As a sucker for WCCW, and more specifically the von Erichs, this show appearing as a Hidden Gem on the WWE Network was a real treat.
Mil Mascaras vs Killer Tim Brooks
This kicks off with a bang, Mascaras hitting a flying chop
to send Brooks to the floor. They work a nice battle over a test of strength,
with Brooks heeling it up, sending Mil to the mat by pulling the mask and
working a top wristlock. Brooks has little moments where he acts like a face,
shaking hands when both men get back to their feet, but then digging in with
cheap shots and little short punches to the head. Mil gets a neat headscissors
from a test of strength that looks great. Brooks takes a big bump, flying over
the top into the ring post on a corner charge, before Mascaras gets the win with
a top rope crossbody. Good stuff
Fritz von Erich vs the Great Kabuki
I’m a sucker for Fritz matches, probably the biggest gap
between “shitty human being” and “wrestler I really like watching”. There’s a
nice contrast between the two, as they both play it cautiously to start. Kabuki
is all weird gestures and oddness, whereas Fritz is just a fighter, plain and
simple. Both give the vibe that one good shot will give them control, and that
makes their caution more effective. Fritz misses a big punch, and Kabuki takes
advantage with kicks and stomps. Kabuki bites Fritz on the mat, but this lets
Fritz take his own opening and apply a stomach claw. There’s also a lovely spot
where Kabuki applies a nerve claw with both hands under Fritz’s left arm, but
this leaves the right hand free to apply a claw with nothing to defend against
it. They really make this work with very little offence, with everything
feeling important. Gary Hart gets involved from ringside, grabbing von Erich’s
leg (and drawing a fan from ringside to attack Hart) and this in turn draws out
David von Erich to attack Kabuki. A dropkick and a backdrop, and Fritz gets the
win. Fritz needing his son to win the match for him feels a bit off, and Kabuki
losing to a backdrop doesn’t help, but this was nicely worked.
Kerry von Erich vs Harley Race
This is for Race’s NWA title, and Race really puts Kerry
over here. It’s mentioned that Kerry beat Race in a non-title match with a
sleeper, and it makes it a big deal when he reverses an early vertical suplex
into a sleeper. Race looks to be out before Race takes advantage of the ref
positioning to hit a low blow and break the hold. Race really sells the effects
of the move, looking dazed and hitting a diving headbutt in part because it
only involves falling. KvE is all fire and energy, and Race is only able to get
his control spots due to his savvy. He breaks pinfalls by knowing he’s near the
ropes and getting his foot in place, and he avoids Kerry’s elbow drops to give
himself more time. However, Kerry is so energised that he’s able to rebound,
thwarting Race from being in control too long. We get the two fighting outside,
with von Erich locking on the claw. A ref bump gives Kerry a visual pin to keep
him looking strong, before they head back outside. Race slams Kerry on a table,
but misses a diving headbutt from the apron (a bump that has to suck, but it’s
the opposite side to the hard camera, so it’s missed by the TV audience) and we
get a double countout, Race grabbing Kerry’s leg to stop him getting back in.
David & Kerry von Erich vs Hercules Ayala & Ali Mustafa
This is for the heels’ NWA tag titles. This was really
great, the von Erich boys looked terrific and the heels played their roles
excellently. Mustafa in particular is a sneaky dickbag, breaking pinfalls,
getting cheapshots and stomping Kevin behind the ref’s back. Kevin is
explosive, hitting a sudden slam and a big elbow right from the bell. Nice von
Erich double team, with David elevating Kevin into a splash on Ayala. Even as
face-in-peril, Kevin is all motion, trying to scurry to his corner and forcing
Mustafa to stay on his toes to block the tag. The faces do get a lot of tags in
this match, but find it hard to maintain control as the heels keep cutting them
off. We get a few melees, with all four men brawling. Nice spot with Mustafa
hitting a slingshot into a big Ayala forearm, and it gets paid off with the
finish, as he sets up a slingshot on David, who battles and hold him bent in
place to allow a top rope sunset flip from Kevin for the victory. Great match,
huge post match celebrations make this feel like a big deal.
Battle Royal
Big names here include Bruiser Brody, Jose Lothario, Ayala,
Mustafa, Tim Brooks and a bunch of filler. I’m a sucker for a battle royal, but
they’re a pain to recap. Mustafa and Ayala don’t spend as much time teaming up
as you’d expect them to do. With pinfalls and submissions allowed, we get a few
dogpile pinfalls, which is always a neat spot. We get down to Mustafa and
Brooks against Brody, which makes the winner pretty obvious. Ali holds Brody in
place, but he ducks and Brooks sends both himself and Mustafa to the floor to
give Brody the win. Sub ten minute match, pointless but painless.
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