Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match #16: Jimmy Garvin vs. David Von Erich (5/27/83)

It’s the debut on the World Class Diaries of Gorgeous Jimmy, another famed Von Erich foil. He should be good, and we have a whole backstory to follow leading up to the match.

First we get an on-location promo with Jimmy Garvin in a pool. Sunshine, his valet, plays with his hair while Jimmy tells us why he’s come to World Class. He wants to take out the Von Erich, who he’s heard far to much about. He could do without the Freebirds too. They’re classless, and Jimmy is here to bring class to Texas. It is also revealed in that initial promo that Jimmy doesn’t want his matches taped for TV. That carries over to a match at the Sportatorium where he demands the ref make the TV cameras leave. Bill Mercer explains why they have to stop shooting, and they do. Next we get Gorgeous Jimmy at a salon, his hair and fingers fussed over (Sunshine is doing his nails). Jimmy as rescinded the ban on the TV cameras. Garvin is the Texas champion, and he’s ready for David Von Erich.

David comes out to a rock star reception. Words really don’t do justice to how hot things were in this territory in 1983. The Texas title has been held up, so the winner gets the belt. Both guys come out aggressive, with David (of course) getting the better of Garvin. Mercer on commentary pushes that the Von Erichs ARE Texas. Both guys draw from the crowd. Garvin yells at people, and David looks for acceptance and cheerleading. The work early is fine, nothing spectacular, with David working Garvin’s knee. Garvin gets control and the crowd is all “Go David Go.” Garvin drops some sweet looking knees to the head before David makes his comeback at the five minute mark.

The attacking by David and the punishment and selling of Garvin draws me into this one. They keep the action moving without any huge moves. David begins going for pins, but Garvin won’t stay down for the three. David destroys Garvin while he’s tied up in the ropes, sends him with a whip to the ropes, and nails his big high knee. There’s a pin attempt, but Sunshine puts Garvin’s foot on the ropes to break the count. David stalks Sunshine, she rolls into the ring, and lazy old ref Bronco Lubich calls for the bell, disqualifying both men in cheap fashion. The case just wasn’t made for the double DQ in my eyes. David gets the Iron Claw on post match, but Garvin sends him over the top rope. The Texas title is still held up.

Overall, a very good match up and a tease of how good this feud could be. I thought it ended prematurely (by design), and it wasn’t completely unique, but it was more than serviceable. I look forward to more from these two. 3 stars and 6/10.