What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – August 30, 1992

According to the Blog dashboard, this is my 1,000th column. Thanks to all of those who have been reading my work over the last 12 years here and I hope to continue to write more in the future!

Like Superstars, there is a recap of Randy Savage & the Ultimate Warrior facing the Nasty Boys on SummerSlam Spectacular. The only difference is Gorilla Monsoon narrates instead of Vince McMahon.

Monsoon and Bobby Heenan provide commentary for the new taping in Nashville, Tennessee, the same site as the SummerSlam Spectacular show last week.

Opening Contest: Ric Flair (w/Mr. Perfect) (9-1) defeats Jerry Jackson via submission to the figure-four leglock at 2:50:

Jackson was also known to WWF fans as enhancement talent Gary Jackson. He began his career in 1984 and started doing enhancement matches for the WWF in 1986. He also filled that role for Central States Wrestling, WCW, the USWA, and NWA St. Louis.

Some college-aged young men are big fans of Flair, cheering him on facing the hard camera. Flair leans into the greater Southern crowd support by cutting Jackson down with chops and pulling the ropes after winning with the figure-four. Monsoon says that Flair intends to challenge the winner of the Randy Savage-Ultimate Warrior bout after SummerSlam. This win gives Flair a unique WWF weekly sweep as he won matches for the week on Prime Time, Superstars, and Wrestling Challenge.

There is a replay of the Ultimate Warrior and WWF Champion Randy Savage’s taped promos from Superstars.

Crush (11-0) beats the Brooklyn Brawler (1-13) via submission to the head vice at 2:18:

Repo Man does an insert promo about how he is going to sneak behind Crush at SummerSlam and repossess his career. The Brawler spends the squash running from Crush, especially after Crush does not sell the Brawler pushing him into the ring post and some of his clotheslines. Crush notches an easy win – his second over the Brawler this year – in a squash that many fans facing the hard camera appreciate.

The Beverly Brothers (w/the Genius) (19-2) beat Ken Wayne & Burt Stiles when Beau pins Stiles after the Shaker Heights Spike at 2:41:

The Beverlys do a new move where Beau hands Wayne off to Blake on the second rope and Blake powerslams Wayne from that position. In the split screen, the Beverlys and the Genius tell WWF Tag Team Champions the Natural Disasters that they are going to beat them and become the new champions. There is a sloppy spot where Blake dumps Stiles into the corner and Stiles nearly falls out of the ring and following that the Beverlys quickly finish. Heenan admits that the Beverlys are going to need to find a different move to beat the Disasters because they will not be able to do the Shaker Heights Spike to Earthquake or Typhoon.

The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) (22-0) pins Barry Horowitz after the Tombstone at 1:55:

Horowitz attacks the Undertaker from behind but that just leads to him getting choked in the corner. The Undertaker and Bearer do an insert promo telling Kamala that time is running out for him to have to look at the Undertaker. In a nice touch, the Undertaker rolls his eyes in the back of his head to make that line memorable. After the bell, the Undertaker and Bearer stuff Horowitz in a body bag.

Gene Okerlund does the SummerSlam Report. Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect tell the audience that they will soon learn why their lives are perfect. Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart says he is feeling the pressure of his match against the British Bulldog, his family, and Papa Shango’s curse but he says he will overcome it all.

The Legion of Doom (w/Paul Ellering) (14-1) defeat Bob Bradley & Mike Sharpe when Hawk pins Bradley after the Doomsday Device at 2:46:

The Legion have not appeared in a televised match in more than a month. As the Legion beatdown their opponents, Money Incorporated and Jimmy Hart promise that their victory over the Legion will be “short, sweet, and extremely painful.” Rocco chants “LOD” in unison with the crowd as the Legion roll through an all-star jobber squad.

Heenan reminds Monsoon that neither Randy Savage nor the Ultimate Warrior have denied talking with Mr. Perfect.

The Last Word: Like Superstars this was a vehicle to solicit late buys for SummerSlam without doing anything new. What was interesting is that SummerSlam took place the night before but in a pre-Internet era that was not a big deal.

Up Next: SummerSlam ’92!