Over 18,000 fans pack Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas, Texas to witness the rematch between NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and The Modern Day Warrior, Kerry Von Erich. Who will walk out of the cage the champion? Also, the Texas Heavyweight Championship is up for grabs when David Von Erich challenges the current champion, Wild Bill Irwin. Plus, Kevin Von Erich challenges the mammoth King Kong Bundy for his American Heavyweight Championship! All this and much more await us on this Christmas wrestling extravaganza!
WCCW Christmas Star Wars
Date: 12/25/1982
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCH CARD
Singles Match
1. “Captain” Frank Dusek vs. Brian Adidas
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Tag Team Match
2. José Lothario & Al Madril vs. Magic Dragon & The Checkmate
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Special Attraction Little Wrestler Match
3. Little Tokyo vs. Lone Eagle
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Singles Match for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship
4. Kevin Von Erich vs. King Kong Bundy
Singles Match for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
5. David Von Erich vs. Wild Bill Irwin
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Six-Man Tag Team Match for the WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship
6. David Von Erich , Michael Hayes, & Terry Gordy vs. Tom Steele, Mike Sharpe, & Ben Sharpe
Singles Cage Match for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship
7. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich
Fifteen-Man $10,000 On A Pole Battle Royal
8. The Spoiler vs. Ken Mantell vs. The Checkmate vs. Ben Sharpe vs. “Captain” Frank Dusek vs. Tom Steele vs. King Kong Bundy vs. Wild Bill Irwin vs. Mike Sharpe vs. Bugsy McGraw vs. Al Madril vs. José Lothario vs. David Von Erich vs. Brian Adidas vs. Magic Dragon
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas. He covered a few of the featured matches, and announced the first time that the World Class Six-Man Tag Team Championship would be on the line tonight!
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer threw to a pre-taped interview in the locker room with David Von Erich and his brother Kevin Von Erich, in regard to the new Six-Man Championship being awarded for the first time tonight. David started it off by saying that they looked forward to finding out who the first champions would be, because they are next in. Once Kerry is freed up and is the new World Champion, they’ll be gunning for that Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Kevin said that The Freebirds were a tough team and he wishes they had a shot at them tonight. David closed out by promising a chase of those belts soon enough.
- I liked this interview, as it felt natural for both boys to just be talking about wishing they were in there fighting to become the first-ever champions. I must say, these belts felt like they were specifically MADE for Kerry, David, and Kevin to hold in short order. So, that is kind of lame. Nonetheless, I look forward to more guys being able to showcase their positives on television. I feel like WCCW could trade the typical short, lackluster squashes for six-man matches with a little more substance.
- “Captain” Frank Dusek vs. Brian Adidas: No review for this one available. This match had been clipped from the taping here. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It was reported that Brian Adidas won this match.
- N/A
- José Lothario & Al Madril vs. Magic Dragon & The Checkmate: No review available. This match had been clipped from the tape I was watching. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It was reported that José Lothario & Al Madril won this match.
- N/A
- Little Tokyo vs. Lone Eagle: Again, no review for this one available. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, once again. It was reported that Lone Eagle won this match.
- N/A
- Kevin Von Erich vs. King Kong Bundy: This bout was set for one fall, forty-five minutes to a finish, and was for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship. A lockup lead to a Kevin slapping on a standing side headlock into a takeover to keep Bundy grounded early on. Bundy turned it into a head scissors that Kevin struggled with for a minute. Once broken, a nice dropkick put Bundy in his place and we were back to square one. A frustrated Bundy threw Kevin to the outside, giving himself a chance to rile up the crowd in the ring. A couple times Kevin made it back to the apron, but Bundy continued to knock him away from the ring. Finally, a shoulder block and sunset flip allowed Kevin in and put Bundy down for a near fall. An Iron Claw was blocked and Bundy turned up the heat on Von Erich. That was, until Kevin was able to get the Claw applied for a moment before King Kong was able to put a foot on the bottom rope. The referee then took a bump but was able to catch Bundy throwing Kevin over the top rope illegally. The fight continued until David Manning was able to get to his feet and raise Kevin’s arm in victory via disqualification!
- I really wish this one would’ve gotten a few more minutes. I think they were on a path to put something really good together, but then the match was over. I think King Kong Bundy’s best opponent is Kevin Von Erich and visually, it is the perfect David-versus-Goliath. I like this one but was pretty bummed with the finish, for sure.
- David Von Erich vs. Wild Bill Irwin: No review for this one available. There was no version of this featured on the tape copy I was watching. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, once again, which sucks because this was a championship bout. It was reported that David Von Erich won this match to retain his Texas Heavyweight Championship.
- N/A
- Prior to the next match, Michael Hayes grabbed a microphone and wished everybody a Merry Christmas. He announced that Buddy Rogers had been tied up in Denver due to the weather, but it didn’t matter because he and Bam Bam have never backed down from a fight in their life! So, they planned on taking on their opponents a man down. Suddenly, David Von Erich made his way to ringside and said that if it was his brothers stuck in a snowstorm, he knows The Freebirds would’ve been there to back him up. He is giving them his body tonight to make a proper six-man team!
- I was wondering why, on paper, this seemed so wonky. The added context is definitely appreciated, as without saying anything to the live crowd, I feel people would’ve been left completely confused.
- David Von Erich , Michael Hayes, & Terry Gordy vs. Tom Steele, Mike Sharpe, & Ben Sharpe: This six-man tag team match was scheduled for one fall to a finish with a forty-five minute time limit and was for the WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship! Terry Gordy began things with Mike Sharpe. A few stalemate lockups between the two biggest men in the match resulting in some heavy rounds being fired off by both. Michael Hayes tagged in quickly to work a side headlock and David was tagged in right behind him. David was bumped around by Ben Sharpe who tagged in on the heel side. Then, it was Terry Gordy who tagged in and hit a nice back bodydrop and knee drop for a near fall on Sharpe. Hayes was back in and hit a nice elbow off the second rope for a near fall on Ben Sharpe. Tom Steele didn’t have much luck with Hayes either and soon David was back in to continue the onslaught, hitting a Texas Piledriver. Tags and action quickened in pace, until Mike Sharpe was tagged in and went out to the floor for a powder a couple of times to slow things down. Sharpe kept begging off, keeping Hayes off his game. Hayes was worked over for a few minutes by the heels who isolated their weakened opponent from his corner. A bearhug from Mike Sharpe almost put Hayes out, but he was able to break the hold with the point of his elbow. Tom Steele was in next and put Hayes into a tight sleeper hold that also almost put him out. The crowd popped big when Terry Gordy finally got a hot tag into the match! He was unable to capture any significant offense and was forced to then tag in David. Quickly, all six men ended up in the ring as the two officials scrambled to maintain order. In the chaos, David Von Erich nailed Mike Sharpe with a running high knee to put him down for a three count! Hayes and Gordy celebrated while David was kind of left out to dry until The Freebirds realized and brought him in for a hug.
- Wow. For the first official match for the six-man titles, I can already see why people remember this championship so fondly. For what should’ve been a less-than-challenging set of opponents, this one turned out pretty good! The drama was there and despite me really being annoyed with Michael Hayes’ cartoonish dancing around between moves and Mike Sharpe’s silly overselling, I think these six guys put on an exciting match! Not sure if David is just a temporary fix, or if he’ll stick alongside Hayes and Gordy, but regardless, I liked this one!
- After the match, Bill Mercer caught up with Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, and David Von Erich at ringside for a post-match interview. David had one thing to say, he was officially relinquishing his third of the championship out of respect for Buddy. He said that three brothers should hold this championship first and that The Freebirds deserve it. Terry Gordy said that they worked toward an opportunity like this opportunity for a long time and they’re real excited to be the first-ever champions!
- Michael Hayes wasn’t given a chance to speak here, as Bill wrapped up the interview quickly. I found that odd, as Hayes’ mic work is arguably the best thing he has to offer. Oh well. I’m surprised to see that David IMMEDIATELY gave his title up. Kind of weird for a belt you want to start with some prestige and a third of its holder just gives it up before even hitting the curtain. I would’ve let Dave keep it warm until Buddy showed up and then do a promo in the ring to pass it along? I’m not sure… I didn’t like this, though. Kinda soured our high note.
- Bill Mercer was at ringside for our next segment, throwing to a replay from August when Kerry Von Erich and Ric Flair last met for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. A voiceover was given to explain each separate fall as the replay continued, ultimately leading to a double-disqualification.
- We’ve seen this tape like three, or four times by now. That’s one of the biggest downfalls of the territory days of wrestling with the NWA. You don’t have the champion on hand very often, so when you go him, you got him, and that’s all that you’ve got! I wish a little more attention and television time was given to us for this one, but I think World Class has done all it can to get people excited for this one…
- We then got a pre-taped interview with Kerry Von Erich in the locker room from earlier today. He said he was mentally ready and physically ready for Ric Flair versus Kerry Von Erich. The air was electrified and he was looking forward to getting in that cage tonight!
- Bing. Bang. Boom. All you need from Kerry here, really. I wish he would’ve been able to handle more of his own talking during this feud (instead of Fritz stepping in as his mouthpiece), but the time for talk is done and we’re way past that now.
- “Nature Boy” Ric Flair was up for a quick interview next as we returned to the locker room from earlier today. He said that a champion always worries about a contender like Kerry Von Erich, but the whole Von Erich family has put themselves in a do-or-die situation. Tonight, in the cage, one man is going to walk out of that cage the World Heavyweight Champion. Diamonds are forever and so is Ric Flair. Tonight, Kerry Von Erich is going to pay the ultimate price for thinking he is even half the man that Ric Flair is every single day.
- All hits, no misses. Typical Flair doing it like nobody else can.
- Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich: We got full entrances for this match, including their walks through the curtain, which was really cool to see. This steel cage match had no time limit and would be contested under no disqualification, meaning their must be a winner! This felt big and I was looking forward to this. Michael Hayes announced that Terry Gordy would be outside the ring, to oversee that nobody tries to get in to interfere with this match, being as important as it is. With the deck stacked slightly in Kerry’s favor, the bell rang and we were off and running. A lockup opened Flair up to some immediate work on his knee as a measure of revenge for Von Erich early on. Once back to their feet, Flair ate a nice dropkick and begged off into a corner. Flair began his work on Kerry, hitting some closed fists and dropping a knee across Kerry’s forehead. Michael Hayes forced his way between Flair and Kerry equally, as the two began blatantly breaking basic rules of wrestling. The crowd exploded for Kerry slapping a sleeper hold on Flair and at this point, Kerry unloaded some strikes and knees onto a downed “Nature Boy”. Flair resorted to choking Kerry over the top rope in a corner, as Hayes and Manning continued to give the champion grief. A near fall over Kerry Von Erich, but this only helped fire Kerry up, as he returned to his feet and reversed an abdominal stretch into one of his own. Ric Flair then met the mesh of the cage twice and was then scrubbed against the fencing and I expected some color coming ASAP. Sure enough, there it was. Hayes continued to get in between Flair and Kerry while Flair was using ropes for leverage on Kerry’s repaired knee. Flair attempted two Figure-Four Leglocks, but Kerry was able to kick him away both times before returning to his feet and sending him into the cage wall again. Flair finally locked in his finish on Kerry and the crowd was going nuts for Kerry to hang on. With a last push of strength, Kerry was able to reverse the hold and put pressure on Flair momentarily. Flair begged off and attempted to climb out of the cage, but Kerry caught him by the trunks. Kerry again scrubbed Flair in the cage and Hayes continued to pull Kerry away. An Iron Claw caught Flair trying to come off the top rope and it looked like things were over for the champion. Hayes called for a rope break and Kerry ignored this, as there was no disqualification. As a result, Michael Hayes yanked Kerry by his hair causing the crowd to boo loudly. Kerry and Hayes argued in the corner, allowing Flair a chance to recover and drive a running knee into Kerry’s back. Hayes got frustrated with Flair and finally decked him. Michael Hayes then tried to convince Kerry to cover Flair, but of course, he refused. Michael began to shove Kerry and ultimately stormed his way over to the door. Flair again nailed Kerry from behind, sending him into Hayes, and sending Hayes flying to the floor outside. In retaliation, Terry Gordy SMASHED the cage door closed on Kerry Von Erich’s head! Hayes returned to the ring, threw David Manning away and counted his own false three over Kerry. David Manning disregarded the call and the match continued as The Freebirds headed for the back. Kerry was able to kick away from a few pin attempts, but was sent into the cage wall for his troubles. In a last burst of strength, Kerry nailed Flair with a discus punch. Manning called for the bell once Kerry was unable to capitalize or return to his feet. The official call was that Kerry was simply unable to continue. A doctor was called for to check on Kerry Von Erich as Ric Flair was awarded his successfully defending NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship!
- What a battle! Ric Flair came to Dallas with his working boots tied extra tight for this Christmas clash in the cage! I think with the months of build and the countless segments dedicated to this blow-off, for Kerry not to win, was pretty disappointing. The guy battled back after nearly a whole year’s worth of injustices, technicalities, and even a paid hit job that resulted in a knee injury! I get why it didn’t get done tonight, but man I wish it had. I really didn’t like that Michael Hayes became SUCH A FOCAL POINT in this match, as I definitely think the story should’ve stayed between Flair and Von Erich. With all that said, I still really enjoyed this knock-down, drag-out brawl inside the steel cage. A measure of revenge was taken on Flair and the crowd was rabid for this one all the way through. This might easily be my favorite match out of all WCCW’s bouts this year.
- After the match, David and Kevin Von Erich rushed to Kerry Von Erich’s side in the cage to check on him. An angry David Von Erich grabbed a house mic and began unloading on The Freebirds. He said that he sees now what they had given he and his family for Christmas… but the audio was muted for expletives, I assume? Whatever was said, the crowd popped for it. Kerry was then helped up by his brothers and lead out of the cage.
- Thus, the legendary Freebirds-versus-Von Erichs saga begins! I am so ready for 1983…
- Bill Mercer guided us from some of the biggest moments of the cage match that concluded just prior to the commercial break. A crew began to deconstruct the cage at rinside as Mercer continued with the replay, putting a special focus was made on Michael Hayes pulling Kerry Von Erich away from the Iron Claw.
- Maybe Kerry goes back on the injury list after this one? He has been away a lot this year, so I hope it isn’t for too long, but Bill was really selling it here.
- Prior to this $10,000 On A Pole Battle Royal, Bill Mercer was standing by with Referee David Manning in a pre-taped interview to discuss the rules of the bout. Manning said that a man could be pinned, thrown over the top rope, or submitted. The match will continue until three men are left in the ring. Then, the match will stop and the money will be placed on the pole and no further elimination will be required, as the object just becomes retrieving the money. He said a lot of things could happen in a pole match and that things usually come right down to the wire.
- Sounds like a big ole’ cluster fuck will be closing us out tonight! A battle royal of sorts seems to close out all the World Class supercards, thinking back to the Bodyslam Challenge at the Superbowl of Wrestling in June, etc…
- The Spoiler vs. Ken Mantell vs. The Checkmate vs. Ben Sharpe vs. “Captain” Frank Dusek vs. Tom Steele vs. King Kong Bundy vs. Wild Bill Irwin vs. Mike Sharpe vs. Bugsy McGraw vs. Al Madril vs. José Lothario vs. David Von Erich vs. Brian Adidas vs. Magic Dragon: It took a couple of minutes to get all these guys in the ring and get through the rules before the bell rang. Irwin and Dusek worked Ken Mantell over in the corner, but Mantell ducked one of Dusek’s chops which landed on Irwin. David was forced over the top rope in an upset elimination carried out by King Kong Bundy. A lot of walking and talking here. Four men attempted to pin Bundy, but he threw them all off. He was instead eliminated by Bugsy who dropkicked him and sent him up and over the top rope. The Spoiler pinned Ben Sharpe. Checkmate and Lothario went out over the top and Ken Mantell dumped out Frank Dusek. The Spoiler was the next to go, followed quickly by Wild Bill thanks to Bugsy McGraw. Bugsy was thrown over the top by Mike Sharpe, who I was surprised to still see in. Brian Adidas was able to pin Magic Dragon after rolling through a bodyslam. The action slowed considerably with just five men left here. Tom Steele went over the top after Al Madril ducked his big punch. The four men paired off and it was Al Madril who was thrown out by two men, bringing us to our final three. The check was set on top of the pole and the match was restarted. All three rushed to the pole and Brian Adidas got very close to grabbing it before Sharpe pulled him down by his hair. Brian Adidas was thrown over the top rope by Sharpe, leaving Mantell an opening to head up the pole. Sharpe went up after him but was kicked away which allowed Ken to retrieve the check!
- I don’t think we really needed the ‘on-a-pole’ gimmick to close out this battle royal, as I feel the battle royal itself was exciting but the pole segment was a drag. I was surprised to see Ken Mantell go the distance and be the winner here, as I would’ve bet money it would be a guy like Al Madril or Brian Adidas. Nothing special here, just a fun, light-hearted way to close out this Christmas night of action.
- After the match, Bill Mercer was able to catch Ken Mantell at ringside for a quick interview. Ken Mantell started by saying what a Christmas present $10,000 was! He never thought he had a chance against so many men in there. He kissed the check and told Bill that this would make a fabulous Christmas present for he and his whole family.
- See, this felt nice. I’m almost sure Ken Mantell didn’t actually get ten grand, but he sold it as if he did, getting pretty sentimental there at the end. Good win for Mantell!
- From ringside, Bill Mercer closed us out as he reviewed some of the action that had unfolded tonight in Reunion Arena.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This card felt big from top to bottom and I do believe this put a nice bow on World Class Championship Wrestling’s first fully televised year of 1982. Each match delivered and the show itself felt big, important, and worthy of 18,000+ people. Flair and Kerry delivered in the cage bigtime, even if too much of the match was dedicated to a budding Freebirds/Von Erichs angle coming down the road. Bundy and Kevin worked well together, as they always do, and this was a big night for David Von Erich as he was all up and down this card tonight. This has been my favorite WCCW show of the year and holds my favorite WCCW match of the year. Despite a loss for Kerry tonight, the fans went home with PLENTY to talk about at their New Year’s Eve parties and that’s a win for everybody. Merry Christmas World Class! Now, bring on 1983!
See you all then!