This Saturday, AEW will return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for “All In Texas.” In the spirit of honoring Dallas’ storied wrestling history, the subject of this week’s Rewind-Mania will be World Class Championship Wrestling.
The competitors are Kevin Von Erich, and then-NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair, emanating from the vaunted Sportatorium, on Apr. 1, 1983.
Kevin Von Erich was the eldest brother of the Von Erich clan, who were wrestling royalty in Texas. The family’s patriarch, Fritz Von Erich, was World Class’ proprietor—establishing his regional territory as one of the NWA’s most influential promotions.
Kevin was no stranger to the world stage, having unsuccessfully challenged Harley Race for the NWA title on numerous occasions. This was his first singles encounter with “The Nature Boy,” though, who was redefining the measure of a world champion.
Ric Flair was in the midst of his first official-reign as NWA champion (or his third, by my count) and in the throes of his rivalry with the Von Erichs. Flair had numerous title defenses against David and Kerry Von Erich in 1982. His most notable was three months earlier on Christmas Day, where Flair successfully defended his title against Kerry in an unforgiving steel cage match.
By spring of 1983, Flair was just hitting his stride as a world champion—having already defended his title 47 times in ‘83 alone. The “Nature Boy” carried his momentum into The Sportatorium, looking to secure his 48th title defense against the eldest of the Von Erich brothers.
An abridged version of this match can also be found on Peacock, under “World Class Championship Wrestling: S2 E11.” While the WWE’s archived version is missing some of the original version’s charm, it does include the pre-taped promos from both Kevin and Flair.
In the latter, “The Nature Boy” is wearing an expensive suit. Nothing ostentatious, but fitting for pro-wrestling’s bon vivant. Flair extolled the demands of the world championship, but by the end of the evening—the consummate world champion would be reduced to a bloodied, raving lunatic.
For the main event of a television show, this is extraordinary. Unlike the hour-long broadways that Flair was revered for, this is concise and bombastic. While Kevin never reached the same heights that David or Kerry did, he was a uniquely dynamic worker. And, that is evident in this match.
Kevin is beckoned to the ring by the opening riff of Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold,” bristling with energy as he sprinted down the aisle. Kevin was showered with applause and adoration—emphasizing the unique connection between the Von Erichs and World Class’ faithful in The Sportatorium.
Kevin harnessed that energy and quickly took control of this match from the opening bell, flummoxing Flair with a pair of headscissors.
Once Flair did finally reel the match back into more familiar waters, Kevin quickly accelerated the pace—leveling Flair with a combination of body shots and an irish whip. Kevin saw blood in the water and quickly applied the Von Erichs’ famous Iron Claw, hoping to force “The Nature Boy” to submit. However, Flair narrowly managed to escape, delivering a blow to Kevin’s midsection.
From there, the fulcrum of this match becomes a pair of referee bumps.
The first occurred when Flair haphazardly delivered an elbow drop to the referee. With the official incapacitated, Flair smelled blood in the water—throwing Kevin over the top rope and driving his shoulder into the ringpost. The challenger was nearly counted out, but returned to the ring just in the nick-of-time.
Kevin rallied back with unrelenting force, regaining control of the affair.
However, Kevin’s momentum was halted by the second ref-bump. This time, Flair evaded Kevin’s shoulder tackle—forcing him to collide with the official.
Amidst the chaos, Kevin sent “The Nature Boy” flying over the tope rope and crashing onto the floor below. Kevin followed him, driving his head into the ring post. Famed WCCW official David Manning replaced the NWA official.
In those days, throwing an opponent over the top rope was grounds for disqualification. However, Manning allowed the match to continue, giving the Von Erich clan an opportunity to claim the NWA title.
Kevin seized the moment: climbing to the top rope and delivering a reverse body slam to a bloodied Flair.
The Sportatorium erupted, and David joined his brother in the ring to celebrate. However, their joy was fleeting.
Manning’s decision was reversed by the NWA official, and Kevin was disqualified for throwing Flair over the top rope.
Triumph turned to tragedy for Kevin Von Erich.
As blood poured from Flair’s forehead onto the canvas, “The Nature Boy” howled like a madman. If the arc of the universe bends towards justice, Ric Flair is the exception.
Rating: ****1/4
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