Posted October 11, 200817 yr comment_5435112 Terry Gordy vs. Kevin Von Erich (15:47) I really enjoyed this, but kinda felt like it was a Kevin Von Erich one man show. I think Kev was an astoundingly good professional wrestler, and I enjoy his one man shows, but kinda prefer to see them when his opponent is someone like Magic Dragon who brings absolutely nothing to the table and needs the Kevin Von Erich one man show to make his matches exciting. Terry Gordy not only brings a lot to the table, but has brought a lot to the table in previous matches with Kevin. I mean, this is a better match than Kevin would have with Magic Dragon, it might even be worthy of a low-level nomination, but at this point, I expect more from this match-up. Kimala vs. David Von Erich I'll back this as a low-level nomination. Loved Kamala's cautious heel stuff at the beginning, and I think he actually pulled the better bladejob (helps that he had white facepaint). David looks double tough for surviving Kamala's onslaught, too. Plus, this doesn't have the lengthy heart claw sequence that always seems to slow down your non-squash Kamala matches, so they kept up a really good pace the whole time. Chris Adams vs. Jimmy Garvin I don't think this is the best match these two had against each other, but it is a great one, and certainly one of the biggest. The Garvin/Sunshine feud is so awesome. Garvin mocking Sunshine while he slams Adams head into the turnbuckle and she keeps jumping up trying to swat at him, and then Garvin just laughing in Sunshine's face was such a great bastard heel spot. I think this is an easy nomination. Kerry Von Erich & Iceman King Parsons vs. Super Destroyers This was pretty good. The Super D's are growing on me. Pretty good big vanilla bruisers who can do some comedy shtick as well. This is Parsons' first match back after getting fireball'd by Skandor Akbar, and he's out for revenge. Parsons was a guy who would bring the hurt in a feud over Buddy Roberts' wig, not surprising he does the same here. Something about this kept me from giving it a nomination. Can't remember what it is now, probably something about the finish, but I'm not sure. Kamala runs in, and then all the faces run in, and I think Parsons and Kerry win by DQ. Really good, but a cut below nomination level. Ernie Ladd vs. Kimala Remember how everyone was praising Ernie Ladd in his matches from the Mid-South set, and Phil had to remind people that most of his work from that period stunk? Well, yeah, he was right. Ladd was less than inspiring here, though he did wear the "Promises, Promises" jacket. Actually enjoyed this match anyway because of Kamala. Apparently he could do the splits. Who knew? Jimmy Garvin & Terry Gordy vs. Chris Adams & Johnny Mantel Garvin and Gordy always make such a great team. The face team didn't excite me that much, and the finish was dopey (though Adam's back suplex hold is a really sweet move), but the heels kept the action interesting enough that I can get behind this as a low-end nomination. Kerry Von Erich vs. Kimala This was one of those matches where I enjoyed it a lot, but I know there will be a rematch, and this is borderline enough that I'm inclined to hold off on nominating it to see if I don't get something better to go with. Really like when Kamala does "clever savage" shtick, and this was all about that. Being wary of the claw as always, plus a neat spot where he tricks Kerry into entering a test of strength only to chop him with his free hand after they start lock up, but Kerry blocks it and dropkicks him out of the ring. Buddy Roberts & Terry Gordy vs. Mike & Kevin Von Erich (18:37) If a Freebird gets pinned, they have to leave Texas for a year. If either Von Erich gets pinned, Kevin leaves for a year and Michael Hayes gets to come back. You know, when working as overmatched, underskilled rookie who wants to help/impress his brothers but still needs their help to get by, Mike Von Erich is actually entirely tolerable. I guess the best gimmicks are an extension of a wrestler's real personality. I mean, he won't set your world on fire. That's the job of his brother, who is awesome as always in the ring, and in this case, on the apron while Mike plays face-in-peril. Great spot where Kevin is leaning over the ropes trying to encourage Mike after Gordy was beating on him, and then Gordy goes over to Kevin, and while Gordy's taunting him, Mike makes a sudden lunge from the side of the screen to try and get the tag, and Gordy just swats him away like it was nothing. Man, Gordy was fucking awesome. Kevin finally gets the hot tag, and at some point, Santa Claus - who has been milling about at ringside - attacks Mike. But that's not the real Santa Claus! It's Michael Hayes, but it's all besides the point, because Bronko Lubich was downed, and by the time David Manning makes it to the ring, Kevin has pinned Gordy with a sunset flip (with an assist from Mike, who kicked Gordy over in one of the few genuinely cool things he ever did in his career). Slam dunk nomination. Jimmy Garvin vs. Chris Adams Fun while it lasts, but a bit short with an abrupt ending. Garvin reclaims the title with a handful of tights to aid him. David Von Erich vs. Ric Flair (JIP) (12-25-83) (12:00) What's shown here seemed kinda unremarkable.
