WWF Wrestling Challenge – August 1st, 1993

August 1, 1993

From the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, MD

Your hosts are Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan

The announcers talk about the 1-2-3 Kid, with Heenan calling him a thief, to hype up his match against Ted DiBiase.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase vs. 1-2-3 Kid

Before the match, DiBiase reminds us how Razor Ramon was embarrassed by the 1-2-3 Kid both in defeat and by having his money stolen. DiBiase then hopes Razor is watching so he can see what a real man can do to a Kid in short order. McGuirk announced Kid as hailing from Tampa, FL. DiBiase knees Kid after a handshake then hammers away. DiBiase then follows with a back elbow smash before whipping Kid into the corner. Kid comes back with a spinning heel kick for two then surprises DiBiase with a backslide for another nearfall but DiBiase gets up and beats Kid down. DiBiase misses a charge in the corner then Kid gets another nearfall this time with a moonsault block. DiBiase catches Kid with a hotshot then piledrives him but pulls him up at two. DiBiase taunts the crowd after hitting a powerslam then applies the Million Dollar Dream. However, we see Razzor Ramon heads down to the ring. DiBiase breaks the hold and taunts Razor and wants to show him how he can beat Kid then lays on his back for a cover but Kid turns that into a crucifix and gets the win (3:39) **. After the match, Kid bails then DiBiase flips out as Razor laughs. Several refs come out to separate the two as Razor is now in the ring where he tosses his toothpick at DiBiase. Razor then grabs the mic and says DiBiase he got beat three times then has the fans chant “1-2-3.”

Thoughts: Fun match with a great post-match angle. With Razor leading the crowd into a chant its safe to assume that he is a babyface now and it sets him up for a match against DiBiase. Kid once again bailing after victory to avoid getting his ass kicked is more consistent storytelling. Kid’s introduction into the WWF has been strong.

We see a video package on Lex Luger’s “Call to Action” campaign including footage of him on “Live with Regis & Kathy Lee.” We are promised tour dates later on in the show.

Adam Bomb w/ Johnny Polo vs. Tony Webb

Polo, during the entrance, yells “down you go, down you say” as Ross says we have some “strong” comments from Mr. Fuji & Yokozuna regarding SummerSlam coming up later in the show. Heenan is selling shock over Kid beating DiBiase with Ross mocking him a bit. Bomb grounds Webb then uses a pair of mat slams. Bomb stays in control as Polo says its a beautiful day for a “butt kicking” then Bomb hits a flying clothesline before the Atom Smasher gets the win (1:35).

Thoughts: The good was that they dropped the “total destruction” nonsense but the bad was the other stuff said by Polo was barely any better and possibly just as bad. The announcers paid attention to the Kid/DiBiase match and the Luger/Yoko match as later on the SummerSlam Report we saw another crappy Fuji & Yokozuna promo.

Smoking Gunns vs. Damien Demento & Barry Horowitz

Demento still kicking around as occasional enhancement talent. The Gunns try to pump up the crowd but Demento boots Bart in the gut then hamems away in the corner. Bart fights back then tags out as the Gunns hit a double side Russian leg sweep for a one count. Demento elbows Billy then tags out as Horowitz hammers away then rakes the eyes. Horowitz gets a one count with a backbreaker but misses a leg drop from the middle rope. Bart tags in and runs wild then Bart has Horowitz in the bodybreaker position as Billy comes off the top with an elbow for the win (2:15). After the match, Ross calls Heenan a “sidewinder.”

Thoughts: The Gunns try hard but are still not over much at all. They are trying to have them appeal to female fans with the constant cuts to women in the crowd looking on in awe but they are only getting mild reactions in certain cities and the rest they are not getting any reaction.

SummerSlam Report with Gene Okerlund.

Bastion Booger vs. Scott Vito

The announcers talk about Booger smelling terribly as he beats on Vito. Ross mentions the Shawn/Perfect match at SummerSlam and “WrestleMania: The Album” being recently released as Booger hits a sit-down smash for the win (1:00).

Thoughts: More getting over how Booger is malodorous. And they are making Shawn/Perfect feel like an afterthought as Perfect does not seem to be getting pushed much at all anymore.

We are shown video of the album release party then hear a clip of the “SummerSlam Jam” music video.

Tatanka vs. Iron Mike Sharpe

Ross brings up the Tatanka/Bigelow feud and Bigelow’s relationship with Luna Vachon, with Heenan claiming that Tatanka has been trying to get with Luna. Ross then asks Heenan if he is being truthful as Heenan says a “bald-headed man with tattoos” told him this information. Tatanka hits a flurry of offense then Sharpe bails. Tatanka then slingshots Sharpe back into the ring as Sharpe begs for mercy. The announcers plug the “King’s Court” with Undertaker coming up next as Sharpe is choking out Tatanka in the ropes. Tatanka fires up and dances around before running wild then he uses a Samoan Drop for the win (2:25). Ross brings up how Tatanka remains undefeated in the WWF.

Thoughts: Heenan was funny on commentary as we got some talk of the Tatanka/Bigelow feud, which seems to be a house show feud for the most part due to the lack of consistent hype when both men are on TV.

An ad for SummerSlam airs.

King’s Court with the Undertaker airs. It was first shown on “Superstars.”

Tommy DiMauro & Joey Maggs vs. The Quebecers

The announcers talk about still not knowing what an RIP match entails but are still in suspense. Heenan whistles along to the Quebecers theme song. DiMauro brings Jacques to his knees with a test of strength but soon runs into a dropkick. Jacques then hits a short piledriver before tagging out as he assists Pierre with a somersault senton. Pierre tosses DiMauro into the corner then Maggs comes in and hits a pair of dropkicks before getting caught with a powerslam. Pierre lifts up Maggs as Jacques comes off of the top with a seated senton (Pretty much the same as the old Rougeau Bomb but without the jackknife pin at the end) then Jacques puts on a Boston Crab after hitting a waterwheel slam and Pierre comes off the middle rope with a leg drop for the win (2:08).

Thoughts: The Quebecers are doing some cool stuff in their squash matches and I love their finisher. They bring much needed depth and talent to the tag division.

Next week in action are the Steiner Brothers, Shawn Michaels, Mr. Hughes, and “King’s Court” with guest 1-2-3 Kid as Heenan does his Kid impression.

The show ends with a scroll of the “Lex Express Tour” dates.

Final Thoughts: The DiBiase vs. Kid match was fun along with the angle with Razor afterwards as the rest of the show was the same hype we’ve seen all week. As of now, SummerSlam now has four announced matches and the card is looking solid.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Monday: WWF RAW 8/2/93

Tuesday: WWF Superstars 8/7/93, WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/8/93

Wednesday: WWF All-American Wrestling 8/8/93

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries Timeline: 1983 WWE with Don Muraco

Thursday: WWF Monday Night RAW 8/9/93, WWF Mania 8/14/93

Friday: WWF Superstars 8/14/93, WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/15/93