King Kong Bundy vs. David Von Erich (8/31/82)

 

This starts out as a brawl early before David locks in the claw on Bundy and really wrenches it in but Bundy would grab the ropes to break free. I fucking love the explanation that Jay Saldi used here about why David was booed in Florida and that wasn’t because he was a heel (which he was) but it was because the Florida fans were bitter that the Bucs got blown out by the Cowboys in the playoffs. Bundy would use his weight here to get the advantage but David fights out and sends Bundy to the floor. The match would go back and forth before an ugly ref bump where Bundy would run into Bronko Lubich leading to another referee jumping in who would get bumped as well when David dropkicked Bundy into him leading to a DDQ finish. Good stuff here but a shitty finish.

 

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Armand Hussein (9/14/82)

 

Kerry is good but man does Hussein suck and thankfully short.

 

The Great Kabuki vs. Bugsy McGraw (9/14/82)

 

Bugsy is all comedy coming to the ring but he works more serious than other recent matches since he is in with Kabuki. This match had a lot of heat so the one things these guys are is over but the work in this match wasn’t that great although this was better than I thought it would be going in. Bugsy hits Bronko Lubich by mistake leading to Gary Hart interfering and Kabuki getting the win.

 

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. The Great Kabuki (9/14/82)

 

One thing you notice throughout the tapings at this time is a lot of empty seats, which would soon change. Kerry would get a powerslam on Kabuki as he came off the top rope and wins in less than a minute. The superpush is strong here.

 

Bugsy McGraw vs. King Kong Bundy (9/14/82)

 

Bugsy is still mega over here maybe as much as the Von Erichs. I love Hussein’s gear at ringside looking he is was going to shoot 18 holes after the show. Bundy just works over Bugsy here using his weight advantage and a bearhug but Bugsy would make a comeback getting a nearfall after a diving elbow. Bugsy then started throwing punches in bunches before Irwin & Hussein run in and Bugsy gets rid of all of them to a big pop. Fun stuff while it lasted.

 

David, Kerry, & Kevin Von Erich vs. King Kong Bundy, Wild Bill Irwin, & Armand Hussein (9/28/82)

 

Von Erich’s take a beating really good and know how to play FIP then making great comebacks that is one thing for sure, they were all great babyfaces. Of all the heels, Bundy of course is the best and he is really dominant on offense but he takes his fair share of punishment. The match breaks down into a 6-way brawl but the brawling would subside and the heels would go back to work on Kerry. It would break down again with Kevin getting the claw on Irwin, David the sleeper on Bundy, and Kerry the sleeper on Hussein as the bell rings for a 15:00 draw. The Von Erichs were great here and I think this should go on the block as a low-end nom.

 

Captain Frank Dusek vs. Bugsy McGraw (9/28/82)

 

Bugsy is working here in gym shorts and high black socks with yellow stripes looking like a rugby player. Jay Saldi talks about Hulk Hogan on commentary because Dusek was on tour with him in New Japan earlier in the month. Nothing but comedy here featuring Bugsy throwing coke in Dusek’s eyes then backdropping him over the top rope for a DQ.

 

Then we get a promo from Checkmate (Tony Charles) & Gary Hart.

 

Al Madril vs. King Kong Bundy (9/28/82)

 

Madril has Bugsy in his corner to offset Hussein. There is some clipping here and it starts with both men brawling with each other until Bundy sends Madril to the floor. Bugsy & Hussein would brawl on the floor then it would go to the ring making the finish a DQ.

 

David Von Erich vs. Wild Bill Irwin (9/28/82)

 

They pimp that Michael Hayes is coming into the area before the match. This was a good back and forth match with both men looking fine and had an interesting finish as Irwin gave David an atomic drop on the top rope so of course Bronko Lubich comes out to tell the other referee what happened and the match restarts with David getting an inside cradle on Irwin for the win.

 

Ric Flair cuts a promo about Kerry’s “injury” suffered by the hands of Kabuki and he says that he has nothing to do with it then denies having a bounty out on the Von Erichs.

 

Michael Hayes vs. Roberto Renesto (Tom Branch) (10/12/82)

 

Hayes makes his TV debut here and a revolution is about to begin.

Bugsy McGraw vs. Bill Irwin

 

JIP to a very strange ending. I like a lot of Bugsy's shtick, but this left me more confused than amused.

 

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Armand Hussein (9/14/82)

 

Man, I cannot believe the way you guys are shit-talking The Honorable Armand Hussein. This is the second supposedly terrible match of his where he was actually awesome. He sends Kerry out of the ring ostensibly to do his "camel walk" ritual, but instead grabs him as he's going through the ropes and mugs. Lays a nice beating on him before manages a nice shot to the gut and the discus punch for the win. Y'all are crazy, this is about as good of a minute-long match as you'll ever see.

 

The Great Kabuki vs. Bugsy McGraw (9/14/82)

 

This is a shockingly good match, and specifically a shockingly good performance from Bugsy, who seemed to really want to deliver here. Great at getting the crowd riled up as usual, but I also really liked the way he worked his bearhug. Looked like he was really sinking it in, liked the way he kept stomping his feet while applying it to keep the crowd riled up...if nothing else, Bugsy can say he was better than Terry Gordy at one thing, which is nice. Also thought he did a real good job selling Kabuki's nerve holds, took some nice bumps, and was generally fired up throughout. For his part, Kabuki's spirit was willing, but his talent was weak. He didn't really screw things up, though. I couldn't really justify nominating this, but it was a very fun match.

 

Bugsy McGraw vs. King Kong Bundy (9/14/82)

 

So Bugsy McGraw was secretly a good worker? Who knew? Too short to be anything, but still fun.

 

David, Kerry, & Kevin Von Erich vs. King Kong Bundy, Wild Bill Irwin, & Armand Hussein (9/28/82)

 

At this point, I am starting to want to get an Armand Hussein match on the set just on general principle. I don't really need general principle here, though, as this is a totally great match regardless. Another boss performance from Kevin and Kerry, Bundy dishes out a fine bruising, and yes, Hussein looks good in his limited role. David and Bill are the weak links of their respective teams, David moreso than Bill, but I agree with Kris that this is a worthy low-end nomination.

 

Captain Frank Dusek vs. Bugsy McGraw (9/28/82)

 

Speaking of general principle, I really want to find a Bugsy McGraw match worthy of inclusion on the set now, too. This was too short to be it, but it might be an extra. This is strictly comedy Bugsy, but it is a blast, and Dusek made a great straight man for him. Also, didn't realize the term "Hulkamania" was coined before his WWF run. My grandpa was right, you never stop learning.

 

Promo from Checkmate (Tony Charles) & Gary Hart

 

I don't know if any Checkmate matches will make the set, but I think there is a good argument that this will at least get him an extra. Checkmate is really good here talking about his background and his skills. Also a lot of interesting back and forth between Hart and Bill Mercer, as a lot of this interview centers around examining their antagonistic relationship, and provides some neat insight into that.

 

David Von Erich vs. Wild Bill Irwin (9/28/82)

 

I thought this was unremarkable. You all know how I feel about David at this point, and Bill Irwin was kinda inconsistent. They didn't look bad here, it was just nothing special.

 

Ric Flair Promo

 

One of your more subdued Flair promos as he denies putting out a bounty on the Von Erichs. Possible extra.

 

Michael Hayes vs. Roberto Renesto (Tom Branch) (10/12/82)

 

Hayes makes his debut. Match itself isn't so hot, but the post-match promo is solid gold and a slam dunk extra.