1978 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable shows in 1978. Calendar of notable shows Notable Events February 20 - Bob Backlund pinned Superstar Billy Graham at New York's Madison Square Garden to become the new World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion. November 21 - Tony Garea and Larry Zbyszko beat the Yukon Lumberjacks to become the new World Wide Wrestling Federation Tag Team Champions. Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated Championship changes EMLL NWA Births January 10 – Tamina January 20 - Joy Giovanni January 25 - B. J. Whitmer January 28 – Sheamus February 2 - Abraham Washington February 17 - Shiori Asahi March 1 - D. J. Hyde March 6 - Chad Wicks March 14 - Kaori Nakayama March 30 – Crazy Boy April 7 - Mana the Polynesian Warrior April 13 – SeXXXy Eddy April 16 – Austin Aries April 22 – Ezekiel Jackson May 15 - Keith Walker May 16 - Justice Pain (died in 2020) May 18 - Toru Yano May 22 - Daniel Rodimer May 24 – Elijah Burke June 2 – Joe Líder June 6 – ODB June 8 – Maria Menounos June 19 - Tyson Dux June 20 - Quinton Jackson June 24 – Adam Pearce July 17: Akira Raijin Mike Knox July 21 - Beer City Bruiser August 15 - Ruckus August 21 - Ricky Reyes August 27 - Kafu August 28 – Linda Miles September 8 - Rebel November 21 - Choun Shiryu September 24 – Christopher Nowinski September 30 – Candice Michelle October 15 – Takeshi Morishima October 18 - Jaime Koeppe October 26 – CM Punk November 1 - Tyler Reks November 6 - Johnny Kashmere November 12 - Lena Yada November 21 - Mini Abismo Negro November 28 - Brent Albright December 10 - Essa Rios December 13 - Antonio Thomas December 20 - Armando Estrada December 23 – Nanae Takahashi Debuts August 21 - Devil Masami Chicky Starr Kamala (wrestler) Koko B. Ware Jim Neidhart Buzz Sawyer Retirements Arnold Skaaland (1946 - 1978) Deaths March 27 - John Pesek, 84 June 30 – Michel Martel, 33 August 13 – Lonnie Mayne, 33 November 15 - Willie Gilzenberg, 77 November 16 – Eric the Red, 44 References professional wrestling