WCCW 08-11-1984

Who will challenge Hernandez for the American title tonight? Just exactly who are the Pretty Young Things, and what are they up to? And who will join me for this metropolitan episode?

In case you’re curious, Ralph Pulley performed announcing duties due to Marc Lowrance’s summer vacation.

Weingeroff dropkicked Link twice sending him between the ropes to the apron.
When Weingeroff reversed a cross corner whip, Link took a sternum-first bump.
Weingeroff then mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a missile dropkick.
As Link rebounded with a pair of head butts, he mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a flying head butt.
He then countered a shoulder block with a head butt to the midsection.
Upon mounting the second turnbuckle, Link launched a diving head butt.
1-2-3.
Link won.

Match 2: Pretty Young Things versus “Rock’n’Roll” Buck Zumhofe & Mike Reed

Perhaps this is what Zumhofe…oh, never mind.

For those unaware, the Pretty Young Things were portrayed by Koko B. Ware and Norvell Austin.

Ware hip-tossed Zumhofe but ate a mule kick.
As heel miscommunication caused Austin to hit the floor, Zumhofe tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Ware.
Austin tagged in and put a boot into Zumhofe’s midsection.
When Zumhofe blocked a slam attempt, he slammed Austin.
Ware came in and received the same treatment.
After Zumhofe scored with a double noggin knocker, Reed tagged in but ate a back elbow from Austin.
Ware tagged in and supplied Reed with a belly-to-belly suplex followed by a seated senton.
As Austin tagged in, the Pretty Young Things landed a double back elbow to Reed.
Austin then dropkicked Reed and tagged in Ware.
When Ware delivered a standing leg drop, Austin tagged in and provided Reed with an Anderson slam.
He then hit an elbow drop followed by a high knee.
After he supplied Reed with a knee lift, Austin tagged in Ware.
While the Dallas faithful chanted “go Mike, go,” a mid-ring collision occurred.
Hot tag Zumhofe.
As he rammed Austin into Ware knocking him to the floor, Zumhofe got 2.
He then rang Austin’s bell for another 2.
When tags were exchanged on both sides, all four wrestlers were in the ring.
Austin then applied a bear hug to Reed, and Ware mounted the top turnbuckle.
After Ware clobbered him with a diving head butt, he pinned Reed.

Summary: Decent tag match where Ware played heel. I had never seen him perform that role until now.

Prior to the next match, Pulley announces that Kevin Von Erich is experiencing travel delays “from Phoenix,” and Mike Von Erich will substitute for him. For the sake of kayfabe and legitimacy, Pulley noted that Hernandez accepts the change in opponent.

Roberts landed a knee into Strongbow’s midsection and followed with an elbow smash for 2.
When he scored with an uppercut, Roberts got another 2.
He then guillotined Strongbow with the top rope, mounted the top turnbuckle, and delivered a flying elbow smash.
As he followed with an elbow drop, Roberts couldn’t get 3.
He then hit a swinging neckbreaker for another 2.
After Roberts got tied up in the ropes, Strongbow punted him down near the Rio Grande.
With Strongbow on the apron, Roberts guillotined him with the top rope again.
Strongbow rebounded with a HARD cross corner whip to injure the back.
When he reversed an Irish whip, Strongbow chopped Roberts down to size.
1-2-3.
Strongbow won.

Summary: Roberts led Strongbow through a rather tough, boring match, yet Strongbow didn’t impress me here. The stalling by both wrestlers at the beginning was awful too.

Match 4 for the NWA American title: The “Handsome Half-Breed” Gino Hernandez (champion) versus Kevin Mike Von Erich

Hernandez gave Mike a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
As Mike dropkicked him, he sent Hernandez flying out of the ring.
Mike then leap-frogged and backdropped Hernandez.
When Mike delivered a second dropkick, Hernandez sought refuge on the floor.
Hernandez returned and landed a back elbow.
After Mike responded with a sleeper, Hernandez countered with a shot to the top turnbuckle.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Mike caught and slammed him down to the mat.
As Mike backdropped him again, he got 2.
Hernandez rebounded with a vicious clothesline and followed with a swinging neckbreaker.
When he clotheslined Mike again, Hernandez suplexed him twice.
He then made his way to the turnbuckle but noticed Stella Mae French at the timekeeper’s table.
After Mike rolled up the distracted Hernandez, he scored the pinfall.

As you’d expect, the Dallas faithful EXPLODED!

WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Truly the highlight of Mike’s career as Hernandez put him over due to being overconfident.

After the match, Hernandez protests like a petulant child while Zumhofe and Weingeroff come to ringside to celebrate the incredible upset.

Conclusion: Absolutely historical episode as Mike Von Erich sits atop the promotion. What was fascinating about this episode was the lack of interviews and features. We got four matches, and the show was over. What do you think, Kermit?

Wow, Kermit! You’re quite the big shot in the big city! Thanks for stopping by and best wishes!