WWF Wrestling Challenge – December 12th, 1993

December 11, 1993

From Carbondale High School in Carbondale, PA

Your hosts are Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon, who is now replacing Bobby Heenan, the man he threw out of the WWF, as we see the replay of what took place on RAW.

Tatanka vs. Reno Riggins

Tatanka chops Riggins before skying him with a back drop. Riggins escapes a wrist lock by using an eye rake but gets caught with an arm drag after an Irish whip sequence. Tatanka now works the arm then fires up and hits the Samoan Drop for the win (3:43).

Thoughts: A win to establish that Tatanka is back and out for revenge against Ludvig Borga.

The ad for the Salvation Army benefit show at The Paramount in Madison Square Garden airs.

The Headshrinkers w/ Afa vs. Steve Smith & Frank Kanyak

Ross continues to plug the benefit show as Gorilla tells us the ticket is tax deductible and worth the price to get this up and close with the WWF superstars. Smith lands a shot but is caught with a clothesline. The Headshrinkers now beat on Kanyak until Fatu puts him away with a top rope splash (2:29). After the match, the Headshrinkers smash a pineapple in Kanyak’s face.

Thoughts: They spent more time talking about the fundraiser than the Headshrinkers, who are in desperate need of some direction.

We see Crush on the cover of the new issue of “WWF Magazine.”

Doink the Clown w/ Dink vs. Glen Ruth

Doink squirts Ruth in the face as Ross tells us that the WWF Women’s Championship Tournament finals will take place this Monday night in Memphis, TN. Doink catches Ruth in a belly-to-belly suplex then follows with a dropkick. Ruth takes a breather outside and gets kicked by Dink then chases him around and set up as Doink was waiting. Doink rolls Ruth inside and boots him in the corner before using a STF for the win (2:39).

Thoughts: They once again briefly mention the Women’s Championship Tournament but without knowing a single person involved why would we care? Anyway, the Doink & Dink pairing is not getting over but he is still pushed in a feud against Bam Bam Bigelow.

Ludvig Borga vs. Greg Hatfield

The announcers talk about Borga’s feud with Lex Luger and now he should keep an eye on Tatanka. Borga attacks Hatfield before the bell then hammers away. Borga drops Hatfield with a press slam into a Samoan drop then taunts the crowd. Borga kicks Hatfield as we hear a mild USA chant from the fans. Borga continues to beat down Hatfield then uses a torture rack for the win (1:56).

Thoughts: Its clear they are starting to transition Borga from Luger into a feud against Tatanka. I mean, Luger/Borga has been a dud of a feud and the midcard is more suited for Borga.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. We hear that Undertaker vs. Yokozuna for the World Heavyweight Title is the main event for the Royal Rumble then Lord Alfred becomes irate over the fact the “obese, scheming little toad” Paul Bearer has colluded with WWF President Jack Tunney to make this a Casket Match. We then hear the same promo from Cornette that we heard on Superstars. Heel Lord Alfred made me chuckle a bit with that comment but the character is still out of place and just happened out of the blue.

The announcers talk about Cornette being outsmarted and how Undertaker has never lost a casket match. This is the story going in to give Undertaker an edge over the dominant champion.

Mike Bucci vs. Crush w/ Mr. Fuji

Crush works the arm but Bucci fights back. Crush brushes off a few dropkicks then repeatedly boots Bucci in the ribs. Gorilla talks about Randy Savage and all of the titles he has held in the WWF as Crush stays in control then uses a head vice for the win (2:26). After the match, Crush leg drops Bucci.

Thoughts: More hype for the Savage/Crush feud and how we could get another altercation between them on RAW.

Steiner Brothers vs. Iron Mike Sharpe & Mike Khoury

Gorilla says that many people still recognize the Steiners as the Tag Team Champions as they were never pinned or submitted by The Quebecers. Scott dumps Khoury on his head with a full nelson suplex then drags him into the corner as Sharpe tags into the match. The announcers talk about The Steiners likely reclaiming the titles when they face The Quebecers as Rick works over Sharpe. Scott tags in as Sharpe quickly tags out then rolls outside as Scott tosses around Khoury before using the Frankensteiner for the win (2:34).

Thoughts: They are teasing a title rematch for the Steiners in the future but the story is that the Quebecers keep ducking them as they are afraid.

The Jeff Jarrett vignette montage airs.

We get the package on the Razor Ramon/Shawn Michaels confrontation from “Monday Night RAW.”

Shawn Michaels vs. John Paul

Before the match, Shawn recognizes himself as the “undisputed” Intercontinental Champion. Shawn brags after getting the best of Paul then jabs him in the chest but Paul fights back. Shawn takes Paul down with a swinging neckbreaker then soon after that uses a piledriver for the win (1:47).

Thoughts: Shawn was back to being his ultra arrogant self and to be honest has come off a lot more like a star since returning from his hiatus. His feud against Razor is now one of the top programs.

Next week in action are Razor Ramon, The Quebecers, and the 1-2-3 Kid. Plus, an interview with The Undertaker. The announcers also hype Randy Savage vs. Fatu for RAW.

Final Thoughts: No big exclusive segments here but we saw Gorilla return on commentary. He seemed slightly more inspired than when we last saw him and these two did the commentary for Radio WWF and the matches on “All-American Wrestling” as now all the announce teams are babyfaces. Anyway, the Royal Rumble hype will intensify as the PPV is less than six weeks away.