Tonight, we return to the World Famous Sportatorium for a hard-hitting main event as “The Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich challenges Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy for Gordy’s NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship. Plus, Kamala in action, a new member of Devastation Incorporated makes their debut on World Class television, and more!
WCCW TV*
Date: 06/18/1983
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. The Mongol & Buddy Roberts vs. Johnny Mantell & “Iceman” King Parsons
2. Mike Reed vs. Kamala
3. Ron Starr vs. Mr. Ebony
4. Terry Gordy vs. Kerry Von Erich
*BROADCAST NOTE
This playback copy has been presented in the most complete form possible, due to original production technical difficulties. Reported by the WWE as of 01/03/2026.
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Bill Mercer welcomed us to The Sportatorium and covered the main event, which he mentioned was for the Brass Knuckles Championship and threw to commercial.
- Couple things: from what I understand, WCCW’s Brass Knuckles Championship was basically a ‘house show’ pseudo-hardcore title used along the loop. So, it is odd to me that we’re seeing a defense for it on television. Also, Bill Mercer’s mustache is crazy thick and dark here. It looks almost like a Halloween prop…
- The Mongol & Buddy Roberts vs. Johnny Mantell & “Iceman” King Parsons: This opening tag team event was set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. What a weird tag bout, participant-wise. This should just be a singles rematch between Buddy and Parsons, but whatever. The Mongol started things off with Mantell. Some basics got us started with Mantell throwing dropkicks, arm drags, and all four men quickly into the ring to pop the crowd early. On commentary, Bill Mercer mentioned the issues between Parsons and Roberts leading up to their hair match in Reunion Arena. Obviously, this episode was shown on TV before the International Star Wars event, so the commentary seems behind in storylines. Anyway, Parsons tagged in and it was time for him to try his luck against The Mongol. “Iceman” got on a roll with some headbutts to shake The Mongol. Roberts tagged in but immediately begged off, realizing that Parsons was ready and waiting for him. Roberts bailed to the floor to stall Parsons’ momentum at this point. Back in the ring, Roberts tried to out-wrestle Parsons, but found himself getting frustrated and tagging back out to The Mongol. Parsons tagged out to Mantell, who came firing in with some strikes and quick pin attempt. Mantell kept The Mongol grounded, working over the left leg of the bigger man. After some more exchanges, we finally got “Iceman” in there with Buddy. Parsons landed a nice bodyslam for a near fall. Chops and slaps were traded until a double-down forcing both men to crawl to their corners. Then, all four men were in again and in the midst of the chaos, The Mongol hit a running powerslam on Mantell to secure a three count.
- I will tell you, the finish may have been exciting, but the rest of the match was kind of a snorefest. There was a lot of stalling, walking and talking, and not much action provided by these four. I get why this wasn’t a singles rematch, as the hair match hadn’t aired on TV yet, but I still feel like we could’ve used this spot for a much more productive match. Dud.
- Mike Reed vs. Kamala: This next match was scheduled for one fall, also with a twenty minute time limit. Skandor Akbar and Friday prepped Kamala in the corner during the introductions, per usual. I was waiting for Reed to be splattered right out of the gate as the bell rang. After some belly smacks, Kamala threw a wild clubbing blow at Reed and it was on from there. Chops tore Reed apart, with Reed’s own strikes not even registering on the “Ugandan Giant”. After a throat thrust, two running splashes to Reed’s back ended Reed’s night with Kamala picking up an easy pinfall.
- This is EXACTLY how Kamala should be presented. The entrance theatrics followed by a straight-up, no-shot squash. They just don’t make characters like this anymore… so enjoyable to watch as part of a wrestling show when magic still existed. Full star for this beneficial squash for Kamala… whoever beats him clean first is going to get a hell of a popularity boost!
- Ron Starr vs. Mr. Ebony: Our next contact was a singles match set for one fall to a finish, thirty minutes to a limit. Apparently, Mr. Ebony is being presented by Skandor Akbar and Devastation Incorporated. Ebony was pretty jacked and wore a red mask. The bell rang and both guys were ready to go. Heavy strikes were traded by both back and forth, with Starr begging the bigger man to bring it on. A seated headlock would be applied by Ebony shortly after, with no real power moves being displayed yet, shockingly. Overhand clubbing strikes into the back and chest of Starr in the corner rocked him, leading into a Full Nelson hold. Ebony then began to swing Starr around in the Full Nelson, further wearing him down to the point of passing out in the hold forcing the bell to end the match.
- So, I am split on this. Mr. Ebony, with the way he looks, should’ve been busting out some Military Press Slams, big clotheslines, and some impressive looking power moves… all of which he didn’t do, much to my disappointment. That said, I think the finish of the swinging Full Nelson does work well for him. If nothing else, Ebony will make for a nice lower-tier, pin-eating member of Devastation Inc… still nothing special for a debut here, though. Dud.
- Following the match, Bill Mercer caught up with Mr. Ebony and Skandor Akbar at ringside for a post-match interview. Akbar said that anybody associated with Devastation Inc. had to be dangerous in the ring. Mr. Ebony fits that bill, as was just proven in the ring. Plus, Akbar has the “Ugandan Giant” Kamala! Who will stop him? Where are the Von Erichs? Where is “Iceman” King Parsons? Where is Chris Adams? Akbar wants competition! He warned all of World Class, that when he and Devastation Incorporated are finished in this area of the country, all that will be left standing will be himself, Mr. Ebony, The Mongol, and Kamala. Akbar demanded more competition and more championship-calibre matches as we quickly went to commercial.
- I found it funny that Skandor Akbar kind of treated Mr. Ebony as a footnote for this promo and made it more about Kamala, basically. I feel even Ebony felt a little slighted, as he kept posing for the camera any chance he got, like saying ‘hey, I’m still here and just made my debut for the stable, talk about me!’. Nonetheless, Akbar had a point: who is going to stop them?
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer introduced us to a video package on “The Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich. It was obviously made to be similar to a ROCKY montage, with unlicensed music meant to sound like Eye of The Tiger over clips of Kerry wrestling various opponents and training. This package was the same one presented for Kerry’s lead-up to meeting Flair for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship at the end of last year. Kerry jogged, weight trained, and rode horseback all as the music continued.
- Dude, had I grown up in Texas during the 1980’s, Kerry Von Erich would’ve been my superhero. No doubt about it… except for him losing a lot when it matters most. That’s okay, though. I blame the NWA.
- Terry Gordy vs. Kerry Von Erich: Our main event tonight was set for one fall, sixty minute time limit, no disqualification, for the WCCW Brass Knuckles Championship. Kevin Von Erich and Michael Hayes were in their respective corners for this one, so things were almost promised to get out of control here. Punches rattled Kerry, but he quickly fired up with some punches on his own as the crowd exploded right out of the gate. Gordy missed a big knee drop, allowing Kerry to get some more punches in on the big man. Kerry was then thrown up and over the top rope, Gordy taking full advantage of the stipulation here. Kerry ran into a big fist on an Irish Whip, followed by the point of Gordy’s elbow being driven down hard into Kerry’s forehead. Kerry rallied and was able to land a nice discus punch on Gordy that sent him to the mat, stiff as a board. Oddly, the referee did call for a rope break on this pin, despite it being a no disqualification bout? Might be a stretch of the stipulation there, but I guess, what do I know? Anyway, an Iron Claw was blocked and Gordy was quickly back into the fight. A double kneedrop onto Kerry afforded Gordy a near fall. Gordy then laid Kerry across the top turnbuckle and fired away on him, with Kerry eventually ending up with a knee across his throat underneath the bottom rope. Out of nowhere, Kerry fired off a huge dropkick to reawaken the crowd! A Claw was then applied, cuing Hayes to jump into the ring and break the hold while Kevin went berserk and argued with the official at ringside. With Kevin on the hunt after Hayes, Hayes ran right into the grasp of Kerry Von Erich on the apron. Before Kerry was able to given Michael a measure of revenge, Gordy hit a big running knee lift into Kerry’s back, dropping him and allowing Michael to get away. With the official back in the ring, Gordy pinned Kerry, thus retaining his Brass Knuckles Championship. After the match, Kevin jumped into the ring to look after Kerry as the heels quickly exited through the crowd. The crowd demanded five more minutes as the Von Erichs regrouped in the ring.
- So, I thought this was solid main event for these two guys, given the backstory of the cage match from Christmas Star Wars at the end of last year. This was Kerry’s opportunity to get his hands on Gordy, with no disqualifications. This was a brawl, as it should have been, with the heels just squeaking by with a victory here. Two and a half stars for me and it still blows me away just how young these guys are, keeping the crowd on their feet and helping carry a whole territory on their backs… again, they don’t make them like they used to.
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer was in the ring with all three Fabulous Freebirds. Hayes said things are the same as they always have been, with The Freebirds are the champions. Hayes said that Gordy knocked out Kerry Von Erich tonight and promised that the next time fans see the “Iceman” after Buddy Roberts is done with him, he’s going to be bald! Hayes then wondered how different things would be if they were in The Omni in Atlanta or the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis… but they don’t even need to be, as they are beating the Von Erichs’ brains out right here in Texas! Bill Mercer mentioned interference during the main event tonight, but Terry Gordy piped up and said that nobody should be sticking their nose into his business, especially the Von Erichs! Mercer then shifted to asking about International Star Wars and Kerry tagging up with Bruiser Brody. Hayes said he didn’t understand why Brody was selling out and tagging with Kerry because he had no business getting involved with The Fabulous Freebirds. Buddy Roberts then chimed in quickly in regards to the hair match, saying that they have a special cream that is going to take off “Iceman” King Parsons’ hair and keep it off!
- This was a good showing for each Freebird here, each getting a chance to talk about the impending bouts they face. I shudder to think where World Class would be without The Fabulous Freebirds at this point in 1983.
- As the Freebirds waltzed off camera and out of the ring, Bill Mercer closed out the show and thanked all the viewers for tuning in.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Not a great week of World Class television, in my opinion. The action left plenty to be desired and there were no real featurettes presented. Interviews were also pretty sparse this week. Not to mention, the quality of this playback was indeed bad. There were audio issues throughout the whole show. That said, the main event carried the show across the finish line tonight and the Freebirds closed us out big by laying the law down on the microphone! Next, with International Star Wars taking place the day before this episode aired (on 6/17), I’m almost sure next week we’ll be getting replays of footage from Reunion Arena. So, we have that to look forward to!
See you all then!