Jim Cornette on David Von Erich & Magnum T.A.

[@pl5624]

I never tire of world class talk...

[@kennethfloyd8677]

Exactly

[@jimreily7538]

Neither do I. Fascinating stories

[@stewartmcrae8007]

me neither it is much more entertaining than the current stuff jim should just talk about the awa world class jcp stampede and all the other territories

[@JamesWilsonMD]

Here here

[@jonathanturbide2232]

MJF left the media scrum by shooting "Thank you, F you, bye", Corny must be in heaven right now. 😂

[@juansanchez209]

@@tylermcnally8232 That’s Cornette’s catchphrase and Cornette is a huge fan of MJF. It’s a nice show of respect to Cornette from one of today’s talents that really gets the industry

[@coreyhall1150]

@@juansanchez209 Seems like him and Punk are the ONLY ones that get what the business is actually about.

[@tonyfro23]

@@coreyhall1150 100000% correct

[@jerisergedunphy]

Ya that was fucking great promo altogether

[@MichaelSmith-fq6hz]

It’s too bad the shirt isn’t in stock.

[@lagerbeer1974]

Props to the guy who emailed this excellent question. Fascinating topic.

[@shawnbrock1545]

Thanks

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

Honestly maybe the most interesting question ever on either podcast.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

​@@shawnbrock1545They should have mailed you a shirt .,..maybe the best question ever asked.

[@JohnZoni]

Two of the great "what-ifs" of 80s wrestling. If neither tragedy happens, the decade probably plays out so much differently.

[@jeremypassmore7019]

For Ric Flair, no doubt.

[@madbrowniac7871]

When he was merely Terry Allen, Magnum T.A. was present for the moment that changed much of the direction of The NWA, at least in Florida. Jake Roberts cashed in on a Kayfabe $1100 Bounty by breaking Barry Windham's nose with a Kneesmash on TV in Tampa on 1982. As the aghast Gordon Solie and Terry Allen looked on helplessly, Jake Roberts eventually revealed his corrupt benefactor as a man named "Bonebuster." And then "Nivek Navillus." Who if you know your Florida Pro Wrestling History HIS identity doesn't stay a mystery for very long!😉🤔🎤🌊☀️🍊🌴🤼‍♂️B.W.

[@brianbradley8631]

Championship wrestling from Florida was a little bit before my time but I love learning about the history of professional wrestling. Would you mind sharing the identity of this person? If I had to guess I'd probably say Kevin Sullivan but I could easily be wrong too.

[@GregHuffman1987]

identity of who?

[@FnRenner]

@@brianbradley8631 identity of whom? Your reply to the original comment doesn't make much sense.

[@jetjax62481]

Territory stories are just so old school and fascinating I never get enough

[@mikejejenich7116]

The 80s. Were the greatest time to be a wrestling fan…. All the territories. Wwe. Nwa. Awa. World class from texas. Mid south. All territorys. Were stacked with talent……. Glad i got to. Grow up and watch it all…. 💯

[@mustaffa1611]

it made us who we are today

[@bryanelam7431]

I agree completely!! To add to your point, in the 1980's I was in elementary school in East Tennessee & ( this is a bold statement but it's a truthful statement) for about a 4 year period Crockett NWA was more important to us than Tennessee Vols football!! It was literally at the heart of our daily lives!! I love all the old school wrestling KZbin channels because of the memories, it definitely was the best time for wrestling!!!

[@isaacshaver6218]

Me too

[@bluelivesmatter719]

Agreed. But then again, just about everything was better in the 80s

[@whitebathroomguy]

Champion wrestling Florida CWF was super hot in the early mid 1980s

[@Atomykpimp]

That is such a great question! Kudos to Jim how he answered it!

[@stewartmcrae8007]

It was a excellent question Shelton in all seriousness though jim answered it perfectly

[@wolflover789]

This question was so good that I just punched a random stranger. That's how good the question was. Okay. That's how good it was.

[@GregHuffman1987]

the discussion also proves its kind of impossible to even answer because all we can do is estimate their trajectory. imagine if Stone Cold died while in wcw and people were trying to guess his impact on the business had he lived... anyone that actually did would be told they were way overhyping him and living in fantasy land

[@GetBenched2010]

From most of the shoot interviews I've read, David, with a lot of help from Brody, kept the boys in line. Kevin has stated that Fritz loved David best because he reminded him of himself the most, but feared him for that very same reason. When David died, the rest of the VE boys just went off the rails because Fritz was in denial.

[@kevindouglas5333]

David was a druggie too

[@shawnbrock1545]

I assure you that Shawn D Brock IS my given name. One of my thoughts that wasn't talked about is that if David had a longer run with the title (it certainly would have been longer than Kerry's), Crockett doesn't get to monopolize it. Also Fritz doesn't leave the NWA when he did.

[@troyturner173]

David's death is the fulcrum to everything-David gets a longer run/runs, you save CWF/St Louis, TBS stays with WCW as a territory and Vince has to reload

[@SonnyBubba]

What many people don’t realize is that Kerry did have a run with the belt as a traveling champion. After winning the title at Texas Stadium, Kerry went to Florida for a few weeks to defend the belt there. For whatever reason (whether it was agreed in advance he’d only keep it for a few weeks, or the NWA board called an audible after seeing Kerry work), Flair gets the title back in Japan.

[@SonnyBubba]

@@troyturner173 David having the belt was not going to save the territories from Vince. Vince was going through each territory and poaching the top talent, not because he necessarily thought they’d help him draw, but to prevent the competition from being able to draw. Case in point: Junkyard Dog. The hottest baby face in New Orleans from 1980-84, then Vince calls up and offers him twice as much money and half as much work schedule as Watts did, and JYD left (without giving Watts any notice). Dog gets to WWF, and gets fat.

[@troyturner173]

@@SonnyBubba I never said that Vince wouldn't become a factor at a point in the future, just that David being alive-and NWA champion-would have shored up the NWA, and caused Vince to regroup before taking another run

[@jetjax62481]

Magnum and Nikita could have been sensational in WCW going into the 90’s with guys like the horseman LOD Sting Luger and the Steiner’s. Do many what if’s.

[@realstonecuttr9445]

I apologize.. I saw the Von Erichs wrestle live in the late 70's to '83.. I love watching Magnum also.. David's death really took a toll on me. He was a natural at professional wrestling, I always said that Barry Windham's movements and style was based off David.. Love to both great men.. Thank you🙏🏿❤✊🏿

[@FJJN1005]

Nice insight on Windham.

[@detangojet]

Mike’s return was incredibly sad. There was no doubt in my mind the poor guy suffered brain damage from what he went through. His family should’ve protected him from coming back. His dignity and self respect wasn’t considered. It was all about the gate.

[@steveludwig4200]

Mike had no business wrestling in the first place. Same as Chris. Fritz is responsible for both of those deaths.

[@americanbadass88]

Magnum is possibly the biggest what if in professional wrestling history. The Von Erichs already had the name. But Magnum, people would go INSANE for him EVERYWHERE.

[@glengabruch4664]

Absolutely. Magnum was being pushed to be the next Ric Flair/ Sting/ Hulk Hogan type. Magnum had the size, the look, the charisma, the athleticism and talent to have become everybit the legend the aforementioned wrestlers became. Magnum truly is the biggest "what if" of the industry.

[@michaelbartosh8203]

I agree

[@jamesteegardner2273]

Yeah, Magnum definitely had the "it factor" people always talk about.

[@tonymickens8803]

Magnum was going to get a "Hogan Size Push."

[@PontFlair]

He was going to be THE GUY!! I remember Magnum TA's accident more than I remember David's death (R.I.P.). Only bc of my age, not bc I didn't care. When TA had the accident and couldn't wrestle anymore, it was terrible as a fan. Seeing him in that neckbrace? Man... You just knew there was no comeback for Magnum TA and it hurt bc you knew he was on the way

[@juliolopez6289]

Rightfully so.I remember watching on cable at that point in time,the crowds went apeshit for him.I always felt Barry Windham was their answer for what happened.

[@tonymickens8803]

@CERTIFIED WRESTLING PODCAST LOOK At My Comment, I Said that He "Was Going to Get a Hogan Push" He got into the Car Crash, so they Never got the CHANCE To Push Him!

[@pulsarstargrave256]

GOOD JOB, BRIAN! Whenever people discuss the demise of WORLD CLASS they always leave out those 2 key events: The loss of their main production and booking people to the WWF and elsewhere-- and the decision to withdraw from the NWA! These losses began to affect the in ring product regardless of personal losses! No wonder why I listen to Cornette and Brian more than other wrestling related shows: you're both entertaining and informative and neither seem like they're angling for a job at WWE or AEW!

[@SonnyBubba]

World Class leaving the NWA wasn’t as big a deal because the territory was already well on the way out. Leaving was more a capstone than a cause of the collapse.

[@ericmarks6322]

If David had lived and Magnum not been in that accident, Flair would not have been champion as many times.

[@danielburger1775]

Nah. David gets Kerry's short 84 reign. And Magnum gets Garvin's short 87 reign.

[@johnepants]

@@danielburger1775 David was set up for a long term reign. Ric would have still been a viable champion and would have gotten the belt again at some point, but David was going to get a good run

[@danielburger1775]

@@johnepants That's the story now. Just like with Magnum. In reality, we would have still got Flair. At best, David would have had a few months, before dropping it back to Flair.

[@TJ52359]

@@danielburger1775 IDK... I've seen some speculation through the years that JCP was looking to elevate Magnum to 'Face of the Company"... and was looking to Pivot with the 'all American baby Face' .. but Losing magnum; he soldiered through with Flair as the Heel

[@thomasswafford250]

Michael Hayes said that David hands down understood the business best of the boys.

[@jonathanturbide2232]

Yep, a number of WCCW wrestlers/alumni said he would have been the best Von Erich as far as working in the office and taking care of the promotion. That says it all.

[@JokersVsZombies]

@@jimcornette00 you're a scam

[@theravagedgrapefruit8190]

For sure, you can see it when you watch old shows. David had the psychology of wrestling down. He had no wasted movement in the ring. Every movement had purpose. You would never catch David just standing still for 10 secs waiting on a spot.

[@cbod14]

@@theravagedgrapefruit8190 He also wasn’t afraid of his father. He also would’ve been an emotional support system for Mike & a stabilizing influence on his brothers

[@laksivrak2203]

Finally a episode where we talk about the old days and not dumb ass shit going on today, wtf

[@CarlosMedina-vj7ot]

Ironically the big winner in both scenarios was Flair. With David dying and Terry being incapacitated, keeping the belt on Flair became the fallback. I guess the real question is how does it affect Flair's legacy of either and or both tragedies don't happen?

[@jbo8540]

Flair was already legend status at that point, and at worst would have had a Harley Race role where he swapped the belts back and forth with TA or David for a long while. I think people think of Flair's legacy being established in the mid-late 80's, forgetting how perfectly his career had been crafted for over a decade by then.

[@chrischar9428]

He would have been champ a lot either way

[@christopherclinton8631]

I seen video of David in Florida as a heel helping flair against butch Reed that was a great storyline.

[@bull705]

I would have loved to hear Fritz try to explain that to texas fans. Something like the "sumo referee" bit that he said was responsible for Kerry losing to Flair in Japan.

[@bowlerdave9347]

About 2 years after I started watching wrestling I was sitting there in the living room on a Saturday night and heard the announcement that David had died. Since then I've heard all this talk about how wonderful he was. And I never really understood it. Now yeah, it was my early teen years but I just never saw what everybody else saw in David. Maybe if I were older I would have seen it.

[@undergroundunlimited2282]

This is an awesome question and conversation! If David lives, is Mike even pushed? Maybe he never get injured and contracts TSS and gets his brain fried. Does Kerry totally go over the deep end? Could he have kept from crashing and losing the foot etc….So many dominoes with David’s unfortunate death.

[@bevor1785]

Mike started wrestling before David passed away..

[@leogetz3570]

I always figured that if Magnum didn't get over at Starrcade 86, it would have been during the Bash in the summer of 87. I really didn't start watching WCCW until around late 85. But yes, both had a huge impact

[@JohnnyLaps]

Quit laundering money,Leo.

[@leogetz3570]

@@JohnnyLaps it was only half a billion....

[@JohnnyLaps]

@@leogetz3570 😎

[@JohnnyLaps]

@@leogetz3570 because, whatever Leo wants....Leo Getz!

[@Maestrohbill]

I think this is correct. I think Magnum wins the belt and holds it until Starcade, so he basically gets Ronnie Garvin‘s run, but a longer one. I’m betting that at Starrcade 86, Magnum basically has the sting 1988 clash of the champions match with flair, but doesn’t win the title. They face each other numerous times over the next several months and Magnum probably wins it around the same time that Luger wound up taking the US title from Nikita.

[@Justin-bo5pg]

David Von Erich was a generation behind the direction the business was going towards. He would have been great for World Class, he'd probably gone to Turner and had an ok run but he wouldn't have ever been a tippy top of the card guy for anyone but World Class. Magnum T.A. was a big reason Crocket got so hot. He looked great, he's a guy that had charisma just standing there, he could work. Magnum could have been what Sting became in terms of popularity.

[@oldschooleddie2057]

Correct. Well done.

[@MortonT1958]

David was a regional star … Magnum was on the way to Hogan-like national stardom.

[@chrischar9428]

@@MortonT1958 David was a regional star in several places. Not too mention WCCW was seen in alot of places

[@johnnysorrowful]

David would have been NWA Champion if he and World Class had gotten hot earlier than 1983. He could talk, work heel and babyface, and was the most technically solid brother. Magnum was going to be huge during the 80's boom, was a great wrestler, and could have been a great heel.

[@anthonyjohnson4390]

David was also the biggest star in the capital of the NWA, St.Louis.

[@GetBenched2010]

and the only Von Erich since Fritz and Waldo to work heel.

[@chrischar9428]

@@GetBenched2010 kerry tried

[@madbrowniac7871]

So did Kevin. In February 1982 Kerry and Kevin Von Erich Wrestled Heel on behalf of Ric Flair (!) in Florida against Butch Reed. By Christmas Night 1982 Ric Flair no longer had The Von Erichs at his beck and call, especially not in Dallas.😂🎤💪🌊☀️🍊🌴🐴💎👔👞👞🤠🐴🤼‍♂️B.W.

[@jasonkraatz9574]

From what I’ve heard of the two, I’d say David probably had more of an impact on the business. He was liked by so many and even Harley Race and Ric Flair both put him over as a future world champ. Magnum was also a world champ in the making but I’m not sure if he was as established as David at the time of his accident. Always a great what if scenario.

[@mahbramah]

@jimcornette00 hi Jim replying for the prize I won

[@hellwig2357]

Hey Jim and Brian. Was Chris Colt the first wrestler to wear face paint, and enter with music?

[@AWX_Wrestling]

Imagine if Chris Von Erich, instead of trying to be a wrestler had become a heel manager turning against his family. His whole gimmick could have been that he was the bitter black sheep of the family because he was smaller and shunned by his father.

[@rudyrusso711]

Loved Magnum T.A.

[@dominicrossitto5890]

David was also the best interview/promo of the three brothers. And I wonder if it would have been better for the actual NWA, not JCP, if David would have gotten a run with the NWA Heavyweight Title. JCP by far was the strongest of the NWA members, but Crockett locked up the exclusive rights to Ric Flair's dates after some time and other promoters were having to pay Crockett NOT to have the NWA Champion make dates in their territories, but DID to have Ric Flair appear in their territories....who WAS the NWA Champion. Kind of the same thing, but a technicality. For some time,Flair was going to the PNW, Continental, All Japan, and especially Florida. Central States, St. Louis, the promotions in Canada, etc. were dying. Memphis was still strong, but didn't need the NWA Champion as much as other territories did. In 1986, when World Class pulled out of their NWA membership, it was WAS a loss to the NWA, but an even bigger loss to World Class. The NWA Champion in the DFW market was so important, and they billed the NWA Title as being the most important Championship in the sport. To just say "The American Champion is now recognized as the World Heavyweight Champion,...but with a title not the NWA Title", just didn't seem to go over with fans.

[@bizil100]

Great points! The thing is WCCW in 1986 was ALREADY past it's glory days. So it was BETTER for them to actually pay NWA dues INSTEAD of leaving. If they stay in the NWA, JCP would have addressed their situation at some point. He started consolidating the NWA. And even bought UWF as well. IF WCCW NEVER leaves the NWA, their situation gets addressed at some point. And even though WCCW was past its glory days, they still had a lot to offer. The DFW metroplex, the Von Erichs, and Brody was a package the other NWA territories couldn't offer. The UWF had a very good roster when JCP bought them out. But they didn't have the DFW metroplex to offer even. AT WORST, JCP buys out WCCW. And Fritz gets a hell of a payday. OF JCP decides to keep WCCW around. And they get access to that JCP roster at times. Or Crockett could have combined UWF and WCCW into a killer roster. And u get a brand split type of deal under The Wrestling Network banner!

[@dominicrossitto5890]

@@bizil100 I would LOVED TO see that happen,....but we see how Dusty handled the purchase of the UWF. Too much money, too much debt, and they didn't even get the video library.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

I gotta be honest, no disrespect but...Mike always looked like....Mike looked like Howdy Doody

[@tomwalker389]

Flair dodged two bullets. … but then Jim Crockett believed in having heel champions.

[@Handle_Needs_3_Or_More_Charact]

That was more a Dusty thing. Also, Flair was a face for a few years in Crockett's territory while champion.

[@reynaldoreyes9927]

It might have been David The Undertaker Von Erich in WWF 1990 or Tag Team The Undertakers 1& 2 ( David Von Erich & Mark Callous )

[@HereBeRabbit]

Salt of the Earth baby!🏆💪

[@TheEnzyme94]

Happy thanksgiving and Starcade season! Love these speculative questions. Magnum TA vs. The Hitman Brett Hart! Dude!

[@chrischar9428]

BRET DUDE

[@JD-cp1ku]

If either of them won the belt, wouldn’t they have just lost it back to Flair a month later like everyone else?

[@chrischar9428]

Pretty much. But woulda been a bit longer

[@delbertprince5302]

1986 was a great year in NWA and World Class Championship Wrestling

[@yoholmes273]

Chi Town Rumble 86 Main Event for my money was one the best main events of all time.

[@chrischar9428]

@@yoholmes273 that was 89

[@DeeTheToyHunter]

Lance Von Erich.....terrible idea I don't know what Fritz was thinking

[@jonathanturbide2232]

Fritz took the fans for granted and obviously thought they were gullible and willing to believe anything he said. He was on such a power/ego trip that he legit thought that anything called "Von Erich" would sell tickets. Obviously he was dead wrong. Fans were much smarter than he thought they were, and a lot of them never trusted him after that terrible fiasco.

[@GetBenched2010]

@@jonathanturbide2232 They did bring Waldo in to sell the gimmick but Lance was the WORST possible choice.

[@DeeTheToyHunter]

Never knew they brought Waldo in

[@chrischar9428]

@@GetBenched2010 when and where

[@jasonkraatz9574]

I think at that point Fritz was grasping at straws trying to get the fans invested again. Lance looked great and he was great in the ring but when his cover was blown there was nothing you could do to save it.

[@Uuusssaaas]

Magnum was a shinning star in JCP. The Von Erichs were Texas wrestling. David was a better worker than Magnum. I think both would have been world champions. David 1st, back to Flair, concluding with Magnum over the course of 5 or 6 years.

[@buddypickard3106]

I think David has a couple of runs with the belt & I also believe if David had lived Crockett doesn't take control of the NWA as soon as he dose because the Von Erich/ Flair angle with the World title could go for a couple of years with Magnum finally winning the title from either Flair or Von Erich at Starrcade 87.

[@Uuusssaaas]

@@buddypickard3106 I think your scenario is very likely.

[@Mr.Majestic77]

Anyone remember a young Terry Allen (Magnum T.A.) vs. Nick Bockwinkle in AWA?

[@chrischar9428]

Southwest

[@Kas58223]

Magnum TA is to me the biggest what if image if he didn’t get that accident I definitely say he be NWA heavyweight champion and Flair knew be right for the business to do, when I first saw Magnum, I was like when did Tom Selleck take up wrestling

[@armandop9082]

Magnum wouldve had a run in wwf as well eventually.

[@chrischar9428]

Seeing as how fond vince was I'm sure von erich is there too

[@sOUnerfan]

I think Magnum's accident really changed things most for Sting. I think Sting probably still becomes what he did, but the accident sped up the process.

[@blake7871]

Yep I agree. It's probably the early 90's instead of the late 80's when Sting becomes a star.

[@nickash-crisler5773]

If you were going to do some sort of crossover, Magnum vs Savage would have been $$$.

[@markleopard8960]

I was watching some world class episodes on the network. And theirs a great episode were Fritz and Kevin have to explain why David was acting differnt out in Florida.

[@bull705]

What was the reason?

[@markleopard8960]

@@bull705 I think basically they say he isn't really different he's just being more aggressive.

[@AFCole-uu3rv]

William Shakespeare would have looked at the Von Erichs and said, “Nah people will never believe this tragedy.”

[@GregHuffman1987]

I remember hearing a little about Magnum TA as a kid and wondering what happened to him. i didnt know till i passed my casual stage

[@twrestlinga1]

Magnum vs Flair..vs Nikita..vs Tully..vs Windham...would have been classic title defenses And even if he did a heal turn...vs Dusty..vs Sting It would have carried to the WCW buyout Oct 14th 1986...changed alot

[@SSP_Joel]

just awesome convo from Corny

[@ethanbradley2089]

If Magnum hadn't had to retire is my favorite what if in wrestling. He was JCP's answer to Hogan. But he could work,and he wasn't a cartoon character.

[@cra0422]

I think I remember hearing that Mike wanted to work as a cameraman and do the behind the scenes stuff, but Fritz basically pushed him into the ring and told him to be David

[@chrischar9428]

Don't forget TA was destined to turn heel on duthtay

[@vortega472]

As to David - I think if they had made an alliance with JCP - maybe they could have had a means to establish a southern stronghold against Vince - but that would mean Fritz would have to smarten up - so probably not, but a guy can dream. As to Magnum - I still think a heel turn would have been revolutionary - where he Magnum joins the Horsemen - and slowly becomes the leader and he oust Flair and then Flair on the outside battling him. Now that I think about it - Flair and Hart - that would have beeeeeeeeeen great.

[@williewinston1498]

If magnum somehow turned heel and joined the horsemen at wargames in 87 that would have been Hogan Joining the nwo 9 years earlier. That storyline would have turned the industry on its ear! Flair, magnum, tully, arn and windham vs the road warriors, dusty, nikita, and sting from 87 to 89.

[@RealDaveTalk]

Now that will be a great alliance WCCW and JCP showing enforces against the WWF in the 1980s will be big. That mean both WCCW and JCP can expand outside of the territories like JCP and expand to Dallas in the Fort Worth area and WCCW can expand to the Carolinas. I think they could buy the Georgia championship wrestling timeslot from TBS and that will be a big combination.

[@johnchitwood8799]

It was my impression that "Lance" was brought in to replace Mike during Mike's health crisis. His debut was in the Cotton Bowl riding in a convertible with Mike, who you could clearly see was not able to ever step back in the ring.

[@billyblunt5823]

David absolutely would have been bigger than Magnum TA. David was a large, athletic guy - 6' 7" and an moved with stealth abilities. David was a fantastic rival throughout the decade to Flair, and also a great counter to the larger than life mystique of Hulk Hogan. Not to mention how World Class and the NWA could have used Kerry and Kevin as ancillary pieces... Magnum was great, but David was believably dangerous.

[@bull705]

Sort of like the Funk brothers were used when one was NWA champ and the other was the roadblock in front of him.

[@ryandavis4448]

MagnumTA was one of my first memories of wrestling.

[@howardmorgan864]

He was the reason I fell in love with the sport and i HATED Nikita for a long time!!!!! I didn't even trust him when he teamed with Dusty. Man, what a great time to live, back when it was sooooo real and believable!!!!!

[@arianah9472]

Makes me wonder what would have happened to Sting.

[@ADAMdinho1]

We were stole of Magnum T.A. & David Von Erich. I personally think both would've been over huge, let's not forget the push that Magnum T.A. was going to get. A case of we will never truly know with both.

[@PontFlair]

David was next up before his death. After, it was for sure that TA was next up. He was set up for it already. They got him out of the U.S. Title picture, and it was only a short matter of time before it was going to happen. He had already had a scrape or 2 with Flair and had been in the beef with the Horsemen for a bit. Magnum was on the way

[@AndyGrazianoNYC]

Vice had that good WCCW show on the other day, I like how they went to lengths to talk about how great of an athlete Kevin was, I didn't really know much about him besides the barefoot thing. Kerry was the Texas Tornado, David died so that was a big deal, but Kevin kinda got the short end especially being the last guy left, but now that opens the door for him and his kids, and that's cool

[@sionrouge1697]

David would have been the go to. He was established in a higher level. Mushcnik in STL loved him and that was the key to the NWA.

[@chrischar9428]

M U C H N I C K

[@damonmcfarland9364]

to me , Magnum couldn't cut a promo for nothing.

[@toby-aprilseegren3872]

In case I forget, happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow cult members

[@JNewt-gq5lq]

Let's not forget that "Lance Von Erich" was in Portland (Billy Jack's home territory) prior to arriving in Texas. He was known there as Ricky Vaughn and almost being presented as a Von Erich-like hero of sorts. Perhaps Billy Jack was prepping him for his eventual move to World Class. Thoughts?

[@Pugiron]

David had much more involvement outside one territory than Terry Allen did.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

OMFG...David lives....and David turns heel vs Kerry and Kevin??? You would see utter confusion and chaos.

[@juliolopez6289]

As a Kid,I thought Magnum was unstoppable.He'd been one of the all time greats if the accident hadn't occured.He was on fire those last 2 years.

[@renafan3333]

Magnum affected business but David Dying affected wresting much more. Everyone mourned when David Died. Business though,nobody knows for sure if David would have been champion. People think he would of but Magnum definitely was. It was in the works when he had his car accident,they were in the process of setting that up. I always loved that the people in Texas lost faith in The Vin Reich's when they brought Lance in. They were liars. A sport where the entire point of it is lying to you but they get mad when someone lies?

[@daviddamron7078]

David Von Erich

[@matthewhutchinson7999]

What movie was Kerry up for?

[@charltonblalock2510]

In my opinion, with David's death, it was the beginning of the end of WCCW. And remember, WCCW had a "green" Dingo Warrior (Ultimate Warrior) & Sting. If David didn't die, would the Ultimate Warrior & Sting, be who we know them today?

[@jasonkohm8804]

Only the Dingo was in WCCW. The Blade Runners split up and had gone their separate ways.

[@charltonblalock2510]

@@jasonkohm8804 But didn't Sting compete in single matches in WCCW, as well? I remember seeing him?

[@davidlayne4147]

I guess the ultimate "what if" is wondering how the NWA title reigns would have been given out to either wrestler had both tragedies not taken place. The years between 1984 and 1990 would have certainly been interesting. Because you had Flair, Dusty, Von Erich, Magnum, along with Luger and Sting coming up. So deciding angles between those guys would have been quite difficult.

[@teddyy72]

Fritz Vonerich and Jim Crockett would have to have a great relationship in order for David to have any real run with the belt

[@madbrowniac7871]

I'd make that Fateful Rivalry a Triple Threat and add the very charismatic Gino Hernandez to the mix. He could've been a Top Heel in practically any NWA Territory around.🤔🎤🐴🤼‍♂️B.W.

[@peacemaker9915]

I honestly feel like if David had lived and Magnum wouldn’t have had the wreck, Flair would have went to WWF in 86 and Magnum would have become and stayed The Guy for the NWA. Either way, Vince still would have ended up winning by 1990

[@tomh1593]

U could see empty seats at Reunion Arena in late 1985.

[@Sargebri]

To me, when Magnum had his accident it just affected Crockett. When David died it affected several promotions due to the far reach of the NWA at the time.

[@andrewclayterman6230]

WHEN MAGNUM WRECKED EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT, WHEN DAVID DIED IT WAS JUST A LOCAL STORY

[@dnhs5441]

@@andrewclayterman6230 All the territories had a memorial to David Von Erich, even WWF.

[@Sargebri]

@@andrewclayterman6230 nope. It was national. As Corny mentioned, the WWF did a ten bell salute for him on their television shows and it was acknowledged in the other NWA promotions and non-NWA promotions, especially Mid South.

[@stevejamieson8468]

I felt what would have been good is that Fritz had brought Waldo in where Waldo intoduced another wrestler as his son. That would have avoided that whole cluster with the Lance situation

[@timmelkoonce8609]

I think Vince would have had to have a different plan of attack. Nothing about what WWF/WWE would become was for certain at that time. I feel like Vince along with the great minds he surrounded himself with would have found another way to succeed. He had his Stick Michael too, helping to build that eventual juggernaut. Vince didn't build this empire by himself.

[@bizil100]

WCCW should have never left the NWA. If they stay in, Crockett would HAVE to address their situation at some point. Just like he did with the other NWA territories at the time. WCCW had the DFW metroplex, The Von Erichs, and Brody to still offer. Crockett bought out other NWA terrritories. And tried to continue to run them for awhile. WCCW had way more to offer. EVEN though they were past their glory days. And outside of the WWF and JCP, Kerry, Kevin, and Brody were the three biggest stars in the US in my opinion at that time. Either JCP offers to buy them out. OR WCCW gets a major boost by having JCP stars appear in WCCW. I think they some type of working relationship could have eventually happened. When Turner buys out JCP, WCCW could have also been figured in somehow. If anything, the new WCW could have continued the partnership. Of Turner buys out JCP and WCCW! My point is WCCW staying in the NWA wouldn't have hurt.

[@walterclark3198]

Magnum was on the rise and that accident was so sad and tragic. David dying was a tragedy and very sad. Magnum was on his way to be champion and was a great baby face. Magnum would of been a star in any company he was good and got the Dusty Rhodes rub.

[@jmb01550]

1986 in World Class also had Gino's fatal cocaine overdose

[@brownfox4995]

I think Vince would have come after David had he lived. Could you imagine him starring down the undertaker they were physically identical

[@GetBenched2010]

DVE vs Magnum would have been serious money.

[@dominicrossitto5890]

No doubt! 👌

[@scopewrestling]

Kerry followed David to Florida for a stint as well. Butch Reed was chasing Flair during that period and DVE & Kerry sided with him on TV. I was 6 or 7, but I remember it clearly.

[@arlichar11]

i never really saw david he died before saw wrestling, and magnum got hurt before i saw him... but what ive seen of david, he wasnt great on the mic, but i could see how he would be over with that texas farm boy persona , t a definetly had the look and abilty to be top guy at that time..very good counter to what flair was doing..

[@Venom-ez6ip]

As a kid I didn’t even know about WCW/NWA. I was only exposed to WWF in the 80s. As an adult, I watch WCW/NWA and think to myself “this is real fn wrestling”.

[@dwaynelarsonjr1385]

I don't know what some people are smoking! Mid Atlantic (NWA- Crockett Country) was mostly a tag team promotion until the late 70s. The NWA Missouri State Title was the second most prestigious title in the National Wrestling Alliance, until it left the alliance- that belonged to the KC office (Central States) and St. Louis Club. World Class NWA was the biggest money making promotional affiliate of the NWA from 1981 to 1984. After Crockett combined Georgia and Mid Atlantic, and after World Class loss the power struggle in the NWA's Board of Directors (Fritz loss to Crockett), the NWA Dallas office (World Class) left the NWA in February 1986. As a result of World Class's succession, both the NWA as a whole, and WCCW or now WCWA loss. NWA became weaker and weaker as the 'whole was no longer stronger than the sum of its parts". NWA Crockett Country of World Championship Wrestling controlled the NWA and the travelling champion days were over for the most part. In name only, WCW stayed within the 'nwa' framework; it seceded in 1991, rejoined in 1992, with another former NWA affiliate NWA New Japan, and then it finally seceded for the last time in October 1993.

[@kennethfloyd8677]

So sad yet so fun to "what if" about World Class and the Von Erichs had David not passed.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

David was the ONLY Von Erich that could be a bad guy... Kerry and Kevin to me were just sooo much better. Then again, World Class did not come on up here in Philadelphia until after David passed in fairness to him. Honestly, all 3 were tremendous. The GREATEST wrestling family by far.

[@sugartbube]

It was definitely TA

[@brianlockwood5649]

If it had gone differently I believe it would have been David instead of Kerry somewhere down the road. They admitted Magnum was being prepped as the next champion at the time of the crash. But in my mind they would have been short title reigns as the money and dependability to fulfill commitments was always going to be Ric Flair.

[@pinotnoir6974]

DvE had much better psychology, speaking, AND wrestling skills than MTA. He would’ve been a more credible champion than MTA. However, let’s not forget about Nikita. He also had the skills needed to be a classic champ. I personally believe that (in those days), the three finest candidates that could carry a world title are… - Bret Hart - Curt Hennig - David von Erich (no offense to MTA) All these wrestlers had an incredible ring psychology, came from a wrestling family background, and were loved by fans globally. The most important factor is that all three would have equal success being a heel or a baby face. Not all wrestlers can do that.

[@rodneybrown2448]

Would love to meet you sir

[@jaywilson4520]

I think David dying was the bigger tragedy. The trajectories that death changed were more encompassing than Magnum's accident: the death spiral of World Class, the eventual destruction of the whole family. Magnum's accident really didn't alter the course of Mid-Atlantic or the NWA, because there were still such huge stars to come with Luger and Sting, plus Flair was still the undisputed top wrestler of the 80s. Magnum is more of a "what-if" while David's death did have major ramifications for the business. As far as how well Magnum would have done as champ in 86 or 87, I don't think his first title reign would have been especially long. It might have been a trial balloon sent up, just to see how fans took to him as champ. He would have probably dropped the belt back to Flair before long and then, if fans really liked Magnum even more and business was either as good or better with him as champ, he and Flair would have possibly traded it a couple of times before Magnum eventaully became "the guy". You still would have had Luger and Sting coming in too, which would have meant some interesting things to consider. Maybe Magnum would have turned heel, or those guys would have been heel challengers to him. The possibilities...

[@Crobama]

I disagree but just a little bit. From everything I've heard, the Crocketts and Dusty had decided that in very short order, Magnum TA would be their superstar. They had every intention of making him the face of the franchise, the Hulk Hogan of the NWA. And they were ready to throw everything into making that happen. Now would it have worked? I have some doubts. But it would not have worked with both Flair and Magnum, imho. At that point, you can imagine a world where Flair goes to the WWE in 1987. This doesn't leave the same role for Sting. What Flair does in the scenario of Magnum as top guy is the wild card for me.

[@THEREALLORDJ]

FLAIR WAS UNDISPUTED??

[@lustthomas6033]

David was going to be the Stone Cold in world class,he would beat up faces and heels except for his brothers, Magnum would have gotten over and would have been a huge cross over star, Mike never wanted to wrestle he wanted to be his dad right hand man...

[@nicholasfarrell8403]

David would have had the belt before Crockett took over the nwa. I think that fact needs to be remembered. It would have made a big difference in the business

[@jonathanhensley6141]

That is what we are missing today a champion to travels to other promotions and challenges their top guys. TNA should have done what the old NWA had done and challenged a lot of the indy promotions top guys and had them on there weekly ppvs.

[@DMS-pq8]

In reality WCCW peaked in the year or two after David died, Rather he could have saved the company is doubtful as the NWA was still going to be controlled by Crocket so no more NWA champ coming to Dallas and Fitz wasn't going to be willing or able to compete with WCW and the WWF for top talent

[@shaolin1derpalm]

Magnum going to the late 80s would have been the best. David would have been way more territory...