5 ways for WWE to make Starrcade larger than life

From the 80s, right up until the height of the Monday Night Wars, Starrcade was WCW's version of WrestleMania. The only difference is that it would take place either on the Thanksgiving weekend (until 1986) or in December when it became a WCW tradition and not an NWA one.

Starrcade has been host to some of the most legendary images in professional wrestling history. Whether it was Ric Flair and Harley Race competing for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in the inaugural edition, the classics between Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes or the fiasco that was Sting vs. Hogan from Starrcade 1997.

Starrcade returns for the first time since the year 2000, not on pay-per-view but presumably as a Network special. Much has been made of the fact that it is only being brought to counter ticket sales from a 'legends' event. However, Starrcade is here, and WWE has an opportunity to make it absolutely special.

We suggest five ways in which WWE can capitalize on the Starrcade name and make it a really special event. It could be an event that brings back old timers disillusioned with the current product as well as new fans who have watched the NWA tradition only on the WWE Network.

Here are five suggestions from us:

#5- The official return of Hulk Hogan

If Hulk Hogan is a character that is synonymous with WrestleMania, the 'Hollywood' Hogan character is equally synonymous with later day Starrcade events. It is no secret that WWE and Hulk Hogan are on estranged terms, right now.

Starrcade is the perfect avenue for WWE to forge ties with The Hulkster and bring him back to his adoring fans. Hulk Hogan seems genuinely apologetic for the mistake he made, that caused his relationship with WWE to sour, and in our estimation, deserves yet another show in the company. After all, he did put WWE on the map.

Imagine just how special it would be if Hogan were to make a return, playing air guitar, in his nWo persona. We all know that The Hulkster made the Monday Night Wars with his heel turn. Upon his return, the audience reception would be absolutely fantastic!

Everyone deserves a second chance. Especially the greatest professional wrestler of all time- 'Hollywood' Hulk Hogan.

#4- Ric Flair addresses fans about his health

If Shawn Michaels is Mr. WrestleMania, Ric Flair is Mr. Starrcade, having been part of some of the most priceless moments from the event. Most WWE fans know that Flair had quite a health scare recently, having been hospitalized, thereafter entering into a medically induced coma, and in the surgery that followed, losing a part of his bowel too.

All Flair would need to do, to make WWE Starrcade 2017 special is stepping out, and cutting a promo as only he can for his fans. Flair is known to be indestructible, and if he gets a chance to address his fans, assuring them that he is alright, it would result in one of the best feel-good moments in professional wrestling history.

Remember Shibata stepping into the ring at the G1 Finals and the kind of effect that had on the audience (following the injury he suffered as the result of a headbutt during his match with IWGP Champion, Kazuchika Okada)?

Multiply the impact by manifold and you will get the special moment between Ric Flair and his fans. There is nobody who embodies Starrcade like the Nature Boy does!

#3- The return of Goldberg

When Goldberg lost to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33, he cut a promo the night after, saying that while he would be stepping away from the ring, but he was not done at all.

Goldberg would not need to wrestle a match, but only deliver a few spears and jackhammers, to make the latest edition of Starrcade extremely memorable indeed.

Goldberg has not had the best of luck at Starrcade, considering that his streak was broken in 98 and in 99, when he accidentally ended Bret Hart's career. However, he is the biggest star that WCW ever produced, and is still a pretty big draw, to this very day.

Imagine Goldberg decimating Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers. The nostalgia pop would be enormous. As would the pop from newer fans who caught Goldberg's recent run.

Goldberg is a star that transcends generations. WWE Starrcade can do wonders with his star power.

#2- An official War Games match

If you haven't watched a War Games match yet, we recommend that you log in to the WWE Network and do so, right away. There were two rings, placed side by side, over which there loomed a massive steel cage. The Four Horsemen ruled this format, and it would involve both heels and babyfaces coming out in turns.

The sheer visual appeal of a War Games match was extremely breathtaking. It would be very cool to see the Four Horsewomen ride wild and free in a War Games match, maybe against four heels, considering all four of them are babyfaces now.

In many ways, this would be a passing of the torch from the Four Horsemen to the Four Horsewomen. In an ideal scenario, the WWE Horsewomen could take on the MMA Horsewomen and Ronda Rousey, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride them!

#1- Sting gets his revenge on Triple H

At WrestleMania 31, we saw Sting, the last hold-out from WCW, make his WWE debut and lose his very first match against The Game. This was the last nail in the coffin of WCW and established WWE as the clear winners of the Monday Night Wars.

Starrcade could be a stage for retribution. We could see Sting return, and take out The Game, much to the delight of fans of WCW and NWA, who had grown up with The Stinger. Old time fans, especially those who would be attending because of the Starrcade name, would be delighted to see the WCW mainstay make one last stand for the company.

Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments what surprises you'd like at an event of this magnitude. We'd be delighted to hear your thoughts.

In the words of Tony Schiavone, Starrcade has the potential to be the 'greatest night in the history of our sport' if booked in the right manner.