WWF Wrestling Challenge (January 10, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: January 10, 1988 (taped December 10, 1987)

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

The British Bulldogs v Steve Lombardi and Terry Gibbs: The Bulldogs are all broken up over the loss of Matilda, and might not be able to get it done here. Heenan thinks it’s fucking hilarious, of course, especially the fact that they have the little stand for her out there in their corner, with no dog to stand on it. Meanwhile, the Islanders split screen in, mockingly calling to Matilda, but she’s nowhere to be found. The Bulldogs with a combo at 3:11. ¼*

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center for Special Report, with a look at the search for the dog ‘belovedly known as Matilda.’ I’m pretty sure ‘Matilda’ is her name, not a term of affection, like ‘cutie,’ or something. Ya fuckin’ moron. Anyway, President Jack Tunney is taking action, suspending the Islanders until Matilda is returned

Ron Bass v Omar Atlas: Heenan is losing his mind over the suspension ruling here, which is a funny juxtaposition to his Joker-like laughing in the last match. Bass split screens in here, but he doesn’t have shit going on, so it’s just sort of general self-promotion. Bass scores the pin at 2:06. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Dino Bravo, who is looking forward to all the ass he’s going to kick in 1988. Gene literally laughs at him

Bam Bam Bigelow v Dusty Wolfe: Heenan continues to go through the stages of grief on commentary here, and it’s glorious. Bigelow with a vertical suplex to set up a slingshot splash at 2:31. Lots of energy from Bam Bam this week. ¼*

Okerlund catches up with the Killer Bees, who are looking forward to participating in the ‘Rumble Royal’

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and Danny Davis v Brady Boone, Wellington Wilkins, and Jack Towers: Not much to this one, as the heels squash the shit out of these guys, and Bret scores the pin at 1:56. DUD

We take a look back at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Andre the Giant attacked WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, and choked him down in dramatic fashion. Great segment, immediately adding a ton of fresh fire to the already smoking Hogan/Andre program 

DeGeorge brings Ted DiBiase out for a podium interview about his failed efforts to purchase the WWF Title, and Ted introduces a new wrinkle: bringing Andre and Heenan out. Ted has paid Heenan handsomely for Andre’s services, and the angle now is that Andre will go out and win the title from Hulk, and then turn it over to DiBiase. And, much like at The Main Event, Andre just can’t say ‘World Wrestling Federation title,’ though at least this time he just says ‘world world wrestling federation…’ and trails off, instead of calling it the tag title, or whatever. Great angle

Sam Houston v Jerry Gray: Bobby has gone back to gloating, now that his pockets have been filled by DiBiase. Houston with a bulldog at 2:07. DUD

Greg Valentine v Pete Sanchez: Gorilla is very excited about telling us about all of the ligaments that Valentine was trying to injure the last time he had Brutus Beefcake in his figure four. Valentine with said figure four at 2:00. DUD

Koko B. Ware v Rick Renslow: “Boy, that’s a nice bird,” notes Heenan, and Monsoon is quick to snap at him to stay away from it. They’re on fire this week. Koko with the brainbuster at 1:11. I dug Koko’s ‘bird flapping’ pinfall cover here, that was tremendous. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Ricky Steamboat, who is hoping to make 1988 as memorable as 1987 was for him. Oh, it’ll be memorable

BUExperience: Good episode! Angles galore, and lots of fun commentary from Monsoon and Heenan.