This is billed as the first time these two ever faced each other, and it's certainly strange to think of a time when these two had never met before. Then again, it's even stranger to think of a time when the Von Erichs and the Freebirds were pals, and I've already seen that. In any case, this match has the kind of weight to it that this sort of historic meeting should have. Both of these guys have reps as poor workers that seem very clearly undeserved to me. Kerry is about as good of a big match performer as you could ever ask for, and this is a great chance to see him prove that against someone other than Ric Flair. Hayes holds up his end of the match with good-looking offense (he seems to have signified his heel turn by trading in his kicks for bionic elbows) and Michael Hayes-level stooging. It adds up to an exciting, back-and-forth match with a ton of heat, and it's an easy nomination for me.

Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes

 

I thought this was blast. I would have preffered more of a brawl though. Both men work the leg well. KVE coming off a knee injury, and a big bout with Flair made sense in P.S going after it. Overall, this was good stuff, and deserves a nom.

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes (2/7/83)

 

This is their first singles match ever and it starts as you would expect with Hayes running from Kerry and Kerry pounding him when he catches him and this is the antithesis of the first Gordy/Kevin battle as this was Hayes being a stooging heel stalling around keeping the match at his pace and Gordy being the tough guy giving it as well as he took it going at a faster pace. The match would take a twist as Kerry missed a diving knee drop allowing Hayes to go to work on the left knee which he would relentlessly although Kerry would soon get back on offense and just no-sold everything Hayes did. Hayes then chunked Kerry to the floor and resumed his offensive advantage once Kerry returned to the ring. Kerry would throw some great punches here to counter Hayes and sent him back to the floor to stall some more. Kerry would then go to work on Hayes’ left leg after he came back to the ring as payback from earlier. Hayes would then no-sell Kerry’s leg work and hit a vertical suplex to regain the advantage before he would start grunting loudly to let everyone know he was pissed. It wouldn’t last long though as Kerry started firing punches in bunches before Hayes would try a piledriver that Kerry would block. Kerry then went for his own piledriver until Gordy ran out for the DQ and as they tried for a piledriver on the floor, Kevin would run out to make the save as the crowd went wild. This was very fun and heated and a solid match that moves forward easily.