WWF Wrestling Challenge (February 14, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: February 14, 1988 (taped January 27)

From Salisbury, Maryland; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

WWF Title Match: Hulk Hogan v Andre the Giant: From The Main Event on February 5 in Indianapolis Indiana. Funny gigantic 'Andre WHO?' sign in the crowd. This is also the debut of the classic 'winged eagle' design for the belt - still the greatest title belt design of all time. In hindsight, they probably should have just waited for WrestleMania IV to debut it though, given the whole tournament deal. Hulk attacks as Andre talks strategy with DiBiase and Virgil, and gets rid of his seconds with a pair of big boots. The crowd is just rabid for this. He goes back to pounding Andre for an extended period of time, and manages to stagger him after dozens of shots, but can't quite knock him down. Well, at least he's not stupidly trying to slam him again. With everything in his usual arsenal unable to take the Giant off his feet, Hulk decides to try going to the top rope and send his weight at the challenger, but Andre slams him down, and grips him in a chokehold on the mat. Cross corner whip and a bodyslam leave Hogan down and in trouble, and Andre puts the boots to him. Series of headbutts and a big boot follow - though executing the big boot knocks Andre onto his ass as well. Probably shouldn't be trying stuff like that, big guy. More choking, but Hulk fights free, and starts slugging away again. 2nd rope clothesline is finally enough to knock Andre down, and Hulk adds the Legdrop, but the referee is caught up with Virgil. Hulk lets off to go protest, but that allows Andre to attack with another series of headbutts, and he hiptosses Hulk over for the three count at 9:05 - despite Hogan clearly getting the shoulder up at two! And, now having been awarded the title, Andre immediately relinquishes it to DiBiase per their arraignment, and Hogan goes fucking berserk. He chases the heels away, but it's too late for him - the decision has been made, and he is no longer the champion! While all this is going on, suddenly another referee joins them in the ring - an exact double of Dave Hebner (Earl, in his surprise debut). You see, DiBiase had hired his evil twin brother to stand in for him, and screw Hogan out of the title. And, of course, big man Hogan beats up the puny referee as well, since he can't take it out on Andre or DiBiase - nearly killing him with a press-slam halfway up the aisle. Great visual, though. This was a helluva piece of business, not so much for the in-ring action (which was decent for the guys involved) as the extracurricular activity. One of the better angles of the era. * 

WWF Champion Ted DiBiase celebrates with his new title belt, along with pal Andre the Giant

WWF President Jack Tunney compares the title match to fucking Pearl Harbor. So, the referee’s decision is, unfortunately, final. So, Hogan is indeed no longer the champion. But, neither is DiBiase, since the rules say you have to win it in the ring. And neither is Andre, since he effectively forfeited it. He declares the title vacant, and announces a tournament for the belt, to take place at WrestleMania IV. They unveil the brackets, and while the matches are the same, the placing is wildly different, with both Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase in the bottom half, which wouldn’t allow them a path to meeting in the finals. Actually, the brackets here, assuming a Hogan/DiBiase final, would have likely been a hell of a tournament, with Hogan/Rick Rude in the semi, Savage/Ricky Steamboat in the quarter, and Savage/DiBiase in the other semi. I’m just guessing, of course, but that appears to be the most likely booking

Don Muraco v Ken Johnson: Muraco split screens in, excited for his shot in the tournament, and especially to get his hands on Dino Bravo. Yeah, nothing says ‘world title’ like Dino Bravo. Muraco with the tombstone at 2:36. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Jim Duggan to talk about the tournament. And, again, we’re talking about Dino Bravo

The Islanders v Lanny Poffo and Eric Cooper: Gorilla calls this one alone, as Bobby is at ringside. The Islanders end Cooper at 2:41. DUD

Okerlund catches up with One Man Gang and Butch Reed, and Slick likes his odds a WrestleMania

Bam Bam Bigelow v Joe Mirto: Joined in progress, with Bam Bam hitting a headbutt drop at 0:15 shown. I won’t rate it, but really, how good could it have been, really? It’s a squash.

Okerlund catches up with Hulk Hogan, who is looking for payback. And he’s still looking for the dollar figure for the plastic surgery. He seems very hung up on that. Is he looking to have work done, or something?

WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man enjoys a shiny new version of his title belt

Bad News Brown v Dave Stoudemire: Brown attacks before the introductions, before finishing with an enzuigiri at 2:47. DUD

The British Bulldogs v Jose Estrada and Dusty Wolfe: Once again, Matilda’s stand is out there as a taunt. The Bulldogs split screen in, thanking the fans for all the cards and letters they’ve sent… to a dog. Jokes on them, we can’t read. The Bulldogs with a combo on Wolfe at 2:16. DUD

Okerlund catches up with DiBiase and Andre, and Ted is furious, but not to worry, because Andre will take Hulk out of the running at WrestleMania

BUExperience: It’s WrestleMania season! Have a meal!