WWF Wrestling Challenge (September 21, 1986)

 

Original Airdate: September 21, 1986 (taped August 27)

From Hartford, Connecticut; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, and Johnny Valiant

The Hart Foundation v The Islanders: The Harts attack to kick start the match, and apparently the Islanders are going by ‘Hako’ and ‘Toma’ at this point, as opposed to Haku and Tama. Or maybe that’s just the idiot production team here, I’m not sure. I certainly don’t remember those names. The Foundation work Tama over, as Jimmy Hart split screens in to hype the Harts. It spills to the outside, where the barricade gets knocked over when Bret Hart throws Haku into it, but here comes Tama with a dive! They keep brawling out there, and it’s a double countout at 2:42. Gorilla notes that the Islanders are ‘up and coming.’ Up and gone, more like. ½*

Wrestlers’ Rebuttal is clips of Adrian Adonis, Bob Orton, and Jimmy Hart visiting Piper’s Pit on the September 13 episode of Superstars of Wrestling 

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Randy Savage v Tony Garea: I swear, Lord Alfred is trolling us with this ring announcing. Macho suckers him into a cheap shot right away, but Tony manages a bodypress for two. Sunset flip, but Savage blocks. Macho tries a bodyslam, but Garea hooks an inside cradle for two, so Savage dumps him to the outside with a high knee. Macho with a flying axehandle on the floor, as Superstar Billy Graham split screens in, still in the desert. And he’s coming for Savage, apparently. Keep, keep wishing. Keep, keep, keep wishing, baby. Inside, Macho with a bodyslam to set up a flying elbowdrop at 1:57. Savage was going pedal to the metal with the time he had here. *

Ken Resnick brings Jake Roberts in, with Jake promising to drop Ricky Steamboat on his head again at the earliest opportunity 

Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Machines v Tiger Chung Lee, Al Navarro, and JJ Jackson: Oh man, this is going to be brutal. Hayes continues his brilliance, unable to read Jackson’s name on his card, and having to stop to ask him what it is, outloud on the microphone. I’m telling you, the dude is trolling us. Meanwhile, Bobby Heenan split screens in, fed up with the Machines. The Machines put Jackson away at 1:30. DUD

Ken brings Koko B Ware in to do some dancing

WWF Magazine ad

LJN Action figures ad

The Dream Team v Lanny Poffo and Dick Slater: That’s quite the odd babyface pairing. Meanwhile, Mr. Fuji split screens in to threaten Slater. Pick better targets, Fuji. The heels put Poffo away at 2:32. Energetic. ¼*

Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit with guests Paul Orndorff and Bobby Heenan, who promise to take the WWF Title from Hulk Hogan

Sika v Rick Hunter: Sika has scary eyes. And also has Wizard as a manager, who I’m disliking more with each appearance. And I already started with a low opinion of him. Meanwhile, Honky Tonk Man split screens in, and he’s still a babyface, for those tracking. Sika with a Samoan drop at 3:19. DUD

Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vignette

The Killer Bees v Terry Gibbs and Jack Foley: Foley is, of course, a pre-fame Mick Foley, in his second ever professional match. And he’s already bleeding! Very on brand. B Brian Blair finishes Foley with a hip attack at 3:28. DUD

Resnick brings Orndorff and Heenan in, since I guess they need to repeat everything they already said on the Snake Pit ten minutes ago? The format of this show is good, but there’s a lot of repetition. Still not at the level of the Crockett shows, but a lot nonetheless 

BUExperience: These types of shows live or die on the quality of the characters more than the quality of the workers. This one is thriving.