WCCW 12-27-82

Who will win the vacant six-man titles? With $10,000 on a pole, who takes home a spectacular Christmas present? And who will be RSG’s helper with this reflection?

For those unaware, the next two episodes are gleaned from Christmas Star Wars at Reunion Arena—the former home of the Dallas Mavericks.

Prior to the opening match, David and Kevin Von Erich support the Freebirds for their match but also want a shot at the six-man titles. David also wishes Kerry good luck against Flair.

Match 1 for the NWA World Six-Man tag titles (vacant): The Fabulous Freebirds versus Tom Steele, “Iron” Mike Sharpe, & Ben Sharpe

For those unaware, Ben was portrayed by Kelly Kiniski, and Steele was portrayed by Gene Petit a.k.a. Cousin Luke
Much like Terry Gordy did not too long ago, Buddy Roberts joined his Freebirds cohorts in Texas.
However, Hayes grabbed the microphone, wished the Dallas faithful a “Merry Christmas,” and stated that weather conditions prevented Roberts from getting to Dallas. To replace him, David came to the ring and took his place.
When Hayes tagged in, he put a knee into Mike’s back.
David tagged in and dropkicked Mike.
As he delivered a knee drop, David earned a 1-count.
Ben tagged in and hip-tossed David.
After he slammed David, Ben missed a knee drop.
Gordy tagged in and backdropped Ben.
When he powerslammed Ben, Gordy followed with a knee drop for 2.
He then hit a delayed vertical suplex to Ben for another 2.
As Hayes tagged in, the Freebirds supplied Ben with a double back elbow.
Hayes then slammed Ben, mounted the second turnbuckle, hit the big elbow, but couldn’t get 3.
After tags were exchanged on both sides, David dropkicked Steele.
He then piledrove Steele, but Mike tagged in and guillotined David with the top rope.
When Hayes tagged in, he gave Mike a cross corner whip followed by a back drop.
He then delivered an elbow drop for 2.
As Ben tagged in, the Dallas faithful LOUDLY chanted “go, Michael, go.”
Mike tagged in and applied a bear hug to Hayes.
After Hayes escaped, Steele tagged in and hooked a sleeper on him.
Hayes escaped via a snap mare but missed an elbow drop.
When Steele gave Hayes a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Hot tag Gordy.
As he gave Steele a cross corner whip, Gordy came up empty on his follow-through and HIT THE POLE.
Mike tagged in and slammed Gordy.
After Mike missed an elbow drop, David tagged in.
All six wrestlers were in the ring while David hit a high knee to Mike.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: Exciting tag match that followed the formula and enabled the Freebirds along with David to become the inaugural six-man champions.

After the match, Mercer interviews the new champions. David refers to the Freebirds as “quality guys” and relinquishes his spot to Roberts. Classy! Following that, Gordy expresses his joy to achieve more gold.

Prior to the next match, Mercer interviews referee David Manning who explains the rules of the battle royal:

Eliminations occur when a wrestler submits, gets pinned, or is tossed over the top rope.
When only three wrestlers remain, the match changes into a $10,000 on a pole match.

Spoiler, Checkmate, “Captain” Frank Dusek, Ben Sharpe, Tom Steele, King Kong Bundy, “Wild” Bill Irwin, “Iron” Mike Sharpe, Ken Mantell, Bugsy McGraw, Al Madril, Jose Lothario, Magic Dragon, David Von Erich, & Brian Adias

Dusek and Irwin attempted to double-team Mantell, but heel miscommunication ensued.
As David applied an Iron claw to Bundy, Checkmate and Mike eliminated him.
Before David left, he rammed Dusek face-first into the top turnbuckle a few times.

Four men then climbed atop Bundy but couldn’t pin him.
When Bundy crowed about his achievement, McGraw dropkicked him over the top rope to the floor. HA!
Spoiler then pinned Ben.
After a trio of wrestlers pinned him, Dusek shoved referee David Manning.
Off-camera, Lothario and Checkmate were eliminated.
Mantell then tossed Dusek over the top rope to emphatically eliminate him.
As Mantell eliminated Spoiler, McGraw backdropped Irwin to the floor.
Mike then eliminated McGraw much to the Dallas faithful’s dismay.
When Dragon slammed him, Adias rolled through and pinned him.
Madril then sent Steele over the top rope to narrow the field to four.
After Mantell and Adias eliminated Madril, Manning halted the match.
Following a commercial break, Manning climbed the pole to place the money.
Mike then eliminated Adias, but that allowed Mantell to climb and get the check.

As a result, Mantell won.

Summary: This would have been a good way to elevate Adias, but Mantell got the last laugh.

Conclusion: In addition to the unique stipulation to the battle royal, the Freebirds’ victory carries quite a bit of weight going forward. If you’ve never seen the Freebirds and Von Erichs team together, check it out. The next episode features the cage match for the World title.