WWF Wrestling Challenge – September 11th, 1994

September 11, 1994

From the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase.

We see a clip of Davey Boy Smith getting attacked by Jim Neidhart while sitting in the front row at SummerSlam which of course led to Neidhart & Owen Hart locking Bret Hart in the cage and beating him down until Davey and the rest of the Hart Family made the save.

In action this week are Owen Hart, The Bushwhackers, Bob Backlund, and 1-2-3 Kid.

“King of Harts” Owen Hart w/Jim Neidhart vs. Phil Apollo

Gorilla tells us that Owen has been disowned by his family. Owen taunts Apollo after slapping him across the face then runs him over. Apollo catches Owen with a hip toss but gets kicked in the face after ducking his head for a back drop. The crowd chants for Bret as Neidhart tells us that Owen is not only the best but also the “champ.” Owen toys with Apollo as the announcers talk about the cage match at SummerSlam. Owen now uses a chin lock as Neidhart cheers him on then Gorilla talks about all the guys DiBiase has been buying off. Apollo fights back with some strikes and turnbuckle smashes in the corner but ends up running into a back elbow smash. Owen then hits a missile dropkick before using the Sharpshooter for the win (3:36).

Thoughts: Lots of focus on the Hart Family feud.

We now hear from Davey Boy Smith, who is in his wrestling gear. Davey tells us the family feud is far from over and just heating up while promising Bret and himself will finish it once and for all. I guess if you could not tell that Davey was back from what happened at SummerSlam this was supposed to make it crystal clear.

We see an album cover for Jeff Jarrett’s “Ain’t I Great” record. Lets see what that will lead to in the future.

Mabel w/ Oscar vs. Todd Mata

DiBiase said that Jarrett ran circles around Mabel, who ended up being gassed. Seems like Vince wanted DiBiase to get a message across with that line. The announcers talk about the Undertaker match at SummerSlam with DiBiase saying he doesn’t want to talk about it and admits he was scared and doesn’t want to be involved with the supernatural. Mabel overpowers Mata with ease then puts him away with a middle rope leg drop (2:23). DiBiase now leaves to get IRS ready for his upcoming match.

Thoughts: Really just a backdrop for Gorilla & DiBiase to bury The Undertaker angle. After losing at SummerSlam it appears that Mabel is directionless at the moment.

WWE Live Event News segment hyping the Hart Attack Tour.

IRS w/ Ted DiBiase vs. Scott Taylor

IRS tells us tax cheats who filed for a late extension need to pay up. IRS beats on Taylor and follows with a suplex. Taylor gets a two count with a sunset flip but IRS goes right back on control. IRS dumps Taylor outside as DiBiase laughs in his face. IRS heads out to beat on Taylor then rolls him back inside and stomps away. Gorilla talks about IRS and Bam Bam Bigelow going back to being singles wrestlers as IRS applies an abdominal stretch. IRS now softens up Taylor’s leg before using the Write Off clothesline for the win (2:45). Gorilla then mentions how the Heavenly Bodies are also appearing on the show.

Thoughts: Not much to this other than Gorilla hyping up The Corporation and once again getting it across that IRS and Bigelow are done as a team.

Hype video for The Undertaker vs. Kwang on “Monday Night RAW.”

The Bushwhackers vs. Iron Mike Sharpe & Raymond Roy

Abe “Knuckleball” Schwartz is shown on strike in the balcony. Sharpe cheap shots Butch in the corner after a break. He follows with some thrusts but Butch fights back then bites Sharpe in the ass. Luke tags in and Sharpe works him over in the corner. Roy now tags in and mocks The Bushwhackers after a flying clothesline. Roy then misses an elbow drop and The Bushwhackers work over his arm. The Bushwhackers then send Roy into his partner before the battering ram gets the win (2:41).

Thoughts: The Bushwhackers are a relic from the past at this point. They feel incredibly dated and have to work really hard with their mannerisms to get even the slightest bit of applause.

We get the Vince narrated video package on the Luger/Tatanka match from SummerSlam.

The New Generation ad with old lady who learned to beat off muggers by watching Monday Night RAW airs.

Bob Backlund vs. Tim McNeany

DiBiase is proud of Backlund for finally realizing he has to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Backlund takes down McNeany as Gorilla tells some incredibly lame joke about Backlund being brain dead. Backlund uses a single leg takedown and continues to ground McNeany on the mat. McNeany surprises Backlund with a hip toss then is immediately caught in the crossface chicken wing as Backlund picks up the win (2:12). Backlund keeps the hold on until another referee runs down and finally gets Backlund to break the hold. Backlund then screams before leaving the ring.

Thoughts: Backlund’s transformation into a crazed lunatic that hates the new generation has been fun to watch.

Footage of Arnold Skaaland throwing in the towel to save Backlund from Iron Sheik’s Camel’s Clutch in 1983. Gorilla said that Backlund requested this clip to be shown as to prove how he was never pinned or submitted for the WWF World Heavyweight Title.

The ad for the Merchandise Catalog airs.

1-2-3 Kid vs. Bert Centeno

Kid works a side headlock to start. Centeno now kicks Kid in the corner then hammers away but Kid fights back with a couple of kicks. Kid then hits a suplex for a two count as DiBiase puts over Kid’s abilities before calling him a “punk.” Centeno comes back with a suplex of his own but eats a spinning heel kick in the corner then Kid hits another kick before going up top for a leg drop and the win (2:29). DiBiase then says people are speculating that Kid’s high-flying moves will cause him to burn out quite soon.

Thoughts: Its clear they are pushing Kid as one of the attractions of the New Generation. And he is getting strong crowd reactions.

Clips of last week’s brawl between the Smoking Gunns and Heavenly Bodies on “Superstars.”

Heavenly Bodies vs. Paul Van Dale & Tony Roy

The Bodies attack their opponents from behind as the announcers speculate on Cornette’s whereabouts. The Bodies cut the ring in half to beat on Van Dale as we hear from the Smoking Gunns telling the Bodies they will get more than their wings clipped as part of a really bad promo. The Bodies humiliate Roy for a bit and hit a double flapjack as Gorilla keeps going on about Tatanka selling out, with DiBiase joking he got Tatanka out of a teepee and into a mansion. The Bodies stay in control until they put Roy away with a gutwrench bomb/moonsault combo (3:58).

Thoughts: Some talk of the Gunns/Bodies feud but more focus on Tatanka joining DiBiase with Gorilla whining about Tatanka selling out for cheap.

Another Live Event news segment.

Next week in action are Shawn Michaels & Diesel, Jim Neidhart, Smoking Gunns, and Lex Luger. Plus, an interview with Razor Ramon and more!

Final Thoughts: Not much to see here other than the expected return of Davey Boy Smith as a wrestler as he is now beside Bret to go up against Owen & Neidhart.