WWF Wrestling Challenge – September 1st, 1991

September 1, 1991

From the Portland Civic Center in Portland, ME

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan.

In action this week are the Natural Disasters, Mr. Perfect, Jim Duggan, and Skinner. Plus, the SummerSlam Report and more!

Natural Disasters w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Bill Pierce & Sonny Blaze

We learn that Jim Neidhart has permanently left the booth because he could not stand Heenan. Gorilla talks about the Natural Disasters going after the Legion of Doom as the Disasters beat on Pierce. The announcers now talk about the wedding reception as the Disasters now destroy Blaze and toss him outside before putting Pierce away after a pair of splashes (2:56).

Thoughts: We learn why Neidhart left the booth. They lightly played up tension between the two over the past several weeks but it was not a major storyline or anything. We got more hype for the new Disasters/LoD feud.

SummerSlam Report with Gene Okerlund. Same as we saw on “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Pete Doherty vs. Koko B. Ware

Koko is now sporting pink tights. Doherty lands a few shots but Koko fights back. Gorilla says Slaughter did not get punished enough at SummerSlam as Heenan even says Slaughter got what he deserved for being a traitor to America, noting that he finally agrees on something with Gorilla. Koko catches Doherty with a powerslam but gets his eyes raked. Doherty then ducks his head for a back drop but Koko stops short and hits the Ghostbuster for the win as Gorilla says Savage should try and get reinstated as a wrestler (1:57).

Thoughts: More talk about Slaughter deserving what happened to him at SummerSlam and then some. The announcers also talked about Savage getting reinstated as a wrestler.

Another plug for “Bodybuilding Lifestyles” magazine.

Skinner vs. Larry Williams

Skinner is shown in an insert promo saying he is the boogeyman in the swamp. Skinner chops Williams in the corner then drops an elbow as Heenan says Skinner smells like musty animals. Gorilla says we will see the wedding reception footage next week as Skinner continues to rough up Williams then puts him away with an inverted DDT (2:10).

Thoughts: More talk about the Savage/Elizabeth wedding reception.

Mr. Perfect vs. Mark Thomas

Heenan notes that Coach is not at ringside as Perfect is irate. Heenan also said that his staff members heard Perfect yelling at Coach at SummerSlam. Perfect then takes down Thomas and pins him (0:17). Perfect tosses Thomas outside as Heenan promises to get to the bottom of the story as Perfect yells into the camera to tell Bret Hart he is going to take back his IC Title.

Thoughts: Since this was taped in July they devised an angle off-air that saw Bret steal the IC title before the match. Perfect was still hurt and that’s why we got the finish we saw.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Dick Wernick

The announcers once again talk about Slaughter not getting enough punishment at SummerSlam. Wernick lands a few shots but runs into a clothesline. Duggan tosses Wernick outside and runs him into the post. Duggan goes to throw Wernick back inside but Wernick couldnt even do that right so Duggan has to roll back outside where he drops Wernick with a right. Duggan finally tosses Wernick back inside then puts him away with the Three Point Stance (2:06).

Thoughts: Some more talk about Slaughter deserving more punishment for being a traitor. Duggan did not appear to be pleased with Wernick messing up.

Barber Shop with guest Virgil, who is holding the Million Dollar Belt. Beefcake tells Virgil he hurt DiBiase by taking away his prized possession as Virgil talks about all of the money DiBiase has before saying he is now the “million dollar” common man. Fans loved the Virgil underdog story at least.

“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka vs. Paul Perez

Snuka chops Perez as Heenan makes fun of Snuka for being a savage. Snuka then hits a slingshot suplex then drops a knee for the win (2:37).

Thoughts: There was nothing to talk about here other than Heenan making cheap jokes at the expense of an aging Snuka.

The Berzerker w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Ray Garcia

Gorilla tells us that Lou Ferrigno has signed with the WBF. Berzerker tosses around Garcia then runs over to Fuji for approval. Gorilla then gets angry over Jake then Heenan talks about Slaughter and says his own family even disowned him as Berzerker throws Garcia outside and gets the win via count out (2:51).

Thoughts: Another match where it was designed to be a backdrop for the announcers to talk about other storylines. The Berzerker & Fuji pairing is not working. There was a rumor at this time that Fuji would be gone from the company.

Next week in action are Irwin R. Schyster, The Dragon, and the Natural Disasters. The show ends with Heenan holding up the NWA World Heavyweight Title belt as he tells Hulk Hogan to eat his heart out.

Final Thoughts: There was nothing much to see here other than what was previously shown on Superstars. The post-SummerSlam feuds are being laid out.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Thursday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/7/91

Friday: WWF 1991 King of the Ring

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 8/4/83

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/8/91

Monday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 9/9/91

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/14/91

Wednesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/15/91