WWE Wrestling Challenge – October 8th, 1989

October 8, 1989

From the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, KY

Your hosts are Tony Schiavone and Gorilla Monsoon

In action this week are Brutus Beefcake, Rick Rude, The Rockers, Bad News Brown, and Ronnie Garvin. Plus, an interview with Jim Duggan and more!

The Rockers vs. Tom Stone & Al Burke

The Rockers take control early as we even get a replay of them knocking Stone outside. They hit some impressive moves then finally put Burke away with stereo flying fist drops (3:32).

Thoughts: An impressive showcase for the Rockers. Oddly enough, there feud against the Rougeau Brothers was not mentioned.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week’s focus is on the Andre the Giant/Ultimate Warrior feud as Andre calls himself the “Ultimate Giant” while wearing face paint then we see Warrior scream like a lunatic.

Ray Oakley vs. Hillbilly Jim

We hear from Akeem in an insert promo as he says he’s bigger and a better dancing than Jim. The match starts as Jim breaks out of a side headlock then hits a headbutt. Oakley reverses an Irish whip but runs into a big boot and Jim gets the win (1:45). After the match, Jim does the do-si-do with Mike McGuirk.

Thoughts: A brief match to set up some Akeem/Hillbilly Jim house show matches in the future.

Hulk Hogan, who is also on the cover of “WWF Superstars IV” magazine, plugs the home video release of “No Holds Barred.”

Joe Cazana & Rick Horner vs. Bad News Brown

Bad News attacks his opponents before the bell as we see him in an insert promo calling out Hogan for being afraid of getting into the ring with him. Back to the match as Bad News is in control then puts Cazana away with the Ghetto Blaster and after that drags Horner inside and puts him away with the same move (2:07).

Thoughts: They now have Bad News winning handicapped matches as he calls out Hogan for a title shot.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype the 10/13 Nashville show. Rick Rude runs down Roddy Piper while the Ultimate Warrior calls out Andre the Giant.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Craig Green

Rick Martel is shown in an insert promo talking about being better looking, sexier, and a better wrestler than Beefcake. Green knees Beefcake against the ropes then hammers away. Beefcake ducks a clothesline and follows with a high knee and shortly after that locks on the sleeper for the win (2:55). After the match, Green gets his haircut.

Thoughts: More hype of the Beefcake/Martel feud.

Mooney is back in the Event Center to hype the 10/13 Nashville show. Ronnie Garvin tells Greg Valentine he is always prepared then Andre the Giant, wearing face paint, tells the Ultimate Warrior he will cause him tremendous pain.

Powers of Pain w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Chuck Casey & Randy Fox

The Powers of Pain beat on Casey as we hear from The Bushwhackers in an insert promo screaming about “WWF Magazine” then Fox tags in and they quickly put him away with a lifting clothesline (1:32).

Thoughts: They’re still pushing the Bushwhackers/Powers of Pain feud here. The Powers of Pain have no heat at all anymore though.

We see Mr. Perfect in a vignette as he shows us why he is in fact called “Mr. Perfect” by knocking in every ball on the pool table. It ends with him telling Hulk Hogan that he can not do that. They’re pushing Mr. Perfect more than ever now.

Gene Okerlund now welcomes Hacksaw Jim Duggan to the interview platform. Duggan is pissed off at Randy Savage for not only stealing his crown but also adding insult to injury by hitting him with Sherri’s loaded purse as we are shown the footage. Duggan now no longer cares about the crown as he wants revenge on Savage. Basic interview to ignite the Duggan/Savage feud.

Jim Evans vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan

Rude destroys Evans then puts him away quickly with the Rude Awakening while using a cocky cover (1:15). After the match, Roddy Piper is shown in an insert promo telling Rude to look out for the “Rod Awakening.” Rude then grabs the mic and says there is not a woman in Louisville good enough for him then leaves.

Thoughts: I liked the end of this with Piper’s promo and Rude refusing to kiss a woman in the audience. The Piper/Rude feud has been really fun.

An ad is shown for the Survivor Series.

“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin vs. Todd Becker

Valentine is shown in an insert promo telling Garvin about wanting to hurt him as Garvin beats on Becker. Garvin then uses the Garvin Stomp before using a Scorpion Death Lock for the win (1:26).

Thoughts: Quick win for Garvin as his feud with Valentine continues.

Mooney is back in the Event Center to hype the Nashville show. Ted DiBiase tells Jake Roberts he will be finished for good then Piper goes mental as he tells Rude to learn how to fight as he calls him “liver lips.”

Next week in action are Jimmy Snuka, Big Bossman, The Brainbusters, and Jake Roberts. Plus, an interview with Roddy Piper and more!

Final Thoughts: Nothing worth going out of your way to see here. They hyped all of the TV feuds and hinted at a few other midcard feuds for the house show circuit while no other major news took place.

Wednesday: wXw 2017 16 Carat Gold, Night One

Thursday: Back to the Territories: Florida with Kevin Sullivan

Friday: WWF Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens 10/8/89

Saturday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling in London, England 10/10/89

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 7/29/82

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/14/89

Monday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 10/14/89

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/15/89