Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Toots Mondt 1894
Judy Glover 1932
Pete Doherty 1945
Perro Aguayo 1946
Happy Birthday:
Ted DiBiase (72)
Dave Bautista (55)
Mark Briscoe (41)
Wendy Choo (34)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Lord Athol Layton 1-18-1984 at the age of 63
Ed Farhat\The Sheik 1-18-2003 at the age of 76
Pez Whatley 1-18-2005 at the age of 5
Whipper Watson, Jr 1-18-2018 at the age of 68
Steve Gillespie\Dr. Hannibal 1-18-2020 at the age of 56
40 Year Flashback
1-18-1986: Scott Hall & Curt Hennig defeated Jimmy Garvin & Steve Regal (ch) to win the AWA World Tag Team Championship at the Civic Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico
The American Wrestling Association (AWA), founded by Verne Gagne in 1960, stood as one of the premier promotions, known for its emphasis on athleticism, technical prowess, and storytelling in the ring. It was within this competitive landscape that a pivotal moment unfolded on January 18, 1986, in Albuquerque, New Mexico—a moment that saw the rise of two young stars, Scott Hall and Curt Hennig, as they captured the AWA World Tag Team Championship from the defending champions, Jimmy Garvin and Steve Regal. This victory not only marked a changing of the guard in the AWA’s tag team division but also highlighted the promotion’s shift toward emerging talent amid challenges from departing wrestlers and evolving industry dynamics.
Curt Hennig, often billed as the son of AWA legend Larry “The Axe” Hennig, had been honing his skills in the promotion since 1983. At 27 years old, Hennig was already showcasing the perfect blend of charisma, in-ring psychology, and technical finesse that would later earn him the moniker “Mr. Perfect” in the WWF. His partner, Scott Hall, was a towering figure at 6’7” with an imposing physique that screamed star potential. Hall, then 27 as well, had debuted in the AWA in 1985 after stints in other territories, quickly impressing fans with his power moves and agility. Together, they formed a dynamic duo: Hennig’s precision complemented Hall’s brute strength, making them a formidable team in a division dominated by established pairs.
Pictured: Jimmy Garvin & Steve Regal, AWA World Tag Team Champions with Jimmy’s wife, Precious (Patti Williams)
“Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin and “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal. Garvin, a flamboyant heel known for his flashy attire and valet Precious, had been a staple in Southern wrestling circuits before joining the AWA. The duo had captured the AWA World Tag Team Titles on October 29, 1985, from the Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts), and their reign was characterized by cunning tactics and crowd-drawing antics. However, by early 1986, the winds of change were blowing: Garvin was eyeing a move to Jim Crockett Promotions, and Regal was departing for World Class Championship Wrestling.
Leading into the match, Hall and Hennig had been on a hot streak, including a notable victory over Garvin and Regal in a non-title bout on November 14, 1985, which fueled speculation of an impending title shot. The champions, meanwhile, had defended their belts successfully against Hall and Hennig on January 10, 1986, but the rematch in New Mexico promised to be a grueling affair. Albuquerque’s Tingley Coliseum, a venue known for hosting raucous crowds, provided the perfect backdrop for this high-stakes encounter. Reports from the era describe the match as a marathon, lasting an astonishing 58 minutes—a testament to the endurance and storytelling ability of all four competitors. Hall and Hennig’s strategy focused on isolating Regal, wearing him down with powerbombs and suplexes, while countering Garvin’s aerial assaults. In the end, the challengers emerged victorious, pinning the champions after a decisive double-team maneuver to claim the gold.
Pictured: Scott Hall and Curt Hennig, AWA World Tag Team Champions
I wanted to make note about the legitimacy regarding this title change, some historians label this as a “phantom match,” an invented title change broadcast on AWA television to explain the belts’ vacancy due to Regal’s abrupt exit from the company. There was an actual wrestling show at this location and on this date at the venue, its unclear whether or not this match was on the show. Officially, it stands as a legitimate win, underscoring the creative liberties promotions took to maintain continuity.
Regardless if the match actually took place or not, this “win” propelled Hall and Hennig into the spotlight. They held the titles for 119 days, defending them against teams like the Irwin Brothers (Bill and Scott) and other challengers in venues across the Midwest. Their reign culminated in a controversial loss to Buddy Rose and Doug Somers on May 17, 1986, via countout, amid interference that added drama to the AWA’s ongoing narratives. For Hennig, this tag team success was a stepping stone to singles glory, including an AWA World Heavyweight Championship reign in 1987. Hall, too, used the momentum to build his career, eventually finding fame as Razor Ramon in the WWF.
One Thing I Learned About Lord Athol Layton
His villainous wrestling persona, alongside tag team partner Lord James Blears, generated so much anti-British sentiment among fans that a British consular official formally asked them to tone it down to avoid provoking international ill will.
Pictured: Lord Layton and Lord Blears with their manager, Captain Leslie Holmes
**Photo Credit: George Schire Wrestling Collection
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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I'm sorry I disappointed you. I do make mistakes. Even so, I am very grateful for your comment and pointing it out to me so it can be corrected. Putting out as much content as I do, I will sometime see in error. Again, thank you, I am aware of the two Regals...I had forgotten to go back and remove that from my original drafting of the doc. I was more focused on trying to find out whether or not the match actually happened then I simply forgot to go back and touch it up.
The article is incorrect in terms of Mr. Regal. Mr. Electricity Steve Regal was NOT from England. Different Mr. Regal, that was nowhere near this title match. Disappointing.......