This is kinda interesting in that it's a non-title match, and yet, it's the first match of the WCWA World Title era that actually feels like a real World Title match. I'm sure a lot of that is owed to Rude's opponent being unarguably the biggest star in the promotion, and one of the best big match performers of his day. On a certain level, I think it also helps that Rude and the Von Erichs aren't really feuding at this point. It's not worked as a grudge match, but as something more akin to Rude an NWA Title fight, with Rude playing the arrogant touring heel champ and Kerry as the local babyface star. The whole purpose of the match, of course, is to illustrate the difference between an actual NWA Title fight - where Ric Flair can get DQ'd and run off without having to face any real consequences - and a WCWA Title fight - where Rude can't run off to another territory, and where he won't actually be able to get away with getting DQ'd in a title match. This match is World Class giving the fans the kind of big title match that they've come to expect, but in the form of a non-title match, because an actual WCWA World Title match is going to have all this action and be decisive (go figure).

 

Fortunately, this does deliver on the "action" front. It starts off with pretty straightforward technical exchanges won by Kerry and a lot of heel stalling by Rude before Kerry misses a dropkick and Rude takes over, starting the action in earnest. Both guys do some quality brawling, and there are also some neat throws in here. Rude has a good atomic drop and a pair of suplexes, and Kerry counters a camel clutch into probably the best looking electric chair drop I've ever seen. Then they get into the story of Kerry's injured left hand (the Freebirds had jumped him in a diner parking lot). Pringle, who is awesome here as usual, jabs the hand with his cane while the ref isn't looking (teasing the DQ again, but not actually getting it), and Rude goes after it. Kerry is still able to apply the claw with his right hand, though, and Rude not only blades off of it, but foams at the mouth off of it as well. The finish, with Rude chucking Kerry over the top rope to get DQ'd, is a little sudden, but again, establishes the impending threat of getting DQ'd in an actual title match, and the body of this match is definitely good enough for me to put it on the block.

Is this the bout where Rude pukes in the ring.

Is this the bout where Rude pukes in the ring.

Rude appeared to be foaming at the mouth at one point. I guess he could have actually thrown up a little.

Rick Rude vs. Kerry Von Erich

 

I dug this and it feels like a nom. The bout had good heat and both men worked hard here. KVE was awesome with his charisma. This had a World Title bout feel to it. KVE did a great job of bringing Rude up. Rude bumped hard for KVE. Plus we get the added bonus of Rude puking in the ring. I'm guessing from being blown up. A good bout, and a nom.

“Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude (3/7/86)

 

Rude’s title isn’t on the line here. Mercer tells a story about Kerry's right hand being injured by the Freebirds in the parking lot of some diner so he can't apply the claw with that hand so naturally Rude works over the hand here. Kerry works through the pain though and has Rude on his toes throughout the match and is able to lock on the claw with his left hand before Rude would break free to lock on a sleeper. Rude is bleeding here as Kerry comes back with a sleeper of his own before Rude would chunk him over the top rope for the DQ once again getting over the rules change. I hate that DQ changes a title rule but this was a good match and should be on the block.