ULTIMATE WCCW #1

2 hrs, 3 mins - dvd

VG+/EX

1. Jim Garvin vs. Chris Adams - Reunion Arena, 11-24-83

 

I liked this match, but it just didn't get enough time to build. I thought Adams looked great and Garvin showed tons of charisma. This might go on as an extra as part of the Adams/Sunshine vs. Garvin/Precious feud recap. I thought the false finish of Precious tripping Adams was great that I bought as a finish.

 

2. Super Destroyers, Missing Link, + Kabuki vs. Freebirds + Killer Khan

 

I liked this and would endorse it as a low end nomination. It was neat to the Birds cheered in Texas. The Super D's looked great at carrying things for their team. Gordy teasing the big boot over the top rope was a neat looking visual. I thought the heels did a good job at cutting off the ring. P.S FIP work was solid. Again this another low end nom.

 

3. Missing Link vs. Jerry Gray - North Texas State University

 

A nothing match.

 

- Missing Link video

 

This is another possible extra.

 

4. Kerry Von Erich vs. Kamala

 

Solid, but nothing special.

 

Int: Skandar Akbar

 

I dug this interview.

 

 

5. Iceman Parsons Chris Adams vs. Jimmy Garvin + Super Destroyer #2

 

Again another low end nomination that deserves a look at. It wasn't a blow away match but all 4 wrestlers looked good; particularly #2 and Adams. Adams is so smooth in the ring. Adams FIP was well done, and Ice Man's charisma was tremendous. The crowd was hot for this.

 

6. Jimmy Garvin + Terry Gordy vs. Chris Adams + Johnny Mantell

 

This was good, but fell short as a nom for me.

 

7. Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, + Kabuki vs. Bruiser Brody, Kevin, + Lance Von Erich - Ft Worth

I feel this is a nom. Their is a clip, but it might just be a few seconds. I loved the brawling before the match begins. The finish was telegraphed here but the match was still strong. Brody gets taken to the back and the heels just kick the crap out of the Von Erichs. Of course Brody comes out for the DQ. This was heated and a fun match.

 

8. Michael Hayes + Rick Rude vs. Kerry Von Erich + Iceman Parsons

 

This was solid, and super heated, but fell short of a nom.

 

- Bill Mercer int with David + Kerry Von Erich discussing the 6 man title including their loss to the Freebirds in Atlanta and an attack on Kevin at a fan club gathering. Highlights shown from Freebirds vs. Mike, Kerry, + David - Ft Worth, 1-30-84

 

9. David Von Erich vs. Buddy Roberts

 

This was more of an angle, and it was super.

 

10. Bruiser Brody vs. Buzz Sawyer

 

This was solid, and Brody sold more than normal. Buzz looked great, and threw just a devestating looking drop kick.

 

Int: Bruiser Brody

11. Marcel Pringle vs. Bruiser Brody

 

Another nothing match.

 

- highlights of Kevin, Mike, + Lance Von Erich vs. Butch Reed, Buzz Sawyer, + Matt Borne, Abdullah the Butcher vs. Kabuki, + Abdullah the Butcher vs. Bruiser Brody - Reunion Arena, 7-4-86

Jimmy Garvin vs Chris Adams (11/24/83)

 

Worked as a huge match that felt important, but it was wrestled like a 20-minute match that only took six minutes. Garvin's front chancery was awesome, as was Adams' counter of the camel clutch into a snakeeyes. Adams' superkick looked SO GOOD and Precious tripping Adams was a great false finish that I was sure was the end. The problem is that there isn't enough time to build, so I agree this shouldn't be nominated.

 

Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin, Buddy Roberts & Killer Khan vs Kabuki, Missing Link, Super Destroyer I & Super Destroyer II (05/11/84)

 

Killer Khan is a babyface! It's fun to hear him make weird ring noises and basically play a better version of George Steele. Really weird seeing him get the babyface pop for saving him team. I've always been a fan of Gordy getting the hot tag and this match reminds me why, but I go NO on this match. It's a little short for me to nominate it, but I wouldn't argue against someone who did.

 

Missing Link vs Jerry Gray (04/15/84)

 

This isn't a nomination, but it's a really fun squash, with Link throwing Gray all over the ring, attacking himself with the ring bell, doing lots of cool chest headbutts off of Irish whips, and finishing with a top rope kneedrop. Post-match, he threatens to run his own head into the ringpost until Akbar subdues him.

 

Missing Link Music Video "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)"

 

Should definitely be an EXTRA

 

Kerry Von Erich vs Kamala (Unsure of date)

 

This is only six minutes, but they packed a lot into the time. Lots of back and forth and tons of struggle for all the offense. Kamala's dramatic overselling of all of Kerry's offense is great, and both guys are really laying their shots in. Kerry bodyslamming Kamala (for the third time) gets a huge pop. I would have loved a better finish than a countout, but I still think this is worth a nomination. If this does end up on the final set, the promo from Akbar following this match, where he again weasles out of paying Kerry the money he's offered to anyone who can slam Kamala, should also be included, because it puts the huge pop for the bodyslam in context. They also show a montage of the two previous times he has bodyslammed him and Akbar still hasn't coughed up the money.

 

Chris Adams & Iceman Parsons vs Jimmy Garvin & Super Destroyer II (Unsure of date)

 

Really strong 10-minute tag match. Iceman and Destroyer pound the hell out of each other, and the double shoulderblock they have to build to the hot tag looks fatal for a second. Two really done face in peril sections -- first with Parsons, then with Adams. Tons of heat, and an amazing proto-ECW catfight between Sunshine and Precious after the match. I'm throwing this on the block for discussion, it feels like a definite nomination.

 

Jimmy Garvin & Terry Gordy vs Johnny Mantell & Chris Adams (12/09/83)

 

The ridiculous amount of showboating from Garvin after winning just one tiny exchange against Adams is great. When Gordy is in, this match is just awesome, and he's in most of the time. There's such a dramatic difference in the pace when he's in versus when he's not, and he's throwing suplexes all over the place and applying the Oriental Spike to Mantell to take him out of the match. It's ridiculous that Kevin running in and attacking Gordy in plain sight of the ref isn't a DQ, but this is still a worthy match, probably a low-end nomination, and I'm throwing it on the block.

 

** I've only watched half the disc, and will edit in the rest of my comments after watching the rest tomorrow**

Already seen the Garvin/Adams match.

 

The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) & Killer Khan vs. The Great Kabuki, The Missing Link, & The Super Destroyers (Wild Bill & Scott Irwin) (5/11/84)

 

Quite the teams here with the Birds playing face again in this feud especially Hayes who was a great natural babyface showing lots of fire here. I loved the ancillary stuff that was going on on the floor with Gordy & Link threatening to swing chairs as Hayes was getting pounded on. Lowrance tells the story on commentary that Kabuki has replaced Kamala because he was “injured” when in fact he had jumped to WWF. The crowd went nuts for the hot tag to Gordy who was kicking mega ass here and it broke down in the Sportatorium as everyone was brawling making it a DDQ. Gordy ripped off Super D #1’s mask in the middle of this as Devastation Inc. ducked out. This was tremendous stuff and I would co-sign a nomination.

 

The Missing Link vs. Jerry Grey (4/15/84)

 

This is from North Texas State in Denton and a squash.

 

Then we get the Bang Your Head video for Link and this is a definite extra.

 

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Kamala (1/20/84)

 

This had a lot of heat and Kerry showed a lot of fire here fighting off Kamala but the match as a whole was just fine nothing special like shoe said.

 

“Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin & Super Destroyer #2 (Wild Bill Irwin) vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams & Iceman King Parsons (1/20/84)

 

A very loud We Want Sunshine chant goes up with the faces hit the ring. Adams looked good early on keeping Garvin & D #2 at a disadvantage before tagging in Iceman who continued the gameplan. The heels would soon turn the tables on Iceman with D #2 peppering Iceman with punches to weaken him but Iceman would battle back leading to a double collision letting both men get the tag. Adams comes in blazing hitting a nice monkey flip but would miss the next attempt thanks to D #2’s assistance. Adams then takes a beating from the heels mostly in their corner letting them get double-team action. Iceman leads the cheers in the corner as Adams fights back before Iceman gets sick of it and joins the action. Adams hits a Superkick on Garvin before climbing up top but Precious would push him off letting Garvin roll on him for the pinfall. Sunshine would come out after the match chasing Precious into the ring for another brawl. The action was solid here although the finish felt rushed to me but I think it should be up for discussion.

 

“Gentleman” Chris Adams & Johnny Mantell vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin & Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy (12/9/83)

 

Man did Garvin just waylay Adams with a forearm smash early in the match that would make Misawa proud. Adams & Mantell would soon take control on Gordy who sold really well here before he popped Adams with a shot letting him & Garvin get the control. Garvin continued taking it to Adams showing a mean streak here which complimented Gordy well because he was always mean. The fans are hot for Adams as Gordy plays it up before drilling him with a backdrop suplex before starting a quick tag frenzy with Garvin keeping a fresh man in the ring. Mantell gets sick of this and starts attacking Gordy but he would eat a big clothesline before Gordy put the Oriental Spike on him. Adams & Garvin have a slugfest as this is going on but Garvin would soon tag in Gordy who would brawl with Adams until Kevin Von Erich shows up checking on Mantell. The heels go back to work on Adams as Gordy kicks at Kevin who runs in the ring to brawl with Gordy and as this is going on Adams hits a sweet BACKDROP SUPLEX HOLDAHHH for the pinfall. I was shocked that David Manning didn’t call for the DQ with Kevin but Gordy initiated the attack so that may have been it. I thought this was a damn good match and a nomination.

 

Bruiser Brody, Kevin & Lance Von Erich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy & Michael Hayes) & The Great Kabuki (4/7/86)

 

This started out in a wild brawl with Brody getting busted open and with the Von Erichs running the heels off with chairs so it ends up being a handicap match basically with Brody being taken to the back for medical attention. They start the match with Lance getting pounded on by the heels especially Hayes hitting his great left hook right in the grill. Gordy then tagged in and hit a great dropkick before locking a sleeper until Kabuki tagged in where he would take control getting his nerve hold on Lance. Lance would finally get the hot tag to Kevin who started cleaning house on all the heels before eating a big boot by Gordy as he was countering the claw. Hayes then came in using a reverse chinlock on Kevin keeping him grounded but Kevin would fight back up getting the claw on Hayes but Gordy had tagged in and he started back pounding on Kevin working his way to the Oriental Spike. Gordy locks it on but Lance would come in breaking it up before Kabuki would come in hitting his thrust kick on Kevin. The fans go nuts as Brody comes back bandaged up with a steel chair just nailing Kabuki and Rick Hazzard calls the match a no contest. Lots of fun stuff here with a hot crowd and this should move forward.

 

Iceman King Parsons & “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes & “Ravishing” Rick Rude (4/18/86)

 

Fun seeing Hayes & Rude teaming and longtime friends Hayes & Percy Pringle together. This had some really fun back and forth action from the start with the heels selling good and the faces throwing some good shots and Pringle was awesome on the floor with his reactions. Rude would get a sleeper on Kerry though that would turn the tide in their favor. Kerry would soon get the tag to Iceman though who came in fighting but he would soon be on the other end of the punishment with the heels making quick tags keeping him on the defense. Hayes would miss a dropkick though letting Kerry get the tag where he would hit Hayes with a discus punch right into a tag with Rude who got the iron claw. The action would really break down here as Hayes would use a leather strap on both faces for the DQ until Lance Von Erich ran them off. Fun stuff and close to a nomination but falls short.

 

Next we get the last David Von Erich televised interview I think regarding the Von Erichs losing their Six-Man titles in Georgia which never happened and the situation with Kevin getting injured by the Birds in Fort Worth. This is definite extra material.

 

David Von Erich vs. Buddy Roberts (2/3/84)

 

This is the last TV match for David and this was more of an angle than a match with Gordy taking Roberts’ place but it is a slam dunk extra. IIRC this was aired after David died with a disclaimer on the original showing.

 

Bruiser Brody vs. “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer (9/5/86)

 

You can start seeing empty seats at the Sportatorium here as the decline of attendance was starting. This started out on the mat with basic holds shockingly with these two but it wasn’t long before Buzz started biting and chopping. Brody would make a comeback hitting a big boot for a nearfall as Buzz got his foot on the ropes. Buzz then chunked Brody to the floor where he would choke him with the camera wire before taking the fight back to the ring where he would hit an awesome dropkick for a nearfall. Buzz continued the advantage before Brody would hit an atomic drop who would miss his diving legdrop though. Buzz went back on offense continuing to take the fight to Brody before Brody would start biting Buzz who would retort with more biting to Brody’s leg. Buzz would then hit a belly-to-belly for a nearfall followed up by a backbreaker for another nearfall. Buzz would then go for the chain but Brody cut him off and used it himself to get the win. This was very fun and great to see the usually dominant Brody be on defense pretty much the entire match letting Buzz get a ton of offense. This goes on the block.

 

Bruiser Brody vs. Marcel Pringle (7/11/86)

 

Squash.

Super Destroyers, Missing Link, + Kabuki vs. Freebirds + Killer Khan

 

Vince McMahon may have never heard of Scott "Hog" Irwin in his life, but Super Destroyer #1 was one of wrestling's great physical comedians. I mean, I almost think of what he does in spots like the Gordy teased big boot less as bumps and more as pratfalls. This is just a really fun match. It was short, and the Super D's, Hayes, and Gordy were the only guys who really had any time to do stuff, but they delivered, and Link, Roberts, and Khan all had fun little moments. Really loved seeing how happy Killer Khan was when they won the match. It's close, but I'll co-sign this as a nomination.

 

Missing Link video

 

Oh yeah, this is an extra.

 

Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, + Kabuki vs. Bruiser Brody, Kevin, + Lance Von Erich - Ft Worth

 

Opening match chaos was great. Lance seems to be mildly underrated, but he didn't look very good here, though he did have a great back suplex. By contrast, this is one of the better Kabuki performances I've seen, and Kevin ruled it as usual. Flawed, but still a nomination.

 

Michael Hayes + Rick Rude vs. Kerry Von Erich + Iceman Parsons

 

Kris and shoe already said no to this one, and I don't suppose it has much of a chance at moving forward. Still, this was a really great fight, with both teams taking it to each other, and I did feel it was worth a nomination, so I will put it up here nonetheless.

 

Bill Mercer int with David + Kerry Von Erich

 

Didn't particularly grab me, but it is the last TV interview of David's life, and might be worthy as an extra just because of that.

 

David Von Erich vs. Buddy Roberts

 

No question about this one, this is a definite extra.

 

Bruiser Brody vs. Buzz Sawyer

 

Sawyer was an absolute beast here. This is one of the better Brody performances I've seen. He wasn't afraid to lay around in holds for a while at certain points, but his offense otherwise looked good and he gave Sawyer way more than you would ever expect him to. I'll back this as a low-level nomination.