World Class Wrestling Association March 26, 1988

by

Taped from Dallas, TX

Airdate: March 26, 1988 (taped 03/06)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Marc Lowrance

Can Hayes beat Perez? Will Irwin conquer Thing? What happens between Hayes and Kerry? Do we really know what’s on Roberts’ mind?

Opening montage.

Prior to the opening match, Apollo demands quiet so Real Thing can perform his dance.

Match 1: “Wild” Bill Irwin versus the Real Thing (w/ “Playboy” Vince Apollo

Highlights:

  • Frank Dusek joined the broadcast table for this match.
  • Unfortunately for Thing, Irwin’s not a fan of Thing’s moves, so he ambushed Thing.
  • He gave Thing a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
  • When he connected with a back elbow, Thing followed with a diving head butt.
  • Thing missed a second diving head butt, so Irwin blasted him with a pair of big boots.
  • As Dusek referred to World Class as “family-priced wrestling” in smaller venues than the competition, Thing booted Irwin in the midsection.
  • He gave Irwin a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • After Irwin dealt him a knee to the midsection, Thing distracted referee John Keaton.
  • That enabled Apollo to give Irwin the business. SNEAKY!
  • While he clotheslined Irwin, Thing got 2.
  • Apollo tripped Irwin coming off the ropes unbeknownst to Keaton. How dastardly!
  • Following a leg drop by Thing, Irwin leapfrogged him and unloaded a bicycle kick.
  • Apollo tried to make the save but nailed Thing instead.
  • Pitching Apollo over the top rope to the floor, Irwin pinned Thing at 5:18.

Rating: **

Summary: Entertaining match as Irwin overcame Apollo’s interference as well as Thing’s unorthodox tactics. It was also pleasing to see a solid finish rather than a DQ.

In the ring, Lowrance interviews Fort Worth ring announcer Joe Renelli who has located five of the last six Miss Texas finalists for the Miss USA pageant. In order, they are Miss Parker County Melissa Monier, Miss Addison Caroline Syzz, Miss Metroplex Theresa Tucker, Miss Dallas Krystal Cason, and Miss Park City Paula Riano. Who says World Class doesn’t employ women on their show?

Match 2 (non-title): Texas tag team champions ‘Hollywood” John Tatum & the “Heartthrob of New Jersey” Jack Victory versus Jason Sterling & Steve Casey

Highlights:

  • Sterling dropkicked Victory, but tags were exchanged on both sides.
  • As Tatum leapfrogged him, Casey blocked a hip toss and dealt him one of his own.
  • Tags were exchanged on both sides again, and Victory powerslammed Sterling.
  • When Tatum tagged in, he also powerslammed Sterling, employed a prototype version of the Arrogant Cover, and got 2. Somewhere in Winnipeg, a young Chris Jericho was scribbling notes.
  • Tatum clotheslined Sterling and tagged out.
  • After Victory suplexed Sterling, Tatum tagged in and attempted his own suplex.
  • Sterling blocked it and suplexed Tatum.
  • Hot tag Casey.
  • While he gave Victory a cross corner whip, Casey backdropped him.
  • Casey stupidly whipped Victory into the heel corner and monkey-flipped him.
  • In the process, Tatum tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and launched a flying clothesline.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Tatum and Victory won at 5:18.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for the Texas tag champs.

After the match, Tatum disposes of Casey over the top rope to the floor. He and Victory double-team Sterling with a double suplex. Suddenly, Missing Link arrives to save his son’s bacon. He headbutts Victory down and follows with a head butt that sends Tatum over the top rope to the floor.

At ringside, Lowrance interviews Buddy Roberts who cuts a promo on Michael Hayes. As Roberts mentions that he’ll inform Terry Gordy about the concert shenanigans, Parsons grabs the microphone, refers to himself as the N word albeit censored by WWE Network, and informs Hayes that he’ll beat him like he did back in 1983. He refers to the Von Erichs as “rudy poots,” and gets censored again for using the term “ass.”

We revisit last week when Roberts and Kevin were supposed to wrestle against one another; however, it became a melee as Hayes ultimately helped Kevin against the Freebirds. Ted Nugent’s “Strangehold” is left intact during Kevin’s entrance. Thank goodness for small favors.

Match 3: Al Perez (w/ Gary Hart) versus Michael “P.S.” Hayes

Highlights:

  • The Dallas faithful chanted “Mi-chael,” and their hero landed an elbow drop.
  • Following a commercial break, Hayes attempted to bulldog him, but Perez shrugged him off.
  • Perez worked on the back and applied a Boston crab.
  • When Hayes powered out, Perez switched to a stepover toe hold.
  • Hayes escaped but missed an elbow drop.
  • As the Dallas faithful chanted “go, Michael, go,” their hero ate a high knee.
  • Perez got 2, attempted a cross body block, but crashed into the ropes when Hayes ducked.
  • After Hayes nailed him in the midsection, he dealt Perez a double axe handle.
  • He gave Perez a cross corner whip and followed with a back drop.
  • While he reversed a cross corner whip, Hayes connected with a corner clothesline.
  • Hart stumbled into the ring and hammered Hayes WAY DOWNTOWN.
  • As a result, referee Bronko Lubich called for the bell, and Hayes won by DQ at 8:08 shown.

Rating: ***

Summary: Manager interference led to a tainted victory by Hayes.

POINT OF ORDER: This was Perez’s last match in WCCW for over a year, so the least he could have done was job to Hayes, right? Wanna know where’s Perez going? Jim Crockett Promotions, and he’s taking Hart with him. I’m dead serious.

Following the match, the heels double-team Hayes until Kerry rescues him. To send off Hart with best wishes, Kerry blasts him out of the ring. Hayes can’t fathom that Kerry would help him considering all the bad blood from years past. In an incredible moment, they shake hands to the delight of the Dallas faithful.

Video airs featuring Kerry. Included are highlights from matches against Ric Flair, Harley Race, Kamala, One Man Gang, and Perez. Also included is a shot of Kerry with the doctor who helped him recuperate from major surgery.

The episode runs out of time before the Parsons-Kerry match could commence.

Conclusion: Savor the moment. Hayes won as a babyface over Perez. Oh, and say goodbye to Perez and especially Hart. Also, Link gets involved in post-match drama with Tatum and Victory. It’s no question he’s always using his noggin.

Finally, Irwin scores a victory over Thing due to Apollo’s interference backfiring. Rip Morgan needs freshening up as this gimmick has worn out its welcome.

Next week, Kerry battles Parsons with the World title on the line!

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for WCCW 04-02-88!

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