WWF Wrestling Challenge – October 9th, 1988

October 9, 1988

From the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, KY

Your hosts are Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

In action this week will be Brutus Beefcake, Rick Rude, Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Johnny Ziegler

Beefcake catches Ziegler with a slam as Heenan is ragging on Ziegler, stating the “Z” on the back of his tights stood for “zilch.” Beefcake signals for the sleeper but works over the neck for a bit before applying the hold and gets the win (2:30). After the match, Ziegler gets his haircut.

Thoughts: They touched upon the Beefcake/Bass feud on commentary but Heenan ragging on Ziegler was the real highlight.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Jimmy Hart and the Honky Tonk Man to the interview platform. Jimmy says the feel horrible due to the fact Honky lost the Intercontinental Title to the Ultimate Warrior. Honky then gloats over the fact he attacked Warrior from behind with his guitar a few weeks ago as we see a clip of that. Honky then puts over his new tune titled “Broken Down Warrior Blues” and promises to play it for them all across the country. Honky takes offense to those stating Warrior could be the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time as he rants about how he will always be the greatest and is coming to get back his title. Honky did a great job to get booed here as he was just used to get the Warrior over more.

Big Bossman w/ Slick vs. Scott Hudson

Bossman tries a crossbody but gets caught and slammed down. We see Slick and Bossman in an insert promo as they show us how handcuffs work. Back to the match as Bossman is in control then puts Hudson away with a sidewalk slam (1:40). After the match, Bossman cuffs Hudson’s hands behind his back then stands him up and eventually hits him with the nightstick in the corner.

Thoughts: The Bossman added a new twist here as he cuffed his opponents hands behind their back instead of to the ropes. Given how much they pushed his handcuff gimmick, you would expect that to be focused on a lot in the coming weeks. I wonder if this was in fact former WCW announcer Scott Hudson Bossman squashed here. He actually looked a bit like him and I believe Hudson briefly wrestled before the announcing gig. If someone reading knows that would be great if they could comment.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. We get the same JYD and Bolsheviks promos from last week.

Mike Richards & Reno Riggins vs. Fabulous Rougeau Brothers w/ Jimmy Hart

Riggins catches Jacques with a monkey flip then tags out. Raymond pulls the ropes down on Richards as we get an insert promos from the Rougeaus and Hart, stating that they are “All-American Boys.” The Rougeaus double-team Richards in the corner until they put him away with an assisted senton from the top (2:07).

Thoughts: They are still highlighting the gimmick of where will the Rougeaus move to in the U.S. along with their feud against the Hart Foundation.

Mooney is back in the Event Center. We hear the same Bad News promo about being undefeated and wanting the top guys and from Randy Savage with Elizabeth as he claims to take on all challengers. The segment ends with Mooney holding up Elizabeth’s picture from the WWF 1989 calendar. They are really schilling that calendar on the premise of an Elizabeth picture.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Al Burke

Heenan calls Duggan the leader of the humanoids as he takes control early on in the match. We hear from Frenchy Martin and Dino Bravo in an insert promo as Bravo will make Duggan and his fans respect his Quebec flag. Duggan catches Burke with a slam before putting him away with the Three Point Stance (1:13).

Thoughts: The Duggan/Bravo feud has now involved flags as a premise. Great.

We get the same special report from “Superstars of Wrestling” that shows the segment with Ted DiBiase attempting to buy Hercules as his slave.

British Bulldogs vs. Barry Horowitz & George South

Heenan said he is not mad with Hercules but there time was over and he should be thanked for giving him another job. The Bulldogs take control early as the hit South with a variety of suplexes and slams. We get a camera closeup of Matilda as South continues to get suplexed all over the place until Dynamite puts him away with the superplex (2:40).

Thoughts: Man, South earned his paycheck here. He took all sorts of moves from the Bulldogs, who looked impressive as they prepare to face Demolition around the house show circuit.

We get another Mr. Perfect vignette as he proceeds to bowl a perfect game. I liked the added touch of us being shown someone fill out his scorecard.

Joe Cruz vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan

Gorilla is solo on commentary. Rude continues to sport the Cheryl Roberts tights as we hear from Rude in an insert promo, telling Jake Roberts that the whole world knows that Cheryl wants him and despite having better looking women at his disposal, he wants Cheryl because she is married to Jake as he blows a kiss to end the segment. Rude gyrates after overpowering Cruz but misses a charge and gets caught with a pair of arm drags. Rude then fights back and immediately hits the Rude Awakening for the win (1:47). After the match, Rude makes out with a blond wearing a yellow dress. She was a butter face.

Thoughts: Rude’s insert promo here was pretty damn great. His heel act was top notch.

Mooney is back in the Event Center. We hear from Jake, who tells Rude that its tough he is upset after getting his pants pulled down because he has put up with Rude’s stuff for months. Cheryl then comes out and says they should give Rude what he wants as Jake says that is the DDT. The Hart Foundation talk about the tag team competition and that the Tag Team Titles are on their mind but first they have to take care of the Rougeau Brothers as Neidhart is ranting and raving.

Next week in action we will see the Rockers, Akeem, Ted DiBiase, and the Ultimate Warrior. Plus, an interview with Jake Roberts and more.

Final Thoughts: Nothing all that new here this week but at least it was a bit entertaining. Honky’s promo was fun, The Hennig segment was decent, and the Bulldogs squashing everyone was a blast.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 1/21/82

Sunday: WWF Boston Garden 10/10/88

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/15/88

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/16/88

Wednesday: EVOLVE 64 7/16/16

Thursday: Shoot Interview Recap TBD

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/22/88