WWF Wrestling Challenge – April 21st, 1991

April 21, 1991

From the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, NV

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, and Jim Neidhart

In action this week are Jake Roberts, Mr. Perfect, Big Bossman, The Berzerker, and Bret Hart. Plus, the Nasty Boys as guests on the “Barber Shop” and more!

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Barry O.

The announcers talk about Earthquake being petrified of snakes. Jake is shown in an insert promo telling Earthquake to show him something as Barry is in control of the match. Jake then fights back and puts Barry away with the DDT (1:18). After the match, Jake dumps Damien on top of Barry.

Thoughts: They continue to hype up the Jake/Earthquake feud as they will face off next week on “Superstars of Wrestling.”

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. Same segment as “WWF Update” from Superstars that focused on the Ultimate Warrior getting attacked by the Undertaker on the Funeral Parlor then locked into a casket.

The Berzerker w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Randy Taylor

Berzerker stomps away as Heenan makes fun of Neidhart for being crazy. Neidhart replied “I went to college” at that remark. We hear from The Berzerker & Mr. Fuji in an insert promo as Berzerker screams “huss” while Fuji laughs. Berzerker continues to destroy Taylor then throws him outside and wins via countout. Taylor had a really nasty landing on that (2:28). After the match, Berzerker flies out onto Taylor.

Thoughts: They are still trying to get over The Berzerker to at least a midcard act but without fanfare and getting saddled with Fuji its failing.

The Genius vs. Bret “The Hitman” Hart

Bret takes control early as Heenan tells Neidhart that Jimmy Hart was the brains of the Hart Foundation. Bret cuts off a comeback then Neidhart says he is going to put on the Sharpshooter as Heenan has no clue what he’s talking about. Bret then puts on the Sharpshooter for the win (1:53).

Thoughts: On commentary they focused on Bret using the Sharpshooter as a finishing move. Its clear the company wants to push Bret and is getting over the Sharpshooter as a formidable finisher.

Irwin R. Schyster is telling us the tax cheats are coming out of the woodwork. Like, some woman with another kid who should have to wait until next year to claim. He also gets mad at people not donating for the Presidential campaign funds.

Tugboat vs. Jim Kolhep

Tugboat catches Kolhep with a slam to start. We hear from Tugboat in an insert promo as he hypes himself up then he hits a splash for the win (1:06).

Thoughts: The Tugboat gimmick continues to languish. Luckily for Fred Ottman there are other things in store for him.

Clips of Piper tossing his crutch away from the opening of this week’s “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Barber Shop with guests Nasty Boys & Jimmy Hart. The Nasty Boys call themselves the toughest team in the WWF and are as nasty as they want to be. Beefcake says its obvious to him why the Nasty Boys have their name before saying its time for his next appointment. The Legion of Doom come out now and say sooner or later they will take the Tag Team Titles away from the Nasty Boys as both teams stare each other down. We get the first confrontation between the teams to hype up their feud. And the verbiage given to Beefcake was horrendous.

Matthew Burn vs. Big Bossman

Bossman beats on Burn to start. We hear from The Mountie in an insert promo as he runs down Bossman for being a smalltown hick cop as Bossman puts Burn away with a sidewalk slam (1:00).

Thoughts: An easy win for Bossman as they heat up his feud with The Mountie.

Berry De Mey is in the gym talking about how he will win the WBF Championship. We will get to know more of the WBF competitors in the coming weeks.

Jerry Stevens vs. Mr. Perfect w/ Bobby Heenan

Perfect shakes off Stevens then chops away in the corner. We hear from the British Bulldog with Winston in an insert promo as he claims to be on Mr. Perfect’s trail while Winston apparently says he’ll take care of Heenan. Perfect toys with Stevens before putting him away with a Perfect Plex (2:08).

Thoughts: Basic hype for the Perfect/Bulldog IC Title feud.

Next week in action are The Dragon, British Bulldog, Ted DiBiase, and featured match of Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Martel. Plus, Sgt. Slaughter as the guest on the “Barber Shop” and more. We then hear comments about both men involved in next week’s featured match.

Final Thoughts: The main segment was on the Barber Shop where we had the LoD/Nasty Boys confrontation. At least they have something on Challenge to have angles play out as opposed to just the interview platform segments with Okerlund. Besides that it was just a continuation of the past few weeks in trying to get over the new midcard feuds.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Wednesday: WWF Madison Square Garden 4/22/91

Thursday: WWF UK Rampage ’91 4/24/91

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/27/91

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 7/14/83

Sunday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 4/27/91

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/28/91

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 5/4/91