It is a night of debuts in the World Class Sportatorium! Chris Adams and Devastation Incorporated’s Kamala are both in action for the first time on WCCW television. Plus, in a dynamite main event, the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship is on the line when champion, Kevin Von Erich, is challenged by Freebird Terry Gordy.
WCCW TV
Date: 04/23/1983
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. Chris Adams vs. Tom Renesto, Jr.
2. King Kong Bundy vs. Sal Olivares
3. Kamala vs. Bill Rathke
4. Kevin Von Erich vs. Terry Gordy
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to WCCW from the Sportatorium in downtown Dallas, Texas! He announced that tonight’s main event will be for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship, between Kevin Von Erich and Terry Gordy. Mercer then welcomed in Chris Adams who said that, at last, he had made it to Texas. He’s wrestled all over the world and this was one of the last stops on his list. He said that Texas was ‘a beautiful country’, but he’s wrestled in Japan, Mexico, all over. One guy he’s been chasing around is The Mongol. He has finally caught up with him here in Texas and looks forward to taking it to him and hopefully being supported by all the great World Class fans.
- I think he meant to call Texas a beautiful state, not country… either way, there was our first Chris Adams appearance on WCCW TV! He should have no problem getting cheered and I think he’ll do just fine in front of the crowd in our opening contest tonight.
- Chris Adams vs. Tom Renesto, Jr.: The night’s opening contest was scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Roberto Renesto was being billed as Tom Renesto, Jr. tonight… odd. I guess we’ll go with it. A lock up started us off, with a clean break into the ropes. Adams got a deep arm drag in and showed some tight technical work against Renesto. A back body drop put Renesto back down on the mat for a cross armbar. Renesto was spending a lot of time on the mat so far in this one. It was all arm work here, Adams working it from all angles. Renesto worked in some closed fists, choking, and eye raking to slow Adams down. An enzuigiri popped the crowd huge from Adams, followed by a perfect Super Kick that put Renesto down for a three count.
- That was a nice showing for Chris Adams here, as he was able to flaunt his skill as a technician quite a bit. On top of his clean holds and transitions, he hit a nice crossbody off the top rope, a surprise enzuigiri, and a Super Kick to round out a nice set of moves. Star and a half from me, a good debut here for Adams.
- King Kong Bundy vs. Sal Olivares: The next match was set for one fall, ten minutes for a limit. Marc Lowrance announced that prior to this match, Bundy had lost a match that stipulated that he’d have to leave the Dallas area for 60 days, but he was needed to fill in for tonight, so he was allowed to wrestle. Hmmm, must’ve been a Ft. Worth thing? Either way, he was joined by Skandor Akbar and The Mongol at ringside. Bundy shoved Olivares away once the bell rang. A huge club to the back and an Irish whip into a back elbow pretty much sealed the deal for Olivares here. Olivares was bumping his ass off for Bundy here, as a single leg backbreaker landed, followed by a bodyslam, and finally a running splash. All that, just for Bundy to pull Olivares out of a pin at two. A standing elbow drop landed like a ton of bricks, another pull out of a pin attempt by Bundy. The referee called for the bell and just awarded the match to Bundy, as Olivares was unable to continue. Chavo Guerrero hopped into the ring to save Olivares taking more punishment, sending Bundy bailing to the floor. Chavo then when up and over the top rope with a plancha that landed on Bundy to end the segment!
- So, this was more than a squash for Bundy, here. Olivares literally didn’t do one move and it went much longer than it needed to go. I’m thinking it was more about the setup for Chavo here after the bout and at this point I was wondering if that is who Bundy lost to in the Loser Leaves Town match Lowrance mentioned during the announcements at the beginning. Needless to say, this was a dud of a match.
- At ringside, Chavo Guerrero was stopped for a quick interview. He said he came from a wrestling family. He is here from El Paso to make a name in Dallas. It didn’t matter if it was the Freebirds, Devastation, Inc., or whoever. If they want to fight, he will fight. If it is in the ring, in an alley, or in the street, it doesn’t matter! He doesn’t mind doing what has to be done! He’s here to prove who the toughest wrestler is and that’s what it is all about!
- Okay! That was a solid promo from Chavo! I didn’t have many expectations, but this exceeded them for sure. Chavo seems fired up and ready to mix it up with some of the promotion’s biggest heels! This reminded me of a José Lothario or Al Madril promo… fire from a babyface that can back it up.
- Prior to the bout, Skandor Akbar and The Mongol were at ringside for an interview with Bill Mercer. According to Akbar, The Mongol can take of himself, the hair design designates only the toughest of his clan’s warriors! He will take on whoever comes his way. Akbar then called for the entrance of Kamala and his handler, Friday. The crowd seemed to be stunned, clearing a path with his appearance as the interview at ringside closed.
- And yeah, whatever Akbar. Shut up about The Mongol, the guy we’ve been dying to see just walked through the crowd and scared the shit out of them!
- Kamala vs. Bill Rathke: This match was set for one fall to a finish, twenty minutes for a limit. Rathke had Arman Hussein ringside for him, no explanation there. On commentary, Bill Mercer noted that Kamala had been caged up outside and was brought in by a side door by his handler, Friday. The bell rang and Kamala basically mauled Rathke with chops and strikes. Kamala choked Rathke over the top rope after some slaps to his belly in excitement. Two running splashes to the back of Rathke kept him down for an easy three count.
- So, the mystique is there for Kamala. The presentation, danger level, and curiousness is very reminiscent of The Great Kabuki with Gary Hart last year. The look and gimmick is awesome, fans bought it immediately. However, if there is a negative, I don’t think Kamala’s offense is nearly as believable as The Great Kabuki’s. He is sloppy and borderline silly, but maybe that’s what the gimmick brings? I’m not sure how to feel about the in-ring work yet, but with some polish, Kamala is going to shine in WCCW. Star from me, decent debut.
- After commercial, our featurette of the evening was presented. Bill Mercer was joined by Kevin Von Erich in a sit-down interview, pre-taped inside the World Class studio. Kevin was in a shirt and tie, here to talk about what happened with Ric Flair and what he has to look forward to in taking on Terry Gordy. Kevin called the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship the second-most important championship in the world and he isn’t going to let it slip through his fingers. Gordy may be the toughest challenge yet. Gordy is the oldest brother and so is he, and Kevin wants Gordy the most. When it comes to wrestling Gordy, he isn’t a fundamental wrestler, he’s a brawler. He will fight fire with fire. Kevin switched gears to talk about his match against Ric Flair for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. He said it was exhilarating to hold that title, even if it was just for a few seconds. He felt like Kerry should’ve been World Champion and he knows now Kerry and he can beat Ric Flair. If he ever has the shot again, he’s going to do it!
- Kevin Von Erich doesn’t get the credit he deserves when it comes to cutting a coherent, believable promo. As much as this promo was him trying to cover up the excuses of why he didn’t walk away with a victory over Flair, you almost believe he is going to make it really happen next time! Solid work here by Kevin, no doubt.
- Kevin Von Erich vs. Terry Gordy: Our main event was set for one fall to a finish, sixty minute time limit, for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship. The crowd seemed to be pretty electric for the match tonight, as they were loud before the bell even rang. Gordy got started on Kevin’s knee and leg early on with a stepover toehold and an elbow drop. Kevin fired up and began some leg work of his own on Gordy. Kevin had a little fun with Gordy, keeping good control of the leg and knee of Gordy for a minute or two. After breaking away from Kevin, Gordy dropped Kevin throat first over the top rope, followed by a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. Kevin found himself in a bearhug, but it wouldn’t last, as the Iron Claw was applied. Gordy went to the eyes to break the hold as Michael Hayes made his way down to ringside. A couple of one counts occurred, before Michael Hayes attempted to get involved by grabbing Kevin’s leg under the bottom rope while Kevin had Gordy up for a slam, but Hayes wasn’t able to quite reach. The spot was redone and this time, Hayes grabbed Kevin, allowing Gordy to shift his weight and fall down on top of him. With Hayes’ back turned in accomplishment, Kevin surprise-pinned Gordy by flipping over in the pin for a flash pinfall to retain the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Hayes and Gordy complained in the ring.
- An okay match here between these guys, but I think David and Gordy had a better one last week. I’m not sure Kevin and Gordy have quite the same chemistry… it also didn’t help that most of the match was knee, toe, and leg submissions. Plus, a blown and redone spot for the finish. Star and a half from me, a bummer considering the setup and talents involved.
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer was joined by Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, and Terry Gordy, all three members of The Fabulous Freebirds in the commentary booth. Hayes called Kevin’s win a joke, he had a handful of Terry’s tights. Next time a Von Erich is in the ring with a Freebird, someone is getting hurt, a Von Erich is getting carried out. Terry Gordy agreed and he didn’t care which one it is!
- Hayes crushed it in this interview, which was needed as we haven’t heard much from Michael Hayes the last few weeks. I like a dangerous, pissed off set of Freebirds much more than the rowdy, kind of mean bunch we’ve seen more often than not.
- Bill Mercer closed out the show once The Fabulous Freebirds walked off. He mentioned that next week, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts would be taking on David Von Erich and “Iceman” King Parsons in tag team main event next week and more!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I have a feeling Chris Adams is going to be a highlight of the cards he is featured on once he gets some opponents that he can work with a little more. Kamala’s presentation on television came off better than his vignettes did to live up to the hype, in my opinion. It seems like he is going to be a main event level threat sooner rather than later. For what this show lacked in action, it made up for with important moments in World Class history. The gloves may be off with The Freebirds, Kamala has landed in World Class, and Chris Adams is poised to light up these cards. I can’t wait to see what else we’re in store for next week.
See you all then!