WWF Wrestling Challenge – April 10th, 1994

April 10, 1994

From the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY

Your hosts are Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase

This week, Johnny Polo will interview Mr. Perfect. In action are Owen Hart, Earthquake, Razor Ramon, and Bam Bam Bigelow.

“The Rocket” Owen Hart vs. Bert Styles

The crowd chants for Bret as Owen roughs up Styles. Owen hits a dropkick as DiBiase puts over how the gold and the money will be on the line when Owen faces Bret during the WrestleMania Revenge tour. DiBiase then says that Owen has arrived and predicts he will go all the way to the top as Owen stays in control. Owen hits a flying elbow drop then puts on an abdominal stretch. Owen then rakes the eyes and roughs up Styles into the corner before hitting a spinning heel kick. Styles reverses an Irish whip and lands a few punches but gets kicked in the face after ducking his head then Owen uses a gutwrench suplex before hitting a missile dropkick then turns Styles over for the Sharpshooter and the win (3:43). After the match, Owen puts his sunglasses on Styles.

Thoughts: This match was so the announcers could build up Owen as the top contender to the World Heavyweight Title. Owen embarrassing Styles after the match was a nice touch.

An ad hyping up how awesome WrestleMania X was airs.

Razor Ramon vs. Eric Cody

Razor hammers away as the announcers talk about the upcoming Razor/Diesel match for the Intercontinental Title. Razor tosses Cody out from the corner then we hear from Diesel & Shawn Michaels in an insert promo as Shawn says the “D Man” will bring the belt back where it belongs and what he wants, he takes. Razor toys with Cody then locks on a STF. DiBiase puts over Diesel’s size as Razor continues to toy with Cody then hits a super back suplex before hitting the Razor’s Edge for the win (3:28).

Thoughts: The build for a Razor/Diesel title match continues. Cody took some good bumps here.

WWF Live Event News segment to hype the WrestleMania Revenge tour.

We cut to backstage and see Mr. Perfect entering the arena. Perfect then says he will give us an interview later on and a lowdown of what happened at WrestleMania before yelling at the cameraman to get out of his face.

Adam Bomb is shown on the cover of “WWF Magazine” that features an article on Bam Bam Bigelow and if anyone in the WWF is tougher than him. Seeing how Bomb has been relegated to losing to Earthquake and the backdrop of the Finkle/Whippleman feud I expect him getting this cover would lead to something more prestigious than his current standing.

Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Luna Vachon vs. Ben Jordan

Bigelow tosses Jordan around as the announcers talk about Bigelow and Earthquake having a staredown in the aisle last week on “Superstars.” Bigelow pulls up Jordan after a two count following an elbow drop then hits an enziguiri before stretching out Jordan’s legs. Luna yells into the camera as Lane makes some shitty jokes as Bigelow continues to beat down Jordan until he misses a flying headbutt. Jordan fires away then gets a nearfall with a crossbody but heads up and Bigelow catches him and hits a powerslam then Bigelow uses a slingshot splash for the win (3:54).

Thoughts: I thought it was cool how they had Jordan escape Bigelow’s finisher and make a comeback. It was genuinely surprising and the fans were actually behind him until he lost. Anyway, it seems like they are pushing Bigelow/Earthquake now after their confrontation.

An ad for the Greetings on Call airs.

We now hear Lord Alfred Hayes talk about The Quebecers recent problems as we see the events leading to Albano’s challenge that led to the reveal of The Headshrinkers. Then after that we learn of the voteline to determine who The Quebecers face this Monday on RAW.

Smoking Gunns vs. George South & Derec Domino

The announcers also hype the voteline and how the reveal will occur on “All-American Wrestling.” Lane says he will vote for Men on a Mission as DiBiase makes fun of The Bushwhackers for being morons. Billy works over South then tags out as Bart works the arm. Domino tags in as DiBiase puts over the Gunns talent and physiques as the Gunns use quick tags and double teams before using the Sidewinder to put away Domino (2:45). Lane says that the Gunns could be on their way to face The Quebecers.

Thoughts: A showcase for the Gunns here as one of the teams getting to possibly face The Quebecers for the titles. They were a decent team but never pushed at this point and really not that over except with some female fans. And we learn the result of the vote will be first revealed on All-American.

Johnny Polo is in the ring and welcomes Mr. Perfect for an interview. Polo asks what happened at WrestleMania. Perfect said that Lex Luger pulled Jim Cornette and Mr. Fuji into the ring but let it slide due to the fact it was a championship match. However, he could not count the pin because there were managers in the ring and Luger turned him around. Perfect said he could not get Fuji out of the ring so Luger pushed him as Perfect said he never had a problem with Luger. Polo then says Luger must have the problem then Perfect tells Luger that no one puts their hands on him and gets away. More or less the same as Perfect’s interview on RAW but unlike Gorilla, Polo was agreeing with what Perfect had to said and never questioned his statements.

The “WWF Unbelievable” ad airs with the guy calling out all the superstars and appears more beat up each time.

Earthquake vs. Barry Horowitz

Horowitz bounces off of Earthquake as Lane gloats over DiBiase being wrong for predicting Adam Bomb would beat Earthquake on RAW. Horowitz thumbs the eye then hits a few European uppercuts in the corner. Earthquake misses a corner splash then Horowitz climbs up but gets caught trying a flying body press and Earthquake hits three straight backbreakers. Earthquake hits a leg drop then a powerslam as DiBiase wants to know what Earthquake can do against Bigelow or Yokozuna as Earthquake hits Horowitz with the sit-down splash for the win (2:54). After the match, Earthquake yells into the camera, “Yokozuna, I’m coming for you!”

Thoughts: Looks like not only will Earthquake/Bigelow have a program or match but they seemed more focused on building to Earthquake vs. Yokozuna as Earthquake called him out. You would assume Earthquake beats Bigelow to build him up against Yokozuna.

The announcers are here and talking about taxes, with DiBiase saying the rich do not pay taxes then introduces us to more tax tips from IRS. At least DiBiase was funny during the intro.

Kwang w/ Harvey Whippleman vs. Brian Williams

We see the insert of Adam Bomb on the cover of “WWF Magazine” with Lane referring to him as “awesome.” Kwang drops Williams with a chop but Williams floats over on a suplex then hits a crossbody for a one count. Kwang comes back with a hip toss then drops Williams with a roundhouse kick. Kwang spits his mist into the air then goes back to beating down Williams as we see Whippleman yell at Nikolai Volkoff, who is once again in the front row. Kwang hits a spin kick then cuts off a comeback attempt before a spinning heel kick gets the win (2:37). Lane then plugs Kwang vs. Tatanka next week on “Superstars.”

Thoughts: A showcase for Kwang heading into next week’s rematch against Tatanka. It was also interesting to hear Lane refer to the heel Bomb as “awesome.”

Another Live Event News segment to hype the WrestleMania Revenge tour.

Next week in action are The Quebecers, 1-2-3 Kid, Doink the Clown, and Yokozuna. Plus, the “Heartbreak Hotel” with guest Bret Hart will be shown.

Final Thoughts: The Perfect interview was at least exclusive but basically a slightly shorter version of what he already said on RAW. With no featured matches and the big hook for next week being a week old edition of the Heartbreak Hotel its clear that Challenge is no longer a valuable show for the company.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Friday: WWF Monday Night RAW 4/11/94

Saturday: WWF Superstars 4/16/94, WWF Challenge 4/17/94

Sunday: WWF All-American 4/17/94, WWF Monday Night RAW 4/18/94

Monday: WWF Superstars 4/23/94, WWF Challenge 4/24/94

Tuesday: WWF Monday Night RAW 4/25/94

Wednesday: WWF Superstars 4/30/94, WWF Challenge 5/1/94

Thursday: WWF All-American Wrestling 5/1/94, WWF Monday Night RAW 5/2/94