10 Most Controversial Wrestling Match Finishes Ever

7. Goldberg Vs. DDP (Halloween Havoc '98)

Hulk Hogan Jeff Jarrett Bash at the Beach 2000
WWE.com

The finish between WCW champ Goldberg and DDP at Halloween Havoc '98 wasn't controversial because of what people saw go down in the ring - but rather for what they didn't.

Following a bloated card featuring no fewer than two ten-minute long Disco Inferno matches and a quarter-of-an-our snooze-fest between former Outsider buddies Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, the show finally approached its closing contest. After the travesty that was Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior's WrestleMania VI rematch, the long-suffering fans fighting back the yawns were at last rewarded for their patience. Big Bill and, er, Medium Dallas prepared to lock up, and a proper wrestling match beckoned, rather than the fireball-throwing farce of the last encounter.

And then... everything went black.

For many paying customers, that was that. The torridly tumescent show had overrun the standard three hours, and consequently a number of PPV providers cut the feed automatically. In a bout of cruel irony, buyers missed a thrilling finale, their lasting memories instead being the retirement home fight over the last Werther's Original that was Hogan and Warrior.

WCW, possessing all the PR dexterity of a Volkswagen systems analyst, decided to air the missing match for free on the following night's Nitro. Predictably - and justifiably - those who'd bought the show felt robbed. More trick, than treat.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.