The Fabulous Freebirds continue to run roughshod in Dallas as Buddy Roberts takes on “Iceman” King Parsons as one featured match of tonight’s dual main event card. The second main event sees the fearsome “Ugandan Giant” Kamala being challenged by fan-favorite, José Lothario. Also, we learn a little more about “Gentleman” Chris Adams, plus more!
WCCW TV*
Date: 05/14/1983
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin vs. Mike Bond
2. Paul Vachon vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams
3. Kamala vs. José Lothario
4. “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Buddy Roberts
*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 10/06/2025.
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to downtown Dallas, Texas for another exciting episode of WCCW action. He mentioned a few highlights of tonight’s card, including coverage on tonight’s double-main events.
- Prior to his match against Mike Bond, “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin strutted around ringside while Sunshine sprayed perfume around inside the ring so things would ‘smell better’. Garvin then got in the ring and grabbed the microphone away from Marc Lowrance to issue a public challenge to David Von Erich. He said that wherever he was hiding, he will take him anywhere, anytime.
- Glad to see World Class continuing things between Dave and Garvin, it has been the best feud in the territory this year thus far.
- “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin vs. Mike Bond: The opening contest of the evening was set for one fall to a finish with a ten minute time limit. Sunshine got Garvin prepped in the corner as Bond paced on the opposite side of the ring. The lock up ended up in the corner, with Garvin showboating his way out at Bond’s expense. Bond went for a side headlock and took him over with an arm drag, much to the displeasure of Garvin. Bill Mercer mentioned that the WCCW Star Wars coming up on the horizon was going to have some ‘international flavor’, with Giant Baba supposedly being featured! Back in the ring, the action was slow and basic. Garvin wailed away on Bond with strikes and a backbreaker for a two count. Garvin then hit a shoulder breaker and pulled Bond out of a pin attempt at two. A sort of running side clothesline put Bond down for three and Garvin did a few push ups after the bell to celebrate.
- This match was very inconsequential. If we were getting a squash for Garvin here, I wish they would’ve kept it a little shorter. Finish was pretty lame, too… it just looked like Garvin said screw it and pinned him. Dud for me, half a star. I’m still a Garvin guy, though!
- Tonight’s featurette was Tea Time for Two, where Bill Mercer joined “Gentleman” Chris Adams for tea to get to know him better. Adams explained that he held the British Empire Championship for three years. He has been to Japan, Mexico, Africa, and all over the world. Comparing World Class, he said that things here in the states were rougher, more brutal. Adams mentioned his time as Light Heavyweight Champion in Mexico, being old friends with the Guerreros, etc. Adams eventually got around to speaking about The Mongol, saying that he met him in Germany and he has a score to settle with him and that the fans of World Class should look out for that!
- I thought this made Chris Adams come off likeable. Some nice insight was provided in regards to his background, prior accomplishments, and what brought him to World Class in the first place. Unlike many guys who have blown in and out of the territory since we began our watchthrough, Adams doesn’t come off ‘manufactured’. There seems to be a genuine story behind him and he’s coming to Dallas with a tested career already. The credibility is there in a genuine way, which again, makes him more likeable (in my opinion).
- Paul Vachon vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams: The next bout on tonight’s card was scheduled for one fall to a finish, ten minutes for a limit. The crowd seems to love Adams already, as he amassed a big group of people waiting for autographs at ringside. These guys traded some hammer locks early on. Mercer mentioned on commentary that next week, Kevin Von Erich will be defending his American Heavyweight Championship against Terry Gordy. Back in the ring, a test of strength was occuring, with Adams getting the better of the bigger opponent. Vachon threw some stiff strikes that rattled Adams. A nerve hold was applied, but Admas was able to break it and got sent up and over with a rebound back body drop for a near fall. Back up, Adams was whipped to one corner, leapt onto the second rope, and turned for a crossbody and into another near fall. After Vachon caught a kick attempt, a standing enzuigiri put Vachon down for a three count.
- This was a nice outing for both men, especially showcasing Adams’ unique moveset and resilience. Adams busted out some nice moves and I thought these guys worked well together. I could tell Vachon knew how to make Adams look good without making himself look lesser at all. Star and a half from me, nerve holds aside.
- Kamala vs. José Lothario: Our first of two main events tonight was set for one fall, thirty minutes for a time limit. I just want to reiterate here how awesome Kamala’s presentation is, much like Kabuki before him. Friday and Skandor Akbar prepped Kamala in the corner while Lothario waited. The bell rang and Lothario forced Kamala to chase him around the ring in a fury of frustration. Kamala began his attacks with overhand chops and kicks to wear the seasoned veteran down. Friday and Akbar shouted instructions up to Kamala from ringside, as Kamala bit Lothario’s forehead. The biting continued to the point that the referee was forced to stop the attack! Lothario was able to get to his feet in a corner, but the biting continued. Finally, “Gentleman” Chris Adams made it to ringside to pull Lothario out of harm’s way. Kamala paced in the ring and slapped at his belly, signalling that he was ready to continue the assault as we went into commercial.
- Here’s the deal with this one… surprisingly, I liked the surprise finish, as what else were you going to do here? However, I really wish they wouldn’t have promoted it as a main event. This should’ve been first or second on the card. It leaves the fans deflated and puts much more pressure on the next match to deliver, and to do so without a screwed finish (which, unfortunately, I bet we’re going to get anyway). I will say, I do feel as though booking Kamala as a character is probably a nightmare. He’s not going to give you nice, long, satisfying matches, and you can’t really beat him clean. Tough to use properly right now, for sure, but I feel as though this finish protects both men and feeds into Kamala dangerous gimmick. Star from me.
- “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Buddy Roberts: Our second main event was set for one fall with a forty-five minute time limit. i had relatively high hopes going into this one, as both men have something to prove. Things started off hot as each hit nice dropkicks, with Parsons getting on a roll early on. Roberts began to beg off as Parsons landed a nice standing headbutt for a two count. A seated side headlock was applied by Parsons, with Buddy trying to turn it into a pin a time or two before both men returned to their feet. Roberts raked at Parsons’ face, but Parsons hit a running crossbody for a near fall. Surprisingly, a lot of hold work was relied on in the first several minutes of this one. Parsons attempted to fire up but ran into a boot in the corner and ended up with a knee on his throat, Roberts then using the ropes for leverage to choke him. Both men got back to their feet, traded punches and chops, and Roberts went to the eyes. Parsons recovered and began getting the better of Roberts, until Michael Hayes appeared out of thin air and began punching him from behind. The referee through the match out due to outside interference. Hayes produced a pair of scissors, threatening to cut Parsons’ hair and Gordy came out to help dish out more punishment. One set of beaded dreads was cut off by Hayes until Chris Adams again made a save tonight!
- Again, this one shouldn’t have had a screwed finish. Let Parsons go over and just jump him after the bell. With Parsons being the new guy positioned against The Freebirds, he could use all the creditable wins he can get. Say he pins Roberts and Hayes and Gordy come out to even the score by cutting a lock of his hair. It all still works and Parsons doesn’t have to be robbed of a small victory. Otherwise, this one was going well and I was impressed with both guys. I was kind of expecting a snooze fest, but it wasn’t bad! I need to stop being so quick to count Buddy Roberts out as a good hand, because he is exactly that and he has proven it on several occasions now. Star and a half here, but could’ve rated much higher without the blatant DQ finish and a little bit more time.
- Bill Mercer began the close out for this week’s episode, recapping the events and drama unfolding during the evening. We got a video replay of Kamala biting Lothario, with Mercer putting over how despicable and dangerous Kamala was, calling him uncontrollable and nearly cannibalistic! Mercer also covered the interference of Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy in the second main event of the evening. Next week, again Mercer mentioned the American Heavyweight Championship match between champion Kevin Von Erich and challenger Terry Gordy. Mercer also mentioned how Kevin will have a shot at Ric Flair, the World’s Champion, coming up soon!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Not much action to really boast of here, with Chris Adams being the star of this week’s show. His featurette came off well, his match was one of the better ones on the card, and he made the save in two seperate matches, for two seperate good guys! Talk about pulling triple duty! No Von Erichs in action or featured tonight, which was bizarre, as they probably should’ve helped with the saving of King Parsons following the attack by The Freebirds. I look forward to the coming Star Wars event, especially if some international talents are going to be featured. However, before we get there, next week seems to be stacking up nicely!
See you all then!