What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – December 19, 1993

All American Wrestling had a Vince McMahon interview with WWF President Jack Tunney where Tunney said he had not yet made a decision about Lex Luger’s Royal Rumble status. There was also a feature match for the first time in more than a month, which was filmed in Utica, New York on December 1. Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon provided commentary for it:

The Headshrinkers & Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Luna Vachon & Afa) defeat the Smoking Gunns & the 1-2-3 Kid when Bigelow pins the Kid after a powerslam at 6:12 shown:

Bigelow loves teaming with the Headshrinkers as this is the fourth time he has joined them for battle this year. The heels dominate 95% of the match, although there is a hot finish at the end when Bart gives a hot tag to the Kid, who gets a near-fall from a missile dropkick to Bigelow. Bigelow and the Kid are left when the ring clears out and the Kid manages to reverse a Samoan drop attempt by Bigelow into a facebuster. However, when he flies off the top rope Bigelow catches him with a powerslam and the Kid cannot kick out. Rating: **½

Ross and Monsoon resumed commentary duties for Wrestling Challenge, which started a new taping cycle in Springfield, Massachusetts. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, 4,000 fans attended but lots of free and discounted tickets were given out. The taping took place on November 30.

Opening Non-Title Match: Razor Ramon (Intercontinental Champion) (38-3-2) pins Ralph Mosca after a super backdrop suplex at 1:54:

The entrance setup is a lot like Madison Square Garden where the aisle is directly facing the hard camera. Ramon does an insert that he wants his gold back for Christmas. He wins with the super backdrop suplex so he can give Mosca the Razor’s Edge after the bell.

Non-Title Match: The Quebecers (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Johnny Polo) (11-3) beat Mark Thomas & Virgil when Pierre pins Thomas after the Boston Crab-flying leg drop off the second rope combination at 2:40:

The Quebecers do an insert about how no one is going to take their Tag Team titles. Monsoon tries to talk up the enhancement team, saying that Thomas is a talent worth keeping an eye on. Virgil does not do much in the match except throw a dropkick. Any chances of him breaking back into the lower midcard die with this match.

Adam Bomb (w/Harvey Wippleman) (31-0) beat Tom McNeany after a slingshot clothesline at 1:57:

Bomb inches closer to ending the year undefeated in singles competition. After winning he tosses McNeany over the top rope and McNeany comes close to decapitating himself on the bottom rope after he is tossed out of the ring.

The 1-2-3 Kid (19-6-3) defeats Bryan Walsh via submission to a Romero Special at 2:57:

Monsoon clowns Walsh’s look, saying he may have needed a note from his mother to compete on today’s show. He also says he looks like a young Bob Backlund. In a fun, short light heavyweight clash the Kid cuts off Walsh going to the top rope with a dropkick, superplexes him, and gets his first-ever win by submission by using a Romero Special.

Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Luna Vachon) (42-3-1) pins Tony Roy after a dropkick at 1:34:

Monsoon, who has been on fire with little tidbits today, says that there might be a Bigelow-Vachon wedding soon. Roy gets a lot of offense and flies onto Bigelow with a pescado after dropkicking Bigelow out of the ring. Inside, he botches a move off the ropes and Bigelow puts him away with a dropkick.

The Smoking Gunns (25-3) defeat Barry Hardy & the Brooklyn Brawler when Billy pins Hardy after the powerbomb-flying elbow drop combination at 3:41:

In the split screen, the Gunns say that they want a shot at the WWF Tag Team titles for Christmas. Ross and Monsoon talk about their holiday plans throughout the squash, which is the fifth time that the Brawler has lost to the Gunns this year.

Tune in next week to see the Steiner Brothers, Crush, and Jeff Jarrett in action! Also, there will be a special interview with Irwin R. Schyster!

The Last Word: This was just another squash-filled episode of Challenge that did not advance any storylines. The 1-2-3 Kid and Bam Bam Bigelow squashes were fun to watch, though.

Backstage News*: The recent edition of Monday Night RAW posted one of its best-ever ratings, scoring a 3.3. Lots of people are attributing this to fan interest in what was happening to Bobby Heenan based on how the December 6 episode ended.

-450 fans paid $75 each for a dinner with the Undertaker, Bret Hart, Lex Luger, and Randy Savage at the Paramount in New York City to benefit the Salvation Army on December 17. Reports were that the event was disorganized and some of the talent looked disinterested but fans got autographs and were happy with that.

-There is talk of taking the WWF Championship off Yokozuna at The Royal Rumble and turning him babyface like Kamala last year.

*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for December 20 and 27.

Up Next: Monday Night RAW for December 20!

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!