9 WCW Monday Nitro Episodes You Must Watch On WWE Network
3. Fingerpoke Of Doom - January 4, 1999
Monday Nitro emanated live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with more than 40,000 fans in attendance. Millions were watching at home on television. The nights main event was to see Goldberg get his revenge on Kevin Nash. Nash had controversially defeated Goldberg at Starrcade 98, only weeks prior, following interference from Scott Hall and his stun gun. Fans would never get to see that match, however, as Goldberg was arrested midway through the show. The hometown crowd hated it. That was until the replacement was announced in the form of Hollywood Hogan. Hogan had been absent from WCW television for about a month. Now, fans would be treated to the often teased, but never realized match between the leader of the Wolfpac and the leader of nWo Hollywood. Unfortunately, that match wouldnt really happen either. Instead of the leaders of the two rival nWo factions duking it out, fans were treated to one of the most infamous moments in wrestling history. As the two behemoths started the match, Hogan raised his hand, as if to punch Nash, but instead, gently poked him in the chest. Nash sold it like a shotgun blast to the face, and crashed to the mat. Hogan made the cover and got the three count, becoming the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhS4ZDnRqJQ The newly reformed nWo celebrated in the ring, jumping around and laughing like buffoons. Suddenly, the crowd erupted as Goldberg came charging to the ring. Lex Luger pulled up the rear, and fans thought both men were there to make the save. Instead, Luger attacked Goldberg, joining the New World Order. Goldberg was then handcuffed to the ropes and repeatedly tased and spray painted. Many have argued that the Fingerpoke of Doom was the beginning of the end for WCW, and its difficult to disagree with that sentiment. While countless other issues helped lead to WCWs eventual demise, the fingerpoke was a visual representation of all that was wrong with the company.
Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.
