If you’ve heard of the Von Erich pro wrestling dynasty — and if you’re from Dallas, chances are you have — you may also remember the family’s greatest rival: The Fabulous Freebirds.
The Freebirds, a faction comprised of Michael “P.S.” Hayes, Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy and Buddy “Jack” Roberts, played the perfect foils to the Von Erichs during the height of World Class Championship Wrestling’s popularity in the 1980s. The Dallas-based promotion boomed as the clean-cut, God-fearing, all-American brothers from Denton clashed with the wild rock ‘n rollers from Badstreet, Georgia, USA.
The countless, predetermined battles between the groups at venues like the Dallas Sportatorium, Reunion Arena and Texas Stadium have since become a part of pro-wrestling lore. Many journalists, historians and wrestling fans consider the feud to be among the greatest rivalries in the history of the business.
A majority of the Von Erichs and Freebirds have since passed on — and many died tragically young. They are survived by second- and third-generation wrestlers working to keep legacies alive.
Ross and Marshall Von Erich, the sons of Kevin and the nephews of deceased uncles David, Kerry, Mike and Chris, currently compete for Major League Wrestling, where the duo previously held the MLW World Tag Team Championship.
It seems only fitting that a Freebird would follow.
Miranda Gordy, 32, the daughter of Terry, will make her MLW debut at the promotion’s upcoming event at Gilley’s Dallas on Friday, January 21. The television taping entitled “Blood & Thunder” will be MLW’s first show in North Texas since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I consider Dallas as one of my homes. Not only is it where I began my wrestling career, it is home to the Sportatorium, which is where a lot of my legacy begins,” Gordy told The News. “When you think wrestling in Dallas, you immediately think about the Von Erichs vs. the Freebirds, so I feel that this is going to be a very special occasion to have not only myself but the Von Erich boys on the same card.”
“Miranda has that distinct hard-hitting, southern wrestling style that you just don’t see much today,” MLW founder and CEO Court Bauer said. “When Miranda hits, you don’t just hear it, you feel it reverberate into the crowd. She is tough as nails with impressive power to back it up. That’s an explosive combination when the bell rings. ...”
Gordy, Chattanooga born and Atlanta raised, didn’t begin performing in front of crowds until 2019 despite growing up around the wrestling business. She has since begun wrestling full time and says that carrying on her father’s legacy is just as important as creating her own memories.
“Being a part of wrestling, listening to the fans’ fond memories, hearing stories from people that worked with and loved my dad has been the healing experience that I never knew I needed,” Gordy said.
Gordy will face Laredo’s Rok-C at the famed honky-tonk on Jan. 21, just across the train tracks from where her father performed regularly decades ago.
As for Ross and Marshall, the brothers will attempt to win back the MLW tag titles that same night. If successful, it would be the first time that the Von Erich family captured gold in Dallas since 1984.
Reece Kelley Graham is a digital producer, staff writer and pro-wrestling contributor for The Dallas Morning News.
Details
MLW: Blood & Thunder (“Fusion” TV taping)
When: Friday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. Bell Time
Where: Gilley’s Dallas, 1135 Botham Jean Boulevard
Tickets: Tickets start at $10, and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com.
Find more Arts & Entertainment stories from The Dallas Morning News here.
