World Class Wrestling Association April 2, 1988

by

Taped from Dallas, TX

Airdate: April 2, 1988 (taped 03/25)

Attendance: 1,700

Hosted by Marc Lowrance

Can Kerry retain the World title against Parsons? What’s going on with the Freebirds? Guess who’s back? Will the Simpson brothers capture both belts against Tatum and Victory? What happens when Adams and Taylor collide? I’ve heard this is quite the lights-out episode, so grab a flashlight and enter cautiously.

Opening montage.

Match 1: Black Bart versus Bob Bradley

Highlights:

  • For those curious, Bart returned but with shorter hair. Let’s hope he doesn’t get another World title run.
  • Bart clotheslined Bradley, got reversed on a cross corner whip, and ate a hip toss.
  • When Bradley dealt him a flying headscissors, Bart guillotined him with the top rope during a second attempt from Bradley.
  • He slammed Bradley and followed with a leg drop, brother.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Bart won at 2:36.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for the returning Bart.

Match 2 for both the WCWA Texas tag titles and Wild West tag titles: “Hollywood” John Tatum & the “Heartthrob of New Jersey” Jack Victory versus Steve & Shaun Simpson

Highlights:

  • This match occurred in Fort Worth on 3/20 and was joined in progress.
  • As referee Rick Hazzard placed Steve back in the babyface corner, Shaun attempted an O’Connor roll on Tatum.
  • Grabbing one of the belts at Renelli’s table, Victory CLOBBERED Shaun with it. How dastardly!
  • Somehow Tatum only got 2.
  • Victory tagged in and dealt Shaun an elbow smash despite the Fort Worth faithful’s ringing chant of “go, Shaun, go.”
  • Although Shaun was BUSTED OPEN, he tried a sunset flip but ate a knuckle sandwich instead.
  • A mid-ring collision occurred, and Shaun made the HOT TAG.
  • When Steve sent Victory to the concrete floor, Tatum unceremoniously brought the beleaguered Shaun back into the ring the hard way.
  • Shaun reversed a cross corner whip and monkey-flipped Tatum.
  • After Steve mounted the top turnbuckle, he scored with a cross body block.
  • In lieu of Tatum, Victory took the bump due to pushing him out of harm’s way.
  • 1-2-3.
  • The Simpson brothers won BOTH titles at 2:43 shown.

Rating: NONE

Summary: Too short to rate, but from where I sit, Tatum and Victory’s job is to do everything possible to get the Simpson brothers over. Without question, they’ve performed their job well.

We revisit last week when Hart interfered costing Perez the match against Hayes. The heels double-teamed Hayes until Kerry rescued him. Afterward, they shook hands in solidarity.

Match 3: “Iceman” King Parsons versus Michael P.S. Hayes

Highlights:

  • This match took place in Fort Worth on 3/20 and was joined in progress.
  • When Hayes leapfrogged him, he sent Parsons reeling down to the concrete floor.
  • Following a clip, Buddy Roberts jumped into the ring, yet Hayes noticed him.
  • Referee Bronko Lubich called for the bell despite no contact being made.
  • As a result, Hayes won by DQ at 1:10 shown.

Rating: NONE

Summary: More angle than match as you will see.

After the match, Hayes senses the double-team and thwarts it with right hands to both Freebirds. Terry Gordy jumps into the ring to confront his longtime friend. While Parsons tries to get Hayes, Gordy stops him. Hayes grabs the microphone and pleads with Gordy to tell everyone who’s lying. As the segment completes, he accuses Roberts of “screwing up (his) concert.”

Back at ringside within the Sportatorium, Gordy wants to find the “bad apple in the bunch.” Footage of the brawl at the concert is shown.

Match 4: Michael “P.S.” Hayes versus Buddy “Jack” Roberts

Highlights:

  • It’s Freebird versus Freebird!
  • As Roberts took the early advantage, Hayes responded hard enough to send him reeling between the ropes to the floor.
  • The brawl continued, and Roberts signaled for a bulldog.
  • When Hayes retaliated, he dumped Roberts with his own bulldog.
  • Roberts sought refuge on the floor, but Hayes leaped from the apron and blasted him with a double axe handle.
  • Back in the ring, Hayes dealt Roberts a ten-punch count-along.
  • Suddenly, Gordy waltzed into the ring to STOP THE MADNESS.
  • Referee Bronko Lubich called for the bell, and Hayes won by DQ at 2:22.

Rating: NONE

Summary: Again, more angle than match as you will see.

Following the match, Gordy plays peacemaker and grabs the microphone. He wants to get to the bottom of this and summons Parsons to the ring. While Hayes exits the ring in protest, Gordy questions Hayes’ faith in him. With Hayes on the apron, Vince Apollo steps into the ring with Parsons in tow.

According to Lowrance, Angel of Death has been SOLD to Apollo! Since Angel of Death is no longer a Freebird, Gordy claims there’s peace among the Freebirds, but Hayes isn’t buying what he’s selling. Parsons is LIVID.

Match 5 for the WCWA Texas title: Terry Taylor (champion) versus “Gentleman” Chris Adams

Highlights:

  • This match occurred in Fort Worth on 3/20 and was joined in progress.
  • As Taylor reversed an Irish whip, Adams scored with a Thesz press. If you wondered where Austin learned it, here it was.
  • Adams dealt him a ten-punch count-along, but Taylor used momentum and the trunks to send Adams reeling between the ropes to the concrete floor.
  • When Adams returned, Taylor planted him with a DDT for 2.
  • He wrapped Adam’s left arm with the broken hand in the ropes and pummeled him.
  • After referee Bronko Lubich earnestly tried to assist Adams, Taylor located the Texas title belt.
  • Taylor charged, but Adams booted him down.
  • While Adams retrieved the belt from Lubich, he CLOCKED Taylor repeatedly with it.
  • The match segued to the concrete floor, and Adams rammed Taylor face-first into Renelli’s table.
  • Back in the ring, Adams countered a back drop attempt with his own DDT.
  • Following a clip, referee Bronko Lubich counted Taylor out at 8:00 shown.

Rating: **

Summary: Interestingly, this is the first time I’ve seen the DDT used as a transition move in WCCW. Methinks Hayes has something to do about it.

Back at ringside within the Sportatorium, Adams cuts a passionate promo on Taylor.

Match 6 for the WCWA World title: The “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich (champion) versus “Iceman” King Parsons

Highlights:

  • Kerry rolled up Parsons and got 2.
  • As a shoving contest ensued, he hip-tossed Parsons.
  • Following a commercial break, Kerry missed a clothesline, but Parsons didn’t.
  • Parsons got 2.
  • When Parsons hooked an abdominal stretch, Kerry escaped via hip toss but missed an elbow drop.
  • Parsons reapplied the abdominal stretch, but Kerry hip-tossed out of it again.
  • After Parsons blocked a discus punch, he blasted Kerry.
  • Parsons hooked figure-four leg lock, yet Bart approached ringside.
  • With Bart on the apron, Hayes also approached ringside.
  • Kerry countered the hold, yet Gordy signaled for something.
  • All of a sudden, the Sportatorium went DARK.
  • Upon illumination, Parsons stood while Kerry was OUT COLD.
  • Parsons shot the half and pinned Kerry at 6:11.
  • WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: **

Summary: OK, let’s do the math. Al Perez got the call to join Jim Crockett Promotions.  Rather than get a decent payday at Texas Stadium and get pinned by Kerry, Perez split. Insert the “Iceman” who becomes the reigning and defending champion on May 8 at the spectacular. Nevertheless, the match had the makings of something worthwhile until the sports-entertainment finish.

Afterward, Parsons celebrates. Following a commercial break, Frank Dusek checks on the unconscious Kerry while Hayes appears bludgeoned on the floor.

Ring attendants try to assist an unsteady Hayes back to the locker room, yet a stretcher is needed to remove Kerry. As Adams, Sweet Brown Sugar, Steve Casey, and another babyface wrestler slide the stretcher with Kerry on it to the floor, they carry Kerry back to the locker room and hopefully to an awaiting ambulance.

Conclusion: First, this was the week following WWF’s WrestleMania IV. Therefore, WCCW knew many more eyeballs would be watching and crammed everything possible into this episode. If you’re going to grab new fans, throw it all out there and hopefully word-of-mouth spreads.

Second, except for the first two matches, everything was angle-driven. Yes, Parsons, in my eyes, became the first African-American World champion, but it was the angle behind the match that put him there. Nonetheless, kudos to Parsons for his accomplishment.

Third, let’s discuss the angles. Obviously, Taylor-Adams is leading to a big blowoff match possibly at the May 8 spectacular. In addition, all the Freebird chaos including turfing Angel of Death leads to the controversy of the main event. Say what you want about Michael Hayes, but he’s a solid storyteller.

Fourth, as far as my recommendation goes, this is THE 1988 episode all wrestling fans will enjoy. Let’s hope the fallout is just as enthralling.

Next week, Adams and Irwin battle Taylor and Thing! Plus, the fallout to the blackout!

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for WCCW 04-09-88!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).