Friday, June 30, 1961 – N.W.A. World Heavyweight Championship – Comiskey Park, Chicago
The course of professional wrestling shifted after this match. Billed as a Champion vs. Champion showdown, the coveted N.W.A. World Heavyweight Title, proudly held by Pat O’Connor, was on the line. Contested under the traditional best two-out-of-three falls rules, the bout blended O’Connor’s technical mastery with Rogers’ flair for theatrics. When Rogers emerged victorious, it marked far more than a title change. It was a symbolic passing of the torch from the disciplined, grappling-focused style of the past to a new era where charisma, showmanship, and performance stood alongside athletic skill as the cornerstones of professional wrestling. At the conclusion of the match, Rogers twisted the knife with trademark arrogance and flair, declaring, "To a nicer guy, it couldn't happen."
N.W.A. World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion vs Champion
World Heavyweight Champion Pat O'Connor
versus
US Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers
WRESTLERS' SOUND-OFF
with
Manager Red Berry
and
The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan)
Second Fall
Third and Final Fall
