Week 13 - Match: Sting vs Hollywood Hogan – Starrcade 1997
The culmination of the WCW/nWo storyline, botched.
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Match: Sting vs Hollywood Hogan – Starrcade 1997
Context
For over a year, WCW had been building to Sting vs Hollywood Hogan at Starrcade 97. It was supposed to be the biggest match of all time and the blow off match of the WCW vs NWO storyline. Sting was cleverly built slowly as the silent assassin watching from the rafters for months. He had recently gone through a huge transformation to the Crow Sting we all know today and was identified as the only man that could stop the NWO. It was meant to be the biggest match in WCW history, Sting vs Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Title. Yet the pay off did not meet the expectations delivered by the quality of the year long build. World class build, mediocre finish at best.
Did You Know?
The match itself has long been marred by the accusation that Hogan told the ref to ignore Eric Bischoff who ordered a fast count at the finish. A glimpse into really held the power at WCW.
Why You Should Watch
With a normal 3 count at the end the payoff didn’t really make sense and Bret Hart’s involvement seemed forced and unnecessary. It still has a big match feel at WCW’s flagship PPV. It’s worth a watch to see the chaos and missed opportunity rather than being a great payoff to a brilliant angle.
Where Can You See It?
At time of writing WWE has the match on their official Youtube Channel (WCW). You can find it here.
Or watch the full match below, courtesy of WWE’s official YouTube channel
Let’s Talk
Was it a botched finish? Did this missed opportunity contribute towards the downfall of WCW? What should they have done instead?
Coming Next Week:
Terry Funk has a challenge for Ric Flair.
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