WWF Wrestling Challenge – June 25, 1989

June 25, 1989

From the Metro Center in Rockford, IL

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

In action this week are The Bushwhackers, Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, Brutus Beefcake, and Koko B. Ware. Plus, a special interview with Zeus and more!

The Bushwhackers vs. Dusty Wolfe & Jim Merkel

Schiavone is doing play-by-play with Gorilla on color as a frustrated Heenan wants to know what to do in his current role as an “analyst.” Butch beats on Wolfe as the cameraman focuses on the Bushwhackers hat that is resting on the ring post. The Brainbusters are in an insert promo telling the Bushwhackers how they are a “precision machine” while the Bushwhackers stay in control. Merkel tags in and gets hit with the battering ram before the Bushwhackers put him away with a double gutbuster (3:14).

Thoughts: Easy win for the Bushwhackers as they continue to feud with the Brainbusters.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This is a replay of the Honky Tonk Man’s attack on Jimmy Snuka from the Brother Love Show on last week’s “Superstars of Wrestling.” Same exact segment as the WWF Update from “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Red Tyler vs. Rick Martel w/ Slick

Martel jogs in place after taking Tyler down with an armdrag. Slick & Martel are shown in an insert promo as they both talk about destroying Tito Santana. Heenan tells us that Jake Roberts underwent surgery to get a disc removed from his neck and that his career might be over as Martel remains in control of the match and puts Tyler away with a top rope knee drop (2:22).

Thoughts: They are still pushing the Santana/Martel feud while they made sure to mention that Jake Roberts was out due to neck surgery and that his career is in jeopardy.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype the 7/14 show at the Baltimore Arena. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers & Jimmy Hart keep calling the Rockers “crybabies” and say they can not wrestle or sing while Hercules tells Dino Bravo to bring everything he has so we can find out who is the strongest man.

The Hogan “No Holds Barred” segment to tell people to see film or else he will “body slam” them airs.

Haku w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Todd Becker

Becker works the arm for a bit but Haku shoves him down. Haku roughs Becker up until he puts him away with a thrust kick (1:18).

Thoughts: Quick win for Haku as he remains pissed over losing the crown.

Mooney is back in the Event Center to hype up the 7/14 Baltimore Arena show. Jimmy Snuka tells the people its been a long time since he’s been in the WWF before telling the Honky Tonk Man what goes around, comes around. Randy Savage then calls out Hogan while Sensational Sherri warns Hogan that he will meet his destiny, which is to have Savage beat him for the World Heavyweight Title.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Tom Burton

The announcers plug the “Best of WWF Volume 19” from Coliseum video as Beefcake hits Burton with a high knee. Beefcake hits a slam then struts around before putting Burton away with the sleeper (1:49). After the match, Beefcake gives Burton a haircut.

Thoughts: A quick win for Beefcake, who remains a crowd favorite.

Gene Okerlund then shows us footage of Zeus from “No Holds Barred” before bringing him out to the interview platform. Zeus then tells us that Hogan is “big-time yellow” while infuriated that people call him the star of the film. Zeus then tells us he will destroy Hogan as Savage & Sherri head up on the platform. Savage & Sherri put over his size before Savage tells Zeus they both feel the same way about Hogan and proposes they make a pact, which is whoever gets his hands on Hogan first will leave some more for the other guy. Savage then tells Zeus if he ever wants to get into the squared circle, he will be behind him 100%. Interesting segment here as they had the first Savage/Zeus interaction and it appears to be building to something.

The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Tom Horner & Chris Zarna

The Rougeaus attack their opponents from behind to start. Horner fights back and clears the ring after throwing a few dropkicks. We hear from the Rougeaus & Hart as they taunt the Rockers while the Rougeaus work over Zarna for a couple of minutes until they use a Boston Crab/Knee Drop combo (3:49).

Thoughts: Another Rougeau Brothers win as they continue to taunt the Rockers.

An ad for SummerSlam. There is not a date for it yet though.

Dusty Rhodes pizza delivery vignette airs again.

A senior citizen couple tell us how much they love Hogan and “No Holds Barred.”

Koko B. Ware vs. Jim Megan

Koko works over Megan as we hear him in an insert promo talking about his new moves and style. Koko then hits Megan with a dropkick and a backdrop then puts him away with the Ghostbuster, which Schiavone mistakenly refers to as the “Ghetto Blaster” (2:32).

Thoughts: Despite the new look it doesnt seem that Koko’s position on the card will change.

Mooney is in the Event Center once again to hype the Baltimore Arena show. Brooklyn Brawler tells the Blue Blazer his backflips will not help him out in a streetfight while Dusty Rhodes tells Ted DiBiase this is the land of opportunity and how common men are everywhere before saying money cannot buy the American dream.

In action next week are the Red Rooster, Mr. Perfect, The Rockers, Hillbilly Jim, Ted DiBiase, and Jimmy Snuka. The show ends with Brell from “No Holds Barred” yelling for Hulk Hogan at the theater while being interviewed by Okerlund.

Final Thoughts: The big news here was the Savage/Zeus interaction as it appears they might be forming an alliance to go up against Hogan. Other than that there was no big news to speak of with the same TV and house show feuds being pushed.