The Missing Link defeated Johnny Mantell 

By this time The Missing Link was firmly ensconced in the Devastation Incorporated. He simply dominated this bout. Considering that Johnny Mantell had received a pretty solid midcard push over the past year or so, Link’s win seemed that much more impressive. Mantell, a pro’s pro, was headed out of the territory and was putting over a newcomer as strongly as possible. 

Jose Lothario defeated Black Gordman 

The two veteran Latino stars were admittedly a bit past their primes, but their wealth of wrestling knowledge and psychology still made this an interesting feud. 

Iceman Parsons and Brian Adias defeated The Super Destroyers to win the American Tag Team Title 

Iceman’s battles with the Super Ds continued. He needed a fulltime partner to pursue with whom to chase the American Tag Team Title. That partner proved to be Brian Adias, back in World Class after an extended absence. The team clicked and after an emotional and hard fought match, Iceman and Adias won the title. However the triumph would be fleeting. General Skandor Akbar and his Super Destroyers were not so easily thwarted. 

Kerry Von Erich defeated Kamala by disqualification 

At the Thanksgiving Star Wars, Kerry Von Erich had saved his brother David from a beating at the hands of the Ugandan Giant. In the process he bodyslammed Kamala. However General Skandor Akbar refused to pay the $10,000 bounty promised to anyone who could perform the feat as the slam didn’t happen in a regulation match. All the controversy led to this bout. Kerry eventually managed to get Kamala on the run after a flurry of offense. He attempted to bodyslam him only to be stopped by the evil cheapskate Akbar. The general escaped with his money, but not his hide after a beating from the Modern Day Warrior. 

David Von Erich defeated Ric Flair by disqualification, Flair retains the NWA World Title 

When David Von Erich earned this title shot, he assumed that he’d be facing Harley Race. Before that bout could come about, Ric Flair defeated Race to win the NWA World Title. This was David’s night to shine. From scientific maneuvers to brawling to even a few dirty tricks of his own, David stayed with Flair move for move. The Nature Boy knew what he was in for and was on his horse all night long, trying to avoid his inspired foe. Eventually Flair threw David over the top rope for an automatic disqualification. So he thought.  Because of Flair’s blatant disregard for the rules, the bout was restarted. Once again David put the hurt on Flair, finally locking the champ in the Iron Claw. Flair finally slugged the referee. Having little choice, the ref disqualified Flair. The Nature Boy had escaped with his title, but David proved that he could beat the champ in a straight up fight. 

Jimmy Garvin defeated Chris Adams to regain the American Title 

Between the four people in the ring and the 18,000 fans going crazy in the stands, this bout had enough heat to light up the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. At least one time Garvin and Adams stopped grappling because all focus had switched to the ongoing cat fight between Sunshine and Precious. Everyone played their role in this feud so well. Garvin was prissy and self centered. Precious showed love for her man and bitterness for everyone else. Sunshine played the role of the jilted lover to the hilt. Chris Adams was the perfect Knight in shining armor. This groundbreaking feud showed no signs of abating.  

Kevin and Mike Von Erich defeated Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts in a loser leaves town match 

Back at Thanksgiving Kerry had sent Michael Hayes packing in a loser leaves town match. Now Kevin and Mike had their chance to send another Freebird on the next flight out of Texas. The stipulation said that whichever Freebird was pinned would leave. If one of the Von Erichs was pinned, it was agreed that Kevin would leave as Mike had only just begun his career. Prior to the bout Buddy Roberts removed his headgear and wig to at last reveal that his hair had grown back! After a tough battle, Kevin and Mike got the win. Terry Gordy had been pinned and thus had to leave World Class. In the spirit of Christmas, a man dressed as Santa Claus had been at ringside shaking hands and passing out candy canes. When the Von Erichs won the match Santa jumped into the ring to congratulate the victors. As he raised the hand of Mike suddenly a shocking thing happened. In the words of Bill Mercer, “Santa Claus just decked Mike Von Erich!” It turned out that the man in the red suit was none other than Michael Hayes, back in Texas to help his brothers. His sucker punch was a hollow victory. Hayes and Gordy still had to leave town, but not for long. 

Welcome Back 

No sooner had The Fabulous Freebirds departed than they were right back in Dallas. For a brief time Buddy Roberts was on his own. Then came word of The Fabulous Freebirds defeating Kevin, David, and Kerry Von Erich for the Six Man Title in Georgia. The Von Erichs wanted a rematch in Texas. The problem was that this was impossible due to Hayes and Gordy being banned from the state. To get their rematch on their home turf, the Von Erichs waived the losers leave town stipulations to allow Hayes and Gordy back into Texas. The Fabulous Freebirds were flying again. 

An aside, this title bout from Georgia did not take place. It was a phantom match and it served two purposes. Firstly it enabled the promotion to get the Six Man Title off the Von Erichs without them actually losing. Secondly it enabled Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy to return after drawing big crowds and gate receipts for loser leaves town matches. This type of booking just killed the loser leaves town match as a credible, money drawing stipulation. World Class was hardly unique in this regard, but the ill effects were no less real. 

A War on Two Fronts 

During 1983 The Fabulous Freebirds and Devastation Incorporated had an alliance that they hoped would enable them to collectively control World Class Championship Wrestling. Considering who was involved, it was shocking that the partnership didn’t crumble sooner. After egos collided the two sides were soon at loggerheads. It created a rare three way feud with The Von Erichs on one side, The Freebirds on another, and Devastation Incorporated on yet another. The fans still booed the Birds when they faced the Von Erichs, yet cheered them when they warred with Akbar’s army. At one point the Von Erichs even saved the Freebirds from Akbar and friends! Lest anyone think that the Von Erichs and Birds were forming some sort of alliance, the Birds repaid the Von Erichs for this act of kindness by attacking them. As far as The Fabulous Freebirds, Devastation Incorporated, and Von Erichs were concerned, it really was a war on two fronts. 

Brotherly Love 

World Class came back on January 30, 1984 to Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth. Junkyard Dog came back to take on Kamala. Chris Adams regained the American Title from Jimmy Garvin. For their part The Super Destroyers regained the American Tag Team Title. Also the Von Erichs once again warred with The Freebirds. In another big match NWA World Champion Ric Flair faced off with Mike Von Erich in a 10 minute time limit non-Title match. This is one of those bouts that Mike Von Erich detractors point to the most. Frankly Mike got way too much offense in this bout and having Flair in the Iron Claw as the time limit expired stretched credibility. However this bout must be viewed within the context of the greater story. Flair wanted no part of David Von Erich after their bout at Reunion Arena. He agreed to give David a rematch provided Mike could last the time limit. The Nature Boy figured there was no way that the young and inexperienced Mike could make it that long. When Mike refused to lose and took the battle to Ric Flair, it made for great drama. The bell rang. Mike had made it against the champ. For the love of his brother he had earned David the NWA World Title match that Flair had scandalously tried to deny him. Sadly David would not live to receive that title shot.