Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy vs. Killer Brooks (8/26/88)

 

Jesus is Brooks fat as hell right now and he attacks Gordy from the start taking the early advantage even throwing Gordy into the back door. Gordy would make his comeback soon enough going for the Oriental Spike but Brooks would counter out until Gordy would counter himself with an inside cradle for the quick win. Not bad but nothing much to it.

 

Black Bart & Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Maniac Matt Borne & Wild Bill Irwin (8/12/88)

 

This is a brawl from the start with Bart & Irwin with Bart getting the better end of the duel by keeping him in the heel corner and making quick tags to Funk. Borne would tag in and it was more of the same until Borne hit an enzuigiri on Funk. Borne would look really good here taking it to the heels sending them to the floor and walking up the ramp but they came back down for more. Irwin would tag back in and the heels went right back to the advantage but it wasn’t long before it ended up in a 4-way brawl. They were fighting in the ring and outside the ring with Irwin & Bart getting both counted out. This was a very fun brawl and even with the crappy finish the action was wild and wooly so I’m putting this on the block.

 

Akbar & Iceman then cut another funny promo on the Von Erich’s.

 

Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) vs. Jim Richardson (8/26/88)

 

Muto hits the moonsault here making the fans pop for the Japanese shockingly.

 

Iceman King Parsons vs. Kevin Von Erich (8/26/88)

 

The fans are nuts for Kevin. Iceman stalls as much as he can to start off so Kevin would come out to attack Akbar starting a brawl on the floor with Iceman with Kevin bringing a steel chair in the ring for a complete bullshit DQ. The fans agreed.

 

Michael “PS” Hayes vs. Samu (8/26/88)

 

The fans are nuts for Michael this time and yeah the face paint of Texas on Samu was awesome. Hayes throws some great punches here as usual before Samu takes over on offense while the fans chant BUDDY AIN’T SHIT which is hilarious. Samu uses various strikes and nerve holds to keep Hayes grounded but Hayes would come back as time is running out hitting a DDT on Samu but as he goes for the pin, Buddy rings the bell making everyone think it was a draw. Hayes would then attack Buddy until Fatu would show up before Steve Cox would come out to even the odds. Great finish to an average match.

 

Killer Brooks vs. Kendall Windham (9/9/88)

 

Brooks now has a bald head but a long strand of hair hanging from the back. Akbar offers Kendall a spot in Devastation Inc. before the match but he declines thus allowing Brooks to jump him. Windham fought back though before it would become a back and forth match. Both men traded the advantage numerous times in some good action. Kendall would take the advantage though dropkicking Brooks into the ropes tying him up before finally hitting the bulldog headlock for the win. Not too shabby.

 

Buddy then cuts a promo with the SST that is pretty funny.

 

Botswana Beast vs. Dan Fowler (9/9/88)

 

Squash and this Beast would become the future Kamala II that worked All-Japan for years.

 

Steve Cox then cuts a promo about bringing in help to fight the SST.

 

AWA World Heavyweight Title vs. World Class Heavyweight Title: Jerry “The King” Lawler © vs. “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich © (9/9/88)

 

Lawler says before the match that he made the challenge not Kerry so before the match starts Kerry wants a handshake from Lawler but eats a patented Lawler right hand before the match. Lawler then berates him as Kerry bleeds on the mat then tries to steal the belt before getting in a tug-of-war with Frank Dusek. Lawler is wearing batting gloves on his hands and this is a fucking awesome angle. Slam dunk extra.

 

Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) vs. Gary Netwon (9/9/88)

 

Squash.

 

Akbar then cuts a promo talking about getting rid of the faces.

 

World Class Lt. Heavyweight Title: “Flamboyant” Eric Embry © vs. Playboy Vince Apollo (9/9/88)

 

Apollo works total face here and keeps up with Embry nicely even countering out of the piledriver. Embry plays total chickenshit here and takes a lot of bumps for Apollo. The buildup for the finish was nice as Apollo was trying to get a sunset flip on Embry but he would mount up holding down Apollo for the win. I liked this but I’m not sure about a nomination so this goes on the maybe file.

 

AWA World Heavyweight Title vs. World Class Heavyweight Title: Jerry “The King” Lawler © vs. “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich © (9/23/88)

 

Funny seeing Percy Pringle doing the ring intros. Lawler is really hated now after what he did two weeks earlier. Lawler is in full Memphis stall mode here to start and he is a master of that genre even breaking out the Fargo strut. Lawler gets in some clotheslines before Kerry would fight back until he missed a springboard splash from the apron landing on Lawler’s knees. Lawler’s selling of Kerry’s punch was phenomenal as he bumped huge and dropped to the floor where he sold it like he got shot. Lawler wanting a fist fight with Kerry then taking a beating before crawling and running to John Keaton was fucking great. Kerry would get the iron claw on Lawler but he would get to the ropes forcing the break. Lawler would get the piledriver on Kerry but Kerry would no sell it coming back up throwing punches in bunches on Lawler who sold like crazy but Lawler would demand more before throwing his own. We would then get a slugfest with John Keaton being caught in the middle and getting punched by both men at the same time with Lawler asking Kerry to do it with him in a great spot. They kept punching away as the bell rang before the jobbers came out to break it up. Cheap ending but still a great match with Lawler being so fucking awesome and Kerry looking great. Frank Dusek would then declare both belts vacant afterwards with Lawler demanding he get his belt back. Definite nomination.

 

Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) vs. Playboy Vince Apollo (9/23/88)

 

Muto looks awesome here.

 

Akbar then cuts a promo about the upcoming Cotton Bowl show.

 

Then we get clips of Cox/Hayes taking the titles from SST on 9/16/88.

 

Kendall Windham vs. “Flamboyant” Eric Embry (9/23/88)

 

This was a very even match with both men trading the advantage fairly often and Embry was really looking good at this time period. The action would really heat up as Embry hit a piledriver on Windham but was too close to the ropes and he had a cocky pin attempt. Kendall would follow up with a DDT and a funky jumping clothesline nearly taking Embry’s head off. These two would continue countering everything until Windham finally locked in an inside cradle to get the win. The finish was sorta anti-climatic but the action was really solid. Embry then wants Kendall to come back in and shakes his hand before jumping him and walking away. This goes on the block.

 

Botswana Beast vs. Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy (9/23/88)

 

Gordy comes in swinging a chain around sending the Beast scurrying out of the ring. Beast would attack Gordy at the bell going for his head even biting it forcing some blood that they would try to block out which was ridiculous. Gordy tries to fight back but the Beast keeps him grounded on the mat. Gordy would throw some bombs to make his comeback as the blood is streaming down his face before bodyslamming him. Gordy then becomes relentless in his attacks as they go on the floor where the slugfest would continue back into the ring. Gordy is tremendous here being an asskicker with the fans going nuts for him and starts swinging a steel chair after they go on the floor but the Beast would fight back until Bronko Lubich calls for the bell in a double countout. This was a hard hitting brawl as Gordy just a badass motherfucker. Easy nomination in my mind.

 

Black Bart vs. Vince Apollo (10/9/88)

 

Pretty much a squash.

 

Then we get clips of the Super Clash III press conference.

 

Buddy cuts an incoherent promo on Hayes next.

 

Kevin Von Erich makes his return after a “concussion” cutting a promo before Kendo Nagasaki pokes him with the Singapore cane leading to Kevin jumping in the ring where he would get his ass kicked. Steve Casey tries to help but fails as the Ninja puts his claw on Kevin. Extra material.

 

Steve Cox vs. Doctor Who (10/9/88)

 

Who is Tug Taylor under a mask and there was nothing much to this.

 

Then we get the contract signing for Lawler/Kerry.

 

“Flamboyant” Eric Embry vs. Ken Castle (10/9/88)

 

Castle is quite the fatass and this barely lasts a minute. Kendall Windham would show up after the match wanting a shot at the title which Embry obliges.

 

World Class Lt. Heavyweight Title: “Flamboyant” Eric Embry © vs. Kendall Windham (10/9/88)

 

Windham starts this off just firing away with punches until Skandor Akbar shows up with Devastation Inc. to attack Windham but he ducks out of the ring. Embry stands in the ring just staring and the seeds are being planted.

 

Akbar & Iceman then cut a promo about Kendall.

 

Elimination Match: Kerry & Kevin Von Erich, & Kendall Windham vs. Botswana Beast, Jimmy Jack Funk, & Iceman King Parsons (10/9/88)

 

Kevin isn’t there to start selling the injuries so it is a 3-on-2 brawl until Kerry & Kendall clears the ring out but Kerry would fall down after taking off his entrance attire looking stoned out of his mind. Funk would clear out making it 2-on-2. Kerry was really out of his mind as he got some slams on the heels before tagging out to Kendall visibly looking dazed and confused. Kerry doesn’t even stand in the corner but in the middle of the ring holding the ropes. Kendall would come in and got some offense in before being distracted by Akbar leading to Iceman getting a schoolboy on him to eliminate him thus making it Kerry against the other 2. Kerry is all alone fighting off the heels as Eric Embry jumps on the apron all of a sudden wanting to be the replacement partner for Kevin. Embry would tag himself in the ring and goes to war on the heels. The fans go apeshit for Embry working over the heels as Kerry would help with them hitting a double dropkick on Iceman. Embry’s face turn is in full effect now and we need to put this on as a definite extra.

 

Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Steve Casey (10/28/88)

 

Funk gets pissed at Pringle for calling him JJ Funk and wants a shot at Kerry’s title. Casey gives Funk a run for his money before Funk would nail him with a cowbell then hanging him with the bullrope upside down in the corner. Bronko Lubich comes down and tells Funk that he would be banned for life if he didn’t leave so he did. Pretty hardcore hanging.

 

Akbar & Iceman then cut a promo about Windham

 

Next is clips from the 10/15/88 Cotton Bowl show.

 

Kendo Nagasaki cuts a promo about why they hate Fritz Von Erich.

 

Steve Cox vs. Fatu (10/9/88)

 

Buddy does commentary with Lowrance for a short time and Marc said that he was drunk which was basically the biggest highlight of the match as the match itself was just there. Buddy really acted drunk as well as he almost completely fucked up the finish where he was supposed to hit Fatu by mistake with the glove and he did but in slow motion making it look very fake.

 

Then we get clips of Brian Adias vs. Vince Apollo from Fort Worth on 10/17/88. It looked like there were tens of people there.

 

Next is the interview with Eric Embry in Fort Worth about his face turn and this is a definite extra as Embry gets the shit kicked out of him by Devastation Inc.

 

Then we get clips of the SST/Roberts attacking former Dallas Cowboys DE Harvey Martin who was doing color commentary until Hayes could make the save but as this happens, the SST attacked Cox with a steel chair.

 

Handicap Steel Cage Match for the World Class Tag Titles: Michael “PS” Hayes © vs. The Samoan Swat Team (10/17/88)

 

Cox is still hurt from the earlier attack so Hayes wants a member of the SST solo but with the belts on the line that the heels would decline so it becomes a handicap match. Hayes takes a serious beating here and bleeds all over the place but won’t quit and keeps coming for more. Bronko Lubich then decides that Hayes has had enough punishment and stopped the match to save Hayes and giving the SST the titles.

 

“Flamboyant” Eric Embry vs. Iceman King Parsons (10/28/88)

 

Iceman didn’t want to get in the ring but Embry would taunt him forcing his hand and he would get sent back to the floor after Embry put the blows to him. Embry is very over early in his face turn and just pounds on Iceman until Black Bart shows up at ringside but that wouldn’t stop Embry who kept the advantage until Iceman hit him with a high kneelift. Iceman gets some offense in before trying a piledriver of his own but Embry would counter out of it and started going nuts with punches. John Keaton would get hit in the process and Bart would jump on the apron giving Parsons the cane but Bart would get hit instead. Iceman would miss the Butt Butt and Embry would follow with a sleeper hold until Bart whacked him with the cane for the DQ. They try to break Embry’s arm after the match but Embry would slip away just in time but he would still eat more punishment until Kendall Windham makes the save. Fun stuff but not a nomination.

 

Kevin Von Erich vs. Jim Ward (10/28/88)

 

Quick squash until the Super Black Ninja comes out for a brawl with Kevin where they would disappear in the darkness.

 

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Jimmy Jack Funk (10/28/88)

 

This was pretty much a battle of Funk’s sleeper against Kerry’s punches until Kerry would lock on the iron claw that Funk would get free of. The battle would go to the floor where Funk tried to hit Kerry with his cowbell but hit Bronko Lubich instead for the DQ. Good action but a crappy finish and not a nomination.

 

Iceman then cuts a promo on Kendall Windham which is pretty good. Akbar then brings a present to Iceman which is a female servant that he really is into. Extra material.

 

Next we get a Jeff Jarrett video from Memphis.

 

“Flamboyant” Eric Embry vs.. Jim Ward (11/11/88)

 

Very quick squash. Akbar then comes out after the match offering Embry a large sum of money to join up with him and to join Devastation Inc. with Embry signing the paper. Embry then punches out Akbar saying that he quits leaving with the money. Great stuff and a definite extra.

 

Iceman King Parsons vs. Kendall Windham (11/11/88)

 

Embry is in Kendall’s corner to offset Akbar. Iceman is awesome here stooging around like a chickenshit and constantly begging off as well as whining to the fans. Iceman would get the advantage as Embry has pissed off Akbar enough to leave the ring but would come back with the Botswana Beast setting a wild brawl with all four men forcing Bronko Lubich to rule this as a DDQ.

 

Next we get a Bill Dundee video from Memphis.

 

Akbar then cuts a promo about his problems with Eric Embry.

 

Kevin Von Erich vs. Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) (11/11/88)

 

Kevin would go for the iron claw fairly quickly but Muto cuts him off and tries to work him over but Kevin would counter back into the claw until Kendo Nagasaki would jump in leading to Muto using the Singapore cane for the DQ. They would destroy Kevin and Bronko Lubich after the match until the faces make the save.

 

Next we get a video of talent coming to World Class from Memphis.

 

Steve Cox (subbing for Kevin Von Erich), Eric Embry, Kerry Von Erich, & Frank Dusek vs. Jeff Jarrett, The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu), & Eddie Marlin (11/11/88)

 

This is quite the spectacle as this is Texas vs. Tennessee done in Dallas and it sucks we never got the version of this match from Memphis. There isn’t a whole lot of action going on here as this sets up the big turn as the SST destroys Jarrett & Marlin after lots of backfiring between Jarrett & SST. The Texas crew then makes the save destroying the SST before Iceman & Muto shows up to jump in making it even wilder. A bandaged Kevin Von Erich then would run out going nuts on Muto and this is fantastic stuff. Slam dunk extra.

 

Then we get clips of Fuller & Golden squashing guys followed up with a Brickhouse promo talking about coming for the Iceman.

 

Botswana Beast vs. “Flamboyant” Eric Embry (11/25/88)

 

Embry is over like a motherfucker here maybe even more than the Von Erich’s were. Beast wears down Embry early but Embry makes a great comeback punching like a madman then sending Beast flying through the ropes and to the floor. They have Embry outnumbered so Marc Lowrance decides to throw his chair in the ring to help out until Jeff Jarrett shows up to stand tall with Embry. Muto then shows up through the back door before Michael Hayes shows up to even the odds. The Sportatorium is rocking and rolling as the SST shows up to start the brawl. Another definite extr

Disc 1:

 

Black Bart & Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Maniac Matt Borne & Wild Bill Irwin (8/12/88)

 

Good match. I liked Irwin and Funk fighting over the front facelock and the brawl at the end. That said, most of the match was just solid. I say "no".

 

Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) vs. Jim Richardson (8/26/88)

 

Hey, remember when Mutoh had knees? This was a good little squash.

 

Killer Brooks vs. Kendall Windham (9/9/88)

 

Really good match. Brooks and Windham worked well with each other. Not quite a nomination.

 

Buddy Roberts Interview

 

This was insane and delightful. Feels like an extra.

 

World Class Lt. Heavyweight Title: “Flamboyant” Eric Embry © vs. Playboy Vince Apollo (9/9/88)

 

Face Apollo is way better than heel Apollo. He looks pretty natural in the role, and he has some nice punches, kicks, and kneelifts that I never noticed from him before. The finish is interesting. I don't know if he intended it this way or if it was just a unique botch, but he doesn't just sunset flip Embry, he lands in a seated position on his back, and then takes him over, so it's more like a proto-Code Red off of the second rope than anything. Embry was great as usual here, and Apollo really brought more to the table here than Steve Casey did in any of his Embry matches. This is a nomination.

 

AWA World Heavyweight Title vs. World Class Heavyweight Title: Jerry “The King” Lawler © vs. “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich © (9/23/88)

 

That piledriver no-sell was a real "what the fuck?" moment, but everything else in this match was spectacular. This moves forward.

 

Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) vs. Playboy Vince Apollo (9/23/88)

 

Harvey Martin marking out over Muto is really cool. Another fun squash from the Ninja.

 

Disc 2:

 

Roberts/Samu Interview

 

I like that Samu's part of the promo was more coherent than Buddy's. "Hayes...I kill you!"

 

Kendall Windham vs. “Flamboyant” Eric Embry (9/23/88)

 

Strong bout. I think this may have been the first Embry match in World Class that I've seen where he looked like the lesser wrestler, as Kendall really brought his A-game here. It's borderline...I'm going to have to say "no". As much as I liked it, there's too much good stuff for this to really get far.

 

Botswana Beast vs. Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy (9/23/88)

 

Man, I can't believe they blurred out the blood like that. That was some serious bullshit. Still, this was a hell of a brawl, and it should move forward.

 

Nagasaki and Ninja attack Kevin

 

Extra.

 

Iceman King Parsons Interview

 

He throws out open challenges to anyone at SuperClash III, including Jimmy Valiant. Iceman tempting me with promo duels with the Boogie Woogie Man is cruel if he doesn't deliver.

 

Steve Cox vs. Doctor Who (10/9/88)

 

I'd make some joke about how I'd rather be watching Tom Baker wrestle, but this might have been the best I've ever seen Ottman look. Kind of a shame he didn't hit on this earlier. I'd think Doctor Who would have been a natural to help Lazertron fight off The New Breed.

 

Elimination Match: Kerry & Kevin Von Erich, & Kendall Windham vs. Botswana Beast, Jimmy Jack Funk, & Iceman King Parsons (10/9/88)

 

This whole segment is great, and I agree that it should be an extra.

 

Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Steve Casey (10/28/88)

 

Nice match that falls a bit short of a nomination.

 

Steve Cox vs. Fatu (10/9/88)

 

Not a lot going on here other than drunken Buddy Roberts.

 

Disc 3:

 

Eric Embry Interview; Confrontation with Devastation Inc.

 

Any of you ever see that episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force where they do a lot of jokes about censorship, at at one point, they shoot off a nun's head and a rainbow sprouts out of her neck to show the "proper" way to depict that kind of thing on TV? The filter they use to blur out Embry's bladejob actually has a rainbow-type color scheme to it. I would assume that was accidental, a trick of the lights or something like that. Still, truth is at least equally as strange as fiction. Anyway, this was great. Embry's face turn feels almost as smooth and natural as Chris Adams' heel turn, and I can't give a much higher compliment than that. Extra.

 

Eric Embry attacks Devastation Inc.

 

Embry gets his revenge later that same night, coming out of the crowd to jump Akbar. Iceman and Black Bart gang up on him, but Kendall Windham and Blackjack Mulligan help Embry drive them off. Another extra.

 

Handicap Steel Cage Match for the World Class Tag Titles: Michael “PS” Hayes © vs. The Samoan Swat Team (10/17/88)

 

I liked this a bunch. Hayes looked real good in the early control section, and the SSTs delivered a huge beating afterwords. The finish dragged on a bit longer than I think was needed. But this was still an awesome bout, and I am throwing it on the block.

 

“Flamboyant” Eric Embry vs. Iceman King Parsons (10/28/88)

 

Embry co-opting Parsons' catchphrase (well, theoretically Parsons' momma's catchphrase) to lure him back into the ring was #1 and the best, as was Embry beating the hell out of him and Parsons stooging and bumping like a madman. Embry is so great here. Iceman is a guy with really good-looking offense. When you are focusing on the way Embry eats Parsons' beating more than the beating itself, you know you're watching someone great. Embry ducking under the Butt Butt was really cool. I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that before. This was awesome, and I'm throwing it on the block.

 

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. Jimmy Jack Funk (10/28/88)

 

I found this kinda dull. I would've expected something better from these two.

 

Iceman and Akbar Interview

 

I was amused that Iceman needed to look at his Title to remember what it was at one point. This was a funny bit, and it could be an extra.

 

“Flamboyant” Eric Embry vs. Jim Ward (11/11/88)

 

Awesome angle to add to the growing Embry file.

 

Iceman King Parsons vs. Kendall Windham (11/11/88)

 

Shame this ended when it did, as it was definitely heading towards a nomination. Still might be enough greatness here for an extra, as Iceman, Kendall, Embry, and the Beast all totally ruled it.

 

Skandor Akbar Interview

 

Akbar goes into serious mode as he goes off on Eric Embry for refusing to sign with Devastation Inc. Extra.

 

Kevin Von Erich vs. Super Black Ninja (Keiji Muto) (11/11/88)

 

Oh God, the rainbow effect in the blur is deliberate, isn't it? I was pretty hyped up for this, and they do deliver for the short time that this runs. Maybe an extra.

 

Steve Cox (subbing for Kevin Von Erich), Eric Embry, Kerry Von Erich, & Frank Dusek vs. Jeff Jarrett, The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu), & Eddie Marlin (11/11/88)

 

There is plenty of great action in the body of the match itself, it's just mostly one-sided. We didn't get as much LEGEND HEEL MARLIN~! as I was hoping for, but I can let that slide, because this was beautiful. As cynical and self-loathing of a wrestling fan as I am, this match really made feel good. Marc Lowrance: "You just can't beat the fun and excitement of the good old wrestling bouts". Amen. Backboard-shattering slam dunk extra.

 

Botswana Beast vs. “Flamboyant” Eric Embry (11/25/88)

 

God damn, this angle is awesome. Extra.