The 25 Days of Von Erichs – Day Twenty

By Rock Star Gary on 16 December 2023

With 6 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 May 19, 1984 from Texas Stadium:

“Hacksaw” Butch Reed beat Chic Donovan.

Match 2 for the NWA World title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (champion) versus the “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich

Highlights:

While Kerry made his entrance, he wore a blue robe bearing “In Memory of David” on the back and carried a yellow rose.
Ring announcer Ralph Pulley declared there was no time limit and the disqualification rule for the champion was waived.
As the Irving faithful LOUDLY chanted “go Kerry, go,” Flair leapfrogged their hero but ate a pair of dropkicks.
Kerry gorilla-press-slammed Flair who sought refuge on the stadium floor.
When Flair returned, he tossed Kerry down to the stadium floor, but Kerry returned via sunset flip for 2.
Kerry reversed a cross corner whip and hooked a sleeper.
After Flair countered with a belly-to-back suplex, he delivered a knee drop.
He suplexed Kerry for 2.
Showing that he still had a lot left, Kerry dealt Flair a standing dropkick.
He hooked an abdominal stretch, but Flair escaped with a hip toss.
As Kerry hit a pair of his own knee drops, he applied an Iron claw.
Will Flair submit?
No, he put a knee somewhere down near Brownsville, TX.
Referee David Manning warned Flair but didn’t disqualify him.
When Flair mounted the top turnbuckle, Kerry caught and slammed him down to the mat.
He gave Flair a cross corner whip resulting in a Flair flip.
While Flair attempted a figure-four leg lock, Kerry blocked it.
Flair made a second attempt but was denied.
After each wrestler blocked a hip toss, Kerry hooked a backslide.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-3!
No way! I can’t believe it!
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Texas Stadium is SHAKING!

Rating: ***

Summary: One of the most historic matches of all-time. Not because of workrate or for being a technical masterpiece, but because this match is a monumental achievement for a family deeply in grief over the fallen David.

After the match, the Von Erich brothers (including Chris), “Gentleman” Chris Adams, “Iceman” King Parsons, Zumhofe, and Donovan flood the ring to congratulate the phenomenal victory by Kerry. In the meantime, Flair is beside himself yet informs Kerry that “(he’ll) be back.” Before he exits the ring, Kerry wraps the belt in the Texan flag and holds a yellow rose high in the air. That was a beautiful nod to David. During Kerry’s return backstage, both Fritz and Doris embrace their victorious son.

Also, Adams & Sunshine defeated “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin & Precious in a mixed-tag match.

Stay tuned for more WCCW goodness tomorrow!