1. Fingerpoke Of Doom
WWE.comJanuary 4, 1999. Monday Nitro. Live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. More than 40,000 fans in attendance and millions watching at home on television waited in anticipation for the evenings announced main event. Goldberg had been handed his first ever loss only a few weeks prior at Starrcade 1998. He lost in controversial fashion to Kevin Nash -- after interference from a stun gun wielding Scott Hall. Nash, the new WCW Champion, offered Goldberg a rematch for the title, due to the controversy surrounding the victory, in Goldbergs home of Atlanta, GA. That is what fans tuned in to see. Instead, halfway through the three-hour broadcast of Nitro, the immensely popular Georgia native was arrested for supposedly stalking Miss Elizabeth. As such, he was unable to appear for his match with Nash. Then, Hollywood Hogan returned from a one-month absence, and was offered the title shot instead. It wasnt Goldberg vs. Nash, but it was still a huge main event, which would see the leader of the Wolfpac face off with the leader of nWo Hollywood. The match, which should have been an epic encounter between the leaders of the rival nWo factions, instead lasted mere seconds. After Nash shoved Hogan into the corner, the Immortal One raised his fist before stopping suddenly. He then gently poked Nash in the chest, who subsequently fell to the canvas. Hogan covered him and won. Both men, as well as Scott Steiner and Scott Hall who were at ringside, immediately embraced.
The newly reformed nWo celebrated inside the squared circle, as Hogan spray painted the nWo letters on the World Heavyweight belt -- this time in red paint. As the celebration continued, the crowd erupted as Goldberg returned to the arena and charged the ring. He was joined by Lex Luger who swiftly turned on him. Goldberg was handcuffed to the ropes, tased, and spray painted. The 40,000+ inside the Georgia Dome were shocked and disappointed. It was an ill-conceived idea that fell absolutely flat. Most fans watching at home didnt see the match itself, as they switched over to the World Wrestling Federation to watch Mick Foley win the WWF Championship. When they changed the channel back to TNT, they witnessed the aftermath involving Goldberg. Many have argued that the so-called Fingerpoke of Doom was the beginning of the end for WCW, and its hard to argue with that sentiment. Many things led to WCWs failure, cancellation, and closure, but the January 4th broadcast of Nitro was a very visual catalyst for the demise of the company. It was also Hulk Hogans worst moment down South.