WWF Wrestling Challenge – April 30th, 1989

Alright, after an extended break I am back to posting all of my reviews. Hope you continue to enjoy them all.

April 30, 1989

From the Onondonga County War Memorial in Syracuse, NY

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

In action this week are Jake Roberts, Bret Hart, the Brainbusters, and the Red Rooster. Plus, the featured bout between Rick Rude and Hercules.

“Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Hercules

Hercules knocks down Rude to start. We then hear from Rude in an insert prom as he tells us about finally getting to see what a “smooth and fluid” Intercontinental Champion looks like. Back to the match as Hercules hits a flying double axe handle for two. Powerslam gets two. Suplex gets two. Hercules hits a few clotheslines as the crowd gets into this while he has Rude up in the backbreaker. Heenan hooks Hercules’ leg then gets chased around as Hercules grabs his chain and swings while Rude and Heenan bail then the ref rules the match a DQ in favor of Rude (3:24).

Thoughts: Hercules dominated the entire match then got screwed over at the end. Hercules didnt look good here at all and moved around far too slow.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. We are shown clips of Randy Savage and Sensational Sherri attacking Brutus Beefcake on the “Brother Love Show” from a few weeks back.

Mike Williams vs. Red Rooster

Heenan is back on commentary. Rooster works the arm as Gorilla taunts Heenan for losing to Rooster at WrestleMania. The Brooklyn Brawler is shown in an insert promo as he promises to keep beating up Rooster until he goes away. Back to the match as Rooster hits a suplex then struts around before putting him in the chicken wing for the win (1:31).

Thoughts: The Brawler/Rooster feud continues but all of the heat is gone since Rooster beat Heenan at WrestleMania and no one cares about the Brawler.

No Holds Barred will be released on June 2nd.

Warlord w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Brian Jackson

Warlord overpowers Jackson while Fuji is laughing outside of the ring. Jackson lands a few punches to no effect as Warlord clotheslines him down then finally finishes him off with a powerslam (1:44).

Thoughts: The Warlord was even more slow and lumbering than Hercules was in his match. The crowd was dead for this match as the singles matches for the Powers of Pain continue.

We get the same Event Center segments from Superstars of Wrestling to hype the Nashville show on 5/13.

“The Genius” Lanny Poffo tells us how he is the world’s smartest man.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Chris Duffy

Jake works the arm as we hear from Ted DiBiase in an insert promo as he talks about always getting even and what he wants. Jake slams Duffy as he stays in control before putting him away with the DDT as the crowd goes wild (2:40).

Thoughts: Nice hype for the Jake/DiBiase feud as Jake is showing off his angry side here.

Another Event Center segment.

A video to hype the return of Jimmy Snuka airs.

The Brainbusters w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Brick Bronsky & Terry Daniels

Bronsky is a muscular guy with a good look. He actually appeared in a few “B” action movies and even was offered a WWF deal six months after this match but turned them down as he did not his experience during this TV taping. He also wrestled a couple of years for Stampede. He starts off with Tully and they end in a stalemate until Tully smacks him and sets him up for a sneak attack. Arn takes control as we hear from the Bushwhackers in an insert promos as they scream and are difficult to understand. Bronsky makes the tag as Daniels lands a few shots. Arn ends up taking down Daniels then hits a spinebuster. The Brainbusters create another distraction so they can hit the spike piledriver for the win (3:16).

Thoughts: The Brainbusters TV matches were fun. Bronsky looked decent too but the goal here was to push the Bushwhackers/Brainbusters feud.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Hillbilly Jim to the interview platform. He asks Jim about the Honky Tonk Man, who claims he is better at singing, dancing, and playing the guitar. Jim talks about the Honky Tonk Man’s look then says some generic stuff to start a feud between the two, which had already begun on the house show circuit.

Brian Owens vs. Rick Martel w/ Slick

Martel beats on Owens to start. He tosses him outside as we hear from him in an insert promo putting over his physique and ability and claimed that Tito Santana held him back. Martel slams Owens down then puts him away with a Boston Crab (1:41).

Thoughts: Martel still has his Strike Force tights as his singles push as a heel begins.

We get the No Holds Barred trailer.

Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. Mitch Casey

Casey lands a few shots then heads up top but gets tossed off. We get an insert promo from Mr. Perfect as he puts down Hart, who is in control of the match then puts Casey away with a piledriver (1:36).

Thoughts: A quick match to put over the Hart/Perfect feud.

Another Event Center segment.

Next week’s featured match will be King Haku vs. Big John Studd as we here comments from Haku. Also in action will be the Blue Blazer, Twin Towers, and Mr. Perfect.

Final Thoughts: The show was fine overall. It touched upon some of the feuds and even had the rare featured bout. The company’s direction since WrestleMania V has been good.

Here is my schedule for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: EVOLVE 71 10/16/16

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries Timelines Series: 1987 WCW as told by Tully Blanchard

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 5/6/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/6/82

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 5/7/89

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 5/13/89

Tuesday: WWF Boston Garden 5/13/89