WWF Wrestling Challenge (March 20, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: March 20, 1988 (taped March 8)

From Bristol, Tennessee; Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

Terrie Smith, director of the venue, welcomes the WWF to town

Randy Savage v Brian Costello: Bobby is very disappointed in the man Savage has become. But, he’s even more disappointed in the fact that his comp tickets for WrestleMania didn’t come through, and now the event is totally sold out. Ricky Steamboat split screens in here, hopeful to get a rematch with Macho in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. I get why they didn’t want to put Macho against another babyface on the night of his big win, but why hype it here then? Randy with a flying elbowdrop at 1:37. DUD

Craig DeGeorge is in the control center with Special Report, here to talk about the battle royal at WrestleMania IV

Koko B. Ware and the British Bulldogs are licking their chops, eager to get Heenan at WrestleMania

The Islanders v Mark Young and David Stoudemire: Heenan doesn’t even go down to ringside for this one, which feels like some major disrespect to poor Mark and David. The Islanders put this away with a flying splash from Tama at 2:27. Heenan was fun on commentary here. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Brutus Beefcake, who is ready to take the title from Honky Tonk Man

Okerlund catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man, who is tuning up for a successful title defense 

Hercules v Reno Riggins: Bobby is at ringside here, so clearly Mr. Riggins is getting the proper respect. Ultimate Warrior split screens in here, shouting about WrestleMania. Hercules with the torture rack at 2:28. DUD

Okerlund catches up with WWF Tag Team Champions Strike Force who refuse to be demolished 

Okerlund catches up with Demolition, who warn Strike Force that they’d better show up at WrestleMania, or else Demolition will come looking for them

One Man Gang and Butch Reed v Eric Cooper and Mike Richards: Slick split screens in, ready to play the odds at WrestleMania, with two chances to win the tournament. Gang wins this one with the gourdbuster at 2:38. DUD

Jake Roberts v Tom Stone: Jake split screens in here, chatting with Damien about Rick Rude’s chances in the tournament. The DDT finishes at 2:18. Great reaction for the finisher there. DUD

DeGeorge brings Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant out to talk about the tournament. I know it was a different era in terms of how they built shows, but man, things have really cooled down for the two top heels going into WrestleMania. They came off of one of the hottest angles ever, but all they really do is cut promos, and never actually interact with Hogan. Or anyone, in any meaningful way

Okerlund is in the control center for the WrestleMania IV Report

Fans get excited to see WrestleMania on closed circuit 

Bam Bam Bigelow v Terry Gibbs: Rick Rude split screens in, and he’s looking past Jake Roberts, and on to potentially Bam Bam in the next round. Bigelow with a splash at 1:25. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Hulk Hogan, who is sick of all the cash getting passed around, because he’s all about the competition

BUExperience: I really wish there was more interactive WrestleMania build, besides just guys cutting promos in a vacuum. But, I guess that was the style of the time. They did a better job with the WrestleMania III build, though.