EvE's World Class Reviews, Plus other random crap. They're Great!

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to reply to a previous World Class Review thread but I just wanted to say that I really enjoy these reviews. By the time I"m done one, I can't wait to see the next review (though I guess 24/7 only shows htem once a month so I must wait). It makes me think--if reading them is that interetsing, what must WATCHING them be like? (24/7 isn't on my satellite service yet here in canada so I don't know if I'll ever get to see them). Still, I wanted to say I was enjoying them so thanks for them, EvE! :)

Yup...thanks. I've been giving myself daily "board boners" by writing about World Class and old GI Joe comics. Those two things make me happier than a pig in shit.

The thing about actually watching World Class is that it's very quirky. Bill Mercer has a monotone voice and while he does show emotion, he rarely raises his voice. His catchphrase of utter shock: "good grief, Charlie Brown". He makes sure to work in all the important information about the match, though. Such as how Gary Hart signed some guy and brought him into the country, Kerry's injury, or even the history of Bundy's "strike".

I was a little pissed when Michael Hayes, in the 24/7 studio said of Mercer: "you suck". But Hayes has never been shy about his love of GOOD ol' JR, BY GAWDD THAT SONUVABITCH!!!!!!

You also have to accept the overwhelming support for the babyfaces and utter hate for the heels. This was effective, because whenever somebody turned, it was a big event. One of the biggest moments in World Class history is when (I think) Kevin Von Erich and Terry Gordy shake hands, sometime late in 1984.

It's weird how fans get behind even the curtain jerker faces. Jose Lothario is about 48 and hasn't won doodly squat in the episodes I've recapped... but he gets a big pop everytime he's introduced. Same for Al Madril and later, Johnny Mantell, Brian Adias and Sweet Brown Sugar.

In a way, the fans are like the ECW mutants without the sarcasm. Just like ECW always came from the Bingo Hall, World Class always came from the Sportatroium. I'm not lying when I say WCCW is my absolute favorite promotion of the 80's (maybe even in my lifetime).

I only ever got to read about them in the Apter mags but it's clear now I was really missing out.

I don't mind blind support for babyfaces and blind hate for heels because I fell in love with the 80s WWF where just about every commentator (other than Ventura) was that way. The other good thing about that is, if for some reason you couldn't tell who was on what side from the match, you could always pick it up from the commentary.

I like today's JR but I LOVED the NWA version when he was allowed to call the match instead of just tell stories. Are you a fan of either evrsion or neither one?

Neither version of JR. He could call a match very well, but he always seemed to work in snide little unnecessary comments. For instance, while in NWA/JCP in the late 80's, he'd be calling a match, then drop in some crap about "in the NWA it's not about who has the animals! It's who can wrestle!". Which made him look like a huge jackass when Rick Steiner (in the NWA) started bringing dogs to the ring in 1989.

He'd try to work in "humorours" analogies and references which didn't work. Stuff like "Luger is red hot right now...just like the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons!!" or "who's Paul E. talking to on that phone? Could it be MURRAY Povich?!!"

It's like he has a chip on his shoulder and thought he could "out-color" the color man with his supposedly "educated comments". Almost as if he was trying to upstage his partner. Color men are supposed to be outlandish at times, so when JR would try to contradict their statements with some snippy little "fact", it hurt the overall presentation. It's his ego getting in the way, there.

Even in some old "Clash" broadcasts when he was partnered with Tony Schiavone, JR would STILL try to upstage his partner. Both were play-by-play guys, so it was unnecessary. If someone would point out something, JR felt he HAD to get in on that point and have the last word on it. So his work always seems very selfish to me.

I can see what you mean about that--he still does it to an extent in his Superstar Of The Week columns on WWE.com It always seems like he's just dropping pop culture references to try to seem cool er than he really is.

I also wanted to mention (although you do it in all your reviews, I know), I love the line about "With so much going on in World Class Championship Wrestling, let's get down to ringside". It reminds me of when I was a kid watching the WWF and listening to either Vince McMahon or Gorilla Monsoon introducing the show (there were other federations on TV like the NWA, UWF, GLOW, and POWW but my heart always belonged to the WWF).

The "let's get down to ringside" thing may sound markish, but it cracks me up everytime I type that. One of those whimsical instances you can drop in. It's a reminder to myself: "let's have some fun with this thing". Whenever I recap I Primetime, I make sure to start it off with "Hello again everyone, it's Gorilla Monsoon... (slight pause)..and your host, Bobby the Brain Heenan"

Scrooge sorta' does the same thing when he covers "Promotional Consideration paid for by the following.." Stuff like that helps to set the mood and makes the reader feel like he's watching the show. Otherwise, it's just "two guys had a match, one guy won, then we had interviews.

Yeah, we never got to see Prime Time here in canada so I'm aware I missed a LOT> :(

I keep hoping24/7 will make it to Starchoice satellite here someday but who knows?

Another fun review, EvE! Who does "the Boss" turn out to be? Skandor Akbar? Or am I just foreshadowing and I should wait to find out like everyone back in the day had to?

Also, when David Von Erich says he's been "travelling", is that when he was down in Florida learning how to be a heel?

Yeah, pretty sure DVE was over in Florida and/or St. Louis heeling it up. When he comes back, I don't think he's too involved with the Freebirds. Maybe a few matches against Gordy and the obligatory tag matches. I think he spends the next year fighting guys like Kamala and the yet-to-debut "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin (which culminates with the spanking incident and Garvin working on the Von Erich ranch).

As for who "The Boss" is....well, to copy any Marvel Comics letters page: "you'll just have to keep reading, every 30 days!!". Besides, the Boss' identity is on a need to know basis. According to Bundy, right now we don't need to know.

Well, thanks for NOT telling me. Since I can't be arsed to Google it, it'll be like kayfabe all over again, waiting to find out! :)

I didn't see anywhere to say good or bad things about your reviews so I'm adding it here.

I just read the WCCW review from March 12, 1983. I MISS the Von Erich's! I will never understand how all of them could have taken their own lives but I enjoyed them so much in the ring.

Michael Hayes and the Freebirds were another bunch I loved to see. You could blame it on P.S. Hayes (and was he ever!) but I think people overlooked their talent at times. I was never as fond of Roberts as I was of Hayes and Gordy.

I am hoping that WWE allows Gordy's son a chance to shine.

Great review and thanks for the memories!

Well then, just for YOU:
Michael Hayes: Exposed

*snicker*

Anyways...thanks for the compliment and you're welcome. There's actually an "eVe's World Class Reviews Thread" that I'll pin for ya'.

The Von Erichs and Freebirds both had different styles among their members. Another element that made their feud so much fun. Roberts is more of a 70's style wrestler (no doubt due to his stint as a "Valentine"), Hayes is the 80's cowardly, cheating heel (very similar to Honky Tonk Man) and Gordy is their big brawler/power guy.

Among the VE's, Kevin's the high flyer/mat technician and Kerry's in the prototypical babyface role. Kerry's a step above someone like Hulk Hogan, because he can bust out some good moves when he has to.

David's kind of a mini (and gangly) brawler...sorta' like he's following a Bruiser Brody type of role. He had the height, but his gangly frame never seemed to fill out. It's almost like he was a "tall Greg Gagne".

Well then, just for YOU:
Michael Hayes: Exposed

*snicker*

Anyways...thanks for the compliment and you're welcome. There's actually an "eVe's World Class Reviews Thread" that I'll pin for ya'.

The Von Erichs and Freebirds both had different styles among their members. Another element that made their feud so much fun. Roberts is more of a 70's style wrestler (no doubt due to his stint as a "Valentine"), Hayes is the 80's cowardly, cheating heel (very similar to Honky Tonk Man) and Gordy is their big brawler/power guy.

Among the VE's, Kevin's the high flyer/mat technician and Kerry's in the prototypical babyface role. Kerry's a step above someone like Hulk Hogan, because he can bust out some good moves when he has to.

David's kind of a mini (and gangly) brawler...sorta' like he's following a Bruiser Brody type of role. He had the height, but his gangly frame never seemed to fill out. It's almost like he was a "tall Greg Gagne".

I'm in LOVE! (again)

Thanks for the pic...

No matter how much Michael cheated, I always forgave him ;)
Buddy was okay, but I liked to see Terry Gordy plowing over his opponents.

The Von Erich boys were marvels in the ring and no one can argue that.

I'll have to dig up the Apter mag, circa 1987, that reported on the Michael Hayes "concert" in Dallas, one night. A concert which was supposedly held, coincedentally, at the Sportatorium.

The reporter interviewed two "fans" who showed up in Motley Crue t-shirts because Hayes was a "damn good rock n' roller". Plus one lady who thought Hayes was wrestling that night. Funny shit.

Bumped and merged our recent posts into the "Daddy" topic. You're right-- I didn't have an official "feedback" thread, but this should fix it.

WCW Monday Nitro - June 30, 1997

I just read this one...great review. It made me want to see the show.

Do you have a review of the match that was not included -- or is that for another review?