Goldberg win streak

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The Goldberg win streak was a lengthy series of victories that established the character of American professional wrestler Goldberg, following his debut on WCW Monday Nitro on September 22, 1997. The unprecedented win streak proved to be essential in making Goldberg the breakout star of World Championship Wrestling (WCW), propelling the rookie wrestler to main event status within a year of his first match, [1] and would become a tool used by other promotions to build young stars into main event players.

Contents

Background

Beginnings

During the rehab following his NFL injury, Goldberg began powerlifting and mixed martial arts training. He was spotted by Lex Luger and Sting who urged him to try professional wrestling. [2] Although not a fan of professional wrestling, he saw it as an alternative to his fledgling football career and began training at the WCW Power Plant.

Training under the tutelage of DeWayne Bruce, he made his debut as Bill Gold on a dark match at a Monday Nitro event on June 23, 1997 where he defeated Bruce (wrestling as Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker). [3] He also faced and defeated Buddy Landell ( Saturday Night dark match), Hugh Morrus (house show), Chip Minton (Nitro dark match), and John Betcha (house show). His final pre-televised appearance was in a dark match on July 24 at a Saturday Night taping in a loss to Chad Fortune. [4] [5] [6]

The streak begins

Now 5–1, Bill Goldberg had yet to be seen on television. As such, he was "undefeated" when he made his televised debut on Monday Nitro on September 22, 1997. Behind the scenes it was WCW announcer Mike Tenay who came up with the concept of the Goldberg Win Streak. [7] Goldberg was booked to win over Morrus, and thus began a win streak that carried over onto WCW Saturday Night and non-televised house shows. The longer the streak became, the more popular the Goldberg character became.

After rampaging through most of WCW's undercard of wrestlers, Goldberg faced Raven on the April 20 edition of Monday Nitro and captured the United States Heavyweight Championship. [8] By June he had eclipsed 100 wins, and was getting over as a main eventer. Hulk Hogan eventually granted Goldberg a title match, which would take place on the July 6, 1998 episode of Nitro held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with over 40,000 in attendance, but Hogan insisted that Goldberg first had to defeat his nWo stablemate Scott Hall. Goldberg won and later in the evening was also able to defeat Hogan to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, in turn vacating his United States Heavyweight Championship.

Conclusion of the streak

"We had been talking about it, from what I can recall, for a couple of months. As I have touched on in previous shows… we were just running out of guys for Goldberg to go through. Once we got to point of whatever it was 173–0 or whatever it was (laughs). It was that point where we had to start telling stories. We had to expand the storytelling process with Bill. We knew it had to be done"

Eric Bischoff on his podcast Bischoff on Wrestling [9]

Now WCW Champion, Goldberg found himself the cornerstone of the company's efforts to stave off the WWF. The former number two promotion was now running neck and neck with WWF, and Goldberg was programmed into a feud with Diamond Dallas Page. At Halloween Havoc, the feud was settled after Goldberg defeated Page to retain the title. [10] According to Goldberg, his match against Page was the favorite match of his career. [11] Following technical issues with the PPV the match was aired for free on the following Monday Nitro; the huge rating that it garnered was the final time that Monday Nitro defeated Monday Night Raw. [12]

As Goldberg moved on to a feud with The Giant, WCW management resorted to embellishing the win streak with fictional victories. Wrestling fans who followed match results online began to catch on as Goldberg's streak grew exponentially, and he began to incur the first backlash of his career. [7]

At Starrcade, Goldberg's undefeated streak ended at an official approximate count of 173–0, [13] [14] and after 174 days as champion when he lost the title to Kevin Nash, after Scott Hall, disguised as a ringside security guard, made a run-in and shocked Goldberg with a taser gun. [10]

List of matches

Matches in Goldberg's win streak
DateLocationArenaVenueOpponentResultRecord
June 23, 1997Macon, GAColiseumWCW Nitro dark match Buddy Lee Parker [15] Won by pinfall1–0
June 24, 1997Dalton, GAColiseumWCW Saturday Night dark match Buddy Landell [15] Won by pinfall2–0
July 14, 1997Orlando, FLArenaWCW Nitro dark match Hugh Morrus [15] Won by pinfall3–0
July 17, 1997Cincinnati, OHThe CrownWCW Nitro dark match Chip Minton [15] Won by pinfall4–0
July 22, 1997Jacksonville, FLColiseumhouse show John Betcha [15] Won by pinfall5–0
July 24, 1997WCW Sat Night tapingArenaWCW Saturday Night dark match Chad Fortune [4] Lost by pinfall5–1
September 22, 1997Salt Lake City, UTE CenterWCW NitroHugh Morrus [15] Won by pinfall6–1
September 29, 1997Worcester, MACentrumWCW Nitro The Barbarian [15] Won by pinfall7–1
October 1, 1997Dalton, GAWCW Saturday Night Roadblock [15] Won by pinfall8–1
October 10, 1997Orlando, FLUniversal Studios WCW WorldWide Manny Fernandez [15] Won by pinfall9–1
October 13, 1997Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide Frankie Lancaster [4] Won by pinfall10–1
October 13, 1997Orlando, FLIce PalaceWCW Nitro Scotty Riggs [15] Won by pinfall11–1
October 14, 1997Fort Myers, FLWCW Saturday Night Mike Anthony [16] Won by pinfall12–1
October 20, 1997Biloxi, MSMississippi Coast ColiseumWCW Nitro Wrath [15] Won by pinfall13–1
October 28, 1997San Bernardino, CAWCW Saturday Night The Renegade [15] Won by pinfall14–1
November 2, 1997Norfolk, VAScopeWCW house show Bobby Eaton [15] Won by pinfall15–1
November 8, 1997Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide Mark Starr [16] Won by pinfall16–1
December 16, 1997Gainesville, GAGeorgia Mountains CenterWCW Saturday Night The Renegade [15] Won by pinfall17–1
December 28, 1997Washington, DCMCI CenterWCW Starrcade 97 Steve McMichael [15] Won by pinfall18–1
December 29, 1997Baltimore, MDArenaWCW Nitro Glacier [15] Won by pinfall19–1
January 3, 1998Columbia, SCTownship AuditoriumWCW house showBobby Eaton [8] Won by pinfall20–1
January 4, 1998Columbus, GACivic CenterWCW house show Brad Armstrong [8] Won by pinfall21–1
January 5, 1998Atlanta, GAGeorgia DomeWCW Nitro Stevie Ray [8] Won by pinfall22–1
January 6, 1998Rome, GAForumWCW Saturday Night Barry Horowitz [8] Won by pinfall23–1
January 8, 1998Daytona Beach, FLOcean Center WCW Thunder Steve McMichael [8] Won by pinfall24–1
January 12, 1998Jacksonville, FLColiseumWCW Nitro Jerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall25–1
January 15, 1998Lakeland, FLJenkins ArenaWCW Thunder Chavo Guerrero Jr. [8] No contest25–1
January 20, 1998Thibodaux, LACivic CenterWCW Saturday NightMike Tolbert [8] Won by pinfall26–1
January 20, 1998Thibodaux, LACivic CenterWCW Saturday Night Meng [8] Won by pinfall27–1
January 22, 1998Huntsville, ALVon Braun Civic CenterWCW Thunder Kendall Windham [8] Won by pinfall28–1
January 26, 1998Fort Wayne, INAllen County War Memorial ColiseumWCW Nitro Brad Armstrong [8] Won by pinfall29–1
January 29, 1998Memphis, TNMid-South ColiseumWCW Thunder Yuji Nagata [8] Won by pinfall30–1
January 31, 1998Boston, MAFleet CenterWCW Boston Brawl Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker [8] Won by pinfall31–1
February 2, 1998San Antonio, TXAlamoDomeWCW Nitro Mark Starr [8] Won by pinfall32–1
February 3, 1998Corpus Christi, TXWCW Saturday Night Disco Inferno [8] Won by pinfall33–1
February 5, 1998Beaumont, TXCivic CenterWCW Thunder Jim Powers [8] Won by pinfall34–1
February 9, 1998El Paso, TXDon Haskins CenterWCW Nitro Lord Steven Regal [8] Won by pinfall35–1
February 12, 1998Oklahoma City, OKMyriadWCW ThunderGlacier [8] Won by pinfall36–1
February 13, 1998Springfield, MOWCW house showSteve McMichael [8] Won by pinfall37–1
February 14, 1998Kansas City, KSMemorial HallWCW house showSteve McMichael [8] Won by pinfall38–1
February 14, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide Joey Maggs [8] Won by pinfall39–1
February 16, 1998Tampa, FLFairgroundsWCW NitroHugh Morrus [8] Won by pinfall40–1
February 17, 1998Palmetto, FLManatee Civic CenterWCW Saturday NightJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall41–1
February 19, 1998Birmingham, ALJefferson Civic CenterWCW Thunder Fit Finlay [8] Won by pinfall42–1
February 22, 1998San Francisco, CACow PalaceWCW SuperBrawl VIII Brad Armstrong [8] Won by pinfall43–1
February 26, 1998Cedar Rapids, IAFive Seasons CenterWCW Thunder Rick Fuller [8] Won by pinfall44–1
March 2, 1998Philadelphia, PACorestates SpectrumWCW Nitro Sick Boy [8] Won by pinfall45–1
March 3, 1998Johnstown, PACambria County Civic CenterWCW Nitro Chase Tatum [8] Won by pinfall46–1
March 5, 1998Columbus, OHConvention CenterWCW Thunder Vincent [8] Won by pinfall47–1
March 6, 1998Pittsburgh, PAPalumbo CenterWCW house showYuji Nagata [8] Won by pinfall48–1
March 7, 1998Charleston, WVCivic CenterWCW house showYuji Nagata [8] Won by pinfall49–1
March 7, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Saturday NightJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall50–1
March 8, 1998Johnson City, TNFreedom HallWCW house showYuji Nagata [8] Won by pinfall51–1
March 9, 1998Winston-Salem, NCLawrence Joel Memorial ColiseumWCW Nitro Barry Darsow [8] Won by pinfall52–1
March 16, 1998Panama City, FLClub La VelaWCW Nitro Lodi [8] Won by pinfall53–1
March 18, 1998Terre Haute, INHulman CenterWCW Thunder Wayne Bloom [8] Won by pinfall54–1
March 19, 1998Troy, OHHobart ArenaWCW house showBrad Armstrong [8] Won by pinfall55–1
March 20, 1998Hammond, INWCW house showBrad Armstrong [8] Won by pinfall56–1
March 22, 1998Cincinnati, OHThe CrownWCW house showBrad Armstrong [8] Won by pinfall57–1
March 23, 1998Louisville, KYFreedom HallWCW NitroThe Renegade [8] Won by pinfall58–1
March 25, 1998Baltimore, MDWCW house show Jerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall59–1
March 26, 1998Fairfax, VAPatriot CenterWCW ThunderJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall60–1
March 27, 1998Charlottesville, VAWCW house showJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall61–1
March 28, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide Johnny Swinger [4] Won by pinfall62–1
March 28, 1998Auburn Hills, MIPalaceWCW house showJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall63–1
March 29, 1998Milwaukee, WIWCW house showJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall64–1
March 30, 1998Chicago, ILUnited CenterWCW Nitro Ray Traylor [8] Won by pinfall65–1
April 2, 1998Tampa, FLIce PalaceWCW ThunderJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall66–1
April 3, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW WorldwideJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall67–1
April 4, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide Terrance Black [8] Won by pinfall68–1
April 4, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide John Nord [8] Won by pinfall69–1
April 4, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW Worldwide Bobby Blaze [4] Won by pinfall70–1
April 4, 1998Orlando, FLUniversal StudiosWCW WorldwideJerry Flynn [4] Won by pinfall71–1
April 6, 1998Miami, FLMiami ArenaWCW Nitro Van Hammer [8] Won by pinfall72–1
April 10, 1998Montgomery, ALWCW house showFit Finlay [8] Won by pinfall73–1
April 11, 1998Chattanooga, TNUTC ArenaWCW house showFit Finlay [8] Won by pinfall74–1
April 13, 1998Minneapolis, MNTarget CenterWCW Nitro Rocco Rock [8] Won by pinfall75–1
April 14, 1998Mankato, MNWCW Saturday NightVan Hammer [8] Won by pinfall76–1
April 16, 1998Fargo, NDFargoDomeWCW ThunderBarry Darsow [8] Won by pinfall77–1
April 19, 1998Denver, COColiseumWCW Spring Stampede 98 Perry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall78–1
April 20, 1998Colorado Springs, COWorld ArenaWCW Nitro Raven [8] Won by pinfall79–1
April 22, 1998Columbia, SCCarolina ColiseumWCW Thunder Mike Enos [8] Won by pinfall80–1
April 27, 1998Norfolk, VAScopeWCW Nitro Scott Norton [8] Won by pinfall81–1
April 27, 1998Norfolk, VAScopeWCW NitroJerry Flynn [8] Won by pinfall82–1
April 28, 1998Salisbury, MDWCW house showScott Norton [8] Won by pinfall83–1
May 5, 1998Springfield, ILWCW Saturday NightVan Hammer [8] Won by pinfall84–1
May 5, 1998Springfield, ILWCW Saturday NightYuji Nagata [8] Won by pinfall85–1
May 6, 1998Des Moines, IAVeterans Memorial ColiseumWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall86–1
May 9, 1998Wichita, KSWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall87–1
May 11, 1998Kansas City, MOKemper ArenaWCW Nitro Len Denton [8] Won by pinfall88–1
May 14, 1998Durham, NHWhittemore Center ArenaWCW ThunderSick Boy [8] Won by pinfall89–1
May 15, 1998Bangor, MEWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall90–1
May 16, 1998Amherst, MAMullins CenterWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall91–1
May 17, 1998Worcester, MACentrumWCW Slamboree 98 Perry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall92–1
May 18, 1998Providence, RICivic CenterWCW NitroGlacier [8] Won by pinfall93–1
May 25, 1998Evansville, INRoberts Municipal AuditoriumWCW Nitro Johnny Attitude [8] Won by pinfall94–1
May 26, 1998Memphis, TNMid-South ColiseumWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall95–1
May 27, 1998Nashville, TNMunicipal AuditoriumWCW Thunder Barry Horowitz [8] Won by pinfall96–1
June 1, 1998Washington, DCMCI CenterWCW Nitro La Parka [8] Won by pinfall97–1
June 4, 1998Peoria, ILCivic CenterWCW ThunderHugh Morrus & Barbarian [8] Won by pinfall98–1
June 5, 1998Muncie, INWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall99–1
June 6, 1998Fort Wayne, INWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall100–1
June 7, 1998Grand Rapids, MIVan Andel ArenaWCW house showPerry Saturn [8] Won by pinfall101–1
June 8, 1998Auburn Hills, MIThe PalaceWCW NitroChavo Guerrero Jr. [8] Won by pinfall102–1
June 9, 1998Saginaw, MICivic CenterWCW Saturday NightRaven [8] Won by pinfall103–1
June 13, 1998Pittsburgh, PAWCW house show Konnan [8] Won by pinfall104–1
June 13, 1998Pittsburgh, PAWCW house show Sting [8] Won by pinfall105–1
June 14, 1998Baltimore, MDArenaWCW Great American Bash 98 Konnan [8] Won by pinfall106–1
June 17, 1998Philadelphia, PACorestates SpectrumWCW Thunder Reese [8] Won by pinfall107–1
June 22, 1998Jacksonville, FLColiseumWCW NitroRick Fuller [8] Won by pinfall108–1
June 24, 1998Orlando, FLWCW Thunder dark matchFit Finlay [8] Won by pinfall109–1
June 29, 1998Tampa, FLIce PalaceWCW NitroGlacier [8] Won by pinfall110–1
July 6, 1998Atlanta, GAGeorgia DomeWCW Nitro Scott Hall [8] Won by pinfall111–1
July 6, 1998Atlanta, GAGeorgia DomeWCW Nitro Hulk Hogan [8] Won by pinfall112–1
July 7, 1998Macon, GAColiseumWCW Saturday NightScott Hall [8] Won by pinfall113–1
July 8, 1998Birmingham, ALBJCCWCW Thunder dark matchScott Hall [8] Won by pinfall114–1
July 10, 1998Inglewood, CAGreat Western ForumWCW LA Melee Curt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall115–1
July 12, 1998San Diego, CACox ArenaWCW Bash at the Beach 98 Curt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall116–1
July 13, 1998Las Vegas, NVMGM GrandWCW NitroCurt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall117–1
July 16, 1998Oakland, CAColiseumWCW Thunder dark match The Giant [8] Won by pinfall118–1
July 17, 1998Sacramento, CAWCW house showCurt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall119–1
July 18, 1998Spokane, WAWCW house showCurt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall120–1
July 19, 1998Yakima, WASun DomeWCW house showCurt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall121–1
July 20, 1998Salt Lake City, UTE CenterWCW Nitro dark matchThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall122–1
July 26, 1998New York City, NYGoodwill GamesWCW house showCurt Hennig [8] Won by pinfall123–1
July 27, 1998San Antonio, TXAlamoDomeWCW Nitro Brian Adams [8] Won by pinfall124–1
July 27, 1998San Antonio, TXAlamoDomeWCW Nitro dark matchThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall125–1
August 3, 1998Denver, COColiseumWCW Nitro dark matchThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall126–1
August 5, 1998Casper, WYEvents CenterWCW Thunder dark matchThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall127–1
August 8, 1998Sturgis, SDSturgis Rally & RaceWCW Road Wild 98 The Giant [8] Won by pinfall128–1
August 10, 1998Rapid City, SDRushmore Plaza Civic CenterWCW Nitro Meng [8] Won by pinfall129–1
August 13, 1998Fargo, NDFargoDomeWCW Thunder dark matchThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall130–1
August 17, 1998Hartford, CTCivic CenterWCW NitroThe Giant [8] Won by DQ131–1
August 26, 1998Peoria, ILCivic CenterWCW Thunder dark matchThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall132–1
August 31, 1998Miami, FLMiami ArenaWCW Nitro Al Green (wrestler) [8] Won by pinfall133–1
September 7, 1998Pensacola, FLWCW Nitro Scott Putski [8] Won by pinfall134–1
September 10, 1998Lexington, KYRupp ArenaWCW ThunderRick Fuller [8] Won by pinfall135–1
September 11, 1998Cincinnati, OHWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall136–1
September 14, 1998Greenville, SCBiLo CenterWCW NitroSting [8] Won by pinfall137–1
September 24, 1998Norfolk, VAScopeWCW Thunder Chris Kanyon [8] Won by pinfall138–1
September 24, 1998Norfolk, VAScopeWCW ThunderRaven [8] Won by pinfall139–1
September 25, 1998Baltimore, MDArenaWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall140–1
September 26, 1998Fairfax, VAPatriot CenterWCW house showSting [8] Won by pinfall141–1
October 1, 1998Norfolk, VAWCW ThunderRaven [16] Won by pinfall142–1
October 5, 1998Columbia, SCCarolina ColiseumWCW NitroDisco Inferno [8] Won by pinfall143–1
October 10, 1998Dayton, OHWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall144–1
October 10, 1998Columbus, OHWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall145–1
October 11, 1998Milwaukee, WIWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall146–1
October 12, 1998Chicago, ILUnited CenterWCW NitroThe Giant [8] Won by countout147–1
October 20, 1998Mankato, MNWCW Thunder dark matchMeng [8] Won by pinfall148–1
October 21, 1998Duluth, MNDecCWCW house showScott Hall [8] Won by pinfall149–1
October 25, 1998Las Vegas, NVMGM GrandWCW Halloween Havoc 98 Diamond Dallas Page [8] Won by pinfall150–1
November 6, 1998Charleston, WVCivic CenterWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall151–1
November 7, 1998Pittsburgh, PAPalumbo CenterWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall152–1
November 8, 1998Johnstown, PAWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall153–1
November 9, 1998Long Island, NYNassau ColiseumWCW NitroMeng [8] Won by pinfall154–1
November 12, 1998Roanoke, VARoanoke Civic CenterWCW Thunder dark matchThe Giant [16] Won by pinfall155–1
November 23, 1998Grand Rapids, MIVan Andel ArenaWCW NitroThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall156–1
December 7, 1998Houston, TXAstroDomeWCW Nitro Bam Bam Bigelow [8] No Contest156–1
December 14, 1998Tampa, FLIce PalaceWCW Nitro Kevin Nash & Bam Bam Bigelow [8] Won by DQ157–1
December 18, 1998Tulsa, OKWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall158–1
December 19, 1998Springfield, MOWCW house showThe Giant [8] Won by pinfall159–1
December 20, 1998Kansas City, MOKemper ArenaWCW house showBam Bam Bigelow [8] Won by pinfall160–1
December 21, 1998St Louis, MOTWA DomeWCW NitroScott Hall [8] Won by pinfall161–1
December 27, 1998Washington, DCMCI CenterWCW Starrcade 98 Kevin Nash [8] Lost by pinfall161–2

Aftermath

Following the loss, Goldberg was booked against another wrestler who was enjoying an inflated win streak in Sid Vicious and challenged him to a match to end Sid's winning streak. [10] The two feuded with each other, which culminated in a match at Halloween Havoc for Sid's U.S. Title. Goldberg defeated Sid via referee stoppage, and thus won his second United States Heavyweight Championship. [17]

The following year the streak came up against when Goldberg feuded with Vince Russo, who gave him an ultimatum. If Goldberg was to lose another match at any point in time, unless he managed to duplicate his undefeated streak from 1997 to 1998, he would be forced to retire from professional wrestling. Goldberg defeated KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) at Halloween Havoc in a handicap elimination match. [10] He then started a feud with Lex Luger. [10] This culminated in a match at Mayhem, which Goldberg won. [10] They continued their rivalry and battled in a rematch at Starrcade. [18] [10] Goldberg won the match, but afterwards he was attacked by Luger's partner Buff Bagwell. [10] Goldberg feuded with both Luger and Bagwell, who called themselves "Totally Buffed". His streak was broken at Sin when Goldberg, teaming with his Power Plant trainer DeWayne Bruce, lost to Totally Buffed in a tag team no disqualification match after a "fan" maced him, enabling Totally Buffed to pin him. [10] The storyline was intended to enable Goldberg to have shoulder surgery, but WCW was sold to the WWF in March 2001, while Goldberg was still recuperating.

Validity of the streak

Goldberg's win–loss record at WCW events from 1997 to 1998 differed from that which was perpetuated by the company, with the official figure exaggerating the number of matches in which he won to 173. [19] [20] [21] Nick Schwartz of Fox Sports wrote: "No one really knows what Goldberg's actual record was... but it's generally accepted that 173–0 is an inflated number". [22] Some of Goldberg's industry peers have stated that the figure was exaggerated. [22] His then-WCW colleague Chris Jericho stated: "One week he'd be 42–0 and seven days later he'd be 58–0. Did stepping on bugs count?" [23] Manager Jimmy Hart, who also worked with Goldberg in WCW, regarded the level of embellishment as "kind of funny", while professional wrestler The Miz said: "The number would just go on and on and on, to where it was like, 'Wait a second. How did he get this many wins in such a short time'?" [24] This exaggeration damaged the streak's credibility among the WCW audience: upon noticing that the figure had been falsified, fans began to withdraw homemade signs trumpeting Goldberg's record. [20]

While officially cited as 173–0, a definitive breakdown of all available match results shows that Goldberg began his career at an untelevised 5–1, and that following his debut he had an actual win streak of 156 consecutive victories with two that ended in No Contest before his Starrcade loss to Kevin Nash.

Legacy

Although André the Giant was billed by the WWF as being undefeated for 15 years, the Goldberg Win Streak was the first lengthy televised win streak used to build a main eventer out of a new character. It is now part and parcel of the Hall of Fame legacy of the Goldberg character, [25] and similar efforts were used to build the characters of Brock Lesnar in 2002, [26] Umaga in 2006, Ryback in 2012, [27] Bo Dallas in 2014 (albeit in a more comical manner), [28] and Asuka in 2017. [29]

Conversely, Curt Hawkins used a losing streak as a gimmick, [30] losing 269 matches in a row before finally winning at Wrestlemania 35 by winning the Raw Tag Team Championship alongside Zack Ryder against The Revival. [31]

See also

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Sin was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on January 14, 2001, from the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sin replaced WCW's January PPV event, Souled Out, which was held from 1997 to 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fingerpoke of Doom</span> Professional wrestling incident

The nickname Fingerpoke of Doom (FPOD) refers to an incident in American professional wrestling which occurred on January 4, 1999, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, during a live broadcast of WCW Monday Nitro, the flagship television program of World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of World Championship Wrestling</span>

World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion that existed from 1988 to 2001. It began as a promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) that appeared on the national scene under the ownership of media mogul Ted Turner and based in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to the launch of WCW as a separate promotion, the "World Championship Wrestling" name was used for a television program produced by NWA promotions Georgia Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions on TBS; the name came from an Australian wrestling promotion of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starrcade (2000)</span> 2000 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2000 Starrcade was the 18th annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on December 17, 2000, at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. This was the final Starrcade event produced by WCW, as it was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in March 2001. Another Starrcade event would not be produced for another seventeen years, when WWE used the name for a special live event in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starrcade (1997)</span> 1997 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1997 Starrcade was the 15th annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It was held on December 28, 1997, at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starrcade (1998)</span> 1998 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1998 Starrcade was the 16th annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on December 27, 1998, from the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monday Night War</span> Era of professional wrestling (1995–2001)

The Monday Night War or the Monday Night Wars, was an era of mainstream televised American professional wrestling, from September 4, 1995 to March 26, 2001, in which the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw and World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Monday Nitro were broadcast opposite each other in a battle for Nielsen ratings each week. It largely overlapped with the Attitude Era, a period in which the WWF used the term "WWF Attitude" to describe its programming from November 9, 1997 to May 6, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Souled Out (1998)</span> 1998 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

Souled Out (1998) was the second Souled Out professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and sponsored by Snickers. The event took place on January 24, 1998 from the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Unlike the previous year's event, this year's event was billed as a joint production by WCW and the nWo and the pay-per-view events until the following year's Uncensored were jointly produced by WCW and the nWo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween Havoc (2000)</span> World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2000 Halloween Havoc was the 12th annual Halloween Havoc professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on October 29, 2000, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

References

  1. ↑ Coder, Brie (December 12, 2020). "Goldberg On Who Was Behind His Undefeated Streak In WCW". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  2. ↑ Pope, Kristian (2005). Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide: Legend and Lore. Krause Publicati. p. 180. ISBN   0896892670.
  3. ↑ "WCW 1997". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "WCW WorldWide Tackles Goldberg's Streak". WCW WorldWide. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  5. ↑ "Chad Fortune on Technically Being the First to Beat Goldberg, Goldberg's Heyday in WCW, More | Fightful News".
  6. ↑ "5 Superstars Who Defeated Goldberg". 31 October 2015.
  7. 1 2 Brugnoli, Simone (December 11, 2020). "Reason why WCW ended Goldberg's winning streak". Wrestling World. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 "WCW 1998". History of WWe. Archived from the original on 2018-10-14. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  9. ↑ Bischoff, Eric (January 5, 2021). "Eric Bischoff Explains The Decision To End Goldberg's Undefeated Streak in WCW". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Bill Goldberg's Accelerator profile". Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Goldberg Reveals Favorite Match in His Career, Why He Was Never Able To Replicate That Match, More". WrestlingInc.com. December 20, 2015. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  12. ↑ Featherstone, Chris (July 31, 2019). "Monday Night Wars: Looking Back on Pro Wrestling's Greatest Feud". FanBuzz – Sports News – NFL | NCAA | NBA | WWE. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Goldberg bio". WWE. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  14. ↑ Conner, Floyd (2000). "Gridiron Grapplers". Football's Most Wanted (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books. ISBN   978-1-57488-309-1. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "WCW 1997". History of WWE. 16 January 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "WCW – Goldberg's Undefeated Streak". Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  17. ↑ "Goldberg's second United States Championship reign". WWE. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
  18. ↑ Milner, John. "Bill Goldberg Biography". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  19. ↑ Scherer, Dave (October 27, 2015). "Is WWE dissing Undertaker, pushing Dean, Goldberg's streak and more". PWInsider. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  20. 1 2 Alvarez, Bryan; Reynolds, R.D. (2004). The Death Of WCW. Toronto: ECW Press. p. 134. ISBN   978-1-55022-661-4.
  21. ↑ Martin, Fin (February 26, 2016). "The Mail". Power Slam . Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  22. 1 2 Schwartz, Nick (October 17, 2016). "How long was Goldberg's undefeated streak?". Fox Sports . Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  23. ↑ Jericho, Chris; Peter Thomas Fornatale (2008). A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex. London: Orion Books. p. 369. ISBN   978-0-7528-8446-2.
  24. ↑ "Who's Next?". The Monday Night War: WWE vs. WCW. Season 1. Episode 10. October 21, 2014. 24 minutes in. WWE Network. WWE.
  25. ↑ Rocha, Jesus (August 12, 2011). "Jackhammered into Darkness: The Rise and Fall of Wrestling's Goldberg". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  26. ↑ "2002". www.thehistoryofwwe.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-12. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  27. ↑ "2012". www.thehistoryofwwe.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  28. ↑ Bush, Greg (2021-07-28). "5 WWE Superstars whose streaks ended too soon". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  29. ↑ Chiari, Mike (May 25, 2017). "Goldberg Praises Asuka for Having Longest Undefeated Streak in WWE History". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  30. ↑ Thompson, Andrew. "Curt Hawkins Says That He Has Approached WWE Creative Writers And Told Them Not To End His Losing Streak". Fightful.com. Fightful. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  31. ↑ Quarrinton, Norman. "Curt Hawkins' 269 Match Losing Streak Ends at WrestleMania (VIDEO)". TheSportster.com. The Sportster. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
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