10 Exact Moments Great Wrestlers Jumped The Shark

2. The Fingerpoke Of Doom

Fingerpoke of doom WCW nash hogan
WWE

The Fingerpoke Of Doom wasn't just latter day WCW's most crippling low point, but perhaps the biggest farce in professional wrestling history. It was an abomination, and while both Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan had given fans plenty of reasons to loathe them beforehand, for many, this was the moment they finally jumped the shark.

Nash was booked to defend his WCW Championship against Goldberg in a January 1999 episode of Nitro, but it didn't happen. Goldberg was arrested as part of a storyline and Hogan took his place in the match, downing Nash with a simple poke to the chest. Nash took a comedy fall, Hulk pinned him, and the title changed hands.

Both men celebrated afterwards, cementing the moment's ridiculousness. The nWo were reunited, and while Goldberg eventually emerged from the back, he was double-crossed by Lex Luger, who aligned himself with Hogan and Nash.

This wasn't just a moment that saw swathes of fans turn on Nash and Hogan forever, but also WCW as a whole. The Fingerpoke Of Doom was pivotal in WCW's demise, with ratings dropping steadily from that moment onward, leading to their eventual full collapse in 2001.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.