WWF Wrestling Challenge February 21st, 1988

February 21, 1988

From the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, MD

Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

This week, the featured match consists of the Killer Bees vs. Demolition. Also in action will be Ron Bass, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, One Man Gang, and Dino Bravo. Plus, a report on Special Report on WrestleMania IV.

Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Killer Bees

Gorilla notes that the winner here will likely receive a title shot. Match starts with Ax beating on Blair. Ax misses an elbow drop then Blair fights back and works the arm. Brunzell tags in as the Bees use quick tags to work the arm for a bit. Smash tags as Blair catches him with an armdrag then we get an insert promo from Demolition, telling the Bees they beat every team the face and that the Strike Force should pay attention because they are coming after them. Back to the match as Brunzell escapes from a bearhug using a bell clap. Smash places Brunzell on the top rope and fires away but the ref steps in between and that allows Brunzell to hit an elbow smash. Blair catches Smash with a sleeper then shoves him into the corner for a nearfall. Ax knees Blair from the apron as Demolition takes control as they cut the ring in half. Blair comes back with a flying forearm as both men are down. Brunzell tags in and cleans house then the match breaks down with all four men in the ring. The ref orders Blair to the apron as Brunzell has Smash in a reverse rollup but Fuji gives his cane to Ax, who hits Brunzell in the throat, then Smash covers for the win (4:08).

Thoughts: In giving the Demolition the win they made it clear that the team is now the #1 contender for the Tag Team Titles. In defeat, they also protected the Bees as they lost via cheating. The match was fine for what it was.

WWF Special Report with Craig DeGeorge. This is the same report we saw on this past episode on “Superstars of Wrestling” as Jack Tunney vacates the WWF World Heavyweight Title and that a new champion will be crowned in a tournament at WrestleMania IV.

Steve Lombardi vs. Junkyard Dog

Lombardi flexes after shoving JYD, drawing mild boos. Gorilla notes how Lombardi is a graduate of the “Terry Garvin School of Self Defense” while JYD shoves Lombardi down the follows with a pair of headbutts. The announcers talk about the Title Tournament as Heenan believes Rick Rude is the favorite to win as JYD remains in control of the match. And already looks blown up. Lombardi tries biting JYD’s forehead but that fails as JYD does the ten turnbuckle smash routine in the corner before hitting Lombardi with a powerslam for the win (2:10).

Thoughts: JYD is just used to occasionally pop the crowd at TV tapings at this point. Even in that role, he is struggling.

Dino Bravo w/ Frenchy Martin vs. Phil Newkirk

Martin does his prematch routine of mumbling to the crowd in French. The crowd their routine of sitting in silence while he has the mic. Bravo beats on Newkirk in the corner as we get an insert promo from his first-round opponent at WrestleMania IV, Don Muraco, stating that he is looking for him. Bravo hits a slam then follows with an elbow drop before popping up and pounding his chest. Bravo then hits a piledriver before hitting the side slam for the win (1:21).

Thoughts: The push of Bravo as a strongman continues. And they continue to push the 1st round matches of the World Heavyweight Title tournament.

Gene Okerlund is with Jake Roberts and asks him about the tournament at WrestleMania IV. Roberts says that the fact he is even in the tournament is enough hope to keep him alive as he gets the opportunity to be the top man in the world. He puts over his first-round opponent, Rick Rude, and that he has the attitude to win and cannot lose with his DDT. Decent promo by Jake here.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Terry Gibbs

Heenan makes fun of Duggan, stating his whole family as “nine teeth and an IQ of 11.” The crowd is hot for Duggan while Heenan is in disbelief. Gibbs bounces off of Duggan, who then catches him with a powerslam. Duggan tosses Gibbs to the floor as we get an insert promo from Virgil and Ted DiBiase, who tells Duggan he is the first man on the hit list as he wins the belt in the tournament, proving to everyone that he is an athlete. Good promo from DiBiase. Duggan then puts Gibbs away with the Three Point Stance (1:53).

Thoughts: Duggan remains one of the most over acts in the company. They also built up his first-round match against DiBiase.

Okerlund is now with Randy Savage, who will be facing Butch Reed in the first-round at WrestleMania IV. He tells Reed that he “doesnt have the only key to the gym” and that they have a date coming up at the show. Savage wasnt as manic or crazy here but still cut a solid promo.

One Man Gang w/ Slick vs. Wellington Wilkens

Gang attacks Wilkens before the bell then continues to hammer away. Slick is shown in an insert promo telling Bam Bam Bigelow he better read the One Man Gang’s article in “WWF Magazine” because he will need all the help he can get. Back to the match as Gang beats on Wilkens in the corner before putting him away with a front suplex (1:57).

Thoughts:They pushed both the Gang/Bigelow feud and their first-round match at WrestleMania IV.

We get a replay from two weeks ago where the Ultimate Warrior and Hercules fought each other and the Warrior fought back after being attacked with the chain.

DeGeorge is on the interview platform with the Ultimate Warrior, who is pacing around. Warrior tells Hercules he will pay for what he did as he flexes and shakes his head rapidly while speaking. He then tells Hercules that he is coming as he beats his chest and pumps his arms into the air. This was certainly something else but you can tell they have big plans for the Warrior.

WrestleMania IV Report with Craig DeGeorge. Its the same one we saw on the 2/20/88 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

“The Outlaw” Ron Bass vs. Van Van Horne

Van Horne waits outside of the ring until Bass stops cracking his whip, “Miss Betsy.” The match starts with Bass slamming Van Horne while Heenan is boasting on commentary how he will be getting rid of a bulldog and a bird at WrestleMania. Van Horne lands a few shots but Bass takes him down with a clothesline. Bass hits him with a back suplex but pulls him up before the three count so he can inflict more punishment. Bass then puts Van Horne away with a Gourdbuster (2:47). After the match, Bass chokes out Van Horne with his whip.

Thoughts: Bass didnt have anything going out but they were getting over his gimmick, “Miss Betsy,” as he uses it to beat his opponents after the match.

Okerlund is with Slick, who wants to point that Randy Savage does not have a chance against Butch Reed because he has a body and because Elizabeth is so stupid she once got “hit by a parked car.” Reed comes in flexing his biceps saying Savage is good, tough and a former Intercontinental Champion. However, at WrestleMania IV, Savage will belong to him.

Next week, we will see highlights from the Ultimate Warrior vs. King Harley Race match from the 2/20/88 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.” Also in action will be Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine, and the featured match of Koko B. Ware vs. Danny Davis.

Final Thoughts: The focus remains on WrestleMania IV, specifically the WWF World Heavyweight Championship Tournament. They also pushed Demolition as the #1 contenders and let the Ultimate Warrior cut a promo in front of the live audience for the first time on television. With WrestleMania still five weeks away, expect a lot more hype going forward.