WWF Wrestling Challenge March 20th, 1988

March 20, 1988

From the Viking Hall in Bristol, TN

Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

In action this week will be Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, and the Islanders. Plus, an interview with Ted DiBiase and more.

Brian Costello vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth

Heenan tells us he lost respect for Savage as he is letting his feelings of Elizabeth get in the way of business. Costello cheapshots Savage, who comes right back with a turnbuckle smash. Gorilla lets us know that this Friday, the “USA Today” will list all the locations where you can view WrestleMania IV on closed circuit. We then get an insert promo from Ricky Steamboat, telling Savage they could meet in the second round of the tournament as the announcers put over their classic last year at WrestleMania III. Back to the match as Savage hits a slam then finishes Costello off with a flying elbow drop (1:36).

Thoughts: The big thing out of this was the tease of a potential Steamboat/Savage matchup in the 2nd Round of the tournament. That was originally part of the plan but according to Steamboat, he was told the day off the show he’d be losing in the first round.

Craig DeGeorge runs down the WrestleMania IV Battle Royal participants and we get interviews from JYD and Harley Race promoting that. Nothing memorable here.

The British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware cut a promo on the Islanders and Bobby Heenan, focusing on the return of Matilda while Koko sings. About as thrilling as it sounds.

The Islanders vs. David Stoudemire & Mark Young

Ah, Mark Young, son of WWF legend and that time agent Chief Jay Strongbow. Heenan remained on commentary as Gorilla taunts him for deserting his team. Tama backs Young in the corner and hits a few chopps. Young then hits a top rope sunset flip and a crossbody for nearfalls. Young winds up in the wrong corner as Haku tags in and works a headlock. Stoudemire tags as Heenan flips out on commentary about Matilda being at ringside for their match at WrestleMania IV. The Islanders beat on Stoudemire until Tama puts him away with a splash (2:30).

Thoughts: Its funny watching the scrawny Young get his offense in during the match. Anyway, since being involved in this feud revolving around Matilda it seems that most of the Islanders heel heat has disappeared.

Gene Oklerund is with Brutus Beefcake, who tells us the Intercontinental Title is coming home with him. We then get clips from Jimmy Hart and the Honky Tonk Man, who tells Brutus he will not be doing any strutting or cutting at WrestleMania.

Hercules w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Reno Riggins

Gorilla is solo on commentary. This was Riggins debut as a WWF enhancement talent. In fact, it was a role he played throughout his career. A “weasel” chant breaks out as Hercules destroys Riggins. We get an insert promo from the Ultimate Warrior, who tells us he lives for “anger and frustration” and for Hercules to bring that at WrestleMania IV. Back to the match as Riggins gets dropped with a clothesline then Hercules puts him in the Torture Rack for the win (2:31).

Thoughts: They are putting Hercules over so he can get the next big thing, the Ultimate Warrior over.

Okerlund is with Strike Force, who tell us that they are not scared of Demolition. We then hear from Mr. Fuji and Demolition, who tell Strike Force they will tear their heads off and if they do not show up at WrestleMania, they’ll come to their house and beat them up. Ax promises us that this will be war.

Mike Richards & Eric Cooper vs. One Man Gang & “The Natural” Butch Reed w/ Slick

Reed beats on Cooper as Slick is shown in an insert promo talking about what would happen if his men had to face off in the tournament, saying we will have to find out for ourselves. Back to the match as Cooper is getting destroyed. Richards tags in and shortly after that Gang puts him away with a front suplex (2:37).

Thoughts: This was just to give Slick’s men the win and put over the “anything can happen” nature of the tournament by teasing they could end up against each other.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Tom Stone

Stone backs Roberts into the corner to start. Roberts quickly turns the tables but Stone yanks him down by the hair and works the arm. We get an insert promo from Roberts, as he talks to Damian about “wanting it all” when it comes to the tournament at WrestleMania IV. Roberts misses an elbow drop and sells the arm but is able to hit a short-armed clothesline before Stone away with the DDT (2:17). After the match, Roberts dumps Damien on top of Stone.

Thoughts: I thought this was fun, actually. It was different as Roberts sold for most of the match until hitting the DDT.

We are shown the Virgil, Ted DiBiase, and Andre the Giant interview that was conducted by Craig DeGeorge on the 3/19/88 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

The “WrestleMania IV Report” from the 3/19/88 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling” airs.

Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Oliver Humperdink vs. Terry Gibbs

Gibbs backs Bigelow in the corner and bites his forehead. Bigelow fights bak and tosses Gibbs across the ring as we get an insert promo from Rick Rude, telling Bigelow he will beat him after he gets past Jake Roberts in the first round. Shortly after that, Bigelow puts Gibbs away with a falling headbutt (1:26).

Thoughts: Since they’ve exhausted all the hype for the first-round matches, they have now moved on to teasing hypothetical matchups.

DeGeorge is with Hulk Hogan, who tells us that for the past four years he has been saying his prayers and taking his vitamins along with the other Hulkamaniacs. Hogan then talks about how Ted DiBiase cheating turned them all into “stark-raving lunatics” before promising victory at WrestleMania IV.

In action next week will be Strike Force, Jim Duggan, and Rick Rude.

Final Thoughts: Again, its more of the same with the constant WrestleMania hype. They have done just about all they can with it and there is still another week of TV until the PPV.