1981 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable shows in 1981. Calendar of notable shows Accomplishments and tournaments JCP AJPW NJPW Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestling Observer Newsletter Births January 11 - King Mo January 12: Jeet Rama Krissy Vaine January 13 – Shad Gaspard (died in 2020) January 17 - Adam Windsor (died in 2022) January 26 – Volador Jr. February 9 - Daisuke Sekimoto February 14 - Ayako Hamada February 18 - Larry Sweeney (died in 2011) February 19 – Tye Dillinger February 26 - Kaori Yoneyama March 2 – Lance Cade (died in 2010) March 3 – Justin Gabriel March 12 – Hideo Itami April 4 – Tigre Uno April 28 - Alex Riley April 29 - Neil Faith May 13 – Jimmy Yang May 22 – Daniel Bryan June 2 – Velvet Sky July 8 - Luke Hawx July 22 Fandango Kenny King July 25 – Finn Bálor July 26 Roderick Strong August 14 – Kofi Kingston August 19 – Percy Watson August 20 – Byron Saxton August 21 – Trent Seven August 26 - Petey Williams September 6 - Chris the Bambi Killer September 10 - Rain September 13 – Angelina Love September 26 – Asuka October 7 - Thunder (died in 2016) October 9 - Daniel Puder October 11 - Arturo Ruas November 1 - Hallowicked November 3 – Jackie Gayda November 10 – Ryback November 28 – Erick Rowan December 7 - Luster the Legend December 11 - Fuego December 14 - Johnny Jeter December 17 - Tim Wiese December 18 - Eddie Kingston December 23 - Arik Cannon December 25 - Rhaka Khan December 31 – Martin Stone Debuts Uncertain debut date King Kong Bundy El Dandy Jake Milliman Wendell Cooley Retirements Black Shadow (1942 - 1981) Tony Borne (1952 - 1981) Verne Gagne (1949 - 1981) Dutch Savage (1962 - 1981) The Missouri Mauler (1950 - 1981) Deaths January 24 - Orville Brown, 72 February 6 - Goga Pehlwan, 43 April 9 - Wee Willie Davis, 74 April 12 - Joe Louis, 66 August 12 – Buddy Austin, 52 August 24 - Mike Marino, 59 November 16 - Ali Baba (wrestler), 80 References professional wrestling