10 Classic Jeff Jarrett Matches You Need To See
3. Vs Chris Benoit (WCW Starrcade 1999)
Arguably the last genuinely great WCW encounter, Jeff Jarrett and Chris Benoit were Starrcade showstealers in 1999.
Now 'The Chosen One', Jarrett's booking hadn't really jived with the supposed close-knit ties and 'Stroke' with new boss and former WWE ally Vince Russo. 'The Crippler' was about to traverse the same path in the opposite direction - Benoit wasn't long for the Atlanta group at the turn of the century, preparing to depart for substantially greener pastures alongside Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero hardly a month after this intense war.
'Double J's technical mastery and Benoit's torturous and frightening physicality combined to deliver a spectacular effort that almost salvaged the status of the United States title before Russo's storytelling savaged every major Championship in 2000.
Some heinous ladder spots saw Benoit agonisingly beaten throughout until his remarkable toughness aided his fightback. The terrifying diving headbutt he nailed on Jarrett shortly before re-climbing the ladder to claim his prize - like so much of his offence in hindsight - carries uncomfortable heft.