What was the problem I hear you ask? Well, that’s a simple one. The one and only problem with this was the man booking it. Eric Bischoff was hungry for ratings. He seemed to care little for the bigger picture and believed that a one week victory would suffice to set the promotion back on the right track. Therefore, he booked what could have been the match and title change of the century – in hype at least – to transpire on Nitro – free television. Oh Eric.
In front of 40,000 of his native Georgians on July 6, 1998, just shy of ten months following his debut, Goldberg dropped Hulk Hogan with a thunderous Jackhammer to lift the biggest prize available. Undoubtedly it was a wonderful moment in time. For that week only, WCW overran WWF in the ratings 4.8 to 4.0 and then…
…that was it.
Seven days later the adulation had died down and everything from ratings to storylines to the feeling of hopelessness that circulated the WCW product reverted to normal. One of the most celebrated instances in history had been nothing more than a cheap pop. There was nothing to cling onto in the long-run which would have changed had Eric Bischoff been able to resist the urge until Starrcade. The ratings, the box office, the platform on which to build a future and reaffirm your dominance…oh Eric.
Still, today we remember the moment and not the decision. The instant when a legitimate star was made, regardless of his ability level. Twenty years ago Goldberg rose to the summit of professional wrestling. That’s an accomplishment he can always be proud of, though one does wonder what might have been had things been different.
We would love to know your opinions on the Goldberg victory, his career, and rise to stardom. Do you think the title change came at the wrong time? Or maybe you think it was just perfect and WCW’s decline afterwards was just bad luck. Either way, come and chat with us on Twitter and Discord today.
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