WWF Wrestling Challenge (November 1, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: November 1, 1987 (taped October 7)

From Green Bay, Wisconsin; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Honky Tonk Man v Brutus Beefcake: The WWF Intercontinental title is not on the line. This is such a ready made feud, with the guy who gives rape haircuts, and the guy who loves his hair. Beefcake dominates early, and uses a series of atomic drops to send Honky to the outside for another atomic drop. Beefcake with a slingshot sunset flip for two on the way back in, and a corner whip follows, but the charge in doesn’t. Beefcake’s gear is mismatched here, and it’s a bad look. Honky tries a 2nd rope axehandle, but Beefcake blocks, and locks the sleeper on! That draws Jimmy Hart in with the megaphone, so Beefcake drops the hold, and beats up Jimmy instead. The referee gives them a chance to cool out, but they don’t, and Honky gets disqualified for interference at 2:14. This wasn’t really a proper match, just a taste. Afterwards, Danny Davis runs out to get Jimmy out of harm’s way, and Beefcake gives chase. ¼*

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center for Special Report, with a look at the brewing Jim Duggan/Harley Race feud

The Bolsheviks v Lanny Poffo and SD Jones: Poffo looks like he’s trying to be one of the heels with his matching gear. Meanwhile, the British Bulldogs split screen in to hype up the big tag team series match at Survivor Series. The Russians score the pin at 2:33. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Jake Roberts, who is looking forward to getting a shot at Honky, especially with Jimmy Hart suspended in a shark cage to make things fair

Backstage, Okerlund introduces the governor to WWF Champion Hulk Hogan

Sam Houston v Rick Renslow: Houston split screens in to introduce himself here. He’d been around the promotion since May, but this was only his second TV match. Sam with a bulldog at 2:08. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Hulk, who is ready to die, because he knows that Hulkamania will live forever

WWF Women’s Champion Sensational Sherri is excited to prove herself at Survivor Series

Killer Khan v Chris Curtis: Khan with a 2nd rope kneedrop at 2:01. Why did he even bother misting this jobber? It was beneath him. DUD

DeGeorge brings Hogan out for a podium interview, as he continues to be all over the show this week. Hulk is all about Gloria Gaynor this week - he will survive 

DeGeorge is in the control center with Special Report, covering the Paul Orndorff/Rick Rude body feud

Jimmy Hart’s introduces WWF Women’s Tag Team Champions The Glamour Girls. I like how he’s ‘introducing’ them, when they’re not only already champions, but have held the belts since 1985!

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Greg Valentine, Dino Bravo, and Johnny Valiant v Koko B. Ware, Jim Brunzell, and B. Brian Blair: The babyfaces dominate early, but Koko runs into trouble, and the heels cut the ring in half. Valiant fucks it up, of course, and Brunzell gets the hot tag. He runs wild, and Koko hits Valiant with a missile dropkick at 3:30. Afterwards, the heels give Koko a beatdown, before the Bees are able to save. ¼*

Okerlund catches up with Slick, who claims that Bam Bam Bigelow went back on his word after signing with Slick as a manager, but Butch Reed is going to get revenge for him

Okerlund catches up with Honky, who laughs off Jake Roberts’ challenge - regardless of where Jimmy Hart’s ass is going to be

BUExperience: A solid entry.