WWF Wrestling Challenge – April 26th, 1992

April 26, 1992

From the Sports Arena in Toledo, OH

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

This week in action are Bret Hart, Big Bossman, and Papa Shango. Plus, an interview with Money Inc. and a special report on the Ultimate Warrior

Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. Barry Hardy

Heenan believes that Shawn Michaels will become the next Intercontinental Champion. Bret works over Hardy as we hear from Shawn & Sensational Sherri as they tell Bret he will face his toughest challenge yet and calls him the “Excellence of Persecution.” Bret stays in control then uses the Sharpshooter for the win (1:52).

Thoughts: Easy win for Bret as his feud against Shawn is getting a lot of play on TV now.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week’s focus is on the Ultimate Warrior and his interview from the 4/18 edition of Superstars where he was on the interview platform with the “Little Warriors.” The company is really trying to have Warrior fill Hogan’s role.

Skinner vs. Red Tyler

The announcers talk about the Warrior vs. Sid feud as Skinner beats on Tyler. Skinner then tosses Tyler outside and inflicts more punishment before dragging him back inside. Skinner boots Tyler in the gut then hits the inverted DDT for the win (1:57).

Thoughts: Skinner is just a step above enhancement talent so his matches are used as a backdrop to talk about the major feuds in the company.

The Crush debut vignette is shown.

“The Model” Rick Martel vs. Chris Hahn

Gorilla puts over how Martel lost to Tatanka at WrestleMania as Martel and Hahn end in a stalemate. Heenan says next time “Moccasin Breath” gets into the ring with Martel it will be a different result as Hahn is staying move-for-more with Martel. Hahn gets clotheslined after Martel stopped short then Martel hits a gutwrench suplex and stays in control until the Boston Crab gets the win (2:14).

Thoughts: They are now back to talking about the Martel/Tatanka feud on TV as Heenan spouted off ethnic jokes at Tatanka’s expense.

Gorilla plugs the WrestleMania VIII Coliseum Home Video release.

Martel still hangs around ringside as Tatanka hits the ring for his match. He and Martel gets into a verbal confrontation then Martel sprays the Arrogance but Tatanka breaks his atomizer. Tatanka once again humiliates Martel in the aisle so you have to expect that Martel will eventually get revenge.

Tatanka vs. Duane Gill

Tatanka chops Gill down then drops an elbow. Tatanka stays in control then dances around before putting Gill away with a Samoan Drop (2:15).

Thoughts: Its evident they are trying to push Tatanka to at least an upper midcard level now. To his credit, he works hard even if he is not the best. At this point they might as well give him a shot.

Texas Tornado vs. Mark Roberts

Heenan talks about a “Fair to Flair”segment and says Savage cheated to win the title at WrestleMania. Tornado toys with Roberts then we hear from him in an insert promo saying he is glad to be back after getting his mind, body, and soul “right.” Gorilla teases Heenan about Flair no longer being the #1 contender then Tornado hits the Tornado Punch for the win (2:16).

Thoughts: The promo Tornado cut today is what someone would say after they came back from rehab only here that was never brought up on TV for many reasons. However, Tornado does not appear to be getting pushed anytime soon. Lots of talk about Flair and Savage here too from the announcers.

Gorilla plugs the newest WBF magazine.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Money Inc. to the interview plaform. Gorilla believes they should be stripped of the Tag Team Titles after walking out during their match at WrestleMania while Heenan says they took advantage of a rule. Hart says he managed the Disasters for a year and a half and knows all about them then Money Inc. talks about doing what they said, which was walking out as champs, then says the Disasters have to beat them in the middle of the ring, not the other way around. The Money Inc. act is still not generating enough heat and DiBiase seems disinterested if you ask me.

Big Bossman vs. Tom Bennett

Bossman beats on Bennett then we see him in an insert promo telling the “convict” that he has 30 days until he gets out of prison as Heenan said his sources tell him its 7-10 days. Heenan talks about Bossman abusing this prisoner as Gorilla denies it happened then Bossman hits a sidewalk slam for the win (1:56).

Thoughts: I guess the convict is getting early release because on Superstars it was in a few days and now its at most just over a week. Bossman finally has something to do after that dud of a feud against IRS.

Papa Shango vs. Buck Zumhoffe

Gorilla says that Shango was the reason Warrior ran out at WrestleMania VIII as Heenan is really putting over Shango strong. Shango beats on Zumhoffe then hits a clothesline as Heenan claims Cameo from WBF Bodystars is in love with Mr. Perfect. Shango stays in control then finally ends this with a reverse shoulder breaker (2:43).

Thoughts: They went all out in putting over Shango here as a threat and hinted that he could be feuding with the Ultimate Warrior too which is a lot considering Shango is not over with the fans.

Another ad for WBF Bodystars

Next week in action are Ric Flair, Legion of Doom, and the featured bout of Repo Man vs. British Bulldog. Plus, an interview with Shawn Michaels. The show ends with interviews from both involved in the featured match.

Final Thoughts: Besides the Tatanka/Martel confrontation there was nothing else of note on the show. We get a featured match next week at least as the creative side of things is struggling.