WWF Wrestling Challenge – October 23rd, 1988

October 23, 1988

From the Sports Arena in Toledo, OH

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

In action this week are the Honky Tonk Man, Bad News Brown, and the Blue Blazer. Plus, an interview with Demolition and more!

Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Jim Evans

Honky beats on Evans as we get a screaming insert promo from the Ultimate Warrior, who tells Honky that he will never get back the Intercontinental Title. Honky stays on the attack then puts Evans away with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll (2:25).

Thoughts: The Honky Tonk Man vs. Ultimate Warrior feud rolls on still.

We are shown a replay of the “Special Report” segment that shows Hercules being sold by Bobby Heenan to Ted DiBiase to be his slave.

Blue Blazer vs. Gene Ligons

Blazer works an armbar after hitting a pair of armdrags. Heenan claims that he will take the Red Rooster to the top of the WWF as Blazer uses a flying headscissors then hits a knee drop from the middle rope. Blazer stays in control, continuing to impress the crowd with his offense, before hitting a moonsault for the win (2:14).

Thoughts: Blazer was wowing the crowds with his offense but it never resulted in anything, unfortunately.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. We hear from Mr. Fuji and Demolition as they put over their hard training as Jake & Cheryl Roberts warn Rick Rude what will happen the next time they meet.

Tom Walsh vs. Bad News Brown

Brown attacks Walsh before the bell. The announcers put over his undefeated streak as he stays in control. Brown chokes out Walsh on the mat and roughs him up before hitting the Ghetto Blaster for the win (2:07).

Thoughts: Another dominating TV win for Bad News as he is being groomed to face Randy Savage around the house show circuit.

Sam Houston vs. George South

Houston lands a few punches then hits a dropkick. He hits an armdrag then picks up South for a slam and does the two step before hitting the move. South catches Houston with a knee smash but misses an elbow drop as the announcers put over the Leonard vs. Lalonde boxing match. Houston then catches South with a boot in the corner and hits the bulldog for the win (2:08).

Thoughts: The announcers primarily spent most of this match hyping the boxing match on PPV that the WWF was helping promote at the time. This was Houston’s last televised win in the WWF as he would become a TV enhancement guy until leaving for good several months later.

Red Tyler vs. “The Outlaw” Ron Bass

Bass beats on Tyler as we hear an insert promo from Brutus Beefcake, who cuts an awful promo telling Bass he is a wanted man. Bass clotheslines Tyler as Gorilla tells us that Don Muraco (fired), Sam Houston, and the Blue Blazer will be part of Beefcake & Ultimate Warrior’s Survivor Series team while Heenan lets us know they will be facing the team of Ron Bass & Honky Tonk Man & Greg Valentine & Bad News Brown & Danny Davis. Bass beats on Tyler some more until hitting the gourdbuster for the win (2:30).

Thoughts: The big news is that we found out the rest of the participants for the Survivor Series match that features Bass as one of the co-captains.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Demolition & Mr. Fuji to the interview platform. Okerlund asks them about their match at Survivor Series as they will co-captain a team opposing the Powers of Pain team. Demolition puts over how Mr. Fuji made them what they are today and that the Powers of Pain might not even make it to the show. Basic interview here by Demolition, who are in need of an interesting feud.

Fabulous Rougeau Brothers w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Chris Zarna & Billy Bowman

Jacques cheap shots Zarna, who refused a handshake, as we hear from the Rougeaus and Hart in an insert promo as they tell us “don’t worry, be happy.” The Rougeaus stay in control until Zarna avoids a dropkick and makes the tag. Bowman hits Jacques with a pair of dropkicks but misses a charge in the corner as the Rougeaus take control until they put Bowman away with the Rougeau Bomb (2:37).

Thoughts: The Rougeaus insert promo was funny. The rest of this was dull.

Mooney is back in the Event Center. We hear from the Ultimate Warrior & Brutus Beefcake as they cut an insane promo to hype their match at the Survivor Series.

In action next week will be the Red Rooster, Jake Roberts, and King Haku. Plus, a special interview with Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan as the guest on the Brother Love Show (This was shown on the 10/22/88 edition of Superstars of Wrestling.”

Final Thoughts: Not much of a show this week. Other than finding out the rest of the participants in one of the Survivor Series matches, nothing else of note took place.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/29/88

Wednesday: EVOLVE 64 7/16/16

Thursday: Shoot Interview with Eddie Gilbert

Friday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 10/29/88

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 2/4/82

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/30/88

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 11/5/88