Actually, in September 1985 both players played the same set of words. The champion went offstage (behind the wall Chuck came out from) and wore headphones while the challenger played. There was no longer a choice of pink or blue packet at that time, and there were only three words.
Trust me, I know this one. I won $40,000 playing the game this way. And I added another $25,000 in the November 1985 Tournament (where 5 TV winners played 5 board game champs).