In a rematch of epic proportions, the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship is on the line when champion David Von Erich defends against former champion Wild Bill Irwin. Also, Al Madril has his hands full with King Kong Bundy in singles action! The Checkmate, The Great Kabuki, and more also featured on tonight’s program.
WCCW TV*
Date: 10/09/1982
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. Brian Adidas vs. The Great Kabuki
2. The Samoan vs. The Checkmate
3. Al Madril vs. King Kong Bundy
4. David Von Erich vs. Wild Bill Irwin
*BROADCAST NOTE
This playback copy has been presented in the most complete form possible, due to original production technical difficulties. Reported on Peacock as of 04/20/2024.
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer and Jay Saldi welcomed us to the World Class Sportatorium from the broadcaster’s area. They covered each match upcoming tonight, Jay stumbling his way through more than usual.
- Brian Adidas vs. The Great Kabuki: This opening contest was set for one-fall, with a ten minute time limit. Jay Saldi mentioned again that Great Kabuki defeated ‘Jumbo Sakura’ over in the ‘Sumo Palace’ in Japan. Meanwhile, in the ring, wrist locks were traded back and forth, with Kabuki staying just slightly ahead in momentum before he ran into a dropkick. After only a few moments, the match was called as a TKO, Great Kabuki declared as the winner of the bout due to Brian Adidas tweaking his knee and being unable to continue. Pretty lame finish for what could have been a pretty hot opener. Again, pretty light crowd tonight. Not sure what is going on this fall, but it seems World Class just isn’t drawing the people it normally has been the rest of the year.
- The Samoan vs. The Checkmate: The next match of the evening was set for one fall to a finish, also with a ten minute time limit. The Checkmate took over immediately with some technical arm work. Commentary mentioned Fishman and Michael Hayes as coming soon again this week. A few solid European uppercuts found their mark for a near fall over The Samoan. The Samoan was able to fire up with some headbutts until Checkmate caught him with a rolling body scissors backslide pin for a three count. Not a real fan of The Samoan, that’s for sure. The jury is still out on Checkmate, though. Not sure his style really fits into World Class, as they push forward, his style matches more of days gone by. Dud here for sure.
- Before throwing to commercial, we got a stand-alone interview with Wild Bill Irwin addressing David Von Erich ahead of their match tonight. He called David a fine wrestler, but told him he was the one who made that Texas Heavyweight Championship what it is today. It is his and he is coming to get it back tonight! Wild Bill is always at his best on the mic in quick bursts like this. He is good for a soundbite and as was the case here.
- Up next, Bill Mercer was in the booth doing voice over work for a video that leaned on the attitude of Gary Hart and his relationship with the man professionally, as well as all of H&H Limited Enterprises. We got a recap of Bill’s interview with The Checkmate where Gary Hart rushed him out and told Bill that he didn’t have the authority to speak to his wrestlers. Oh boy, not sure what to expect once we come back from the break…
- This recap then ushered in an exclusive interview with Bill Mercer, Gary Hart, and The Checkmate in the executive office of H&H Limited. The first question Bill asked Gary is if he had a problem with him personally, or just the questions he asked of he and his team of men. Gary clarified that it was the questions Bill was asking, and the timing in which he is usually asking them. Bill clarified his intentions and meant no harm during the first interview with The Checkmate. Gary eventually got to him not wanting to address the rumors that Bill Mercer is supposedly fueling about Hart looking to collect on Ric Flair’s bounty put on Kerry Von Erich’s head. Gary Hart switched topics and asked Bill to stick to the questions for The Checkmate himself. Bill did so and The Checkmark gave some background info on where he was from, how he started wrestling, and his unique style. Bill Mercer asked The Checkmate for an educational demonstration of his in-ring work in the near future, to which he agreed. Whew. A bit long-winded for a segment here, but at least more of a light is being shined on The Checkmate, as I wasn’t sure if he was someone in H&H Limited that we were really meant to care about, or not… I thought for what this was, The Checkmate did a nice job of explaining without sounding silly and Gary Hart peppered in just the perfect amount of context in between questions.
- Al Madril vs. King Kong Bundy: This match was set for one fall, a fifteen minute time limit applying. Bugsy McGraw seemed to be ringside for Al, no doubt watching his back while H&H’s Arman Hussein loomed on the other side of the ringside area. These guys paced for a bit in the beginning, Al being shoved off into one corner. He collected some info from Bugsy below and got back into it. He escaped a few times with his speed, frustrating the big man. Some heavy strikes and a reverse chin lock slowed Al Madril down. Al started to rally back, until Arman tripped him when he hit the ropes to attempt a running attack. Bugsy got into it with Hussein and then made his way up in the ring. All four men brawled in the ring as the bell was run and the match was considered a no contest due to a double-disqualification. Al Madril and Bugsy McGraw taunted H&H Limited on the floor. Nothing stellar for action here. That seems to be the theme tonight. I do like whenever Al and Bundy work together, as I feel there is good heat there every time, but the outside interference and breif television time alloted hurt this match.
- Before another commercial break, we got David Von Erich in a stand alone interview, speaking about Wild Bill Irwin. He said that Wild Bill talked a good fight, but in the ring we will see what he is really all about. He also says that he brought the class back to the Texas Championship at is where it will stay, on his shoulder. Again, there’s no wonder why David was considered the best talker of all the Von Erich boys. He blows them away without even trying much.
- David Von Erich vs. Wild Bill Irwin: The main event of tonight’s episode was set for one-fall to a finish with a time limit of thirty minutes. The Texas Heavyweight Championship was on the line here and both men seemed zoned in. Major tape and audio issues here early on, hence the note in the beginning of the show! David kept control of Wild Bill with a hammerlock, but Irwin scrambled back to his feet, picked David up, set him on the top turnbuckle, and force a break. David continued his work with holds on Wild Bill’s head, neck, and arm. David found a stepover toe hold to really put Wild Bill on his back. Back to their feet, the two men traded strikes back and forth, before David delivered a back elbow into Wild Bill’s face to get a near fall. A back suplex and a standing falling headbutt almost cost David the title, Wild Bill gaining his own near fall over the champ. The ref was caught with a boot as Wild Bill kicked his way out of a sunset flip pin. With the ref hit, Wild Bill crotched David on the top rope and he dropped to the canvas, allowing Wild Bill to pin him for a three count. The crowd booed and officials came down to review what happened. They waived the finish and David Von Erich caught Wild Bill with a small package roll up to retain his championship! Interesting choice to go with a false finish here, as I thought that was it and Wild Bill Irwin was the Texas Heavyweight Champion again! These guys worked really well together, though I do think David is still working too much like he was as a heel in Florida. He demands things from the ref, struts, and has a pretty aggressive offensive style. Hopefully, he is able to scale a little of the heelish stuff back, as it definitely throws me off as a viewer. If I was a casual fan, I’d think David was a bit of a jerk.
- Bill Mercer and Jay Saldi closed the show from the commentary booth, explaining that they were running a little late tonight with the program. Next week, we will finally see The Fishman, as well as “The Original Freebird” Michael Hayes in action!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Man, oh man. The first half of the card was a pile. I guess it is no wonder the crowds have been a little light lately, it seems like our in-ring product has become rather stale the last couple of weeks. David Von Erich and Wild Bill Irwin definitely carried the show with their individual promos culminating with the main event. I am excited to see both newcomers in action next week, as once The Freebirds hit Dallas, things really start to change for World Class (as we all know)!
See you all then!