With over 20,000 fans in on hand inside the Reunion Arena in Dallas, we have arrived at World Class Championship Wrestling’s second Wrestling Star Wars event of 1982! In the main event, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair defends his NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship against the number one contender: “The Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich! Also tonight, in a rematch of epic proportions, Kevin & David Von Erich again meet The Great Kabuki & Magic Dragon for the All-Asia Tag Team Championship. Plus, much more.
WCCW Summer Star Wars
Date: 08/15/1982
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCH CARD
Singles Match
1. José Lothario vs. “Captain” Frank Dusek
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Singles Match
2. Brian Adidas vs. The Superfly
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Singles Grudge Match
3. Al Madril vs. Wild Bill Irwin
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Singles Match for the Ladies Championship of Mexico
4. Lola González vs. La Pantera Sereña
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Special Attraction Handicap Match
5. Bugsy McGraw vs. Gary Hart & Arman Hussein
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Tag Team Match for the WCCW All-Asia Tag Team Championship
6. David Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich vs. The Great Kabuki & Magic Dragon
Singles Match for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship
7. King Kong Bundy vs. Harley Race
Two-out-of-Three Falls Match for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship
8. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to Reunion Arena and ran down some of the featured matches. No sign of Jay Saldi anywhere, not that I’m really missing him.
- José Lothario vs. “Captain” Frank Dusek: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that José Lothario won this match.
- N/A
- Brian Adidas vs. The Superfly: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that The Superfly won this match.
- N/A
- Al Madril vs. Wild Bill Irwin: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that Al Madril won this match.
- N/A
- Lola González vs. La Pantera Sereña: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that Lola González won this match.
- N/A
- Bugsy McGraw vs. Gary Hart & Arman Hussein: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that Bugsy McGraw won this handicap match.
- N/A
- David Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich vs. The Great Kabuki & Magic Dragon: This one was set for one fall with a sixty minute time limit, no disqualification, for the WCCW All-Asia Tag Team Championship. Kevin and Kabuki started things off, with Von Erich getting the better of Kabuki. David was in next and was a house of fire, almost getting an Iron Claw on Kabuki’s forehead, but was only able to get the midsection instead. The heels worked over David for a few minutes, targeting his injured arm and shoulder. Kevin finally got the hot tag and came in to put Magic Dragon down with a few well-placed dropkicks. A double dropkick to Magic Dragon got David back into the action and he and Kevin were fired up. Kabuki would rally back on Kevin, eventually ending up on the time keeper’s table in a scuffle. Tag format broke at this point and all four men were going at it. The heels again would gain control, Kabuki working over Kevin. The finish came when David dropped a knee drop on Magic Dragon for a three count while Kevin came off the top to stop The Great Kabuki from breaking up the pin! The Von Erichs were then awarded the titles.
- Though not as good as their match in Texas Stadium, these two teams never disappoint. This was a nice way to have David Von Erich return to the territory and slay the evil heels for a feel good moment.
- After match, Bill Mercer met Kevin & David Von Erich at ringside for a post match interview. David Von Erich said he told everyone so. There is something magic with him and Kevin in the ring. Kevin said it was so good to have his brother back home in Texas!
- Bill Mercer met up with King Kong Bundy and Arman Hussein backstage in the locker room. Bundy flexed while Arman said that despite Harley Race being a six-time world champion, he has built King Kong as a champion at only nineteen years old! King Kong Bundy will retire Harley Race tonight.
- Nothing flashy as far as a promo here, it is crazy to think that Bundy was only nineteen years old here!
- Next up, Harley Race had the opportunity to speak about King Kong Bundy with Bill Mercer backstage. He said anytime you face a challenger that is nearly double your size, you don’t take them lightly. He is the only man in wrestling to pick up André the Giant and slam him. Bundy will pay the price for being in Harley’s way to his next reign as champion.
- Harley is the man and isn’t shy with making Bundy feel like a viable opponent for him. He made me more excited for this one in ninety seconds than I have been since seeing the match card.
- King Kong Bundy vs. Harley Race: This match was set for one fall with a sixty minute time limit for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship. Marc Lowrance also announced that Kevin Von Erich will face the winner of this bout as the number one contender on Sunday, September 5th. This one started off slow, with Bundy locking in a tight headlock. Bundy cranked up the punishment with strikes in the corner and a knee drop for a near fall. Race started to swing the momentum with a couple of his own stiff strikes and a standing headbutt to stagger the bigger man. His momentum was stopped when Bundy sent him into the ringpost shoulder first between the ropes. Moments later, Race found himself in a bear hug in the middle of the ring. The crowd roared when Harley Race was able to lift and slam King Kong Bundy and follow up with his falling headbutt off the top for a two count! Disappointingly, this one ended in an double count-out. After the match, Bundy and Hussein attempted a beatdown but Race was able to hold them off.
- I was kind of surprised to see how well these guys meshed, as they are classically two heels going at it. Bundy has matured quite a bit as a performer and as a big man. Race sold for him well and this one felt bigtime. Some points lost for a dumb finish, though.
- After the match, Bill Mercer met King Kong Bundy and Arman Hussein at ringside for a post match interview. Arman says that Kevin Von Erich doesn’t have a chance against Bundy. Bundy then demanded that Kevin pu up his hair to fight Bundy. He continued by saying that he was shaved bald in San Antonio and it is time he repay the favor to the Von Erichs. The only way he is agreeing to the match, is if Kevin’s hair is also on the line!
- Kind of a nice call back, though it solidifies that Bundy won’t be walking out of that match still the champion as there is NO WAY Kevin Von Erich is getting shaved bald…
- A ‘Road to the World Championship’ video packages was presented. It featured Ric Flair showing exactly what he does to prepare for a big match. He takes two woman to the Hyatt Regency, shopping for suits, a tour of the arena, and sipping drinks. He isn’t down in the gym sweating, feeding the pigs, or being a down home cowboy like Kerry Von Erich. Ric Flair is the real champion and says that this is just a peak into what it is like being Ric Flair, the World Champion, for a day. A package was then shown for Kerry as a fighter, flashing clips of him training, riding a horse, jogging, battling opponents, and pushing himself to the limit.
- Kerry Von Erich is being presented as not only a great challenge for Flair, but ready to be a World Champion. As much as Flair flashed his wealth, Kerry flashed his hunger in this package. Pretty effective.
- Kerry Von Erich provided an interview with Bill Mercer backstage next. He said that he has eaten, slept, and lived the World Championship. He wants it and is going to give 120% to get it tonight.
- I’m not sure if Kerry was blasted for this interview or what, but I swear he was cross-eyed. Nonetheless, I’m pulling for the long shot… I hope Kerry is able to do the unthinkable.
- Bill Mercer was then joined by the champion, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair backstage in the locker room. Flair said this would be one of the toughest challenges he has to face as the champion. He has the confidence and ability to beat any man in the world today and Kerry will find that out tonight in Reunion arena.
- Again, Flair giving props to Kerry for being a legit challenge for the NWA World Championship only helps both of them. A pro’s pro.
- Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich: This match NWA World Heavyweight Championship match was set for a best two out of three falls match, sixty minutes for a time limit. These guys went nose-to-nose and the arena buzzed in anticipation. Kerry was first to lock on a head scissors hold to begin wearing down Flair as quickly as possible. The two began trading holds for a few minutes. Kerry definitely had the strength advantage, but Flair showed his experience over Kerry in the bath and forth exchange. Flair resorted to throwing Kerry through the middle rope to the floor to swing the momentum his way for a few moments. An Iron Claw to the midsection was applied to Flair, cooling him off and getting Kerry back into the fight. A mistimed punch sent the referee down causing chaos. Kerry locked on a sleeper hold and Flair was fading fast. Flair seemingly was put out and a bell was sounded. The referee came to and argued with a few World Class officials and they argued for a bit. Eventually, the first fall was awarded to Flair surprisingly, due to Kerry throwing the wild punch that sent the referee to the mat. Kerry went right back to work on Flair as the second contest began, locking in another sleeper hold. Flair’s dirty tactics really were put on display here, as a sense of desperation began to set in. He targeted Kerry’s wrapped knee and went to work on it. Flair locked in a Figure Four leglock but it would be reversed by Kerry for a few seconds! The Iron Claw would be locked on next on Ric Flair in the center of the ring, busting Flair open in the process. Flair faded to the mat long enough for the referee to count his shoulders down for a three, awarding the second fall to Kerry Von Erich. The third and final portion of the bout began, Flair was beside himself with anger. The two threw fists fiercely, each pushing the referee away at separate times. The bell was sounded, ending the third fall in a double-disqualification. Officials rushed the ring to try and keep the two men apart, as fists continued to fly. Fritz Von Erich then stormed the ring to argue the decision, even putting his hands on the NWA referee!
- There is a good shot that this could be the WCCW match of the year. Kerry and Flair sold their asses off and played their roles perfectly. Texas came alive everytime Kerry rallied and Flair told the story from start to finish. The finish, though slightly disappointing, was the only way to keep Kerry’s star burning bright going into the fall and winter months. I full expect a return bout for these guys, very masterfully done.
- Bill Mercer closed us out for the evening, claiming Kerry Von Erich to be the uncrowned NWA World Champion in the fans hearts and minds. He alluded to this not being the last time we see these two meet to settle the score.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The final match of the card is worth checking out this hidden gem of a supershow alone. Kerry Von Erich and Ric Flair gave the people their money’s worth tonight and left fans hungry for more. David as the returning hometown hero to win the titles with Kevin was great and it will be nice to have Dave around more on weekly television now that his Florida run has come to a close. King Kong Bundy has also emerged as a superstar, perhaps about ready bigger and better things than second or third fiddle in H&H Limited. I would like him in a more featured heel position. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the year shapes out now. Kevin Von Erich will meet Bundy for the American Championship next month, we can expect a NWA Championship rematch between Flair and Kerry, and David and Kevin are the new All-Asia Tag Team Champions. Who knows what we’re in store for next week and beyond…
See you all then!