I think Kamala is probably one of the best worked gimmicks in modern wrestling history. Effectively portrayed himself as an Abdullah-esque wild savage monster, but also effectively peppered in cooning comedy schtick and even Blanchard-esque cautious backpedaling heel stuff, and he did it without ruining the initial illusion of scary monster heel. All of this comes forward in this match, and the result might strike some as awkward or disjointed. It struck me as awesome, I loved this match. The second the bell rings, Chris Adams runs the ropes and knocks Skandor Akbar off of the apron, and from that moment on, there always seems to be something happening in this match. There's the subplot/running gag of Kamala not being familiar with the mechanics of tag team wrestling. Hayes slaps him on the back to tag him in, and Kamala assumes he's being attacked, and Akbar and Friday have to jump in the ring to stop him. They try to explain it was a friendly thing, like shaking hands, so Kamala gets in the ring and immediately tries to shake hands with Hayes, thus tagging him back in. At several points, Hayes gets tagged in, but Kamala doesn't understand that he has to leave, etc., etc. Of course, once Kamala really gets in the match, he starts destroying fools, until David manages to lock on the Iron Claw. Kamala survives and escapes, but now is a bit hesitant to get back in the ring with David, and if Kamala doesn't want to fight David, his teammates sure don't, either! Kamala is finally coerced into getting back in the ring, and actually retakes control, at which point Hayes tags in and promptly loses it, ultimately leading to the faces winning the match. Hayes is fed up with Kamala's nonsense, shoves down Akbar, and then Kamala leaps in the air, "goes bonzo" in the words of Mark Lowrance, and chases him off. Weird, wild, and amazing match. I don't know how others will react to it, but I will go to the wall for this one.

I thought this was a very good match also, and I love the heel miscommunication spots built around Kamala not understanding how tag matches work. Not a great match, but good enough to make a set, probably a mid-level nomination.

Michael Hayes, Kimala & The Mongol vs. Adams, Parsons & David Von Erich

 

I thought this was a fun bout that told an easy story. I feel it falls short as a nomination, but I wouldn't argue it going on.

"Gentleman" Chris Adams, Iceman King Parsons, & David Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes, Kamala, & The Mongol (10/3/83)

 

The story here is that Kamala doesn't know how tag team matches goes and anytime he gets tagged in, he tries to attack Hayes because he thought he was being attacked then just makes tags randomly which was pretty hilarious seeing the monster heel playing around. Hayes is completely frustrated but won't do shit because he would get killed. Kamala ends up getting serious and just pounds on David as he tries to save the Iceman who is getting choked in the corner. David would eventually get the iron claw on Kamala to a huge pop because it was the first time that happened. Kamala gets to the floor and tries to leave because he doesn't want any part of David so he tags out to Hayes who also doesn't want to come in. Kamala then is like fuck it and comes back in for more punishment but immediately tags back out to Hayes. Adams would get the hot tag and would run wild hitting a Superkick on Mongol then on Hayes after he breaks up the pin before going back to pinning Mongol. Hayes & Akbar get into it after the match making Kamala go nuts and Hayes went running for the hills. This was loads of fun with a great story and solid action and I'll co-sign a nomination.