WWF Wrestling Challenge (February 28, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: February 28, 1988 (taped February 17)

From Topeka, Kansas; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Steve Rosenblatt, manager of the building, is thrilled that the WWF is in his facility 

Koko B. Ware v Danny Davis: Davis attacks from behind, and unloads on Koko in the corner. Davis with a cross corner whip, but Koko blocks, and schoolboys for two. Davis cuts him off with more abuse in the corner, but another corner whip goes south when Koko rebounds with a 2nd rope bodypress for two. Davis cuts him off again, but Koko pulls off a small package for two. Davis ropechokes him to retain control, but he telegraphs a backdrop, and Ware kills him with a brainbuster at 2:24. Davis looked way too strong here. ½*

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center for Special Report, with a look at the feud between the Islanders and the British Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are giving Matilda special training ahead of meeting Bobby Heenan at WrestleMania 

Butch Reed v Mike Richards: Randy Savage split screens in here, looking forward to making Reed a footnote in history when they meet in the opening round of the tournament. Reed with a flying clothesline at 1:57. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Hulk Hogan, who is going to wipe everyone out at WrestleMania 

Brutus Beefcake v Brian Costello: Beefcake split screens in, excited to take the WWF Intercontinental title, and hang it on his wall. With their travel schedule?! Heenan rightly mocks that as well. Beefcake with a sleeper at 1:56. DUD

Rick Rude v Jim Evans: Jake Roberts split screens in, noting that he has ‘attitude,’ and will use it to win the tournament. He was born too early. Rude with the neckbreaker at 1:49. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man, who thinks maybe he should hang Beefcake on his wall

Bam Bam Bigelow v Frankie DeFalco: “He’s a big, agile man! But he’s stupid!” notes Heenan. Bobby’s delivery with these lines is unmatched. Bam Bam split screens in, promising to burn down the tournament. Bam Bam scores the pin at 1:19. DUD

DeGeorge brings Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant out for a podium interview, and the name of the game is still Andre clearing the path for Ted in the tournament

DeGeorge is in the control center for the WrestleMania IV Report, complete with a clip from Donald Trump, who has the original winged eagle title belt on his desk!

Demolition v Gary Jackson and Sonny Rogers: Bobby is quick to claim a relationship with Vanna White, now that she’s been confirmed for WrestleMania. Demolition with a combo at 1:57. Gosh, all the squashes were aggressively under two minutes this week. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Jim Duggan to talk about the tournament

DeGeorge catches up with Greg Valentine, who is ready to complete his WrestleMania collection. He had the Intercontinental title at one, the tag title at two, and now he’ll have the world title

BUExperience: Solid WrestleMania build this week.