50 Best WCW Moments Ever
3. Sting Eventually Triumphs At Starrcade
WCW almost fluffed their lines on the company's biggest night, and Bischoff's claim that Sting turned up for Starrcade 1997 looking less tanned than he or Hulk Hogan would've liked is weak. There was no need to have heel ref Nick Patrick make a "fast count" for the old Dusty finish in the first place, but what happened next saved the day.
The match was restarted, then Sting won the World Title from nWo kingpin Hollywood. Fans swiftly forgot all about the screwy finishing sequence and turned collective attentions to roaring with approval for everyone's favourite new dark avenger. Meanwhile, WCW babyfaces littered the ring to celebrate like they had done for Lex Luger in August.
A new era was here, and the New World Order was toast. Well, not really, because it was too much of a cash cow to move on from, but at least everyone had the Stinger on top again. Those post-match celebrations, and Sting's ad libbed Spanish promo (off mic) were worth the wait.
Even Patrick's perfect cadence and the deflating non-finish couldn't kill what WCW had been building towards for a solid year.