View source for Parade of Champions

{{short description|Professional wrestling supercard promoted by WCCW}}
{{Infobox wrestling PPV series
|name            = Parade of Champions
|image           = 
|image_size      = 
|caption         = 
|alt             = 
|promotions      = [[World Class Championship Wrestling]]
|brands          = 
|firstevent      = 1961
|lastevent       = 1988
|gimmick = Tribute to the deceased members of [[Von Erich family]]: [[David Von Erich|David]] and [[Mike Von Erich]]
|featuredmatches =
}}
The '''Parade of Champions''' was a series of [[professional wrestling]] supercards promoted by [[Fritz Von Erich]]'s [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] (WCCW), first in 1961, in 1972 and then annually from 1984 through 1988. 

Von Erich used the "Parade of Champions" name in 1984 as a way to honor his recently deceased son, [[David Von Erich|David]] and the subsequent Parade of Champions were all "Von Erich Memorial" Parades of Champions. At the inaugural Von Erich Memorial event, in front of the largest crowd ever to watch a pro wrestling event in the United States up to that point, [[Kerry Von Erich]] defeated [[Ric Flair]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]], only to lose it back to Flair 18 days later in [[Yokohama, Japan]]. Over the next few years, Von Erich altered the names as tragedy repeatedly struck his family. 

The Parade of Champions was the most recognized event that WCCW, later known as World Class Wrestling Association, promoted. There was a Parade of Champions super card held by Southern Sports (precursor to WCCW) in 1961 and another held by Big Time Wrestling (the previous name of WCCW) in 1972. All Parade of Champions supercards were held at [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. A wrestling organization out of Texas called NWA Southwest ran an event in late August, 2010, called Parade of Champions, which it claimed was the "Longest Running Wrestling Event In Texas History Dating Back To 1972," but there was no actual connection between the WCCW show event other than the name.
==Events==
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
!#
!Event
!Date
!City
!Venue
!Main Event
|-
|1
|[[#1961|Parade of Champions (1961)]]
|{{dts|1961|1|31}}
|rowspan="3"|[[Dallas, Texas]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Dallas Sportatorium]]
|[[Pat O'Connor (wrestler)|Pat O'Connor]] (c) vs. [[Dory Dixon]] in a [[two out of three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|2
|[[#January 1963|Parade of Champions (January 1963)]]
|{{dts|1963|1|29}}
|[[Lou Thesz]] (c) vs. [[Ray Gunkel]] in a [[two out of three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|3
|[[#June 1963|Parade of Champions (June 1963)]]
|{{dts|1963|6|4}}
|[[Lou Thesz]] (c) vs. [[Dory Dixon]] in a [[two out of three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|4
|[[#1972|Parade of Champions (1972)]]
|{{dts|1972|6|24}}
|[[Irving, Texas]]
|[[Texas Stadium]]
|[[Dory Funk, Jr.]] (c) vs. [[Fritz Von Erich]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|rowspan="2"|5
|rowspan="2"|[[#1974|Parade of Champions (1974)]]
|{{dts|1974|3|26}}
|[[Dallas, Texas]]
|Memorial Auditorium
|[[Jack Brisco]] (c) vs. [[Clay Spencer]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|{{dts|1974|3|27}}
|[[San Antonio, Texas]]
|[[San Antonio Municipal Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]]
|[[Jack Brisco]] (c) vs. [[Dory Funk Jr.]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|6
|[[1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions]]
|{{dts|1984|5|6}}
|rowspan="5"|[[Irving, Texas]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Texas Stadium]]
|[[Ric Flair]] (c) vs. [[Kerry Von Erich]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|7
|[[2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions]]
|{{dts|1985|5|5}}
|[[Kerry Von Erich]] vs. [[One Man Gang]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Wagers|Hair vs. One Man Gang facing Fritz Von Erich match]]
|-
|8
|[[3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions]]
|{{dts|1986|5|4}}
|[[Fabulous Freebirds]] ([[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]], [[Terry Gordy]] and [[Dale Hey|Buddy Roberts]]) (c) vs. [[Steve Simpson (wrestler)|Steve Simpson]], [[Kerry Von Erich]] and [[Kevin Vaughn|Lance Von Erich]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Lumberjack match|Lumberjack elimination match]] for the [[WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]]
|-
|9
|[[4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions]]
|{{dts|1987|5|3}}
|Six-woman Mud Pit match
|-
|10
|[[#5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions|5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions]]
|{{dts|1988|5|8}}
|[[King Parsons|Iceman Parsons]] (c) vs. [[Kerry Von Erich]] for the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|-
|colspan="10"|{{center|(c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match}}
|-
|}

==Show results==
===1961===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
| name=Parade of Champions (1961)
| image=
| promotion=[[World Class Championship Wrestling|Southwest Sports]]
| date={{dts|1961|1|31}}
| venue=[[Dallas Sportatorium]]
| city=[[Dallas, Texas]]
| attendance=
| liveevent=y
| event      = Parade of Champions
| lastevent2 = '''First'''
| nextevent2 = Parade of Champions
}}
The first Parade of Champions was held on {{dts|1961|1|31}} at the [[Dallas Sportatorium]] in [[Dallas, Texas]]. It was promoted by [[Southwest Sports]], the predecessor to World Class Championship Wrestling. With a capacity crowd in attendance, the event celebrated Ed McLemore's 22nd anniversary promoting pro wrestling in Dallas and also served as a benefit show for the [[March of Dimes]].<ref name="LAW1961-Dallas">{{cite web |url=https://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Dallas61.html |title=Dallas Wrestling Results - 1961 |last=Hornbaker |first=Tim |website=LegacyOfWrestling.com |access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>

Five matches were contested at the event and each match featured a championship on the line. The main event was a [[two out of three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]], in which defending champion [[Pat O'Connor (wrestler)|Pat O'Connor]] fought [[Dory Dixon]] to a ninety-minute time limit draw, thus retaining the title. In other title matches on the card, [[Danny Hodge]] retained the [[NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] against Jerry Kozak with 2-0 score, [[Don Manoukian]] retained the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] against Alex Perez in the first defense of the title in Dallas during the reign, Hogan Wharton and [[Pepper Gomez]] defeated Jet Monroe and [[Sputnik Monroe (wrestler)|Sputnik Monroe]] to retain the [[NWA Texas Tag Team Championship]] and [["Wild" Bull Curry]] defeated [[Harold Sakata|Tosh Togo]] to retain the [[NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship]].
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=[["Wild" Bull Curry]] (c) defeated [[Harold Sakata|Tosh Togo]]
|stip1=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] for the [[NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship]]
|time1=

|match2=Hogan Wharton and [[Pepper Gomez]] (c) defeated Jet Monroe and [[Sputnik Monroe (wrestler)|Sputnik Monroe]]
|stip2=[[Professional wrestling tag team match types|Tag team match]] for the [[NWA Texas Tag Team Championship]]
|time2=

|match3=[[Don Manoukian]] (c) defeated Alex Perez
|stip3=Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]]
|time3=

|match4=[[Danny Hodge]] (c) defeated Jerry Kozak 2-0
|stip4=[[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|Two-out-of-three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship]]
|time4=

|match5=[[Pat O'Connor (wrestler)|Pat O'Connor]] (c) vs. [[Dory Dixon]] ended in a draw
|stip5=[[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|Two-out-of-three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time5=90:00

}}

===January 1963===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
| name=Parade of Champions (January 1963)
| image=
| promotion=[[World Class Championship Wrestling|Southwest Sports]]
| date={{dts|1963|1|29}}
| venue=[[Dallas Sportatorium]]
| city=[[Dallas, Texas]]
| attendance=
| liveevent=y
| event      = [[Parade of Champions]]
| lastevent2 = [[Parade of Champions#1961|1961]]
| nextevent2 = [[Parade of Champions#June 1963|June 1963]]
}}
The second Parade of Champions was held on {{dts|1963|1|29}} at the [[Dallas Sportatorium]] in [[Dallas, Texas]]. It marked the twenty-fourth anniversary of Ed McLemore promoting wrestling shows in Dallas.<ref name="LAW1963-Dallas">{{cite web |url=https://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Dallas63.html |title=Dallas Wrestling Results - 1963 |last=Hornbaker |first=Tim |website=LegacyOfWrestling.com |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref>

Five championship matches were contested at the event including three title matches. The main event was a [[two out of three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]], in which defending champion [[Lou Thesz]] retained the title against [[Ray Gunkel]] via a double count-out at 1-1 score. Other title matches at the event saw [["Wild" Bull Curry]] and Relampago Cubano beat Ivan the Terrible and [[Tony Borne]] to win the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]] and [[Rip Hawk]] retain the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] against Bill Dromo by losing via disqualification.
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=Dolly Darcel defeated Baby Cheryl
|stip1=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] 
|time1=

|match2=Rock Hunter vs. [[Tarzan Tyler]] ended in a draw
|stip2=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] 
|time2=

|match3=Bill Dromo defeated [[Rip Hawk]] (c) by disqualification
|stip3=Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]]
|time3=

|match4=[["Wild" Bull Curry]] and Relampago Cubano defeated Ivan the Terrible and [[Tony Borne]] (c)
|stip4=[[Professional wrestling match types|Tag team match]] for the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]]
|time4=

|match5=[[Lou Thesz]] (c) vs. [[Ray Gunkel]] ended in a double count-out
|stip5=[[Two-out-of-three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time5=

}}
{{-}}

===June 1963===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
| name=Southwest Sports Parade of Champions
| image=
| promotion=[[World Class Championship Wrestling|Southwest Sports]]
| date={{dts|1963|6|4}}
| venue=[[Dallas Sportatorium]]
| city=[[Dallas, Texas]]
| attendance=
| liveevent=y
| event      = Parade of Champions
| lastevent2 = [[Parade of Champions#January 1963|January 1963]]
| nextevent2 = [[#Big Time Wrestling Parade of Champions|Big Time Wrestling Parade of Champions]]
}}
The third Parade of Champions was promoted by Southwest Sports on June 4, 1963 at the [[Dallas Sportatorium]] in [[Dallas, Texas]]. It marked the first time that a Parade of Champions event was held twice a year.<ref name="LAW1963-Dallas"/>

The event featured six matches in total and was headlined by a [[two out of three falls match]], in which [[Lou Thesz]] defeated [[Dory Dixon]] to retain the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. In other title matches on the undercard, The Kozak Brothers (Jerry Kozak and Nick Kozak) defeated Jack Donovan and [[Louie Tillet]] by disqualification to retain the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship]], [[Bill Watts]] defeated [[Mark Lewin]] to retain the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] and [[Penny Banner]] defeated Madame X to retain the [[NWA Texas Women's Championship]].
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=[[Johnny Weaver]] defeated [[Tony Borne]]
|stip1=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] 
|time1=

|match2=Chuck Conley defeated Black Bart
|stip2=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] 
|time2=

|match3=[[Penny Banner]] (c) defeated Madame X 
|stip3=Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Women's Championship]]
|time3=

|match4=[[Bill Watts]] (c) defeated Mark Lewin
|stip4=Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]]
|time4=

|match5=The Kozak Brothers (Jerry Kozak and Nick Kozak) (c) defeated Jack Donovan and [[Louie Tillet]] by disqualification
|stip5=[[Tag team match]] for the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship]]
|time5=

|match6=[[Lou Thesz]] (c) defeated [[Dory Dixon]] 
|stip6=[[Two-out-of-three falls match]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time6=2:01

}}
{{-}}

===1972===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
| name=Big Time Wrestling Parade of Champions
| image=
| promotion=[[World Class Championship Wrestling|Big Time Wrestling]]
| date={{dts|1972|6|24}}
| venue=[[Texas Stadium]]
| city=[[Irving, Texas]]
| attendance=
| lastevent = '''First'''
| nextevent = [[Big Time Wrestling Parade of Champions]]
| liveevent=y
| event      = Parade of Champions
| lastevent2 = [[#June 1963|June 1963]]
| nextevent2 = [[#1974|1974]]
}}
The fourth Parade of Champions event was promoted by [[World Class Championship Wrestling|Big Time Wrestling]] on June 24, 1972 at the [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. It was the first Parade of Champions to be held under the Big Time Wrestling banner after Southwest Sports was rebranded in 1966.

The card featured eight championship matches. It was headlined by a [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] match between [[Dory Funk, Jr.]] and [[Fritz Von Erich]]. The match ended in a draw, meaning Funk retained the title. In other championship matches on the card, [[Stan Stasiak]] defeated [[Red Bastien]] to retain the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]], [[Billy Red Lyons]] defeated [[Don Jardine|The Spoiler]] to retain the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA American Heavyweight Championship]] and [[Lord Littlebrook]] defeated [[Cowboy Lang]] to retain the [[NWA World Midget Championship]]. Another marquee matches on the card saw [[El Santo]] and [[Jose Lothario]] defeat [[Terry Funk]] and [[Mr. Fuji]], and [[Bearcat Wright]] win a 7-man Roulette match.
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=[[El Santo]] and [[Jose Lothario]] defeated [[Terry Funk]] and [[Mr. Fuji]]
|stip1=[[Professional wrestling tag team match types|Tag team match]]
|time1=

|match2=[[George Scott (wrestler)|George Scott]] vs. [[Tommy Seigler]] ended in a time-limit draw
|stip2=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]]
|time2=

|match3=[[Lord Littlebrook]] (c) defeated [[Cowboy Lang]]
|stip3=Singles match for the [[NWA World Midget Championship]]
|time3=

|match4=[[Mil Máscaras]] defeated The Alaskan
|stip4=Singles match
|time4=

|match5=[[Bearcat Wright]] won
|stip5=7-man Roulette match
|time5=

|match6=[[Billy Red Lyons]] defeated [[Don Jardine|The Spoiler]] (c)
|stip6=Singles match for the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA American Heavyweight Championship]]
|time6=

|match7=[[Stan Stasiak]] defeated [[Red Bastien]] (c)
|stip7= Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]]
|time7=

|match8=[[Dory Funk, Jr.]] (c) vs. [[Fritz Von Erich]] ended in a time-limit draw
|stip8=Singles match for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time8=60:00

}}
{{-}}

===1974===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
| name=Big Time Wrestling Parade of Champions
| image=
| promotion=[[World Class Championship Wrestling|Big Time Wrestling]]
| date=March 26–27, 1974
| venue=Day 1:<br>Memorial Auditorium<br>Day 2:<br>[[San Antonio Municipal Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]]
| city=Day 1:<br>[[Dallas, Texas]]<br>Day 2:<br>[[San Antonio, Texas]]
| attendance=8,000 (Day 1)
| lastevent = 
| nextevent = 
| liveevent=y
| event      = Parade of Champions
| lastevent2 = [[#1972|1972]]
| nextevent2 = [[1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions|1984]]
}}
The 1974 Parade of Champions was a two-day event held on March 26 and March 27, 1974. The first event was held at the Memorial Auditorium in [[Dallas, Texas]] on March 26. The second event was held at the [[San Antonio Municipal Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]] in [[San Antonio, Texas]] on March 27.

The March 26 card featured a total of six matches. It was headlined by a [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] match, in which the defending champion [[Jack Brisco]] defeated [[Clay Spencer]] to retain the title. Another major championship match on the card saw [[The Texan (wrestler)|The Texan]] defeat [[Fritz Von Erich]] to win the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA American Heavyweight Championship]].
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=[[Bob Orton Jr.]] defeated Jerry Oates
|stip1=Singles match
|time1=

|match2=[[Bull Ramos]] and [[Roger Kirby (wrestler)|Roger Kirby]] defeated [[Bob Roop]] and [[Doug Somers]]
|stip2=[[Professional wrestling tag team match types|Tag team match]]
|time2=

|match3=[[Black Angus]] defeated [[Blackjack Lanza]]
|stip3=Singles match
|time3=

|match4=[[Ivan Putski]] vs. the Great Mephisto ended in a draw
|stip4=Singles match
|time4=

|match5=[[The Texan (wrestler)|The Texan]] defeated [[Fritz Von Erich]] (c)
|stip5=Singles match for the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA American Heavyweight Championship]]
|time5=

|match6=[[Jack Brisco]] (c) defeated [[Clay Spencer]]
|stip6=Singles match for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time6=

}}
The March 27 show was headlined by another NWA Heavyweight Championship, in which Jack Brisco defended the title against [[Dory Funk Jr.]] The match ended in a draw which meant that Brisco retained the title. The card also featured participation from [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA) as [[Nick Bockwinkel]] and [[Ray Stevens (wrestler)|Ray Stevens]] defeated [[Bob Orton Jr.]] and [[Jose Lothario]] to retain the [[AWA World Tag Team Championship]]. Another championship match on the card saw The Great Mephisto defend the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Roger Kirby (wrestler)|Roger Kirby]]. Mephisto retained the title via a disqualification.
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=[[Bob Roop]] vs. [[Bull Ramos]] ended in a draw
|stip1=Singles match
|time1=

|match2=[[Roger Kirby (wrestler)|Roger Kirby]] defeated The Great Mephisto (c) by disqualification
|stip2=Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]]
|time2=

|match3=[[Blackjack Lanza]] and [[The Texan (wrestler)|the Texan]] defeated [[Black Angus]] and [[Ivan Putski]]
|stip3=Tag team match
|time3=

|match4=[[Nick Bockwinkel]] and [[Ray Stevens (wrestler)|Ray Stevens]] (c) defeated [[Bob Orton Jr.]] and [[Jose Lothario]]
|stip4=Tag team match for the [[AWA World Tag Team Championship]]
|time4=

|match5=[[Jack Brisco]] (c) vs. [[Dory Funk Jr.]] ended in a draw
|stip5=Singles match for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time5=

}}
{{-}}

===1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions===
{{main|1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions}}
The David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions was held as a tribute show for [[David Von Erich]], who suddenly passed away during a tour in Japan on {{dts|1984|2|10}}. Parade of Champions was promoted by [[Fritz Von Erich]] on {{dts|1984|5|6}} at the [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. It was the first Parade of Champions produced under the World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) banner after Big Time Wrestling had been renamed in 1982. The event drew a massive crowd of 32,123. It was the biggest crowd in the history of WCCW.

Eight [[mock combat|professional wrestling matches]] were contested on the card and seven matches were televised. In the [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]], [[Ric Flair]] defended the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] against the deceased David's brother [[Kerry Von Erich]], taking the title match that was originally planned for David Von Erich that same year. Kerry defeated Flair to win the title.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Shawn S. Lealos |author2=Lizzy Flanagan |title=Looking Back On Kerry Von Erich's Brief NWA Championship Reign |url=https://www.thesportster.com/nwa-kerry-von-erich-brief-championship-reign/ |website=The Sportster |access-date=26 May 2025 |date=August 12, 2024}}</ref> 

In other prominent matches on the card, [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]] and [[Sunshine (wrestling)|Sunshine]] defeated [[Jimmy Garvin]] and [[Precious (wrestling)|Precious]] in a [[mixed tag team match]], [[Fritz Von Erich]], [[Kevin Von Erich]], and [[Mike Von Erich]] defeated [[Fabulous Freebirds]] ([[Dale Hey|Buddy Roberts]], [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]], and [[Terry Gordy]]) to win the [[WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship|WCCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]], Rock & Soul ([[Buck Zumhofe]] and [[Iceman King Parsons]]) defeated The Super Destroyers ([[Bill Irwin (wrestler)|Super Destroyer #1]] and [[Scott Irwin|Super Destroyer #2]]) to win the [[WCWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA American Tag Team Championship]], and [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]] wrestled [[The Great Kabuki]] to a double disqualification.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock Star Gary reflects on…WCCW David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions |url=https://www.blogofdoom.com/2015/07/29/rock-star-gary-reflects-on-wccw-david-von-erich-memorial-parade-of-champions/ |website=Scott's Blog of Doom |access-date=26 May 2025 |date=29 July 2015}}</ref>

The NWA World Heavyweight Championship match between Kerry Von Erich and Ric Flair was awarded the [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] by ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=PWI Achievement Awards - Match of the Year |url=https://pwi-online.com/awards/#match-of-the-year |website=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] |access-date=26 May 2025}}</ref>

In 2013, [[WWE]] wrestler [[Cody Rhodes]] considered the NWA World Heavyweight Championship main event, a five-star classic match.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Zach Linder |title=Five-Star Match of the Week: Kerry Von Erich vs. Ric Flair - NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match, WCCW David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/five-star-kerry-flair-parade-of-champions |access-date=26 May 2025 |date=January 8, 2013}}</ref>
===2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions===
{{main|2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions}}
The 2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions was held on May 5, 1985 at the [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. It drew a crowd of 26,153.

Nine [[mock combat|professional wrestling matches]] were contested at the card. The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] pitted [[Kerry Von Erich]] against [[One Man Gang]]. The match stipulated that if Von Erich won, Gang's manager [[Gary Hart (wrestler)|Gary Hart]] would have his head shaved bald, but if Kerry lost, his father [[Fritz Von Erich]] would have to come out of retirement and face One Man Gang one-on-one. Kerry won the match and as a result, Fritz's head was shaved bald.<ref>{{cite web |author1=D.C. Wood |title=10 Most Important Kerry Von Erich Matches Fans Should Know Of |url=https://www.thesportster.com/most-important-kerry-von-erich-matches-wwe-wccw-awa/ |website=The Sportster |access-date=27 May 2025 |date=November 12, 2024}}</ref> Another major match at the event featured [[Ric Flair]] defending the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Kevin Von Erich]]. The match ended in a double count-out, meaning Flair retained the title.<ref>{{cite web |author1=D.C. Wood |title=10 Most Important Kevin Von Erich Matches Fans Should Know Of |url=https://www.thesportster.com/most-important-kevin-von-erich-matches-ric-flair-freebirds-chris-adams/ |website=The Sportster |access-date=27 May 2025 |date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>

In an other prominent match on the card, The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich and [[Mike Von Erich]]) and [[Fabulous Freebirds]] ([[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]], [[Terry Gordy]] and [[Buddy Roberts]]) defeat The Dynamic Duo ([[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]] and [[Gino Hernandez]]), [[Rip Oliver]], One Man Gang, [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]] and [["Dr. Death" Steve Williams]] in a [[twelve-man tag team match]], where the winning team would split $100,000 and the wrestler who eliminated the last wrestler won a brand new Lincoln Continental. Kevin Von Erich scored the win by pinning Steve Williams. Also at the event, [[The Fantastics]] ([[Bobby Fulton]] and [[Tommy Rogers (wrestler)|Tommy Rogers]]) controversially defeated [[Midnight Express (professional wrestling)|The Midnight Express]] ([[Bobby Eaton]] and [[Dennis Condrey]]) (with [[Jim Cornette]]) in a two-ring [[no disqualification match]] to win the vacant [[WCWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA American Tag Team Championship]].<reF>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-may-5-bruno-vs-gorilla-puerto-rico-2nd-annual-von-erich | title=On this day in pro wrestling history  (May 5): Bruno Vs. Gorilla in Puerto Rico, 2nd annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions| date=May 5, 2015 | accessdate=February 10, 2017 | author=F4W Staff | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>

The event was praised by critics. One critic stated "From the world title match to the 12-man best of five match to the tag team title match, this show completely overshadowed last year’s event."<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock Star Gary reflects on…WCCW 2nd annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions |url=https://www.blogofdoom.com/2015/08/19/rock-star-gary-reflects-on-wccw-2nd-annual-david-von-erich-memorial-parade-of-champions/ |website=Blog of Doom |access-date=27 May 2025 |date=19 August 2015}}</ref>

===3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions===
{{main|3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions}}
The 3rd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions event was held on May 4, 1986 at the [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. It was the first Parade of Champions promoted under the [[World Class Wrestling Association]] banner after WCCW separated from the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] in early 1986 and rebranded as WCWA. The card drew a crowd of 24,121.

Ten [[mock combat|professional wrestling matches]] were contested at the event including eight televised matches. The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] was a [[lumberjack match|lumberjack elimination match]], in which [[Fabulous Freebirds]] ([[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]], [[Terry Gordy]] and [[Dale Hey|Buddy Roberts]]) defended the [[WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]] against [[Steve Simpson (wrestler)|Steve Simpson]], [[Kerry Von Erich]] and [[Kevin Vaughn|Lance Von Erich]]. Simpson, Kerry and Lance won the match and the titles. In other prominent matches on the card, [[Rick Rude]] retained the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Bruiser Brody]] via a disqualification, Bruiser Brody defeated Terry Gordy in a [[barbed wire match]] and [[Brian Adias]] defeated [[Steve Regal]] to retain the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]]. 

===4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions===
{{main|4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions}}
The 4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions event was held on May 3, 1987 at the [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. [[Fritz Von Erich]] promoted it as a tribute show for his sons [[David Von Erich]], who passed away in 1984, and [[Mike Von Erich]], who committed suicide in 1987. It drew a crowd of 5,900, the record lowest attendance in Parade of Champions events.

Eleven [[mock combat|professional wrestling matches]] were contested at the event. The main event was a six-woman [[Professional wrestling match types#Mud match|Mud Pit match]], won by [[Candi Divine]]. However, it was not included in the video. The televised main event saw [[Bruiser Brody]] defeat [[Jeep Swenson]]. In other prominent matches on the card, [[The Fantastics]] ([[Bobby Fulton]] and [[Tommy Rogers (wrestler)|Tommy Rogers]]) and [[Steve Simpson (wrestler)|Steve Simpson]] defeated the [[Rock 'n' Roll RPMs]] ([[Mike Davis (wrestler)|Mike Davis]] and [[Tommy Lane]]) and [[Eric Embry]] in a [[scaffold match]] and [[Kevin Von Erich]] retained the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]] against [[John Nord|Nord the Barbarian]] via a double count-out.

This event won the 1987 award for [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic|Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic]] from the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]; the combination of Mike Von Erich's name attached to the event (his suicide had been less than a month before it) and use of stipulations such as a scaffold match and women's mud wrestling was seen as exploitative.

===5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions===
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name=5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions
|image=Bloodied Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes 1988.png
|promotion=[[World Class Championship Wrestling|World Class Wrestling Association]]
|brand=
|date={{dts|1988|5|8}}<ref name=AlmanakParade5>{{cite news|title=Historical Cards: Parade of Champions 5 (May 8, 1988. Irving, Texas) |work=PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts |publisher=Kappa Publications|id=2007 Edition|page=173}}</ref><ref name=Parade1988>{{cite web | url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/wccw/parade.html#88 | title=5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions | date=May 8, 1988 | accessdate=April 10, 2015 | work=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
|venue=[[Texas Stadium]]
|city=[[Irving, Texas]]
|attendance= 7,000
| lastevent = [[WCWA Star Wars (1987)#Christmas Star Wars|Christmas Star Wars]]
| nextevent = [[WCCW Cotton Bowl Extravaganza#5th Cotton Bowl Extravaganza|5th Cotton Bowl Extravaganza]]
| liveevent=y
|event      = Parade of Champions
|lastevent2 = [[#4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions|4th Von Erich Memorial]]
|nextevent2 = '''Last'''
}}
The 5th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions was the last Parade of Champions. It was held on May 7, 1988 at the [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. Highlights of select matches aired on [[ESPN]].

The event was headlined by a [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]] match, in which [[Kerry Von Erich]] defeated the defending champion [[King Parsons|Iceman King Parsons]] to win the title. In other prominent matches on the card, the [[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship|WCWA Texas Tag Team Champions]] [[John Tatum (wrestler)|John Tatum]] and [[Jack Victory]] defeated the Wild West Tag Team Champions [[Terry Gordy]] and [[Steve Simpson (wrestler)|Steve Simpson]] via count-out to retain the Texas Tag Team Championship and win the Wild West Tag Team Championship, [[Terry Taylor]] defeated [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]] to win the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]], Jason Sterling, Steve Casey and [[John Tatum (wrestler)|John Tatum]] won the Triple Dome Texas Roundup match, and [[Terry Gordy]] defeated [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]] in a [[Steel cage match|Triple Dome of Terror match]].
;Show results
{{Pro Wrestling results table
|results=
|times=

|match1=[[The Missing Link (wrestler)|The Missing Link]] and Jason Sterling defeated [[Phil Apollo|Vince Apollo]] and [[The Angel of Death (wrestler)|The Angel of Death]].
|stip1=[[Professional wrestling tag team match types|Tag team match]]
|time1=

|match2=[[Mike George (wrestler)|Mike George]] (c) defeated Jeff Raitz
|stip2= [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship
|time2=

|match3=Steve Casey defeated [[Eric Embry]]
|stip3=Singles match
|time3=00:19

|match4=[[Black Bart (wrestler)|Black Bart]] defeated [[Bill Irwin (wrestler)|Bill Irwin]] by [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]].
|stip4=Singles match
|time4=

|match5=[[Terry Gordy]] defeated [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]]
|stip5=[[Steel cage match|Triple Dome of Terror match]]
|time5=

|match6=[[Terry Taylor]] (c) defeated [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]]
|stip6=Singles match for the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] 
|time6=

|match7=Jason Sterling, Steve Casey and [[John Tatum (wrestler)|John Tatum]] won by defeating Angel of Death, Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, King Parsons, [[Buddy Roberts]], [[Jack Victory]], [[Shaun Koen|Shaun Simpson]] and six others
|stip7="Triple Dome Texas Roundup" Match
|time7=

|match8=[[Bruiser Brody]] and [[Kevin Von Erich]] defeated [[Buddy Roberts]] and a [[Solomon Grundy (wrestler)|Masked Man]]
|stip8=Tag team match
|time8=

|match9=[[John Tatum (wrestler)|John Tatum]] and [[Jack Victory]] (WCWA-Texas) defeated [[Terry Gordy]] and [[Steve Simpson (wrestler)|Steve Simpson]] (Wild West) by count-out
|stip9= Tag team match for the [[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship]] and the Wild West Tag Team Championship
|time9=

|match10=[[Kerry Von Erich]] defeated [[King Parsons|Iceman Parsons]] (c)
|stip10=Singles match for the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time10=

}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External sources==
* [http://wccw2001.tripod.com/id16.html Parade of Champions Results at World Class Tribute]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071212202828/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/old/wccwcard.htm WCCW Wrestling Cards at the Wrestling Information Archive]

{{World Class Championship Wrestling}}

[[Category:1961 in professional wrestling]]
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[[Category:1986 in professional wrestling]]
[[Category:1987 in professional wrestling]]
[[Category:1988 in professional wrestling]]
[[Category:World Class Championship Wrestling shows]]
[[Category:Events in Texas]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling shows in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]]