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WFAA in Texas reported this evening that Bill Mercer, who was the primary announcer for World Class Championship Wrestling but also had an incredible life as a sportscaster and journalist, passed away today at the age of 99.
For a legion of fans, Mercer was the voice that presided over the glory days of WCCW in Dallas during a time period where The Von Erichs were the literal definition of heroes and The Fabulous Freebirds were evil incarnate. Not only was he ringside for tons of major events, but he was also involved in producing a lot of the segments where he interviewed talents outside of the arena on camera. Mercer was a major part of WCCW's identity and its direction behind the scenes.
But Mercer was more than just a pro wrestling announcer. He was a journalist who covered major news stories in Dallas. Indeed, he was the person who informed Lee Harvey Owald he was being charged with murdering President John F. Kennedy in 1963. He authored several books, including one on The Kennedy Assassination and one on sportscasting. Mercer brought legitimacy to pro wrestling for a reason - he called The Cotton Bowl Classic for years on CBS Radio and was a number of major Dallas Cowboys games. After moving on from broadcasting, he would teach at The University of North Texas.
Mercer was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
His last public appearance was likely the Texas premiere of The Iron Claw film on The Von Erich family last year.
In 2014, I interviewed Bill Mercer and fellow WCCW broadcaster Marc Lowrance for a Highspots.com DVD release, Voices of World Class. The entire 2 hour and 47 minute discussion can be viewed below:
PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of a true legend, Bill Mercer.
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