November 27th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Abe “King Kong” Kashey 1903
Tim Woods\Mr. Wrestling 1934
Ernie Ladd 1938
Smith Hart 1948
Lee Marshall 1949
Happy Birthday:
Earl Maynard (90)
Rob Conway (53)
Brent Allbright\Gunner Scott (47)
Joseph Ruud\Erick Rowan (44)
Danielle Moiner\Summer Rae (42)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Kazuharu Sonoda\Magic Dragon 11-28-1987 at the age of 31
Don Evans 11-28-2005 at the age of 88
Stan Lisowski\Stan Neilson 11-28-2015 at the age of 82
Pat Barrett 11-28-2021 at the age of 85
40 Year Flashback
11-28-1985: WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars 1985 at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas
World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), a prominent regional professional wrestling promotion based in Dallas, Texas, was known for its high-energy events and charismatic performers during the 1980s. Founded by Fritz Von Erich and operated primarily by his family, WCCW gained national attention through syndicated television broadcasts and larger-than-life feuds that captivated audiences. Among its signature events were the “Star Wars” supercards, which served as major pay-per-view-style shows featuring top talent and climactic matches. These events were held multiple times a year, often tied to holidays, and the Thanksgiving edition became a tradition that blended athletic spectacle with family-oriented entertainment on Turkey Day.
The 1985 Thanksgiving Star Wars, held on November 28, 1985, at Reunion Arena in Dallas, stood out as the fourth Star Wars event of that year. Drawing an impressive crowd of 13,423 fans—nearly two-thirds of the arena’s capacity—this show exemplified WCCW’s peak popularity while hinting at the shifting dynamics in the wrestling landscape.Amid ongoing rivalries involving the iconic Von Erich brothers and emerging heels like the Dynamic Duo, the event delivered a mix of title defenses, grudge matches, and steel cage brawls that kept the Texas wrestling scene buzzing. This essay explores the buildup, key matches, outcomes, and lasting impact of this memorable night, shedding light on why it remains a fondly remembered chapter in wrestling history.
By late 1985, WCCW was navigating a transitional period. The promotion had enjoyed tremendous success earlier in the decade, thanks to stars like the Von Erich family—Kerry, Kevin, and the late David—who embodied heroic, all-American personas. However, competition from national expansions like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under Vince McMahon was intensifying, and WCCW sought to maintain its regional dominance through innovative storytelling and high-stakes events. The Star Wars series, which began in 1981, had evolved into must-see spectacles, with the Thanksgiving installment positioned as a holiday highlight following the Labor Day edition.
Leading into November 28, several storylines fueled anticipation. The feud between the Von Erich brothers and the Dynamic Duo (Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez) was at a boiling point, centered around the vacant WCCW American Tag Team Championship. This rivalry involved dramatic elements like masked interference and personal betrayals, drawing from real-life tensions. Elsewhere, Rick Rude’s reign as American Heavyweight Champion was under threat from challengers like Iceman Parsons, while valets such as Sunshine and Missy Hyatt added layers of drama to mid-card matches. The return of The Missing Link and the debut of Lance Von Erich (presented as a cousin to the Von Erichs) also generated buzz, as WCCW aimed to refresh its roster. Promoted heavily on local TV, the event promised steel cages, title changes, and no-holds-barred action, making it a perfect post-Thanksgiving diversion for Dallas fans.
The Card and Highlights
Video: November 28th, 1985, WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars
The Thanksgiving Star Wars 1985 featured eight matches, blending undercard bouts with main-event caliber showdowns. While match times were not always recorded in detail, the card emphasized WCCW’s signature style: athleticism, hardcore elements, and crowd-pleasing finishes. Here’s a breakdown of the night’s action:The opener saw The Missing Link and The Grappler defeat Dave Peterson and Johnny Mantell in a tag team match. This bout marked The Missing Link’s return to WCCW, showcasing his wild, headbutting antics alongside The Grappler’s technical prowess, setting an energetic tone for the evening.
Next, Lance Von Erich made a strong impression in his Reunion Arena debut, defeating Killer Tim Brooks in a singles match. Presented as part of the Von Erich lineage, Lance’s victory highlighted his agility and served as a nod to the family’s enduring legacy.
A quick and memorable squash followed, with the massive One Man Gang pinning manager Gary Hart in just 50 seconds. This led directly into a chaotic singles match against Kamala (billed as Kimala in some records), which ended in a double countout after a wild brawl spilled outside the ring. Managed by General Skandor Akbar, Kamala’s savage persona clashed perfectly with One Man Gang’s brute force, embodying WCCW’s love for monster heel encounters.
Title action ramped up with Brian Adias retaining the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Championship against Jack Victory. Adias, a reliable mid-carder, used his technical skills to overcome Victory’s aggression, keeping the belt in heroic hands.
The American Heavyweight Championship match saw Iceman Parsons defeat champion Rick Rude by disqualification, though Rude retained the title. Rude’s controversial use of the “Rude Awakening” (an early DDT variant) on the floor led to Parsons being stretchered out, intensifying their rivalry and showcasing Rude’s emerging star power.
In a steel cage grudge match, “Hollywood” John Tatum bested Scott Casey. The bout featured interference from valets Sunshine and Missy Hyatt, who brawled inside the cage, adding a catfight element that thrilled the crowd. Post-match, The Great Kabuki attacked Casey, reigniting an old feud and tying into Kabuki’s recent storyline absence.
The main event was a steel cage match for the vacant WCCW American Tag Team Championship, pitting The Dynamic Duo against Kerry and Kevin Von Erich, with guest referees Terry Gordy and Brian Adias (after Iceman Parsons withdrew due to injury). In a dramatic finish, Adams and Hernandez used a loaded mask and a sneaky switcheroo to secure the pin on Kerry, claiming the titles. The Von Erichs unmasked the heels post-match, with Lance Von Erich aiding in the chaos, providing a satisfying yet unresolved climax to the feud.
The 1985 Thanksgiving Star Wars encapsulated WCCW’s strengths: family-driven narratives, intense rivalries, and innovative stipulations like steel cages that heightened drama. While no major title changes occurred beyond the tag belts, the event advanced key storylines, such as the Von Erich-Dynamic Duo saga, which would influence future cards. It also reflected the promotion’s challenges, with attendance solid but not a sellout, signaling the beginning of a decline amid personal tragedies in the Von Erich family and industry shifts. In retrospect, this show holds a special place in wrestling lore as a snapshot of territorial wrestling’s golden era. Portions were broadcast on WCCW’s syndicated TV, extending its reach and preserving moments like the cage matches for fans today via archival footage.
For Pro Wrestling History enthusiasts, it represents the raw passion of 1980s wrestling, where heroes like the Von Erichs battled villains in front of fervent crowds, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
One Thing I Learned About Pat Barrett
Pat Barrett once dated Ata Johnson, the mother of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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