WWF Wrestling Challenge (February 22, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: February 22, 1987 (taped January 27)

From Fort Myers, Florida; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Ricky Steamboat v Chic Donovan: Gorilla notes that Steamboat is getting a standing ovation, to which Heenan is quick to quip “I’m sitting down.” They then get back to talking about Hulk Hogan/Andre the Giant, which usually would be annoying, but in this situation, it’s completely understandable. And, speaking of which, Kamala and Wizard split screen in to offer their thoughts on that bout. Steamboat with a flying bodypress at 4:51. This was like a Crockett squash, with Donovan getting a lot in, and it dragging on forever. ¼*

Wrestlers’ Rebuttal is Hercules promising to prove himself to be the master of the full nelson at WrestleMania

WrestleMania III ad

Junkyard Dog v Barry O: Harley Race split screens in here, offering to get a demonstration for JYD on how to bow and kneel properly before the king. Dog with the scoop powerslam at 1:31. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Bobby Heenan, who generally rants

Roddy Piper v Adrian Adonis: From Saturday Night's Main Event on January 3 (taped December 14 1986) in Hartford Connecticut. Piper attacks right away, and beats him with gusto. Adonis manages to return fire for a slugfest, but Piper gets the best of it, and smashes his face into the mat a couple of times. Whip into the ropes is reversed, however, and Adonis hooks the Goodnight Irene sleeper on, but Roddy dives for the ropes, and they go tumbling out of the ring. Adrian sprays some perfume in his eyes out there, and rolls back in to grab a countout win at 3:35. This was more about furthering the angle in front of a big network audience than anything, and there's nothing wrong with that. ¼*

Gene catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, who is ready for any tests Andre the Giant can throw at him

Recently, the Can-Am Connection got mobbed by female fans while trying to get into the arena - much to the chagrin of Jesse Ventura

Don Muraco and Bob Orton v Salvatore Bellomo and David Stoudemire: Freddie Blassie joins us for guest commentary here, and he talks WrestleMania. Mr. Fuji also split screens in here, threatening the Can-Am Connection. Given his penchant for sadistic ribs, I’d be very worried if I were them. Orton finishes with a superplex at 2:02. DUD

Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit with guests Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart. Jake makes fun of Honky’s name and outfit, which seems like a pretty bold position from a guy wearing a shirt that’s knotted up at the belly. But then Jake makes fun of Honky’s musical talent, so Honky breaks a guitar over his head. According to legend, they didn’t gimmick the guitar, and I don’t know if that’s true, but I can certainly say that the shot was one of the most brutal I’ve ever seen. If I were betting, I’d bet it wasn’t gimmicked

Gene is in the control center for the WrestleMania III Report

LJN action figures ad. That’s a catchy jingle! 

George Steele v Butch Reed: Blassie is still hanging around for commentary here. Reed pounds him into the corner, but George returns fire, as Koko B. Ware split screens in to cheer Steele on. Slick distracts Steele, allowing Reed to attack from behind, so George chases him to the back, and gets counted out at 1:19. Afterwards, Koko leads George back out, and Ware hits Butch with a missile dropkick for good measure. DUD

Gene catches up with JYD, and they discuss the ‘speculation’ that Roddy Piper will retire. Speculation? He full-on said he’ll be retiring after WrestleMania on Superstars! And he said it to Gene, no less!

BUExperience: This period is hot, so most everything goes down easy, though this was on the weaker side compared to Superstars.