WWF Wrestling Challenge
Encyclopedia
WWF Challenge is a professional wrestling
television program
produced by the World Wrestling Federation
(WWF). It was syndicated weekly and aired from 1986 to 1996. The show premiered as WWF Wrestling Challenge and became simply known as WWF Challenge in 1995. The show featured matches, pre-match interviews, and occasionally, summarized weekly events in WWF programming. As with other syndicated WWF programming, the show promoted WWF event dates and house show
s in local media market
s. In the United Kingdom
, the show aired on Sky 1
and a repackaged version was aired occasionally from 1987 until 1989 on ITV as a part of World Of Sport. It continued to air in the UK until 1997, when it was repackaged as WWF Shotgun Challenge
. In Canada
, Wrestling Challenge was branded as WWF Cavalcade.
Following the show's debut, The Snake Pit, hosted
by Jake "The Snake" Roberts
, debuted as a feature of the show. The Snake Pit was an in-ring interview segment modeled after Roddy Piper
's Piper's Pit
, which aired on WWF Superstars of Wrestling
. Wrestling Challenge also featured the similarly formatted The Brother Love Show. This segment, which debuted in 1988, was later moved to Superstars of Wrestling. Additionally in 1991, The Barber Shop debuted with host Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake
, while The King's Court, hosted by Jerry Lawler
debuted in 1993.
held most title changes on national television, Wrestling Challenge only had one title change, as Money Inc.
defeated The Natural Disasters
, with interference from The Headshrinkers
, to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship on November 1, 1992 (taped October 13, 1992).
, Ernie Ladd
, and Luscious Johnny V
. After that, the latter two were replaced by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
. The show began to be hosted by hosted by Dok Hendrix
and occasionally Mr. Perfect
until its discontinuation in 1996.
Other hosts included:
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
produced by the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWF). It was syndicated weekly and aired from 1986 to 1996. The show premiered as WWF Wrestling Challenge and became simply known as WWF Challenge in 1995. The show featured matches, pre-match interviews, and occasionally, summarized weekly events in WWF programming. As with other syndicated WWF programming, the show promoted WWF event dates and house show
House show
A house show is a professional wrestling show run by a major promotion that is not televised, though they can be recorded. Promotions use house shows mainly to cash in on the exposure that they and their wrestlers receive during televised events, as well as test reactions to matches, wrestlers, and...
s in local media market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
s. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the show aired on Sky 1
SKY 1
The Box is an entertainment channel in New Zealand available on SKY Network Television.The channel shows are a variety of the most recent shows such as from the United States, for example CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Simpsons, Family Guy, World Wrestling Entertainments hit shows, and...
and a repackaged version was aired occasionally from 1987 until 1989 on ITV as a part of World Of Sport. It continued to air in the UK until 1997, when it was repackaged as WWF Shotgun Challenge
WWF Shotgun Saturday Night
WWF Shotgun Saturday Night is a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It aired from January 4, 1997 through August 21, 1999 as a syndicated broadcast...
. In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Wrestling Challenge was branded as WWF Cavalcade.
History
Wrestling Challenge premiered on September 7, 1986, replacing All-Star Wrestling.Following the show's debut, The Snake Pit, hosted
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
by Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Jake Roberts
Aurelian Jake Smith, Jr. is a second-generation American professional wrestler, the son of former wrestler Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith...
, debuted as a feature of the show. The Snake Pit was an in-ring interview segment modeled after Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
's Piper's Pit
Piper's Pit
Piper's Pit was an interview segment featuring Roddy Piper which was a mainstay of WWF/WWE television from 1984 to 1987, and then returned briefly in 1989. Also, Piper hosted similar segments while wrestling for other promotions in 2003 - 2011....
, which aired on WWF Superstars of Wrestling
WWF Superstars of Wrestling
WWF Superstars of Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It debuted on September 6, 1986...
. Wrestling Challenge also featured the similarly formatted The Brother Love Show. This segment, which debuted in 1988, was later moved to Superstars of Wrestling. Additionally in 1991, The Barber Shop debuted with host Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake
Edward Leslie
Edward Harrison "Ed" Leslie is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Brutus The Barber Beefcake. He later worked for World Championship Wrestling under a variety of names, mainly as "The Disciple" of real-life best friend...
, while The King's Court, hosted by Jerry Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
debuted in 1993.
Title changes
While WWF Superstars of WrestlingWWF Superstars of Wrestling
WWF Superstars of Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It debuted on September 6, 1986...
held most title changes on national television, Wrestling Challenge only had one title change, as Money Inc.
Money Inc.
Money Inc. was a heel professional wrestling tag team in the World Wrestling Federation from February 1992 to August 1993. The team consisted of "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster . They held the WWF Tag Team Championship three times, defeating the Legion of Doom, The Natural...
defeated The Natural Disasters
The Natural Disasters
The Natural Disasters were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Earthquake and Typhoon who competed in the World Wrestling Federation between 1991 and 1993...
, with interference from The Headshrinkers
The Headshrinkers
The Headshrinkers were a professional wrestling tag team in the World Wrestling Federation that consisted of Fatu and Samu. They previously competed under the name The New Wild Samoans in the National Wrestling Alliance , and as The Samoan Swat Team in World Championship Wrestling , World Class...
, to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship on November 1, 1992 (taped October 13, 1992).
Commentators
The hosts for the first three episodes were Gorilla MonsoonGorilla Monsoon
Robert James "Gino" Marella , better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play announcer, and booker...
, Ernie Ladd
Ernie Ladd
Ernest "Ernie" Ladd , nicknamed "The Big Cat" was an American collegiate and professional football player and a professional wrestler.-Pro Football career:...
, and Luscious Johnny V
John L. Sullivan (wrestler)
John L. Sullivan is a retired professional wrestler better known as Johnny Valiant. He competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation , which became the World Wrestling Federation during his time with the promotion. He won the World Tag Team Championship two times...
. After that, the latter two were replaced by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Bobby Heenan
Raymond Louis "Ray" Heenan , better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan , is a former American professional wrestling manager and color commentator, best known for his time with the American Wrestling Association , World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation...
. The show began to be hosted by hosted by Dok Hendrix
Michael Hayes (wrestler)
Michael Seitz is a retired American professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as the announcer Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation...
and occasionally Mr. Perfect
Curt Hennig
Curtis Michael "Curt" Hennig , also known by the ring name Mr. Perfect, was an American professional wrestler, manager and color commentator who worked for, among other promotions, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , the American Wrestling Association , World Championship Wrestling and the World...
until its discontinuation in 1996.
Other hosts included:
- Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes, UK Challenge (1987-1988)
- Gorilla Monsoon, Tony SchiavoneTony SchiavoneNoah Anthony "Tony" Schiavone is an American sports broadcaster. He is the play-by-play broadcaster for the Gwinnett Braves of the International League...
, and Bobby Heenan (June 25, 1989) - Gorilla Monsoon and Tony Schiavone (1989-1990)
- Vince Mcmahon and Gorilla Monsoon (November 19, 26, December 3, 1989)
- Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart (March 31, 1991)
- Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan (1988-1993)
- Jim RossJim RossJames William "Jim" Ross is a professional wrestling commentator, former professional wrestling referee, restaurateur, occasional wrestler, and former company executive of WWE, where he currently works as a commentator on the WWE Raw brand...
and Bobby Heenan (April 11, 1993-December 5, 1993) - Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon (December 12, 1993-February 13, 1994)
- Gorilla Monsoon and Stan Lane (February 13, 1994-March 20, 1994)
- Stan LaneStan LaneWallace Stanfield "Stan" Lane is an American professional wrestler, trained by Ric Flair, who started wrestling in 1974 in Championship Wrestling from Florida. For a brief time in Florida, he was nicknamed Nature Boy...
and Ted DiBiaseTed DiBiaseTheodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career...
(March 27, 1994-August 7, 1994, February 26, 1995) - Jim Ross and Ted DiBiase (August 14, 1994-August 28, 1994)
- Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase (July 10, 1994, September 4, 1994-April 23, 1995)
- Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon (April 30, 1995-July 30, 1995)
- Stan Lane and Gorilla Monsoon (June 18, 1995)
- Jim Ross and Dok HendrixMichael Hayes (wrestler)Michael Seitz is a retired American professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as the announcer Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation...
(August 6, 1995-August 27, 1995)