In this WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/25/86 review, Ricky Steamboat takes aim at Randy Savage, Kamala is ready to squash the competition, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
- Show: WWF Wrestling Challenge
- Date: October 25, 1986
RINGSIDE: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan hype the matches, and Heenan has a surprise for Hillbilly Jim on this episode.
Mike Kelly and Nick Kiniski vs. Bob Orton Jr. and Magnificent Muraco
Once again, Kelly is the future Shane Douglas. Orton and Muraco have stolen Paul Orndorff’s gimmick of mocking their rival’s entrance, as they come out to Roddy Piper’s bagpipes. Old school heels are the best heels. Inset promo from Mike Rotunda, who thanks the fans for supporting the U.S. Express with Danny Spivey on the sidelines with an injury. Muraco hits the Tombstone piledriver on Kelly for the easy win. Bearded badass Muraco was pretty awesome here. (SQUASH)
VIDEO: Wrestlers’ Rebuttal with “King” Harley Race and Heenan. They want Harley’s royalty appreciated by the fans.
Al Navarro vs. Hillbilly Jim
The crowd loves Hillbilly, and Heenan notes he has special footage of Hillbilly’s fan club. It’s a bunch of pigs running around. CLASSIC. As always, Gorilla notes that Danny Davis is the referee to continue to push his heel tendencies. Hillbilly dominates and locks in the bearhug for the victory. After the match, Hillbilly celebrates and kisses a WWF Magazine cover with Elizabeth on it. Slow down there, Hillbilly! (SQUASH)
BACKSTAGE: Ken Resnick with Jake “The Snake” Roberts. He’s not afraid of anyone in the WWF and that includes George Steele, Tito Santana, Koko B. Ware, and more. He’s also interested in the Intercontinental title.
Butch Reed (w/Slick) vs. Don Driggers
Inset promo from The Junkyard Dog and he wants to take a bit out of Reed. Had to look up Driggers’ name since you can’t hear it announced. As you would expect, this was all about showcasing Reed’s power, and he controls the match from start to finish to score the win. (SQUASH)
BACKSTAGE: Resnick with The Honky Tonk Man. It’s still strange to see him cut a babyface promo in the WWF. Resnick wants to know his favorite song, and it’s future WWE pay-per-view Great Balls of Fire.
VIDEO: The Machines are at a car dealership trying to buy a compact car. The salesperson wants $25,000 and watching Big Machine try to fit into the car is hilarious. These guys were all-in on this gimmick.
Dino Bravo (w/Johnny V) vs. Sivi Afi
Our first look at Bravo in his return to the WWF, and he still has the brown hair at this point. V hypes Bravo in an inset promo and says he’s headed to the top. Bravo uses his power for a few near falls, then he hits a big back suplex to earn the victory. (SQUASH)
RINGSIDE: The Snake Pit with Jake Roberts, and this week’s guest is The Honky Tonk Man. Jake takes a shot at Elvis and says he’s always been an innovator and not an imitator. Great line there. He thinks Honky should get with the times and they exchange verbal jabs.
Moondog Spot and Jimmy Jack Funk vs. The Killer Bees
Heenan pontificates on why the Bees wear masks only to remove them once the match starts. Good point from The Brain. Here’s an inset promo you didn’t think get: Dave Hebner. He thinks Davis should be up for review due to his referee tactics. It sounds like there’s a “boring” chant from a small part of the crowd, but maybe they’re buzzing like bees. The action eventually breaks down, and the double slingshot leads to the double team finisher by the Bees for the win. (*)
BACKSTAGE: Ricky Steamboat doesn’t mess with drugs. That’s the promo.
VIDEO: Highlights from Kamala on Tuesday Night Titans in 1984. Freddie Blassie explains his uniqueness as Kamala wants to eat a caged chicken. Vince McMahon begs for him to not do that on his show.
Tony Nardo vs. Kamala (w/The Wizard and Kim Chee)
There’s a fan who is just mesmerized by Kamala as he walks down the aisle for his entrance. That’s what you want. Kamala just destroys poor Nardo and chops and chokes him. Nardo tries for some offense, but Kamala counters with a big boot and splash for the victory. This is how you do a squash match. (SQUASH)
BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Steamboat. He reminds everyone he defeated Jake on Saturday Night’s Main Event (REVIEW) and wants a shot at Randy Savage and the Intercontinental title. Steele pops up from behind them when Steamboat says Elizabeth’s name. He thinks Steamboat can beat Savage.
RINGSIDE: Gorilla announces Savage will defend the Intercontinental title next week against Billy Jack Haynes, with Hulk Hogan also advertised.
BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE 10/25/86
Best Match: Kamala vs. Tony Nardo (an elite squash)
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Thoughts: Another fine episode of Wrestling Challenge. All of the squashes were somewhat entertaining, though Kamala’s performance topped the list. There was also solid storyline advancement with Steamboat setting his sights on Savage.
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