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WCWThe StreakMonday Night War

Goldberg vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan

WCW Monday Nitro — July 6, 1998 · Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

Play: Goldberg vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan (official WWE upload)

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The Story

Goldberg won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, spearing and Jackhammering Hollywood Hulk Hogan to keep his undefeated streak alive. It was the apex of the Goldberg phenomenon — and the textbook example of "hot-shotting" a marquee match onto free television for a short-term ratings win.

By mid-1998 Bill Goldberg was the hottest act in wrestling: a genuine unbeaten monster whose entrance, spear and Jackhammer turned him into WCW's biggest homegrown attraction. The company chose to crown him in his adopted hometown of Atlanta, packing more than 40,000 fans into the Georgia Dome for a match most promotions would have saved for their biggest pay-per-view.

Instead WCW gave it away live on Nitro to beat Raw in the ratings. The bout itself was short and simple, but the atmosphere was electric — the roar when Goldberg speared Hollywood Hulk Hogan, hoisted him for the Jackhammer and pinned him for the title is one of the loudest moments WCW ever produced. It drew a massive number, yet burning the match on free TV rather than banking it for pay-per-view is now cited as a defining strategic blunder of the Monday Night War.

FAQ

Who won Goldberg vs Hulk Hogan on Nitro in 1998?
Bill Goldberg won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, hitting the Spear and Jackhammer to pin Hogan and extend his famous undefeated streak.
Why was the match given away on free TV?
WCW booked the marquee title change on a live episode of Monday Nitro rather than a pay-per-view to win the ratings war against Raw. It drew a huge number but is the textbook example of hot-shotting a big match for a short-term rating.
What star rating did the match get?
Dave Meltzer rated it around 3 stars. Wrestle Lore rates it 4 stars — not a mat classic, but one of the most electric moments WCW ever produced.

Related

Goldberg — full profile Hulk Hogan — full profile The nWo Formation — Bash at the Beach Sting vs Hogan — Starrcade 1997 WCW — promotion history