After a storied career which saw him widely considered the most successful wrestler to never hold a recognized World championship, Jerry “The King” Lawler finally captured the AWA belt. Kerry Von Erich, who legendarily defeated Flair for a three-week reign as NWA World champion several years previous, held WCWA gold. At AWA SuperClash III, these living legends put both titles on the line to claim superiority for their respective companies and etch a place in wrestling history.
While SuperClash was famously — and quite sadly — both a booking nightmare and financial bust, its historical relevance remains. Lawler vs. Von Erich created generous buzz, with fans who love professional wrestling beyond brand allegiance clamoring to see favorites from rival promotions compete.
It also laid groundwork for Southern wrestling’s huge step forward. Lawler’s victory presumably unified AWA and WCWA. Sufficient boardroom conflict, legal wrangling and larger-than-life personalities to rival any on-air wrestling angle aside, the resulting United States Wrestling Alliance became an on-again, off-again feeder promotion for WWE and training ground for future superstars.
The landscape of wrestling has changed significantly since SuperClash; WWE now holds a far greater lead over even closest contender Impact Wrestling. However, much remains the same as All In approaches. (Ironically, “The Windy City” was tapped to host both!)
ROH is strongly viewed as a viable alternative to its larger competitors, packed with internationally revered grapplers. The NWA, still in the infancy of ownership under Billy Corgan, is far from the powerhouse it once was — but its champion’s active global defense schedule has done wonders to reestablish it.
Each company has significant followings, despite lack of international broadcasts. As was the case with AWA and WCWA, a partnership between the two, even short-term, stands to benefit each.
Parallels might also be drawn between the combatants. As with Von Erich and Lawler, Aldis and Rhodes are leading names outside the larger companies. Former TNA/Impact World champion Aldis heads the NWA resurgence. Since departing WWE, Rhodes captured the ROH World title, blossoming into perhaps the industry’s most bankable, sought after talent.
Their match could achieve what Lawler and Von Erich only promised. Having sold out a 10,000 seat arena (whereas the ‘88 venture drew under 1,500 to a similar venue), All In already accomplished what SuperClash III could not — fiscal success for a card not involving WWE superstars.
In a perfect world, Rhodes and Aldis will likewise side-step the (literally and figuratively) messy conclusion of Von Erich vs. Lawler. Fans in 1988 were treated to a convoluted ending (even more so than most realized, according to behind-the-scenes accounts of Von Erich’s mental/physical condition) when a referee stopped the bout due to the WCWA champ’s excessive bleeding. The result was Lawler’s tainted victory and questions about its legitimacy.
Next Page: At ‘All In’ Rhodes & Aldis Could Succeed Where Lawler & Von Erich Failed 30 Years Ago (cont.)
