I remember on my own re-watch of the War a few years ago being surprised at how well 99 held up for wCw given the usual story. Now 2000, that was madness made manifest!
Actually, having Kevin Nash as the champ might have worked, give him a decent run, with some fresh opponents, who can work around him, or his big man wrestling style. Nash losing the belt to Hogan with the FpoD was the real problem. Even Hogan beating Goldberg directly might have worked better!
Honestly, 1) they should've slowly built up Golberg over 2-3 years, 2) they should've had the nWo Hollywood vs. WolfPac civil war and 3) Goldberg should've entered Starrcade as the Challenger and been crowned with the belt to reign in '99. That storyline booking would've put them over WWF.
Quite interesting that this is The Giant's last PPV appearance for WCW before he goes to the WWF the next year. He still has a little more to go on WCW Television but yh this is his last WCW PPV
Just imagine Vince McMahon pinning Stone Cold in the ring at WrestleMania. The amount of ego Bischoff had to *need* to get this win here over Ric is just disgusting really.
erm... you know that Vince won the 99 rumble by throwing over stone cold, right? they both have big egos. the "vince mcmahon kiss my ass club" comes to mind.
@@chrisbelos2834it made sense in storyline for Vince to win the rumble. Stone cold main evented mania anyways. If Eric won at Halloween Havoc or whatever it would have been better. Flair needed to win
@@chrisbelos2834 Was dumb but least that win was to set up the main event of WrestleMania and Vince allowed Austin to hand him his ass the next month in a cage to get to WrestleMania. This was Bischoff just choosing to pin Flair at the biggest show for his own sake with no storyline advancement.
@@denniswilliams6519 there WAS storyline development though, Flair got his win the next night on Nitro along with being President of the company and when you hear Bischoff talk about how WCW was a TV company first, you start to see why choices like that were made to accentuate the moments on TV instead of PPV
The impromptu match between Kidman and Eddie was so well booked, it almost made me forget the ridiculous scenario of the competitors deciding to have an impromptu match at the beginning of the year’s biggest event, two months after fans missed the main event for going over the allotted time.
I have very fond memories of this PPV as a kid, watching it live. I was 100% a Kevin Nash fan and wanted him to win, at the time. But him winning with Scott Hall's help? It turned me on him.
@@AAVVVAAADDAAAKAAADAVRAAA which is y Goldberg shoulda dropped the belt to Page at Havoc after the Diamond Cutter. It woulda seemed more legit n less anticlimatic than Nash's win..
Was a fan of both and I was actually kind of glad to see Hall and Nash back together again. Had hoped that with Hall the Wolfpack would finally kill NWO black and white followed by implosion with WCW finally winning. Interesting how different people can react.
@Machete87 how does that make any sense? If anything it would have made it seem less legit. Nash was the only babyface at this time that was built up enough to beat him. Hogan likely should have been the one to beat him if you didn't want a clean finish.
I love that Norman Smiley getting some love on this show. I remember back in the day having fun watching Smiley. I always thought him and Ernest Miller were under rated
Kidman being the workhorse of the night is very respectable and both matches were great too. I love this series for making me appreciate BK after overlooking him for so many years.
@eabcool WCW has good moments going forward. They'll even win a few head to heads from this point. To make things fair, the point system should change again.
Regarding the nWo B-Team Vs Finlay/Flynn match, Finlay and Flynn had just teamed up in New Japan's World Tag League that year(FYI Finished last with no points) while Norton and Adams teamed on that same tour, but not in the League. So it wasn't completly random to some extent.
I cannot believe the likes of Jerry Flynn, Fit Finley and bloody Prince Ieukea got PPV time ON STARRCADE and not the likes of Luger, Hitman, Scott Steiner, Booker T, Malenko and Benoit. I simply can never get my head around it
@@henry7696 I'm talking about star power mate. Sure he wasn't over in late 98 like he was in late 96 - mid 97 but he'll get more interest than bloody Jerry flynn
Wcw cruiserweight title was such a fun title back then... im getting all nostalgic from seeing these wrestlers when they were young... December 98 i was 11 about to turn 12...wow i miss those days, used to love nwo
Awesome Starrcade 1998 review on Reliving the War this PPV Was great Goldberg losing to Kevin Nash was crazy this series is amazing the opening match was fantasic.
The cruiserweights carry the show once again. And Billy Kidman deserves all the credit for going in back-to-back matches. Especially after that triple threat. I can only imagine he collapsed in the back somewhere and the guys just let him sleep it off. As for the main event, we all knew that when Goldberg got the title, that undefeated streak was going to end. And really, the only way it was going to end is something like this, where it wasn't a clean win. But should Nash have been the guy to dethrone Goldberg? I think, if you're going to put the title on someone and beat Goldberg, clean or not, it should be somebody that can really help elevate the company and really draw attention. So, who would be my choice? It'd be fun to say Alex Wright or Normal Smiley, just for the laughs, but in all seriousness, I think it should have been Scott Steiner. Yeah, I know, hindsight and everything, but think about it. If you want to make the nWo relevant again, you should have an nWo guy win it. And I feel like Scott would work, even if he's essentially a transitional champion for a couple of months until they either give it back to Goldberg for the rematch, or put it on another guy, like DDP or Nash. But that's my take on it. Plus, I feel like you could get a serious amount of good story telling of Scott beat Goldberg and ended the streak.
I agree. Scott stiener would've been a better choice than Nash especially since he waa leading the nwo. And Nash could've feuded with stiener after he won and it would've made more sense seeing how Nash...a babyface at the time won by shenanigans. To me bam bam or stiener would've been better choices than Nash But hey I'm not the booker
At this time wasn't everyone in wcw terrified of a roided out Scott Steiner? Not sure they'd want to put the belt on a guy they couldn't control. As a fan, I do like the idea though.
@@teo_heel This is true! And Eddie does try it a second time and gets properly chastised by Kidman. Even if you manage to powerbomb Kidman once, you definitely can't do it *twice*. :D
Can't wait to hear what you think about Ric Flair stripping down to his Boxers on the Fallout from Starrcade 1998 to Challenge Bischoff once again for Control for WCW
DDP as a heel or DDP as a face is the only person I feel could've and/or should've ended the streak. I think he's the only person fans could've accepted ending the streak. Even if Sting ended the streak I feel like people would've been like ""Okay...but why?" DDP just seems like the only one that makes sense(to me at least) in terms of believability, being someone the fans could accept, and someone who needed that big accolade.
But, I counted that scenario with DDP already had his big accolade when he had his legendary 3 match series against the "Macho Man" Randy Savage in 1997 and was a made man afterwards. Ofc, he hasn't won the World Heavyweight Championship but he would have gotten the same amount of flack for winning from the fans.
Well yea the diamond cutter was a move that was established he could hit on anyone from anywhere at any time so goldberg goes for the Spear and jack hammer DDP slips out diamond cutter 123 even have goldberg kick out at 3.5 if you like but that would work
I don't mind how the streak ended. The problem comes in 2 weeks when they make it all meaningless, along with their top championship, which they will continue to do REPEATEDLY until the company dies.
In hindsight that would have been at Halloween Havoc 98. But then you would have him lose clean. I still think Goldberg was still too over to lose the title clean
I don't think Kidman was underrated at all. He was on TV every week and had so many pushes. Of course, those pushes weren't supposed to make him the heavyweight champ but as a cruiserweight, he had more than just cruiserweight matches. Surprisingly, Disco Inferno was also in the same boat. Very high mid-card.
@@HabsMike25 Kidman was GREAT in the ring, but not good with everything else. He needed to be champ to get heat wherein Eddie and Misterio didn't need a belt to have psychology or storylines. Guys like Kidman have a place in wrestling for sure, but when WWE took over, you could tell it wasn't a good sign for guys like him, shame as he would have been the charismatic one in today's wrestling
I had to watch those cruiserweight matches after watching this….Bobby the brain really put Kidman over during the match on commentary. Fantastic stuff indeed by Kidman
Prince Iaukea's body stopped mid dive because Norman is too much man for him to move. Norman Smiley is truly an immoveable one and just wants to do his big wiggle finale
When you look back at the hard work these 4 cruiserweights put in in the opening match of wcws biggest annual show it’s crazy to think only Eddie and rey went on to be wwe champion years later Kidman and juve were incredible workers back then
Wow. What arguably was considered WCW's biggest show of the year and this was the best they did. There was so much talent and so many other matchups they could have went with. Having said that ,I'm glad he didn't completely bury it as he is right about those specific matches.
The biggest show of the year for WCW under Bischoff was always Halloween Havoc. See all the card from 94 to this one (last HH and Starrcade under Bischoff). It is clear the most important ppv between the two. Starrcade was the second PPV for importance, the classic, the granddaddy of them all, but Halloween Havoc was the PPV number one as importance
Man, those first two cruiserweight matches were phenomenal from a storytelling perspective. Imagine in WCW extended that level of care to the rest of the roster...
One of the blinders WCW did. I can understand the need to give other people the title (especially DDP), but the title should have circled back to Goldberg.
Goldberg's Streak had to end but Kevin Nash didn't need to be the person that ended Goldberg's Streak as he was a made star. DDP should have ended it 2 months earlier at Halloween Havoc. DDP is humble at first but slowly develops an Ego & turns heel. You would have Goldberg chasing a heel DDP which would have been so much better than what actually did happen.
i mean, in all fairness: Nash was over at hte time. Had his reign as a heel champion that, as Nash later suggested, tries to one up Goldberg's streak while dodging him, until Goldberg gets him, happened, we might be talking about it differently. Buuut... Fingerpoke of Doom.
@coreyhall1150 When DDP countered Jackhammer to Diamond Cutter that is when Goldberg's Streak should have ended. It would have been unexpected & shocking but when they alow active stars to be the Booker, no good comes out of it
Agreed it was terrible to have Easy E go over Flair while at the same time it was so predictable how this one ended. WCW’s continues downward spiral as we go into 99
Ahhhh yes the fresh smell of wrestling bios on a Sunday. All is right again in the universe. We all know the random tag team match was a Consession stand/bathroom break for those in the building and at home to get the pizza from the delivery man/oven so they can fuel up for the main event
I think people dislike the Nash vs Goldberg match more for what it did to WCW. After this point, WCW just tailspins until it dies. It honestly never gets better, even if some moments beyond this point are fun. As for Goldberg, I still love the guy. He's not the most technical wrestler and his gimmick did wear thin, but the dude absolutely looked the part of a powerhouse. In the moment, his streak was legendary.
Looking at this 2 decades later, his streak was overrated. The 2 most memorable moments was winning the world title on nitro & his 1 good match vs ddp.. other than just a bunch of squash matches, no good storylines or promos.
WCW.s last good Starrcade & it wasn't that good Starrcade was actually wrestlemanias father for those that know the story RIP WCW Gone but never forgotten
I don't see what really is the big deal about Starcade 96. It wasn't a title match, but that was already booked for February. Piper won clean. No DQ BS. No restart the match. No new referees. If you mean The Giant stuff, ok, but that doesn't take away from the match.
Look, I know reliving the Wolfpack has been underwhelming in this series, but as a kid, this was the pinnacle for me. I was a huge Kevin Nash fan as a kid and I was very much behind him to take down Goldberg and end the streak to capture the championship.
I was 17 when this aired... and I was all about The Wolf Pack, and Big Kev beating Moldberg for the strap... I never liked him as champion, and his "streak" was always a joke to me.. glorified squash matches. But honestly? At that point in WCW? It wouldn't have mattered to me WHO took the title from him... or how. It could've been Norman Smiley... as long as it wasn't Moldberg.
@@silver6kraidI personally think it was the Fingerpoke of Doom. That moment solidified that things would probably never change, and they didn’t until Bischoff left.
And in just eight days after this, the War was over. The fact that they just blew it is still mind-boggling. Had the money, the networks and a stacked roster. Had 6 months before this drew 41,000 in Atlanta for a Nitro. And then just killed it dead. The definition of Epic Fail.
“If you’re even thinking about changing the channel to our competition, fans, do not, because we understand that Mick Foley, who wrestled here at one time as Cactus Jack, is gonna win their World Title! Ha! That’s gonna put some butts in the seats, heh!”
the ratings and attendance numbers tell a different story, the company was still rolling along making good money up until early April which was not only long after the finger poke but also the nWo Elite had run its course by then as well... don't buy into the WWE propaganda machine, WCWs dying moment was losing the Radicals, after that they had zero chance of gaining any sort of lead ever again
My friends would always say... if you wanted a good match you watched WCW, if you wanted a good soap opera you watch WWF, and if you wanted violence you watch ECW. 😂
I know the focus is the end of the streak but man I must say Billy Kidman deserves his flowers for how much of an underrated performer he was. Fun to watch in the ring
That’s always been an interesting take for me. Not saying you were wrong for choosing to not watch anymore (you ended being right 😅), but I think my favorite stories always came from the chase.
@@retepoteil Not really, if anything it was respectful to his character. It allowed him to keep that kayfabe tank status. I know that WCW made a big mistake in 99 by not circling back to Goldberg as champion.
@mizer9510 I'm in the same boat. I grew up a WWF fan, but watched Nitro too because of my Dad. He would be in charge of flipping back amd forth. After this, there wasn't much flipping back.
First off, thank you for what you do. I’ve been watching all episodes from the start of the series. This show holds a special place in my heart cause it was the first live wrestling show I ever attended. I went WILD when Nash pinned Goldberg for the belt!
I know nitpicking WCW leads to nothing but confusion but they announced the main event was no DQ (and Nash hits a blatant low blow during said match) so then why was Nash able to force a rope break during the leg lock?? anyway Kidman and the cutter were highlights for me.
Found this on vhs at the thrift store when I was 10 years old. I begged my mom to buy it because I wanted anything wrestling related at the time. She bought it for like $5 and as a kid, i thought it was the greatest thing ever. Watching as an 22 year old adult it’s not so great 😅
Eddie,Rey, Kidman, and Guerrera really stole the show before the people got their chance to get comfortable to watch. Now the whole Goldberg streak ending, if Scott Hall was in better shape mental set wise and hell even physically because you can tell he was slacking a bit. It’s an argument that he should be the one to beat Goldberg. Nothing against Kevin Nash the crowd was into him winning the title but I think really the people would love for Scott to get his crowning achievement.
It's so much worse when you consider that Starcade '98 took place on Goldberg's Birthday. Think about that; Goldberg got stunned by a taser, his unbeaten streak was broken and he lost the WCW Championship... on his friggin' Birthday. OUCH!
Totally agree with the Goldberg run being poor and the title needing changed at that point (maybe if he actually worked with Jericho that could have changed). The problem was never that Nash won it (he was super over at the time and was a big enough name to justify it), it’s what they did afterwards that made it all worthless. Nash gets the belt only to just give it to Hogan? Nash basically buried himself in that segment. There were so many options they could have gone with, yet they picked what was probably one of the worst that could have possibly been conceived. While I was watching WWE more often than WCW at that point, I remember liking that Nash won it at the time since I wasn’t a big Goldberg fan. But yah, they just butchered it, along with Nash’s character, Goldberg, and the belt itself really.
Now here’s the one thing I have never understood about this whole situation is Goldberg and Nash are barely have interactions during the Starrcade 98 build. But pretty much of the build of this is Goldberg are having brawls on Bam Bam Bigalow since he joined the company. I think that’s the reason some people are surprised that Nash broke the streak because they barely interact with. I do have a theory some people think with he barely have interact with Nash because I he beat him at Starrcade . Bam Bam would be his next opponent in the next ppv and some people think if that happened. Bam Bam would become World Champion and break the streak. I wish they could have gone that route.
Even earlier in the year where they made sting wait so long to actually win the belt. Once he won he only held it for 2 months, dropped it to savage, just for the belt to end up back in hogans hands the following night.
I've been doing a WCW watch from 95 currently up to November 99 and honestly when it came to the main event I didn't mind Nash winning, he was the second biggest babyface in the company behind Goldberg in 98 so it made sense to me. I definitely could of done without that cattle prod though. Looking forward to you doing 99, I didn't mind the product too much from here to around April but after that the product gets messy fast.
There really is some interesting stuff in this ppv. I remember being mad about Nash vs Goldberg but i think i can appreciate it now. This felt BIG and still does seeing them come out and how they take turns making blows with each other.
The reputation of this show is entirely characterized by what happens about a week later. Goldberg got six months on top with about one year of heat building up to that. A competent company would have used this to make Goldberg a more interesting character…. I can’t believe we’re here (a trumpet mournfully plays in the background)
It's not totally characterized by the next week finger poke fiasco. This PPV ended with another attempt at doing a Montreal screw job copy. WCW should have worked on making Goldberg more interesting as you say. Or at least pushed a new star. Instead WCW pushed 2 old stars.
Only just realized when he ran down all of the Horsemen being barred, he didn't mention Mongo. I must've forgotten the mention about Mongo no longer being apart of WCW
Wouldn’t that tag match with Norton and Adams make more sense if Malenko & Benoit were facing them since they were the ones feuding with the Black & White?
@@donypaddy6859 Yeah, he books a lot of filler on Starrcade shows he booked. I think 1995 & 1996 are the only Starrcade shows without an abundance of filler that Bischoff booked.
Billy Kidman is vastly underrated in my opinion, very under appreciated as a Ressler he got overshadowed when he went to WWE was just useless cannon fodder when he deserves so much better
Given what happened on the infamous January 4 episode of Nitro, WCW could definitely have benefited more by ending the streak with anybody but Kevin Nash or any other who was part of the disaster that was the Fingerpoke of Doom.
