WWF Wrestling Challenge (September 7, 1986)

 

Original Airdate: September 7, 1986 (taped August 27)

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

The American Express v Don Muraco and Iron Mike Sharpe: Lord Alfred Hayes is doing the ring announcing here, which is nyet good. Mike Rotundo starts with Don, and Mike dominates, as Superstar Billy Graham split screens in to announce his return to the WWF. Tag to Dan Spivey, and he holds Don in an armbar. The Express dominate with quick tags, but Don mikes Dan in the eye, and passes to Sharpe. He loses control almost immediately, however, and Rotundo puts him away with a small package at 3:04. I thought we were going to see an actual star/star match due to Muraco’s presence, but it was just a squash. ¼*

Wrestlers’ Rebuttal featuring WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage, who is sick of ignorant fans. Probably should have chosen a different business 

Adrian Adonis v Tommy Sharp: I’m blown away at the size of the crowds they were pulling in for these tapings. It’s especially jarring to me since I’ve been covering late 1994, and the crowds at the Superstars tapings then (even the bigger ones) pale in comparison. You know how sometimes the jobber looks like he might have a chance? Tommy is not one of them. Bob Orton split screens in claim that his career has improved since joining Adonis’ camp, since he’s making big money now. Yeah, I feel like Piper probably would have been underpaying. Orton comes in to help Adonis with a combo, and Sharp is dull at 2:49. DUD

Ken Resnick brings Orton in to get more details on why Bob joined Adonis. Bob makes it clear that it was a financial decision, especially after Roddy Piper fucked off to Hollywood, and stopped paying him. This was good, with Orton’s motivations making sense, and coming across as relatable. A good heel should be relatable too, not just over the top villains

Koko B Ware v Bob Bradley: Female referee here, which I didn’t realize was a thing in the promotion before the last couple of years. Ladd likes the way she moves, for the record. Koko split screens in with a general hype promo during his own squash, and my God, how much cocaine was floating around that locker room in 1986? Someone probably bought a mansion dealing to these guys. Koko with a 2nd rope dropkick at 2:51. Good energy from Koko. I mean, duh. ¼*

Resnick brings Jimmy Hart in to get his side of Orton-gate, and he thinks everyone should just mind their own business. Fair point, honestly

Paul Orndorff v Troy Martin: Troy is a pre-fame Shane Douglas. ‘Troy Martin’ is a good ring name, I’m note sure ‘Shane Douglas’ is really any better. Orndorff, meanwhile, comes across like a huge star, and comes out to Real American to troll the crowd. Meanwhile, Honky Tonk Man split screens in, and apparently he’s a babyface, because he’s angry at Orndorff for turning on Hulk Hogan. I’d known that Honky was originally a babyface, but knowing it happened, and actually seeing it, and two very different things. It’s just wrong. Paul with the piledriver at 1:43. Gorilla worries that Orndorff may have ended the career of young Martin, but I can assure you that he did not. ½*

Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit with guests Kamala, Wizard, and Kimchee. I didn’t realize Wizard was in the WWF, I only associate him with that horrible Dungeon of Doom angle

From the August 30 episode of Championship Wrestling (taped August 5 in Poughkeepsie New York), Bobby Heenan officially coronates Harley Race as the king of wrestling, with pretty much every heel on the roster in the ring to witness it. Not much to the segment, but fine

The British Bulldogs v The Moondogs: The WWF Tag Team title is not on the line here. The heels attack before the bell, but the Bulldogs fight them off. Dynamite Kid gets caught with a cheap shot, allowing the Moondogs to work him over, until Davey Boy Smith catches a random tag, and dives in with a flying bodypress on Rex at 4:25. Pretty aimless. ¼*

Resnick brings Jake Roberts in to discuss the debate over banning the DDT. Jake, of course, hits all the right notes of menace here. And then Jake brings Randy Savage in, since Macho understands him better than anyone, as both are a little defective 

BUExperience: This was the debut episode of Challenge, and I’d say they were off to a great start. A fun new show, and the format is perfect.