WWF Wrestling Challenge – February 21st, 1993

February 21, 1993

From the Fresno Convention Center in Fresno, CA

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan. The announcers talk about what happened on “Monday Night RAW” and wonder if Jimmy Hart will accompany Money Inc. for their title match today against High Energy.

Also this week, we will see Virgil vs. Lex Luger. Plus, the Steiner Brothers, Crush, and the Giant Gonzalez handicap match from “Superstars.”

WWF Tag Team Title Match: High Energy vs. Money Inc. (c)

Heenan acts shocked that Hart is not out with Money Inc. Gorilla says he might have to take back all of the nasty things he has said about Hart over the years. Koko uses a crossbody on DiBiase for a two count then gets the crowd in the match. DiBiase attacks Koko in the corner and is able to avoid a high knee. Owen tags in and Gorilla is really getting him over as “The Rocket.” Owen takes IRS over with a hip toss then cleans house by himself. Owen uses an arm wringer then tags out but Koko hurts his knee while landing after a leapfrog. Koko rolls outside where Owen checks on him but IRS attacks both men. A few refs come from the back and carry Koko backstage as Money Inc. double-team Owen. Money Inc. still double-team Owen then DiBiase pulls him up before the three count as Heenan believes they are sending a message to Bret Hart. Money Inc. continue to use their generic double-team offense then the ref finally rings the bell (5:53) 3/4*. Bret runs out and clears Money Inc. from the ring then checks on his brother.

Thoughts: The match itself was boring as Money Inc. has little chemistry in the ring and spent most of it on offense. The real story was Bret making the save for his brother and that this was the last TV appearance of High Energy as they broke them up by having Koko get injured so Owen could be a singles wrestler. Bret & Owen also defeated Money Inc. in a untelevised, non-title match later on during this TV taping.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This recaps the Money Inc. vs. Brutus Beefcake saga.

Steiner Brothers vs. Gary Key & Larry Ludden

Scott tosses Key around as Gorilla notes that both Steiners are proponents of ICOPRO. Heenan tells us he takes his own special “brain” ICOPRO formula then wants to know why Rick wears earmuffs. Rick drops Ludden with an elbow smash then rams him into the corner then the Steiners use a Doomsday Bulldog for the win (2:01).

Thoughts: The company is letting the Steiners get over on their ring work as they head into WrestleMania against The Headshrinkers.

The segment from “Superstars” where Jim Duggan’s wife begged for him to stay out of the ring airs.

Giant Gonzalez defeating Louie Spicolli, Dan Farren, and Scott Bazo from the 2/13 edition of “Superstars” airs.

Al Burke vs. Crush

Crush takes Burke down with a big boot as the announcers talk about his upcoming match against Doink at WrestleMania. Crush catches Burke with a bearhug then turns that into a belly-to-belly suplex. Crush now hits a press slam before using the head vice for the win (2:17).

Thoughts: Easy win for Crush as the announcers talked about his feud with Doink.

WrestleMania IX Report with Gene Okerlund.

Lex Luger comes out for his match. He poses in front of the mirror that’s placed ringside and keeps posing to the point we have to go commercial because it took too long. Heenan tried to call the director and get it to stop. We return with Luger still posing then yelling into the camera over the fact they cut to a commercial.

“The Narcissist” Lex Luger vs. Virgil

Luger kicks Virgil in the corner as Heenan tells us it is a treat to see Luger. Virgil fights back but runs into a clothesline then Luger hits a running forearm smash for the win after covering with one finger (1:02). After the match he picks up Virgil with a full nelson then spins him around.

Thoughts: Man did Virgil get treated like a complete geek. Anyway, the mirror gimmick does not have much growth potential and its already starting to feel tired but Luger still has presence in the ring even if he is not over yet with the WWF crowds.

Next week in action are Shawn Michaels, Kamala, and Mr. Perfect.

Final Thoughts: The featured match was the end of High Energy and we saw Luger destroy Virgil but the rest of the show’s key parts were segments from “Superstars.” The WrestleMania IX hype train will continue.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Friday: WWF Monday Night RAW 2/22/93

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 4/5/84

Monday: WWF Superstars 2/27/93, WWF Wrestling Challenge 2/28/93

Tuesday: WWF Monday Night RAW 3/1/93, WWF Mania 3/6/93