WCWA World Tag Team Championship
Championship belt
Details
Promotion
Date establishedDecember 25, 1982[1][2]
Date retired1988[1][2]
Other name(s)
  • WCCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship[1][2]
  • NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version)[1][2]
Statistics
First champion(s)The Fabulous Freebirds
Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts
Final champion(s)Michael Hayes, Kevin and Kerry Von Erich[1][2]
Most reignsAs team: The Fabulous Freebirds
(Hayes, Gordy and Roberts) (5 times)
Individual: Kevin Von Erich (11 reigns)[1][2]
Longest reignKevin, Mike and Lance Von Erich (282 days)[1][2]
Shortest reignFritz, Kevin and Mike Von Erich (1 hour)[1][2]

The WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling championship promoted by the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex area-based World Class Wrestling Association (WCWA) from 1982 until 1988. The company was known as World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1982 as they introduced the WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, on occasion billed as the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version). As it is a professional wrestling championship, it is won not by actual competition, but by a scripted ending to a match.[a]

The first champions were The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts), who won the championship on December 25, 1982 as part of WCCW's annual Christmas Star Wars show.[1][2] For storyline purposes David Von Erich actually substituted for Buddy Roberts in the match, citing "travel difficulties". After winning the match Von Erich gave the belt to Buddy Roberts, which was part of a building storyline feud between the Freebird and The Von Erichs.[4] The Von Erich/Freebird storyline feud played a major part in the history of the championship as various combinations of Freebirds and Von Erichs were involved in 17 of the 19 reigns.[1][2] Michael Hayes, Kevin Von Erich and Kerry Von Erich were the last team to hold the championship as it was abandoned in 1988.

The Freebird combination of Hayes, Roberts and Gordy held the championship a total of five times, the most of any trio.[1][2] Kevin Von Erich held the championship 11 times with various partners including his father Fritz Von Erich, brothers Kerry, David and Mike Von Erich, as well as Michael Hayes, Brian Adias, Chris Adams, Steve Simpson and Lance Von Erich.[1][2] The longest individual reign lasted 282 days as Kevin, Mike and Lance held the title from July 4, 1986 to April 12, 1987. The Freebirds' five reigns combined to at least 581 days, the longest combined of any team. Fritz, Kevin and Mike Von Erich held the championship for a matter of hours, as Fritz gave his third of the championship to Kerry Von Erich at the end of the show where they won it.[1][2]

Title history

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific team—reign numbers for the individuals are in parentheses, if different
Days Number of days held
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days
WCCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
1 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) 		December 25, 1982 Christmas Star Wars Dallas, Texas 1 191 Defeated Iron Mike Sharpe, Ben Sharpe, and Tom Steele. David Von Erich worked as a substitute for Buddy Roberts and immediately gave up his share of championship to Roberts [4][1][2]
2 The Von Erichs
(Kevin, David and Kerry Von Erich) 		July 4, 1983 Independence Day Star Wars Ft. Worth, Texas 1 39   [1][2][5]
3 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) 		August 12, 1983 WCCW Episode #86 Dallas, Texas 2 112 Aired on August 20, 1983. [1][2]
4 The Von Erichs
(Kevin, David and Kerry Von Erich) 		December 2, 1983 WCCW show Dallas, Texas 2 [b] Defeated Gordy, Roberts, and Ric Flair after Hayes loses to loser-leaves-town match to Kerry on November 24, 1983. [1][2]
5 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) 		January 10, 1984 N/A Georgia 3 [c] Reportedly won the match and the championship by disqualification, no match actually took place. [1][2]
6 The Von Erichs
(Fritz, Kevin (3) and Mike Von Erich) 		May 6, 1984 Parade of Champions Irving, Texas 1 0 This was a "Badstreet Rules Match" in which there were no rules. The illegal Von Erich made the pinfall. [1][2][6]
7 The Von Erichs
(Kevin (4), Kerry (3) and Mike Von Erich (2)) 		May 6, 1984 N/A Irving, Texas 1 48 Kerry replaced Fritz who had come out of retirement for one night only. [1][2]
— Vacated June 23, 1984 WCCW Episode #130 — — — An NWA representative vacated the title due to the illegal Von Erich winning the match [1][2]
8 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) 		July 4, 1984 Independence Day Star Wars Ft. Worth, Texas 4 61 Won the rematch between the Freebirds and the Von Erichs [1][2][7]
9 The Von Erichs
(Kevin (5), Kerry (4) and Mike Von Erich (3)) 		September 3, 1984 Labor Day Star Wars Ft. Worth, Texas 2 54 Mike Von Erich did not wrestle in the match due to an injury. [1][2][8][9]
10 Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams and Jake Roberts October 27, 1984 Cotton Bowl Extravaganza Dallas, Texas 1 65 Defeated Kerry, Mike Von Erich, and Bobby Fulton, substituting for Kevin Von Erich. [1][2][10]
11 The Von Erichs
(Kevin (6), Kerry (5) and Mike Von Erich (4)) 		December 31, 1984 WCCW show Ft. Worth, Texas 3 188   [1][2]
12 Mark Lewin, Killer Tim Brooks and One Man Gang July 7, 1985 WCCW show Reno, Nevada 1 57 Defeated Kevin and Kerry Von Erich with Mike being unable to work the match. [1][2]
13 Brian Adias, Kevin (7) and Kerry Von Erich (6) September 2, 1985 Labor Day Star Wars Ft. Worth, Texas 1 123 Defeated Mark Lewin, One Man Gang, and Jack Victory. [1][2][11]
WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
14 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) 		January 3, 1986 WCCW show Dallas, Texas 5 121   [1][2]
15 The Von Erichs
(Kevin (8), Kerry (7) and Lance Von Erich) 		May 4, 1986 Parade of Champions Irving, Texas 1 61 Steve Simpson substituted Kevin Von Erich in the championship match. [1][2][12]
16 The Von Erichs
(Kevin (9), Mike (5) and Lance Von Erich (2)) 		July 4, 1986 WCWA show N/A 1 282 Mike returned from illness and replaced Kerry, who was injured in a motorcycle accident [1][2]
— Vacated April 12, 1987 — — — — Vacated after Mike Von Erich committed suicide.[13] [1][2]
17 Kevin Von Erich (10), Chris Adams (2) and Steve Simpson December 25, 1987 Christmas Star Wars Dallas, Texas 1 10 Defeated Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts and Iceman Parsons for the vacant championship. [1][2][14]
18 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Terry Gordy (6), Buddy Roberts (6) and Iceman Parsons) 		January 4, 1988 WCWA show Dallas, Texas 1 186 Defeated Steve Simpson, Chris Adams, and Matt Borne, substituting for Kevin Von Erich. [1][2][15]
19 Michael Hayes (6), Kevin (11) and Kerry Von Erich (8) July 8, 1988 WCWA show Dallas, Texas 1 [d] Defeated Roberts, Parsons, and Kimala, substituting Terry Gordy. [1][2]
— Deactivated July 22, 1988 — — — — [1][2]

Team reigns by combined length

Key
Symbol Meaning
¤ The exact length of at least one title reign is uncertain, so the shortest possible length is used.
Rank Team # of reigns Combined days
1 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts)		 5 581¤[c]
2 The Von Erichs
(Kevin, Kerry and Mike Von Erich)		 3 290
3 The Von Erichs
(Kevin, Mike and Lance Von Erich)		 1 282
4 The Fabulous Freebirds
(Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts and Iceman Parsons)		 1 186
5 Brian Adias, Kevin Von Erich and Kerry Von Erich 1 123
6 The Von Erichs
(Kevin, David and Kerry Von Erich)		 2 69¤[b]
7 Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams and Jake Roberts 1 65
8 The Von Erichs
(Kevin, Kerry and Lance Von Erich)		 1 61
9 Mark Lewin, Killer Tim Brooks and One Man Gang 1 57
10 Kevin Von Erich, Chris Adams and Steve Simpson 1 10
11 Michael Hayes, Kevin Von Erich and Kerry Von Erich 1 1¤[d]
12 The Von Erichs
(Fritz, Kevin and Mike Von Erich)		 1 0

Individual reigns by combined length

Key
Symbol Meaning
¤ The exact length of at least one title reign is uncertain, so the shortest possible length is used.
Rank Wrestler # of reigns Combined days
1 Kevin Von Erich 11 788¤[b][d]
2 Terry Gordy 6 657¤[c]
3 Michael Hayes 6 582¤[c][d]
4 Buddy Roberts 5 581¤[c]
5 Mike Von Erich 5 524
6 Kerry Von Erich 8 496¤[b][d]
7 Lance Von Erich 2 343
8 Iceman Parsons 1 186
9 Brian Adias 1 123
10 Chris Adams 2 75
11 David Von Erich 2 69¤[b]
12 Gino Hernandez 1 65
13 Jake Roberts 1 65
14 Killer Tim Brooks 1 57
15 Mark Lewin 1 57
16 One Man Gang 1 57
17 Steve Simpson 1 10
18 Fritz Von Erich 1 0

Footnotes

  1. ^ Hornbaker (2016) p. 550: "Professional wrestling is a sport in which match finishes are predetermined. Thus, win–loss records are not indicative of a wrestler's genuine success based on their legitimate abilities – but on now much, or how little they were pushed by promoters"[3]
  2. ^ a b c d e The exact date on which the Von Erich lost the title is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between 30 and 60 days.
  3. ^ a b c d e The exact date on which the Freebirds won the title is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between 96 and 126 days.
  4. ^ a b c d e The exact date on which the championship was abandoned is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between 1 day and 176 days.

References

  • Hornbaker, Tim (2016). "Statistical notes". Legends of Pro Wrestling - 150 years of headlocks, body slams, and piledrivers (Revised ed.). New York, New York: Sports Publishing. ISBN 978-1-61321-808-2.
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Texas) Dallas: World Class 6-Man Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. pp. 271–272. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak "World 6-man tag team title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  3. ^ Hornbaker 2016, p. 550.
  4. ^ a b "Christmas Star Wars 1982". Pro Wrestling History. December 25, 1982. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  5. ^ "Labor day Star Wars (1983)". Pro Wrestling History. July 4, 1983. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  6. ^ "Historical Cards: Parade of Champions 2 (May 5, 1985. Irving, Texas)". PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts. Kappa Publications. p. 172. 2007 Edition.
  7. ^ "Independence Day Star Wars (1984)". Pro Wrestling History. July 4, 1983. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "Labor Day Star Wars". Pro Wrestling History. September 3, 1984. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Hoops, Brian (September 3, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (Sept. 3): Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk Texas Death Match, Great Muta vs. Sting, Ted DiBiase and Stan Hansen wins AJPW Tag Titles". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  10. ^ "Historical Cards: 2nd Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 6, 1985. Dallas, Texas)". PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts. Kappa Publications. p. 172. 2007 Edition.
  11. ^ "Labor Day Star Wars (1985)". Pro Wrestling History. September 2, 1985. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  12. ^ "3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions". Pro Wrestling History. May 4, 1986. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  13. ^ Hollandsworth, Skip. "The Fall of the House of Von Erich (February 1988)". D Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  14. ^ "Christmas Star Wars (1987)". Pro Wrestling History. December 25, 1987. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Hoops, Brian (January 4, 2016). "Daily pro wrestling history (1/4): Huge history of Tokyo Dome shows. Fingerpoke 'Doom". Figure Four Wrestling Observer Online. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
Categories