In this WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/20/86 review, Randy Savage is in action, Andre the Giant dons a mask, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
- Show:Â WWF Wrestling Challenge
- Date:Â September 20, 1986
RINGSIDE: Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, and Johnny V are once again on commentary, and they preview the action.
The Hart Foundation (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The Islanders
Just for reference for those who weren’t watching in this era, Haku and Tama are the Islanders. Gorilla’s “mountain of misinformation” line is always hilarious, and this time around, he applies it to Jimmy Hart. Bret and Neidhart in control, as we get an inset promo from Jimmy, who calls the Islanders clowns and says he hates pineapples.
Action going on inside and outside of the ring, and the steel railing is down. Then it’s Tama flying over the top onto Neidhart, and the referee calls for the bell as these two teams continue to brawl. It’s the Islanders that get the better of the exchange. This was some nice storyline advancement to continue the theme of the loaded tag team division coming for the British Bulldogs. (NR)
VIDEO: Wrestlers’ Rebuttal time, and it’s highlights from Adrian Adonis wanting a debate with Roddy Piper on Piper’s Pit, only for Piper to pull his chair from under him.
Tony Garea vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth)
Garea, of course, was a WWF regular who also had a long career as a road agent. Savage isn’t playing around in this one, and neither is Superstar Billy Graham, who does his third inset promo in as many weeks to hype his return to the company. Savage destroys Garea and hits the flying elbow for the easy win. After the match, the replay shows referee Danny Davis giving Savage an assist before the match begins. (SQUASH)
BACKSTAGE: Ken Resnick with Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Jake runs down Ricky Steamboat and says he’ll treat him like he would a woman, and it’s an interesting comparison, to say the least. He also hypes the Snake Pit.
Al Navarro, Tiger Chung Lee, and JJ Jackson vs. The Machines (w/Captain Lou Albano)
Lord Alfred Hayes hasn’t a clue what Jackson’s name is, so he asks him before announcing it. Hilarious. They’ve been hyping The Machines coming to Wrestling Challenge for a few weeks, with the idea that Albano has built this legendary unit from overseas. In actuality, it’s very clear that Andre the Giant is under a mask posing as one of the Machines, which plays into the storyline of Bobby Heenan campaigning for Andre to be suspended.
So, we get an inset promo from Heenan who isn’t happy with Albano building this Machine stable, though there’s no reference to Andre. It’s the Andre chop from the apron that allows the Machines to earn the victory. A fun old school storyline right here. (SQUASH)
BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Koko B. Ware. Koko is jamming with the boombox on his shoulder, and Resnick starts dancing with him.
VIDEO: Commercial for the JLN WWF action figures, which included the best action figure ring ever. There’s also a commercial for the thumb wrestlers featuring The Iron Sheik. SHEIKY BABY HUMBLE YOUR THUMBS!
The Dream Team vs. Dick Slater and Leaping Lanny Poffo
Slater and Poffo is quite a pair. Mr. Fuji promo, and he essentially promises destruction for Slater. Johnny V isn’t happy with the babyfaces controlling the start of the match, so he leaves the broadcast booth to go to ringside. The action breaks down with all four in the ring, and that provides an opportunity for Valentine to use underhanded tactics to allow Beefcake to get the pin for the win. (*)
VIDEO: The Snake Pit featuring Paul Orndorff. The more I watch Orndorff’s work in the 80s (MID-SOUTH WRESTLING REVIEW), the more I appreciate him. He shows off his body and taunts Hulk Hogan. Heenan pumps Orndorff up, and Orndoff is gonna become champ.
Sika (w/The Wizard) vs. Rick Hunter
My guess is Sika is going to be hunting Rick. Honky Tonk Man promo and he promotes Memphis and his ’57 Cadillac. This is all Sika, as he tries to rip open Hunter’s mouth at one point before hitting the Samoan drop for the victory. (SQUASH)
VIDEO: The Rougeau Brothers are riding motorcycles, driving boats, and water skiing to the tune of some cheesy 80s music. This is glorious.
Terry Gibbs and Jack Foley vs. The Killer Bees
Yes, Jack Foley is indeed Mrs. Foley’s baby boy. Seeing Mick Foley on Wrestling Challenge in the mid-80s is fun, though Johnny V thinks he’s someone who hangs around the house and cuts the grass and walks the dog. He also thinks he looks like Dracula’s mother-in-law. Foley takes a beating in this match, and B. Brian Blair pins him for the win. (SQUASH)
BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Heenan. He pushes Mr. Wonderfulmania. It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as Hulkamania, but I see what Heenan is doing. Orndorff enters and once again states he’s gonna win the title.
BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE 9/20/86
Overall Rating: 6.0/10
Thoughts: Another solid episode, which includes several interesting tidbits with Andre wrestling under a mask, Mick Foley making an appearance, and more. The main storyline theme was Orndorff chasing Hogan for the title, and Orndorff and Heenan were great in their respective roles.
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