The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling

Just watched this documentary last weekend and what a quality production  it is too, while it isn't quite on a par with the fantastic documentary made in 2005 Heroes of World Class, it does have a dozen or so actual matches on the second disc to make up for it.
   When your talking about World Class the Von Erich family immediately springs to mind, but the the promotion was top heavy with some of the finest talent in wrestling during the early-mid 80's. One legendary tag-team stands out in that era, the Fabulous Freebirds, legendary front-man Michael Hayes, 'Bam Bam' Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts. Their feud with the Von Erichs ignited a territory that was already thriving and made it the number 1 promotion in the states. World Class was the only company in the US that had a true international following, even in places like Israel, not a country particularly noted for it rabid mat fans.

Michael 'PS' Hayes, Leader of the Fabulous Freebirds

Particularly interesting is the patriarch of the Von Erich's, Fritz's rise to prominence both as a heel and eventually as a successful promoter.
   Also well handled in the early part, of the doc is the description of the groundbreaking presentation techniques the World Class people were using, ie getting close ups of the action in the ring and using video profiles to enhance the talents' television characters and gimmicks. Sounds so basic now but nearly 30 years ago this was fresh and paved the way for the direction wrestling was to go. The WWF and Jim Crockett would later expand on these techniques but I believe World Class paved the way for a new type of product. Anyone, even the most casual wrestling viewer knows about the tragedy of the Von Erichs (6 brothers dead with only Kevin left) and has some idea of the circumstances surrounding some of them.It is not the purpose of this review to detail all of them, but let me just say that all of the deaths are detailed here and it makes for sad and sometimes uncomfortable viewing. It is observed here that David Von Erich would have been a huge stat probably on a par with Ric Flair had he lived and the are lengthy tributes to mans prowess as a ring general and mic man.   Of course brother Kerry's  NWA world title win over Flair in 1984 at the David Von

Erich memorial in front of 40,000 fans is given good coverage and is David's death is highlighted as turning point in the company and that World Class not as strong after his demise.
      The other big stars of the company get very good coverage such as the tragic Gino Hernandez, who also would have done great things in the business until his untimely death in 1986 from drugs. Gary Hart provides poignant recollection of Gino. Chris Adams also features strongly who also sadly passed away. Details of the brutal stabbing of the legendary Bruiser Brody in a dressing room in Puerto Rico is also recounted. It is often noted from Kevin Von Erich the last surviving member of the clan that the Texas style of wrestling was hard hitting and was often extremely physical. The promotion really took a turn for the worse when 'the Modern Day Warrior' Kerry Von Erich, by now the biggest star of the company was involved in a motorcycle accident in 1986. He was out for months and the promotion floundered and lost much momentum  even more tragically Kerry lost half a foot as a result, yet with the aid of a prosthesis he was still able to compete at reasonable level, although it was clear to those around him that he was in great physical pain. Other bad booking decisions caused the promotion to flounder further such as the introduction of 'Lance Von Erich' a pseudo Von Erich said to be a cousin. The fans saw through it for what it was, and Fritz came out on television eventually to tell the fans he wasn't the real deal. The fans lost some faith in the Von Erichs as a result. Booking really reached its nadir with the worked 'heart attack' of patriarch Fritz, Kevin rightly observes that people were eventually thinking after that that it got uncomfortable for the fans, watching tragedy after tragedy. One of the last topics discussed was the sale to Jerry Jarrett and World Class becoming CWA. Truly the end of an era. Also discussed is Kerry's move to the WWF where he became the Texas Tornado as most fans probably remember him. Jim Ross comments that Kerry was a bit frayed at the edges and wasn't the athlete he was, but I remember him being a hugely charismatic addition to there roster at the time and Triple H says that Kerry had 'IT'. Kerry did well for a while winning the Intercontinental Championship from Mr. Perfect and was hugely popular with women, kids and fans in general, but sadly the plug was pulled on his big push soon after as Kerry was becoming unreliable; his drug problems were spiraling out of control and by 1993 he was facing jail for possession, rather than disgrace his family he decided to end it all, shooting himself in the chest, Kevin gives a harrowing account of that day. The documentary ends with Kevin saying he's had a good life, and I it is a testament to mans strength that he is as well balanced as he is after all that went on with his family.

Kerry as the Texas Tornado in 1990

The story of World Class is a story of fame, excess, great wrestling, tragedy and a degree of disillusionment. To say drugs were large part of downfall of many involved with World Class would be an understatement. The second disc has some really good matches from the era. The Von Erichs Vs The Freebirds feature heavily, also Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher in a gore-fest  Fritz takes on Kong Kong Bundy. Kerry takes on Flair in excellent cage match. There are a great many interviews, TV spots etc also. A very good set and well worth your time and money.