1988 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.
List of notable promotions
These promotions held notable events in 1988.
Calendar of notable shows
Notable events
January 24 - WWE Royal Rumble was aired on USA Network against the NWA Bunkhouse Stampede that aired live on Pay Per View.
March 27 - Clash of the Champions I was aired on free TV via TBS against the WWE pay-per view event WrestleMania IV.
April 3 - WCW Main Event Premiered on TBS.
July 16 - Bruiser Brody was stabbed by Jose Huertas Gonzalez before a WWC live event in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Brody died hours later in a local hospital.
November 1 - Turner Broadcasting Systems purchased Jim Crockett Promotions the biggest National Wrestling Alliance territory.
November - Jerry Jarrett buys 50 percent of WCWA from Ken Mantell
December 13 - AWA World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler defeated WCWA World Heavyweight Champion Kerry Von Erich in Chicago, Illinois at AWA Superclash III to unify both the AWA and WCWA World titles.
Tournaments and accomplishments
AJW
JCP
WWF
Awards and honors
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Title changes
WWF
Births
January 15 - Eddie Hall
January 16 - Bull Dempsey
January 19 - Tyler Breeze
February 26 - Reid Flair (d. 2013)
March 11 - Katsuhiko Nakajima
March 16 - Brett DiBiase
March 20 - Jonathan Gresham
April 17 - Dasha Fuentes
May 5 - Brooke Hogan
May 6 - Dakota Kai
May 22 - Santana Garrett
May 26 - Babatunde Aiyegbusi
May 30 - No Way Jose
June 1 - Ross Von Erich
June 2 - Grado
June 19 - Daga
June 25 - Mark Haskins
July 6 - Lars Sullivan
July 26 - Marty Scurll
August 7 - Marti Belle
August 8 - Veer Mahaan
August 12 - Tyson Fury
August 29 - Kevin Ku
August 31 - Ember Moon
September 13 - Markus Crane (died in 2021)
September 21 - Tom MacDonald
September 23 - Kairi Hojo
September 26 - Buddy Murphy
September 27 - Cathy Kelley
September 28 – Jason Jordan
October 11 - Ricochet
November 2 - Dezmond Xavier
November 3 - Gran Metalik
November 24 - Anthony Ogogo
November 29 - Dana Brooke
Debuts
Debut date
Uncertain debut date
Retirements
Alexis Smirnoff (1970 - 1988)
Rufus R. Jones (1969 - 1988)
The Crusher (1949 - 1988)
Emile Dupree (1955 - 1988)
Mr. Hito (June 8, 1967 - March 25, 1988)
Shunji Kosugi (1981-April 10, 1988, returned for one last match in 2010)