We’re back for another locally promoted WCCW Star Wars card, this time celebrating Labor Day, again in Fort Worth, Texas! Another three-on-three tag team match pits The Fabulous Freebirds against the beloved Von Erichs in our main event for the WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Plus, Kamala and Bruiser Brody will lock horns again, David Von Erich faces Terry Gordy in a 2-Out-Of-3 Falls match for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship, and much more!
WCCW Labor Day Star Wars*
Date: 09/05/1983
From: Fort Worth, Texas
MATCH CARD
Singles Match
1. Johnny Mantell vs. The Mongol
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Singles Match
2. Mr. Ebony vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Singles Match
3. “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Buddy Roberts
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
2-Out-Of-3 Falls Singles Match for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
4. David Von Erich vs. Terry Gordy
Country Whipping Match
5. Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes
Lumberjack Match
6. Bruiser Brody vs. Kamala
Singles Match for the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship
7. Kevin Von Erich vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin
(Match cut from taping, no rating available.)
Six-Man Tag Team Match for the WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship
8. Kevin, Kerry, & David Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, & Terry Gordy
*BROADCAST NOTE
This Star Wars card wasn’t promoted on weekly television. This event seems to be more so something special World Class put on for the local market to enjoy on Labor Day. That said, footage is really hit-or-miss for this one. I was only able to find scraps of tape on YouTube. No full show anywhere that I could find…
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- No opening footage was located or provided.
- Johnny Mantell vs. The Mongol: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping, perhaps never being taped at all. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that The Mongol won this match.
- Mr. Ebony vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping, perhaps never being taped at all. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that “Gentleman” Chris Adams won this match.
- “Iceman” King Parsons vs. Buddy Roberts: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping, perhaps never being taped at all. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that “Iceman” King Parsons won this match.
- David Von Erich vs. Terry Gordy: Our next bout was set for best Two-out-of-Three falls, thirty minute time limit, for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. Before the announcements finished, Gordy was all over David Von Erich with a flurry of offense. David couldn’t event get his coat off while Gordy pummeled him. Finally, David found some footing and took Gordy up and over with a flying headscissors. Johnny Mantell joined Marc Lowrance on commentary for this one, for some reason. In the ring, Gordy was able to break out of a head submission. Back on their feet, Gordy ended up tied up in the ropes which opened him up to more punishment from David. David was thrown to ringside by Gordy, who paced in the ring for a breather while David tried to recover. David was brought back in from the apron with a big suplex that laid both men down for a moment. David went to work on Gordy’s knee, including locking on a step-though toe hold. We got a little too close in one hold, as spots could be seen and heard being called. Back on their feet, a big standing headbutt sent David into the ropes. Punches found their mark and Gordy was able to sidestep a standing dropkick attempt by David. Fans called for the Iron Claw and they got it briefly, before Gordy used David’s tights to send him through the second rope to the floor. David got planted with a bodyslam at the hands of Terry Gordy. A running high knee out of nowhere kept Gordy down for the first fall, in just over nine minutes! Our next fall began with Terry Gordy being counted out due to Gordy arguing with a fan at ringside. Back in the ring, David threatened the Iron Claw. Instead, both men got to blows with David coming out on top. Gordy was thrown into the corner as Buddy Roberts suddenly appeared at ringside for his Freebird brother. Dave locked on a sleeper hold in the ring and the referee checked his arm for momentum. Gordy went to the eyes to break the hold. Back on their feet, David got stuck with a powerslam and quickly found himself as a victim of the Oriental Spike. David was pretty out of it at this point, as Gordy brought him back to his feet, nailed him with a headbutt, and pinned him easily for the second fall of the bout. It was now tied, one fall each. Marc Lowrance ran down another local card coming up before the third fall began. Once the bell ran, it was now “Gentleman” Chris Adams on guest commentary. In the ring, David was still in a bad way, as Gody came off the top rope with an axe handle. Dave was able to reverse an atomic drop and get Gordy with one of his own! showing signs of life, Dave and Gordy traded punches before colliding in a shoulder block than dropped Dave and sent Gordy out to the floor. At this point, Gordy got in Chris Adams’ face at ringside and the two shouted at each other. Roberts took advantage of this and then it was all-out ward between Adams and Roberts at ringside. Gordy was back in and distracted by what was going on on the apron, so David was able to roll up Gordy for a stolen three count! This won David the match overall, with two falls to Gordy’s one. Roberts and Gordy argued in the ring while Adams led David out as the winner.
- This was a solid meeting for these two guys. I have a soft spot for anytime Dave and Terry get in there to mix it up, ever since their handcuff match months ago. This one didn’t disappoint, with the right man going over in the end. Solid action through and the interference was kept to a minimum on the outside. Three stars from me.
- Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes: This match was to be a Country Whipping match, one fall to a finish, with a fifteen minute time limit. The leather belts were able to be used freely by either man during this bout. At ringside, Bruiser Brody watched Kerry’s back as Terry Gordy watched Michael’s. The bell rang and it was Kerry who got to whipping Hayes immediately! The crowd erupted as Hayes tried to bail but Brody was right there to throw him back in for his beating. Both belts were whipped back and forth until Kerry got his belt around the throat of Hayes! Once free, Hayes used the belt across Kerry’s face a few times in the corner. These guys were laying these belts in, as it looked like it hurt like hell! Hayes threw a flurry of punches down on Kerry but Kerry fired up and got in some punches of his own, ending with a discus punch that put Hayes down for a near fall. Hayes then strapped the belt around his fist, with the buckle exposed, and used it like a set of brass knuckles on Kerry. The belt then ended up around Kerry’s neck for a choke. Kerry was in trouble, as Hayes got him with a running bulldog out of the corner once they were back on their feet. A bodyslam put Von Erich down long enough for Hayes to hit an elbow drop off the second rope to pick up another near fall. In a final flurry of offense, Kerry fired away on Hayes, but behind the official’s back, Terry Gordy was able to get a few shots in on Kerry. Brody chased Gordy around ringside, until he noticed Hayes near the ropes in the ring. Kerry and Brody, while Brody was on the apron, hit a double clothesline on Hayes and Kerry was then able to pick up the three count! After the bell, Gordy came in to dispute the finish as Brody and Kerry celebrated. Hayes jumped Brody with the belt and Kerry was thrown out to the floor, with Gordy going out after him. In the ring, Brody was busted wide open with the belt at the hands of Michael Hayes. Gordy got back in the ring and slapped his Oriental Spike on Brody. It only lasted a few seconds though, as Kerry rushed in to save Bruiser.
- I actually liked this stipulation a lot more than I thought I was going to! Both being allowed to use a belt gave us an extra layer of drama added to this already drama-filled matchup. They made good use of the weapons and mixed in some high spots and momentum swings, so it wasn’t all about the whipping alone. I think this was a fun match that got the crowd insanely excited. Two and a half stars from me, despite the lackluster finish.
- We picked back up in the arena following a short fifteen minute intermission, as reported by Marc Lowrance who was standing in the middle of the ring alongside “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin and Sunshine. Lowrance mentioned that Garvin had a big First Blood tag team match coming up with Michael Hayes taking on Kevin and Kerry, and wanted to hear Garvin’s thoughts on the subject. Garvin said he thought it was fantastic what Michael Hayes did to that big goofball Bruiser Brody here tonight! He promised he would still be the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion tomorrow and Kevin Von Erich will still be bleeding after he gets finished with him tonight! The boos from the crowd were so loud, you could barely hear Garvin. Then, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy came into the ring and got on the mic. Michael Hayes said that The Freebirds have blood on their hands and they like it! Garvin then led the interview, telling Lowrance to get out of the frame. Hayes mentioned that coming up soon, they also have a match coming up against Chris Adams and Kerry Von Erich… big deal! He was focused on the First Blood match coming up. The Freebirds are the six-man world champions because there’s nobody in the world, let alone nobody in Texas… they were cut off as Bruiser Brody rushed the ring and put the boots to Terry and Michael. Kerry Von Erich was back to give his partner a hand and The Freebirds were sent out to the floor, hightailing it toward the locker room as Brody and Kerry walked around the ring. Brody got on the mic with Marc Lowrance and said that it wasn’t going to be Chris Adams and Kerry, it was going to himself and Kerry and there was going to be plenty of butt-kicking going on just a few nights away!
- Garvin is so money on the mic… it is awesome. He played off The Freebirds perfectly here, holding his own as a character, believe it or not. Brody being Kerry’s ace-in-the-hole the last few months have really put The Freebirds on their heels and tonight was no different. Bloodied and all, Brody was right there to take it to them. Just more, classic World Class Championship Wrestling moments unfolding here.
- Bruiser Brody vs. Kamala: This grudge match was to be contested under lumberjack rules, set for one fall to a finish, with a fifteen minute time limit. Kamala made his way to the ring first, then it was Bruiser Brody. Before Brody could get into the ring, Kamala jumped him on the apron and the match was underway! The ring announcements were still being made as Brody threw wild strikes at Kamala. Kamala quickly took over, taking advantage of the previous wound on his forehead that opened right back up underneath a piece of tape. Brody stumbled as Kamala continued. Bruiser threw a wild running knee for a two count, followed by a tomahawk chop off the top rope. Kamala ended up on the floor but was quickly thrown back into the ring by the lumberjacks. A huge dropkick stumbled Kamala, followed by a clubbing chop that put Kamala down for another near fall. Kamala then resorted to choking Brody on the mat as the crowd chanted wildly for Bruiser Brody. Kamala chewed away at Brody’s wound, adding to his gimmick. Brody was in a bad way at the five minute mark, as a nerve hold kept him immobile. A bodyslam put Brody down for a two count. The brawl continued once Brody was back to his feet, as huge rounds were thrown back and forth. Kamala ended up on the apron while Brody stomped and punched him. Brody’s face was covered in blood at this point, as Kamala threw him out to the floor through the second rope. It was meyhem on the outside as heels and faces collided while trying to get at Brody. Due to the extended beatdown of Brody on the outside, the referee called for the bell and Kamala was disqualified due to the lumberjack members of Devastation Incorporated taking advantage of Brody on the outside! Brody wouldn’t accept his hand raised and instead, went right back to work on Kamala! It took all the lumberjacks to get into the ring to hold Brody back but he was able to break away once or twice to get his hands on Kamala. Devastation Inc. dragged Kamala to the back as Brody was quarantined in the ring by the babyfaces.
- Well, we got another non-finish for these guys here. Though, this time, I feel they definitely got to have more of a match than before. Seeing either of these guys in such danger of losing a match is kind of surreal, as they are both usually the ones coming out of matches pretty much unscathed. Brody and Kamala actually work very well together as two giants. I haven’t minded that each of these encounters have ended in some sort of silly finish, as it keeps each new confrontation just as hot as the last… not sure how long they can keep that up, though! That said, this one gets two and a half stars from me.
- Kevin Von Erich vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin: No review for this one available. It seems this match had been excluded from the taping, perhaps never being taped at all. I wasn’t able to find it anywhere online, either. It is reported that Kevin Von Erich won this match.
- Kevin, Kerry, & David Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, & Terry Gordy: This six-man tag team match was scheduled for one fall, sixty minute time limit, for the WCCW Six-Man World Tag Team Championship. The Freebirds got a big, elaborate entrance, along with Georgia flag bearers and their Six-Man World Championship trophy. The crowd had to be reminded not to throw anything by the ring announcer. The Von Erichs were out next and the place came unglued. Mike Von Erich accompanied his brothers and was announced to be making his debut later on this year! This is the first time Mike has appeared in our timeline, so it should only be a matter of time before he ends up on weekly television. It took us awhile to get this one started, it was Kerry and Michael Hayes that would kick things off. Hayes bailed out quick and tagged in Terry instead. Gordy slowed Kerry down with a knee and some punches. Kerry attempted a flying headscissors, but was thrown off by Gordy, prompting Dave to tag in and nail Gordy with a big dropkick. Roberts tagged in next and Dave threatened with a readied Iron Claw. A midsection Claw was slapped on and Roberts desperately crawled to his corner to tag in Hayes. Dave fought Hayes off, too, and it was Kerry in next to take it to Michael Hayes. A jumping elbow drop kept Hayes down for a two count. Kerry ended up in the heel corner and got taken advantage of, of course. Frequent tags in and out kept The Freebirds in firm control. Gordy surprisingly hit a flipping senton onto Kerry to pick up a near fall. Back up, Kerry missed a falling elbow off the top on Gordy and the heels stayed ahead of Kerry with more tags. Soon, chaos erupted, with all the Von Erichs in to attack The Freebirds’ corner. Once order was restored, Kerry was still being taken to task. He finally made the hot tag to Kevin, the fresh man of the three, and he came in and took quick care of Buddy Roberts. Roberts ate a triple dropkick as the crowd erupted and the heels regrouped on the outside. Back in the ring, Roberts was grounded with a grapevine bodyscissors submission. Kevin tried pulling at Buddy’s headgear, as well. A loaded headbutt came and Kevin spun in pain as The Freebirds took over once again. Gordy was in next and dropped Kevin throat-first onto the top rope. Tag format again broke down momentarily, with Kevin continuing to be on the receiving end of punishment. Hayes got a tag in but it was too late, as Kevin had tagged in a fired up Kerry Von Erich. Kerry cleared house and tag format ended once again. Kerry had an Iron Claw on Hayes as Kevin and David hit a double dropkick on Buddy. Gordy got back into the brawl and threw Kevin up and over the top rope to the floor. In a corner, Kerry teed off on Buddy with punches. David had an Iron Claw on Michael Hayes when suddenly, an Oriental Spike ended up on Kerry Von Erich! Men were going out over the top ropes left and right and in the midst of the chaos, Michael Hayes was able to pin a down-and-out Kerry Von Erich. The Oriental Spike had done the damage enough for Hayes to make the pin, thus The Freebirds retained their championship.
- This may be my favorite Von Erich / Freebird encounter yet. The big entrances, Mike Von Erich being introduced, the chaos, the several potential finishes, an amazingly hot crowd… it all made for a very exciting match. These guys let it all hang out here and it showed. The Freebirds retaining here is more than okay, as the chase is still on. At this point, I expect this feud to go all the way to Christmas Star Wars, at least… and I’m fine with that! Four stars!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Every match that we were able to find from tonight’s holiday card were well worth the search. I’d say, action-wise, this was one of the best cards we’ve ever seen in our review of World Class. The six-man tag match was what that feud and those six guys were all about in our main event. Plus, Kamala and Bruiser had a solid brawl, the Country Whipping match was fun in a brutal sort of way, and there was just plenty, general Von Erich goodness to go around here tonight. As hard as it was to find these videos on YouTube, I suggest any fan of World Class Championship Wrestling make that pilgrimage. Locally promoted supercard be damned, tonight was awesome. Next, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming, with more weekly WCCW television.
See you all then!