WWF Wrestling Challenge – August 22nd, 1993

August 22, 1993

From the Crete Civic Center in Plattsburgh, NY

Your hosts are Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan

The show opens with the “King’s Court,” hosted by Jerry Lawler. He welcomes guests Jim Cornette, Yokozuna, and Mr. Fuji. Cornette first says that the fans really know that Lawler is the king of wrestling and having to deal with false kings like Bret Hart is awful for Lawler. Cornette then says Yokozuna & Mr. Fuji were also discriminated against by the WWF by not getting proper English interpreters so that is why he is with them. Cornette then laughs about the American automotive industry in Detriot, location of SummerSlam, and how the Japanese auto industry has crushed them. Lawler then welcomes a young kid who is holding a Lex Luger poster then asks him who is the real king of the WWF. The kid replies “Hitman” then Lawler take his poster and gives it to Yokozuna, who tears it into pieces. And the kid sold it like a champ too. Cornette then tells Luger while Yokozuna may not be Uncle Sam, he wants Luger as Heenan is laughing about the kid being embarrassed. Again, Cornette’s promos for Yokozuna are solid and while not great, still infinitely better than anything Fuji would have said in the segment.

Razor Ramon vs. Barry Hardy

Razor beats on Hardy in the corner before tossing him across the ring. We then hear from Ted DiBiase in an insert promo calling out Razor for SummerSlam. The announcers talk about the Razor/DiBiase match as Razor hits a super belly-to-back suplex before the Razor’s Edge gets the win (2:11).

Thoughts: More hype for Razor/DiBiase, which is probably the most hyped midcard match on the show.

And for this “Face to Face” segment, we have Okerlund back in the role.

Heavenly Bodies w/ Jim Cornette vs. Darren Trujillo & Curt Sloan

Prichard beats on Sloan to start. He then hits a sit-out powerbomb before tagging out as Del Ray beats on Trujillo. The Steiners are shown in an insert promo talking about how they will destroy the Bodies at SummerSlam. Del Ray dances then soon after that puts Trujillo away with a moonsault block (2:05). After the match the Bodies toss Trujillo through the ropes.

Thoughts: Easy win for the Bodies to build them up as challengers for the Tag Team Titles.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. Same as we saw from “Superstars” during the Update segment about the Lex Express tour,

Fred Williams vs. 1-2-3 Kid

The much larger Williams runs over Kid but Kid comes back with a spinning heel kick. Kid then gets beaten down after failing on a slam attempt. Williams hammers away but Kid comes back with several kicks. We hear from Kid in an insert promo saying the excitement of SummerSlam is causing butterflies in his stomach and will try his best against IRS then see Kid avoid an avalanche then head up top with a somersault senton for the win (2:26).

Thoughts: Kid’s timid promo was amusing as he is still being portrayed as the underdog heading into the PPV.

SummerSlam Report with Gene Okerlund.

Duane Gill & Brooklyn Brawler vs. Smoking Gunns

Brawler lands a few shots on Bart but misses an elbow drop then Bart takes control. We hear from Bam Bam Bigelow & Luna Vachon as they promise their team will be victorious at SummerSlam in the six-man tag match then the Gunns put Gill away with the back drop into a piledriver (1:36).

Thoughts: Some more hype for the six-man tag match.

The “USA” music video from Hacksaw Jim Duggan is shown. They sure did get a lot of mileage out of this video.

Burt Centeno vs. Ludvig Borga

Borga beats down Centeno then yells at the crowd. We now hear form Borga in an insert promo telling Marty Jannetty there will be no escape at SummerSlam. Borga catches Centeno with a side slam then mocks the USA before using a flying clothesline for the win (2:26).

Thoughts: Borga is clearly in line for a rocket push up the heel side of the card as the anti-American ass kicker.

The announcers hype up the “SummerSlam Spectacular” with Ross saying this is Money Inc’s final shot against the Steiners for the titles.

Final Thoughts: Basically the same as Superstars as it was uneventful hype for SummerSlam and the SummerSlam Spectacular, which will be recapped tomorrow.