What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – July 28, 1991

Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, and Jim Neidhart are calling today’s action, kicking off a new television taping from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on July 8 and drew a crowd of 13,500.

The Dragon’s squash from Prime Time Wrestling starts the show.

Lord Alfred Hayes’ Special Report replays the Sergeant Slaughter, Colonel Mustafa, and General Adnan promo from Superstars about Sid Justice’s future in the WWF.

Irwin R. Schyster (8-0) pins Bobby Jones after the Write Off at 1:15:

Jones gets a quick hop spot by slipping over Schyster and schoolboying him for one but that leads nowhere as Schyster refocuses and quickly finishes Jones with the Write Off.

Sean Mooney provides SummerSlam promos via the Event Center. Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect and Coach say the Bret Hart was a great tag team wrestler but he is out of his element as a single. Bret rebuts that he and Perfect share the same attributes but he is a better wrestler, which is why he is going to become the new Intercontinental titleholder.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s squash from Prime Time Wrestling airs.

More SummerSlam promos with Mooney! The Natural Disasters and Jimmy Hart promise that there will not be anything left of the Bushwhackers when they are done with them at SummerSlam. Virgil says he does not want to win the Million Dollar Belt for money, but for the satisfaction of beating Ted DiBiase.

Non-Title Match: The Nasty Boys (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Jimmy Hart) (15-2) defeat Stan Saxon & Brian Jewels when Jerry Sags pins Saxon after a Brian Knobbs running powerslam at 3:24:

A funny bit in the match sees the Nasties toss Jewels in and out of the ring between them several times. The Legion of Doom appear in the split screen and criticize the Nasties for setting a bad example for children, promising to win the tag team titles when they get a shot at them. Saxon takes the Pit Stop and the Nasties big moves as the champions build toward an expected title defense at SummerSlam. The Nasties must have botched the Trip to Nastyville finish as the camera cuts from the powerslam to Sags walking into the ring and pinning Saxon with one foot.

Jake Roberts’ appearance on the Funeral Parlor on Superstars is shown.

Okerlund does the SummerSlam Report.

The Big Bossman (24-0-1) pins Sam Steel after the Bossman Slam in 51 seconds:

The Mountie and Jimmy Hart do a split screen promo, insisting that the Bossman will be going to jail at SummerSlam. The Bossman rolls to an easy win and handcuffs Steel to the middle rope afterward. Monsoon wonders if the SummerSlam contract can be amended to Hart having to spend a night in jail if the Mountie loses.

Bret Hart puts over how the WWF ice cream bars are excellent.

The Beverly Brothers (w/Coach) (6-0) beat Jeff Wheeler & Randy Thatcher when Beau pins Thatcher after an elevated mat slam at 3:10:

Wheeler was a trainee of Ross and Smith Hart, breaking into the business in 1986 and wrestling for Stampede. He also wrestled for Japan’s SWS promotion in 1990.

The squash moves slowly as the Beverlys take a while to lockup. Monsoon is angered by the Coach’s whistle, which goes into overdrive during the squash. The Beverlys finish Thatcher after he misses a dropkick.

A final round of SummerSlam promos with Mooney! Irwin R. Schyster tells Greg Valentine that there will be no loophole to save him in Madison Square Garden. The Big Bossman promises to prove to the Mountie that he is the law and order in the WWF.

Tune in next week to see the British Bulldog, Ted DiBiase, the Bushwhackers, and Colonel Mustafa in action! Also, there will be a special interview with Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior!

The Last Word: This is another throwaway episode of Wrestling Challenge that had nearly half of its content consisting of replays of matches and events on Prime Time and Superstars.

Here were the results of the WWF’s house shows to round out July, courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com:

San Diego, California – The San Diego Sports Arena – July 25, 1991 (8,000; 5,500 paid): Irwin R. Schyster beat Koko B. Ware with the Flair pin…Marty Jannetty & Jim Powers (substituting for Shawn Michaels) beat the Orient Express…The Texas Tornado (substituting for Jake Roberts) (w/Andre the Giant) pinned Earthquake after hitting Earthquake with Andre’s crutch…The Ultimate Warrior beat the Undertaker via disqualification when the Undertaker used the urn as a weapon…The British Bulldog beat Typhoon (substituting for Mr. Perfect) via count out…Smash pinned Jim Powers…The Bushwhackers defeated Power & Glory after heel miscommunication.

Las Vegas, Nevada – Thomas & Mack Center – July 26, 1991 (5,000; Heavily Papered): The Dragon defeated Haku…Hacksaw Jim Duggan defeated Colonel Mustafa via count out…The Bushwhackers beat Power & Glory…The Ultimate Warrior defeated the Undertaker via disqualification…The Berzerker beat Jimmy Snuka…Marty Jannetty & Jim Powers (substituting for Shawn Michaels) defeated the Orient Express…Greg Valentine (substituting for Jake Roberts) pinned Earthquake after Andre the Giant interfered.

Denver, Colorado – The Denver Coliseum – July 27, 1991 (7,400 paid): The Dragon beat Haku…The Texas Tornado defeated Smash (substituting for the Warlord)…The Bushwhackers beat the Orient Express…Colonel Mustafa defeated Shane Douglas…The British Bulldog defeated Typhoon (substituting for Mr. Perfect) via count out…The Legion of Doom & the Big Bossman defeated the Nasty Boys & the Mountie…WWF Champion Hulk Hogan beat Sergeant Slaughter in a match where Randy Savage was the guest referee.

Backstage News*: There is growing paranoia within the WWF’s executive ranks over steroids as J.J. Dillon has told wrestlers not to carry steroids through airports in case they get searched. Talent has also been told to stop taking steroids by August 14. However, WBF talent has not been informed about a steroid policy and people in the bodybuilding world are souring on the project since results are predetermined.

*A rumor is floating around the company that Ric Flair will make an appearance at SummerSlam with the NWA World Championship Belt and challenge Hulk Hogan to a title vs. title match. That match, if it happens, will have to take place after September 1, though, as Flair is still under contract with WCW until that time.

*Sergeant Slaughter’s heel run will probably end after SummerSlam as the WWF is making merchandise for him.

*In talent relations news, Big Bully Busick was given a tryout at the July 29 Superstars taping and was managed by Downtown Bruno. It went well and both will get jobs, especially Bruno because he and Sid are friends. Vic Steamboat, the younger brother of Ricky Steamboat, was given a tryout as Jesse Bolt but it did not go well.

*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for August 5.

Up Next: Prime Time Wrestling for July 29!