What little projects have you guys done so far, if any?
I've watched all of the World Class they have up. King Kong Bundy, Toru Yatsu, Checkmate, and Michael Hayes all saw their stock rise for me. Hayes more on the promo side. Bundy was great, as was young Kamala. Yatsu is my favorite guy from this small 8-month or so sample.
Stock dropped: David Von Erich, Buddy Roberts. Roberts just sucks at everything. Horrible promo, boring worker. David is the worst Von Erich. I have no idea why he was the one earmarked as the star (although most probably though long term Kerry would pass him). Very bland worker, and nothing special on promos at all. Worst look of the three, too.
I've always felt Kevin was the best Von Erich, and nothing I saw changed that opinion. Best worker by far, and best promo (not saying much). The Von Erich promos are the best, as you try to figure out just how loaded they are and what they are high on. Coked up dumb jock Kerry promos just flat out rule. You can see his brain struggling to choose the words, but there is an odd charm to how terrible he is. Kevin seems to be the least loaded of the three, probably no shock as he's the only one alive, and the only one who even made it past 35.
I love that the three heel factions (Freebirds, Devastation Incorporated, H&H Associates) eventually get tired of beating up Al Madril & Brian Adias and just feud with each other. The Dev Inc/H&H heel vs heel feud is way ahead of it's time. Bundy's promos are great as we see him quit H&H and join Dev Inc & introduce Skandar Akbar, and he also has some of the best matches in the collection. The introduction of Kamala is fantastic, and his matches are a lot of fun.
I know Gary Hart gets a ton of credit for booking the Freebirds angle, but he was gone by the end of '82, and the shows get considerably better after he leaves. Not really his fault, because the talent gets significantly better, with the additions of Yatsu, Kamala, Chris Adams, Chavo Guerrero (who is GREAT), Iceman Parsons, etc. Poor Gary Hart had NOTHING to work with underneath, with the likes of Al Madril, Brian Adias, Great Kabuki, and the insufferable and complete sack of shit Bugsy McGraw. Fritz really beefed up the roster after Hart left, and we don't even get to see Gino Hernandez and some of the guys who come later.
The production is incredible for its time and better than some of the indies I watch 32 years later, which is amazing. The camera angles rule. Bill Mercer is very good doing commentary alone some 12 years before Joey Styles. David Manning is great in his role as head referee/pseudo authority figure. He has credibility, and somebody in his role today would be turned heel after six weeks in some shitty meaningless angle.
The crowds are MOLTEN. Maybe the best crowd ever, because this was the tail end of true kayfabe, and these fuckers BELIEVE. And it's great. The passion adds to even the worst matches (except anything with Bugsy McGraw, which can not be saved).
There is a Fritz Von Erich/Ric Flair split screen face off that must be seen. Tremendous work by both men. Also Bill Mercer interviewing the Freebirds post turn in their "house" while the play pool and listen to grimy southern rock. Amazing.
If you can get through some of the rough early stuff, it really picks up after the Kerry/Flair match (which is shown in full w/the classic angle). The best matches are Kevin vs Bundy, Kevin vs Gordy, and a six man VE's vs Birds match. Also anything with Chavo or Yatsu.
