In tonight’s monumental main event, The Fabulous Freebirds take on Kevin, Kerry, and David Von Erich in a Six-Man Tag Team Lumberjack Match! Plus, “Iceman” King Parsons and “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin make their highly-anticipated debuts in World Class Championship Wrestling, and much more.
WCCW TV
Date: 02/26/1983
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. King Kong Bundy vs. Magic Dragon
2. “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Arman Hussein
3. Kevin, Kerry, & David Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, & Buddy Roberts
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to the show from the commentary booth. He covered the main event, calling it the one the Von Erichs have been aching for! He also spoke about a press conference that would feature ‘The Man’ of Devastation Inc., General Akbar.
- There is just a ton of shit going on tonight!
- At ringside prior to his match, King Kong Bundy was interviewed by Bill Mercer. He explained that ‘The Man’ wasn’t in his corner tonight because he was waiting for a match of a higher calibre. When someone can give him a champion-worthy match, like one of the Von Erich ‘sisters’, he would be there.
- Bundy is doing his damnedest to get Devastation Incorporated over as a team, but I can’t help but to feel as though it is a poor man’s H&H Limited. This General Akbar character has a lot to live up to, being this hyped up, and having to essentially replace Gary Hart on television.
- King Kong Bundy vs. Magic Dragon: This opening contest was set for one fall, twenty minutes to a finish. I’m not sure who the heel is in this case, I’m guessing Magic Dragon because he is still being managed by Arman Hussein? I noticed for the first time tonight some big signs in the front row, one saying ‘BUNDY THE PIG’, which popped me. The action in the ring was slow to start, with Dragon trying this that had no effect on Bundy. It became obvious that the crowd hated Bundy much more than Dragon, which kind of surprised me. Dragon chopped away at Bundy in the corner, but Bundy quickly fought his way out and put him down with a big bodyslam. A chinlock continued the damage being done on Dragon, but he continued his fight with some kicks and an eye rake. Dragon even managed to kick out of a standing elbow drop! Finally, a backbreaker and a running splash put Dragon away in this match.
- For what started out really rough, this one turned out to be a solid bout. I was happy Magic Dragon wasn’t completely jobbed out like I thought he was going to be, but let me tell you, I think the Bundy package is finally complete. Standing on his own as a leader of an emerging team, cutting his own decent promos, and his punishing offense coming off well in the ring all make for a main event talent at this point. This was a good, competitive bout, without compromising Bundy’s dominant demeanor at all. Well done by both corners here.
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer was standing by with “Iceman” King Parsons for a pre-taped interview in the arena. Bill’s first question was about Iceman’s nickname, to which he explained that while paying his way through college, he delivered ice, and the girls always said he had cold hands but a warm heart. He said his first order of business was taking care of Arman Hussein. He met him in Germany and found out that World Class here in Dallas was where he was and where the best competition was. Arman may have money, he may manage wrestlers all over the world, but he doesn’t have the guts or the heart of the Iceman.
- So, right off the rip, “Iceman” King Parsons comes off as extremely likeable. He is genuine, relatable, and has a cool look with the feather earrings and his braided cornrows. He seems very comfortable on the mic and I look forward to what he offers in the ring.
- Directly following “Iceman” King Parsons’ promo with Bill Mercer, it was time “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin stepped into the frame, he was joined by his valet, Sunshine. He started right off by saying that they are from the sunshine state of Florida and they have come because they too have heard that World Class is where the best come to wrestle… but they have only just become the best, because he and Sunshine just showed up! This is a hot spot of professional wrestling and he is the icing on the cake. Garvin then made it an absolute point that NOBODY was going to film him wrestling. That footage is for him to review and nobody else, he doesn’t mind talking at all, but he doesn’t care about any TV contracts or what the promoters think… he will not be taped! Sunshine began removing Garvin’s gloves, finger-by-finger, as Garvin stood smiling into the camera and the interview closed.
- Okay, so I love this already. Garvin’s personality jumps off the screen and he is already presenting himself as a top act. The package of he is Sunshine seems to be a hit, the presentation and look of Garvin is A1, and like he said, he has no trouble talking. I’ve personally been dying to see Garvin’s work here in World Class, as I know of him, but I’ve never seen any of his stuff directly. Jimmy Garvin is one guys that made me interested in covering World Class’ run in the first place. I had to get eyes on this guy!
- Prior to his match coming up next, Arman Hussein was met at ringside by Bill Mercer for an interview. Arman called Parsons a low-life dog, saying he was going to put him in a graveyard. Any friend of Von Erich, is no friend of his! He also mentioned The Great Yatsu and how he and Yatsu are going to bring the end to Devastation Incorporated and whoever this so-called ‘Man’ was!
- So, seems like Arman is going to have to make way for General Akbar as the new top heel manager. Whoever is left standing with Hussein may be positioned in feuds against Devastation Inc. at this point? The H&H Limited implosion has been messy and confusing, to say the least!
- “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Arman Hussein: This next match was scheduled for one fall, twenty minute time limit. Parsons is built like a brick shithouse, and Arman was simply built like shit at this point. Hussein got Parsons to clear the ring so he could do his ceremonial walk around the ring, but after a few seconds he had seen enough. He stepped back into the ring, jumped Hussein with some strikes, hit a big back bodydrop, a nice dropkick, and pinned Arman Hussein in less than a minute! The crowd absolutely exploded for the win and Parsons won his debut in dynamic fashion as Arman argued his way to the back.
- That was the best move they could’ve made with Iceman’s debut here. He is crazy over already, looks great, and has a magnetic presence. Arman shouldn’t have been and was NO CHALLENGE for King Parsons tonight. Exciting debut here, not much to rate, but very effective nonetheless!
- “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin and Sunshine made their way to the ring for his debut match against Al Madril tonight. While Marc Lowrance was attempting to start ring introductions, Garvin grabbed the microphone away and told him to wait just a minute! He said that they were going to have turn the cameras off because nobody films his matches! No cameras, take them away and put them in the truck. Official David Manning entered and attempted to make some sense of all this as Garvin strutted around ringside to the tune of boos from the crowd. David Manning eventually called the match off, as Garvin refused to get into the ring and wrestle in front of WCCW’s cameras.
- I was definitely bummed we weren’t seeing Garvin and Madril go at it here, because I’m sure Big Al would’ve given him a great first match in the territory. With that said, I still think this was a good play for Garvin’s character and I was SUPPOSED to be bummed and not like that he didn’t wrestle. His heat seems to be pretty well-established, so that’s another win for a new guy on tonight’s show!
- Next up, we finally got our first look at ‘The Man’ and the rest of Devastation Incorporated for this press conference. Sitting next to him was King Kong Bundy, a smaller sheik-looking guy, and a couple of women standing behind them. General Akbar said that the viewers could refer to him as The General, his main business was oil and his wealth was unlimited. There were problems to be address in the Dallas area, and he was here to rectify some of those. He stated that Great Kabuki was flown back to Japan to do some recuperating, but when he returns, his landing would be measurable on the Richter Scale! He mentioned that he had several great gentlemen under his control, Bundy, Kabuki, and a man named Kamala, who World Class would be meeting soon. He said the arrangement with Bundy came along for two reasons, financially, and to help him settle his vendetta against the Fritz and the rest of the Von Erichs once and for all. According to Akbar, Fritz costed Bundy a shot at the World’s Championship, and for that, he and his snot-nosed kids would pay dearly! The General has arrived in the World Class area and he told Bundy not to worry about the Von Erichs, Yatsu, Hussein or anything else! Akbar then instructed the sheik-looking guy to hand Bundy a handful of hundreds, to which Bundy started counting out loud. Then the ‘press’ was allowed some questions. The first one asked about additional wrestlers associated with Devastation Inc., to which Akbar said they only needed to concern themselves for Bundy, Kabuki, and Kamala at this moment. The chaos of questions being shouted in the room continued as we went to commercial break.
- Wow. A lot to unpack here. So, General Skandor Akbar is ‘The Man’ behind Devastation Incorporated and he has a planned debut of his own… in the form of Kamala! I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like this week, the World Class floodgates have absolutely swung open. Roster-wise, we just jumped so far ahead in talent from where we were in 1982, it is kind of insane. I can’t say I won’t miss H&H Limited, and Gary Hart especially, but with guys like Bundy, Kabuki, and Kamala behind him, General Akbar has a pretty clear path to the top heel manager position in no time at all.
- Kevin, Kerry, & David Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, & Buddy Roberts: This match was set for one fall to a finish and had a sixty-minute time limit. It would be contested under Lumberjack rules, with the likes of King Kong Bundy, Al Madril, “Iceman” King Parsons, The Great Yatsu, and Jimmy Garvin as our men on the outside. The crowd was absolutely rocking for this match and it felt like two worlds were about to collide! Big “Go home, Freebirds!” chants rained down from the crowd. Gordy and Kerry started things off, with Kerry getting a knee lift in his gut to start things off. Hayes was in next to bring some dirty punches to Kerry. Kerry then armdragged Hayes and all hell broke loose! Gordy and Roberts jumped in and got an armdrag each for their trouble. Hayes tried to bail out, but was put right back into the ring under the bottom rope by Bundy on the outside. David and Gordy then tagged in and the pace slowed as they measured each other. David was all over Gordy as David tagged in Kevin and he went absolutely electric with dropkicks for each Freebird. Buddy Roberts was in next and began working Kevin over with some strikes and holds. Some Freebirds heelwork and cheating in the corner was on display here as Kevin began to take some heavy damage. Kerry got the hot tag and hit Gordy with some big punches, a back bodydrop, and knee to ring Gordy’s bell. Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes both got a chance to help cool Kerry off for a few moments. Bundy rolled Kerry back in the ring shortly after he was thrown through the second rope by Gordy. All six men ended in the ring as David latched on the Iron Claw on Gordy. With the referee down, going up and over the top rope with members of both teams in the midst of the chaos, Hayes jumped off the top rope onto David to break up the submission. Hayes was quickly put down by Kevin and Kevin was able to get David over the top of Gordy to get a three count! The roof blew off the Sportatorium. After the match, The Freebirds taunted the crowd as we saw a replay of the finish being explained by Bill Mercer.
- Well, it was almost everything it was promised to be. Had it gotten a little bit more time, closer to fifteen instead of just over ten, and I think we would’ve had all the makings for a classic on our hands. Each of the six men involved got a chance to shine, and there’s a reason we’re still talking about this territory feud over four decades after the fact. This was exciting, filled with drama, had the crowd going nuts, and having the additional talent around the ring was the icing on the cake. I need this same six-man tag team match every week. I need an episode like this every week!
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer caught David, Kerry, and Kevin at ringside for a post-match interview. Kerry said, next stop was the Six-Man World Tag Team Championship! David thanked Dallas and the state of Texas for filling the Sportatorium tonight, it was the biggest crowd that’s ever been here. He said that now, there is no doubt they will be looking to win the championship now! Kevin said it wasn’t just Dallas they needed, it was Fort Worth, all of Texas, and the rest of the world! It was all of their win tonight, not just theirs.
- The boys were on cloud nine here with this big turnout and main event win. Each Von Erich was wild, fired up, and seemingly ready to take on the world. The best kind of Von Erich promo, really.
- Bill Mercer closed us out from ringside, announcing that next week, David Von Erich would be taking on Buddy Roberts, plus Al Madril versus The Great Yatsu, and another interview with ‘The Man’ of Devastation Incorporated.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m going to go on record to say that tonight, without a shadow of a doubt, was top-to-bottom THE very best episode of World Class television we have seen thus far…. and at the very least, it was by far and away the most important. We witnessed the very first six-man tag between The Fabulous Freebirds and The Von Erichs, a match that filled the Sportatorium. Two World Class mainstays made their debut tonight, Jimmy Garvin and King Parsons. General Skandor Akbar was revealed as the company’s next top heel manager, and he’s bringing the fearsome Kamala to World Class! There is so much to be excited about right. See you later, “Captain” Frank Dusek… forget Bugsy McGraw… a new era has emerged in Dallas and it continues next week!
See you all then!