The battle for World Class continues on tonight, as “The Yellow Rose of Texas” David Von Erich takes on “Freebird” Buddy Roberts in our main event! Plus, “Iceman” King Parsons in action, a featurette with “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin, and we get our very first look at Devastation Incorporated’s newest acquisition, the scary Ugandan giant, Kamala!
WCCW TV
Date: 03/05/1983
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Magic Dragon
2. Al Madril vs. The Great Yatsu
3. David Von Erich vs. Buddy Roberts
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to the world-famous Sportatorium from the commentary booth. He talked for a bit about the main event, mentioned who’d we see for the evening, and threw to commercial.
- Back from Commercial, General Akbar was sitting with Bill Mercer in the commentary booth. He mentioned funding the rehabilitation of Great Kabuki in his homeland, and has a film to present on Kabuki while he is recuperating. As Akbar continued, a film was shown of Kabuki practicing his strikes and kicks in a forest and amongst a zen garden. Akbar continued speaking with Mercer and as Kabuki struck poses in samurai gear, Akbar promised he would be back soon. Once the film was over, Mercer tried to bring up Kamala and what they should expect from him. Akbar said he was 6’9″ and uncontrollable… he will certainly make his mark in this area. We were then presented a tape of Kamala, our first look at him. A voiceover gave stats and attributes of Kamala as he marched in the tall grass and peered closely into the camera. Akbar said that nobody has stepped forward to sign a contract against Kamala, but he will be here, bet on that!
- Okay, so both of these little hype films presented during this segment were awesome. They were borderline short horror films, with Kabuki getting an unsettling overlay effect of his traditional Hannya entrance mask on him while he meditated and Kamala getting uncomfortably close to the camera as native drums pounded. Very effective. The strength and starpower of Devastation Incorporated may be unlike anything we have ever seen before!
- “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Magic Dragon: This opening contest was set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. I couldn’t help but to think again how unique Parsons’ look is… Dragon started things off here with a standing side headlock and then it was time for a test of strength. Dragon came out on top briefly, using kicks, but Iceman was able to work his way back up and get Dragon’s hands to the mat for a stomp of the fingers. Slaps and chops were traded back and forth, with Parsons not backing down a bit. Dragon got a thumb into the throat of Iceman, knocking him off his game for the first time in the match. A rebound flying hip attack put Dragon down for a three count, just as Arman jumped into the ring. He attempted to throw some strikes in a sneak attack on Parsons, but he got a flying hip attack of his own and rolled out to the floor!
- I was worried how slow this one started out, but the pace became more steady during the middle and ending. Parsons is someone to watch moving forward, as he has charisma, and is able to work a solid match (from what we’ve seen thus far). Not bad at all for our opening contest here, star and a half from me!
- Back from commercial, Skandor Akbar and King Kong Bundy were in the ring, prepped for the next match. Akbar got on the house mic and addressed Arman Hussein and Yatsu as being two of the biggest problems in the area. Akbar issued Hussein a public challenge and said that if he accepts, that’s fine, and if he doesn’t, that’s just fine too. He is going to get a challenge out of him one way or another.
- I really don’t think we’re meant to cheer either side of this exchange… I’m confused here. Why are we pitting heels against heels?
- Al Madril vs. The Great Yatsu: This one was set for one fall to a finish, twenty minutes for a limit. Bundy argued with Hussein and Yatsu before being cleared from the ring. Arman then argued with David Manning, as he didn’t allow Yatsu to do his ceremony before ringing the bell. Yatsu taunted Madril with some martial arts, but Al wasn’t phased. Some dirty chops landed on Al Madril, sending him through the middle rope to the outside allowing himself some self collection time. Madril fought his way back into the ring from the apron and got in his rapid punches to now send Yatsu out to the floor to regroup. Back in the ring, big knee lifts and an atomic drop put Al on his back, followed by a scoop slam and a running knee drop for a nearfall! Madril then suffered a backbreaker into a surfboard stretch. The fans cheered out for Madril as he was taken to task here by Yatsu. Madril attempted a comeback with a flying crossbody out of the corner, but Al slipped and ran into the brick wall that was Great Yatsu. Yatsu then locked on a modified abdominal claw on Madril and forced a submission for the win! Yatsu kept the hold on after the bell and Arman Hussein had to remove his man himself. Yatsu went back for thirds with his claw before Al was able to roll away out of the ring.
- So, this was definitely a HUGE win for Yatsu to knock-off Al Madril here tonight. I can’t say it was the most exciting match of all time, as it seemed Al’s heart wasn’t in this one from the very beginning. A typical, fired up Madril usually always makes something out of nothing. This time, it did feel like he was going through the motions, something I’ve never felt from Madril before. With that said, kudos to Madril for helping push Yatsu to that next level with this submission win, one full star from me.
- After the match, Bill Mercer was able to catch The Great Yatsu and Arman Hussein at ringside for a post match interview. Arman Hussein said that Yatsu was the greatest professional wrestler to come out of The Orient. He promises that Akbar and Devastation Incorporated will fall by the wayside and they will be shortly out of business thanks to Arman Hussein and The Great Yatsu!
- I still don’t think you can really cheer for Arman Hussein or King Kong Bundy / General Akbar in this situation. Hussein has a deeper track record with fans as a bad guy, so I guess they might hate him more than Akbar at this current point? I have no idea…
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer mentioned how last week, “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin refused to have his match on camera. So, this week, he decided to provide World Class with an interview in a much more relaxed environment. This featurette then took us to the side of a hot tub where Bill Mercer was set up to speak with Garvin while Sunshine waited on the edge of the tub and watched on. Garvin said life was all about liking what you’re doing, and right now, Garvin likes what he’s doing. He reiterated the fact that he wasn’t going to be filmed by World Class cameras while he wrestles. Mercer then mentioned that Sunshine has been filming matches on her own and asked if he thought the other wrestlers would object to that. Garvin said he wasn’t concerned with and didn’t care what they think. He was recording to keep flaws in mind as he further perfects his own wrestling. Garvin then produced a set of pictures of some ‘young punks’ called the Von Erichs. He isn’t afraid of the Von Erichs. He is going to teach the Von Erich manners that their daddy never even thought of teaching them. Garvin ripped up the photos as he continued to run the family down. He said that he found the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship very interesting and Garvin even said The Freebirds belonged in the garbage, because they had no class. That’s the whole reason Garvin says he and Sunshine are here: To bring the class into World Class Championship Wrestling!
- Garvin is one of the guys I have been chomping at the bit to get eyes and ears on during his run here in World Class. The more I see and here, the more I like. I’m really looking forward to seeing if his talk matches his walk when he does eventually allow for a televised match. Just another added dimension to the show, as the roster continues to get deeper and talent quality increases.
- Prior to this bout, all three Freebirds came down to the ring together, prompting Kerry and Kevin to come down to the ring. In the midst of the chaos, Jimmy Garvin appeared in the crowd with Sunshine to seemingly tape this main event for themselves. The official demanded all men leave the ring so this match could begin.
- David Von Erich vs. Buddy Roberts: Our main event was set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Jimmy Garvin shouted up at David in the ring, allowing Buddy Roberts to catch him off guard with some cheapshots. David was having a hard time focusing on Buddy while Garvin continued shouting up at him. Buddy Roberts continued his attack with stomps and strikes in the corner. The momentum would swing back in Dave’s favor, as Roberts begged off and found himself in a supine side headlock. Roberts fired up and stuck a kitchen sink into David’s belly, but then meat an atomic drop for a near fall! Neither man was willing to give the other an inch of extra momentum, as moves and holds went tit-for-tat between the two. An Iron Claw was locked in out of nowhere, but Roberts got tangled into the ropes and David was forced to break the hold. Suddenly, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy stormed the ring and dropped David with a spinning neckbreaker each. Kerry and Kevin ran back down to the ring to clear The Freebirds off and this one was officially declared a disqualification due to outside interference. David Von Erich would be the winner, but was left laying until he was picked up by his brothers.
- Well, I’d say this was another star and a half effort put on here for the main event tonight. I lIked that Garvin was the mosquito in Dave’s ear tonight, as I wouldn’t be against a one-on-one between them soon. I just really wish there wasn’t a DQ finish, but I expected nothing less. We aren’t getting a decisive victory between these six guys for the foreseeable future, I’d think. The feud is just begun and there is a lot of story left to tell. I can’t say tonight was the best pairing to go with, as I feel David would’ve worked better working under the big heater, Terry Gordy. I’m sure the time for that will come…
- After commercial, David Von Erich joined Bill Mercer in the commentary booth for a post match interview to close the show. David was rubbing his neck, saying it was sore, but The Freebirds have been beaten before. Their loss last week should open up a world tag team title shot soon. The Freebirds may have won the battle tonight, but Dave promised that the Von Erichs will win the war! Bill mentioned that Kerry Von Erich would be taking on Michael Hayes next week and asked David’s opinion on that. Dave said that everybody knows what Kerry is capable of in that ring and that he’ll tear Michael Hayes to pieces next week!
- Again, just another simple, believable David Von Erich promo. He sold as he spoke, kept fiery words directed on his enemies, and promised fans some revenge next week for what happened in there tonight. What more could you want?
FINAL THOUGHTS
We didn’t get a ton of matches this week, but our featurettes for the evening were worth the price of admission alone! We got a plethora of content, between hearing from “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin, to seeing the fearsome Kamala for the first time. Interviews clicked and getting a glimpse at The Great Kabuki’s recovery was memorable. Plus, more drama between The Freebirds and the Von Erichs unfolded! For these reasons, I really enjoyed this week’s show and look forward to Kerry locking horns with Michael Hayes next week.
See you all then!