WWF Wrestling Challenge (July 26, 1987)

Original Airdate: July 26, 1987 (taped July 16)

From Lake Placid, New York; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Ken Patera v Al Navarro: Patera with a full nelson at 1:55. I’m surprised they let him use that, with Billy Jack Haynes still around. Sure, Ken’s version was a swinging variation, but even still. DUD

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center, announcing that Tom Zenk has left the promotion, and the Can-Am Connection is no more. The Islanders could care less, however: this news doesn’t stop their promise to take out the rest of the team, namely Rick Martel

Demolition v Scott Casey and Steve Douglas: Mr. Fuji split screens in, promising that he’s managing Bam Bam Bigelow - leaving Heenan to deliver some unfortunate news: Mr. Fuji is a liar. Demolition with a combo at 3:12. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Randy Savage, who isn’t too pleased that WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man is talking shit about him. Especially since Macho endorsed him after he won the title. So, while Randy was going to go out and get the WWF Title, now it’s personal, and he’s going to take the Intercontinental in revenge

Recently, at a live event, Ted DiBiase paid a fan to wipe the sweat off of his brow. Hey, not all of these segments are winners

George Steele v Gladiator: Gladiator is such a weird jobber. He has no theme. He’s masked, but wears a standard collegiate style singlet, and nothing about his gimmick has anything to do with ancient Rome, or anything else ‘gladiator’ related. Steele actually works the arm before putting it away with his hammerlock at 2:32. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Honky Tonk Man, who is ready to take Macho to the Heartbreak Hotel. They’re time travelling to 1994?! Okay, that’s pretty cool

Little Beaver is still fuming about what happened at ‘WrestlingMania,’ so he has a WWF Ice Cream Bar to cool off

Killer Khan v David Stoudemire: They put Khan over as a former sumo wrestler, which feels like getting off track a bit. Khan with a flying kneedrop at 2:38. A very sumo-like performance. DUD

From Superstars, Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit, with guest Mr. T. T talks about his new role as the enforcer of the WWF, when Danny Davis shows up, annoyed that T is walking around claiming to be an official

The Young Stallions v Barry Horowitz and Steve Lombardi: Heenan thinks he should sign the Stallions, and lead them to the tag title. Well, he would go on to manage one of the guys in this match, though neither of the Stallions. And, anyway, how were the poor Islanders supposed to feel when they heard him say that? This goes on for what feels like forever, with the jobbers getting a lot in, before Paul Roma catches Barry with a flying sunset flip at 4:21. That was a hell of a dive there. ½*

DeGeorge brings Harley Race out for a podium interview, and man, Heenan’s sequined jacket is so insanely bedazzled that it’s giving me a migraine. Harley explains why people should bow down to him, which basically boils down to: he’s the king. Well, can’t really argue with that logic. He’s wearing a crown and a cape, seems legit

One Man Gang v Eric Cooper: Slick split screens in here to talk about his ‘brother’ Bobby Heenan. Bobby quickly clarifies that they are not related. Gang with a gourdbuster at 1:39. That’s a much better fit as a finish than that horrible 2nd rope elbowdrop he was doing, but I’m surprised they still haven’t figured out the splash. He’s a big dude, it’s not rocket science! DUD

Okerlund catches up with WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation, who have an entire list of challengers lined up. And they have a literal written out list, to prove that they’re not ducking anyone. Again, seems legit. On paper, and everything

Okerlund catches up with Honky again, and Gene lists off all of his potential challengers, but Honky notes that none of them have signed a contract for a shot

BUExperience: Not much doing this week, but I did enjoy seeing that the Randy Savage babyface turn progressed.