What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – October 17, 1993

The exclusive match for this week’s All American Wrestling broadcast took place in Portland, Maine on September 29. As usual, Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon were commentating:

Marty Jannetty (22-4-1) defeats Pat Tanaka (0-1) with a tombstone piledriver at 6:57:

These two are old rivals from their Rockers and Orient Express days, something that Ross and Monsoon ignore. Ross also mistakenly refers to Tanaka as Tatanka a few times. Tanaka blocks a Jannetty hurricanrana with a sit-out powerbomb but Jannetty does not lay his shoulders on the mat so referee Danny Davis does not count, robbing the maneuver of its effect. After some kicks, Tanaka catches Jannetty with his trademark flying forearm and another sit-out powerbomb for near-falls. Jannetty misses a flying clothesline and the two opt for one of their vintage finishes where Tanaka goes for a tombstone piledriver but Jannetty blocks it by shifting his weight and doing his own. Tanaka looked better here than he did against the 1-2-3 Kid a day earlier. This bout was still middling compared to past battles with Jannetty, though, as both men worked a slower pace. Tanaka was not signed after this aired and he would work in ECW for a while longer, feuding with Public Enemy. Rating: **

Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan commentated Wrestling Challenge, taped from Portland, Maine. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping occurred on September 29 and drew a heavily papered crowd of 3,000 fans.

Opening Contest: The Heavenly Bodies (w/Jim Cornette) (8-1) beat Tim McNeany & Ray Roy when Jimmy Del Ray pins McNeany after the moonsault at 3:01:

Roy was also known as Roy Raymond. In 1992 he worked for Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling as the Stormtrooper. This was his first WWF squash match.

The Bodies do their own backdrop combination move as Tom Prichard backdrops McNeany into a Del Ray superkick. The physics of it do not work as McNeany cannot rotate effectively in order to get back on his feet for Del Ray. After taking a double flapjack, McNeany is wiped out by Del Ray’s moonsault.

Doink the Clown (28-7-3) pins Chris Duffy after the flying butt splash at 2:36:

Before the match, Duffy kicks over the tricycle Doink rode to the ring. In response, Doink planchas onto him. After taking Duffy down and riding him amateur style, Doink slaps his opponent’s rear end several times. A piledriver and slam off the ropes set up the flying butt splash, a move that Ross doubts Bam Bam Bigelow can kick out of.

Diesel beats P.J. Walker (1-7) after a right hand at 2:47:

With Shawn Michaels out of the picture, Diesel has to try to make it as his own man. His theme music is a truck horn blasting. Diesel manhandles his smaller opponent but nothing he does generates a reaction. His best move is a side suplex. Diesel finishing with a right hand is underwhelming so he needs something better.

The Steiner Brothers (35-1) defeat Arn Armstrong & Ricky Rich when Scott pins Armstrong after the Steinerizer at 2:21:

Armstrong also went by Flex Armstrong because of his muscular look. He appeared in two squashes in 1992, losing tag team matches to Money Incorporated and the Legion of Doom.

Armstrong takes a bigger beating between the two jobbers as Scott enjoys suplexing him. Ross discusses how the Steiners will get return matches with the Quebecers at some point and those bouts will be under normal WWF rules.

Tune in next week to see Ludvig Borga, the Smoking Gunns, Mr. Perfect, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Tatanka in action! Also, WWF Tag Team Champions the Quebecers will be guests on the King’s Court!

The Last Word: Much of the content of this show was dedicated to what was shown elsewhere as the top of the program had most of the Razor Ramon-Rick Martel match from RAW. There was also a lengthy recap of Lex Luger’s interaction with Ludvig Borga on Monday night. At least this episode had Diesel’s singles debut, providing at least one talking point for a show that often lacked them.

The WWF continued its European tour during this week in its history. Here were the results of one of its shows in Germany, courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com:

Stuggart, Germany – Schleyerhalle – October 13, 1993: The 1-2-3 Kid beat Doink the Clown…Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon bear Irwin R. Schyster via count out…Bob Backlund defeated Papa Shango…The Headshrinkers defeated the Smoking Gunns…Mr. Perfect defeated Diesel via disqualification…The Undertaker beat Adam Bomb in a casket match…Lex Luger defeated Ludvig Borga.

Backstage News*: On Jim Ross’ Radio WWF program on October 16, Randy Savage attacked Hulk Hogan for his ego, lying about steroids on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1991, and playing a role in his divorce from Elizabeth. He also called Hogan a “three-time loser” for his failed film projects. It is believed that Ross got the green light from Vince McMahon for the controversial interview because there are rumors that Hogan will be meeting with WCW owner Ted Turner soon.

-The WWF’s recent international tour was a success. Both shows in Israel were sellouts and the German shows sold lots of tickets and merchandise. The only show did that not do as well was in Lisbon, Portugal.

-It was reported by Tokyo Sports, a daily Japanese newspaper, that the WWF will do a set of shows in Japan in April 1994. Vince McMahon said that this will not be in conjunction with another Japanese promotion but Japanese wrestlers will be used. The WWF is likely to book arenas for the shows that can seat 10,000-15,000 people.

-In talent relations news, Sabu will be given a tryout at the Monday Night RAW taping on October 18.

*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for October 25.

Up Next: WWF Monday Night RAW for October 18!

And if you would like to read a compiled breakdown of 1990-1992 WWF, 1993 ECW, or of various promotions in 1995, check out my Amazon author page to purchase e-books or paperback copies!