Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match #20: Jimmy Garvin vs. David Von Erich (6/17/83)

The big rematch from Reunion Arena. Three times the Texas Title has been held up after three Garvin/David matches. Will we finally get a winner on a big show?

David clearly likes being a rock star to the fanbase, but to me he’s kind of a dork jock. Still, he’s far more likable to that fanbase than Garvin (who I get a kick out of). These two have a very active opening thirty seconds. Garvin is trying to get this over as soon as possible, but David has counters. Pin attempts come from both parties. Garvin grounds David with the hammerlock, trying to gain a pin, and David shows off a nice head bridge out of the pin. This is slower and looser than some of the other stuff from the same time period, so my mind is wandering a little. The crowd isn’t as hot for it either, though there’s nothing actively bad about it. Something about this match isn’t quite fluid.

Garvin gets control after David stalls out, and—as Von Erich’s are apt to do—comes back with punches. David hits the running high knee (his big move) and goes for the pin (which I like psychologically). Garvin is in the ropes, so we get an Iron Claw tease (in the ropes again). Garvin gains control and this sags as a sleeper is applied. They had me for a minute, but the sleeper just didn’t feel right to me. David tries to power out, and Garvin pulls him down by the hair. I love that. David comes back with some heavy offense and a sleeper of his own at the ten minute mark. Garvin reaches the ropes.

Garvin hits an elbow smash that David kicks out of at one. I’ve seen all the Von Erichs do this on the set (kick out at one) and I’m on the fence as to whether I find it appropriate or not. It goes quickly and somewhat anti-climactically from there. David tries a crossbody off the rope and gets sent throat-first on the ropes. Garvin pins, David kicking out. Feels like the middle of the match. Garvin tries again and David puts his foot on the ropes. Sunshine pushes them off. Garvin wins. No one was expecting the finish there. That didn’t elicit an emotion from me. Crap finish.

But wait!

Marc Lowrence announces the NWA officials saw the interference. They told ref Bronco Lubich. They’ve decided the title is held up a fourth time. Garvin flips out in ring. I’m waiting for the restart, but it doesn’t come. A complete disappointment for me. 2 ¾ stars and 5.4/10.