Their actions of that night broke many Texas teenage girls hearts and made the Freebirds the most hated heels in the state. Because David, Kerry and Kevin Von Erich were stark contrasts to the wild-eyed nature of the ‘Birds, the feud provided an unforced good vs. evil paradigm. The Freebirds provoked viciousness and an intensity that the Von Erichs rarely, if ever, displayed with any other opponents. Their feud remains one of the all-time classics. Like Hulk Hogan needed Roddy Piper as a foil during the World Wrestling Federation’s initial national surge, the Von Erichs needed the Freebirds to help expand WCCW’s popularity beyond the Texas border.  

Upon leaving the WCCW in 1984, the Freebirds had a very brief stint in the WWF. Ostensibly brought in by David Wolff-the manager/boyfriend/co-video star of Cyndi Lauper at the height of her career-as part of the MTV/WWF Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection, the ‘Birds didn’t stay past a handful of matches. In 1985, Gordy spent much of his time in Japan, while Hayes and Roberts, joined by Jimmy Garvin, most notably worked in the American Wrestling Association. However, a reunion (and I’m not talking about the arena in Dallas) was just around the corner.

“Time is truly wasting  
There’s no guarantee  
Smile (?) is in the making  
Got to fight the powers that be

…I try to play my music (they say my music’s too loud)  
I try talking about it (I got the big runaround)  
And when I roll with the punches (I got knocked on the ground)  
By all this bull$h!t going down!”  

“Fight the Power (Part 2),” The Isley Brothers  

1986, the Freebirds’ former employer WCCW was facing tough times, causing the exodus of many wrestlers. Bill Watts was looking to bolster a roster depleted by defections to the WWF. He signed World Class expatriates Chris Adams, Skandor Akbar (and members of the General’s Devastation Inc.), Missy Hyatt, the Missing Link, the One Man Gang, Iceman King Parsons and John Tatum to his “new” promotion, the Universal Wrestling Federation. Watts even began taping television in Fort Worth, right in the heart of WCCW.  

Still, Watts felt that the UWF needed a star addition, an attraction that would be a proverbial main event every night out. On television, with typical Watts bravado, he announced the signing of pro wrestling’s first $1,000,000 contract. The next week, much like they had entered the Omni to the strains of “Freebird,” Hayes, Gordy and Roberts stepped out of a white limousine to the tune of the Isleys’ “Fight the Power.” Hayes had a classic initial exchange with Watts during the contract signing, covering money, music and-insurance? Hayes let it be known that the Freebirds didn’t need any stinking insurance.  

From that point on, the Freebirds were all over the UWF. Besides wrestling, Hayes would often offer color commentary alongside Watts and/or Jim Ross. In the bad man’s land of Mid-South/the UWF, the guys quickly established themselves as the meanest inhabitants of Badstreet, USA. The Georgia feud with Ted DiBiase, then one of the UWF’s top faces, was reignited in both singles and tag competition, with DiBiase teaming with Steve “Dr. Death” Williams.  

Another blast from the past featured the ‘Birds old nemesis from WCCW, Skandor Akbar, and his devious Devastation Inc. Akbar’s army wasn’t much in terms of technical ability or charisma. However, the Inc.’s brute force and the General’s amazing heat seeking ability more than made up for any shortcomings. Bill Watts was not afraid to book to two heel factions against one another. The best thing about this feud is that there was no face turn involved. While battling Akbar and company, the boys would still be focused on raising hell with Watts, DiBiase, Jim Duggan, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams or whoever else might cross their paths.  The cheers of the fans didn’t change the Freebirds’ wild ways.  

The feud between Gordy and Williams during the spring of 1986 was awesome. After previous heel and face runs, the Oklahoma U. football and NCAA wrestling All-American Williams had settled comfortably into an established role as a homegrown fan favorite. His matches with Gordy were as stiff, brutal and realistic as any in North America at that time. Even though the two men would later become friends and team up to dominate the Japanese tag ranks as the top gaijin, they were bitter enemies throughout 1986-7. During one match, Gordy legitimately broke Williams’ arm.  

Williams wasn’t the only mad Oklahoman the Freebirds would have to deal with. There was always Bill Watts.  

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