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The 25 Days of Von Erichs – Day Five

By Rock Star Gary on 1 December 2023

For 21 days until Iron Claw is released, I present to you genuine moments in World Class Championship Wrestling history in chronological order.

Today, we look at December 28, 1982 from Reunion Arena:

Match 1 for the NWA World title (cage): “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (champion) versus the “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich

Highlights:

  • In addition to the cage stipulation, Michael Hayes was the second referee inside the cage.
  • Before the bell rang, Hayes added Gordy as the gatekeeper to prevent others from entering the cage. Hmmm…
  • When Kerry delivered a standing dropkick, Flair tried to obtain a respite, but the cage prevented him from doing so.
  • Kerry nailed Flair resulting in a Flair flop.
  • As Flair hit a knee drop, Hayes asserted his authority to stop Flair’s chicanery.
  • Hayes came between the combatants and asserted his authority toward Kerry. That’s fair at least.
  • After Flair chopped him, he attempted a suplex; however, Kerry escaped and hooked a sleeper.
  • Flair countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
  • When Kerry mounted the top rope, he fed Flair a flying knee drop.
  • Kerry provided a pair of knee drops prior to attempting an Iron claw.
  • As Flair escaped, he dealt Kerry a back elbow.
  • He guillotined Kerry with the top rope and shoved both referees.
  • After Flair landed an elbow drop, he got 2.
  • Kerry applied an abdominal stretch, but Flair escaped.
  • When Kerry rammed him face-first into the cage twice, he raked Flair’s forehead against it.
  • Flair was BUSTED OPEN!
  • As Kerry continued to ram Flair into the cage, the Dallas faithful ate it up with a spoon.
  • Flair wrapped Kerry’s knee around the second rope, and Hayes physically intervened again.
  • While Flair attempted a figure-four leg lock, Kerry shrugged him off.
  • A second attempt earned the same result.
  • After Kerry rammed him again into the cage, he missed a knee drop.
  • Flair successfully hooked a figure-four leg lock, but Kerry wouldn’t submit.
  • When Kerry reversed the hold, Flair writhed in pain until he escaped.
  • Flair tried to exit the cage, and the moon suddenly became full in Dallas.
  • As Kerry relentlessly attacked Flair on the apron, Hayes forcibly shoved him away.
  • Kerry rammed Flair into the cage again and raked him against it.
  • After Flair mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped right into an Iron claw on his bloody forehead.
  • Flair grazed his foot against the bottom rope, so Hayes called for Kerry to break the hold. That’s stretching it a bit.
  • With fervor, Hayes used everything possible to pull Kerry off Flair. That was COMPLETELY unnecessary!
  • The Dallas faithful was NOT thrilled with his actions whatsoever and booed him mercilessly. Yeah! You tell ‘im!
  • When Kerry confronted Hayes, Flair put a knee into his back.
  • Gordy opened the cage door, and Hayes manhandled Flair again.
  • As Flair nailed Kerry in the corner, Hayes belted Flair!
  • Much like a Texan bar fight, this one’s getting out of hand.
  • Hayes instructed Kerry to pin Flair, but Kerry’s too honest to do it.
  • After Hayes placed Kerry atop Flair, he shoved Kerry and exited the cage.
  • Flair put another knee into Kerry’s back sending Hayes flying to the floor.
  • In protest, Gordy SLAMMED the door on Kerry!
  • WE HAVE A HEEL TURN
  • Seriously, that door WHACKED the bejeezus out of Kerry.
  • Hayes re-entered the ring and tossed Manning down to the mat.
  • Although Hayes counted to 3, Kerry kicked out at 2.
  • Manning immediately waived off the pin and tossed Hayes from the match.
  • When Flair rammed Kerry into the cage, he got 2.
  • Kerry was BUSTED OPEN!
  • As Flair rammed him again, he earned a 1-count.
  • Kerry rebounded with a discus punch but collapsed.
  • After Manning checked on him, he called for the bell.
  • Unfortunately, Kerry was unable to continue.
  • Flair retained.

Rating: ***½

Summary: If you want to know the point where WCCW went from average territory to hotter than Hades, look no further than this match. The involvement of the Freebirds altered the course of the match and sparked a nuclear feud against the Von Erichs.

After the match, ring announcer Marc Lowrance calls for the doctor to check on Kerry as Mercer contemplates the seriousness of a concussion for Kerry. Kevin and David storm the ring to check on their younger brother. Pissed off like a bull seeing red, David grabs the microphone and berates the Freebirds for their actions. Kevin and David assist Kerry from the ring while the Dallas faithful chants “Kerry’s #1.”

Stay tuned for more WCCW goodness tomorrow!