WWF Wrestling Challenge (December 27, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: December 27, 1987 (taped December 10)

From Fort Myers, Florida; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Strike Force v Terry Gibbs and Rick Gantner: The WWF Tag Team title is not on the line. Bobby dubbing Strike Force as ‘Lucky Pierre’ and ‘La Bamba’ is pretty funny, and he predicts they’ll be the shortest reigning tag champions of all time. And, speaking of which, the Hart Foundation split screens in, promising to end the reign. Rick Martel puts this away with a Boston crab at 3:07. This was an energetic squash. ¼*

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center with Special Report, taking a look at Ted DiBiase’s failed efforts to buy the WWF Title

Ted DiBiase v Sivi Afi: DiBiase split screens in here, but he laughs off Hulk Hogan’s rejection, because he’s going to find another way to get the deal done. Ted with a 2nd rope backelbow drop at 2:16. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Rick Rude, who is looking forward to becoming WWF Champion in 1988

Jake Roberts v Steve Lombardi: Between the hair and the physique, Jake never really had a good ‘star’ look, but damned if he didn’t get there anyway. Roberts with the DDT at 2:14. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Bam Bam Bigelow, who promises to rid the WWF of ‘troublemakers’ in 1988. Well, I guess that’s why he left

Dino Bravo v Jerry Allen: I have no idea why they broke up the New Dream Team, it’s not like they had anything of note for either guy to move on to. Anyway, Dino with a side suplex at 1:27. DUD

Don Muraco v Frank DeFalco: Slick split screens in here with harsh words for ‘brother Muraco,’ specifically threats on behalf of Butch Reed. Don with a tombstone at 1:31. Hot take: Muraco had the best tombstone in wrestling history. DUD

DeGeorge brings Demolition out for a podium interview to discuss their 1988 plans and prospects. They’ve gotten the look down at this point, and their promos are perfectly rough and nicely concise

The British Bulldogs v The Islanders: From Superstars of Wrestling on December 26 (taped December 9) in Tampa Florida. Bobby Heenan refuses to let the Islanders wrestle until Matilda is removed from the premises. The Bulldogs refuse, so the Islanders walk. They get to the curtain before abruptly turning back, and sneak attacking the Bulldogs. They hammer them down, and then kidnap Matilda, leaving with her before the match gets officially underway.

Jimmy Hart is excited about Honky Tonk Man’s feature in the new WWF Magazine, and thinks he’ll keep the WWF Intercontinental title forever. Well, almost

Randy Savage v Jerry Gray: Gray looks familiar, like he went on to become a star later maybe, but a quick check reveals that he never did. So, just some dude. Honky Tonk Man split screens in here, introducing us to Peggy Sue. In split screen form! I’ll say it: Sherri looked better as a blonde. Macho with the flying elbowdrop at 2:00. Watching Macho squash jobbers is never a bad thing. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Greg Valentine, who predicts a banner year in 1988, now that he’s aligned with Jimmy Hart. Yeah, get the Brylcreem ready

BUExperience: This was okay, though the biggest thing to happen on the episode happened on Superstars.