WWF Wrestling Challenge – June 19th, 1994

June 19, 1994

From the Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, OH

Your hosts are Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase

Raymond Rougeau welcomes Bret Hart to the interview platform. Bret talks about big, bad Diesel and how he has a weakness in that he needed Jerry Lawler and Shawn Michaels to help him attack from behind. Bret then compares himself to a Porsche and how he will run right on top of Diesel and bring him down to the mat, where they will be equal size. Rougeau then talks about a member of Bret’s family calling him up to offer his services. Bret said he does not want to fall prey to outside interference and this family member will prevent Shawn from interfering to make it a 1 vs. 1 match. Bret then vows to walk in and out of King of the Ring as champion. Basic interview from Bret as they try to keep us in suspense as to which family member will accompany him to the ring at the PPV.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Gary Sabaugh

Both men go back-and-forth to start. Jarrett hits a dropkick then we hear from 1-2-3 Kid in an insert promo telling Jarrett its time to “put up or shut up” as they will see who gets their hand raised after the match. The announcers talk about Jarrett vs. Kid at hte KotR as Sabaugh hits an atomic drop but Jarrett fights back and kicks out the leg. Jarrett continues to attack the leg then puts on the figure four for the win (2:45).

Thoughts: Hype for the Jarrett/Kid match at the PPV.

WWF Live Event News segment on the Marathon tour.

We see the hosts as DiBiase gloats over purchasing The Undertaker as Lane says we will see footage of this later in the show.

Yokozuna & Crush w/ Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette vs. Marty Garner & Kenny Hendrix

Yokozuna tosses Garner around then flattens him with a clothesline. We hear Capt. Lou Albano with The Headshrinkers & Afa as they talk about being ready for their title defense as Crush now beats on Hendrix. Crush stays in control as the announcers discuss the KotR Tag Team Title match. The crowd starts up a USA chant as Lane runs down the rest of the PPV card then Crush uses a press slam and tags Yokozuna, who hits a leg drop for the win (3:49).

Thoughts: A long squash match as the announcers hyped up the Tag Team Title match at the PPV.

The Hall of Fame video package airs.

Duke “The Dumpster” Droese vs. Derec Stone

DiBiase tells Lane he is crazy for thinking Piper can beat Lawler then once again refers to him as an anorexic. Droese works the arm as the announcers talk about him being proud of his occupation. Droese now applies a chin lock then drops an elbow and soon after that applies a bear hug. Droese drives Stone into the corner as Lane plugs a few TV tapings and after that Droese uses the tilt-a-whirl powerslam, called the “Trash Compactor” for the win (2:43).

Thoughts: Droese’s finisher officially has a name but most of this was a backdrop to talk about the Lawler/Piper feud and list off some TV taping dates and locations.

Clips of last week’s “Superstars” where DiBiase reveals The Undertaker.

1-2-3 Kid vs. Austin Steele

They end in a stalemate after some mat work as DiBiase says its unlikely Kid will advance in the KotR Tournament. Steele falls into the corner after Kid uses a hip toss then the crowd starts up the 1-2-3 chant. Steele takes control as we hear from Jarrett in an insert promo telling Kid he will be the first victim of his in the tournament. Kid fights back and uses some strikes in the corner until he uses a tornado DDT for the win (2:29).

Thoughts: They once again paint Kid as the heavy underdog heading into the King of the Ring.

King of the Ring Report airs.

IRS vs. Chris Duffy

IRS says that Canton should be known as the Tax Cheaters Hall of Shame. IRS beats on Duffy then tosses him outside as Lane plugs the King of the Ring hotline. IRS brings Duffy back inside and stomps away then softens up the leg. IRS slams Duffy then uses a chin lock as the announcers talk about IRS vs. Mabel at the PPV. We now hear from Mabel & Oscar in an insert promo as they hope IRS can pay the “Ghetto Tax” then IRS stays in control until he uses the Penalty for the win (3:44).

Thoughts: Again, more basic KotR 1st round match hype with some really crappy promos.

Lane runs down the bracket to end the show.

Final Thoughts: The only thing of note was Bret’s interview. Besides that it was basic hype and uninteresting squash matches as this show gets more useless by the day.