WWF Wrestling Challenge – November 28th, 1993

November 28, 1993

From Carbondale High School in Carbondale, PA. This TV taping was notable for the prinicipal and school board being irate at the conditions of the facilities after the tapings, which included human feces, whiskey bottles, and chicken bones all over the place. They were justified in their anger to say the least. Also, it says something about the company’s current state of affairs that they are conducting TV tapings at high school gyms.

Your hosts are Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan

The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer vs. Gus Kantarakis

Kantarakis tries to attack from behind but whiffs on a charge then Undertaker goes to work. Undertaker hits his ropewalk attack as Bearer makes his trademark odd facial reactions. Undertaker then hits a clothesline as Heenan wonders if anyone can beat him then Undertaker hits the Tombstone for the win (2:03).

Thoughts: They put over The Undertaker as being unbeatable but did not mention his brawl with Yokozuna at the Survivor Series.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. He talks about the Women’s Wrestling Tournament before talking about the Bret and Owen Hart confrontation at the Survivor Series. Lord Alfred then talks with Owen over the phone and puts over his talent while saying Bret acted selfishly at the Survivor Series. Lord Alfred then commends Owen for showing restraint over what Bret did before hanging up. Lord Alfred then says he cannot blame Owen for becoming frustrated before plugging the encore airing of the Survivor Series. Not much of a conversation here. In hindsight, heel Lord Alfred is somewhat amusing but boy was out of place at the time.

Brooklyn Brawler vs. Bob Backlund

The announcers now talk about the Hart Family as Heenan wants to know why Bret never offered Owen a title match when he was the champion then stirs up stuff about the Bret/Owen story. Backlund takes Brawler over with a pair of hip tosses before hitting a slam. Backslide gets two then Brawler bails as Ross calls Backlund the “Nolan Ryan” of the WWF while Heenan thinks he’s more the “Opie Taylor.” Backlund places Brawler on the top rope then slaps Brawler before using a bridging cradle for the pin (2:50).

Thoughts: The announcers were back to pushing how amazing Backlund was for his age as it appears he is going to be pushed again. And a clean-cut act with all the scandals going around is not the worst thing in the world even though no one cared the first time around. Lots of hype for the Bret/Owen stuff too.

Bret Hart warns us not to drink and drive this Holiday season.

Ludvig Borga vs. Mike Maraldo

Borga immediately attacks Maraldo and tosses him around. We hear some “USA” chants as Borga drops Maraldo after a lifting choke hold. Borga taunts the fans as Ross puts over Borga’s physicality at the Survivor Series then soon after that uses an electric chair drop while standing on the bottom turnbuckle and covers with one finger for the win (2:23).

Thoughts: Again, Borga is not over. The electric chair drop as a finisher wasn’t bad though. I forgot to do it for this show but will do a bonus recap of the Luger vs. Borga match from the “WWE Unreleased” DVD that should be up sometime tomorrow morning.

1-2-3 Kid vs. Iron Mike Sharpe

Ross says that Kid was excited to compete at the Survivor Series. Kid takes Sharpe down after a series of kicks then ties him up in the ropes after a dropkick. Sharpe boots a charging Kid then knocks him down. Sharpe runs into a roundhouse kick while charging in the corner then Kid hits a crossbody block for the win (2:14).

Thoughts: Not much to say here other than the announcers getting a few minor digs at Sharpe.

The Jeff Jarrett vignette where he tries to meet Buddy Lee airs.

Dan Dubiel vs. IRS

IRS says the city of Carbondale has more tax cheats per square foot than anywhere else in the country. That’s good shit. The announcers plug Razor Ramon vs. Diesel Monday Night on RAW in a non-title match after mentioning IRS has his sights on the Intercontinental Title. Dubiel almost surprises IRS with a cradle that gets two then IRS locks on an abdominal stretch. Ross talks about President Tunney saying there can only be one Doink going forward as IRS hits the Write Off Clothesline for the win (1:49).

Thoughts: Quick match as the announcers hyped up Razor vs. Diesel on RAW and how there can now only be one Doink the Clown going forward.

An ad to order the Survivor Series replay on PPV airs.

Raymond Rougeau is in the ring. He welcomes Doink the Clown to the ring as Doink is happy. Rougeau reminds him that there can only be one Doink in the WWF but Doink keeps laughing. Rougeau now asks him about pissing off Bam Bam Bigelow & Luna Vachon. Doink then mentions how Christmas is just around the corner as Santa Claus now comes out to the ring. Santa talks about Doink being a better person then gives him a present. We then see a midget version of Doink and Rougeau says there can only be one Doink so Doink calls him “Dink” and the two mimic each other in the ring. We got different introductions for Doink on both “Superstars” and here on Challenge.

Bastion Booger vs. “The Model” Rick Martel

The announcers talk about Martel being meticulous while Booger is a gross pig. Martel is highly disgusted by Booger as we get some stalling as a result. Martel takes Booger over with a hip toss then hits a dropkick but whiffs on a second attempt. Booger dances before using a slam then hits a leg drop for a two count. Booger then hits an avalanche and uses a sit down splash but Martel was able to break up the pin by grabbing the ropes. Booger gets pissed as Martel is disgusted then Martel grabs his Arrogance and sprays Booger all over and ends up getting disqualified (3:30) 1/4*.

Thoughts: This was dumb but at least it was short. With both guys being heels the crowd did not care. There also appeared to be no indication this was a face turn for Booger. And a guy who smells terrible and refuses to do anything about it is not exactly a sympathetic figure.

Smoking Gunns vs. Tony Mata & Reno Riggins

Reno talks shit to Billy then slaps him across the face. Riggins then bails but not before tagging out as Billy catches Mata with a dropkick. Riggins now talks shit to the crowd but Billy takes Mata’s hand and tags in Riggins. Billy slingshots Riggins back inside and the Gunns hit a couple of double-team moves before using a powerbomb/flying elbow drop combo for the win (2:08).

Thoughts: The stuff with Riggins was fun as the announcers played up that the Gunns had to go through the Headshrinkers before getting a title shot against The Quebecers.

Next week in action are Razor Ramon, The Quebecers, and Diesel. Plus, an interview with Crush and more.

Final Thoughts: All the big news we saw on Superstars was repeated here, although in different segments, and the featured match was forgettable. The Survivor Series fallout will continue into next week.