WCCW Parade of Champions 28.05.1984
Irwing, TX
Attendance: 57277
TV rating: 1.09
Show quality: 80
A video package shows us the most recent events of the main rivalries, mainly the Texan camp versus the Four Horsemen and the Freebirds versus the von Erichs (83)
CHRIS ADAMS & TOMMY RICH vs MR. X & TULLY BLANCHARD
The announcers say that X has been an ally of Rich and especially Adams for quite a bit, but things are now a bit tense and Blanchard' influence might not be good for X. Blanchard works a full-blown heel, dragging X in his dirty tactics and X seems a reluctant at times. Namely, X doesn't want to cheat against Adams, who seems quite annoyed by this and slaps Adams to provoke him. The heels show great chemistry and isolate Rich, but then Adams gets the hot tag and it's finally him against X! X is finally ready to hit Adams... but he superkicks Blanchard instead! Adams is confused and pins Blanchard while looking at X, the referee counts to 3! (68) (11:03)
Postmatch a confused X and Adams go face to face, but Rich pushes X and tells him to stop with this! X doesn't reply, but then takes his mask off... and it's GINO HERNANDEZ?! Rich is confused and he turns towards Adams, who superkicks him! Adams is shocked as well, but he leaves the ring with Gino! (65)
#1 CONTENDER BATTLE ROYAL
DUTCH MANTELL vs JOSE LOTHARIO vs AL MADRIL vs BARRY WINDHAM vs BILL IRWINw/ vs BRIAN ADIAS vs CHECKMATE vs ICEMAN PARSONS vs MAGIC DRAGON vs TERRY TAYLOR vs RICKY MORTON vs ROBERT GIBSON vs BRET HART vs MIKE JOHNSON vs HECTOR GUERRERO
The announcers say this should be fun, as a lot of regulars are on the ring with the addition of some CState faces (Hector, Bret, Jose), a new player like Mantell and the completely unknown Johnson. Irwina and Adias renew their rivalry and end up eliminating each other here. Johnson eliminates Madril, but then Guerrero throws him out quite easily. Morton and Gibson are easily the best duo, but Taylor eliminates Gibson. Final four: Mantell, Windham, Morton and Hart. Windham is on fire and eliminates Mantell, Hart and then Morton to win the match! Windham will get a World Title shot! (65) (10:29)
On stage Bill Mercer interviews the Four Horsemen. Ric Flair says that the Horsemen will definitely have a clean sweep tonight, because that's what they do! Mercer asks Ted DiBiase about Devastation Inc. and DiBiase replies that all he needs to know is that they will be on his side for his match (81)
WCCW WORLD TAG TITLES
THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (c) (w/ Bobby Heenan) vs THE FANTASTICS
Bobby Fulton wrestles with his arm taped after the attack he received at the last TV show and JR says that this is a huge disadvantage for the Fantastics, not only they need to win the match but one of them is also hurt. This is clearly a problem, as Fulton fights with one arm and Rogers helps him all the time with frequent tags, thus ending up being predictable for the champions not to take advantage. R&R Express join at ringside and cheer for the Fantastics! Fulton gets the hot tag and clears the ring with one arm, getting a few near falls in the process, but Heenan grabs a title belt and hits him on his arm! Fulton is in too much pain and Eaton locks him in an armbar! Condrey stops Rogers' rescue and Fulton taps out! MNX retain! (74) (11:30)
On stage Bill Mercer interviews the Funks, Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody. Mercer asks Terry about the six men tag, but Funk says that this is Hansen's night and their job is to beat up the Horsemen to make sure they don't spoil the main event. Hansen thanks his friend and tells Flair that it's finally them, one against another, and he's sure that Flair knows damn well what is about to happen! (74)
HARDCORE MATCH
TED DIBIASE & DEVASTATION INC (w/ Skandor Akbar) vs THE FUNKS & BRUISER BRODY
With Akbar at ringside, Heenan leaves the area as he claims that he's busy preparing the strategy for the title match, but JR says he's just a coward and DiBiase is not happy. This match is a complete slugfest and they fight all over the place! While DiBiase and Dory Jr keep their feud more submission based, the other four use chairs and whatever they see fit to hurt their opponents! Murdoch, Terry and Brody are all bleeding here. The babyfaces hit Bundy together with a running lariat and Bundy falls from the apron, crushing Murdoch under his weight! DiBiase is by himself and he knows he has his 3 opponents behind him! DiBiase shows the middle finger and doesn't back down, but Dory Jr hits the piledriver on him for the pinfall! (81) (13:31)
On stage Bill Mercer interviews Buddy Roberts, asking him where the hell he was 3 days ago and last week when the Freebirds ambushed the von Erichs. Roberts says that he wasn't at the last show, while the previous week he was getting home because he had no match on the card and was preparing to leave. Kerry and Kevin von Erich stop the interview and tell Roberts that he might be lying or not, they will find out shortly, and he better be on the right side! (84)
MAGNUM TA (w/ Sherri) vs TITO SANTANA (w/ Sunshine)
JR says that this is one of the matches he was looking forward to, Magnum has been an impressive force since his debut and he's also undefeated. Santana offers a handshake and Magnum refuses it, not showing respect as usual like he's been doing since the start of the feud. It's quite a different style from the previous match, Santana is quick on the mat and takes a few risks, but Magnum seems in great form and doesn't hold back. Santana uses his experience to stop his opponent's strength. Magnum cuts off Santana and lifts him for the belly to belly suplex, but he jumps too high and Santana rolls him up with a small package! 1... 2... 3! Santana has barely pinned Magnum TA, who is furious! (76)
Postmatch Santana again offers his hand to Magnum, who thinks about it and then refuses to shake Santana's hand again! Magnum walks off angry for the loss, while Santana is disappointed (68)
WCCW SIX MEN TAG TITLES
THE FABULOUS FREEBIRDS (c) vs KEVIN VON ERICH, KERRY VON ERICH & BUDDY ROBERTS
JR and Gary Hart both say that the challengers only stand a chance if they put their differences behind them, because Roberts knows the Birds well and so can take advantage of their weaknesses. JR hopes that Roberts won't be a traitor, as he seems genuine but his actions have created a few doubts in his mind. This is the theme of the match, as Roberts is left on his own device for a bit, like the brothers are trying to test him, but then Kerry and Kevin get involved and the challengers seem to be incredibly hard to fight! Roberts wants Hayes, as he was the mastermind behind everything, and they both bleed after a gruelling fight! Kerry is isolated in the champions' corner, then Kevin gets the hot tag and hell breaks loose! The match becomes too chaotic and the referee can't seem to control it. Garvin hits Kevin low and Kevin goes down, so Roberts tags himself in and goes all out again! Kerry uses his remaining energy to hit a dive on Garvin and Hayes, but in the ring Gordy stops Roberts' offence and hits a powerbomb! 1... 2... 3! The Freebirds retain! (81) (15:41)
Postmatch the von Erichs are disappointed, as once again they failed at capturing gold, even though they were not defeated! However, they pat Roberts on the back and JR says that Roberts proved himself tonight, he's not a Freebird and he's his own man (82)
WCCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
RIC FLAIR (c) (w/ Bobby Heenan) vs STAN HANSEN
Hansen finally gets his title shot and JR says that Flair is heavily outweighed for the first time in a title defence, so he better come up with something because Hansen seems ready to go, despite his abdomen area being taped for the attack he received 3 days ago on TV! Flair and Heenan talk into each other's ear a lot and seem to have a plan in mind, but Hansen rolls out of the ring as soon as the bell rings and lariats Heenan! Flair loses his sh** and now all he has planned is useless! Hansen is a force and easily outpowers Flair, but he doesn't move quickly because he has a few cracked ribs and this damages his breath. Flair sells a lot and struggles bit time, but finally turns the match around and then, of course, works on the opponents' ribs and abdomen. Flair finally locks in the figure four, Hansen is in pain but desperately reaches the ropes! Hansen is in pain and the referee checks on him, but Hansen pushes him away because Flair is running towards him! Flair stops because the referee trips on him... lariat by Hansen! A second referee runs down! 1... 2... 3!!! Hansen has done it!!! (80) (17:14)
But wait... the original referee gets up and disqualifies Hansen!!! Hansen is furious and says that he only pushed him away because Flair was going to jump him from behind anyway!!! The referee is holding his head because of the pain and says his decision is final, Hansen now wants to seriously put his hands on him but is stopped by the second referee! Flair grabs the belt and goes backstage, but Hansen yells that it's not over! (86)
Show notes
- 1.09 is my highest TV rating so far, I wish I could run PPVs because roughly 820.000 people watches this for free. This surely gets me more popular in three different countries, though. If we also consider the fans that attended the show, almost 880.000 fans watched the show live and it's a very cool number!
- Something didn't go well in the main event, but I can't understand what. I mean, this is what Fritz told me after "roadagenting" the match: action was "superb", both Flair and Hansen were "on form", the storyline "gained heat", the chemistry was "great"... and it only got an 80 rating. I mean, 80 is not bad, but if you read the above, you assume this is MOTYC. Was it the Dusty finish? Maybe it was. They can't follow von Erichs vs. Freebirds? Also, maybe. I think it was a good advancement anyway, unless I'm forgetting something it's the first time I used a non-finish in a supershow main event
- I have to admit that I was a bit worried about the von Erichs match, as some of the segments involving Roberts have been a bit flat. Or, to be more precise, have been just decent in a storyline that got us used to greatness. This is not the blowoff, we all know that, but I think it was a nice step and it leads me towards the next chapter. Just a couple months ago, Roberts resigned for a year and his future depends on how he does in the next few months, he's 37 and slowing down a bit
- The hardcore match worked quite well, while my crowd loves technical wrestling they are always up for a great brawl. DiBiase was protected in his loss, as the babyfaces needed some momentum. Terry was great, but apparently his gimmick is getting a bit stale and that's why his promo didn't come across as effective as usual
- Santana and Magnum has a delicate task tonight, not only I wanted a good match but they were told to have a "basic" bout because they were in the middle between two heated fights and I didn't want the crowd to die. Their great chemistry helped and this went great, I am looking forward for the feud to continue
- The tag titles are gaining more prestige and the match went quite well as I was hoping, the end goal is of course the MNX vs R&R blowoff as the slow tease is not hurting the belts at all
- It was finally time to unmask Mr. X and showcase Gino Hernandez as the great talent he is. I was planning for this to go even longer and for the mask to be taken off during a match, but the mask only has a 15% prestige anyway and Rich has been annoying me a lot lately, so I better speed this up because I got the feeling he might ruin it
- As promised, the Battle Royal was an undercard deal but I really wanted to give Windham a bit of spotlight. As he just signed his contract, he needs to get a bit more over in my region and that is a good steppingstone for him. I am happy I got to use so many people, Bret Hart performed really well, while Irwin of all people wasn't at his best
- Kerry von Erich, Terry Funk and Ted DiBiase have been praised publicly
Predictions
- anthonymm13: 4/7
- Asaemon: 3/7
- Purotastic: 3/7
- Moore: 2/7
which was even better.