WCW Starrcade 98'

WCW Starrcade 98'

Washington, D.C - December 1998

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Goldberg holds the WCW World Championship, Bret Hart is the reigning United States Champion, Chris Jericho holds the World TV Title, and Billy Kidman has the Cruiserweight strap coming into this match. According to Cagematch.net, the Tag Team Champions are still Rick Steiner and Kenny Kaos for some reason.

COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan, and Mike Tenay

After a quick promo for a WCW QVC special, its time for the opening contest - Billy Kidman defending the WCW Cruiserweight Championship in a 3-way dance against Rey Mysterio and Juventud Guerrera of the Latino World Order. Right off the bat, Kidman and Rey get to work on the heel Guerrera, popping the crowd with some double-team maneuvers. The alliance doesn't last long, though, as the stakes are just too high. Great spot teasing a Doomsday Device-like move, but Kidman refuses the help of Juvi and ends up Lo-Downing Mysterio onto him. A minute or so later we get another excellent sequence involving a back body drop from Rey into a stiff clothesline out of Kidman to topple Guerrera. The pace lets up momentarily, but they go to the outside and Guerrera nearly botches a springboard splash. He goes for another in the ring, but Rey and Kidman block him with a double dropkick. Absolutely sick springboard frankensteiner from Juvi onto Rey perched atop Kidman's shoulders. Later, Rey takes Juvi out with a hurricanrana of his own from the apron to the floor, but Kidman takes over back in the ring, hitting a perfect leg drop and getting 2 for it. Kidman delivers a powerbomb to Juvi but Rey breaks the count, all three men showing some serious damage. Mysterio attempts a Canadian Destroyer (maybe?), Kidman blocks, but Rey ends up bulldogging him anyway. Juvi hits an over-the-shoulder backbreaker but Rey is able to regain some control, launching himself with a springboard moonsault to the Guerrera and Kidman on the floor. Rey looks like he might have the match won back in the ring, but Juvi reverses his momentum and nails him with a Juvi Driver for 2 after Kidman breaks it up. Another insane spot sees Rey leapfrog Juvi to hit Kidman with a hurricanrana from the top rope. The pinfall is broken up, though, and we're back to everyone essentially even. Mysterio uses a headscissors to bring Juvi to the outside and this time its Kidman who gets some air to the outside, hitting a Shooting Star Press onto both opponents. The crowd boos heavily, though, when Eddie Guerrero shows up, distracting the ref and preventing him from seeing Kidman score a pinfall. Eddie's plan backfires, though, as Mysterio provides the assist needed to right the wrong. Really good cruiser match. (4/5)

Eddie Guerrero proceeds to cut a promo against both Rey and Juventud and his passion is awesome. After saying that "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself," Billy Kidman comes back and accepts Guerrero's challenge for an impromptu Cruiserweight Title Match. Unlike the opener, this one is more of a wild fight, Guerrero taking the champ to the mat and trying to wear down his already-tired opponent and force a submission. As the match wears on, Juvi and Rey keep things even on the outside, but their presence is a constant distraction to Eddie. After a short rally from the champ, Guerrero takes over again with a jawbreaker and then uses his boot to knock Kidman in the head (which I'm not necessarily sure should be illegal, but whatever). Eddie hits his classic brainbuster and begins gloating, prepping for the Frog Splash. Eddie wastes too much time, though, and ends up catching him for a superplex! Again, Guerrero is able to cut him off, though, when a dropkick to the knee and then locks in a perfect grapevine. Eddie, with still only one shoe on, mind you, hits a springboard hurricanrana and attempts a powerbomb, but Kidman reverses it into a facedrop and gets a-stompin'! A scoop slam and guillotine leg drop follow, but the crowd seems a bit tired at this point - which isn't shocking because, as good as all these performers are, remember they've been in the ring for well over 30 minutes by now. Some shenanigans, including an appearance by Eddie's bodyguard (Art "Spyder" Flores), follow to lead to a crowd-pleasing finish. Overall, fun addition to the opener but it just goes 1-2 minutes too long. (3/5)

After a video hyping tonight's main event, Norman Smiley makes his way down the aisle to take on Prince Iaukea. I'm not sure there was any build for this match, but I could be way wrong. This is an absolute clinic by Smiley, to the point that somewhere around minute 6-7 I'm not sure he hasn't actually completed tired out and stretched Iaukea to legitimate defeat. The crowd is not as into this match as Smiley devotees would be, but they do pop for the multiple Big Wiggles he tosses in and, again, I'm not sure there was any heat in this match going into it (which shouldn't be the case on a Starrcade card). This one isn't for everyone - Iaukea is palatable but nothing special and Smiley, while fun to watch as a submission specialist, wasn't over enough to warrant a 10+ minute match. (2.5/5)

Scott Hall arrives sporting an Outsiders shirt but no entrance music, as Tenay points out. He proceeds to talk about how he lost everything in 1998, but that 1999 will be his year. Really good promo - too bad the inept WCW booking committee (and, admittedly, a Hall who was still fighting some demons) prevented us from getting to see Hall get a legit main event run in singles. (+1)

A video package highlights the on-going involvement of Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event storyline. At the time, I don't think I was impressed with Bigelow, an upper midcarder-at-best in the WWE, getting such a prominent push in WCW, but looking back, he was scary vicious and, at least upon his arrival, very over with the live crowds. 


Ernest "The Cat" Miller and Sonny Onoo make their way down the aisle. I don't think I've enjoyed one of his matches for months now. His opponent tonight is the increasingly bizarrely-accesorized Saturn (he looks like a male prostitute). Before the match starts, Miller offers to let Saturn leave and (guess what?) the former ECW Eliminator doesn't take him up on his offer. Saturn proceeds to dominate most of the match, his colorful offensive arsenal on full display while the best The Cat can do is try to counter with stiff kicks and chops. Sonny Onoo gets involved, but it ends up costing his man the match. Nothing too offensive here aside from Saturn's pre-match get-up. (2/5)

An excellent Ric Flair promo is followed by an equally excellent video package chronicling the history of Eric Bischoff as an on-screen character. WCW's production team didn't always nail these things, but this one is really well-done and includes moments from one of my favorite nWo sub-angles: the firing and re-firing of Randy Anderson from Nitro. Network Nuggets of Awesomeness point awarded. (+1)

And, for basically no reason, we get a not-even-Worldwide-level match pitting Fit Finlay and Jerry (fucking) Flynn against nWo also-theres Bryan Adams and Scott Norton. I'm usually a Finlay fan and I've come around on Norton quite a bit, but this match did not deserve to be on WCW's biggest show of the year at all. After some decent action out of Finlay and Norton, "Lightning Foot" gets tagged in for a stretch against Crush that isn't as terrible as I thought it'd be. Things pick up momentarily when Norton comes in to punish the Irishman, Norton eventually showing his strength with an effortless shoulder breaker before tagging out to Adams again. After a musclebuster, Finlay is able to make the tag and Flynn comes in and hits an awkward reverse heel kick before a melee ensues. The end result is a nasty powerbomb out of Norton, the best spot of a match that would be filler on a bad episode of Thunder. A full step below average, but not lower than that. (1.5/5)

"Mean" Gene Okerlund is joined by Eric Bischoff. Bischoff apologizes for the pain he's caused to Flair and his family and applauds him for his bravery in stepping in the ring against him. He turns from the plaudits, though, when he explains that Flair is only competing because he's broke, dipping into a bit of a shoot on that point actually. 

Cut to a video from Nitro where Chris Jericho and Ralphus beat up a guy dressed as Konnan. Uh-oh, does that mean what I think it does?

Sadly it does - Jericho vs. Konnan for the WCW Television Championship. Jericho wears the title out, having stolen it from Konnan before this show, and cuts a promo a pretty good promo hyping himself up. Konnan, of course, gets his own intro in, the most crowd-pleasing thing I think he ever did (it certainly wasn't his consistently lazy, spot-calling in-ring efforts). Konnan sends Jericho to the outside early, but ends up eating the guardrail himself in a surprisingly quality bump. Jericho plays to the crowd and hits a vertical suplex for two before applying a chinlock. The action picks up from here, Konnan hitting a nasty Alabama Slam from the corner for two before Jericho ends up taking to the air and landing stomach-first on some steel steps on the outside. Konnan looks like he's in control for a minute, but Jericho nearly catches him in the Liontamer and the back-and-forth continues until the ref ends up on the mat. Jericho strikes the champ with the gold but wastes too much time before making the cover, enraging Y2J.The Tequila Sunrise puts this one to bed. By never really slowing down and not getting too fancy, this one worked and stands as the best Konnan match I've seen in quite awhile. (3/5)

The Giant is backstage with Lee Marshall. I think, by this point, he was confirmed to be heading to to the WWE so I'm a bit surprised they were still featuring him somewhat prominently. 

Eric Bischoff makes his way down the aisle for his showdown with Ric Flair. At Starrcade 97', Bischoff faced Larry Zybysko in a match that is most remembered for being the worst possible debut of a main event superstar (Bret Hart) maybe ever. Flair goes right after Bischoff, laying into him with lefts, rights, and stomps. Bischoff fakes a hurt knee, but when Flair turns his back, he takes the opportunity to hit him with a karate kick to the back of the head, gloating as he takes over the match. Flair blades for no apparently reason as Bischoff continues to strike at him. A low blow evens things up and another one from the Nature Boy draws an even bigger reaction. Flair rips off Bischoff's shirt and chops him in the corner, accidentally knocking Charles Robinson out in the process. Flair kicks Bischoff square in the junk and then brings him to the mat with a back suplex and a classic vertical suplex as well. Flair locks in the Figure Four and the match looks like it is over, but Curt Hennig shows up and gives Bischoff a pair of brass knucks to allow him to make the cover and snag a victory. I remember at the time thinking this finish was terribly stupid and I stand by that assessment in that, at the biggest show of the year, you really don't need Bischoff going over the incredibly popular Flair. Booking decision aside, I'd still call this only moderately entertaining. (2/5)

After a promo video detailing their rivalry, its time for The Giant to take on Diamond Dallas Page. Page comes out swinging, but The Giant takes over and tosses Page around on the outside. Despite completely dominating Page with his strength, The Giant takes DDP to the mat and goes after his knee. Page is able to put some distance between he and the big man by raking at his eyes, but he can't get much more offense in than that before he ends up sent into the corner hard. Again, what might be most interesting here is that The Giant was, I believe, expected to be leaving the company within 30 days or so, meaning there was almost no reason to make him look so strong. Maybe DDP had the good sense of knowing that a more even match would defy logic? Still, this is practically a Giant showcase, especially as he hits a really impressive powerslam that I wish he would've busted out regularly moving forward. Toying with DDP, The Giant looks like he's ready to finish him off but opts instead for a high bearhug, wearing him down even more. Page fights out, going as far as to bite The Giant's nose but ultimately getting hoisted up and dropped into a nasty Giant backbreaker! Jeez - how did the WWE screw up getting this guy in February? Page miraculously gets some offense in, connecting with an off-the-rope DDT that The Giant oversells for no real reason. Page goes for the cover, but Giant hoists him off and Page lands on the ref. Bret Hart shows up but accidentally strikes his nWo buddy with a chair! Page makes the cover but The Giant kicks out at two! Page takes to the air, taking the big man down with a clothesline and then does it again before calling for the Diamond Cutter. He goes for a final clothesline from the top but the Giant catches him in a chokeslam. Giant tries to chokeslam him off the top rope, but DDP turns it into a Diamond Cutter! Certainly not the most logical match and Hart's involvement was classic WCW overbooking, but this was pretty fun for what it was and the crowd was into it. (3/5)

Main event time - Kevin Nash vs. Goldberg for Goldberg's WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Coming into this show, Goldberg was still undefeated while Nash was arguably at his peak in popularity. The match begins with a staredown, Nash taunting the champ with his Wolfpack sign and Goldberg earning an even bigger pop with some flexing in the corner. Nash applies a snug headlock, but Goldberg is able to use his tremendous power to bust out of it with an impressive back suplex. Nash takes a quick powder, but comes back in and the two circle each other again. Nash strikes first, connecting with his signature knees in the corner and then dishing out some big right hands. Nash puts his boot in Goldberg's throat, but Goldberg powers out of it, sending Nash to the mat and we get a pretty sloppy submission sequence that plays to neither guy's strength. Fortunately, they go back to the simple stuff, including a fairly decent spear out of Goldberg on a missed Big Boot attempt by Nash. Goldberg tries to lift Nash off the mat for a Jackhammer, but Nash hits him with a low blow. Nash, back on offense, gets a 2 count on a sidewalk slam and then lands an elbow for 2. Nash maintains control for the next few minutes, Nash eventually leveling him with a vicious short-arm clothesline. Nash goes for what looks like a suplex, but they blow the reverse spot and Goldberg's comeback suffers for it. Goldberg lifts Nash in a powerslam and gets about half the response that the spot deserves because it is undeniably impressive. Disco Inferno shows up and gets taken out because why not have Disco Inferno in your World Title match? Bam Bam Bigelow shows up too and gets taken out, but when the ref's back is turned, Scott Hall ends up on the apron with a stun gun and shocks Goldberg (and the audience). Nash lands the powerbomb and we have a new champion. Parts of this match are really good, but the finish is what everyone remembers and not with fondness. After a year of dominance, Goldberg losing from a cattle prod attack was not how anyone wanted to see the Streak end, especially as one could argue that Nash was popular enough to have deserved to win cleanly and then, over the course of the next few months, maybe trade wins with Goldberg. Instead, WCW overbooked things and made things even worse with the Fingerpoke of Doom angle on Nitro shortly after this (I forget if it occurs the next night or not, but I know it happens soon after). (2.5/5)


Starrcade 97' is often cited as the beginning of the end for WCW, so its easy to forget that, through much of 1998, WCW, while losing the Monday Night ratings war, was still packing arenas and selling tons of Wolfpack and Goldberg merch. Plus, at this point, one could argue that in the midcard, they were still the superior wrestling show. Like the 97' version, Starrcade 98' is more remembered for its missteps than any of its positives. The Flair/Bischoff finish falls flat. Goldberg's streak ending in a screwy, multi-man run-in felt cheap and tainted what could've been an acceptable clean victory for a popular Kevin Nash. In fact, what's often lost in talking about how much Goldberg's stock fell from here is how much Nash's did too, especially after voluntarily handing the title to Hogan in January. Some of this card is utter trash (maybe most?), but at least the opener is good and, hey, The Giant gets a rare showcase on his way out of the company. With a Kwang score of 2.83-out-of-5, I'm giving Starrcade 98' a... 

FINAL RATING - High Risk Maneuver