WWF Wrestling Challenge October 18, 1987

October 18, 1987

From the Veterans Memorial Arena in Green Bay, WI

Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

In action this week are the British Bulldogs, One Man Gang, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan

British Bulldogs vs. Brian Costello & “The Crippler” Rip Oliver

Oliver, from Portland Wrestling fame, makes his WWF TV debut here. He lasted for a month or so here. The Bulldogs work over Oliver as we get an insert promo from the New Dream Team, who promise to win the Survivor Series as Bravo says he doesn’t like dogs. Dynamite hits a snap suplex then Davey catches Oliver with a press slam. Oliver fights back for a bit then tags Costello, who gets dumped on a back suplex. Costello is able to prevent a tag and goes to work but Dynamite tags out as Davey beats on Costello until he launches Dynamite onto him for the win (4:06).

Thoughts: The Bulldogs are back in the ring after Dynamite’s injury but most of the focus was on Matilda, their mascot.

WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is Jake “The Snake” Roberts as they put over the DDT and his snake, Damien. Roberts was returning from suspension here.

One Man Gang w/ Slick vs. Rick Gantner

Gang tosses Gantner around to start. Gantner takes a goofy-looking bump in the corner where instead of flipping up and down he just somersaults into the corner like an idiot. We get an insert promo from Oliver Humperdink as he states Bam Bam Bigelow will take care of Gang at the Survivor Series. Back to the match as Gang inflicts more punishment until he gets the win with a front suplex (2:26).

Thoughts: They are gearing up for a Bigelow/Gang feud, which wasnt a bad idea but it didnt exactly set the world on fire or anything.

Gene Okerlund is with Strike Force and asks them about their match at the Survivor Series. They tell Okerlund they have to fight harder in this match and concentrate on surviving. A basic promo.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Barry Horowitz

Duggan plays up to the crowd with his antics and they respond favorably. We get an insert from Duggan talking about the Survivor Series as he repeats “survivor” and “gobble, gobble” before saying he has a lot to be thankful for as he is now beating on Horowitz in the ring. Duggan catches a crossbody attempt from Horowitz then hits the Three-Point Stance for the win (1:43).

Thoughts: Say what you want about Duggan but he could get the crowds going.

Okerlund is with Ken Patera and asks him about the main event at the Survivor Series. Patera tells Heenan he has been cleared to return and to wear his brace indefinitely, which meets the rules and regulations. Most of the fans seemed to be over the Patera/Heenan Family feud.

We are shown the “Piledriver” music video.

A repeat of the Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan interview with Craig DeGeorge from the 10/3/87 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling” where they announce the main event of the Survivor Series.

We get a repeat of the WWF Special Report where Craig DeGeorge details the Randy Savage vs. Honky Tonk Man match from “Saturday Night’s Main Event.”

Scott Casey & Jim Evans vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude & Hercules w/ Bobby Heenan

Sensational Sherri has replaced Heenan on commentary. She applauds Heenan’s men as they make their way to the ring. She even thinks Heenan is an attractive man before pointing out the physiques of Hercules and Rude. Martel tells us she has a surprise for the Fabulous Moolah at Survivor Series. Hercules works over Casey, who tags out. Evans gets destroyed as we get an insert promo from Heenan, saying he is not going to be held responsible for Hercules hurting people or the divorce rate increasing due to Rick Rude. Evans gets beaten down some more until Rude puts him away with the backbreaker submission.

Thoughts: It almost seemed as if they were trying for an alliance between Sherri and the Heenan Family here. Rude & Hercules both dominated the match.

Okerlund is with Oliver Humperdink, who calls Heenan a stupid man as Humperdink says he has the greatest team assembled and on Thanksgiving, he will show his family. Paul Orndorff comes out and tells us he is going to get even with the Heenan Family and says he is the biggest backstabber in wrestling.

Next week in action will be Strike Force, Ted DiBiase, and Randy Savage, and Demolition. Plus, the “Girls in Cars” music video and the debut of the Ultimate Warrior.

Final Thoughts: This was a decent show that really focused on hyping up the Survivor Series. Not much more to say other than that.