1953 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.

List of notable promotions

Only one promotion held notable shows in 1953.

Calendar of notable shows

Notable events

• July 30 – The Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (日本プロレス協会, nihon puroresu kyōkai), Japan's first professional wrestling promotion, was created.
• Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) representing Mexico in the Alliance.

Championship changes

EMLL

NWA

Debuts

• Debut date uncertain:
  • Black Gordman^[9]
  • George Cannon^[9]
  • Joe Blanchard^[9]
  • Lou Albano^[9]
  • Mario Milano^[9]
  • Mark Lewin^[9]
  • Mitsu Arakawa^[9]
  • Pampero Firpo^[9]
  • Pepper Gomez^[9]
  • Peter Maivia^[9]
  • Rod Trongard^[9]
  • Stan Stasiak^[9]
  • Tojo Yamamoto^[9]
• February 28 – Wilbur Snyder^[9]
• August 20 – Irma González^[9]

Births

• Date of birth uncertain:
  • Joe Lightfoot
• January 24 – Bruce Jones (actor)
• January 25 – The Honky Tonk Man^[10]
• February 5 – Takashi Ishikawa
• February 13 – Akio Sato^[10]
• February 20 – Terry Gibbs
• February 28 – Ricky Steamboat^[10]
• March 5 – Dennis Coralluzzo (died in 2001)
• March 22 – Buffalo Jim Barrier (died in 2008)
• April 3 – Russ Francis^[10] (died in 2023)
• April 5 – Salman Hashimikov^[10]
• April 14 – John Ayers (died in 1995)
• May 10 – Tito Santana^[11]
• May 18 – Tiger Conway Jr.
• June 30 – Hombre Bala^[10](died in 2018)
• July 3 – Steve O
• July 10 – Billy Jack Haynes^[10]
• July 10 – Zoogz Rift (died in 2011)
• July 11 – Leon Spinks (died in 2021)
• July 20 – Angel of Death^[10](died in 2007)
• August 5 – Stan Lane^[11]
• August 11:
  • Hulk Hogan^[10]
  • Franco Columbo
• August 13 – Sue Green^[11]
• August 14 – Gran Markus Jr.^[10]
• August 18 – Chief Jay Eagle
• August 22 – Paul Ellering^[10]
• August 28 – Joel Goodhart^[10]
• September 1 – Rocco Rock^[10](died in 2002)
• September 4 – Kengo Kimura^[10]
• September 15 – Adrian Adonis (died in 1988)
• September 29 – Warren Cromartie
• December 13 – Brad Rheingans^[10]
• December 14 – Fuerza Guerrera^[10]
• December 24 – Ricky Knight
• December 28 – Tatsumi Fujinami^[11]
• December 30 – Bill Kazmaier^[10]

Deaths

• May 29 – Man Mountain Dean^[12] (61)
• June 13 – Yakov Kozalchik (50)