10 Great Wrestling Feuds With Awful Payoff Matches

3. Hollywood Hogan Vs. Roddy Piper

Kane Undertaker WrestleMania XIV
WWE

No, not WrestleMania I. In fact, forget about any of Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan’s WWF matches. What we’re focusing on here is the pair’s battle at WCW Starrcade in 1996.

Having formed the New World Order earlier that year, Hogan and his nWo buddies had ran roughshod through WCW. Nobody could stop this faction as they amassed more members, more power, and by this point in time were even shown to be in cahoots with Executive Vice President Eric Bischoff. But who’s that figure stepping out of the shadows? No, it wasn’t Sting (more on him later). It was, in fact, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

The long-time rivals would go face-to-face as Piper looked to be the one to put a stop to Hollywood Hogan and the nWo at Starrcade. After some fantastic promo segments in which the pair discussed their iconic status and lengthy history with each other, the match at Starrcade was dire for several reasons.

First up, this 15-minute bout was built around rest holds. Secondly, you could tell that the two didn't want their rival looking too good. Thirdly, and most frustratingly, Piper’s submission victory over Hogan was revealed to have been worth nothing. You see, despite Hogan being WCW Champion at the time, the fall-out from Starrcade saw WCW squirming out of a title change by confusingly stating that the belt wasn’t actually on the line.

Placating both men's egos, this finally gave Piper a victory over Hogan while keeping the championship on Hollywood.

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