WWF Wrestling Challenge – October 30th, 1994

`October 30, 1994

From the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase

Doink w/ Dink & Wink & Pink vs. Tony DeVito

The midgets play leapfrog in the aisle. They all chase DeVito out of the ring then run around the ring as the announcers talk about Lawler’s midgets he has to counter these three. Doink grabs a side headlock then switches to an armbar. The midgets run in and step on top of DeVito and dance around as the crowd appears to be sitting on their hands. Doink stays in control and hits a dropkick as the midgets are bouncing around on the ropes. Doink then heads up top and hits the Whoopie Cushion for the win (2:44).

Thoughts: Lots of hype for the Doink/Lawler feud which seems a given to end up being a match on the Survivor Series.

WWF Live Event News with Charlie Minn. He hypes the Holiday Wish tour and the 11/26 show at Madison Square Garden. Proceeds go to charity but I couldn’t understand which charitty it was for because this chap is unable to speak in a clear manner. Matches include: The Bushwhackers vs. Well Dunn, Mabel vs. Pierre, British Bulldog vs. King Kong Bundy, Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental Title, Shawn Michaels & Diesel vs. The Headshrinkers for the Tag Team Titles, Undertaker vs. IRS, and Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund for the World Title. Not exactly the most star-studded MSG lineup but that show will be reviewed in full and we will see what happened.

Ted DiBiase w/ King Kong Bundy vs. Aaron Ferguson

Gorilla wonders how DiBiase can handle the egos of The Corporation members. Bundy stomps Ferguson that yells who wants to be next. Bundy lands more stomps as Gorilla mentions that DiBiase is hoping Bundy brings him some gold then Bundy hits the avalanche for the win after a five count (1:46).

Thoughts: They seem to be trying to tease some dissension within The Corporation due to saying Bundy is getting preferential from DiBiase. However, that seems to be more on Challenge when Gorilla is left alone on commentary when DiBiase is at ringside.

Survivor Series Report airs.

Bob Backlund vs. Russ Greenberg

Greenberg is absolutely shredded here, even by his standards. And remember, non-contracted talent were not subjected to drug testing at this point. We get a chant for Bret as Backlund is pissed. Backlund dances around then offers a handshake but Greenberg refuses. Gorilla is handed a note from Charlie Minn that reads Backlund has demanded his match at the Survivor Series be a Submission Match. Backlund uses a fireman’s carry takeover on Greenberg as Gorilla rants about Bret not having to accept this stipulation. Backlund grounds Greenberg then we see a random fan in the crowd wearing a Bob Backlund champion t-shirt. Backlund avoids an attack from Greenberg then puts on the crossface chicken wing for the win (2:59). Backlund keeps the hold on after the bell then finally breaks and dances around.

Thoughts: The new twist they are pushing in the Bret/Backlund storyline is that Backlund is demanding a submission match at the Survivor Series. Backlund remains phenomenal in his role.

The announcers are talking about the stipulation issued by Backlund as Gorilla whines about Backlund being lucky the championship committee even allowed him a shot. Why even say that when Bret himself went on TV to say he was personally clearing off all challengers to give Backlund another chance?

Later on in the show we will see Lex Luger and The Bushwhackers in action. Plus, an interview with Yokozuna, Jim Cornette, and Mr. Fuji.

The Bushwhackers vs. Kerry Davis & Reno Riggins

Riggins hammers away on Luke in the corner then avoids a splash in the corner. Gorilla makes some joke about Bundy riding in the back of a Ford Tempo with DiBiase as The Bushwhackers now work over Riggins. Davis tags in and collides with his partner after an Irish whip sequence. The Bushwhackers march around after clearing the ring as DiBiase says his team will destroy Guts & Glory at Survivor Series. Davis goes after Butch but gets attacked then soon after that the Bushwhackers use the battering ram for the win (3:25).

Thoughts: They are so short on talent that The Bushwhackers are trotted out on a semi-weekly basis to kill time so the announcers can put over other happenings in the company.

An ad hyping the Shawn Michaels & Diesel vs. Razor Ramon & 1-2-3 Kid Tag Team Title match for Action Zone.

Raymond Rougeau welcomes Yokozuna, Jim Cornette, and Mr. Fuji to the ring. This is billed as taking place during the Hart Attack tour but likely at a TV taping. Yokozuna continues to freak out at the mention of the word “casket.” Cornette says there is a huge difference of a slight phobia and a full blown fear. He claims Yokozuna has claustrophobia and just like the Royal Rumble will single-handedly defeat Undertaker. Rougeau calls out Cornette for that claim but Cornette said Yokozuna’s friends just came out for a close look to see Yokozuna put away Undertaker inside of the casket. Rogueau brings up Chuck Norris as the special referee as Cornette says this is to stack the deck against Yokozuna and that Norris does not scare Yokozuna despite being a martial arts expert who has to register his hands as a lethal weapon. Cornette then goes on about Yokozuna winning at the Survivor Series. Cornette tries and had a few decent lines but again, this is the same exact feud and storyline we saw to the build of the Royal Rumble. And Yokozuna has been deteriorating as a worker at a rapid pace of late.

Kwang w/ Harvey Whippleman vs. Storm

The announcers talk about Chuck Norris being involved at the Survivor Series. Kwang fights off an attack and lands a hook kick before spitting his mist into the air. Kwang stays in control then lands a spinning heel kick for the win (1:33).

Thoughts: Good timing to have the announcers discuss Norris during a Kwang match. Kwang, however, is not involved in any sort of program at the moment and he has been phased even further down the card since Adam Bomb split from Whippleman.

The IRS cemetery promo airs.

Lex Luger vs. The Executioner

Luger backs The Executioner into the corner then we see Tatanka in an insert being interviewed by DiBiase. Tatanka talks about Christopher Columbus being an immigrant who came to his land, just like Luger, and that he will pay the price. Can’t be too mad about a guy whose ancestors were destroyed by an explorer. The Executioner hits Luger in the gut then lands a few shots. Luger fights back and hits a vertical suplex as the announcers talk about Luger. We now see Luger use a powerslam then pumps up the crowd before the Rebel Rack gets the win (3:03).

Thoughts: This crowd was really pumped for Luger but his feud against Tatanka keeps stumbling along despite loads of TV hype.

Another Live Event News segment for the Holiday Wish Tour.

Next week in action are the 1-2-3 Kid, Jerry Lawler, and Adam Bomb & Mabel. The show ends with some Halloween jokes that were much better than the rest of the banter between the hosts have been today.

Final Thoughts: The exclusive segment was an interview for a recycled feud and the rest were boring matches along with subpar commentary. Gorilla is just a relic of the past at this point and quite frankly has been for over a year. He just spouts off his dated cliches and screams but DiBiase is nowhere near as abrasive as a heel commentator so it all comes off poorly. Anyway, with Action Zone being pushed, Challenge is now just slightly above “Mania” in the pecking order.