50 Best WCW Moments Ever
1. Hulk Hogan Is The Third Man!
"...but whose side is he on?!".
The legendary Bobby Heenan was shooting from the hip when he spat that line towards the end of a drama-filled Bash At The Beach 1996 pay-per-view. Hulk Hogan looked to be riding to the rescue for WCW's babyfaces, but would end the night dropping a leg on Randy Savage before being revealed as the "third man" aiding Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.
The nWo was born, and Hogan cut an all-timer promo as fans pelted the ring with trash. This was a risky heel turn for Hulk, but a worthwhile one. It has to be regarded as the greatest moment in WCW history, looking back. Hulk went from outdated baby (he was hearing scattered boos from 1995 onwards) to red hot villain overnight, and it rocked.
Incomers Nash and Hall also went up a notch by association with the biggest star in the industry. Their "New World Order of wrestling" became WCW's focal point until 1999-ish, and Hogan's career experienced the upsurge it sorely needed into the bargain.
Everyone, from Hulk and The Outsiders, to 'Mean' Gene in-ring and Tony Schiavone on commentary, sold this as the darkest of dark days for World Championship Wrestling. Schiavone: "Hulk Hogan, you can go to hell". What a moment of genuine surprise and expert subterfuge to savour.
What other WCW moments would you put here? For more wrestling, check out 10 Wild WWE Matches You Forgot Almost Happened and 10 Wrestlers Who Became World Champions At The WRONG Time!