The rise of Goldberg in WCW saw the company finding a new star developed on the homegrown level. WCW was criticized for pushing all the legendary names from past eras like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Randy Savage, and Roddy Piper. Goldberg proved that the company was capable of introducing a new star and finding top level success.
WCW saw Goldberg becoming the face of the company in 1998 and helping draw more money within a year of his debut. The undefeated streak made Goldberg an attraction unlike anyone else in the industry, but there were many weak moments that limited his long-term success. WCW fell apart during Goldberg’s run partially due to ineffective booking moments. The following memories show when WCW dropped the ball with Goldberg or did right by him.
10 Failed: Scott Hall's Cattle Prod Ending Streak
Goldberg was unhappy about Kevin Nash ending the undefeated streak due to the poor booking around it. Nash had a lot of momentum as a fan favorite following the success of the Wolfpac leading the face version of the New World Order.
Scott Hall interfered in the match to stun Goldberg with a cattle prod on behalf of Nash to cause the end of the streak. The controversial finish was meant to protect Goldberg, but it just made him look silly and WCW fell lower in the pecking order afterward.
9 Did Right: Beating Raven for United States Championship
The first title win for Goldberg came in WCW when defeating Raven for the United States Championship. Raven was coming off a tremendous feud against Diamond Dallas Page and was tasked with defending against Goldberg one night after winning the belt.
Fans were not sure what to expect, so Goldberg winning by destroying Raven’s entire group The Flock added to the appeal. Goldberg winning the United States Championship gave him the buzz needed to move up the card.
8 Failed: Worked Shoot Feud With Vince Russo
Vince Russo gaining power in WCW saw him wanting to create unpredictability by implying the script was being broken. Goldberg was placed into a storyline with Russo that featured him refusing to lose matches and walking out.
One memorable moment saw Goldberg cursing out Russo by speaking into the camera. Russo even confronted Goldberg when he walked out of a triple threat match with Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner. Most fans were just confused and lost the must-watch appeal of Goldberg matches.
7 Did Right: Winning Title From Hulk Hogan During Streak
The most memorable moment of Goldberg’s career will always be when he defeated Hulk Hogan to win the WCW Championship. Goldberg’s streak on the line against the top heel’s title reign was the biggest match WCW had at the time.
Hogan putting over a new star was extremely rare and added to the legend of Goldberg’s rise. WCW didn’t want to waste any time since they saw a rising star on their hands with the potential to lead the company.
6 Failed: Starrcade 1999 Loss To Bret Hart
Starrcade was still WCW’s biggest show of the year in 1999 when Goldberg faced off with Bret Hart for the WCW Championship. Vince Russo’s booking style was still hurting the company when coming up with the finish.
WCW tried to recreate the Montreal Screwjob by having referee Roddy Piper ring the bell in favor of Bret when he had the sharpshooter locked in on Goldberg. The finish saw Hart winning despite Goldberg never tapping out. WCW putting their top stars in such foolish outcomes hurt the company.
5 Did Right: Matches With The Giant
The Giant was one of Goldberg’s favorite opponents since the matches helped his career. Goldberg found his ideal formula for bouts by having them run under five minutes and by hitting his impressive moves showing off his power.
The matches against The Giant saw Goldberg kicking out of the chokeslam and bouncing back. Goldberg lifting The Giant in the air for the jackhammer finisher led to massive ovations. WCW booked to the strengths of Goldberg and made him a bigger attraction for it.
4 Failed: New World Order Reuniting At His Expense
The split of the New World Order faction into the two groups of the Wolfpac and Hollywood saw them at odds for many months. Goldberg missed his WCW Championship rematch against Kevin Nash due to Miss Elizabeth’s accusations towards him.
Hulk Hogan replaced Goldberg and had the infamous finger poke of doom win him the title back. Both nWo groups reunited to form the nWo Elite. Hogan, Nash, Scott Hall, Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell, and Lex Luger destroyed Goldberg in a post-match beatdown when he returned to the venue. Fans showed no interest in the angle and it hurt Goldberg’s momentum.
3 Did Right: Beating All NWO Members in Battle Royal
1998 saw the New World Order and Goldberg as the two biggest draws for the company. Goldberg beating Hulk Hogan for the WCW Championship saw members from both the Wolfpac and Hollywood going after him.
The Road Wild event saw Goldberg overcoming the odds of eliminating all members of both factions in a battle royal to retain the belt. Goldberg was unbeatable at the time and WCW utilized the nWo vs nWo drama to elevate him even higher.
2 Failed: Heel Turn
The pivot to Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff having to work together to run WCW led to things reaching new lows for the company. Goldberg returned from an injury in the summer of 2000 during the New Blood storyline of young stars taking over WCW.
The fans wanted to cheer Goldberg as the returning hero, but he turned heel attacking Kevin Nash to join the New Blood with Russo and Bischoff. Goldberg admitted he hated the heel run and felt it ruined his character.
1 Did Right: Halloween Havoc Match With Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page scoring the pinfall in a stacked War Games match earned him a WCW Championship title shot against Goldberg at Halloween Havoc 1998. Fans loved the work of both wrestlers enough to make it an attraction.
WCW rarely booked face vs face matches at the time, but this was a home run. Goldberg had arguably the best match of his career led by Page. The audience bit on the false finishes of DDP ending the streak, but Goldberg winning such a classic match added a missing piece to his resume.