Episode 108: Hulk Arnold
For some unknown reason, Kevin Arnold discovers midway through his junior year that he's somewhat decent at wrestling. Granted, we see him beating Chuck, so it's not like he's a world beater or anything. His performance in gym leads to the wrestling coach (played by brilliant no-nonsense character actor James Tolkan) approaching him in the hallway on the gym teacher's recommendation. Kevin won't commit though for his usual wishy washy reasons, and doesn't get the coddling he was expecting - so that night he talks with Wayne and his father about the wrestling team, earning some laughs directed in his attention. Still wishy washy, Kevin waltzes into the wrestling practice late and immediately gets called out by the coach and has his ass handed to him by a much smaller opponent. Of course, Kevin's full of excuses that the coach isn't buying, and decides he's going to quit. Until, at Outlook Overlook Makeout Point, Winnie starts kissing his injuries, and suddenly Kevin likes wrestling a lot more. But not enough more to stop his usual whining and mouthing off at practice, earning some more derision from the coach and he skips the laps his mouth earns the whole team. So he once again gets called out, but instead of walking away, he decides to stay on the team. Chuck lets Kevin know about this monster on the opposing team that he'll most likely end up facing at the first meet, and of course Kevin starts to spazz out. He attempts to quit the team, and like every other encounter with the coach, he gets called out on his BS. The coach offers him a chance to wrestle him to show him what he's got, and of course pins him easily... before letting him know that he actually made the team.
Image from With Leather's 15 Greatest Sports Moments On TWY Kevin figures he's going to ride the pine, but then he gets called out to go wrestle Doug Gurney, the mythical beast from the other team. He gets in a quick move, but starts getting dominated and embarrassed. Doug even tells him to give up during the match, which pisses him off and he keeps fighting Doug off. Kevin knows he won't win... but refuses to get beaten. Gurney wins the match 15-2, leading Kevin to joke with the coach about how he knew he was good, and the episode ends with a shot of Kevin in the team picture, and we all know there won't be a single mention of wrestling again in the show.