WWF Wrestling Challenge – June 7th, 1992

June 7, 1992

From the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, OH

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

This week in action are Papa Shango, Ric Flair, Tatanka, Shawn Michaels, and Crush

Natural Disasters vs. Barry Hardy & Brian Costello

The Disasters beat on Costello as we hear from Money Inc. & Jimmy Hart as they claim the Disasters are running from them and say they will turn into a couple of small storms. The Disasters hit Costello with a double avalanche then brush of Hardy when he enters the ring and put Costello away after a pair of splashes (3:08).

Thoughts: More hype for the ice-cold Tag Team Title feud.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This is a replay of Big Bossman getting attacked by the convict now known as Nailz.

Sgt. Slaughter vs. Barry Horowitz

Slaughter beats on Horowitz then plugs his appearances at the Fitness Expo in an insert promo before telling Mountie he is in for the “shock of his life. Slaughter stays in control then puts Horowitz away with a Cobra Clutch (1:42).

Thoughts: Slaughter is really lost in his current role and just feels like a relic from the past at this point.

An ad for the WBF Championship airs.

Shawn Michaels w/ Sensational Sherri vs. Ron Cumberledge

Sherri brings a mirror to the ring that Shawn kisses. Cumberledge hits Shawn with a crossbody after a fast-paced Irish whip sequence but Shawn comes back to hit him with a high knee. We hear from Shawn & Sherri in an insert promo as Shawn says no one can get enough of him but has had it with Bret Hart and wants the Intercontinental Title. Shawn then hits a super kick and follows with a teardrop suplex for the win (1:47). After the match, Shawn poses in front of the mirror.

Thoughts: They are pushing Shawn’s mirror gimmick now so expect more of this going forward as his feud against Bret continues.

Tatanka vs. Brooklyn Brawler

Tatanka takes Brawler down with a clothesline after a reversal sequence. We then hear from Tatanka in an insert promo telling Rick Martel he succeeded in humiliating his people but has also succeeded in creating a burning desire in him as Heenan gives us a casually racist translation. Tatanka hits a slam then runs wild before using a Samoan Drop for the win (2:12).

Thoughts:

Clip of Shango setting Brian Brieger’s feet on fire from the 5/30 edition of “Superstars.”

A Papa Shango vs. Rock Werner match is scheduled to take place. Heenan is scared of Shango. Werner makes his entrance after Shango’s which is a huge sign something is happening here. Werner is apprehensive as he heads to the ring then we see all four corners of the ring smoking as Werner has the black liquid pour from his face. Werner freaks out then runs away. Another voodoo segment by Shango.

Crush vs. Duane Gill

Crush offers a hand shake before the match. Gill tries a sneak attack but that fails as Crush beats him down. Crush hits a big boot then a press slam before using a head vice for the win (1:41).

Thoughts: A showcase for Crush, who definitely looks the part, but is in need of a better gimmick ASAP.

We see an ad where Lex Luger taunts Berry De Mey about how he’d win the WBF Championship if he entered. That segues into the ad for the WBF PPV. Sadly, Luger got into a motorcycle accident a few days after this aired and missed the show. The accident resulted in

Ric Flair w/ Mr. Perfect vs. Dale Wolfe

The announcers talk about the Flair/Savage feud as Flair works over Wolfe. Flair hits a back suplex as the camera shows Perfect laughing then Flair puts Wolfe away with the figure four as Heenan tells us that Wolfe is rated 1,139th in the world (2:17).

Thoughts: Just a backdrop for the Flair/Savage feud. Flair’s reactions here are really not strong at all.

Next week in action are Money Inc., The Undertaker, Legion of Doom, and Repo Man. Plus, an interview with Randy Savage. The show ends with Heenan telling us that Shawn Michaels has left the building.

Final Thoughts: Once again the main points on TV are to get over Shango’s voodoo stuff and the WBF PPV and everything else is secondary and most of that is not good at all.