One of the Apters did an article in 89 when Arn, Tully, Barry and JJ were all in the WWF suggesting Dillon was secretly rebuilding the Horsemen.
If booking for Smarks was a thing then, they probably pull the trigger on the angle. WWF kids were largely not in the know about the "blander" NWA guys. Arn and Tully with no music and black jackets aren't exactly stand outs in the WWF circus until the bell rings.
That being said, I was baffled in 1991 or so when I first got my vintage Apters in a rummage sale and saw all the results of the Bushwackers beating the Brain Busters when they first came in. I only knew them as dominant ass kickers.