WWF Wrestling Challenge November 29th, 1987

November 29, 1987

From the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, NE

Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

In action this week are the British Bulldogs, Ted DiBiase, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Butch Reed, and the Ultimate Warrior

British Bulldogs vs. The Conquistadors

This is the TV debut of the Conquistadors, billed from “Latin America.” They are Jose Luis Rivera and Jose Estrada wearing a body costume and mask. Match starts with the Bulldogs beating on Conquistador #1, using all sorts of suplexes and high flying moves. The announcers talk about the Slammy Awards as #1 makes a comeback and tags out. #2 hits an elbow smash but Dynamite comes back with a suplex then tags Davey, who runs wild then gets the win with a running powerslam (5:06). Heenan started screaming that the Conquistador’s shoulder was up and they showed the replay, and it was.

Thoughts: The Bulldogs both looked great here. They didn’t have much going on at the time though.

Craig DeGeorge tells us all about the “37th Annual Slammy Awards” that will include live performances by Koko B. Ware, Honky Tonk Man, and more.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase w/ Virgil vs. Sonny Rogers

Rogers gets a reverse rollup after an Irish whip sequence for a nearfall. However, DiBiase gets up and beats the crap out of him in the corner. He hits an elbow smash off of the middle rope as he is shown in an insert promo telling us everyone as a price, even the man on top of the WWF. After that, DiBiase puts Rogers away with a back elbow drop from the second rope (1:17).

Thoughts: With the attempt to buy the belt angle, DiBiase is getting a mega-push here. It was the focus of the shows for the next several weeks.

Gene Okerlund is with Ron Bass, who is cracking his whip. Bass tells us his whip, Miss Betsy, is named after some woman as he tells us no one wants to meet up with him while listing off all the top talent who have dodged his challenges. Bass closes by telling us things come to those who wait. I was a fan of Bass and thought he was solid on the mic too. Plus, he looks like he could destroy you.

A video package on the feud between King Harley Race and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Barry Horowitz

Duggan catches a crossbody attempt by Horowitz then slams him down. Duggan follows with an elbow drop and a knee drop while yelling at the crowd, prompting Heenan to question why he is screaming like that. Duggan is shown in an insert promo telling Race he has another thing coming. Back to the match as Horowitz runs into a clothesline then Duggan puts him away with the Three Point Stance (2:05).

Thoughts: Duggan is over and the feud with Race is making him even more popular since returning to the WWF. The WWF really did a fine job with their feud.

Okerlund is with Dino Bravo, asking him about recent changes. Bravo says that 1988 will be his year and he can take people “down hard on the mat” until he faces Hulk Hogan and promises to hold the Heavyweight Title before 1988 ends. Oh boy.

Killer Khan w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Mike Richards

Khan takes Richard down with a knee smash to start. He follows up with a bunch of strikes then rams him into the corner. The announcers talk about everything but the match as Khan continues his assault on Richards. He mists Richards then hits a backbreaker before heading up to the middle rope for the knee drop and the win (2:13).

Thoughts: This was the final TV appearance for Khan, who would go on to retire after leaving the company.

DeGeorge is on the interview platform as he welcomes Slick and Butch Reed. Slick tells us there is going to be a party as everytime we hear “Jive Soul Bro” we will see the guy who took out Superstar Billy Graham for good as we see clips of that in an insert. Reed tells us he feels great about taking out Graham while DeGeorge brings up Don Muraco. Reed flips out and warns Muraco that he will do to him what he did to Graham then wants to hear “Jive Soul Bro” so he can party. Reed and Slick dance off of the platform. Gorilla then tells us that we will have a major announcement from Graham next week. They are still trying to continue this feud, with Muraco pretending to be Graham. It didn’t work as they never established a relationship between Muraco & Graham before the angle where Muraco was out to seek revenge on Reed for attacking the Superstar.

We hear from the Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart as Honky talks about destroying Savage before introducing us to the “Honky Tonk Man” music video.

Ultimate Warrior vs. Brian Costello

Warrior comes out to his signature music for the first time I believe. No rope shaking or anything though. Gorilla teases Heenan how Warrior has a better physique than Rick Rude. Warrior immediately attacks Costello then takes him down with a shoulder tackle. Warrior hits a delayed vertical suplex as the crowd cheers then hits a clothesline. Warrior points to the ceiling then hits Costello with a press slam and just drops him down for the win (1:54).

Thoughts: Warrior got some cheers here but was super sloppy in the ring and really just dropped Costello in a clumsy way for the finish. Quite reckless, actually.

Dave Wagner & Rick Renslow vs. Ken Patera & Billy Jack Haynes

Patera slams Renslow around as we get an insert promo from Mr. Fuji and Demolition, who tell Patera & Haynes that they are good but like a headache to them. Back to the match as they hit some really shitty double-team move that Patera fucked up before Haynes puts Wagner away with the full nelson (1:47).

Thoughts: Patera & Haynes had zero chemistry as a team but they were just paired up in order to put over Demolition so it was fine.

Okerlund is now with Don Muraco, who tells us that he will call Butch Reed “Bruce,” the name his momma gave him. Muraco addresses Slick’s comments about how he only wants to hear the crowd cheer for him. Muraco then tells Okerlund to check out how he was Bruce Reed in Kansas City and to “look it up” while he wants Reed to get ready and bring his “monkey-faced” manager because he will be ready. Reed’s actual name is Bruce just for those wondering.

Next week in action will be Jake Roberts, Rick Rude, Hart Foundation, Don Muraco, and King Harley Race. Plus, footage from the Brutus Beefcake vs. Greg Valentine match that took place on the 11/28/87 episode of “Superstars of Wrestling.” The show ends with a promo from the Hart Foundation and Jimmy Hart, talking about Bret’s match against Randy Savage on “Saturday Night’s Main Event.”

Final Thoughts: Not a bad show or anything but a lot of focus on the Muraco/Reed feuds, which was not all that exciting, and matches involving guys without a whole lot of stuff going on at the time. Clearly the “B” show this week.