World Class Wrestling Association August 9, 1986

Taped from Dallas, TX

Airdate: August 9, 1986 (taped 07/25)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Bill Mercer

Can Borne upset Adams to earn a World title shot? What’s next in the war between Sawyer and Kevin? What can Rude do for you? Get on your marks, ‘cuz this episode’s ready to GO!

Opening montage.

Match 1: The US Express versus “Killer” Tim Brooks & Grappler 2

Highlights:

· Grappler 2 tagged in, but Bart caught him with a cross body block for 2.

· When Brad leapfrogged Grappler 2, Bart followed with a clothesline.

· Brad gave Grappler 2 a cross corner whip and followed with a monkey flip.

· As he gave Grappler 2 another cross corner whip, Brad came up empty on his follow-through.

· Grappler 2 fed Brad a knee to the midsection and slammed him.

· After a fist drop, Grappler 2 got 2.

· He landed a leg drop for another 2.

· While Brooks tagged in, the heels dealt Brad a double knee to the midsection.

· Brooks scored with a pair of leg drops to the midsection but missed a third attempt.

· Tagging in, Grappler 2 delivered a backbreaker and a knee lift.

· Brooks tagged in, slammed Brad, and tagged out.

· Avoiding an elbow drop, Brad made the HOT TAG to Bart.

· Bart dropkicked Grappler 2, lowered a knee drop, and got 2.

· With all four wrestlers in the ring, Bart trapped Grappler 2 in a sleeper.

· Brooks dumped Brad and clobbered Bart.

· Attempting a double-team, Brooks miscalculated, so Grappler 2 ate a knee instead of Bart.

· Nailing a dropkick, Bart hooked a somersault rollup on Grappler 2.

· Meanwhile, Brad trapped Brooks by the foot to prevent a save.

· 1-2-3.

· The US Express won at 10:56.

Rating: **½

Summary: Good psychology by the heels to work over Brad’s midsection, yet the tag formula combined with some ingenuity by the babyfaces led to a victory by the US Express.

At ringside, Mercer interviews Adams who cuts a promo on Rude. He also names Sawyer and Borne as upcoming challengers.

Oops! Chyron prior to the break reads: “Rick Rood…” Kayfabe, man, kayfabe!

Match 2: “Ravishing” Rick Rude (w/ Percy Pringle) versus Perry Jackson

Highlights:

· Pompously, Rude provided a lot of posturing to start the bout.

· Rude fed Jackson a snap suplex for 2.

· As he dealt Jackson a vertical suplex, Rude got another 2 but didn’t want to pin him yet.

· He clotheslined Jackson but pulled off again.

· When he flattened Jackson with a Rude Awakening, Rude pinned him at 3:44.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for the former World champion.

Following the match, Rude shouts: “Where’s Chris Adams now?”

Match 3 (non-title): WCWA Texas champion “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer versus Kevin Von Erich

Highlights:

· This match that occurred on 7/21 from Fort Worth was joined in progress and sported a robust attendance of 900.

· When Kevin applied the Iron Claw, Borne stormed the ring and located Sawyer’s chain from the ringside table.

· He obliterated Kevin with it causing an immediate DQ of Sawyer at 0:29.

Rating: NONE

Summary: Too short to rate, but I’ll bet there’s some post-match chicanery.

Speaking of which, Borne hogties the chain around Kevin, and Sawyer lifts him overhead. Steve Simpson sprints to the ring and dumps Borne immediately. As he rescues Kevin, Simpson BELTS Sawyer with one blow sending him between the ropes to the concrete floor. Angry, Kevin grabs the microphone and threatens to end Sawyer’s career.

We then revisit the match between Kevin and Sawyer from two weeks ago (taped 7/11). When Sawyer attempts to decapitate him with a chair, Kevin applies an Iron Claw. Sawyer escapes briefly before Kevin makes him HIT THE POLE. With Sawyer BUSTED OPEN, Kevin physically ejects him from the Sportatorium. Doggedly, Sawyer returns for more punishment at Kevin’s hands.

Match 4(non-title): WCWA World champion “Gentleman” Chris Adams versus “Maniac” Matt Borne

Highlights:

· Abruptly, a brawl ensued, and both wrestlers spilled over the top rope to the floor.

· Upon their return, Borne dealt Adams some punches in the corner, but the Dallas faithful wouldn’t join him since Adams was their favorite.

· Adams countered with an inverted atomic drop but missed an elbow drop.

· As Borne planted a knee to the midsection, he used the trunks to send Adams into the corner.

· Adams leapfrogged Borne, but they botched a monkey flip.

· When Adams slammed him, he knocked Borne silly with a superkick.

· Since Borne rolled to the floor, he grabbed a wooden chair but thought better than to use it.

· Adams brought him back into the ring the hard way and applied a sleeper.

· Once Adams attempted a pin, Borne placed his leg on the bottom rope.

· Borne escaped and guillotined Adams with the top rope.

· After the match segued to the floor, Borne slammed Adams out there scaring the screaming women at ringside.

· He locked Adams’ head in the ropes and attempted to hang him.

· While the Dallas faithful agonized over Adams’ fate, referee Ralph Pulley released him.

· Borne fed Adams a swinging neckbreaker and got 2.

· Hooking a German suplex with a bridge, Borne earned another 2-count.

· He clotheslined Adams but couldn’t get 3.

· Reversing a cross corner whip, Adams ate knee on his follow-through.

· Borne rolled him up for yet another 2, yet, I’m surprised he didn’t put his feet on the ropes.

· Nevertheless, Borne delivered a vertical suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed what appeared to be a flying double stomp.

· Adams countered a haymaker with a backslide and pinned Borne at 12:32.

Rating: ***

Summary: Due to the extreme heat within the building, the match was slower than it should have been, however, Adams was able to withstand Borne’s offense and heel mannerisms to squeak out a victory. On the more ominous side, I would NOT want to go drinking with either of these guys as their drunken wars are quite legendary.

Conclusion: Adams survives both Borne and the heat from the building to remain strong as a babyface champion for the Dallas faithful. Also, the names of challengers for the Texas title shifts from Kevin to Simpson although the pacing of the episode could have to told the story in a better way. Rude remains strong in his pursuit to recapture the World title, and the US Express had a tough test in the opener.

If this episode doesn’t illustrate how hard the wrestlers worked in a building without air conditioning and under hot TV lights, you’d better watch that main event again. In addition, if you’re a fan of squash matches, Rude’s showboating and arrogance are ripe for the picking.

POINT OF ORDER: In case you’re curious, 1986 was very much a tag team friendly year for pro wrestling as all territories showcased solid matches featuring them.

In the next episode, Sawyer defends the Texas title against Simpson plus the return of Mike Von Erich!

HOWEVER, with Iron Claw to be released within the next month, I’m going to showcase the greatness of WCCW to promote the film. Stay tuned!

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for WCCW 08-16-86 FUN!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202). Also, please check out all my reflections at rockstargary.com including the Monday Night War and Herb Abrams’ UWF!