Site icon Slam Wrestling

Goldberg screwed at Starrcade

John Powell

 

In wrestling circles it has become known as the “Bret Hart finish” based on Vince McMahon’s real-life betrayal of Hart in his final WWF match before heading to WCW. The WWF has unimaginatively used it a bazillion times since. Last night at Starrcade ’99, broadcast from the M.C.I. Center in Washington, D.C., it was WCW’s turn to ruin a half-decent title bout. This time it wasn’t Hart but Bill Goldberg who got messed over.

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of the main event match, heaps of praise are in order to Chris Benoit and Jeff Jarrett for their stellar impromptu ladder match. Scott Hall, Benoit’s original opponent, couldn’t compete due to a legit knee injury. Breaking with their scripted support of The Outsiders, the Powers That Be declared a forfeit awarding the U.S. title to Benoit. Not wanting to win the belt that way, Benoit issued the challenge and Jarrett accepted. The outcome was a match that alone was worth the cost of ordering the pay-per-view. The eminently talented Benoit and Jarrett worked hard and bumped hard substantiating that their push by WCW is well deserved.

A true measure of a professional wrestler is whether he or she can “carry” a less capable colleague through a match. That attribute has been a trademark of Bret Hart’s career. Working with Hart, Goldberg put on his best effort to date at Starrcade. Like him or not, Goldberg has unquestionably come a long way from the kick – punch – stomp machine he once was.

The beginning of the WCW World Heavyweight Title bout was as strange as the conclusion with champion Hart coming out first and Goldberg second. Both competitors shook hands before getting down to business in a display of good sportsmanship. The Hit Man was shoved off at his first two attempts at a lock-up. The third found Goldberg on the mat in a headlock. Goldberg got to his feet, slingshot Hart to the ropes bowling him over with a shoulder block. Goldberg turned a Power Press into a Power Slam driving Hart to the canvass. Two clotheslines had the same result on the WCW Champion.

Goldberg smartly rolled Bret into an Ankle Lock. The Hit Man turned the submission move into a Sharpshooter but Goldberg powered his way out. A kick to the gut had Hit Man scrambling for a breather outside the ring. Bret and Goldberg brawled on the outside taking out referee Billy Silverman. Scratch referee Number One. Goldberg stepped up his attack ramming Hart into the steel security fence and the announce table. Referee Charles Robinson took over the officiating duties. The poor sucker wouldn’t last long. Goldberg’s side-suplex on Hart brained Robinson. Scratch referee Number Two. The Hit Man dodged a Spear by Goldberg sending the former football played into the turnbuckle. Referee Number Three hit the ring.

Hart worked on Goldberg’s leg then set him up for his Figure Four-around-the steel post move. Hart didn’t get it cinched in quite right so the announcers covered for him by saying Goldberg has the presence of mind to partially block it. Inside the ring, Hart continued inflicting pain on Goldberg’s weakened leg punctuating his attack with a Figure Four. Again relying on the strength in his legs Goldberg broke the hold. Champion and challenger traded blows in the corner. Drawing back his arm to deliver a punch, Hart clocked the new ref. Down went official Number Three. Goldberg hit a standing side kick and a Spear. With a dejected look on his face, Roddy Piper assumed control of the match. Distracted by Piper’s arrival Goldberg left himself open to a shot block to his knee. Hart barely wrapped Goldberg into the Sharp Shooter when Piper called for the belt and left the ring looking even more depressed than he was before.

Piper left with the WCW World Title belt. A furious Hit Man chased after Piper looking for answers. Piper handed him the belt back without saying a word.

Exit mobile version