World Class Six-Man Tag Titles: The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) © vs. Kamala, The Missing Link, & Super Destroyer #2 (Wild Bill Irwin) (3/30/84)

 

Freebirds are getting over as faces pretty big here. Gordy & Hayes look good on offense early but Hayes would get worked over before stomping on Kamala’s feet to turn the tide. Birds work over Link who does a fantastic selljob on a missed diving headbutt before tagging in D #2 after Buddy missed a diving elbow drop. Buddy would soon fall prey to the heels especially Kamala who just pounded him then threw him into the Link’s head. Buddy would finally get the hot tag to Gordy though who cleans house along with Hayes turning this into a straight brawl but Kamala would get the advantage over Gordy though just peppering him with chops. The heels would keep Gordy in their corner so they could cheat as Hayes tried to jump in to help keeping Bronko Lubich occupied but Gordy would try to fight back with his charge ending quick with a missed running shoulderblock into the ringpost. Gordy would get the tag to Hayes though who came in blazing away before Kamala would go for his throat. The match breaks down into a brawl again with Hayes going for D’s mask until Akbar clubs him. D holds up Hayes for a Link diving headbutt but of course Hayes ducks and D goes down with Hayes pinning him. This was very fun especially with the Birds as faces and it goes on the block.

 

Andre the Giant & Iceman Parsons vs. The Super Destroyers (Wild Bill & Scott Irwin) (4/27/84)

 

This was JIP and very interesting because this was Andre’s last territorial tour before Vince pulled him after his dad’s death. Andre does a lot of sellign here and this was pretty fun for what was showed.

 

Next we get a video for the Von Erichs to Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler.

 

Kevin & Mike Von Erich vs. Kelly Kiniski & Buddy Roberts (3/30/84)

 

Mike wearing chaps to the ring was disturbing and Kevin almost got raped by some female fans on his way to the ring. Kerry would come out to counter Hayes at ringside so that was an added touch but they would soon enter the ring to brawl but David Manning let the match continue. The match would go on but it wasn’t long before the brawl continued this time with Gordy with the match being called a no contest. This was a great brawl and a definite extra.

 

Buck Zumhofe vs. Buddy Roberts (4/15/84)

 

Buck makes his TV debut and gets a big win in seconds starting his push. I hated Zumhofe and what a waste of Buddy.

 

“Gentleman” Chris Adams vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin (4/15/84)

 

Precious & Sunshine get into it as soon as they hit the ring and it would get them kicked out of the ringside area. This had some really good back and forth action as neither one of them could hold the advantage for any long period of time. These two worked together so much that they developed great chemistry and Garvin was a great opponent for Adams to showcase himself. Adams spent lots of time working on the mat here and this was like a MUGA match but the tide with turn after Garvin would go to the floor to regroup and he would come back in taking it to Adams. Garvin took control and held it until Adams would counter a suplex with one of his own. Precious would show back up distracting Adams enough for Garvin to go back on offense but it wasn’t long before Sunshine chased Precious back into the ring which would distract Garvin this time letting Adams get an inside cradle for the win. This was a damn solid match and should go on the block.

 

“Hacksaw” Butch Reed vs. Chick Donovan (5/6/84)

 

The immortal Hacksaw shows up at Texas Stadium and takes care of Chick easily.

 

Then we get a video for the returning Kabuki.

 

Iceman King Parsons vs. Kamala (4/15/84)

 

Iceman would hit Kamala with a couple of dropkicks that sent him to the floor early on and shook him up but Kamala would come back in the ring firing chops to get the advantage. Akbar would send Friday to the back and he comes back with the Missing Link as Kamala kicks Iceman’s ass but Kamala would soon miss a running splash in the corner. Iceman would then hit a cross body block for a nearfall until Link would run in for the DQ. Zumhofe would then run out to help Iceman causing them to form a union.

 

Kevin & Mike Von Erich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy & Michael Hayes) (4/15/84)

 

This had lots of heat and of course Kevin & Gordy were the workhorses here with Hayes being fine when he was in but Mike was still green as grass. Kevin plays FIP here for a while taking a beating plus selling really well. Mike would get the tag and just isn’t believeable when he tries to brawl with Gordy or Hayes for that matter so he tries to keep the match on the mat. Kevin tags back in but would go back to being beaton on by the Birds although he would get the claw on Gordy after he missed the Oriental Spike but Hayes would tag in to stop that. Kevin is hung in the Birds’ corner but would fight out of it getting the tag to Mike and the action would go back and forth with both teams making quick tags while having the advantage. It would soon break down into a 4-way brawl ending up with Kevin hitting his 180 splash off the top rope on Gordy for the win. Buddy would come down for a brawl after the match setting up Texas Stadium. This had some really good action with Kevin really looking good here and this goes on the block.

 

Junkyard Dog vs. The Missing Link (5/6/84)

 

This was all about whose head was the hardest and ended in a screwy finish as Link hit a diving headbutt after Akbar interfered then held JYD’s leg as Link pinned him but the decision would be reversed.

 

Next is the Von Erichs/Freebirds brawl at the Stadium which I’ve seen but this time a complete version.

 

The Great Kabuki vs. Kamala (5/6/84)

 

Kabuki & Gary Hart return to Texas for this odd matchup and this wasn’t a good match but sorta cool to watch.

1. Freebirds vs Kamala, Missing Link, + Super Destroyer #2

 

Gordy looks great early on. Hayes stomping Kamala's bare feet was gold. I liked Super Destroyer's modified atomic drop on Roberts. Hell Roberts FIP work was great. Hell even Gordy's FIP work was strong. I thought this was a fun sprint that I feel was a low end nomination. I'll sign off on KrisZ nomination. Coming out of this bout I want to see a Kamala/Gordy singles bout.

 

2. Iceman Parsons + Andre the Giant vs Super Destroyers

 

This is JIP and fun for what is shown.

Next we get a video for the Von Erichs to Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler. This is a possible extra.

 

3. Mike + Kevin Von Erich vs Buddy Roberts + Kelly Kiniski

 

The pushing of MVE is creepy.Roberts is a total pro. We get a clip.The bout was so so, but the brawl killed and was awesome.

 

4. Buck Zumhoffe vs Buddy Roberts - North Texas State University

 

Poor Roberts, This is the 2nd time he has put over a new talent in less than 30 secs.

 

5. Jimmy Garvin vs Chris Adams - North Texas State University

 

A cat Fight to start that gets the crowd going. Garvin's attire is tremendous. The mat work here is real solid from both men. This has a real Mid-Atlantic feel to it. Adams cranking the headlock and working spots around it. Garvin would get the advantage on the mat for a tad bit, but eventually Adams would find an answer and reverse the hold. This was a nice give and take bout. I liked how Garvin focused on Adam's neck. Of course the women lead to the finish. I liked how the wrestlers got the time to work. I thought the wrestlers could have pushed the pace more. It seemed a little rest holdy to me. Though the holds played into the story they were telling. Overall, though I liked it and it goes forward for me.

 

6. Butch Reed vs Chic Donovan - Texas Stadium

 

This was what it was.

 

7. Iceman Parsons vs Kamala - North Texas State University

 

I liked how Parsons just evaded Kamala early. That was a tremendous spot that lead to Kamala taking a big bump over the top rope. Not enough time given. More of an angle.

 

8. Kevin + Mike Von Erich vs Michael Hayes + Terry Gordy - North Texas State University

 

The hard sell on MVE continues. We even get a pre match hug from a granny for Kevin. The Freebirds are just awesome at making MVE look like a threat. Kevin carried the action for his team.I guess KVE doesn't believe in the hot tag. He should have milked it big when he was FIP. P.S was showing a lot of agression. This was fun with a lot of action. This goes on as a nomination for me.

 

9. Junkyard Dog vs Missing Link - Texas Stadium

 

This did nothing for me.

 

10. Kevin, Mike, + Fritz Von Erich vs Freebirds - Texas Stadium

 

This has been covered elsewhere.

 

11. Kabuki vs Kamala - Texas Stadium

 

This was a coll matchup.As a kid I loved both gimmicks.

World Class Six-Man Tag Titles: The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) © vs. Kamala, The Missing Link, & Super Destroyer #2 (Wild Bill Irwin) (3/30/84)

 

This is exactly the kind of wild, out-of-control brawl that I love. Absolutely belongs, and I could see this as a top 20 pick on my ballot.

 

Von Erichs "Holding Out for a Hero" Music Video

 

Man the contrast between what Kerry and Kevin are doing here and what Mike is doing is sadly hilarious. "Where's the streetwise Hercules" being sung over a slow-motion shot of Mike taking off his ring jacket...talk about your lyrical dissonance. Also the dramatic slo-mo of Mike bodyslamming Jimmy Garvin when Kerry slams King Kong Bundy later in the video and it seems like an afterthought. Probable extra in any case.

 

Kevin & Mike Von Erich vs. Kelly Kiniski & Buddy Roberts (3/30/84)

 

Here's a brain teaser for you: which be-chapped, non-threatening Texan Christian pushed as a world beater was a bigger embarrassment - Mike Von Erich or post-comeback Shawn Michaels?

 

Match actually isn't that bad, although it's clipped to pieces. But there's enough interesting stuff going on here and in the post-match brawl that I'll agree it has a spot as an extra.

 

“Gentleman” Chris Adams vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin (4/15/84)

 

This may have been the best feud in World Class other than Von Erichs/Freebirds, and this was an excellent chapter in it. The opening catfight was pretty intense. Sunshine is always feisty, but Precious is usually presented as more of an instigator than an aggressor. Here she was really aggressive, and I loved both of their reactions to being sent to the back and Adams and Garvin's attempts to pacify them. Matwork was awesome as Kris mentioned. I have seen Adams bust out some really cool counters to Garvin's camel clutch before, so I really dug their work there and Garvin's blocking Adams' counters. Like Kris said, very MUGAish. In general, Garvin's performance on the mat reminded me a lot of The Destroyer. Not only was the work sharp, but his comic heeling while working holds and working in holds really added to it. I love this feud, and this is maybe the best match I've seen from these two outside of the cage match that's still my working #1. No question that this goes on.

 

“Hacksaw” Butch Reed vs. Chick Donovan (5/6/84)

 

Nothing match.

 

The Great Kabuki music video

 

I've seen this footage before but without this musical accompaniment. Whether or not that makes it more or less worthy of inclusion as an extra, I'm not sure.

 

Iceman King Parsons vs. Kamala (4/15/84)

 

This didn't last long, but it was totally king-sized while it lasted. Might qualify as an extra.

 

Kevin & Mike Von Erich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy & Michael Hayes) (4/15/84)

 

This was not without it's problems, most notable being that Mike Von Erich was in it. Still, the other three men in this match came up big, and there was too much good here to overlook. I'll third the nomination.

 

Junkyard Dog vs. The Missing Link (5/6/84)

 

This was really fun in a lot of ways, but I'm not too sure that it was actually good. Not a nomination either way.

 

Kevin, Mike, + Fritz Von Erich vs Freebirds - Texas Stadium

 

I decided to give this a rewatch. It's a pretty good match, but I am still not really sold on it as a nomination.

 

The Great Kabuki vs. Kamala (5/6/84)

 

I wasn't really feeling this one.