World Class Championship Wrestling - December 22, 1984
by Erick Von Erich
We're back to the Sportatorium in "beautiful" (?) downtown Dallas, Texas. Bill Mercer is out, this week, so our host and play-by-play guy is none other than ring announcer Marc Lowrance; no stranger to World Class weekly shenanigans. A slight domino effect has occurred, as Ralph Pulley is handling Lowrance's usual ring announcing duties. We're only about a week; maybe even days; away from another World Class's next spectacular: "Holiday Wrestlign Star Wars", just about a month after the last "(Thanksgiving) Holiday Wrestling Star Wars". But with so much happening in World Class Championship Wrestling, let's get down to ringside for...
"Iceman" King Parsons vs. "Crippler" Rip Oliver
Oliver's televised Sportatrium debut. He's not too famous nowadays, so we should mention that he's kind of your basic heel with bleached blonde hair. They start playing it safe, as Oliver works a go-behind waistlock, but Iceman boogies and bumps him away with his rear end. The first 5 or 6 minutes are like this, as they apply basic holds and Iceman frustrates Oliver by constantly escaping...and doing some dancing to get the crowd going. Iceman then targets Oliver's left arm for an extended sequence. Oliver turns it around and works on Iceman's left leg. Oliver picks up Iceman for 2 textbook slams and goes for another, but Iceman quickly hooks a small package and gets a 3 count pin at 12:22! Afterwards, Oliver offers a handshake...but, of course, it's a fake out and he sucker-punches Iceman. Ooo! You's a d*ck, Rip Oliver! Oliver then performs a pretty solid beatdown, including his shoulder-breaker finisher.
A Very Prestigious Awards Banquet
A video package from a recent banquet. We can see a podium and TWO sets of tables, so we KNOW it's "very prestigious". None other than Bill Apter, from Pro Wrestling Illustrated, is on hand to present two awards. First is "Rookie of the Year", which goes to Mike Von Erich. Second is "Man of the Year", presented to Kevin Von Erich for his charitable works with Easter Seals ans visiting kids in hospitals. He's like the 1984 version of John Cena and Make-a-Wish. Lowrance is the M.C., so he thanks the brothers and Apter and promises that "some delicious food" will be soon be served, along with some fine music. Yes, this was cheesy, but it worked. Also, I was a little surprised, because I was expecting to Apter to also give out the award for "Match of the Year" for Kerry Von Erich vs. Ric Flair. I suppose that 1984 wasn't over yet, so other rasslers still had some time to put on a show.
Billy Jack (w/Sunshine) vs. Tony Falk
More debuts, as this is the first televised Sportatorium match for both guys. Billy Jack (no Haynes, and also not to be confused with Bil*Jac dog food) is with Sunshine, so he's instantly over. Billy starts with two powerful arm-drags, then no-sells two shoulderblock attempts from Falk. Billy with a leapfrog, overhead press-slam, then a drop-kick to send Falk out to ringside. Falk returns and tries to mount a comeback, but Billy no-sells his punches then boxes the ears. Big clothesline and a elbow from Billy, who then applies the Full Nelson submission hold to get the victory at 3:43.
Ringside Interview with "Iceman" King Parsons
Ice is rightfully upset and is hear to "speak the gospel." He wants Rip Oliver in another match. Good chance that happens at "(Christmas) Holiday Wrestling Star Wars".Kevin & Kerry Von Erich vs. Gino Hernandez & "Gentleman" Chris Adams (w/Gary Hart)
Main event of the evening and show. I thik this is one of the first televised 2-on-2 matchups between these duos, as this will dominate World Class's booking for the next year or so. As expected, the crowd is into it. Kevin wants Adams, and Adams suprisingly starts the match with him. Worth mentioning, because the usual heel tactic is to delay locking up and only tagging in when the babyface is hurt. Yet Kevin charges and Adams quickly bails out to consult with Gary Hart. Kevin then hops up on ringside with a CHAIR...as Kerry and Gino lock-up. Kerry with an Irish whip and a elbow, then works a headlock. They hit the ropes and Gino tries a leapfrog...but in a possible blown spot, Kerry rebounds and headbutts him in the nards. If it was a blown spot, Gino does the professional thing and sells it like crazy. Lowrance simply says: "Gino will feel that for awhile. We will not go into detail." Gino thumbs the eyes, then tags in Adams. Kerry and Adams both trade sleepers, but the former's takes things to the mat, so the fans can chant "Go, Kerry, Go!" Kerry almost makes it up, but Gino adeptly distracts referee Bronko Lubich so Adams can pull Kerry's tights and take the sleeper to the canvas, again.Kerry then lifts Adams onto the second turnbuckle, and press-slams him off. Kevin and Gino square off, but Adams gets a dirty heel hangman move on Kevin. Gino and Adams work over Kevin for a bit, until he leapfrogs Gino and applies the CLAW. 4-way brawl and Kevin then locks Adams in the Claw. Kerry and Gino tumble outside...and Kerry takes Gino into the crowd, shoves him through the outside door, and locks him out of the building! Back in the ring, Kevin continues beating away on Adams. Adams tries to escape the ring, but Kerry throws him back in. Gino eventually makes it back into the building, somehow, but the match has been thrown out and ruled a double disqualification (no time given, but around 10 minutes).
In our final segment, Lowrance accurately recaps all the action we've seen tonight, then plugs next week's show and Holiday Wrestling Star Wars. Next week should be the promised main event of Terry Gordy of Missing Link, that was announced last week.
Why'd You Watch This?
First off, I absolutely dig Marc Lowrance on commentary. He covers all the relevant points and moves, while progressing the story and providing more info on each wrestler. I got some legitimate Vin Scully vibes from the guy and did not remember him being this good. Match wise, this introduced two new big stars to World Class, both of whom will factor pretty heavily in the booking for the next few weeks. On the opposite side of things, I think the Pretty Young Things have moved out of the territory, and Stella Mae French is gone as well. Surprisingly, Killer Khan is also absent from the roster, as he'll be gone until June 1985. Things are evolving in World Class, yet not slowing down.
Boom-da-da-da-boom, da-da-da-boom, da-da-da-boom
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