CWF #24 Page #2
As soon as the fans realized
what Ox was doing they erupted with a loud applause directed towards the big
man. He acknowledged the crowd by
raising his fist in the air and it was right there and then that it was cemented
in the fans hearts and minds that Ox Baker’s turn was for real!
The Magnificent Morocco
defeated Ray Candy by count out after using his controversial Asiatic Spike to
Candy’s throat. Ray sold the move
and its effects like a million bucks and in turn made Morocco look nearly
invincible. Again though, it was
the reaction of the fans that captured my attention.
First, during the course of this match there was a young man, college
age, attending matches with his mother sitting near us.
Several times this young man was on his feet screaming as The Magnificent
Morocco repeatedly fouled Ray Candy. On more than one occasion his mother had to restrain him and
ask him to sit down and control himself. While
ringside, after the match, another fan tried to assist Ray Candy who was
coughing and apparently having problems breathing, back to the dressing room.
The fan was genuinely concerned for the welfare of Candy.
What this match showed me was
the depth of affection and concern the CWF fans have for their wrestling and
their stars.
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The main event between NWA
World Champion Harley Race and top contender Steve Keirn was a classic.
Race and Keirn had the fans (including me) in the palms of their hands.
Back and forth the action flowed. Keirn
had several near pin falls and as the match wore on it was only a matter of time
before Steve would become the new World Champion.
Race retained the NWA Title when special referee Pat O’Connor
indirectly caused Steve Keirn the match. Afterwards,
Steve had a few choice words for Pat which he did not take very well setting up
a Special Challenge Match for the following Monday between the two men.
In my opinion, Race was the
quintessential classic World Champion. He was a legitimate double tough
individual whose delivery behind the mic was only surpassed by his excellence in
the ring.
Steve Keirn was in the mold of
the perfect challenger. I thought
he was underrated as a singles competitor in his career.
Steve was solid behind the mic and an excellent ring worker. His forearm smash was simply devastating.
This match was not so much
about the fans that packed the auditorium that night as it was about two great
athletes doing what they do best, keeping everyone on the edge of their seat
throughout the entire contest.
In one magical evening for this
young boy, I experienced the true essence of Championship Wrestling from
Florida. The line up consisted of some wonderful wrestlers who graced
CWF rings for nearly a decade thrilling fans.
The energy in the West Palm Auditorium that Monday evening in April of
1979 was typical of the passion and enthusiasm that was CWF.
NEXT MONTH:
We will take a look at David Von Erich’s wild ride into Championship Wrestling from Florida in late 1981/early 1982 and the controversy that would soon followed.