The Story of Hulk Hogan vs Sting - WCW Starrcade 1997

Wrestling Bios Presents - The Story of Hulk Hogan vs Sting - WCW Starrcade 97
WCW Starrcade 97 was the biggest-grossing pay-per-view in WCW history, drawing a huge 1.9 buy rate. this equates to about 800,000 fans purchasing the Pay Per View for $40. Wrestling fans were parting with their money to see the culmination of the nWo's Hulk Hogan finally defend the WCW championship against Sting. The 18 month buildup to the match had worked, the fans had bought in, and it was time to deliver WCW's biggest pay per view main event.
How did this sure fire hit manage to fall so flat? What was supposed to be the biggest success in WCW history turned into a pivotal point in the company where we would begin witness the downfall of World Championship Wrestling. It all started with Sting vs Hogan at WCW Starrcade 1997.
This mini documentary covers Hulk Hogan turning heel and joining the nWo, Sting and his debut at The Crow character, or Crow Sting as it's been since referred to, the fake Sting, the buildup to Starrcade 1997, the main event itself and where it all went wrong when Hogan vs Sting finally happened. From the botched three count from Nick Patrick, to Bret Hart restarting the match, to the post match celebration and the blame game that was played by Eric Bischoff, Hollywood Hogan and Sting.
#wwe #documentary #wrestling

[@TheSBleeder]

Epitaph on Hogan's grave stone: "This Isn't Working For Me, Brother"

[@greyjedi6430]

@@VaderPopsVicodin10 well he's buried everything else 🤣🤣

[@kerpal321]

i wish 1997 could have lasted forever

[@weworldwide1348]

- 1997 was the last time he got some pwussy

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

Absolutely!! 1997 was the year that I graduated high school. It was also the year that Ozzy Osbourne did a summer tour with Black Sabbath for the first time since 1978. The Monday night wars was amazing. I had a lot of fun that year. I would have no problem if 1997 was like the movie Groundhog Day. Just keep repeating the same year over and over.

[@pumpkinsdontcry]

Things were reasonably priced and it was pre 9/11 surveillance state bs.

[@SonOfRevenge2]

Well middle school and camp were somewhat hell, but what the hey I could take a few more go-arounds.

[@jessieb9384]

No doubt wrestling was on fire with D.X. and the N.W.O both shows were amazing high school was fun as hell playing football on friday nights ah yes great days

[@g-dub5272]

Buildup was awesome, Crow Sting was one of the greatest gimmicks of all time......unfortunately the match turned out to be a wet fart💨

[@peggymacmillan5069]

Lmao

[@shezziesbaby]

G-Dub 85 blame Hogan

[@jasonkraatz5968]

This storyline was the one that could have almost jeopardized WWE if worked properly. Hogan took a 💩💩💩 on it and thus started the downfall and end of WCW.

[@LongHuynh-bx5ll]

Hogan was secretly working for mcmahon

[@grammysworld5449]

@@LongHuynh-bx5ll hogan was working for Hogan.. he didnt care who won as long as he sat on a throne of their bones

[@inuenndo_]

Long Huynh i was going back to watch the monday night wars during quarantine. After Bash at the Beach 96’ 3 of the biggest stars in WWE were being presented as the opposition to the company. Not shy to talk about where they came from or what they’re intentions were, To destroy WCW... Vinces goal... Destroy WCW. I need more research behind this. But i think you’re on to something there

[@dickmarx1298]

Hogan didn't want to do a job for Sting

[@zemox2534]

Hogan does not do the job for anyone.

[@sparks2spare782]

This was the only WCW PPV I ever bought back in the day. You could tell Hogan was not going along.

[@Ilkvomit]

Lol Same here man

[@amazonshawn97]

We never bought them but watched them all free on the black box

[@saj8]

We all knew this and that's the reason why you should never believe anything Bischoff says.

[@jasonleslie203]

I tried watching Halloween havoc. Promoting Bride of Chucky the way they did sucked the pay-per-view ending before the match did sucked and when I saw how p.o people were and demanded their money back I saw that for what it was the beginning of the end for WCW and it pretty much just went downhill from there

[@jtlbb2]

What are you talking about? Hogan has put Sting over EVERY SINGLE TIME. Sting has never put Hogan over once. Hulk Hogan is probably one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, and Sting and him have wrestled over half a dozen times, and yet, Sting can't put him over even one time? I'm sorry, but Hogan shouldn't have to "play along" if Sting's not willing to ever put him over.

[@weworldwide1348]

this match should've been like the Hogan and Rock match at WM18 with Sting winning clean, afterwards the NWO attacking Hulk and introducing Bret as their new leader since Hulk obviously turned out to be too weak to lead them.

[@Gum_Cuzzler]

While Bret’s heel work was on point in 97, I felt like his money would have been as a face in WCW. Doesn’t really make sense that he’d join forces with WWF invaders after the screw job.

[@dmz62]

@@Gum_Cuzzler Totally agree with you on this. Hart would have still been carrying some heat from the Montreal screw job. Not sure he would have been too keen to be working with the other half of the Cliq. Hogan dropping the belt cleanly could have created an opening to send the nWo angle into another direction. A lot of missed opportunities!

[@JoeyVictorVideos]

We've all thought about options. That's the best one.

[@McCall2007]

There have been great BABY FACE HEELS. BRET WOULD HAVE increased his legend. But I FIRMLY believe that the EGOS OF HOGAN AND HHH have prevented a run for some GREAT CHAMPIONS

[@johnnytsunami4186]

That doesn't work for me, brother.

[@Pax2sitoh]

Crow sting was the reason I watched nitro over raw during the MNWs

[@j5liveonthetube]

Manuel Loya Sorry to hear that

[@jamesphillips4888]

I watched wwe crow sting was a copy of the undertaker, match building was very good though match sucked

[@notoriousb.i.z.5342]

Manuel Loya me too

[@jaydenrock]

What a time to be alive for wrestling. Sting was life then. Match did suck though .

[@PEEERRRR]

But without the two organizations you'd never have this fierce level of competition for ratings. Now wrestling blows a big donkeys D.....it's so boring.

[@trence5]

Great idea of Hall coming up with the Crow look.

[@cs77smith67]

All thanks to him watching the undertaker

[@christophersimmons5396]

Scot Hall could be a good Creator Genius make Character that would work for the talent

[@rakshitshetty2561]

And today while other veterans are sitting home. Sting is still wrestling as if he is still 30 years. The man is so underrated.

[@the95clown48]

Hogan was behind all of it....I'll say that til the day I die

[@dogfan4lyfe]

Hogan created climate change

[@MrUseless247]

I wouldn't put it past him. After all the stories I've heard about him (on the internet, of course) Hogan usually comes off looking pretty petty in most of the scenarios.

[@saj8]

@Melanie L Sting was in great shape. Hogan was looking for any excuse to not drop the belt and decided to use his creative control card. If Hogan actually kept the belt, WCW's downfall wouldn't have started in March of 1998, it would have started in January of 1998, imo.

[@rhondafulton9065]

Hogan didn't kill wcw Turner executives did and the merger with AOL

[@melvynsngltn27]

@@saj8 he wasn't in wrestling shape

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

That build up was awesome!! Made you want to watch Nitro every Monday night!! The anticipation that my buddies and I had for this match is indescribable...then we saw the match. EPIC FAIL!!!!! ☹️

[@alanguages]

A bigger failure was the Hogan and Warrior rematch. It just did not have the lengthy build up on tv as Hogan and Sting.

[@mikeg155]

The way they built Sting and the storyline, the only proper ending would have been him squashing Hogan...and that was NEVER going to happen.

[@trence5]

Yeah, thanks to Hogan.

[@michaelbandada9887]

Hollywood Hogan has that creative control and that means, if he doesn't dig the storyline, he will just shoot it down especially if it involves Hogan losing

[@jessieb9384]

@@trence5 It wasn't all Hogan sting wasn't ready he was unprepared he showed up out if shape and just not wanting to be there sting shoulda been engaged and looking ready for buissnes but he didn't its easy to blame Hogan because of his politics back stage but this wasn't all on Hogan

[@bigroaststyrone8135]

I agree it wasn’t all on Hogan, but you can’t blame others for automatically assuming it was Hogan, after all it is well known that he flexes his creative control, and it does seem fitting that he would do something like that.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

@@jessieb9384 lol are you kidding me? It had nothing to do with Sting being out of shape. Besides, most Hogan matches went 10-15 minutes tops. Sting was plenty of enough shape for a match with Hogan's basic style. Hogan didn't want to do good business that's the bottom line. Besides, the fans there didn't care about seeing some technical masterpiece. They wanted to see Sting beat Hogan cleanly in the middle of the ring, preferably making him tap out and hoisting that WCW title afterwards.

[@Stagetwothroatcancer]

Hogans most famous quote" That doesnt work for me brother"!

[@chloehyden1906]

HOGAN TOLD Nick Patrick it doesn't work 4 me brother

[@TheSBleeder]

If you've never seen a copy of Hogan's WCW contract, you should look it up on Google.

[@ethanvern4600]

He got that of jimmy snuka not tonight brudda

[@rhondafulton9065]

They were dumb enough to give him creative control can't be mad at him

[@michaelpaiva9924]

so true lol

[@dbzdezz1]

sting didn't need to sell Hogan sting was taking on the whole nwo by himself at this point

[@cobracyxx8808]

Fact. Sting v NWO if my favorite beef

[@msperry1719]

👏👏👏👏

[@horrorfan4-life689]

It was ridiculous also...one man constantly besting 10-15 guys...I hated when Sting came to the ring and one nwo member at a time ran at him...dude if he's beaten down 5 straight guys bum rush him...that's logical...to repeatedly do this is dumb. This is coming from someone that despises Hogan and always has...I've always liked Sting..his position on my fav list varied but yet he remained...Hogan never...EVER...got close to that list. I've been a fan since mid 80's

[@Ishbikes]

@@horrorfan4-life689he has the bat..

[@doggfather211]

Bischoff was full of it. Even Tony Schivone mentioned how big Sting's arms were. They should have just focused on Sting beating Hogan from pillar to post because at that point he was beating the nWo all by himself like a Bruce Lee movie! Sidenote: What did Sting say in the camera before yelling mamacita?! The people need to know.............

[@TheSBleeder]

Arm size doesn't tell you if a guy is in shape or not. Sting hadn't wrestled an actual match for over a year. That's going to take a toll on a guy's stamina.

[@Gum_Cuzzler]

@@TheSBleeder Yeah, opposed to Hogan and his notoriously high work rate lol

[@vincesmith2499]

Tony was lying.

[@Waybacktimemachine00]

My favorite storyline of the Monday night era

[@salemdunning5954]

Any era for me. That build up. Wish they did this more.

[@glennwelsh9784]

I dunno if I buy Sting not being ready for the Starrcade match. I mean, he just spent the last year and a half building to this. He was living the Crow gimmick for most of this time, so that showed he was committed to it. He showed up week after week, so there had to be more of an indicator in the lead-up to Starrcade if he truly wasn't prepared. Oh, he didn't get a spray tan. So what? He's spent most of the year up in the rafters with white facepaint on, stalking the nWo. Does that seem like a character that would be hitting the tanning salon regularly? It might be true that Steve was going through some personal issues at the time, but he was still a pro. He'll work a match the way it's booked. The match was just booked poorly with Hogan dominating most of it and Sting coming off looking way too weak for someone who was wrecking the entire nWo by himself for MONTHS, compounded by the botched pin count and the intervention by Bret Hart that was unnecessarily trying to quickly capitalize on the notoriety of the Screwjob the previous month. It would've been booked better with a 50/50 booking, having Sting look strong but having Hogan use cheating heel tactics to get the upper hand in the latter half of the match. Then for the finish, have the rest of the nWo try to intervene to draw a DQ, but have Sting fight them all off or have the rest of the WCW roster join the fight and hold off the nWo members long enough for Sting to hit Hogan with the Scorpion Death Drop, get the pin, and win clean.

[@userman44]

Bischoff's story makes no sense. Sting was out of shape, so instead of having him win strong at Starrcade, we'll make him win a crappy match, then do a rematch THE NEXT DAY on Nitro, and have another rematch at Superbrawl where Sting wins again. That's the solution to the guy being out of shape?!

[@Thor-Orion]

Exactly how it should have been booked. Huge hard fought clean win with him overcoming the three nWo originals.

[@inuenndo_]

Sounds like an out for Bischoff butchering the biggest match he ever had. Sting had been with the company for years, always knew the importance of title changes. Let alone the Starrcade Main Event. Hogan flexed his creative control, you and i know the rest. It’s truly sad. Never seen a build like this one

[@hxcmarc4399]

Sting is the most overrated character ever. Boring wrestler and shitty promo.

[@outis439-A]

@@hxcmarc4399 so he should lose? what the hell are you saying?

[@coldskyrim]

Man, these were my elementary school years. I loved wcw and sting was my favorite wrestler, and still is

[@jaysteinhauer9562]

God i feel old my first ppv was wrestlemaina 6 i was 8 lol

[@syxodude91]

I was in 1st grade during this time. I remember they would show trailers for the ppvs on the Prevue Guide Channel.

[@TypeRob]

I was 39 at the time. Makes me feel kinda old too

[@kevinpayton2664]

Sting needed a new gimmick. I'm a big fan of his, but the surfer Sting was long worn out. The Crow look was great.

[@dgb921]

Kevin Payton yea maybe cena can learn from the greats. Gimmicks get old

[@jameswhite6384]

Created by scoot hall da kliq rules

[@jonathan_tong93]

WCW Starrcade '97 could have been the Greatest WCW Pay-per-view of the Century, had Bret Hart not interfered

[@grammysworld5449]

I'll never forget the first time I saw him with that gimmick.. Sting was my 2nd favorite behind mr. Perfect.. I ran to my room like an intruder was there.. Screaming and crying that Sting got killed .. Sting and that Bat was more over than anyone in WWF at the time at my school

[@jonathan_tong93]

The crow gimmick of Sting was preceded by the Undertaker gimmick of Jonalyn Viray

[@My19812011]

The single greatest build up to a match in WCW history, it’s such a shame that it never had the true pay off it deserved. I don’t think any wrestler in WCW history was ever as popular or over as Sting in 1997 and I’m including Dusty Rhodes in the 80’s and Goldberg in 1998.

[@Nomad-Rogers]

Hulk Hogan was selfish he did not want to pass the torch to Sting.

[@banditman1986]

Liberty Bell1776 he was selfish....but he passed it to Goldberg 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@LJ_in_VR]

Liberty Bell1776 that didn’t work for him, Brother.

[@ryutsubohachi5615]

you watch the match Goldberg didn’t actually beat Hogan squeaky clean he was distracted

[@The_Bad_Guy.]

@@banditman1986 he passed it to Goldberg under the agreement that Hogan was the one that would end Goldbergs streak at starcade with a clean victory. Hogan is always in it for himself. And being the first person ever to defeat Goldberg would definitely be worth dropping the belt. But there was some reason hogan was unable to do it at the time so that's why we got the ending we did and ultimately leading to the finger poke of doom. It's always all about Hogan. Always.

[@LongHuynh-bx5ll]

And to Randy Orton Shawn Michaels etc etc

[@mattb6369]

You gotta remember one thing about the limits in the match, there were physical issues on both sides. On Hogan's side he had severe issues with his knees and probably did the best he could, hell you can actually see his knees buckle at one point when Sting has him in a headlock, struggle to walk at another point. On Sting's end, the man hadn't been wrestling since the Fall of 1996, not even house shows. As much as you can stay in shape at the gym, if you don't keep your in-ring cardio shape, your "ring-rust" is gonna show. Hell look how winded The Rock got after a TAG-TEAM match at Survivior Series 2011, Sting did pretty good for the most part all things considered.

[@4zafinc]

It dint need to be a literal great in ring competition. Just masterful storytelling that would eventually produce a historic moment, justifying the hype and giving a proper finish to the 1.5 year of mega build up.

[@freddystreamz9122]

Sting was the greatest character ever I really miss the mid 90's wcw

[@poopsyko]

That couldnt be any further from the truth,dont forget it was stolen and noticably too,if it was original youd still be far off but not hating on you,just saying there was better characters.

[@alexmarquez9639]

@@poopsyko ok smark

[@poopsyko]

@@alexmarquez9639 ah another wcw fan who can’t accept that they been gone for almost 20 years!where have you been all this time?haha

[@cs77smith67]

Undertaker: hold my beer 🍻🍺

[@somethingtobelievein1225]

Love this channel. I get tired of seeing people make the same videos about the same subject over and over. This channel stands out for its originality. Keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@WrestlingBios]

I appreciate it. Glad you are enjoying the channel!

[@fuxyews2177]

I think between 10 wrestling channels on KZbin we have around 300 videos on the Montreal screwjob and 400 videos on Bradshaw beating up the blue meanie. I unsubscribed to almost all of them because it's just repetition day-in day-out. This is one of the few I stuck with.

[@userman44]

Even if Bischoff's story is true (that Sting was in no condition to be the title-holding face of the company), you still have to give the fans what they want: a clean win for Sting. You can strip him of the title a day later (lots of ways to do that in storyline), but first you have to give fans a satisfying Pay-Per-View.

[@FirefighterAliveJC]

That night the powers that be forgot that very fact.

[@DaComebakKid]

David Arquette winning the World Title: the nail in WCW's coffin Finger poke of Doom: the killshot on WCW Starrcade '97: the first critical blow to the body

[@andrewmartinez9992]

Adding new members to the NWO every week

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

More so just losing focus and reverting to Hogan & Flair rather than evolve and pushing new wrestlers. 1999 had only prior world champions except DDP.

[@piman70]

Your work and information you put into these bios is fantastic mate, i enjoy every one. Keep up the good work.

[@Ilkvomit]

This was the only WCW ppv i ever bought.I was in 9th grade and i remember loving it

[@brandonharbin406]

The greatest build in wrestling history.

[@mrtonywilliams6312]

It was must see tv every week leading to it. Still have the vhs in great quality

[@brandonharbin406]

@@mrtonywilliams6312 yes it was must see for sure. It was my freshman year in college and we'd get bunch of us together each Monday to watch Nitro. Fin times.

[@youtubemember1115]

I think it's a tie between Hogan vs. Sting & Austin vs. Rock WM 17, both matches were misleading/disappointing.

[@KingKing-ej1hq]

With the biggest let down😞

[@brandonharbin406]

@@KingKing-ej1hq no doubt

[@raidermatt829]

Nick Patrick finally set the record straight. Since he is working for a promotion he finally said. "1 wrestler wanted the fast count the other didn't the hirer ups (bischoff) tucked his tail and was nowhere to be found"

[@tylongkicks8821]

Bischoff was such a horrible CEO of WCW. Scared to make to be a boss instead of one of the boys.

[@austin316rules9]

Funny how the WWF's equivalent match, HBK vs Austin WM 14 had a similar scenario with Taker threatening to beat up Shawn up if he did anything shady.

[@vinnymac7565]

Yeah it seems like WCW didn't have anyone in the locker room putting these ego maniacs in their place.

[@exeortegarubio]

@@vinnymac7565 WCW was a mental asylum run by the inmates. No wonder why nobody wanted to touch it in the wake of the over-explotation of the nWo.

[@Luke-ow6lk]

What

[@seamussmyth6421]

God I love Taker

[@reiserkeiser]

This was seriously some all time great storytelling. All the elements; surprise, anticipation, were there. I watched RAW exclusively, so I'm not up to speed on any of what happened then, but I will say this: Before they completely shat the bed, WCW had some amazing angles, and this is proof. Really changes my perception of that brand.

[@tylongkicks8821]

WCW was killing WWF 2nd half of 1996 and 1997

[@arslaanpasha3334]

@@tylongkicks8821 upto march 1998

[@MCastleberry1980]

I remember watching that PPV live at a friend's house and sitting there like, "wtf is going on?" When Hogan won clean and they were saying it was a fast count. Hell, it looked slightly slower than a usual count from Nick Patrick if anything.

[@EVGriffinJr]

I've heard WeAreProWrestling actually defend this as saying this wasn't the thing that caused the downfall of WCW, pointing out ratings and attendance still being high. While that may be true and I do agree with him to a point, this Starrcade '97 event was the first sign of problems in WCW. No doubt about it.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

But even with problems a company can keep going. The overall story has to be interesting. The real decline was after Kevin Trash beat Goldberg. Not so much cause Goldberg mattered, but cause the company went back to Hogan/Flair drama. WCW was rinsing & repeating. Meanwhile, the WWF evolved.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

It wasn’t the direct doom. But it is a shining example of why the crash happened in how this went down. The idea that someone you’re building everything around could surprise you about not being prepared is wild. Hogan abusing his control to the detriment of the company and the like all show why the downfall occurred. So no this wasn’t the downfall but it shows why it happened in the end.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

@Matt , That's EXACTLY right. The story that was built collapsed (was abandoned). The story started to become convoluted. People join nWo to leave & rejoin nWo. The nWo reunites. Goldberg & Sting basically go nowhere in the sense of stopping the nWo, if anything it was more so Flair doing that. Obviously, surprise endings are good. While people like to have their thoughts & feelings confirmed, we don't want it to be boring or too predictable. However, it needs to be scripted and orchestrated right.

[@bjbou5217]

Starrcade 1997 was the end of WCW. The ending of the Hogan-Sting match was a big 🖕 to the face of the fans. The fans were thoroughly insulted, and they never forgot or forgave this gesture. Sting never had the same momentum, and no WCW pay per view did nearly as well after.

[@tysargent9647]

If that was the beginning of the end of WCW, then what was the Fingerpoke of Doom?

[@freezhollywood]

Ty Sargent a great moment. Ppl don’t look at it from a kayfabe perspective. That’s something the nWo would do. Somethin sleazy and low. You fans took it too seriously. And it was on a nitro not ppv. U lost nothing.

[@tysargent9647]

If you look at it that way, yes, it would be an nWo thing to do, to get themselves heat. But it rubbed WCW fans the wrong way. They wanted a wrestling match between Kevin Nash and Hollywood Hogan, then the two biggest egos in WCW, what they got was essentially a low-budget Montreal Screwjob. And to add insult to injury, they squashed Goldberg like he waa just another guy on the roster.

[@freezhollywood]

Ty Sargent yea it did and tht nitro was looooooooong. I personally liked it. And I think it made the best incarnation of the nWo on paper. Nash said this was to build Goldberg back up to beat Hogan. Problem is tht happened already.

[@tysargent9647]

You liked it? I got no problem with that. I personally think, however, that the OG nWo is the king. nWo B-Team was basically WCW running out of fresh ideas.

[@D.Z.A.-kp8lf]

I was there live at that starrcade me and my cousin had tickets we got them for Christmas

[@D.Z.A.-kp8lf]

@Johnny Guillotine it was a good show I wasn't pissed at all

[@mrkipling2201]

Trust WCW to take a brilliant slow build angle, that they actually brilliantly carried out, and turn it in to a wet fart at the payoff.

[@azapro911]

I don't care what condition Steve Borden showed up in, fans paid to see Sting's reasonably decisive redemption and Hogan's comeuppance, so that's what you give them.

[@stanleysanders9099]

This wasn't the final nail in the coffin though it lead to a slow avalanche effect. WCW announcing that Mick Foley winning the title of The Rock was the straw that broke the camel's back

[@kevaninthe4135]

This was the first domino.

[@gamingwithvulpixanddratini7604]

I think the Austin/Michaels Match with DX and Tyson started a big crumble and then when Austin/Mcmahon rivalry became huge it was WCW’s end people wanted to see what Austin was gonna do next it replaced the will Sting show up this week hype 97 I was huge WCW fan going to shows never missing a tv show, but i was always switching between shows constantly it by April/May 1998 I had flipped to firm WWF fan and at this point had quit flipping to check in on the other show or recording it, I had lost total interest, and I had been with WCW since 94 big time I watched the Monday and Saturday night hour show, plus the Sunday morning review show, I remember one Monday Nitro had Malibu Sting vs Red/Yellow Hogan probably 1995 I was 5th grade and my mom wanted to go to somewhere nice and sit down for dinner after a 4H club competition, I was so adamant in getting home to see that Main Event we went through a Chick Fil A drive thru lol she was mad but I was huge fan even had pics in my locker lol, so I went from that to 7th grade year loving sting to 8tb grade year completely forgetting WCW and was big WWF Stone Cold guy I just didn’t care about DDP or the Red NWO split the the later Booker T push( I remembered watching his first Harlem Heat match on a Saturday night show) or care about Jeff Jarrett busting Guitars over folks WCW had lost me and I was Die hard Fan, So i can see how they lost so many fans who were just there for the best stories.

[@thegent8916]

Sting was a "shell of himself"? Ironic, that's the exact same thing Bischoff went on to say about Bret Harts WCW stint. Imagine that.

[@Jon-py7vw]

I was sooooo hyped for this match. The entire time I remember thinking “any minute now, sting will get some offense in...any minute now...” then it was over and I was like 😐...

[@sextonhardcastle8696]

Just watched the Starcade 97 video, came back to rewatch this. I’m so stoked you keep making such great videos!

[@MCLogikILL]

You're videos kill so much boredom at work haha thanks for that!

[@kevaninthe4135]

All the buildup, over a year of incredible Nitro's and the payoff was a really boring match where Hogan was pretty much having his way with Sting when it should have been Sting pummeling Hogan. Then the botched fast count and wasting the entrance of Bret Hart into the company. What should have been a grand conclusion turned into a giant fart all because of "creative control". Hogan is one of the biggest names in wrestling history and at the same time one of the biggest problems in wrestling history. You have a great channel Wrestling Bios. Thanks for all your wonderful content.

[@christophermichael6844]

The man called Sting cut some of the best promos in professional wrestling. But his free agent promo is easily his best ever.

[@MrCodystewie]

Another thing that took away from the Hogan vs Sting match that no one mentions, is that a few months earlier Luger beat Hogan clean by submission on Nitro which took away from the prestige of Sting beating Hogan for the title and making him submit.

[@tonistark33]

Sting's most iconic entrance

[@aztec999999]

Sting is a great wrestler. Still is. Very underrated. If he was left to do what he could do , he would have been the best ever. He's one of my hero's. And that's a higher level than any could get to

[@shrsshetty2]

Sting was Supposed to Win, Refree was supposed to do slow count and Bret hart to interfere and make Sting win. *Hulk Hogan used his Creative Control* and changed the game for him in last moment. Bret hart wasn't aware of it. Hogan never wants to lose .

[@cs77smith67]

That crazy coz I know Hogan hates to lose clean. They could had Bret Hart debut and cost Hogan the match.

[@Bsfnelz20]

Hogan yet again don’t wanna do the job the way it was supposed to be smh

[@Bsfnelz20]

True I hope #aew works out for the best politics always kills everything

[@rickyortiz4211]

@The Donlol how nerdy can you be

[@williamcronshaw5262]

@The Don Hogan did the job for Luger and then immediately won the belt back the following weekend if I remember correctly. Don't know how much props that deserves.

[@stingerfan30]

@@williamcronshaw5262 I had heard Hogan dropped the belt to Luger because Luger was threatening to leave WCW for WWF so they let him win the title to keep him happy and stay with WCW

[@williamcronshaw5262]

@@stingerfan30 That would make sense seeing as it's the last time Luger ever came near the world title if I remember correctly. Not that I think Luger is World Championship material, but good god it would have been nice to see someone other than Hogan get a lengthy title run.

[@WayofRamen]

I remember being in high school , my friend invited me to his house to watch this ppv after a year old watching nitro and I remember not knowing what to think after this match ended. Sting won, but for some reason I still felt disappointed. It felt like the beginning of the end.

[@MrRodzilla]

hogan has a problem losing clean, even his match against Goldberg he was in control with all the leg drops but unfortunately he was distracted by curt hennig/ddp/malone outside the ring and that's when Goldberg got the spear on him he needs a * next to his losses

[@jkat5768]

Sounds like Nick Patrick singlehandedly destroyed WCW.

[@mattb6369]

Blame Hogan when he got in the ring. Hulk: "Patrick, you're supposed to do a fast count on Stinger?" Patrick: "Yes, sir!" Hulk: "Naaah, make it a normal count, brother trust me!" Patrick: "Ok...!"

[@HoustonSoto]

Ironic -- Hogan comes out to avenge Bret Hart, and thus winning himself the strap at WMIX. Then Bret Hart gets the screwjob in Montreal. Then Bret Hart comes out at the end of Hogan's championship match to avenge the babyface, shouting that he wouldn't let the screwjob happen again. All of these decisions have very interesting outcomes and after effects.

[@treiwilson9445]

Crow Sting was my favorite. That anti hero Sting entrance. Especially him raising his hands and looking from right to left at the crowd. To me that was his way of saying. I'm back on my own terms.

[@portiamatthews4299]

I luv ur videos. I'm an avid wrestling fan and u break things down that alot of us fans didn't know. Keep up the great videos👍👌

[@luvmenow33]

Hogan was not dumb enough to not realize that sting had to go over. If anything I believe the last minute fast count bull to try and capitalize on Brett hart being there But if you watch Patrick Counts in previous matches you'll see how slow he would count normally so to him that actually was a fast count. I think that's the problem.

[@navbuoy]

To me, from the descriptions of Sting not verbally selling Hogan's moves was due to the fact he was borrowing more from the Undertaker than the Crow. It seems Hogan might have been trying to do damage control by setting up a last minute angle with Brett and the Ref while keeping Sting out of the loop to get a genuine reaction out of him. Bischoff and Hogan must have lost enough faith in Borden to doubt his resolve to get the job done right.

[@alexmarquez9639]

@@navbuoy yeah well... Bishoff and Hogan are clowns

[@DarkDestroyer98]

He wasn't tanned enough brother....

[@alexmarquez9639]

Gotta have the skin of one of those hot dogs you find at the gas station, brother.

[@notoriousb.i.z.5342]

N64 WCW World Tour had Bogus Sting on the NWO roster

[@rafaelkoch7526]

I can't remember that but it has been years and years since i've played it.

[@num1Jaysta]

Yep! That was my first WCW game.

[@DerkuiDerkui]

That Sting was stronger and better than the real Sting in-game tbh. I used that Bogus Sting a lot.

[@bradshelton3293]

To be honest if i chose the story to believe sting 100 percent I feel like they switched up on the matches ending without his knowledge more than just the fast count

[@ponfarriac9879]

I disagree with Sting having a "normal" entrance being a mistake. The previous months, Stings was making surprise attacks to get to Hogan. At Starrcade, it was official. Both competitors came to the ring in traditional wrestling fashion. It's one of the things I feel they really got right.

[@jaygreene5337]

That match should've been what the Brock/Goldberg WM33 match was. Hogan hits his big moves, Sting pops up at 2, hits his signature moves and a new champion in under 10 minutes.

[@Gwolf888]

WCW starrcade from 1983-00 seventeen years of memories for all wrestling fans to watch this is good for new wrestling fans the WWE Network. WCW fan forever, starrcade 97 Hogan vs Sting was one of my favorite matches

[@heyyou9693]

You almost have to believe Sting. He seems like a legit mouthpiece, so I'd take his word over Hogan or Bischoff. I was at the Mankato, MN Nitro when Sting said the famous "the only thing for sure about Sting is nothins for sure."

[@dylanblurton1881]

At the time WCW had the chance to put the final nail in WWE's coffin with this ppv but instead took the nails out

[@tylongkicks8821]

Exactly

[@jackwalker6475]

Man I remember watching as a kid, Sting descending to the ring and taking out the NWO. That might be my favourite moment in pro wrestling, and it cemented Sting as my all time favourite wrestler.

[@thebossthusiast1960]

Great video. One thing I want to note that it seems like nobody ever brings up: Hogan didn't tap at the end of the match either. Bret just rings the bell while Hogan is shaking his head "no" in the Deathlock. So not only did Hogan beat Sting earlier in the match, he got double-screwed when Bret rang the bell on him. The announcers never acknowledged this of course.

[@midsectionmark8956]

He nodded no then he nodded yes after the bell rang.

[@williamchappell9858]

Amazing!He kept fans like me hanging on being silent for a year truly a stroke of genius looking back a loved it!

[@CyberWolf-bm2nv]

Yeah that match sucked but i thought all of wcw in 97 and 98 was in their glory for the most part 99 was when i had to switch to wwf

[@chozahfearless7524]

Crocodile da kid 1996-2000 were my favorite years in wrestling

[@xandercalimaderthemander1084]

And I yr later wcw botched Halloween havoc

[@bigtime1351]

Clearly, Hogan's ego got in the way of that match.

[@HoustonSoto]

I think the best way to describe Starcade 97 is simply that the pressure got to everybody. Sting didn't understand why there was a question about the finish, but there was a question about the finish because Bischoff and Hogan thought Sting seemed out of it. Sounds like a simple lack of communication issue. Nick Patrick probably just screwed up and let the ball roll between his legs. I think everyone became a ball of nerves on the big day and it had people second guessing themselves. Sometimes you get to the finish line and trip and stumble because you hesitated for a split second.

[@vikdaddy]

Nov/Dec '97 was the most pivotal moment in wrestling history, and both PPVs involved Bret Hart. The screw job at the Survivor Series led to the upturn in the WWF, as heel Vince was born, and Starrcade's finish documented here was the beginning of the downfall of WCW, as the dysfunction was clear to see for all.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

lol, no WCW was staying well afloat till way after this.

[@vikdaddy]

@@CurlyFromTheSwirly clearly English is not your first language

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

@@vikdaddy 😂👆🤣😹😂🤣

[@supmyd00d]

The match was horrible. It was supposed to be a heated grudge match against two bitter rivals but they ended up trading wrestling maneuvers like headlocks, shoulder tackles and wristlocks. It should have been a brawl from the very beginning. The botched ending was just the icing on the cake.

[@denniswilliams6519]

This. The entire match was booked poorly not just the ending (Botch or bribe not withstanding). The fact that Sting cleaned the ring of the entire NWO multiple times in the build up yet was dominated by Hogan in the actual match for most of it only added to the issues.

[@midsectionmark8956]

Ya there was confusion but look at it this way, Sting shoulders up was up at 2.75 count. Sooooo ya even the slow fast count by the ref didn’t really mess it up for me to much. Sting still ended the match on the right terms and I do enjoy going back watching this match. It was still a big moment for us Sting fans and it could have been better but that’s not how it went down. So complaining about it doesn’t help. Glad he made this video looking back at it.

[@dominicderubeis6627]

1st of all, there’s absolutely no way that Patrick just “forgot” to do a fast count. That was the biggest/most important moment in his refereeing career. And as far as Bischoff saying that Bret Hart’s involvement was not supposed to be part of it is an even bigger lie.

[@TheJames-Edward]

Amazing documentary, please continue to make more.

[@Thebuttsinferno]

They really caught lightning in a bottle with his Crow character. For me personally, it was the most compelling character in wrestling history.

[@nathanhuff3622]

Yes it did indeed..Cause I was so confuse on the fast count.They did show few highlights of the finish after starcade..And..The build WAS....A MONSTER...The best main event build Iv seen in both they career..

[@jayrusso1589]

Do Undertaker vs. Kane 1997/1998 next

[@christophersimmons5396]

Fun fact Scott Hall was the one came up with the crow gimmick he deserves the credit for that

[@Atem_S.]

When wrestling was at it's Apex for me!! So glad I had a chance to witness all of this!

[@thathighguy4208]

Haggard, no tan brother??? Conrad said it best "He was up in the rafters for a year what did u think he was going to do?"

[@weworldwide1348]

he still could've stayed in shape, hit up WCW's power plant now and then and kept a tan. For someone who didn't had to do too much for 18 months, he let himself go.

[@gripsimpson]

thatHighGuy: It just proves Hulk Was actually afraid of Sting's popularity. No tan?? Bitch move.

[@alexmarquez9639]

@@weworldwide1348 why would a dude with a crow gimmick get a cheesy pro wrestler tan???? Why did he need to be in such amazing shape to wrestle a 10-15 minute match? Makes no sense to me. Put the godd*mn belt on him clean no excuses.

[@gorefreak6]

Cultaholic has only been doing the more mainstream wrestlers we all know. You give us the stuff that we want to know more of and haven't listened to a thousand times before by other channels

[@jg3000]

I totally forgot about the Bret Hart thing. All I remember is Hulk Hogan pinning Sting.

[@KingKing-ej1hq]

Fair and square

[@grungil7570]

WWF had the screw job, WCW had the big flop. Bret Hart participates on both. Coincidence..?

[@huntercraft7630]

Man this is probably one of the best build ups to a match in all of wrestling history. If it wasn’t for Nick Patrick botching that count tho... 😳

[@ads2686]

Nick Patrick only botched the count because Hogan told him to.

[@roguerifter9724]

Where's the proof? It is certainly possible that Hogan bribed , or convinced Nick Patrick to screw up the fast count but it is also possible Nick Patrick messed up without outside interference. Or, something I haven't seen anyone mention the possibility of, if this was the start of WCW's downfall maybe Vince or someone else loyal to the WWE bribed Patrick to botch the count.

[@CPSlayer]

@@roguerifter9724 Patrick said in a re cent interview he was told 2 diff.endings

[@lexluther69]

Sting told the reff to fast count. Bischoff told the reff to count it normal. And hogan told the reff to slow count it. The reff was conflicted so he did a normal pin count. (According to the reff’s own words)

[@shinigami146]

Great commentary and narration of what was the best booking period, IMO, in Pro Wrestling. It is a shame that it ended with a flop and so much legitimate controversy.

[@davidlonghurst9845]

Good video mate that provides the answer that everything went through hulk and Eric and that's why wcw went out of business and Sting was the biggest thing that kept wcw on the right track What's next?

[@nathanhuff3622]

Got that right..Sting was everybody including my WCW hero..I nearly cried every time simebody hurt sting.I was one of his little Stingers..He got alotta heels over.

[@cbfbmc]

What u should have added was sting wrestle Hogan next night on Monday nitro then he spoke for the first time a week later when jj Dillon strip him of his belt only to win it at next ppv

[@andu1854]

cbfbmc that match should have been how the match should have gone... also Sting really needed to wrestler some matches prior to get back into shape

[@alexmarquez9639]

@@andu1854 what's this obsession with being in top shape to wrestle one freaking match! For one it's all showbusiness anyway not like they actually fought, sting could have wrestled a 15 minute match with bum ass Hogan in his sleep. Nothing justifies what those bumbling fools did at starrcade 97.

[@herpderp7264]

I was 12 when this was going on, and all anyone at school talked about was the nWo and Sting coming from the rafters. WCW was killing WWF in 97.

[@freezhollywood]

Sting’s entrance was pretty over the top if u ask me. And no spray tan? His character didn’t need it he was supposed to be pale.

[@Mr.Memphis10]

Good content! Bringing black memories watching Starrcade 97 as a youngling. RIP WCW

[@jamesmccormick875]

Hogan - “ Hey Nick & Eric, that fast count doesn’t work for me brother! The Hulkster has a chance to bury Sting and Bret at the same time, can’t pass that up Brother!”

[@handbooklu8979]

Whatever the case may be, Sting was simply popular and becoming bigger then Hogan. Sting should have won clean that night. Hogan knew he had to put a stop to it. And that’s what he did. As if he had more control over that company then even billionaire Ted 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mitchell9041]

Great Video as Always

[@stustewart3140]

Hope to see a full Sting video, his "crow" storyline and Goldberg's streak is what made me a fan of WCW, a must see every Monday night from 1996 to 1999. Good points that this match started the downfall. But loved the NWO vs WCW story, once NWO split, it was over. Great work!

[@paranoidandroid9979]

This feud is what got me into wrestling. Sting was my favorite for years

[@mummygiraffepresentsclassi8722]

In fairness to WCW, over on the other channel, In your house-Degeneration X, wasn’t very good in Dec 97 either!!