WWF Wrestling Challenge (February 7, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: February 7, 1988 (taped January 27)

From Salisbury, Maryland; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan

Bob Wagner, events manager of today’s arena, extends a warm welcome to the WWF. And man, this guy does not have a personality to do TV

Backstage, Hercules revs up for his match with Ultimate Warrior

Ultimate Warrior v Hercules: There’s still an embargo on discussing The Main Event. Pretty subdued entrance from Warrior, compared to his usual sprints and shakes. Hercules wants to do a tug of war with the chain, and of course takes a cheap shot once Warrior engages. Warrior ends up snapping the chain, so Hercules attacks him with the chain for the DQ at 1:57. Afterwards, Hercules chokes him down with the chain, drawing a bunch of enhancement guys and officials out to make the save. And there you go, we have a feud on our hands. DUD

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center for Special Report, giving us a look at how we can be a part of WrestleMania IV

The Bolsheviks v Rex King and Jerry Gray: Bobby spends the entire match complaining about the embargo, and I have to agree. What were they playing at, anyway? It’s not like it was a pay per view show that had a replay they were trying to sell, or something. I mean, I get that it builds intrigue, but it just feels like a weird way to go about it. Boris Zhukov scores the pin at 2:13. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Demolition, who are tired of the lack of competition. They’ve already beaten everyone, and they’re ready for a title shot

Bad News Brown will be back in action next week, which is bad news for whoever he gets matched up with

The Young Stallions v Brian Costello and Gino Carabello: Heenan is still ranting about the embargo, but he feels better about it because he’s been hanging out with Donald Trump ahead of WrestleMania, and they’re building a wing for Bobby at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. The Stallions pick up the pin at 3:09. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with One Man Gang, and Slick explains that the reason Gang doesn’t talk is because when he does, he gets carried away, and people end up getting hurt. And then Slick has to pay the fines, so this way, it’s just cheaper

The British Bulldogs with an update on Matilda. She’s gaining weight. So stop eating! It’s no rocket surgery! 

Rick Rude v Brady Boone: Rude with the neckbreaker at 1:39, complete with an arrogant cover. Rude had nice arrogant pin game. DUD

DeGeorge brings Jim Duggan out for a podium interview, and at least they’re finally acknowledging that he won the Royal Rumble. Duggan’s proud, but not resting on that achievement, rather turning his attention to Harley Race

Butch Reed v David Stoudemire: Heenan tries talking about The Main Event, but gets bleeped. Reed with a flying clothesline at 2:52. DUD

DeGeorge is in the control center for Special Report, and it’s really weird to get two of these in one episode. Especially since this one is all about Dino Bravo, and his bench pressing

Demolition v Omar Atlas and Rick Hunter: Heenan notes that, when the Islanders win the tag title, they won’t duck people like Strike Force do. So, guys like Demolition will finally get a shot. He also tries to circumvent the embargo by asking if he can talk about what Demolition told him about The Main Event, but no dice. Demolition pick up the pin at 2:33. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Ron Bass, who is on the hunt for rats. You might try outside of the arena after the matches

BUExperience: Fuck this embargo.