Terry Taylor vs. The Von Erichs: When It Turned Ugly

Terry Taylor once waited backstage with a broomstick, battered and furious, ready to attack Kevin Von Erich after a brutal brawl. What stopped him? Five towering bodyguards and a jarring reminder of the unspoken rules in pro wrestling’s most unforgiving territory!

Wrestling for Fritz Von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling

Wrestling for Fritz Von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling was an interesting time for Terry Taylor. During his tenure in the promotion’s final years, Taylor experienced firsthand the intense, hard-hitting style that made WCCW famous (and sometimes infamous) throughout the wrestling world.

In his short stint in Dallas in ’88, he feuded with Chris Adams, won the Texas Heavyweight Championship from Matt Borne, and defended it against Adams, Kevin Von Erich, and many others. Terry also held the tag team title with Iceman King Parsons for a short time before eventually parting for the WWF to become Scary Terry Taylor and, later, The Red Rooster.

However, before leaving for New York, he experienced several stiff beatings courtesy of the Von Erich brothers. It got so bad that he decided he had had enough and would take matters into his own hands backstage!

To understand Taylor’s experience, it’s essential to recognize the unique culture that defined World Class Championship Wrestling during the 1980s. The promotion, originally known as Big Time Wrestling until 1982, had evolved into a groundbreaking wrestling organization under Fritz Von Erich’s leadership.

By the time Taylor arrived in 1988, WCCW had already established itself as an innovator in wrestling television production, utilizing multiple camera angles, instant replay technology, and enhanced audio to capture the brutal reality of their matches.

The Von Erich family had built their reputation on delivering authentic-looking contests that bordered on genuine fights. This approach to wrestling, sometimes called “Texas style,” emphasized stiff strikes, legitimate-looking exchanges, and an overall intensity that set WCCW apart from other promotions of the era. The promotion’s success came from its ability to present matches that felt real to audiences, even when storylines were predetermined.

Terry Taylor, who had built his reputation as a technically sound performer throughout the territory system, found himself thrust into this hard-hitting environment during one of the most turbulent periods in WCCW history. By 1988, the promotion was struggling financially and dealing with talent defections, making every performer’s contribution crucial to maintaining the product’s quality.

Terry Taylor’s Championship Reign and Feuds

Taylor’s time in WCCW proved highly successful from a championship standpoint. On February 26, 1988, he defeated Matt Borne to capture the WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship, one of the promotion’s most prestigious titles. Borne, who would later portray the original Doink the Clown in WWE, was himself a tough competitor who had established himself as a formidable champion.

During his title reign, Taylor successfully defended the championship against several notable opponents, including a high-profile match against Chris Adams on May 8, 1988, at the Parade of Champions event. These defenses showcased Taylor’s ability to work with various styles of opponents while maintaining the hard-hitting approach that WCCW demanded.

Taylor also formed a successful tag team partnership with Iceman King Parsons during this period. Parsons, known for his charismatic personality and catchphrases like “rooty poot” and “Hubba Bubba, not a speck of trubba,” brought a different energy to their partnership. Together, they captured the World Class World Tag Team Championship, defeating Kevin and Kerry Von Erich for the titles. This victory was particularly significant as it positioned Taylor and Parsons as major players in the promotion’s hierarchy.

Terry Taylor Opens Up About Difficult Time with the Von Erichs in Texas

In an interview with WrestlingPerspective.com, Terry Taylor opened up about his time in WCCW and what it was like working with the Von Erichs:

“When I worked for the Von Erichs, that was the most interesting time of my life. I worked with Mike, Kevin, and Kerry.

“Oh, boy, I had a pull-apart once with Kevin, Kerry, me, and Iceman [King Parsons]. We had a pull-apart, and my nose was broken, my eye was cut. I had lumps all over my head…

“[Afterward] I had a broomstick around the corner, and when Kevin walked around the corner, I was going to hit him with it. I thought he took liberties.

“[Kevin] came around the corner, and he had five guys with him.

“I thought, ‘Oh, God, I can’t hit him with all these guys here…’ So I put the stick down – but I was still going to slug him.

“Before I could, he hugs me and goes, ‘That’s great, man. That’s the way we have to do it when it’s on TV…’

“I’m like, ‘Oh, for the love of God!’ I’m beaten to death, and he’s like, ‘That’s great..?’

“To tell you the truth, I hit him as hard as I could, too.

“After a while, it’s self-defense. He’d throw you into the corner and run at you and kick, and you didn’t know if he was going to kick you in the toenail or on the top of your head.

“You put a hand on your nose and a hand on your crotch and closed your eyes…”

The Von Erich Wrestling Philosophy

The Von Erich brothers’ approach to wrestling stemmed from their father Fritz’s philosophy and the overall culture he had established in WCCW. Kevin Von Erich, in particular, had developed a reputation throughout the wrestling industry for his stiff working style. This wasn’t malicious—it was part of the promotion’s commitment to presenting wrestling that looked and felt authentic to television audiences.

Kevin’s championship history demonstrates his significance within the promotion. Between 1978 and 1995, he held numerous titles, including multiple NWA American Heavyweight Championships, World Class World Heavyweight Championship, and various tag team championships with his brothers. His longest single championship reign was 313 days as World Class World Heavyweight Champion from October 1986 to August 1987.

The brothers’ wrestling style was deeply influenced by the territory system’s emphasis on regional authenticity. Unlike the more theatrical approach that was beginning to dominate wrestling in other promotions, WCCW maintained a grittier, more realistic presentation that required performers to deliver convincing physical exchanges. This philosophy extended to all aspects of their matches, from basic holds and strikes to the dramatic “pull-apart” brawls that became signature elements of WCCW programming.

With hundreds of amazing Pro Wrestling Stories to dive into, where do you start? Get the inside scoop – join our exclusive community of wrestling fans! Receive 10 hand-picked stories curated just for YOU, exclusive weekly content, and an instant welcome gift when you sign up today!

The Business Reality of Territory Wrestling

Taylor’s experience also reflects the broader challenges facing regional wrestling promotions during the late 1980s. WCCW was fighting for survival against the expanding influence of Vince McMahon’s WWF and the growing consolidation of the wrestling industry. In this environment, every performer needed to contribute to maintaining the promotion’s unique identity and fan base.

The “stiff” style that characterized WCCW matches served both artistic and business purposes. From an artistic standpoint, it helped maintain the illusion that wrestling contests were legitimate athletic competitions. From a business perspective, it differentiated WCCW from competitors and satisfied audiences who had grown accustomed to the promotion’s hard-hitting approach.

For wrestlers like Taylor, adapting to this style meant accepting a level of physical punishment that might have been unnecessary in other promotions. However, those who could handle the demands often found themselves rewarded with significant opportunities and championship reigns.

Legacy and Transition

Taylor’s time in WCCW proved to be a crucial stepping stone in his career. His successful championship reign and ability to work effectively with the Von Erich brothers demonstrated his versatility as a performer. When he eventually signed with the WWF in 1988, he brought with him the credibility earned through his WCCW accomplishments and his ability to work in multiple wrestling styles.

Following his departure from WCCW, Taylor would go on to have notable runs in WWE (as both Terry Taylor and The Red Rooster) and later WCW, where he worked both as an in-ring performer and behind-the-scenes in various capacities. Since 2012, he has served as a trainer at WWE’s Performance Center, passing along the knowledge gained from experiences like his time in WCCW to the next generation of wrestlers.

This is just one example of many showing the nature of the business back then. As Roddy Piper once said, “I would rather you punch my teeth down my throat than you throw a popcorn punch!”

Kevin Von Erich reached out to us in private after reading this story, explaining that in WCCW, they laid in their shots to give off the illusion that what they were doing in the ring was real, even if it meant a few potatoes (in this case, Texas taters) were thrown from time to time! That was the nature of the business. As he bluntly told us:

“If they couldn’t handle it, they didn’t last long in Dallas!”

These stories may also interest you:

• How Harley Race and Sting Tamed Monster Vader in WCW
• 10 Pro Wrestling Matches That Turned Into Real Fights!
• 5 Lesser-Known ECW Injuries That Nearly Killed Wrestlers

Can’t get enough pro wrestling history in your life? Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!

Want More? Choose another story!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Flipboard!

---

---

Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.

Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our team of authors!

---

ProWrestlingStories.com participates in affiliate marketing programs. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn commissions at no extra cost to our readers. This supports our mission to deliver free content for you to enjoy!