WCCW- July 2, 1983
by erick von erich
We're back for the second part of "International Wrestling Star Wars" from Reunion Arena. Once again, we open with the nifty panoramic view of downtown Dallas. The introductory WWE 24/7 host segments have gotten progressively worse in the past few months, as this episode is no different. Kevin Von Erich takes the lead and introduces the show in kayfabe fashion, talking about how great these upcoming matches are. Yet Michael Hayes manages to get in a little background on Bruiser Brody, brandishing him "an outlaw". I think I liked these segments better when both guys act all confrontational. But with so much going on in World Class Championship Wrestling, let's get down to ringside for...
Match 1: Handicap Match:
Kimala (w/Friday and Skandor Akbar) vs. Arman Hussein, Tola Yatsu & Mike Bond
Ring announcer Marc Lowrance explains that Kimala must beat all three men to win. Once again, Hussein
is billed as "The World Class African Champion". Bond's
not a part of Hussein's stable, he's just....there. All 3 men try to dog-pile Kimala as
the bell rings, but quickly get shoved off. Kimala just chops away and soon pins Yatsu with a splash.
Hussein receives a few chops and is tossed outside, through the ropes. Hussein suddenly has enough,
and leaves the ring area with Yatsu. Yup, that's officially it for Hussein. Bond is left to
get hammered by Kimala, as he quickly falls victim to two more splashes and gets pinned.
Incredibly lame match, but Kimala decides to beatdown Bond some more. That's enough to bring
Bruiser Brody out from the back! Brody attacks Kimala and is "officially" the
first man to knock Kimala off of his feet. Referees separate the two, until Brody
hoists up his friend Bond and carries him back to the locker room.
A Very Special Pre-Recorded Interview with Bruiser Brody
Lowrance is with Brody, who disputes his charges of being unreliable. He says he considers
Kerry Von Erich one his "few, true friends" and has come all the way from Japan to help
in the Freebird War.
Match 2: NWA World Heavyweight Championship:
Harley Race (c) vs. Kevin Von Erich
Originally slated to be Ric Flair, but Race had beaten Flair for the title just a few days earlier (and his
7th reign, overall). As a result, the stipulations signed for Flair as still in effect-- namely, being thrown over
the top rope is legal and Race can lose the belt if he's disqualified. Sucks for Race, having to take
the punishment for that dastardly top-rope throwing, DQ whore Flair. Match is pretty much all Kevin,
as he quickly drop-kicks Race, then connects with a twising top-rope bodypress for an ealry 2 count.
Race tries a suplex, but KVE reverses it into a sleeper. Kevin keeps dominating as Race just bumps
around and sells for the first 7 minutes or so. Kevin finally gets tossed through the ropes and
injures his shoulder on a ringside table. Race notices the bum shoulder and quickly
targets it, even using his dreaded shoulder-breaker. Kevin tries fighting back with one arm and
starts using his trunks as a makeshift sling (ummmmm..okay). Kevin manages a body-scissors,
but Race makes the ropes, then comes off the second turnbuckle with a double axe-handle to
the shoulder. Kevin gets the CLAW and they both tumble out to ringside. David Von Erich comes
down to help his brother and tells him to stop. Race kicks David in the face, which causes
the gangly redhead freak to lose his temper and charge the ring. DVE pounds on Race, drawing
the DQ for his brother. David tells Race that it's "(his) turn" and that if he can't
beat him, he'll quit wrestling. After Race leaves, David goes to
check on his brother....and accidentally slaps him on the bad shoulder! Ha! Match was pretty much 95% Kevin,
but soon got boring and uncompetitive, then became WAY too melodramatic once the shoulder was injured.
A Very Special Pre-Recorded Interview with Michael Hayes
Lowrance talks to the most vocal Freebird, who is shocked and almost scared that Bruiser Brody
has actually shown up.
Match 3: American Tag Team Championship:
Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy (c) vs. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody
Before the match, Hayes gets the house mic and challenges "Iceman" King Parsons to a
"lights out" match, as a result of the recent Hair Match. Kerry and Gordy begin
with a little bit of dancing and brawling. The Freebirds take over and double-team
Kerry, trying to cut off the ring and keep Brody on the apron. Brody finally tags in,
drop-kicks, then delivers a one-armed slam to both 'Birds. A double-team clothesline
slows Brody, then Gordy follows up with a slam. Hayes manages a flying elbow and a 2 count.
Kerry returns with a flying dropkick, but then all four men enter the ring and they pair off.
Brody tangles with Gordy, sending him out of the ring. Hayes drops to the mat to block
a charge from Kerry. Brody then catches Kerry and press-slams him onto Hayes. Kerry makes the
cover and we have NEW American Tag Team Champions! A serviceable match, but a fun ending.
Too bad Kerry and Brody rarely defended the belts (if ever) and they were soon vacated.
Bill Mercer recaps the results in a pre-recorded Sportatorium spot as the show ends. Next week's feature will be a lumberjack match, pitting Kerry Von Erich against Terry Gordy.
Why'd You Tape This??
Typical 80's booking: the bad guys go down at the big supercard show. Well, technically, Race
didn't lose his match, but he had the crap knocked out of him and looked like a complete
putz. The post-match angle set up DVE's chase for the
NWA title, which he supposedly would've won had he lived into 1984. Sure, it ends in tragedy, but I'm
really starting to despise DVE's work and his overblown antics. He comes off as kind of a dick. Not something you'd
want for a top babyface. But the gist of this episode
is Bruiser Brody's return to Texas. In just one show, he's helped to take out both big
bad heel factions. The next episodes should be interesting, as we'll see how the
Freebirds and Devastation, Inc. can respond.
Boom-da-da-da-boom, da-da-da-boom, da-da-da-boom
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