WWF Wrestling Challenge (November 8, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: November 8, 1987 (taped October 28)

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

Bam Bam Bigelow v Terry Gibbs: Heenan notes that Bigelow is ‘just a show off’ with all of his flashy moves. And that’s not even saying anything about the flame covered gear. Bam Bam with a slingshot splash at 1:14. I get why he went with more impressive finishers later in his career, but I’m surprised that he never really used the splash anymore then, even as a signature move. Kind of like Shawn Michaels never, ever, ever, ever going back to the Teardrop suplex after dropping it as a finisher. ¼*

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center for Special Report, giving us a look at Demolition doing a number on Billy Jack Haynes

Ultimate Warrior v Barry Horowitz: Heenan immediately starts degrading Warrior by unfavorably comparing him to Rick Rude. Warrior’s gear is still very basic here, and not as wild as it would get later. He split screens in for a promo, which is actually intelligible at this stage. Warrior with a press-drop at 1:47. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Randy Savage, who has his team ready for action at Survivor Series. Macho’s gear here feels like it’s foreshadowing the Macho King era. Between this, and Heenan trying to build a Warrior/Rude feud, I had to double check that I’m not watching an episode from 1989

Ted DiBiase is counting all the cash he made off of George Steele

The British Bulldogs v The New Dream Team: Davey Boy Smith starts with Dino Bravo, and they feel each other out. Davey win a criss cross, so Dino tags out, and so does Davey. Dynamite Kid outmoves Greg Valentine through a criss cross, and a snap suplex sets up a kneedrop. Back to Smith for a headbutt, but Greg manages a drop-toehold, and a tag. Dino comes in to put the boots to Davey, but Smith slips away long enough to pass. Kid tries a cross corner clothesline, but runs into a boot, and Bravo bodyslams him to set up an elbowdrop for two. The heels go to work on Kid, but Greg gets a figure four attempt blocked. Elbowdrop, but Kid dodges that as well, and Davey gets the tag. He runs wild, and Bravo takes the running powerslam. Tag to Kid for a combo to finish, but Johnny Valiant runs in for the DQ at 3:09. Too short to be worth anything. ½*

Okerlund catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff, Superstar Billy Graham, Ken Patera, and Bam Bam Bigelow to talk about Survivor Series. We’re into the November, but they still haven’t swapped Don Muraco in for Graham

The Islanders v SD Jones and Jerry Allen: The Young Stallions split screen in, eager to prove themselves against teams like the Islanders at Survivor Series. The Islanders pick up the win here with a pin on Allen at 2:15. DUD

DeGeorge brings WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man out to respond to Savage

Slick’s Jive Soul Bro music video. I’ve never seen that one before, or properly heard the song

Butch Reed v Omar Atlas: Reed with a flying clothesline at 1:15. DUD

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation v Strike Force: From the November 7 Superstars of Wrestling (taped October 26) in Syracuse New York. Bret Hart starts with Rick Martel, and Bret pounds him with punches right out of the gate. A criss cross allows Martel a pair of dropkicks, and an armdrag leaves Bret in an armbar. Tag to Tito Santana for a double team, and Tito holds an armbar of his own to keep Bret grounded. Rollup, but Bret blocks, and tags. Jim Neidhart misses a pointed elbowdrop, allowing Santana an armbar, but Jim powers out. That triggers a slugfest, and Santana holds his own, so Bret throws a cheap shot from the apron. That allows the champs to go to work on Tito, but he gets away from Anvil long enough for the hot tag to Rick. Martel runs wild, and a 2nd rope bodypress gets two on Jim when Bret saves. In comes Tito for a double team, and Martel puts a Boston crab on Anvil for the win at 9:15. I’m honestly surprised that Jim just kind of submitted there, with Bret never even getting back in to try for a save, or something. It felt out of nowhere, though I appreciate that they actually gave this some time. *

Okerlund catches up with Demolition ahead of Survivor Series

Nikolai Volkoff is ready to ‘get down’ with Jake Roberts

Jake Roberts knows what we’re thinking. Do you now, Jake? 

BUExperience: Not a whole lot of meat on the bone here.