BM:I think one of the things that really sold WCCW was the 'specials' we did. The little interview/slice-of-life kind
of things that personalized the individuals. The Freebirds were wonderfully nuts...and always put me down! That was a lot
of my appeal to the fans I think: I was short, friendly, tv journalist (not a cheerleader) and could have been easily
overpowered. Kimala still apolgizes for pushing me down in the weeds accidentally during an interview. The features we did
with the von Erichs were classic. One I recall was with David riding horses at sunset with Willie Nelson singing, "Don't Let
your Boys Grow Up to be Cowboys" . It was stunning I thought. Then we had me walking up to Georgeous Jimmy Garvin's house
to talk about Sunshine, his female manager and instead Precious, in a flimsy outfit opened the door...folks talked about that
forever!
We had the perfect mix of heals and baby faces in that series when it started. Gino Hernandez was superb...Chris Adams
the perfect Englshman gentleman and all the others with the focus on the Von Erichs. They knew exactly how to thrill the fans...young
girls were nearly fainting...and the old Sportatorium rocked with Yippies,college kids, suits and typical wrestling fans.
The interviews and features really made the show unique. No not all of them lived in this area because they worked other areas.
BM:When David died in Japan, something went out of the show. The television director, producer and I discussed this not
too long after that. It seem that some of the spirit, or air or something escaped. Of course there were still those huge crowds
at Texas Stadium and the Cotton Bowl. But then Kerry tore up his leg, Mike nearly died from the infection and then did commit
suicide and it just went away. Fritz with all the personal turmoil, losing his boys one by one undoubtedly lost interest and
lost his stable of wrestler s to other promotions who offered them guaranteed contracts. I recall writing ithat the von Erich
dynasty was like a sky rocket that took off, exploded over the world and then quickly faded away. What could have been if
everyone had stayed and this WCCW had taken off like these couple of promotions today?
6.Do you think WCCW footage would ever be released on DVD?
BM:I don't know about DVD. Kevin has all the tapes, I believe, and I am sure would be intersested in making the money
that could be gained with DVD. There are some brilliant shows. The Hair Match at the Cotton Bowl with Hernandez-Adams
against the von Erichs...fabulous.
7.Tell us about what you have been up to since the closing of WCCW?
BM:I was broadcasting at KVIL while doing WCCW...KVIL was the top station in the market and I was the sports guy on the
popular morning show with Ron Chapman..in my opinion the best dj I ever heard. Then I went to the University of North Texas
fulltime.( I had joined them in 1959) I had also been teaching there, broadcasting their football and basketball and
working publc relations. In 1996 I retired but have since, 2001, gone back to teaching a couple of courses. I have also kept
my hand in baseball having fun as a sometime radio partner, on the road, with Mike Capps the announcer of the Round
Rock Express Baseball Team.
Four of us who worked together at KRLD TV and radio back in the 50's-60's have written a book, "When the News Went Live
Dallas 1963" about our experiences as reporters during the Kennedy assasination. The guys are Bob Huffaker, Wes Wise
(who later became mayor of Dallas) George Phenix and me. The book is in bookstores now or can be purchased on line at
Amazon.
I am in the process of writing another book: "Bats Balls and Body Slams" about my career and broadcasting of baseball,
football and wrestling. I hope to finish it by summer.
WORD ASSOCIATION. I say the name and you say your thoughts.
Bruiser Brody: One of the most imposing figures in the ring. Big and tough and fun to work with. He did not like giving
him questions we had not discussed! Terrible way for him to die.
Great Kabuki: Kabuki, Gary Hart (his manager) and I had these wonderful little scenarios that were kind of designed as
journalistic interviews. Gary always deferred to my teaching/journalist credentials and I deferred to hs managerial expertise.
Kabuki blew that green mist on me accidentally one time and apologized every time he saw me... .
Skandor Akbar: Wonderful man. We had these confrontations that were like somebody trying to buy a Rolex watch on the
cheap! Akbar had that "don't trust me' attitude. He was great.
Gino Hernandez: I really don't know what Gino was like when he wasn't high...on life or some substance. What a wonderful
heal for the show...handsome, devilish, maybe dangerous but always a good friend. I attended a couple of events with him and
realized I was definitely in a different generation! Another one of the reasons WCCW died..with him.
The Missing Link: Absolutely the strangest guy and gimmick in the business. When he was on the show everyone would ask
about him..all those fans perplexed by him. Saw him recently and he looks the same.
Gary Hart: My oldest friend and adversary in wrestling period. Well along with Killer Karl Kox. Gary and I have had some
of the most memorable conflicts, interviews and relationship of anyone I know in wrestling. There was one tv interview...ah
but I am saving that for MY book!!
The Freebirds: The word Crazy comes to mind. Absolutely without much redeeming quality the thing that they displayed
in their three-man attack on the wrestling world. Could never trust them, note the various times I was dissed by them, and
yet they had a ton of talent. Never surprised what they might do. I guess in the movies they would have been the Three Stooges.
Thanks for inviting me to join you in this discussion. WCCW was a beautifully produced program. It was the FIRST of its
kind with the new handheld cameras, personal features and all the wonderful talent. It had REAL class, as
opposed to what is produced today. Too bad it didn't last long enough.
Thank you Bill Mercer