WWF Wrestling Challenge – September 9th, 1990
By Brian Bayless on 10th November 2017
September 9, 1990
From the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, MA
Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan
In action this week are Legion of Doom, Sgt. Slaughter, Jim Duggan, Rick Rude, and The Bushwhackers
Legion of Doom vs. Duane Gill & Barry Hardy
The LoD destory their opponents as Demolition is shown in an insert promo blaming them for losing the Tag Team Titles. Gill is now getting beat down then he is put out of his misery with a Doomsday Device (1:33).
Thoughts: Another dominating squash win for the LoD as their feud with Demolition heats up.
WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This was the same thing we saw from “Supertstars of Wrestling” that showed Ted DiBiase was behind the gifts Sapphire had been receiving.
“Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Sonny Blaze
Rude is back to his gimmick for being the sexiest man alive. He beats on Blaze and hits a slam then we hear from the Big Bossman, once again warning Heenan about making fun of his mother, then Rude hits the Rude Awakening for the win (1:14). After the match, Rude gives a woman the Rude Awakening.
Thoughts: Rude is back to giving Rude Awakenings to women now since his program with Warrior has finished. And cements him as a midcarder too since his run with Warrior bombed.
The ad to see WWF live events airs.
Tito Santana vs. Bob Bradley
Heenan is back on commentary bragging about Rude then Vince lets him know about Bossman’s comments. Tito works over Bradley, who retreats to the corner. Heenan makes more jokes about Bossman’s mother then Bradley hammers away. Tito fights back and runs wild as he knocks Bradley outside. He slingshots Bradley back inside and follows with a dropkick before going back to the arm. Bradley fights back but misses an elbow in the corner then soon after that Tito puts him away with a flying forearm (3:28).
Thoughts: Really just a backdrop for Heenan to crack jokes about Bossman’s mother. Tito has been looking great in the ring for most of the year but is not part of any plans with the company.
Clips of Slaughter/Volkoff from last week’s show were Volkoff came out and knocked Slaughter off of the platform then waived the American flag.
Sgt. Slaughter vs. Jim Powers
We see Slaughter in an insert promo telling Volkoff he will pay for what he did last week and that’s an order. He beats on Powers in the corner then takes him down with a clothesline. Slaughter stays on the attack as the crowd starts up a mild “Gomer” chant. Slaughter then drops Powers on the ropes and puts him away with a noogie (2:53).
Thoughts: Even with the vignettes, Slaughter is just not over here in his first taping cycle back with the company. Feuding with Volkoff will cause that though.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. “Pistol” Pez Whatley
Heenan tells us that the difference between a garbage disposal and Bossman’s mother is that Bossman’s mom can chew food faster and more of it as Vince warns Heenan he is going to be in trouble. Duggan beats on Whatley then puts him away with the Three Point Stance (1:49).
Thoughts: Just more jokes about Bossman’s mom from Heenan as Duggan does not have much going on at all right now.
Gene Okerlund welcomes “The Model” Rick Martel to the interview platform. Okerlund asks Martel about his Arrogance cologne as Martel says its the fragrance of the 90’s. Okerlund asks for a whiff and says it smells different then Martel talks about his time in France as he admires the models and fashions, unlike what we see in the U.S. Martel pulls out his binoculars. Martel is still hurt but they are keeping him fresh by sticking him in interview segments so they clearly have something in the works.
Black Bart & Dick Woody vs. The Bushwhackers
The Orient Express & Mr. Fuji are shown in an insert promo promising to inflict pain on The Bushwhackers. Bart hammers away on Butch, who fights back. The Bushwhackers take Bart outside with a double clothesline then do the same to Woody. Bart returns and attacks Luke from behind but tags out after Luke fought back then Woody is beat down until he’s put away with a double gutbuster (2:53).
Thoughts: More hype of the eventual Bushwhackers vs. Orient Express match. And Dick Woody is up there as one of the all-time great jobber names.
Dino Bravo vs. “Jumping” Jim Brunzell
Bravo beats on Brunzell to start but misses a charge in the corner. Brunzell hits a dropkick then works the leg but is kicked outside then we hear from Tugboat in an insert promo as he warns Bravo & Earthquake that he is back. Bravo beats on Brunzell then breaks up a sleeper with a jawbreaker before hitting a side slam for the win (1:59). After the match, Earthquake splashes Brunzell twice then tips over the stretcher before leaving.
Thoughts: My copy didnt show it but on commentary Vince said Brunzell was wearing a Hogan shirt on his way to the ring and that caused Bravo to go nuts.
In action next week are Akeem, The Earthquake, Jake Roberts, Demolition, and the Texas Tornado.
Final Thoughts: The main focus of this show was on commentary where Heenan spent the entire show cracking jokes about the Big Bossman’s mother. In fact, every show that Heenan hosted revolved around him making jokes as you know that is going to be a major feud going forward.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 3/17/83
Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/15/90
Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/16/90
Tuesday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 9/17/90
Wednesday: wXw World Tag Team League 2017, Night Two
Thursday: Highspots Ask The Elite 11/13/17
Friday: WWF Madison Square Garden 9/21/90