I’d argue Goldberg’s best matches all came in WCW during 1998: his U.S. Title win over Raven, the iconic World Title victory against Hogan in front of 50,000 fans on Nitro, and his showdown with DDP at Halloween Havoc. That year was peak Goldberg.
Goldberg in WCW was absolutely class. He's been mainly awful in WWE.
The only thing I ever truly hated about Goldberg was he squashed Sting. I can't describe how that made me feel as a kid.
In my eyes, WCW Crow Sting is the greatest wrestler of all time and my personal favorite by a landslide, so to see him lose in such a short match properly done a number on me as a kid 😂
I’d argue Goldberg’s best matches all came in WCW during 1998: his U.S. Title win over Raven, the iconic World Title victory against Hogan in front of 50,000 fans on Nitro, and his showdown with DDP at Halloween Havoc. That year was peak Goldberg.
In my eyes, WCW Crow Sting is the greatest wrestler of all time and my personal favorite by a landslide
Same here, Sting has been my fave wrestler since I was 8 years old, he was peak 'surfer Sting' at that point. Seeing him twice at Wembley for AEW recently were incredible moments for me.
I’d argue Goldberg’s best matches all came in WCW during 1998: his U.S. Title win over Raven, the iconic World Title victory against Hogan in front of 50,000 fans on Nitro, and his showdown with DDP at Halloween Havoc. That year was peak Goldberg.
In my eyes, WCW Crow Sting is the greatest wrestler of all time and my personal favorite by a landslide
Same here, Sting has been my fave wrestler since I was 8 years old, he was peak 'surfer Sting' at that point. Seeing him twice at Wembley for AEW recently were incredible moments for me.
I didn't go both times cause I couldn't and I think I'll always regret it tbh, especially with how epic his entrance was. Seek & Destroy is one of my favourite songs, Metallica is one of my favourite bands, and of course it was Sting.
Nothing beats his Crow theme music, but I bet it was amazing being there.
I really feel AEW gave Sting the respect he deserved, as did TNA. WWE took the piss on his return as expected.
Hard to accept for them that one of Wrestlings greatest ever gimmicks (the best imo) was outside of the main company.
I think the Sting thing in WWE would have been better if it wasn't for the injury, he was still being booked well up until then
Didn't he have two matches and lose them both? They also never booked Sting v The Undertaker. 🥺
Yes but he was still being used as a big deal, and was one of the main antagonists against The Authority at the time. If it weren't for the injury I'm sure he would have played a major role in the downfall of them.
AEW gave him a great career end story in the end, I mean he got to retire as an undefeated tag team champion. How many wrestlers of his generation were able to do that?
I think the Sting thing in WWE would have been better if it wasn't for the injury, he was still being booked well up until then
'booked well' = 'buried by HHH to make sure WWE > WCW'.
That's how I see it. It's also why they probably included DX and nWo at Wrestlemania to get one up on them.
WCW was so good, so bloody good. Probably my favourite period of wrestling 97-99. It was neck and neck, but I just always preferred WCW a little more overrall.
I was a WCW fan (still am), for one it was easier to watch in the UK. WCW worldwide was on ITV on the weekends in the early 90s, and we got Monday Nitro on TNT over here for free (although you needed a satellite dish). Only thing we couldn't get at all were the PPVs, although they were released on VHS months later.
I've got loads of WCW VHS, wondering if they're worth much these days?
For me WCW from around May '96 to Starcade '97 was the best era of wrestling. Maybe if it wasn't for the teenage nostalgia factor WWE 23/24 tops it. 98 still had some great moments in WCW, especially Chris Jericho and his fueds with Juvi and Malenko but the AOL Time Warner merger had started interfering by then.
Looks like we’re all around the same age (I’m 42 in September), and I completely agree — the '90s were the golden age of wrestling. I see kids at shows these days and they have no idea how wild and insanely popular wrestling was when we were teenagers. Sadly, AEW vs WWE doesn’t come close to the chaos and excitement of the old WCW vs WWF days. I honestly don’t think we’ll ever see anything like that again. The Monday Night War should be part of the school curriculum! 😂
To me late 90s WWF doesn't date well. The mid card was pretty lack luster and some of the angles (the two Vinces have very disturbing tastes) aren't great watching. That said, Austin is probably the GOAT.
Likewise Steamboat v Savage is classed as one of the best matches ever, but you watch it today it's nothing special. The Flair v Steamboat matches still hold up. I guess i've preferred the traditional southern razlin style which WWE is closer to than it was in the Attitude era.
I’m 32 years old so only caught the end of the attitude era. I do find it difficult watching some of the women’s segment from that era, but nothing will beat The Rock/Stone Cold era. I reckon the 98 play off final and Armageddon 2000 PPV are the two things I watched the most when growing up.
Started watching again from Summerslam 2013. Loved the Wyatt family vignettes and have been watching the product ever since. Agree that there was an era when NXT under HHH was miles better than the rubbish being shown on the main roster. Fortunate to go to a lot of WWE/NXT events in the 2010’s. Now have zero interest in going before the prices are ridiculous
Peak fandom was when I went to wrestlemania 32 in Dallas. Genuinely haven’t watched it back it was so shit. Don’t think any mania between now and mania 50 will be as bad as that one.
I've got loads of WCW VHS, wondering if they're worth much these days?
For me WCW from around May '96 to Starcade '97 was the best era of wrestling. Maybe if it wasn't for the teenage nostalgia factor WWE 23/24 tops it. 98 still had some great moments in WCW, especially Chris Jericho and his fueds with Juvi and Malenko but the AOL Time Warner merger had started interfering by then.
I think the Sting thing in WWE would have been better if it wasn't for the injury, he was still being booked well up until then
'booked well' = 'buried by HHH to make sure WWE > WCW'.
I believe it was Vince but that's exactly why the invasion angle failed. They booked Nexus stronger than WCW and ECW a few years later.
I still love the Juice! Loved everything about him, his move set, his entrance song, ring attires. The Juvi Driver was one of my favourite moves. I know it's a bit bizarre, but I'll just be sitting there and get the urge to either load up that, Billy Kiddmans theme (another severely underrated wrestler) or Booker Ts WCW theme.
Another thing that might be seen as weird is the sound effects from WCW. Did anyone else just prefer how the ring mats sounded? Like Goldbergs jackhammer, the Juvi Driver, the diamond cutter, etc, they all sounded lethal on WCW mats.
It's very hard for me to pick a 'GOAT' or an era as there are just so many good periods.
I think the early 00's in WWE can be overlooked sometimes. The roster was stacked and they handled transitioning away from the Rock and Stone Cold pretty well.
I think the worst period was around 2012-2018 personally. A lot of good came from then, but overrall its when I have least enjoyed it.
I am 34, but my mount Rushmore would look something like: Stone Cold, Sting, Reigns, and the 4th slot is really difficult but I'd be tempted to give to to Triple H. I hated Triple H as a kid.
Mount Rushmore for me is Flair & Austin and which two i decide that day. Seeing as we've beem talking about WCW, Booker T and Chris Jericho!
Booker T deffo makes the WCW Rushmore. He was unreal. Still must be one of the worst booking decisions not putting him over Triple H. Again though, couldn't let WCW one up.
Jericho also right up there. Unpopular opinion, never been keen on Flair. I like him, but I don't see him up there.
I've never enjoyed watching Ric Flair, all he offers is a few strikes & he works the leg before the figure 4. I know he gives great promos, was a travelling heat magnet etc, but I honestly prefer watching Charlotte's old matches.
Whether it's Stone Cold or The Sandman, they all say Flair is top 3 ever so I know I'm the one missing something.
Have you seen many Flair matches? He carried on going a lot longer than he should have which may have tainted his legacy, but in his day he was the man. Starcade '93 v Vader, the 92 Rumble. The series with Steamboat in '89 which led to the i quite match with Funk. The Starcades against Rhodes and Race. His passing of the torch to Sting. Actually the HBK wrestlemania 'sorry i love you' match was also superb but that's probably more due to Shawn as Flair was a mess by then. Shame that wasn't the actual last match. 😕
Have you seen many Flair matches? He carried on going a lot longer than he should have which may have tainted his legacy, but in his day he was the man. Starcade '93 v Vader, the 92 Rumble. The series with Steamboat in '89 which led to the i quite match with Funk. The Starcades against Rhodes and Race. His passing of the torch to Sting. Actually the HBK wrestlemania 'sorry i love you' match was also superb but that's probably more due to Shawn as Flair was a mess by then. Shame that wasn't the actual last match. 😕
This is where I might be guilty mate as I don't really watch wrestling pre-97 (other than Rumbles or Manias). It is on my to-do list but it just hasn't happened. I was born in 91' and I specifically remember my first bit of wrestling I ever watched was a 8 man elimination tag match on Smackdown in 1999, DX Vs. Stone Cold, Kane, The Rock and Shane McMahon.
I find myself just rewatching ppvs from the late 90s/early 00s 😂
For example, I doubt there are many people in the world that have watched Spring Stampede 1999 or Royal Rumble 2001 more than me, I love a rewatch.
For me Wrestling started with Crow Sting, Austin 3:16 etc. Ultimate Warrior, Ric Flair etc are a bit before my time. 97' is the furthest I've watched back with any consistency and that's mainly cause of WCW.
Have you seen many Flair matches? He carried on going a lot longer than he should have which may have tainted his legacy, but in his day he was the man. Starcade '93 v Vader, the 92 Rumble. The series with Steamboat in '89 which led to the i quite match with Funk. The Starcades against Rhodes and Race. His passing of the torch to Sting. Actually the HBK wrestlemania 'sorry i love you' match was also superb but that's probably more due to Shawn as Flair was a mess by then. Shame that wasn't the actual last match. 😕
For example, I doubt there are many people in the world that have watched Spring Stampede 1999 or Royal Rumble 2001 more than me
Have you seen many Flair matches? He carried on going a lot longer than he should have which may have tainted his legacy, but in his day he was the man. Starcade '93 v Vader, the 92 Rumble. The series with Steamboat in '89 which led to the i quite match with Funk. The Starcades against Rhodes and Race. His passing of the torch to Sting. Actually the HBK wrestlemania 'sorry i love you' match was also superb but that's probably more due to Shawn as Flair was a mess by then. Shame that wasn't the actual last match. 😕
For example, I doubt there are many people in the world that have watched Spring Stampede 1999 or Royal Rumble 2001 more than me
Everyone has that one obscure PPV that they were obsessed with as a kid.
Mine was ECW Anarchy Rules 1999. Got it on VHS in 2000 from WHSmiths of all places (they had a solid wrestling PPV section tbf).
Had never seen anything like it before. Even watching the Attitude era week to week, seeing ECW on a PPV level balls-out performance absolutely blew my mind.
Super Crazy doing a moonsault off of a balcony about 20 feet up as if it was nothing, in the second match of the show. New Jack wandering out to cut off some random bloke’s promo, and everyone reacting as if an actual serial killer was on the loose. Those crowds were something else.
Comments
Cena in 2025 I suppose.
Funniest part is that they can't talk about why Punk is a hypocrite for going to Saudi Arabia. Have to please their masters after all.
What was interesting in the original pipe bomb? Cena paraphrased the whole thing. Adding a curse word makes it more less safe if anything.
The only thing I ever truly hated about Goldberg was he squashed Sting. I can't describe how that made me feel as a kid.
In my eyes, WCW Crow Sting is the greatest wrestler of all time and my personal favorite by a landslide, so to see him lose in such a short match properly done a number on me as a kid 😂
Just want our Tribal Chief to return now.
Nothing beats his Crow theme music, but I bet it was amazing being there.
I really feel AEW gave Sting the respect he deserved, as did TNA. WWE took the piss on his return as expected.
Hard to accept for them that one of Wrestlings greatest ever gimmicks (the best imo) was outside of the main company.
WCW was so good, so bloody good. Probably my favourite period of wrestling 97-99. It was neck and neck, but I just always preferred WCW a little more overrall.
For me WCW from around May '96 to Starcade '97 was the best era of wrestling. Maybe if it wasn't for the teenage nostalgia factor WWE 23/24 tops it. 98 still had some great moments in WCW, especially Chris Jericho and his fueds with Juvi and Malenko but the AOL Time Warner merger had started interfering by then.
I believe it was Vince but that's exactly why the invasion angle failed. They booked Nexus stronger than WCW and ECW a few years later.
Late 90s WWF was my favourite but I was also aged 10-13 at that time so it hit perfectly.
AEW from 2019-2022 was also outstanding. The most exciting period for pro wrestling in 20 years during that time.
Likewise Steamboat v Savage is classed as one of the best matches ever, but you watch it today it's nothing special. The Flair v Steamboat matches still hold up. I guess i've preferred the traditional southern razlin style which WWE is closer to than it was in the Attitude era.
Another thing that might be seen as weird is the sound effects from WCW. Did anyone else just prefer how the ring mats sounded? Like Goldbergs jackhammer, the Juvi Driver, the diamond cutter, etc, they all sounded lethal on WCW mats.
I think the early 00's in WWE can be overlooked sometimes. The roster was stacked and they handled transitioning away from the Rock and Stone Cold pretty well.
I think the worst period was around 2012-2018 personally. A lot of good came from then, but overrall its when I have least enjoyed it.
I am 34, but my mount Rushmore would look something like: Stone Cold, Sting, Reigns, and the 4th slot is really difficult but I'd be tempted to give to to Triple H. I hated Triple H as a kid.
Jericho also right up there. Unpopular opinion, never been keen on Flair. I like him, but I don't see him up there.
I find myself just rewatching ppvs from the late 90s/early 00s 😂
For example, I doubt there are many people in the world that have watched Spring Stampede 1999 or Royal Rumble 2001 more than me, I love a rewatch.
For me Wrestling started with Crow Sting, Austin 3:16 etc. Ultimate Warrior, Ric Flair etc are a bit before my time. 97' is the furthest I've watched back with any consistency and that's mainly cause of WCW.
Mine was ECW Anarchy Rules 1999. Got it on VHS in 2000 from WHSmiths of all places (they had a solid wrestling PPV section tbf).
Had never seen anything like it before. Even watching the Attitude era week to week, seeing ECW on a PPV level balls-out performance absolutely blew my mind.