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World Class Announcer Bill Mercer Talks Von Erichs In Hall Of Fame

World Class Announcer Bill Mercer Talks Von Erichs In Hall Of Fame

Posted: Apr 4th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Lacey & Bill were welcomed by The Mayhem Crew (The Big Mosh & Blade), as we are counting down the hours from witnessing the legendary Von Erich family being enshrined into the WWE Hall Of Fame, as part of WrestleMania XXV weekend in Houston, TX. As mentioned above fans, it turns out that Bill & Lacey have never, but Lacey does remember him from her childhood days & watching her father wrestle on television. As part of this momentous weekend for one of the greatest families in the history of professional wrestling, Bill recalls his very fond memories of The Von Erichs: "I was at her (Lacey's) father's wedding, so in a way I'm in the family. But I feel like I'm in the Von Erich family, because I have known those kids since they were little guys, and (they) grew up & became famous." Both Lacey & Bill discussed Kevin Von Erich's current status, as he is now leaving in Hawaii, and according to Bill, "deserves some peace & quiet." He went on to add that at the zenith of WCCW, "there was no greater threesome (Kerry, Kevin, & David) in wrestling, probably in any other sport, than those three guys. They just carried the world."

Fans across the globe know the trials & tribulations the Von Erich family has gone through over the years. This weekend, however, will serve reason for anyone who was ever a part of World Class to celebrate & smile proudly, as the entire Von Erich family will be honored by World Wrestling Entertainment into their Hall Of Fame, as part of the "Class of 2009." Mosh & Blade directed the next question at Lacey on her emotions when she found out her uncles & her father were being inducted into the WWE HOF & just how excited she is to be in Houston for the ceremonies & the entire WrestleMania weekend. "I did call my sister, and she was ecstatic....We were like 'Yay, daddy is being remembered. My biggest thing on why I even got into wrestling was not the money, but to have daddy remembered."

Many of today's wrestling fans are not quite familiar with the Von Erichs, their rich body of work, or even World Class Championship Wrestling as a promotion, so Lacey was asked how is it going to feel to mingle with the fans at the WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremonies, as well as her feelings about Michael "P.S." Hayes inducting the family. "I'm pretty excited about it. I think that it's nice that both sides of the generation will be able to get to know or remember & appreciate it." Bill added that Michael Hayes "owes a lot to WCCW," and that he sees Hayes as the perfect person to do the Von Erich induction speech. Jokingly, Mercer said that he wonders if Michael will take his three allotted minutes to showcase to the Toyota Center crowd.

The Mayhem took the listening audience back to infamous Freebirds/Von Erichs feud from the heyday of WCCW & just how their clashes were some of the most-brutal in the history of professional wrestling. Bill was asked by Mosh & Blade about the feud & how it made WCCW thrive as a viable company in the wrestling industry. "It was a great battle between those six guys," and that the fans definitely got their money's worth, "because because the Von Erichs were the All-American guys...They had such a tremendous one-sided fan base." Mercer also wished to add that whenever those six guys got together in the squared circle that "it was a great spectacle" to behold.

Lacey was asked how the McMahon family have treated the Von Erich legacy & the portrayal of the World Class product since her uncle (Kevin Von Erich) sold the WCCW video library in 2006. "I think they did a great job, because I think if Uncle Kevin (Von Erich) didn't help produce it all, I don't think it turned out how it would have...He had it first-hand, and he knows my daddy better than anyone obviously." She feels like they (the family) were portrayed in a good light, and sometimes her father (Kerry) is looked on in a bad light/fashion. Lacey strongly believes that the WWE did a good job of portraying her dad when he was alive & not just how when/after died leading into this weekend's Hall Of Fame Ceremonies. One of the most-emotional interviews you fans will have the chance to every hear, as Lacey looks back at her father's memories/career, only on "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio."

In closing, Mosh asked Bill about this weekend & his feelings on not just The Von Erichs being honored, but World Class Championship Wrestling being honored as well. "I always was amazed at how successful it was." He went on to say that it was like "a flash...that it was there, it was exciting, it was worldwide, everybody was enjoying it, everybody had a great time, and then it was like 'OK...you guys have had enough,' and somebody pulled the plug."

More in discussed in this exclusive interview (pairing up Lacey & Bill for the first time ever), including their like their comments of a future WrestleMania taking place at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium (in the Dallas/Arlington area). the current local wrestling scene in Texas (and if it is as strong as it once was), Bill's thoughts on today's younger crop of wrestlers & what sets those apart from The Von Erichs, & so much more!

 

Tags: Bill Mercer, Von Erichs, WWE, Kevin Von Erich, WCCW, Kerry Von Erich, David Von Erich, Michael Hayes, Fabulous Feebirds

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Spotlight in History

  • 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 2024 Tzuki def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-08
  • Richie Adams May 8th Today!
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
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  • Lars Manderson May 13th
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  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
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  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Gajo May 18th
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  • J. R. Wind May 18th
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  • Mongol May 19th
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  • Will Chambers May 19th
  • Dale Veasey May 20th
  • Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
  • Chuey Martinez May 21st

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