zapopan, Mexico | Vampiro defeated El Mesías
14  | TNA | No Surrender | Oshawa, Ontario | Samoa Joe (c) defeated Christian Cage and Kurt Angle in the Three Ways to Glory match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
19  | ROH | Driven | Boston, Massachusetts | Kevin Steen and El Generico defeated The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) (c) in a Tag team match to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship
19  | CMLL | CMLL 75th Anniversary Show | Mexico City, Mexico | Villano V defeated Blue Panther in a Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask match
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### October[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

5  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| No Mercy | Portland, Oregon | Chris Jericho (c) defeated Shawn Michaels in the Ladder match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
12  | TNA | Bound for Glory | Hoffman Estates, Illinois | Sting defeated Samoa Joe (c) in a Singles match to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
13  | NJPW | Destruction | Tokyo | Keiji Mutoh (c) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura Singles match to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
24  | AAA | Antonio Peña Memorial Show | Veracruz, Mexico | La Legión Extranjera (Electroshock, Konnan, Rellik and Kenzo Suzuki) defeated Team AAA (Latin Lover, Octagón, La Parka and Super Fly) in a steel cage elimination match
26  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Cyber Sunday | Phoenix, Arizona | Batista defeated Chris Jericho (c) in a Singles match to win the World Heavyweight Championship with Stone Cold Steve Austin as special guest referee.
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### November[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

1-2  | PWG | Battle of Los Angeles | Burbank, California | Low Ki defeated Chris Hero in a Battle of Los Angeles tournament
9  | TNA | Turning Point | Orlando | Sting (c) defeated A.J. Styles in a Singles match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
14  | N/A  | Second Annual Sensational Sherri Memorial Cup Tournament | Montreal, Quebec | Misty Haven and Michael Von Payton defeated Kacey Diamond and Marko Estrada
22  | ROH | Rising Above | Chicago Ridge, Illinois | Nigel McGuinness (c) defeated Bryan Danielson in a Singles match to retain the ROH World Championship
23  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Survivor Series | Boston, Massachusetts | John Cena defeated Chris Jericho (c) in a Singles match to win the World Heavyweight Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

### December[edit]

Date  | Promotion(s)  | Event  | Location  | Main Event

|
|
|
|

5  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Tribute to the Troops | Baghdad  | John Cena, Batista and Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Big Show in a Six-man tag team match
6  | AAA | Guerra de Titanes | Orizaba, Mexico | Steel Cage Match Luchas de Apuestas
7  | TNA | Final Resolution | Orlando | The Main Event Mafia (Sting (c), Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner and Booker T) defeated The TNA Front Line (A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, Brother Ray and Brother Devon) in an Eight-man tag team match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
14  | WWE:

* Raw
* SmackDown
* ECW

| Armageddon | Buffalo, New York | Jeff Hardy defeated Edge (c) and Triple H in a Triple threat match to win the WWE Championship
(c) – denotes defending champion(s)

## Accomplishments and tournaments[edit]

### AAA[edit]

Accomplishment  | Winner  | Date won  | Notes

|
|
|

Rey de Reyes | El Zorro | March 16  |

#### AAA Hall of Fame[edit]

Main article: AAA Hall of Fame

Inductee

Eddie Guerrero

### Ring of Honor[edit]

Accomplishment  | Winner  | Date won  | Notes

|
|
|

ROH World Championship #1 Contender Tournament | Kevin Steen | February 22  |
ROH World Championship #1 Contender Tournament | Tyler Black | March 16  |
ROH World Tag Team Championship Tournament | The Age of the Fall (Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs)  | June 6  |

### Sendai Girls[edit]

Accomplishment  | Winner  | Date won  | Notes

|
|
|

Jaja Uma Tournament | Hiroyo Matsumoto | June 27  |

### TNA[edit]

Accomplishment  | Winner  | Date won  | Notes

|
|
|

Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament | The Latin American Xchange (Hernandez and Homicide)  | May 11  |
2008 TNA World X Cup Tournament | Team Mexico | July 13  |
Turkey Bowl | Rhino | November 27  |

### WWE[edit]

Accomplishment  | Winner  | Date won  | Notes

|
|
|

Royal Rumble | John Cena | January 27  | Winner received their choice of a championship match for either Raw's WWE Championship, SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship, or the ECW Championship at WrestleMania XXIV; Cena last eliminated Triple H to win but instead of waiting until WrestleMania, Cena used his championship opportunity to challenge Randy Orton for his own brand's WWE Championship at No Way Out. Cena did not win the championship at No Way Out, but still ended up being in the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania but was also unsuccessful there where Orton retained over Cena and Triple H in a triple threat match.
Money in the Bank ladder match | CM Punk | March 30  | Defeated Carlito, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, Mr. Kennedy, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Shelton Benjamin to win a world championship match contract. Punk from Raw cashed in his contract and won SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship from Edge on the June 30 episode of Raw after Edge had just received a beat down from Batista. The World Heavyweight Championship was transferred to Raw upon Punk's win.
King of the Ring | William Regal | April 21  | Defeated CM Punk in the tournament final to win and be crowned King of the Ring.
Championship Chase Tournament | Edge | May 9  | Last eliminated Batista to win a battle royal, which was a tournament final to determine The Undertaker's challenger for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at Judgment Day; Undertaker had been stripped of the title for using a banned submission hold, Hell's Gate, on Edge in their match at Backlash. The match at Judgment Day, however, ended in a countout victory for Undertaker. The two faced each other again for the vacant title at One Night Stand where Edge defeated Undertaker to win the title.
WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender's Tournament | CM Punk | December 14  | Defeated Rey Mysterio in the tournament final to win an Intercontinental Championship match, which Punk received on the January 5, 2009 episode of Raw, but failed to win the title due to William Regal getting himself counted out. Punk gained the title in a rematch two weeks later that was contested under no disqualification rules.
Race To The Rumble Tournament | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | December 29  | Defeated Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Chris Jericho in a fatal four-way match, which was the final of a tournament to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at the 2009 Royal Rumble. JBL, however, was unsuccessful against John Cena at the event.

#### WWE Hall of Fame[edit]

Main article: WWE Hall of Fame

Category  | Inductee  | Inducted by

|
|

Individual  | "Nature Boy" Ric Flair | Triple H
"High Chief" Peter Maivia | The Rock
"Soulman" Rocky Johnson | The Rock
Mae Young | Pat Patterson
Eddie Graham | Dusty Rhodes
Gordon Solie | Jim Ross
Group  | The Brisco Brothers
(Jack Brisco and Gerald Brisco)  | John "Bradshaw" Layfield

#### Slammy Awards[edit]

Main article: Slammy Award

Poll | Results

|

Best WWE.com Exclusive  | John Morrison and The Miz present "The Dirt Sheet"
Breakout Star of the Year  | Vladimir Kozlov
Best Musical Performance  | R-Truth – "What's Up?" (SmackDown, Sept 15)
Announce Team of the Year  | Todd Grisham and Matt Striker (ECW)
Best Impersonation  | Charlie Haas as "The GlamaHaas" (Raw, Oct 27)
Tag Team of the Year  | John Morrison and The Miz
Finishing Maneuver of the Year  | Air Bourne (Evan Bourne)
Extreme Moment of the Year  | Jeff Hardy gives Randy Orton the Swanton Bomb from the top of the Raw set (Raw, January 14)
Couple of the Year  | Edge and Vickie Guerrero
Diva of the Year  | Beth Phoenix
"OMG!" Moment of the Year  | CM Punk cashes in Money in the Bank briefcase and defeats Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship on the June 30 edition of Raw
Match of the Year  | Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XXIV
"Damn!" Moment of the Year  | The Great Khali hosts the Kiss Cam (SmackDown, November 7)
Superstar of the Year  | Chris Jericho

## Title changes[edit]

### AAA[edit]

AAA Mega Championship

Incoming champion – El Mesias

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
March 16  | Cibernético | Rey de Reyes |
October 24  | Vacated | Antonio Peña Memorial Show |
December 6  | El Mesias | Guerra de Titanes |
AAA World Mini-Estrella Championship

(Title created)

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
September 14  | Mini Charly Manson | Verano de Escándalo |
AAA World Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – Mexican Powers (Crazy Boy and Joe Líder)
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
April 27  | La Familia de Tijuana
(Halloween and Extreme Tiger) | AAA Sin Límite TV Taping  |
September 14  | La Hermandad 187
(Joe Líder and Nicho el Millonario) | Verano de Escándalo |
AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – Gran Apache and Mari Apache

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
September 14  | Cynthia Moreno and El Oriental | Guerra de Titanes |

### NJPW[edit]

IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Incoming champion – Hiroshi Tanahashi
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
January 4  | Shinsuke Nakamura | Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome |
April 27  | Keiji Mutoh | Circuit2008 New Japan Brave tour  |

IWGP Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – RISE (Giant Bernard and Travis Tomko)
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
February 17  | The Most Violent Players
(Togi Makabe and Toru Yano) | Circuit 2008 New Japan Ism  |

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Incoming champion – Wataru Inoue
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
June 16  | Vacated | N/A  |
July 8  | Tiger Mask | New Japan Trill  |
September 21  | Low Ki | New Japan Generation  |

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – Dick Togo and Taka Michinoku
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
January 27  | Prince Prince
(Minoru and Prince Devitt) | Circuit 2008 New Japan Ism  |
February 17  | Legend
(Akira and Jushin Thunder Liger) | Circuit 2008 New Japan Ism  |
July 21  | Prince Prince
(Minoru and Prince Devitt) | Circuit2008 New Japan Soul: Novello Sparks  |
October 13  | No Limit
(Tetsuya Naito and Yujiro Takahashi) | Destruction '08 |

### ROH[edit]

ROH World Championship

Incoming champion – Nigel McGuinness

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
No title changes

ROH World Tag Team Championship

Incoming champion(s) – The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black)
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
January 26  | No Remorse Corps
(Davey Richards and Rocky Romero) | Without Remorse |
April 12  | The Briscoe Brothers
(Jay and Mark Briscoe) | Injustice  |
May 10  | Vacated | A New Level  |
June 6  | The Age of the Fall
(Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) | Up for Grabs  |
September 19  | El Generico and Kevin Steen | Driven |

### TNA[edit]

TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Incoming champion – Kurt Angle

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
April 13  | Samoa Joe | Lockdown | This was a six sides of steel cage title vs. career match
October 12  | Sting | Bound for Glory | This was a match, where the loser can't get a rematch
TNA X Division Championship

Incoming champion – Jay Lethal

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
January 21  | Johnny Devine | Impact! |
February 10  | Jay Lethal | Against All Odds |
April 15  | Petey Williams | Impact! |
September 14  | Sheik Abdul Bashir | No Surrender |
December 7  | Eric Young | Final Resolution |
Vacated |
TNA World Beer Drinking Championship

Incoming champion – Eric Young

Unsanctioned championship
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
February 25  | James Storm | Impact! |
February 26  | Deactivated  | Impact! |
TNA World Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – Christian's Coalition (A.J. Styles and Tomko)
Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
April 15  | Kaz and Eric Young/Super Eric | Impact! |
April 15  | Vacated | Impact! |
May 11  | The Latin American Xchange
(Homicide and Hernandez) | Sacrifice |
August 10  | Beer Money, Inc.
(James Storm and Robert Roode) | Hard Justice |
December 16  | Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed | Impact! |
TNA Women's World Championship

Incoming champion – Gail Kim

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
January 7  | Awesome Kong | Impact! |
June 24  | Taylor Wilde | Impact! |
October 23  | Awesome Kong | Impact! |
TNA Television Championship

(Title created)

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
October 23  | Booker T | Impact! |

### WWE[edit]

– Raw
– SmackDown
\- ECW

Raw and SmackDown each had a world championship, a secondary championship, a women's championship, and a male tag team championship. ECW only had a world championship.

WWE Championship

Incoming champion – Randy Orton

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
April 27  | Triple H | Backlash | Fatal four-way elimination match, also involving John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand following the 2008 WWE draft when Triple H was drafted to SmackDown.

November 23  | Edge | Survivor Series | Triple threat match, also involving Vladimir Kozlov. Jeff Hardy had originally been scheduled to take part in the match, but did not participate after being (in storyline) attacked prior to the event. Triple H and Kozlov started the match before Edge was revealed as Hardy's surprise replacement.
December 14  | Jeff Hardy | Armageddon | Triple threat match, also involving Triple H.

World Heavyweight Championship

Incoming champion – Edge

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
March 30  | The Undertaker | WrestleMania XXIV |
April 29
(aired May 2) | Vacated | SmackDown | SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the title for using the Hell's Gate submission hold, which she deemed to be dangerous.
June 1  | Edge | One Night Stand | Defeated The Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant title. Per the pre-match stipulation, Undertaker was (kayfabe) banished from WWE.
June 30  | CM Punk | Monday Night Raw | Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract

The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to CM Punk being a member of the Raw roster.

September 7  | Chris Jericho | Unforgiven | Championship Scramble, also involving John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Kane. Jericho was a late replacement for champion CM Punk, who was attacked by The Legacy prior to the match.
October 26  | Batista | Cyber Sunday | Stone Cold Steve Austin was the special guest referee.
November 3  | Chris Jericho | Monday Night Raw | Steel cage match
November 23  | John Cena | Survivor Series |

ECW Championship

Incoming champion – CM Punk

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
January 22  | Chavo Guerrero Jr. | ECW | No Disqualification match.

The title became shared between the SmackDown and ECW brands due to Chavo Guerrero Jr. being a member of the SmackDown roster.

March 30  | Kane | WrestleMania XXIV |

The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand due to Kane being a member of the SmackDown roster.

The title became exclusive to the ECW brand when Kane became a member of the ECW roster two days after WrestleMania XXIV.

The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2008 WWE draft when Kane was drafted to Raw.

June 29  | Mark Henry | Night of Champions | Triple threat match, also involving SmackDown's Big Show.

The title became exclusive to the ECW brand due to Mark Henry being a member of the ECW roster.

September 7  | Matt Hardy | Unforgiven | Scramble match, also involving Finlay, The Miz, and Chavo Guerrero Jr..

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Incoming champion – Jeff Hardy

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
March 10  | Chris Jericho | Monday Night Raw | No disqualification match
June 29  | Kofi Kingston | Night of Champions |
August 17  | Santino Marella | SummerSlam | Winner Takes All Intergender tag team match in which both the Intercontinental and Women's Championships were on the line. Beth Phoenix teamed with Marella. The title was won when Phoenix pinned Mickie James, whose partner was Kofi Kingston.
November 10  | William Regal | Monday Night Raw |

WWE United States Championship

Incoming champion – Montel Vontavious Porter

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
April 27
(aired March 20) | Matt Hardy | Backlash |

The title became exclusive to the ECW brand following the 2008 WWE draft when Matt Hardy was drafted to ECW.

July 20  | Shelton Benjamin | The Great American Bash |

The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand due to Shelton Benjamin being a member of the SmackDown roster.

WWE Women's Championship

Incoming champion – Beth Phoenix

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
April 14  | Mickie James | Monday Night Raw |
August 17  | Beth Phoenix | SummerSlam | Winner Takes All Intergender tag team match in which both the Women's and Intercontinental Championships were on the line. Phoenix teamed with Santino Marella. The title was won when Phoenix pinned Mickie James, whose partner was Kofi Kingston.

WWE Divas Championship

(Title created)

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
July 20  | Michelle McCool | The Great American Bash | Defeated Natalya to become the inaugural champion.
December 22
(aired December 26) | Maryse | SmackDown | Maria served as the special guest referee.

World Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
June 29  | The Legacy
(Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes) | Night of Champions | Rhodes was revealed to be DiBiase's mystery partner and turned on Hardcore Holly, resulting in a handicap match.
August 4  | Batista and John Cena | Monday Night Raw |
August 11  | The Legacy
(Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes) | Monday Night Raw |
October 27  | CM Punk and Kofi Kingston | Monday Night Raw |
December 13  | John Morrison and The Miz | House show |

WWE Tag Team Championship

Incoming champions – John Morrison and The Miz

Date  | Winner  | Event/Show  | Note(s)
July 20  | Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder | The Great American Bash | Fatal four-way tag team match, also involving Jesse and Festus and Finlay and Hornswoggle.

The title transferred to SmackDown due to Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder being members of the SmackDown roster.

September 21
(aired September 26) | The Colóns
(Carlito and Primo) | SmackDown |

## Awards and honors[edit]

2008 PWI Wrestler of the Year, Triple H

### Pro Wrestling Illustrated[edit]

Main article: List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards

Category  | Winner

|

PWI Wrestler of the Year | Triple H
PWI Tag Team of the Year | Beer Money, Inc.
(Robert Roode and James Storm)
PWI Match of the Year | Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (WrestleMania XXIV)
PWI Feud of the Year | Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year | Jeff Hardy
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year | Chris Jericho
PWI Comeback of the Year | Chris Jericho
PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year | Cody Rhodes
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year | Ric Flair
PWI Rookie of the Year | Joe Hennig
PWI Woman of the Year | Awesome Kong
PWI Lifetime Achievement | Ric Flair

### Wrestling Observer Newsletter[edit]

#### Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame[edit]

Main article: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

Inductee

Paco Alonso
Martín Karadagian

#### Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards[edit]

2008 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year, Chris Jericho

Main article: List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

Category  | Winner

|

Wrestler of the Year | Chris Jericho
Most Outstanding | Bryan Danielson
Feud of the Year | Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
Tag Team of the Year | John Morrison and The Miz
Most Improved | The Miz
Best on Interviews | Chris Jericho

## Debuts[edit]

* January 3 – Ryuichi Sekine
* March 7 - Matt Taven
* March 11 – Shinya Ishikawa
* April 12 - Hamuko Hoshi
* April 19 – Shota
* April 26 - Adam Cole
* May 24 - Adam Page
* June 27 - Yuji Okabayashi
* July 13 - Nozomi Dai (NEO)
* July 20 - Hikaru Shida
* September 20 – Nikki Cross
* November 11 – Yumehito Imanari
* November 15 - Bo Dallas
* November 22 – Rusev
* December 4 – Ryuichi Kawakami

## Retirements[edit]

* Roadkill (1996 – February 4, 2008) (brief return only in 2012)
* Billy Kidman (September 11, 1994 – February 23, 2008)
* Woody Farmer (1960s-April 12, 2008)
* Torrie Wilson (February 21, 1999 – May 8, 2008) (brief return only in 2009 and 2018)
* Jonathan Coachman (December 23, 1999 – June 2008)
* Danny Basham (1998–July 5, 2008)
* Ashley Massaro (June 27, 2005 – July 9, 2008)
* Carlos Colón (February 16, 1966 – July 19, 2008)
* Johnny Jeter (September 2001 – August 2008) (brief return only in 2014)
* Cherry (January 1999 – August 15, 2008)
* Sonny Siaki (March 1998 – September 17, 2008)
* Joey Mercury (October 12, 1996 – October 2008) (returned to wrestling from 2010 onwards)
* Peter Thornley (1964-October 29, 2008)
* KC James (December 15, 2001 – December 12, 2008)
* Misae Genki (August 28, 1994 – December 31, 2008)

## Deaths[edit]

Killer Kowalski

* January 17 - Ernie Holmes, 59
* February 15 – Johnny Weaver, 72[1]
* March 6 – Don Curtis, 80
* March 16 – Gary Hart, 66[2]
* March 20 – Bestia Salvaje, 46[3]
* March 23 – Chase Tatum, 34[4]
* March 23 - Luis Magana, 97
* March 28 – Ron Slinker, 62[5]
* April 5 - Buffalo Jim Barrier, 55
* May 11 – Judy Grable, 72
* May 12 – Penny Banner, 73
* May 25 - Rudy Kay, 65
* June 17 - Jimmy Jackson (wrestler), 51
* July 12 - Evgeny Artyukhin Sr., 59
* July 30 – Alfonso Dantés, 65[6]
* August 20 - Sonny Fargo, 80
* August 30 – Killer Kowalski, 81
* September 21 - Al Hobman, 83
* October 8 - Hogan Wharton, 72
* October 16 – Jack Reynolds, 71
* October 19 – Lia Maivia, 81
* October 26 – S. D. Jones, 63[7]
* December 4 – Steve Bradley, 32
* December 14 – Mike Bell, 37[8]

## See also[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2008 in professional wrestling.

* List of NJPW pay-per-view events
* List of ROH pay-per-view events
* List of TNA pay-per-view events
* List of WWE pay-per-view events

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Johnny Weaver Dead at 72". Slam Wrestling. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
2. ^ "Autobiography of Professional Wrestling Manager "Playboy" Gary Hart Released". PR.com. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
3. ^ Bestia Salvaje dead at 46 Wrestle World
4. ^ "Ex-pro wrestler dead of apparent overdose". MSNBC. 2008-03-27. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
5. ^ "Ron Slinker". onlineworldofwrestling.com.
6. ^ Schramm, Chris. "Mexican great Alfonso Dantés dies". SLAM! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved 2008-07-31.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
7. ^ "S.D. Jones dies in Antigua". Slam Wrestling. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
8. ^ "Pro wrestler Mike 'Mad Dog' Bell found dead at 37". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 19, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-25.

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