WWF Wrestling Challenge – April 29th, 1990
By Brian Bayless on 22nd August 2017
April 29, 1990
From the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse, NY
Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, who are together on this show for the first time since the episode.
In action this week are Dusty Rhodes, Mr. Perfect, Rhythm & Blues, Barbarian, and The Rockers. Plus, an interview with Jake Roberts and more!
Dusty Rhodes w/ Sapphire vs. Mike Williams
We hear from Dusty with Sapphire in an insert promo as he tells Macho King Randy Savage that he stepped over the line. Dusty beats on his opponent until putting him away with the Bionic elbow drop (1:57). After the match, Dusty and Sapphire dance as Heenan makes fun of them.
Thoughts: More hype for the Dusty/Savage feud with Heenan poking fun at Sapphire throughout the match.
WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This is on the Colossal Connection losing the Tag Team Titles to Demolition at WrestleMania VI and the aftermath with Heenan slapping Andre the Giant, who responded by beating up both Heenan & Haku before leaving. We then see Heenan tell Andre when he crawls back to the family he will get slapped again.
Mario Mancini vs. Mr. Perfect
The Genius is not present here. Perfect slaps Mancini then we hear him in an insert promo telling us he is on his way to becoming the next Intercontinental Champion. Mancini tries to fight back but Perfect takes him down and works the leg until putting him away with the Perfect Plex (2:56).
Thoughts: They put over Mr. Perfect strongly as one of the favorites in the IC Title Tournament.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Dale Wolfe
Duggan fights back after a sneak attack then beats on Wolfe on the outside. Back inside, Duggan stays in control until putting Wolfe away with the Three Point Stance (2:27).
Thoughts: An easy win for Duggan who is still being groomed for a future match against Earthquake.
Rhythm & Blues defeat Mark Frear & George Skaaland in a match first shown on the 4/23 edition of “Prime Time Wrestling.”
Gene Okerlund welcomes Jake Roberts to the interview platform. We first see the replay of last week where Bad News Brown was given a present that contained a rubber snake that frightened him. Jake apologizes to Okerlund for putting him in harms way then calls out Bad News to come and face him man-to-man then asks what is he afraid of: the DDT or Damien and promises he will see both of them soon. They are going all in with the Bad News/Jake feud. It did appear Martel would be feuding with Jake after Martel was telling us how bad Jake and Damien smelled but that is now on the backburner.
The Barbarian defeats Jim McPherson in a match first shown on the 4/23 edition of “Prime Time Wrestling.”
An ad for us to order WrestleMania VII tickers airs.
The Rockers vs. Paul Diamond & Sonny Austin
Shawn and Diamond work a fast-paced reversal sequence to start. The Rockers clear the ring then it settles down. We hear from Mr. Fuji & Orient Express in an insert promo as Fuji warns The Rockers never to cross him again because things will get “salty.” The Rockers beat on Austin for a bit then put him away with a double flying fist drop (3:46).
Thoughts: The sequences with the Rockers and Diamond were really good. Diamond had supposedly signed at the time too and would actually appear on the next MSG card.
The promo with Rick Rude in the gym hitting a speedbag that has Warrior’s face as he tells Warrior he is prepared and will beat him for another title.
Paul Roma vs. “Playboy” Buddy Rose
The announcers are shitting all over Rose for his physique. Heenan tells us that Roma is a half-step away from becoming championship material but needs someone to do his thinking for him. Roma starts off by working the arm but gets thumbed in the eye. Roma fights back and hits a backdrop before putting Rose away with a powerslam (2:19).
Thoughts: They’ve given Roma another win on TV now as it appears they think of him more than just enhancement talent. Poor Rose though as the announcers just eviscerated him on commentary, even his former manager Heenan.
Next week in action are Tito Santana, Earthquake, Big Bossman, and the featured match of Hart Foundation vs. The Bolsheviks in a WrestleMania VI rematch. The show closes with the Ultimate Warrior cutting a promo hyping up his title match against Haku at “Saturday Night’s Main Event.”
Final Thoughts: There was nothing much to this show different than what happened on Superstars. They are putting over some of the IC Title Tournament contenders and really pushing the Bad News/Jake program as that will be one of the top TV feuds going forward.