WWF Wrestling Challenge – December 19th, 1993

December 19, 1993

From the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, MA

Your hosts are Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon

The show starts off with a video package on the feud between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels then the announcers mention Razor’s gold chain now being in the possession of IRS.

Razor Ramon vs. Ralph Mosca

Ross says he was just handed a note of the announcement that Razor will be defending the Intercontinental Title against IRS at the Royal Rumble. Razor takes control then we hear him in an insert promo saying he wants his gold back for Christmas. Razor toys with Mosca on the mat then uses a super back suplex for the win (1:54). Razor then hits Mosca with a Razor’s Edge after the match.

Thoughts: They broke the news of the Intercontinental Title match at the Rumble here differently than on “Superstars.” Anyway, Razor is over as a face but I cannot imagine fans wanting to see him against IRS rather than Shawn.

The Quebecers w/ Johnny Polo vs. Virgil & Mark Thomas

Gorilla talks about The Quebecers and how they should also have to defend their titles at the Royal Rumble before telling us to keep an eye on Mark Thomas. Virgil & Thomas clear the ring as The Quebecers regroup outside with Polo. Jacques attacks Pierre from behind then we hear The Quebecers in an insert promo saying they don’t want anything for Christmas because they already have the titles. The Quebecers work over Thomas then use the Boston Crab/Flying Leg Drop combo for the win (2:41).

Thoughts: The announcers here pretty much gave away that the Quebecers would be defending the Titles at the Royal Rumble. And Gorilla telling us to keep an eye on Mark Thomas was great. Speaking of Thomas, the drug testing was apparently not applicable to enhancement talent because he was completely shredded here.

WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. We get clips of Owen Hart’s interview with Vince McMahon from last week’s “Superstars.” Lord Alfred says “bravo” to Owen and that he can now reach the highest peaks after being unshackled from his ungrateful family. We then see the Bret’s response to Owen’s challenge from this week’s “Superstars” where he refused to face his brother as to not tear the family apart.

Tom McNeany vs. Adam Bomb w/ Harvey Whippleman

Poor McNeany got a new first name this week. McNeany slides underneath Bomb and rolls him up for two. McNeany then staggers Bomb with a dropkick but ducks his head and gets clobbered as Bomb now takes control. Bomb beats on McNeany on the outside then slingshots in with a clothesline for the win (2:00).

Thoughts: For some reason they gave McNeany a good amount of offense which I found odd as they were pushing Bomb more on commentary since being aligned with Whippleman.

The Thurman “Sparky” Plugg vignette airs.

1-2-3 Kid vs. Bryan Walsh

Gorilla notes that Walsh looks like a young Bob Backlund as Kid takes control of the match. Kid takes Walsh over the top rope with a kick then Walsh comes back and decks Kid and grabs a side headlock. Kid comes back with a spinning heel kick but misses a running attack in the corner. Walsh heads up top but Kid cuts him off with a dropkick then uses a superplex then uses a Romero Special for the win (2:59).

Thoughts: This was a fairly competitive match. Walsh wasn’t bad and actually did enhancement work for most of the decade for WWF and even a bit in WCW using the name “Billy Pearl.”

Santa Claus wishes us a Merry Christmas and to stay tuned for more of the show.

Undertaker’s Worshop segment from this weekend airs.

Tony Roy vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Luna Vachon

Roy hits a pair of dropkicks that sends Bigelow through the ropes. Roy then flies out with a pescado then hammers away in the corner. Bigelow reverses an Irish whip and clotheslines Roy as Luna screams for her man. Roy floats over on a suplex attempt then tries to take Bigelow down but runs into a dropkick as Bigelow gets the win (1:34).

Thoughts: Roy got a lot of shine in this match and actually looked decent. Guess it was a show for enhancement talent to get a chance to keep the “anything can happen” aspect going. Bigelow’s feud against Doink continues.

Royal Rumble Report airs.

The Lex Luger “Just Say No “to drugs ad airs.

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Smoking Gunns vs. Brooklyn Brawler & Barry Hardy

Gorilla asks Ross about the Oklahoma/Texas rivalry as Gorilla is shocked to learn they are not all the same. Bart works over Brawler to start then Hardy tags into the match. We then hear from the Gunns as they talk about wanting a Tag Team Title shot for Christmas then both yell “yee-haw!” Jesus Christ this gimmick sucks. Billy hits Hardy with a gutwrench suplex as the Gunns keep using quick tags to maintain control until the flying elbow drop/powerbomb combo gets the win (3:41).

Thoughts: The Gunns looked good but the gimmick is a lower card one and having them wish for a title shot as a Christmas gift came off a bit sad and made them look like losers.

Next week in action are the Steiner Brothers, Crush, and Jeff Jarrett. Plus, an interview with IRS and highlights from the Tatanka vs. Ludvig Borga match on RAW.

Final Thoughts: All the key segments here were previously seen on “Superstars.” For some reason the enhancement talent got more offense in collectively on one show than any other I remember. We are still about five weeks away from the Royal Rumble.