WWF Wrestling Challenge – May 28th, 1989

May 28, 1989

From the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, IA

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

This week, we will get a special interview with Zeus. In action are the Twin Towers, Jake Roberts, and Big John Studd. Plus, a special report on the Rockers and more!

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Tom Burton

Jake works over Burton as we get an insert promo from Ted DiBiase with Virgil as he promises Jake he will pay for touching his money. Jake works the arm as the crowd screams for the DDT then Burton makes a comeback but Jake cuts him off and hits the DDT for the win (3:42).

Thoughts: This was Jake’s last TV match until September as he would be sidelined after needing neck injury which delayed his feud against DiBiase.

WWF Special Report with Tony Schiavone. He asks fans in the arena about their excitement for “No Holds Barred,” which opens up this Friday. They are all excited to see the film.

The trailer for “No Holds Barred” airs.

Big John Studd vs. Al Burke

Studd shoves Burke across the ring to start. Burke uses an eye rake then tries for an Irish whip but fails as Studd is back in control. Gorilla tells Heenan about Studd vs. Andre happening soon as we hear from Andre in an insert promo where he tells Studd about being the only giant. Gorilla teases Heenan about Studd asking Jake to borrow Damien for when he faces Andre then Studd gets the win with a bearhug (1:55).

Thoughts: This was Studd’s final TV match with the company. He’d go on to quit about a week later as he was unhappy over money. It was reported by Dave Meltzer in the “Wrestling Observer Newsletter” that Studd was upset with his WrestleMania V payoff ($8,500 and reportedly a lot of guys were upset about their WM payoffs as they were lower than in years past while that was the highest grossing show in history). Anyway, Studd’s return was a flop and his feud with Andre was terrible and also a dud at the box office too. Studd would pretty much leave wrestling after this.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. Rick Martel is with Slick and tells us that when he was in Strike Force all of the fans asked for his autograph instead of Tito Santana’s. He also says Tito is jealous of his looks. Hercules then talks about believing in himself and how he is stronger than Dino Bravo.

The Bushwhackers tell us to see “No Holds Barred.”

Twin Towers w/ Slick vs. JT Thomas & Red Tyler

We hear from Demolition in an insert promo as they tell the Twin Towers to “sign on the dotted line” if they want a title match. Thomas fails to hurt Bossman as Akeem tags in and beats Thomas down. Tyler is now in as the Towers destroy him until Akeem gets the win with a splash (3:31). After the match, the Towers inflict more damage on their opponents.

Thoughts: A match to put over the Towers heading into their feud against Demolition.

Mooney is back in the Event Center. The Blue Blazer tells all of the fans who ask him how he does his high flying moves that does it to win as he uses is speed and agility to compensate for a lack of size. Blazer then challenges all comers, no matter the size. Randy Savage & Sensational Sherri mock Brutus Beefcake in the same promo we heard from “Superstars of Wrestling” this week.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. We are then shown clips of the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers destroying the Rockers last week as they smashed the megaphone into Shawn Michaels’ mouth. We never did get an update on Michaels’ condition though.

Tom Stock vs. Red Rooster

Rooster takes control early as we hear an insert promo from the Brooklyn Brawler, who is sick of the crowd cheering for Rooster and promises to beat him down and pluck his feathers one-by-one. Rooster grounds Stock as Heenan talks about teaching Rooster everything he knows. He stays in control then puts Stock away with the chicken wing (3:53).

Thoughts: Looks like they are still pushing the Rooster/Brawler feud, which is well past its expiration date.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Zeus to the interview platform. Zeus tells us he is the star of “No Holds Barred” because he is bigger and will kick his butt. Another segment designed to hype “No Holds Barred.”

Mr.Perfect vs. Frank DeFalco

Perfect slaps DeFalco after a tussle then we hear from Bret Hart in an insert promo as he puts over Perfect for his flawless wrestling but will end up making the perfect mistake when he wrestles against him. DeFalco remains overmatched then Perfect puts him away with the Perfect Plex (3:08).

Thoughts: The Bret/Perfect feud continues as the announcers also point out the problems between Zeus and Hulk Hogan.

Another clip from “No Holds Barred” is shown.

Hillbilly Jim vs. Chris Curtis

Hillbilly even does the do-si-do with ring announcer Mike McGuirk before the match. Curtis refuses a handshake then tries a punch but Hillbilly stomps on his foot. We then hear from the Honky Tonk Man & Hillbilly Jim in an insert promo as Honky promises to play a tune on Hillbilly. Back to the match as Hillbilly overpowers Curtis until he puts him away with a big boot (2:37).

Thoughts: A rare Hillbilly Jim match on TV as his feud with the Honky Tonk Man heats up.

Mooney is once again in the Event Center. Mr. Fuji is with the Barbarian and tells us how strong he is while Barbarian tells us Fuji told him how to survive. The Ultimate Warrior then tells us he was told to not feel the weakness the others feel as he “passed the test.”

Next week in action will be Rick Martel, Bushwhackers, and the Honky Tonk Man. Plus, an interview with Jimmy Snuka. It closes with the Big Bossman & Slick and Hulk Hogan hyping up their steel cage match.

Final Thoughts: This was mostly “No Holds Barred” hype while focusing on a few midcard feuds. Really a skippable show to be honest.

Here is my schedule for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: EVOLVE 73

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries Guest Booker: Re-Booking Dallas with Gary Hart

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 6/3/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/13/82

Sunday: WWF Boston Garden 6/3/89

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/4/89

Tuesday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 6/5/89