What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – April 12, 1992

Vince McMahon replaces Gorilla Monsoon on commentary, broadcasting the final episode from the Biloxi, Mississippi tapings with Bobby Heenan. According to McMahon, Monsoon is on vacation.

The recap of the major events of WrestleMania VIII airs.

Opening Contest: The British Bulldog (9-0) beats John Allen after the running powerslam at 1:22:

McMahon and Heenan spar over the status of the Ric Flair-Randy Savage feud. The Bulldog raises a boot on Allen’s blind charge, clotheslines him against the buckles, and goes to 10-0 after the running powerslam.

Jake Roberts’ defeat of Jim Powers from the March to WrestleMania VIII special is shown.

Tatanka’s squash from Prime Time Wrestling airs.

El Matador (11-1) beats Bob Morgan after El Paso Del Muerte at 1:44:

El Matador does a long headlock spot, knees Morgan in the gut, and notched another win over an enhancement talent to pad his win-loss record for the year.

Lord Alfred Hayes’ Special Report segment recaps the status of the Randy Savage-Ric Flair feud.

The Beverly Brothers (w/the Genius) (6-1) defeat Koko B. Ware & Ian Weston when Beau pins Weston after the Shaker Heights Spike at 2:00:

Ware spent 1991 in his role as an opening act and glorified enhancement talent, ending 1991 with an overall record of 6-11. His lone pay-per-view appearance was a loss to the debuting Mountie at The Royal Rumble. Ware disappeared from WWF television after September and spent time to this point working in Memphis.

The Beverly Brothers now have an instrumental theme song as they come to the ring. It was noted on Superstars that Ware had been teaming with Owen Hart and McMahon says during this match that he is coming back to the company. Ware teaming with an unknown jobber today illustrates that his position on the card remains low and augers poorly for where his team with Owen will end up. McMahon and Heenan talk about the Beverlys new feud with the Legion of Doom as they decimate Weston after Ware tags out.

A replay of a prisoner’s vignette against the Big Bossman airs.

Gene Okerlund interviews the Big Bossman. Okerlund asks about the individual who is gunning for him and the Bossman alleges that the person is just a number and is sick and dangerous. He promises that the individual will face hard time if he shows his face in the WWF.

Papa Shango (9-0) pins Scott Allen after the reverse shoulderbreaker at 1:34:

The WWF is trying to put Shango on the Undertaker’s level by incorporating crowd shots into his entrance and use of voodoo but the gimmick is not getting over in the same way. If Shango had a spookier entrance or an appropriate manager that might help. Shango beats Allen down, drops an elbow, and finishes with the reverse shoulderbreaker.

Repo Man (9-0) beats David Taylor after driving Taylor’s head into the apron at 1:55:

Heenan laughs about Repo taking possessions from a 77-year-old man on welfare to the point that the man had to live in a paper box in Cincinnati. Repo tosses his opponent over the top rope and then sneaks behind Taylor when he tries to re-enter the ring, trips him, and Taylor falls face-first into the apron. It is a unique finish for the era. We would learn decades later that the apron was the hardest part of the ring.

Tune in next week to see new Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart in action! Also, the Ultimate Warrior will appear for a special interview!

The Last Word: Like many episodes near the end of a taping cycle this did not feature much. Gorilla Monsoon’s presence was missed on commentary as Vince McMahon does not have the same chemistry with Bobby Heenan. Thankfully he returns next week.

The WWF began a European tour after WrestleMania. Here is a summary of those shows, courtesy the historyofwwe.com:

Milan, Italy – FilaForum – April 11, 1992 (10,000+): El Matador defeated Repo Man…Sergeant Slaughter (substituting for Crush) beat Colonel Mustafa via submission…The Legion of Doom (substituting for the Bushwhackers) defeated the Nasty Boys…The British Bulldog pinned Ric Flair…Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart beat Shawn Michaels…Hacksaw Jim Duggan pinned Dino Bravo (the match was originally booked as the Texas Tornado vs. the Barbarian)…WWF Champion Randy Savage pinned the Mountie (substituting for Jake Roberts).

Kiel, Germany – Ostseehalle – April 12, 1992 (7,000; sellout): Owen Hart pinned Skinner…The Big Bossman beat the Berzerker…Virgil pinned the Warlord…The Undertaker wrestled Sid Justice to a double count out…Rick Martel pinned the Texas Tornado…Tatanka beat Kato…WWF Tag Team Champions Money Incorporated defeated the Bushwhackers.

Backstage News*: The disappointing buyrate for this year’s WrestleMania which might come in as 25% less than last year could be chalked to several factors: the rising number of pay-per-views by the WWF and WCW; the show being priced $5 above other WWF pay-per-views ($29.95 vs. $24.95); the lack of buzz surrounding the Hulk Hogan-Sid Justice main event; and the steroid, drug, and sex scandals affecting the company. Scalpers of ringside tickets, who were getting $350 at past WrestleManias were lucky to get $40 this year.

-Prime Time Wrestling pulled a 2.6 rating, which was low for an episode the day after WrestleMania.

*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for April 20.

Up Next: Prime Time Wrestling for April 13!