Taped from Dallas, TX
Airdate: February 6, 1988 (taped 01/15)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Marc Lowrance & “Wild” Bill Irwin
Who will win the PENALTY BOX match? Will there be plenty of roughing? Hooking? Tripping? I bet it’s quite a fight!
Opening montage.
Video airs featuring the match for the Light Heavyweight title between Shaun and Embry from the Christmas show. For those unaware, Embry dyed his hair blond and wore a crimson mask like Ric Flair. Next, we fast-forward to the 1/16 episode where Shaun took Jeff Raitz’s place against Embry and won a non-title match. We move on to last week when Shaun “pinned” Embry thanks to Jason Sterling, but the decision was reversed.
Following a commercial break, we return to the Christmas show when the Fantastics won by reverse decision against “Hollywood” John Tatum and Jack Victory. What do these two matches have in common? Referee Bronko Lubich must LOVE the Dusty Finish as he has continually changed the outcome of matches based on his viewpoint.
Fast-forward to the 1/16 show when the Fantastics defeated Cowboy Tony and Apollo, but Victory and Tatum ambushed them following the match.
Following another commercial break, Lowrance interviews Tatum and Victory backstage. According to Lowrance, the Texas tag team titles have been HELD UP! Footage of a Tommy Rogers interview follows as he cuts a promo on the former Texas tag team champions. We return to the studio for Tatum’s passionate rebuttal. To say the least, he looks like a pimp.
Match 1 (non-title): WCWA World champion Al Perez (w/ Gary Hart) versus WCWA Texas champion “Maniac” Matt Borne
Highlights:
- When Borne hooked an O’Connor roll, he got 2.
- Perez reversed an Irish whip and blocked a second O’Connor roll attempt.
- As Perez missed an elbow drop, the Dallas faithful chanted “go, Matt, go.”
- Borne escaped a hammerlock by going WAY DOWNTOWN, hooked an inside cradle, and got 2.
- After he escaped an attempted atomic drop, Borne tried a backslide.
- Perez escaped and trapped Borne in his own backslide.
- 1-2-3.
- Perez won at 5:31.
Rating: **½
Summary: Solid five-minute match where the World champion outsmarted the Texas champion.
After the match, Borne shakes hands with both Perez and Hart.
We revisit last week when the Von Erichs handcuffed Parsons to the top rope, temporarily disposed of Roberts and Angel of Death, and briefly pummeled Parsons. After Angel of Death and Roberts returned to the ring, they battled the Von Erichs to keep them away from Parsons. Referee Rick Hazzard unlocked the handcuffs, and the Freebirds retreated to prepare for the penalty box match.
Match 2 (penalty box): The “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, & “Gentleman” Chris Adams versus “Iceman” King Parsons, Buddy Roberts, & the Angel of Death
Highlights:
- The Dallas faithful chanted “Kerry,” and their hero blasted Roberts with a discus punch.
- As Kevin tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle and lowered the boom onto Angel of Death.
- Kevin dropkicked Angel of Death, and Adams tagged in.
- When he mounted the top turnbuckle, Adams dealt Angel of Death even more boom.
- Kerry tagged in, and Roberts got sentenced to the penalty box for illegally entering the ring.
- After Parsons tagged in, he headbutted Kerry who reversed an Irish whip and hammered him.
- Kerry unloaded a discus punch to Parsons who reversed an Irish whip and hooked a sleeper.
- While Roberts tagged in, Kerry reversed an Irish whip and trapped him in a sleeper.
- He mounted the second turnbuckle and scored with a flying knee drop.
- Giving Roberts a cross corner whip, Kerry came up empty on his follow-through.
- Kevin intervened, but that cost him.
- Tagging in, Parsons got reversed on an Irish whip and VAMOOSED abruptly to avoid an Iron claw.
- Parsons scampered like a kindergartener on the floor, yet Angel of Death whacked Kerry from behind.
- With Angel of Death in the penalty box, Roberts tagged in and blocked a discus punch.
- Parsons tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered some boom onto Kerry.
- Unloading a butt butt, Parsons knocked Kerry completely out of the ring.
- Kerry circled the ring like a killer shark and injured Parson’s leg in the ropes.
- Hooking a figure-four leg lock, Kerry earned a 2-count.
- Roberts tried to intervene, but both Adams and Kevin cut him off at the pass.
- Ramming Roberts face-first into ring announcer Ralph Pulley’s table, Adams CLOBBERED him with a chair.
- Kerry planted Angel of Death with an atomic drop, and chaos erupted at ringside with the other combatants.
- Taking his turn, Roberts ate a knee lift, yet Adams got sentenced to the penalty box.
- According to Irwin, Angel of Death HAS LEFT THE BUILDING.
- Following a commercial break, Kerry gave Roberts a cross corner whip followed by a military-press slam.
- Kerry held Roberts, and Adams mounted the top turnbuckle to unfurl some more boom.
- Shilling the return of WCCW to Fort Worth, Lowrance acknowledged Adams’ return to the penalty box joining Kevin.
- Parsons delivered another head butt and leveled Kerry with a lariat.
- Getting another opportunity, Roberts mounted the second turnbuckle and walloped Kerry.
- Speaking of Kerry, he grasped an Iron claw, but Roberts escaped.
- Returning to the ring, Angel of Death must’ve drank too much LONE STAR.
- Nevertheless, he held a pair of handcuffs waiting with bated breath.
- Kerry secured an inside cradle and pinned Roberts at 14:07.
Rating: ***
Summary: Although the rules were followed stringently, the outcome came out of nowhere.
Afterward, Angel of Death locks Kevin and Adams in the penalty box with the handcuffs.
Parsons tosses Kerry to the floor and assists Angel of Death in ramming Kerry into the shark cage. Despite the Freebirds’ 3-on-1 advantage on Kerry, Adams and Kevin explode from the penalty box to chase them away. They check on Kerry who has been BUSTED OPEN.
POINT OF ORDER: Since Fritz’s sale of WCCW to his sons, not only the treasured theme for the opening and closing but also the reproduction members Keith Mitchell and Dan Bynum make their return. As a result, the presentation has improved dramatically.
Conclusion: If you’re wondering why there were so many trips down memory lane on this episode, last week’s episode aired opposite Super Bowl weekend. Regardless, the penalty box match was unquestionably worthwhile, so grab your favorite hockey jersey and enjoy the action!
Next week, Irwin battles Brian Adias!
TV Rating: NONE
Stay tuned for WCCW 02-13-88!
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