Mike Reviews WCCW 20th March 1982
By Michael Fitzgerald on 20 March 2024
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
I don’t want to tread on Rock Star Gary‘s toes too much, as he’s our resident World Class guy around these parts, but I noticed that this episode of WCCW aired exactly 42 years ago today, so here’s a review of it. I’ve sadly yet to see The Iron Claw as of writing this, but hopefully I’ll get around to it soon.
You can view all the matches from this taping below;
WCCW is emanating from Dallas, Texas on the 7th of March 1982 (aired on 20th March 1982)
Calling the action are Mark Lowrance and Al Madril
The announce team runs down the card, and they’re excited about Kerry von Erich’s match later on.
Match 1
Bugsy McGraw Vs Jose Lothario
Lothario would eventually go on to manage Shawn Michaels in the WWF. This one is a brawl from the off, as they quickly head to the floor and start flinging one another into stuff. It’s a fight that wouldn’t look too out of place in ECW 11 years later on. McGraw even hits Lothario with a chair at one stage, which the referee allows, because I’m guessing the wrestler’s were given more leeway to brawl in WCCW? I’m not too familiar with the product in all honesty. Things finally head back to the ring, with Lothario trying to work some holds, but as I type that, they head back out again for more brawling. McGraw’s selling is super cartoony, but the crowd seems to accept it. McGraw eventually manages to clock Lothario with a concealed international object and that’s enough for three
WINNER: BUGSY MCGRAW
RATING: *1/2
Thoughts: You like punching and kicking? Well boy have I got a match for you! Joking aside, this was decent enough for a TV match, with it mostly being brawling. McGraw’s selling was a bit OTT, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind
Match 2
NWA Texas Champion “Wild” Bill Irwin w/ Frank Dusek Vs Richard Blood
Irwin would go on to become The Goon in the WWF during the New Generation Era, whilst Blood shouldn’t be confused with the other Richard Blood (Steamboat). I must admit that I was initially excited thinking that we’d get to see a young Ricky Steamboat wrestling under his real name here, but instead we get this other dude, who doesn’t really compare. Apparently the WCCW fans liked to wind Irwin up by chanting “Chauncey” at him. I assume that’s some kind of a Texas thing?
Irwin controls the majority of the bout here, with Blood occasionally attempting to fight back but not really getting anywhere with it. Blood’s selling is decent enough and any offence he does get looks passable. This match has good crowd reactions due to how much the WCCW faithful hates Irwin, so it’s got that going for it at least. Blood eventually attempts a comeback, but Irwin shrugs that off and goes for a Side Slam, but it goes awry and they both end up tangled in the ropes. Bloody hell guys, even DINO BRAVO can execute a Side Slam successfully! Irwin comes off the ropes with something not too soon after that and that’s three.
WINNER: BILL IRWIN
RATING: ½*
Thoughts: This was no good
Bugsy McGraw cuts a promo with Lowrance where he says he’s angry and he’s not going to be playing nice anymore. This was a manic promo, but it got across the idea that McGraw was going to be mean and crazy going forward.
Match 3
King Kong Bundy w/ Gary Hart and hair Vs Relampago Leon w/ Jose Lothario
Bundy had apparently been an ally to the von Erich’s in WCCW, but he’s now turned his back on them and the fans to be a Heel. Lothario cuts a promo before the match, saying he wants a Street Fight with Bugsy McGraw, and I’m sure they did that match all over WCCW at live events following this. I really cannot picture Bundy being a babyface, as he’s so much better suited to being a Heel. Bundy dominates for the most part, although Leon does get two from a Missile Dropkick at one stage. This just fires Bundy up though, and a Big Splash wins it soon after.
WINNER: BUNDY
RATING: **
Thoughts: That was okay, as Leon got just enough offence that this wasn’t a full-on squash, and Bundy did some good character work in there
Match 4
NWA American Champion Kerry von Erich Vs NWA American Tag Champ Armand Hussian
Hussain does a ceremonial dance to start, as apparently he was the African Champion at the time, although I’m not sure if that was a real belt or not. It’s wrestling, so I’m going to guess that it wasn’t. Hussain dominates the match in the early going, as WCCW seems to have eschewed the babyface shine for the most part tonight. I’m not sure if that was a regular thing there or just a specific thing for this particular taping. Kerry’s selling isn’t bad, and he starts making a comeback, at which point Great Kabuki runs in for the DQ.
DOUBLE DQ
RATING: N/A
Thoughts: This one never really got going. Why was it a double DQ though? Kerry was attacked whilst a match was going on, why did he get DQ’ed?
Al Madril saves Kerry from a post-match beat down.
We close with some taped highlights of a match between Great Kabuki and Kerry von Erich. Sadly we don’t get any sound for it. Gary Hart and Fritz von Erich end up getting involved. King Kong Bundy ends up getting involved as well, which leads to Kabuki getting the win. This would have been a lot better if we could have heard the crowd. Kevin von Erich (with wrestling boots) makes the save for his brother and dad.
In Conclusion
I’m not sure that I’ll be a regular WCCW viewer, but this wasn’t too bad. I think you have to grade this sort of stuff on a curve, as the main focus of these shows were to get personalities over so that you’d pay to go and see them when WCCW rolled through your town. They’re not really designed to give you lots a good wrestling, so if you come in looking for that then you’ll leave disappointed
