At World Championship Wrestling’s annual Starrcade pay-per-view, nWo Wolf Pack leader Kevin Nash terminated Bill Goldberg’s controversial “undefeated” winning streak capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Aided by his ex-Outsiders tag team partner Scott Hall, outlander Bam Bam Bigelow and the nWo wannabe Disco Inferno, Nash Jack-Knife Powerbombed a stunned Goldberg in a finish that would’ve been all the more sweeter if Hall had yelled out “I am da Mountie!” as he electrocuted Goldberg.
Hopes that WCW would finally present a competently booked pay-per-view to close out the disastrous year on a positive note were hastily crushed as the Luger – Steiner and Bigelow – Hall matches were scratched from the card though all four men were in attendance. In their place, Billy Kidman put up the Cruiserweight belt in an thrilling impromptu bout against Eddie Guerrero, Norman Smiley fought Prince Iaukea and the team of Scott Norton and Brian Adams took on the absurd pairing of Jerry Flynn and Fit Finley.
Repetitious interview segments, video packages, abandoned angles and ring legend “Nature Boy” Ric Flair jobbing to WCW Vice-President Eric Bischoff in a grudge match rounded out another pay-per-view version of WCW’s weekly Monday Night Nitro television broadcast.
Initiating some cheap heat before the match, Goldberg stopped to sign a plant’s T-shirt. The plant being a young boy who conveniently stepped out of a doorway as Goldberg’s security entourage led him out into the MCI Arena in Washington, D.C.
Goldberg and Nash’s “No DQ” showdown divided the crowd. Chants of “Goldberg Sucks!” answered those of “Nash Sucks!”. Nash was muscled back into a corner during their first lock-up. A second test of strength had Goldberg gasping for air in a vise-like headlock. Goldberg countered with back suplex that knocked the wind out of Nash. The challenger smartly ducked outside for a breather.
Clubbing punches and knee lifts drove Goldberg into a corner. Framing the champ’s head in an imaginary view-finder (a la the Hollywood Blondes) Nash laid in some elbow smashes stunning Goldberg. Choking him with an outstretched leg Nash was leg-locked to the mat where both men traded leg submission moves until Big Kev made it to the ropes. Nash stood up only to be knocked right back down by a series of sledgehammer haymakers. Nash grabbed onto Goldberg’s shorts pulling him face-first into the turnbuckle. The champ redeemed himself by Spearing the head of nWo Wolf Pack. Goldberg made the sign for the Jack Hammer Slam to the crowd.
Slinging Nash off the ropes Goldberg caught him in a reverse headlock, a prelude to his finishing move. Nash thwarted the attempt with a fist to the “family jewels” which he followed up with a backbreaker. A quick cover gained a two count. Nash dropped a flying elbow onto Goldberg’s throat and hung him over the ropes for his running guillotine leg drop. One more two count for Big Kev.
Manhandling Goldberg, Nash bounced him off the ropes twice driving a forearm smash into his lower back. Goldberg mule kicked Nash in the gut to prevent a third attempt and re-adjusted his spine with a swinging neckbreaker. Goldberg’s single-arm suplex got him a two-and-a-half count over the wobbly challenger. Another mule kick and a shoulder breaker of sorts brought about another two count. Goldberg launched Nash into the ropes. A flying reverse kick took the big man off his feet.
Desperate to be a Wolf Pack member, Disco Inferno tried a run-in. Goldberg Speared him out of the ring. Out of nowhere, Bam Bam Bigelow side-swiped the champ. Goldberg retaliated clotheslining Bigelow over the top rope and to the floor. Dressed as event security in a yellow T-shirt, Scott Hall climbed onto the ring apron. Meanwhile the referee admonished Bigelow and Disco.
As Goldberg tried to pull Hall into the ring, the Lone Wolf zapped the champ with a shock stick (taser) to the chest and shoulders. Goldberg fell twitching to the mat. Unaware of Hall’s interference, Nash scooped Goldberg off the canvass and completed a Jack Knife Powerbomb to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Goldberg convulsed on the arena floor as Nash raised the belt high.
The next WCW pay-per-view is Souled Out on January 17th, 1999..
WCW / nWo Starrcade ’98 Results
: It is announced that Ric Flair has agreed to a last minute stipulation by Eric Bischoff. The Four Horsemen have been banned from the arena for the night. Mongo McMichael is said to have been arrested and forcibly removed from the premises.
Juvie Guerrera (challenger) Vs Rey Mysterio Jr. (challenger) Vs Billy Kidman (champion) (Triple Threat – Cruiserweight Title Match)
: Match of the year candidate full of unbelievable action that’s a must-see for any serious wrestling fan. With their innovative moves, high-impact style and uncanny timing, Guerrera, Mysterio Jr. and Kidman are leading the way in WCW.
: Eddie rolls Guerrera onto Kidman. Mysterio, pissed at Eddie interference rolls Kidman back onto Guerrera.
: The fans give the wrestlers a standing ovation.
Winner: … and still WCW Cruiserweight Champion…Billy Kidman at 14 minutes and 55 seconds.
Match Rating: 10 / 10.
Eddie Guerrero (challenger) Vs Billy Kidman (champion) (WCW Cruiserweight Title Match)
: Eddie tongue-lashes Guerrera and Mysterio calling them morons and embarrassments to the lWo. He challenges Kidman saying “If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself.” Kidman accepts.
: Guerrea stays around to interfere for Guerrero. Mysterio for Kidman.
: Mysterio crotches Eddie on the ropes. On his way down, Eddie hits Guerrera taking him out.
: Kidman lands the Shooting Star Press.
Winner: … and still WCW Cruiserweight Champion…Billy Kidman at 10 minutes and 49 seconds.
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Norman Smiley Vs Prince Iaukea
: How does Smiley keep appearing on WCW pay-per-views? Does he own stocks in WCW? Is he pals with Ted Turner? Does he live next door to Eric Bischoff? How does he do it? I am sure the veteran WCW mid-carders scratching and clawing for air time would like to know.
: Smiley does his best impersonation of Alex Wright and the crowd eggs him on though the match is ruined by a multitude of fouled up moves and amateurish improv.
: Smiley makes Iaukea submit in some poorly applied chicken wing submission hold.
Winner: Norman Smiley at 11 minutes and 34 seconds.
Match Rating: 0 / 10.
: Scott Hall cuts a promo repeating everything he’s said on Thunder and Nitro about having lost everything important in his life…yadda…yadda..yadda. Snore. Snore.
: Footage of Bigelow punking Hall on Nitro is shown even though the two aren’t wrestling tonight.
Ernest Miller Vs Saturn
: Why do I feel like singing YMCA or In The Navy every time Saturn comes to the ring? Hmmm.
: Miller’s comical antics save this bout.
: Miller holds Saturn for Sonny Ono. Saturn moves. Ono karate kicks Miller in the chest. An enraged Cat clobbers Ono. Saturn pegs Miller with the Death Valley Driver.
Winner: Saturn at 7 minutes and 6 seconds.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
: Mean Gene interviews Ric Flair about the grudge match.
: Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell confront Konnan in the Wolf Pack locker room. Luger stops Konnan from getting into a brawl with them.
Jerry Flynn, Fit Finley Vs Brian Adams, Scott Norton
: Get real. If I didn’t know better I’d swear WCW wants fans to leave in droves.
Winners: Brian Adams and Scott Norton at 8 minutes and 55 seconds.
Match Rating: 1 / 10.
: Mean Gene talks to Eric Bischoff. Bischoff says Flair needs to wrestle because he’s broke.
Chris Jericho (challenger) Vs Konnan (champion) (WCW Television Title Match)
: Rumored to be headed to the WWF, Jericho submits to the Tequila Sunrise. Don’t forget to pack Ralphus, Chris.
Winner: … and still WCW Television Champion…Konnan at 7 minutes and 25 seconds.
Match Rating: 4 / 10.
Eric Bischoff Vs Ric Flair
: Flair rules the match. Bischoff gets in a short offensive flurry cutting the Nature Boy’s head open with a kick. Bischoff takes many low blows and extensive damage to his knee.
: Flair has Bischoff in the Figure Four. The ref is unconscious. Curt Hennig hands Bischoff brass knuckles. Bischoff nails Flair with them and gets the pin.
: The fake heart attack and now Flair jobs to Bischoff? Maybe it is time Flair bowed out gracefully.
Winner: Eric Bischoff at 7 minutes and 6 seconds .
Match Rating: 1 / 10.
The Giant Vs DDP
: What a coincidence that Diamond Dallas’ match leads into the main event.
: The Giant could be on his way to the WWF.
: Someone should tell Page and the announcers that he’s over with the fans already. Geesh.
: Bret Hart swings a chair at Page and misses hitting The Giant. DDP punches Hart in the crotch.
: DDP does a Diamond Cutter on The Giant from the top rope.
Winner: Diamond Dallas Page at 12 minutes and 42 seconds .
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Kevin Nash (challenger) Vs Bill Goldberg (champion) (WCW World Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: … and new WCW World Heavyweight Champion…Kevin Nash at 11 minutes and 19 seconds .
Match Rating: 4 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Overall Event Rating: 3 / 10.
