WWF Wrestling Challenge – August 9th, 1992

August 9, 1992

From the Portland Civic Center in Portland, ME

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

The Bushwhackers vs. Nasty Boys w/ Jimmy Hart

The Bushwhackers take control early and clear the ring. Things settle down as Sags hits Luke a few times but Luke fights off both men after avoiding a double-team attack. Sags is able to trap Luke in the corner as the announcers talk about the Nasty Boys needing to get a key win to move up in the Tag Team Division. Luke escapes and tags out as Butch runs wild. The match breaks down but the ref orders Luke back onto the apron after The Bushwhackers hit a battering ram then Hart tosses the helmet to Sags and he whacks Butch for the DQ (3:08) 1/2*. The Nasty Boys stay in control until Jim Duggan runs out with his 2×4 and clears the ring.

Thoughts: This wasn’t terrible and mostly action with an interesting ending as Jim Duggan made the save for The Bushwhackers. I assume this will lead to something down the road.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. They showed the Ultimate Warrior interview from this week’s “Superstars” where Ric Flair interrupted to tell Warrior that Savage has been trying to negotiate to get Mr. Perfect in his corner at SummerSlam.

Crush vs. Richie Rich

Crush brushes off a few punches then hits a press slam. We hear from Repo Man in an insert promo saying he will control Crush at SummerSlam. Back to the match as Crush hits a slam then uses a head vice for the win (1:24).

Thoughts: They are hyping this newly announced SummerSlam match but I cannot imagine anyone thinking Repo Man having a chance against Crush.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Bret Hart. Okerlund asks Hart about facing off against his brother in-law at SummerSlam and how its tearing their family apart as we see clips of the Hart family talking about all of the conflict. Okerlund then asks Bret if this match is worth it as Bret says winning the title is a pledge to defend against anyone and has to do the match and his family will have to accept it because that’s all you can do in this situation. More push of the family dynamic for this IC Title match with Bret basically telling his family tough shit and to suck it up with regards to the friction.

Tony Devito vs. Shawn Michaels w/ Sensational Sherri

Sherri is now carrying a smaller, heart-shaped mirror. We hear from Rick Martel in an insert promo as he says everyone knows he is better looking than Shawn. Back to the match as Shawn outsmarts Devito but now Martel heads out to the ring then winks at Sherri as she winks back and smiles when Shawn’s back is turned. Shawn hits a flying shoulder block as Sherri cheers him on then Devito fights back. Shawn hits Devito with a super kick then the teardrop suplex for the win as Gorilla says Sherri made sure Shawn’s back was turned before winking at Martel (2:29).

Thoughts: They’ve added a new wrinkle to the Shawn/Martel feud as Sherri is now smitten with Rick Martel as well as Shawn, who is unaware.

Big Bossman vs. Joe Richards

Bossman beats on Richards to start. Bossman hits a spinebuster as the announcers talk about Nailz incarceration then Bossman uses a sidewalk slam for the win as Gorilla believes Bossman is back for good (1:39).

Thoughts: An easy win for Bossman as he is back and on the road to face off against Nailz.

Mike McGuirk alerts us that Shawn Micheals has left the building.

Razor Ramon vs. Jerry Seavey

Heenan says that Razor is “machismo.” Razor chops Seavey hard as Heenan is delighted. Razor continues to beat on Seavey then hits a back suplex before the crucifix powerbomb gets the win as the announcers marvel over the move (2:09).

Thoughts: Another impressive showing for Razor as he seems primed for a top heel spot. He is already standing out in the ring.

SummerSlam Report with Gene Okerlund. Tatanka vs. Berzerker was mentioned as being added to the show, which we knew from this week’s “Superstars when Tatanka said it in an insert promo during Berzerker’s match.

Money Inc. w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Tony Roy & Dan Dubiel

IRS tells the crowd a weak economy is no excuse to cheat on your taxes. Heenan asks Gorilla about the Body Star Wars as we know that team WWF won. DiBiase beats on Roy then Dubiel as we hear from Paul Ellering & Rocco in an insert promo that was completely fucking terrible and soon after that IRS uses a flying clothesline on Dubiel for the win (2:09).

Thoughts: Again, we have two cold tag teams going against each other at SummerSlam. This Rocco insert promo was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen and the announcers were in silence after it ended.

Next week in action are Bret Hart, Papa Shango, Natural Disasters, and Nailz.

Final Thoughts: Once again the focus was on the top matches at SummerSlam. We also saw an exclusive interview with Bret and Sherri wink at Rick Martel, the opponent of the man she manages. With the PPV just three weeks away expect more angles and hype to build up the event.