10 Best "Everything You Know Is A Lie" Moments In Wrestling
2. The Freebirds Ignite A Civil War And A Territory
Christmas Day 2022 will mark 40 years since a steel cage showdown remembered to this day as a defining moment for 1980s pro wrestling, but the whole story could be Bobby Fish's age and still not lose a second of its incredible lustre.
World Class Championship Wrestling out of Dallas, Texas was Planet Von Erich thanks to the constant presence of the iconic family. Promoter Fritz gave prominent spots to all his children, and had been successful enough at it that son Kerry was seen as Ric Flair's equal in closely-fought battles over the 'Nature Boy's NWA World Heavyweight Championship. As was key to Flair's longevity at the time though, one too many screwy conclusions necessitated a steel cage finale, with edgier babyfaces The Freebirds doubling down on the peril with their presence at ringside. Michael Hayes was fan-voted guest referee and Terry Gordy guarded the door to stop any interference - Flair was f*cked.
Or so the entire building thought until it all went very, very wrong for the local heroes.
After Flair and Hayes got physical, 'PS' lost his rag and struck the Champion. Von Erich refused to claim the win under those circumstances though, prompting an irate Hayes to abandon his post. An opportunistic Flair shoved Kerry into Michael, which in turn convinced The Freebirds that the 'Modern Day Warrior' was no ally after all. Gordy slammed the door into his face, and two stormed off, leaving Kerry to go on to lose. The audience raged as the Von Erich clan arrived in disbelief to tend to their fallen brother, but the battle lines - and white hot sold out crowds for the better part of two years - had just been drawn.