WWF Wrestling Challenge (June 7, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: June 7, 1987 (taped May 13)

From San Diego, California; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Honky Tonk Man v Jerry Allen: The ring announcer shares that President Jack Tunney has ruled that the DDT will not be banned, which Honky flips out about, of course. They already announced it on Superstars, doesn’t he pay attention? And then, to add insult to injury, the jobber attacks him to kickstart the match! Honky fights him off (he is still a jobber, after all), and finishes with the swinging neckbreaker at 1:55. DUD

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center with Wrestlers’ Rebuttal, which features WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation denying rumors that they’re ducking challengers

The Can-Am Connection v The Islanders: From Superstars of Wrestling on May 30 (taped May 12) in Anaheim California. Rick Martel and Haku start, as the Islanders split screen in to literally laugh at the Connection. So I guess they’re the heels here. Martel wins a criss cross, and uses a rana for two, so Haky bodyslams him. Again, but Rick hooks a small package for two, and then a 2nd rope bodypress for another two. Tag to Tom Zenk for an armdrag into an armbar, so Haku bodyslams him, but misses an elbowdrop. That allows Zenk to go back to the hold, but he telegraphs a backdrop, and gets nailed. Tag to Tama, and he tries a slam, but Zenk counters to a rollup for two. Meanwhile, Bobby Heenan shows up at ringside, pleading his case to the Connection about something. That allows the Islanders to attack, and they isolate Zenk for a beating. They leave him for dead on the outside, and it’s a countout at 3:48. Afterwards, Heenan rushes in to raise their hands, and we’ve got a heel turn. The match was going along fine for the minute or so it existed prior to the angle taking over, but was ultimately too short to amount to much. ½*

Gene Okerlund catches up with Ken Patera, who talks about all the skills a pro-wrestler needs… while giving the driest promo imaginable on Heenan

Hercules v Jerry Monti: Johnny Valiant subs for Heenan here, since Bobby is at ringside. Hercules also split screens in here, and he apparently thinks he’s the actually mythical Hercules. Uh huh. I thought it was more of a ‘gimmick that knows it’s a gimmick’ kind of thing. Like, Bret Hart didn’t walk around shooting people. Anyway, Hercules with the full nelson at 0:30. “That’s less than two minutes,” notes Valiant. Yeah. Sure is. DUD

Okerlund catches up with the Young Stallions, and they just cut a general promo, hopeful to get a title shot some day

George Steele v Rudy Ryder: His run was before my time, but so were a lot of people that I appreciate, and I really don’t get why Steele was such a hot act. But then, I’ve never really ‘got’ Undertaker either, if we’re being honest. Danny Davis split screens in here, as George puts this away with a hammerlock at 0:44. Unfortunately, Valiant isn’t here to play timekeeper again. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with One Man Gang and Slick, and Gang has far too kind a face to be a heel. The goofy Akeem gimmick was a much better fit to sell him as a heel

The New Dream Team v The Young Stallions: Dino Bravo and Paul Roma start, and Greg Valentine quickly rushes in, but Paul cleans house. Meanwhile, the Rougeau Brothers split screen in, upset that Bravo is trying to represent French Canada. The heels manage to get control of Roma, as Gorilla announces that Randy Savage will be defending the Intercontinental title next week… before correcting himself by remembering that Ricky Steamboat is, in fact, the current champion. I’m surprised they didn’t cut that out, but I miss when they’d leave the flaws in like that. It gave the shows (and characters) character. Greg misses a legdrop, then also misses a fistdrop, allowing the hot tag to Jim Powers. He runs wild, but telegraphs a backdrop, and gets clobbered. Bravo comes in, but Jim is raging, and runs wild again. Powers hits Valentine with an elbowdrop, but the referee is distracted by Valiant, so no count. That also allows Bravo to nail Jim, and Valentine hooks the leg at 4:12. Just stuff. ¼*

DeGeorge has a new update on Superstar Billy Graham: still old, still broken down

Randy Savage v Bill Anderson: Savage is starting to get more favorable reactions, and even Monsoon isn’t chewing him out as much anymore, so you had to know the official babyface turn was already in the works. Macho with the flying elbowdrop at 2:30. I mean, how could you not cheer this man? DUD

Okerlund catches up with Kamala and Sika, who are looking for lunch

WWF Intercontinental Champion Ricky Steamboat is ready to defend against Honky Tonk Man next week. Wait, wasn't that advertised for Superstars next week? Maybe they're just planning to re-air it on Challenge? I guess we'll find out

Honky is ready to take the title... whenever that match ends up happening... 

BUExperience: This was a light, easy watch. Despite Superstars being the ‘better’ show, Challenge could be a more fun watch.