WWF Wrestling Challenge – January 5th, 1992

January 5, 1992

From the Corpus Christi Memorial Auditorium in Corpus Christi, TX

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

In action this week are the Natural Disasters, Bret Hart, Repo Man, and Big Bossman. Plus, Sid Justice as guest on the “Barber Shop” and more!

Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. Barry Horowitz

Heenan proclaims that Ric Flair will become the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Bret takes Horowitz over with a hip toss after an Irish whip sequence. Bret works the arm after hitting a dropkick as we hear from the New Foundation wishing Bret luck in the Royal Rumble and that they are rooting for him over The Mountie. Heenan refers to Owen as “Rocket” for the first time on WWF TV here. Bret decks Horowitz and stays in control as Heenan talks more about Flair then Bret uses the sharpshooter for the win (4:06).

Thoughts: Decent little squash match win here from Bret as they spent a good amount of time talking about Owen being his younger brother.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. Same as the Update segment from “Superstars of Wrestling” that focused on the problems between The Rockers.

Larry Sampson vs. The Warlord w/ Harvey Whippleman

Warlord beats down Sampson as the announcers talk about the Royal Rumble. We then hear from Barbarian in an insert promo telling Warlord although they know each other very well he will fight him in the Rumble because he wants the title. Warlord stays in control then uses a full nelson for the win (2:13).

Thoughts: Oddly enough, Barbarian & Warlord were teaming up at house shows at this time but the reunion never made it to TV. More Rumble hype here.

The announcers plug “WBF Magazine” and an article on why big men get the girls. They also plug the Ultimate Personal Fitness Expo.

Big Bossman vs. Jesse Hernandez

The announcers talk about all of the hatred in the Rumble match then we hear from IRS calling out Bossman in an insert promo. Bossman beats down Hernandez and stays in control then uses a sidewalk slam for the win (2:33).

Thoughts: The announcers sold the Rumble match by talking about all of the hatred going on in the company.

We now see a limo pull up to a side of the street in a run-down neighborhood. Sensational Sherri & Ted DiBiase are here to show us what El Matador is all about. They show us what DiBiase claims is Matador’s childhood home as its small and crappy. DiBiase jokes the architect’s name was “Senor Slum.” After ragging on the neighborhood some more, DiBiase tells us if we think this is bad then we haven’t seen anything yet. I do not recall any follow up to this vignette but the two were feuding.

Brian Donahue & Robert Taylor vs. The Natural Disasters w/ Jimmy Hart

Heenan says the Legion of Doom are not able to overpower the Disasters like they do with everyone else. The Disasters take control to start then we hear from them in an insert promo saying they will be the next Tag Team Champions. Hart is up on the apron barking out instructions as the Disasters toss around Taylor then put him away with a double splash combo (2:59).

Thoughts: Hype for the Rumble Tag Team Title match.

Barber Shop with guest Sid Justice. Beefcake showing a lot of skin this week. Sid comes out and Beefcake asks what will happen if he will be left in the ring with Randy Savage or Hulk Hogan. Justice says they are his friends and will always stand behind them but in the Rumble its every man for himself. Sid also says he is a man who stands alone and does not need a manager, making him the favorite to win the Rumble match. Beefcake then asks Justice about his injured arm as Sid says he is at 100% and that’s good for him and bad for the 29 other participants. Your basic return from injury promo declaring that you are back and everyone else is in trouble. Sid’s presence remains off the charts.

An ad for WrestleMania VIII airs. Vince does the voice over and says it will break the Hoosier Dome attendance record.

Royal Rumble Report

Repo Man vs. Sonny Blaze

Repo Man grounds Blaze as the announcers talk more about the Rumble match. Repo Man sends Blaze through the ropes with an elbow smash then heads out and hits a clothesline. We hear from Virgil in an insert promo as he promises to stop Repo Man from winning the title at the Rumble. Repo Man yells at Blaze to pay up then grapevines the leg for the win (1:58). After the match, Repo Man ties up Blaze in the ropes and drops him down.

Thoughts: They continue to push the Virgil/Repo Man feud.

Next week in action are the New Foundation, Jake Roberts, Roddy Piper, and The Undertaker. Plus, The Rockers as guests on the “Barber Shop” and more.

Final Thoughts: The Barber Shop segment was the only thing exclusive here and we get another Barber Shop for next week that would go on to become one of the most memorable segments in WWF history. The Rumble hype train continues.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Wednesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/11/92

Thursday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/12/92

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/18/92

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 10/27/83, 11/3/83

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/19/92

Monday: WWF Royal Rumble 1992

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/25/92