WWF Wrestling Challenge – July 16, 1989

July 16, 1989

From the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, NY

Your hosts are Tony Schiavone, Gorilla Monsoon, and Bobby Heenan

In action this week are Rick Rude, Jimmy Snuka, The Brainbusters, and Hillbilly Jim

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake defeated Greg Evans in a squash match that was shown on the 7/10/89 edition of “Prime Time Wrestling.”

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This is about Ronnie Garvin disqualifying Dino Bravo for refusing to break in the corner then knocking him down after he complained . Ronnie Garvin said refereeing is not an easy job and that he lost his temper before apologizing to WWF President Jack Tunney, who showed his displeasure from this past episode of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Gary Wolfe & Tony Durante vs. The Brainbusters w/ Bobby Heenan

The future Pitbulls of ECW fame here. Wolfe gets in a few shots but the Brainbusters fight back and beat the crap out of their opponents. We hear from the Brainbusters in an insert promo as they talk about their speed and strength making them the best team in the world. The Brainbusters destroy Durante then Heenan distracts the referee as the Brainbusters hit a spike piledriver for the win (2:24).

Thoughts: Over the past few weeks they’ve made the Brainbusters look incredibly strong in their squash matches and instead of hyping their feud against the Bushwhackers the focus was on putting them over as a great team.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. We get the same promos from “Superstars of Wrestling” to hype the 7/28 Nashville house show.

Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka vs. Barry Horowitz

Snuka hits a crossbody after a criss-cross as Gorilla plugs the newest edition of “WWF Magazine” that features an article on Snuka’s return to the WWF. Horowitz rakes the eyes and grabs a headlock but Snuka comes back with his signature chop and a slam then shortly after that hits the Superfly Splash for the win (2:16).

Thoughts: A quick win for Snuka as they are re-establishing him in the WWF as a midcard act.

Jim MacPherson vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan & Andre the Giant

Rude now has Andre accompanying him due to Warrior’s attack on Rude two weeks ago. Rude hits MacPherson with an inverted atomic drop and follows with a powerslam before putting him away with the Rude Awakening (1:05). After the match, Rude gives a woman from the crowd the Rude Awakening.

Thoughts: Having Andre come out with him after the Warrior’s run in attack is a nice touch that will certainly be played up in the future.

Replay from the “Brother Love Show” were Randy Savage & Zeus issue a challenge to Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake with comments from Hogan & Beefcake accepting for SummerSlam.

Demolition vs. The Gladiator & Dave Pullman

The Gladiator was longtime WWF enhancement talent Rick Hunter under a mask. Heenan demands an apology from Gorilla for being mistreated and does not get it as they continue to argue here. Pullman is a big dude but Ax works his arm. Demolition stay in control as we hear from the Twin Towers & Slick as they talk about taking the Tag Team Titles. Back to the match as Demolition stays in control while Heenan talks about his Brainbusters being the top contenders then Demolition finishes off the Gladiator with the Decapitation (2:21).

Thoughts: A quick win for Demolition as they continue to feud with the Twin Towers.

An ad for SummerSlam appears.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Ted Dibiase & Virgil to the interview platform. DiBiase talks about how he is a generous man and has something to present to us, which is a gold neckbrace for Jake Roberts. Great heel promo here by DiBiase. He was a complete dick in this segment.

Hillbilly Jim vs. Sandy Beach

Hillbilly pumps up the crowd with a cartwheel then we get an insert promo from The Genius as he declares Hillbilly “legally insane” for thinking a lucky horseshoe will get him past Andre the Giant. Hillbilly hits Beach with a bell clap then blocks a slam and hits one of his own as Heenan continues to flip out on commentary. Hillbilly then puts Beach away with a big boot (2:24).

Thoughts: They vaguely pushed the Hillbilly/Andre feud here which replaced the Studd/Andre feuds around the house show circuit.

Dave Paradise vs. Mr. Perfect

Perfect grounds Paradise as Heenan continues to flip out then finally leaves as the fans cheer. Perfect chops Paradise against the ropes and stays in control as Heenan returns to scream about how he has his own show then Perfect hits the Perfect Plex for the win (3:08).

Thoughts: This was a really just a backdrop for the Gorilla/Heenan conflict that is now spread across two shows.

Mooney is back in the Event Center for more of the same hype we’ve seen promoting the 7/28 Nashville show.

Next week in action are the Rockers, Haku, “Widowmaker” Barry Windham, and the Ultimate Warrior. Plus, comments from Randy Savage & Zeus and Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake

Final Thoughts: Besides Heenan saying he has quit his job, there was nothing else of note on the show. We are getting closer to SummerSlam though so expect some hype for that once the matches are announced.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/27/82

Sunday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 7/17/89

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/22/89

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/23/89

Wednesday: Revolution Pro Wrestling High Stakes 1/21/17

Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/29/89