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Tuesday Week 1, June 1983
WCCW on Tour
Anaheim, CA
Attendance: 7,785
Pre-Show
We have a pre show meet and greet with the Von Erichs, who sign autographs for the fans, answer questions and probably get a phone number or two. Kevin seemed disinterested (C)
Main Show
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Curt Hennig defeated Ron Bass in 11:25 by count out, after he propelled Bass through the ropes escaping a Bulldog and Bass collided with Gary Hart, which resulted in both being knocked out (D+)
Tommy Rich comes to the ring and tells the crowd he is looking forward to his match with Ricky Steamboat, but that he was going to stay true to the goal of running the Von Erich’s out of World Class once he kicked Ricky’s butt. Rich came off well (B-)
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, King Kong Bundy defeated Spike Huber in 10:46 by pinfall with a Big Splash, dominating most of the way. (D-)
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Buddy Roberts defeated Rick McCord in 11:34 after jabbing him in the throat with a spike type device, handed to him by Michael Hayes. (D-)
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Mr. Wrestling II defeated The Missing Link in 8:53 by pinfall with a roll up after the Link missed a vicious clothesline that carried him into the ropes, with II catching him on the rebound. (D+) After the match Jimmy Garvin runs in and clobbers Wrestling II, smacking him around before II recovers and sends Garvin scurrying as he sets up his million dollar knee lift. (D-)
In a bout that featured great action and average heat, David Von Erich and Kerry Von Erich defeated Bob Backlund and Eddie Gilbert in 17:57 when Kerry Von Erich defeated Eddie Gilbert by submission with an Iron Claw, as Backlund, frustrated with Gilberts getting himself into that predicament simply left the ring, leaving Gilbert along when he was close enough to tag him. (C)
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Ricky Steamboat defeated Tommy Rich in 23:41 when Tommy Rich was disqualified after Michael Hayes ran in and attacked Ricky Steamboat when it appeared Ricky was seizing the momentum. (B-) Afterwards Hayes and Rich exchange words in the ring and Tommy walks to the back without the leader of the Freebirds. Rich and Hayes improvised well, but Hayes character is getting a bit stale (C)
Final Rating: C+ (No change to popularity in the region, which is good since it is our #2 region behind Mid South)
Another tour event where I look to maximize attendance and use as many salaried wrestlers as possible to decrease show costs, got a good return in this outing, but it will be a long month. Jake Roberts gets into an argument backstage with the Assassin, who is just visiting, I warn Roberts and he ‘gets the message.’ I praise Rich and Steamboat and encourage Kevin Von Erich to engage more with the fans. All are pleased.
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