WWF Wrestling Challenge – December 16, 1990

December 16, 1990

From the Onondoga War Memorial in Syracuse, NY

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

This week, we will see highlights of the Intercontinental Title match between Mr. Perfect and the Texas Tornado . Also in action are Sgt. Slaughter, Big Bossman, Rick Martel, The Bushwhackers, and Earthquake.

“The Model” Rick Martel vs. Sonny Blaze

Martel beats on Blaze then poses on the top rope after hitting a gutwrench. Gorilla plugs the “WWF Magazine” article on the Martel vs. Jake Roberts feud as Heenan calls Jake “Cyclops.” Martel beats on Blaze in the corner then stomps away until he picks up the win with the Boston Crab (2:05).

Thoughts: More hype for the Jake/Martel feud with Heenan cracking vision jokes at Jake’s expense.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. We saw the replay from last week’s episode of “Superstars of Wrestling” where the Texas Tornado came out to save Dustin Rhodes from Ted DiBiase & Virgil as he took offense to DiBiase’s comments about “Texans.” We then hear from DiBiase & Virgil as he tells Tornado he wrote a check he could not over and that Tornado will be bankrupt after what is done to him. Lord Alfred also tells us that Gene Okerlund will give us a Royal Rumble report later on in the show.

Scott Colontonio vs. Davey Boy Smith

Davey works the arm as we hear from The Warlord with Slick, who tells Davey he cannot compare with Warlord’s strength. Colontonio backs Davey into the corner and grabs a headlock but Davey breaks that up with a back suplex. Davey then hits a corner clothesline and puts Colontonio away with a running powerslam (1:56).

Thoughts: They are finally building a feud with Warlord now as he will have Davey Boy Smith to work with in a feud to see who is the strongest.

A graphic for the Royal Rumble airs.

Sgt. Slaughter w/ Gen. Adnan vs. Glen Ruth

Duggan is shown in an insert promo saying Slaughter’s “flea-infested towel rag” is the most unpatriotic thing he’s seen in his life and promises to do something about it. Slaughter hits Ruth with a gutbuster then hammers away. He drills Ruth with a few clotheslines and drops an elbow before getting the win with a Camel’s Clutch (2:03). After the match, Adnan comes into the ring and waves the Iraqi flag as a few kids in the crowd are shown waving American flags.

Thoughts: They really are pushing real-life events to make Slaughter a huge heel but in reality its overkill.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. We see Shane Douglas cut a generic babyface promo telling kids to work hard and stay off of drugs. Next, Brother Love is with the Undertaker, who promises to bury everyone that stands in his way.

We now see a vignette for “The Mountie” Jacques Rougeau. He sees a man on a park bench feeding birds and calls him out for littering and makes the guy pick up everything on the ground. The Mountie then tells us how he always gets his man.

Big Bossman vs. Mike Durham

Bossman runs over Durham as Heenan is complementing Bossman’s mother on commentary. We see Bossman on the cover of “Spotlight Magazine” in an insert and soon after that Bossman hits a sidewalk slam for the win (1:58). After the match, Bossman cuffs Durham to the top rope.

Thoughts: The Bossman/Heenan feud continues. It felt like its been going on for a year but its just been a few months.

Gorilla plugs the “WWF WrestleMania Challenge” game for NES.

Earthquake w/ Jimmy Hart & Dino Bravo vs. Jim McPherson

Earthquake & Hart are shown in an insert promo as Earthquake tells Hogan he is coming for him at the Royal Rumble. Earthquake beats on McPherson and even hits a dropkick. Earthquake then hits a powerslam and soon after that hits a sit-down splash for the win (1:55). Earthquake hits two more splashes after the match.

Thoughts: Another Earthquake victim gets destroyed as the Earthquake/Hogan feud is still by far and away the only thing close to a money program the company has at the moment.

Royal Rumble Report with Gene Okerlund.

We are shown the Intercontinental Title match from “Superstars of Wrestling” where Ted DiBiase helped Mr. Perfect recapture the belt.

Mooney is back in the Event Center. Power & Glory are with Slick as they talk about eliminating The Rockers from the WWF and capturing the Tag Team Titles. Koko B. Ware sings about how good he feels because there is nothing else to sing about regarding his career.

Chris Duffy & Black Bart vs. The Bushwhackers

The Bushwhackers take control early as the announcers argue over the result of the Intercontinental Title match. We then see the Gobbledy Gooker in an insert promo as he motions his arms like The Bushwhackers, who hit Duffy with a double gutbuster for the win (2:01).

Thoughts: They are still trying to present the Gooker like a popular act but its already a failure.

Mooney is once again in the Event Center. Macho King Randy Savage says he is the greatest of all-time and says the Ultimate Warrior is wearing his belt. The Hart Foundation now tell us how everyone is coming for their titles but they like the pressure.

In action next week are Jim Duggan, Dino Bravo, Legion of Doom, and Jake Roberts. Plus, the Royal Rumble and an interview with The Undertaker.

Final Thoughts: Lots of Rumble hype, which will be the theme until we reach the PPV. Besides that they are pushing a couple of new midcard feuds and other acts along with some of the more tired feuds.

Here is my tentative schedule for the next several days:

Monday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 12/17/90

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 12/22/90

Wednesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 12/23/90

Thursday: WWF Madison Square Garden 12/28/90

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 12/29/90

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/19/83

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 12/30/90