Taped from Dallas, TX
Airdate: March 19, 1988 (taped 03/06)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Marc Lowrance
Can Kerry defeat Perez and become World champion? What happens when Kevin encounters Roberts? Can the Simpson brothers capture the Wild West tag team titles?
Opening montage.
Video airs of Terry Taylor turning on “Gentleman” Chris Adams. Speaking of whom, he cuts a rather good promo on Taylor. Not to sound gruesome, but that hand is FUBAR.
Following the brawl during the Badstreet concert, Michael “P.S.” Hayes emphasizes that he “left the NWA because (he) was tired of getting ripped off. (He) beat Ric Flair, and…they took the belt from (him).”
He cuts a promo on the Freebirds especially “Iceman” King Parsons. When he turns his attention to Roberts, Hayes shows tremendous upset at his “brother.” He reveals both the “Badstreet USA” single as well as a subsequent album. According to Hayes, “(the concert brawl) wasn’t no accident.” Great promo!
Match 1 for the Wild West tag team titles: “Hollywood” John Tatum & the “Heartthrob of New Jersey” Jack Victory (champions) versus Shaun & Steve Simpson
Highlights:
- This match occurred in Fort Worth on 02/29 and was joined in progress.
- When Steve dropkicked Victory, Tatum tagged in.
- All four wrestlers were in the ring, and the heels reversed stereo cross corner whips making the babyfaces collide with one another.
- As the champs double-clotheslined him over the top rope to the concrete floor, Steve mounted the top turnbuckle and connected with a cross body block to Tatum.
- 1-2-3.
- The Simpson brothers won at 1:22 shown.
- WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!
Rating: NONE
Summary: Too short to rate, but with the Fantastics gone, the Simpsons inserted themselves right into their place and achieved glory in doing so.
Back at the Sportatorium, Lowrance interviews Tatum and Victory at ringside. Victory cuts a promo on the Simpson brothers. Next, Tatum stands tall as the Texas tag team champions.
Match 2 for the WCWA World title: Al Perez (w/ Gary Hart) versus the “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich
Highlights:
- According to Lowrance, Kerry substituted for the injured Hayes.
- The Dallas faithful chanted “Ker-ry” at the bell.
- As Kerry countered a vertical suplex with an inside cradle, he got 2.
- Kerry rolled up Perez and got 1.
- When Perez hooked a sunset flip, he got 2.
- Kerry rolled Perez up again for 1.
- After Kerry reversed a cross corner whip, Perez leaped to the second turnbuckle and launched a cross body block.
- Kerry used momentum to land on top and got 2.
- Following a commercial break, Kerry dropkicked Perez.
- He clotheslined Perez and got 1.
- While Lowrance shilled the spring Star Wars card on 3/20, Perez blasted Kerry over the top rope to the floor.
- Kerry re-entered the ring via sunset flip and got 2.
- Getting annihilated by a discus punch, Perez soared over the top rope to the floor.
- Kerry joined, but Perez tried to ram him into the ring post.
- Instead, Kerry made Perez HIT THE POLE.
- Back in the ring, Kerry hip-tossed Perez, gave him a cross corner whip, and took him down with an arm drag.
- Perez countered a side head lock with a belly-to-back suplex and followed with a knee drop for 2.
- Suplexing Perez, Kerry blocked one by Perez.
- Speaking of Perez, he hooked an inside cradle for 1.
- Kerry gave Perez another cross corner whip and military-press-slammed him.
- Landing an elbow drop, Kerry got another 1.
- They brawled with each other, and referee Rick Hazzard got caught in the crossfire.
- Mounting the top turnbuckle, Kerry WHIFFED on a cross body block.
- Perez nefariously tossed Kerry over the top rope to the floor, but Hazzard remained OUT COLD. Thank goodness. I would hope they wouldn’t change the World title like that.
- Nevertheless, trying to powerslam Kerry from the apron into the ring, Perez lost momentum, and Kerry landed on top.
- Do we have a new champion?
- 1-2-3.
- Yes, Kerry won at 17:17 shown.
- WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Rating: ***½
Summary: For the second time in his career, Kerry became World champion.
After the match, the babyfaces flood the ring to celebrate with Kerry while the Dallas faithful chants his name.
We head to Fort Worth with the aftermath of Thunderdome as the Freebirds destroy Kevin. As Angel of Death removes referee John Keaton from the cage, he locks it with his own handcuffs. How dastardly! Embry removes his boot and bludgeons Shaun who is BUSTED OPEN.
When Bob Bradley tries to assist the babyfaces, Angel of Death beats him up. On the other hand, Kerry arrives and obliterates Angel of Death. While he breaks the door open, Kerry sends the heels scurrying.
At ringside, Tatum cuts another promo alongside Victory.
Match 3: Kevin Von Erich versus Buddy “Jack” Roberts
Highlights:
- Roberts ambushed him before the bell, but Kevin dealt him a cross corner whip.
- When he monkey-flipped Roberts, Kevin hooked a sleeper.
- Angel of Death approached ringside, yet Kevin unleashed a standing dropkick to Roberts.
- After Hayes also approached ringside, he chased Angel of Death into the ring.
- Kevin brawled with Angel of Death, so referee Bronko Lubich called for the bell.
- As a result, the match was thrown out at 1:28.
Rating: NONE
Summary: More angle than match as Hayes enters the war against the Freebirds.
Following the match, Kevin pounds on Angel of Death while Hayes threatens to split Roberts open. Suddenly, Parsons sprints into the ring to rescue Roberts. Hayes and Kevin send both Parsons and Angel of Death reeling to the floor with tremendous approval from the Dallas faithful to end the episode.
Conclusion: As if 1988 couldn’t get any better, this episode is unquestionably one of the best episodes in the WCCW vault. Kerry’s capturing the World title remains a tremendous tip of the cap to his unfathomable comeback from serious injury. In addition, the Simpson brothers captured gold to the detriment of Tatum and Victory. Lastly, the Hayes promo stands as a veritable lesson on how to cut a promo.
Next week, Hayes battles Perez!
TV Rating: NONE
Stay tuned for WCCW 03-26-88!
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