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World Class' Bill Mercer and "Heroes Of World Class" Director Remember Gary Hart

Posted: Mar 23rd 2008 By: CMBurnham

The voice of World Class Championship Wrestling, Bill Mercer & the director of the "Heroes Of World Class" DVD, Brian Harrison were the special guests on this past week's live edition (03/17/08) of Monday Night Mayhem: A Tribute to Gary Hart (presented by Sweet Sunshine Sauces: the official finishing sauce of "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio") -- which can be heard in streaming audio every week (hosted by The Big Mosh, Blade, & DFL, and heard LIVE at 8PM ET/7PM CT every Monday night) exclusively on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.OnlineWorldOfWrestling.com, & www.ITunes.com).

This Monday Night Mayhem special (which also features The Mayhem's first-ever interview w/the legendary Bruno Sammartino & WWE Hall Of Famer, "The Mouth Of The South" Jimmy Hart) to "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio" can now be heard for free in Real Audio.

March 17th Monday Night Mayhem (streaming audio): www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com/waxfiles/031708.wax

Here are some of the highlights from The Mayhem's Gary Hart Tribute (including comments from Bill & Brian respectively), provided by MNM's senior show correspondent, Dan "Ho-Ju" Dan Kriegbaum.
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Monday Night Mayhem wishes to take the time to remember one of the best friends in the wrestling business that our program has ever known, as well as someone who respected all of the hard work that "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio" accomplished over the past six+ years..
Former World Class/NWA manager & long-time friend of the show, "Playboy" Gary Hart passed away this past Sunday night, Sunday March 16th.

Going back to when the "Heroes Of World Class" DVD came out through Right Here Pictures back in the summer of 2006, we developed a relationship with Gary that grew to a friendship.

Just a few days before Christmas, we were privileged to have both Gary & the voice of WCCW, Bill Mercer, on together to dicuss the "The Triumph & Tragedy Of World Class Championship Wrestling" in one of the greatest moments in our six+ years on the air.

The Mayhem Crew wishes to extend its deepest condolences & sympathies to Gary's family down in Texas, as well as his colleagues in the wrestling business, that like us at the show right now, who are in mourning.

We will never forget the good memories my friend, and for giving myself/The Mayhem the honor of allowing our program to introduce you to a new generation of fans around the world.

Rest in peace Gary. You will be missed. This is our tribute to you...

The Big Mosh, Blade, & DFL welcomed Bill Mercer & Brian Harrison on a somber note, just a day after "Playboy" Gary Hart's unfortunate passing. Brian joined the show stating how there are plenty of other things that they would all rather be talking about instead of this tragic news, as Bill Mercer also joined the show.

Bill began by saying that he spoke with Gary Hart's son, Jason, earlier in the day, who said that he unfortunately arrived just as Gary was finishing his apparent heart attack. He added that Gary once said that he does not want any memorials when he dies, but just wants people to remember him. Bill went on to give some memories from his 40+ year friendship with Gary Hart, and mentioned that they never had to write anything for their interviews, since they clicked so by feeding off of each other as it happened.

The Big Mosh referred to the "new fan base" in the wrestling business, mostly thanks to the WWE's current product, and then asked how much emphasis Gary gave to the "Heroes Of World Class" DVD. Bill & Brian both said that he was always for anything to do with World Class, as it was a major part of his career, and how he loved the locker room. From his pure knowledge of wrestling, or his ability to tell the story, it was evident that he put his heart into World Class, "whether it was describing a wrestler he was managing, an opponent, or just sitting down and having a beer with him." Brian said Gary was always there to help, saying he "would probably take the shirt off his back for a stranger," and was a great father to his two sons.

Mosh then gave some of his personal memories with Gary, and asked Bill Mercer how he believes fans will remember Gary in the future. Bill mentioned that while the fans do not know too much about the behind-the-scenes things from that era, fans will remember him for his ability to "create mayhem at the most unexpected times around the ring" with his precise timing. In turn, it would get the fans to hate him through his "sneaky attitude." Bill went on to tell a story about one of the times where they taped an interview at Bill's house and did one of Gary's infamous "one take" promos. Brian Harrison added that the interview was after an angle with Chris Adams, and then mentioned Jim Ross' blog article from this past week about Gary, where J. R. mentions that Gary was one of the top three managers of all time, behind Bobby "The Brain" Heenan & Jim Cornette. Brian added that although Gary was never in the WWF/WWE, everybody knew who he was, and he will be remembered as a legend.

Mercer then told The Mayhem listeners a story from his book "Play-By-Play" about an interview when Gary was going to wrestle Fritz Von Erich. Gary asked him if he thought he was not a good wrestler, but Bill said no, and said "Look at you, and look at Fritz Von Erich. He's such a mean guy he'll tear you up." Gary then asked if Bill thought he was smart because he was a professor at college, and added that he went to school himself. Bill then asked "Oh really? When did you matriculate?" Gary paused for about ten seconds and said, "Oh, about two or three times a week." This was just a taste of Gary Hart's sense of humor, and the way he came across.

Mosh & Blade asked Brian Harrison about Gary Hart's up-and-down relationship with Fritz Von Erich, and what he thinks would have happened if things went differently. Brian said that "you never know what would've happened," but wherever Gary went, he always made an impact. He was always managing the top heel in the territories, in main events everywhere, including Terry Funk in the late 1980's. He was highly respected in every territory he was a part of, and that was shown with whom he managed. Bill Mercer added that the World Class situation became tense "inside," with things that should have been done, but Gary was trying to overcome "a sinking ship."

Brian added that Gary Hart changed his life in a couple of ways, and as the first person he interviewed for the "Heroes Of World Class" DVD project, Gary did not really seem to notice his importance in wrestling, and did not see the point in attending conventions & autograph sessions, but the "Heroes" DVD seemed to change that with its positive feedback, as Gary then went on to attend several future conventions & signings, and took part in several interviews & roundtable discussions (including two with The Mayhem: www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com/waxfiles/121907.wax & www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com/waxfiles/110606.wax). Brian considered him a good friend & a "father-figure," and will always remember his words. Bill gave his final thoughts on Gary as well -- saying that he was a very sensitive guy, who was very true to his friends. Brian also stated that there is a party going on somewhere, welcoming Gary with the rest of the "fallen comrades" of WCCW.

Brian mentioned that he had talked to Kevin Von Erich earlier that day, who knew Gary since he was a child, and he looked up to him like an uncle. Brian added that Kevin was at a loss for words. Bill then went on to say he tried calling the Hart household earlier, and broke down when Gary's voice came on the voicemail.

Monday Night Mayhem's Gary Hart Tribute Special also includes more on Gary's epic & legendary career, stories from his teaming-up with The Great Kabuki, and much more that you have to hear to believe. One who will not be forgotten anytime soon...one of professional wrestling's finest people to ever grace this business...Gary Hart...Rest In Peace...

Tags: Gary Hart, WCCW, Bill Mercer, WWE, Chris Adams, J. R., Fritz Von Erich, Keviin Von Erich, Great Kabuki, Jim Cornette, Jim Ross