WWF Wrestling Challenge (March 1, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: March 1, 1987 (taped February 17)

From Springfield, Massachusetts; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

The Hart Foundation v Lanny Poffo and SD Jones: The WWF Tag Team title is not on the line here. Gorilla mocking Danny Davis’ outfit, while saying nothing of Poffo’s is some bullshit. Meanwhile, Tito Santana and the British Bulldogs split screen in here, ready to get some revenge on Davis and the Foundation at WrestleMania. Perhaps they can tombstone piledrive someone? They don’t say. The Hart Attack finishes Jones at 2:38. ¼*

From Superstars, it's the contract signing between WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant for the main event of WrestleMania III. Everyone is amazing here. Bobby Heenan cuts a world class promo, Hulk perfectly gets over how edgy and nervous he is, and Andre is the perfect picture of calm menace

Harley Race v Mario Mancini: Johnny Valiant fills in for Bobby on commentary here, as Heenan is out with Harley. Junkyard Dog split screens in, and he’ll never bow to Race. Harley with a cradle suplex at 1:25. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Ricky Steamboat, who is ready for WrestleMania

LJN action figures ad

Koko B. Ware v Iron Mike Sharpe: Hard to concentrate on the match, considering how catchy that stupid LJN jingle was. The Hasbro figures had some amazing ads, but no jingles. Butch Reed split screens in, promising to stuff the bird at WrestleMania. I didn’t think they could show that on pay per view in 1987. Koko with a brainbuster at 1:56. DUD

Jesse Ventura catches up with Bob Uecker, and teaches him how to flex

Gene catches up with the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, so they can talk about how great Montreal is

Jim Duggan vignette

Randy Savage v Jim Powers: The WWF Intercontinental title is not on the line for this. Ricky Steamboat split screens in here, excited to have a cornerman at WrestleMania. Considering who that cornerman is, I think he should curb his enthusiasm. Macho with the flying elbowdrop at 1:40. DUD

Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit, with guests Hercules and Heenan. Not much of note here

Gene is in the control center for the WrestleMania III Report. Twelve matches signed! In 2025, that would be WrestleMania Three… Day Event

Bruno Sammartino v Nikolai Volkoff: Volkoff attacks while Bruno is distracted with Iron Sheik, and he stomps Sammartino down. Volkoff tries an avalanche, but Bruno blocks, and throws right hands. Bruno unloads in the corner, as the Killer Bees split screen in to cheer him on. Bruno with a turnbuckle smash, and he locks a half-crab, so Sheik comes in for the DQ at 2:37. DUD

Gene catches up with Hillbilly Jim, Lord Littlebrook, and Haiti Kid. Gene telling Littlebrook and Kid to ‘watch the elbows’ is pretty funny

BUExperience: Not essential, but an easy watch, because this era is tremendous.