In 1998, wrestling was the hottest thing on television. Every Monday Night it was drawing ratings like very few other shows were, as Raw and Nitro went head to head in a war of ratings. While The Attitude Era was in full swing in WWE, WCW was matching them move for move with quality content like nothing else.
The face of this company was Bill Goldberg, a man who was booked more strongly than any man in history, and who had embarked on a winning streak that lasted 173 matches in a row. When his iconic music would hit, and his sculpted figure would emerge from within the fireworks, it was a sight to behold and admire.
Kayfabe or not, he looked like a man who could destroy his opponents with utmost ease. Goldberg would go on to win championships, have a memorable run in WWE and then retire from the business for a long, long time.
On 10th October 2016, Goldberg announced his return to Monday Night Raw. While we wait with bated breath, let’s look at some of the massive career accomplishments of this man!
#5 Victory over Raven for the U.S. Heavyweight Championship
Before Booker T brought in the U.S. Championship to WWE, it was the second most important championship title in WCW. And on April 20th, 1998 it was held by an enigmatic wrestler known as Raven, who commanded his own cult of followers who were known simply as ‘The Flock’.
Goldberg was the hottest babyface in the company at this time, with a 74-0 record. And this brought him to his first ever title opportunity, against the man known as Raven. This was a match full of interference, but Goldberg dealt with each of the members of the Flock, after spearing Raven
Goldberg got a reaction that is impossible to even imagine in today’s wrestling environment. At 75-0, Goldberg was the United States Champion of WCW.
#4 Winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
On July 6, 1998, yet again on Nitro (Goldberg seemed to win a lot of titles on free television), Goldberg would challenge Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the WCW Heavyweight Championship. At this time, the nWo had split into nWO Hollywood and the Wolfpac.
The leader of nWo Hollywood, Hogan would stipulate that Goldberg defend his U.S. Championship belt against Scott Hall on the same night. Goldberg ran through Hall, and eventually even defeated Hulk Hogan to become WCW Heavyweight Champion.
He would retain this title through various feuds, until Starrcade 98 (which was WCW’s biggest event), where his streak was ended by Kevin Nash. The unreal pop when Goldberg became World Champion will always resonate in our ears and our hearts.
#3 The streak ends at Starrcade 98
Every good thing must come to an end. While Goldberg took the wrestling world by storm and won 173 matches in a row, Kevin Nash would end his streak at Starrcade 98, at a time when WCW was still strong competition for WCW.
As is speculated by most of the wrestling world, Kevin Nash did not book himself to go over Goldberg, but Kevin Sullivan was in charge at that point. Thankfully, Nash did not go over clean, but Scott Hall interfered on Nash’s behalf, shocking Goldberg with a stun gun.
This would end the streak, and also Goldberg’s championship reign. It was also one of the key moments that began the slow demise of WCW, in the Monday Night war.
#2 Goldberg's WWE debut
The night after Wrestlemania is always special. Wrestlemania 19 had seen The Rock defeat Stone Cold Steve Austin in what was (unknown to fans at that time) Stone Cold’s last ever match. So the next night, we have The Rock gloating in his ‘Rock Appreciation Night’.
And who does he face immediately the next night? The face of WCW - Goldberg. This was a bout that wrestling fans had wanted to see forever, so to see it happen was a dream come true. Goldberg would go on to defeat The Rock at Backlash 2003. We still get goosebumps thinking of the moment.
#1 Jackhammering The Giant
Before being known as The Big Show, Paul Wight was known as ‘The Giant’ on WCW. And long before he made his WWE debut, The Giant was already ‘over’ in the rival promotion due to his sheer size and ability to work in the ring.
In another bout between beasts, Goldberg collided against the Giant, and much to the shock of the WCW fans, delivered a picture perfect Jackhammer that slew the monster. While many are critical of Goldberg’s wrestling skills, nobody can doubt his absolute raw power.
This moment is regarded as the most iconic moment in Goldberg’s storied career since it put his dominance and might on display. Goldberg used the Jackhammer as his finishing move, but him performing it on a then-550 pound Big Show was something very few had expected to see.
In many ways, this moment mirrored one of Professional wrestling’s most iconic moments at Wrestlemania III when Hulk Hogan body slammed Andre the Giant. The anticipation, outcome and the resultant pop were testaments to the same.
This match would lead on to the Starrcade 1998 showdown, which ended Goldberg’s streak.
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