Watch World Class Championship Wrestling

World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) was a professional wrestling television show which aired from 1972 to 1989. The show was originally broadcasted locally in Dallas, Texas, but with its growing popularity, it expanded to a national broadcast in 1981 through syndication. WCCW was the flagship show of World Class Championship Wrestling, a promotion owned by Jack Adkisson, better known by his ring name, Fritz Von Erich.

The show was hosted by play-by-play announcers, Marc Lowrance and Bill Mercer, who provided in-depth commentary on the various matches that took place on the show. Lowrance served as the lead announcer for most of the show's run, while Mercer joined in as a co-host in the mid-1980s.

WCCW was known for its high-energy matches, featuring some of the sport's biggest stars. The show introduced the world to several notable wrestlers, including the Von Erich family, a group of three brothers who all became world champions. The show also showcased other legendary wrestlers such as Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams, and Bruiser Brody.

One of the most prominent referees on the show was Bronko Lubich, a former professional wrestler who turned to officiating. Lubich often found himself in the middle of heated disputes between wrestlers, and he became a key figure in several of the show's most memorable moments.

In addition to the championship matches and feuds, WCCW also featured several unconventional matches that added to the show's unique flavor. One such match was the "Texas Death Match," a no-holds-barred brawl that typically took place in a steel cage. Another popular match was the "Scaffold Match," which saw wrestlers battling it out on top of a high platform far above the ring.

The show also featured several guest stars over the years, including celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. One particularly memorable guest was the rock band KISS, who performed a live concert on the show in 1982.

Despite its success, WCCW faced its share of challenges over the years. In the mid-1980s, the promotion was hit with a steroid scandal which led to several wrestlers being suspended or fired. This, along with increasing competition from other wrestling promotions, led to a decline in the show's popularity.

In 1989, WCCW was purchased by the Dallas-based wrestling promotion, Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF). The UWF continued to air a show under the WCCW name, but it was never able to recapture the magic of the original show.

In conclusion, World Class Championship Wrestling was a groundbreaking show that helped shape the world of professional wrestling. From its high-energy matches and colorful characters to its unique brand of commentary and unconventional matches, WCCW set a new standard for what wrestling could be. The show's legacy lives on today through the many wrestlers it introduced to the sport and the countless fans who were captivated by its unique blend of athleticism and entertainment.