WWF Wrestling Challenge – July 2nd, 1989

July 2, 1989

From the Metro Center in Rockford, IL

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

In action this week are Jimmy Snuka, Ted DiBiase, The Rockers, Mr. Perfect, and the Red Rooster. Plus, an interview with Hillbilly Jim and more!

The Rockers vs. Barry Horowitz & Tom Stone

Shawn catches Horowitz with a backbreaker. Stone breaks it up as the Rockers clean house as we hear from the Rougeaus & Jimmy Hart in an insert promo as they tell us the Rockers like to “sing in the rain.” The Rockers stay in control then hit a double clothesline before hitting a double flying fist drop for the win (3:19).

Thoughts: The crowd was hot for the Rockers, whose feud with the Rougeaus continue.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This was a replay of last week’s run-in attack by the Ultimate Warrior on Rick Rude.

An ad for SummerSlam airs.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase w/ Virgil vs. Brad Perry

Before the match, DiBiase refers to himself as the man who put Jake Roberts out of wrestling. DiBiase beats on Perry and tosses him outside as Virgil hits Perry with a fan of $100 bills. DiBiase tells Perry to take a shot but catches him with an inverted atomic drop before putting him away with the Million Dollar Dream (1:54).

Thoughts: Dominating performance by DiBiase, who did not even take off his pants until the match was over. The gimmick for DiBiase now is too constantly remind everyone how he is the Million Dollar Champion and that he put Jake Roberts out of wrestling.

The Dusty Rhodes butcher shop vignette airs.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype the 7/28 Nashville show. These were all the same interviews we heard from “Superstars of Wrestling” and the same goes for the other Event Center segments on the show.

“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka vs. Tom Burton

Snuka looks a lot heavier than he did at the last set of TV tapings. Honky Tonk Man & Hart are in an insert promo promising to put Snuka out of wrestling as Burton grabs control of the match. Snuka fights back and hits a chop before the Superfly Splash gets him the win (1:48).

Thoughts: The crowd still popped for the Superfly Splash but Snuka was really a shell of what he was even when he left the WWF in 1985.

Ronny Fails vs. Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart

Hercules is in an insert promo telling us he pulled a “shooting star from the sky” to show how he is strong. Bravo hits a press slam then puts Fails away with a side slam (1:16).

Thoughts: I loved the Fails name but this was another dull Bravo squash to push his never ending feud with Hercules.

Another Event Center segment airs.

Mr. Perfect vs. Jim Evans

Perfect grabs a side headlock as Bret Hart is shown in an insert promo promising to end Perfect’s undefeated streak. Perfect chops Evans down but gets caught with a slam. Evans eats boot on a charge then Perfect puts him away with the Perfect Plex (2:11).

Thoughts: After a few weeks of not mentioning the feud they are once again reminding us about Bret/Perfect. It was winding down though.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Hillbilly Jim to the interview platform. He is sporting a chain around his neck with a horseshoe dangling. Hillbilly holds the horseshoe and tells us his “grand pappy” gave it to him and ever since his luck has been great. He then brings out King Hacksaw Jim Duggan, who tells us its great to be the new king. Duggan also puts over Hillbilly as being a guy just like him. In reality, this was just a segment to form an alliance between Duggan and Hillbilly, who was being put into Big John Studd’s spot against Haku & Andre the Giant on the house show circuit.

Twin Towers w/ Slick vs. Jim Powers & Tom Stock

Powers uses his speed to elude the Big Bossman but ends up running into a clothesline. The Genius is in an insert promo telling us the Twin Towers will defeat Demolition for the Tag Team Titles as Powers tags out then Akeem beats down Stock. Bossman tags and hits a Samoan Drop then tags Akeem, who gets the win with a splash (2:42). After the match, they cuff Stock to the ropes and beat him down.

Thoughts: Another dominating performance for the Twin Towers as they are on a mission to win the Tag Team Titles.

The “No Holds Barred” music video airs.

Butler Stevens vs. Red Rooster

Rooster takes control early as we hear him in an insert promo telling us his plan is “eggcellent” and that he is “poultry in motion.” Rooster remains in charge as Heenan is yelling at Monsoon then Rooster uses the chicken wing for the win (1:34).

Thoughts: Rooster’s incredibly corny gimmick aside, this was more about advancing the conflict between Heenan and Monsoon.

Event Center segment.

In action next week are Demolition, “The Widowmaker” Barry Windham, Hercules, The Brainbusters, and King Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

Final Thoughts: Not much of a show at all this week. Lots of stuff we’ve seen before on “Superstars of Wrestling” and nothing really new in terms of storyline advancement.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/8/89

Wednesday: WWN Style Battle 1/7/17

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries YouShoot with Mr. Anderson

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/9/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/20/82

Sunday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 7/10/89

Monday: WWF Nassau Coliseum 7/10/89