WWF Wrestling Challenge April 10th, 1988

April 10, 1988

From the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, IL

Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

In action this week are the British Bulldogs, Rick Rude, Ted DiBiase, and the Honky Tonk Man.

British Bulldogs vs. Terry Gibbs & Iron Mike Sharpe

The Bulldogs show off Matilda to the crowd. Match starts with the Bulldogs beating on Sharpe, who ducks outside for a breather. Heenan rants about Matilda then laughs how even a moron could outsmart the Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware. Gibbs catches Dynamite with a backdrop but gets slammed off of the top rope. Sharpe is back in and hammers away but the Bulldogs regain control then put him away after Davey launches Dynamite at Sharpe with a flying headbutt (3:08).

Thoughts: At this point, the Bulldogs mascot is the one getting pushed, not the actual team. They are still performing at a high level in the ring though.

Craig DeGeorge is on the interview platform with Ron Bass, who laughs about choking out JYD last week. Bass accuses JYD of taking a cheap shot at him and because of that, he paid the consequences of Miss Betsy. He cracks Miss Betsy and tells us all we will pay the consequences. Bass cut a good promo here.

Brady Boone vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan

Rude shoves Boone down then flexes to the crowd. Boone takes Rude down as a “weasel” chant breaks out then we get an insert, in the shape of a heart, of women arguing whether or not Rude was the sexiest man in wrestling. After that, Rude gets the win with a Rude Awakening (1:10). After the match, Heenan lets us know that in every arena, Rude will grant a lady the “Rude Awakening” as he welcomes six women in the ring. They line up as he walks behind them, checking them out, as even Gorilla makes fun of their cheap clothing. Rude picks a lady with short blonde hair and gives her the Rude Awakening, laying her down gently on the mat at the end.

Thoughts: They are strongly pushing the Rude Awakening gimmick after Rude’s matches. I thought it was a good idea and really added to his character. Rude’s character was awesome at this time as he was still trying to improve as a worker. It took him a while.

Okerlund is at the Event Center. We hear comments from Demolition and Strike Force, who are pissed off at Mr. Fuji. Also, from Bobby Heenan and Hercules as well as the Ultimate Warrior. More WrestleMania IV fallout.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase w/ Virgil vs. Jim Evans

DiBiase hammers away to start. He tosses him to the outside as Gorilla reminds Heenan that Randy Savage is the new WWF Undisputed Champion. DiBiase continues to destroy Evans as we get an insert promo of DiBiase saying never underestimate him and you can take that to the bank. DiBiase then puts Evans in the Million Dollar Dream and gets the win (1:52). After the match, Evans gets a $100 bill stuffed in his mouth.

Thoughts: The story remains that DiBiase is not done trying to get the title.

A replay of the WWF Special Report regarding the Andre the Giant/Jim Duggan feud from the 4/9/88 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

WrestleMania IV Report with Gene Okerlund. This focuses on the end of the Battle Royal, where Bad News Brown double-crosses Bret Hart to win the match. We hear from Hart, who tells Brown he is nothing but a “double cross” and when they run into each other, he will get destroyed like his trophy. Brown then tells Hart he will beat him within an inch of his miserable life for spoiling his celebration and destroying his trophy.

Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Outback Jack

Honky backs Jack into the corner as we hear him in an insert promo telling Brutus Beefcake he cannot beat him. Jack hits a slam but misses a back elbow drop as Honky goes to work. He clotheslines Jack then puts him away with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll (1:20). After the match, Honky thanks the crowd while Hart holds up the Inercontinental Title.

Thoughts: Looks like the Beefcake/Honky feud is not over. And how about Outback Jack? Man, this guy bombed and really fell down the card. Then again, what do you expect when you give a bad worker a bad gimmick?

Okerlund is back at the Event Center. We hear from Ted DiBiase, who tells us he still has the master plan and the money, meaning he will get the WWF Title again. He calls out Savage and that next time, he will not have a “savior” by his side and Elizabeth will be unable to help him out. Savage speaks next and says he is an “inspired athlete” and tells DiBiase to come and get him.

Next week we will see Jake Roberts, Greg Valentine, Strike Force, and the One Man Gang.

Final Thoughts: Not a bad show this week. Lots of WrestleMania IV fallout and the feuds that followed, or continued. The company is starting to get some direction again now that the tournament is over.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Monday: PWG All Star Weekend XI, Night Two @noon EST

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/16/88 @ 8pm EST

Wednesday: EVOLVE 53 1/22/16 @ 11am EST

Thursday: Shoot interview TBD by poll @ noon EST

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/17/88 @2pm EST

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/23/88 @ 8pm EST