2001 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable shows in 2001. Calendar of notable shows January February March April May June July August September October November December Accomplishments and tournaments AAA WCW WWF Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards Title changes ECW NJPW WCW WWF Debuts Uncertain debut date Jay Lethal Kris Pavone Nidia Guenard Sara Del Ray Heidenreich February 15 – Harashima May – Beth Phoenix June 23 – Damien Sandow October 2 – Maven October 6 – Daigoro Kashiwa November 4 – Gorgeous Matsuno November 11 – Ayako Sato November 23 - Finn Balor December 20 – Ken Ohka Retirements Midnight (1999-March 2001) Tori (1988-September 2001) Al Green (1989-2001) (returned for a match in 2007) Bushwhacker Butch (1964-September 2001) Duke Droese (1990-2001, returned for a couple of matches in 2019) Hardbody Harrison (1995-March 2001) Dean Malenko (1979-December 2001, became a road agent for WWE) Nailz (1982-2001) One Man Gang (1977-2001) (returned to wrestle in 2007 until 2009) Fred Ottman (1984-April 2001, returned to wrestle a couple of matches in 2009) Stan Hansen (1973- January 28, 2001, became commissioner for All Japan Pro Wrestling until 2007) Births January 14 - Cora Jade August 21 - Brooks Jensen November 8 - Julia Hart Deaths January 3 – Kung Fu, 49 January 4 – Villano I, 50 January 18 - Rito Romero, 73 January 29 - Smasher Sloan, 65 March 26 - Benny McGuire, 54 April 24 - Johnny Valentine, 72 May 31 - Tex McKenzie, 70 July 16 – Terry Gordy, 40 July 21 – Dennis Coralluzzo, 48 July 27 – Rhonda Sing, 40 October 7 – Chris Adams, 46 December 4 - Ed Whalen, 74 December 15 – Russ Haas, 27 December 25 – Mike Davis, 45 See also List of WCW pay-per-view events List of WWA pay-per-view events List of WWF pay-per-view events List of ECW supercards and pay-per-view events List of FMW supercards and pay-per-view events References professional wrestling