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WWF Wrestling Challenge May 31st, 1987

May 31, 1987

From the Sports Arena in San Diego, CA

Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

In action tonight will be Koko B. Ware, One Man Gang, Demolition, and Ken Patera. Plus, another update on the status of Superstar Billy Graham and more.





Dusty Wolfe vs. Koko B. Ware

Heenan tells us that Frankie's nose looks just like Bruno Sammartino's as Koko takes comtrol of the match. He hits a dropkick and a hip toss as Gorilla reminds Heenan that Patera will be appearing tonight. Wolfe lands a few shots but Koko blocks a sunset flip attempt then hits a missile dropkick before putting Wolfe away with the Ghostbuster (2:35).

Thoughts: Not a whole lot to this other than a backdrop for Gorilla and Heenan to talk about the top happenings in the WWF.



Mario Mancini vs. One Man Gang w/ Slick

Gang immediately attacks Mancini and chokes him out with his vest. He continues his assault as we get an insert promo from Gang and Slick, who tells us he is ecstatic to have Gang, who says he will cripple everyone on his way to the top. Gang then sits on the top rope and uses his weight to drive Mancini's face into the mat then puts him away with an elbow drop from the middle rope (2:03).

Thoughts: Dominant performance from Gang, who is getting pushed strong a few weeks after his debut.



Gene Okerlund is with George Steele, who does his usual routine. It was fine as it was all good-hearted stuff and the two had solid chemistry to make these pieces work.



Clips from the Patera/Heenan Family feud are shown.



Tim Patterson vs. Ken Patera

Patera points at Heenan in the booth before the match, which got the crowd going. Patera tosses Patterson then taunts Heenan. We get an insert promo from Patera in which he proclaims the whole Heenan Family will fall. Patterson flexes and attempts to engage in a test of strength but loses that as Patera continues to point at Heenan, who threatens to leave. Back to the match as Patterson lands a few shots but Patera fights back and it looks awful but Heenan sells it like Patera is a madman. Patera then puts Patterson away with a bearhug (2:42).

Thoughts: The crowd was into Patera pointing at Heenan for a little bit but did not seem to be into him all that much. The crowd likely would have been into anyone threatening Heenan at this point. Patera was just not in ring shape her either and most of what he did looked terrible.



Okerlund is with the Fabulous Moolah. He puts her over as the longest reigning champ then asks her about the top contenders as she names off several of the ladies who wrestled at this time. Okerlund then questions Moolah about the rumor she will be retiring but Moolah proclaims that false and says there is no one worthy enough to take the title from here. They are once again trying to reestablish the Women's Division with the story that everyone was going to be gunning for Moolah.



Billy Graham is with Craig DeGeorge as they are shown walking. Graham falls while on crutches but is determined to get back up and climb the mountain all by himself.



Bill Anderson & Jerry Allen vs. Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji

Smash destroys Anderson as we get an insert promo from Fuji and Demolition who promise to inflict pain until they capture the titles. Allen tags and lands a kick but gets his ass kicked after that. He comes back with a kick then tags out as Anderson lands several shots on Ax with minimal effect until he gets whipped into the corner then Demolition gets the win with the Decapitation (2:39).

Thoughts: Another strong showing from Demolition. They were really an impressive team once Darsow joined.



DeGeorge is with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake as he promises to turn the New Dream Team into a nightmare and threatens to shave off their hair. He then teases DeGeorge with the clippers as the segment ends.



Killer Bees vs. Jimmy Jack Funk & The Raider

Brunzell gets the best of Funk to start as the Bees start off the match in control. They then hit just about the lamest double-team move I've ever seen when Brunzell leap-frogged Funk, who got caught in a small package by Blair. The Bees are still in control as this is lasting much longer than necessary as Heenan makes convict jokes and references about Patera. Heenan is just great on commentary for this match by the way. The match finally ends when Brunzell puts the Raider away with a dropkick (4:42).

Thoughts: This went on far too long. I don't think the jobbers even got in a single move.



Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff & "The Natural" Butch Reed w/ Slick vs. Joe Mirto & Brad Rheingans & S.D. Jones

Before the match, Slick taunts Jim Duggan as Volkoff sings the Russian Natioanl Anthem. Rheingans blocks a suplex from the Sheik and hits one of his own. Sheik comes back as we are shown an insert promo from Slick and his guys as he tells us that they do like something about the U.S. and that is the money as they all proceed to pull out a fan of dollar bills. Funny stuff. Back to the match as Reed and Jones bore us to tears and the match drags along until Sheik makes Mirto submit to the Camel's Clutch (3:41).

Thoughts: Dull match. This was Sheik's last TV appearance for over a year as he was fired by then time this made it to air.



Okerlund is with Danny Davis, Jimmy Hart, and the Honky Tonk Man. Amusing segment as both Davis and Honky were great characters at this point, making all their appearances entertaining. Honky accused Jack Tunney of hiding votes that were cast for the "Ban the DDT" movement.



Next week in action will be the Honky Tonk Man, Hercules, George Steele, and Randy Savage.



Final Thoughts: Not a good show tonight. The last two matches dragged badly and the only feuds being pushed was Patera vs. Heenan Family and Patera was not getting over enough to warrant the push. They did push the One Man Gang and Demolition continues to look awesome but that was about all.

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