Sting's Controversial Starrcade '97 Match With Hulk Hogan, Explained
Highlights
- Sting's character transformation from "Surfer Sting" to the dark, silent vigilante that haunted the nWo set the stage for their highly anticipated match at Starrcade.
- Despite the buildup, the match between Hulk Hogan and Sting at Starrcade 1997 was a huge dud, due to ring rust and confusion about the finish.
- The controversy surrounding the match and the mishandling of the WCW World Championship became a catalyst for the beginning of the end for WCW as a company.
There was no greater time to be a pro wrestling fan than 1997. Wrestling was white-hot! No matter if you were a fan of WWE, WCW, or ECW, there was a brand for everyone to enjoy. Focusing on WCW, there was nothing hotter than the storyline featuring the nWo (New World Order) and the man they call Sting. Between September 1996 through December 1997, we saw Sting's character evolve and change from the happy-go-lucky, fun-loving "Surfer Sting," to the dark, mysterious, and silent vigilante that haunted the nWo on a weekly basis. This set the stage for the "Match of the Century," as dubbed by WCW. Unfortunately, the match Hulk Hogan and Sting had at Starrcade was far from perfect.
Hulk Hogan vs. Sting: 10 Things Most Fans Don’t Realize About Their Rivalry
Whether it was in WCW or TNA, Sting and Hulk Hogan's wrestling rivalry was epic. Here are some details fans might have missed.Sting's WCW Accomplishments | Hulk Hogan's WCW Accomplishments |
|---|---|
NWA TV Champion (1x) | WCW World Heavyweight Champion (6x) |
NWA World Heavyweight Champion (1x) | |
WCW International World Champion (1x) | |
WCW United States Champion (2x) | |
WCW World Tag Team Champion (3x) | |
WCW World Heavyweight Champion (6x) | |
Iron Man Tournament Winner (1989) | |
King of Cable Tournament Winner (1992) | |
Battlebowl Winner (1991) | |
Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup (1988) | |
WCW Triple Crown Champion (3rd) |
The Seeds Were Planted For Sting Vs. Hulk Hogan In September 1996
Sting's Character Transformation And The nWo's Dominance
By September 1996, the nWo was on fire and dominating WCW. The group was growing in numbers, having recruited The Giant (Paul Wight) and Ted Dibiase to their ranks. WCW had lost their War Games match to the nWo at Fall Brawl, after the nWo used a "bogus" Sting to trick WCW into thinking that the real Sting had turned his back on WCW. Sting, angry at his friends, allies, commentators, and doubters, proceeded to cut a promo on Monday Nitro declaring himself to be a "free agent," saying that he would pop in on WCW programming when you least expected it.
The nWo continued to grow in strength, adding Syxx (Sean Waltman) and Vincent (Virgil) to their ranks. Sting would re-appear in late October 1996, dressed in all black and white. The Stinger came down to the ring and dropped the "bogus" Sting with a Scorpion Deathdrop, followed up by a Stinger Splash and Scorpion Deathlock as the nWo watched from ringside, not making a move to stop him. The nWo spoke to Sting and gave him an offer to join the faction. Sting said he may or may not be in their price range, but the only thing there is to know about Sting is nothing's for sure. This would be the last time Sting spoke publicly until January 1998.
"Crow" Sting Haunted WCW While The nWo Continued Their Supremacy
Sting Was Loyal To WCW
Throughout the rest of 1996 into 1997, Sting began appearing in the rafters during Monday Nitro episodes, watching everything that was being said and done. Completely dressed in black and white, the colors of the nWo, his allegiance was unknown, as he attacked various WCW stars such as Jeff Jarrett, Rick Steiner, and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. He formed a brief alliance with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who had also been black-balled by WCW and the nWo. That alliance would quickly go downhill, as Savage jumped to the nWo at Super Brawl 7.
"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan was the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, as he and the nWo continued their reign of terror over WCW. Seemingly, no one could stop the nWo. They continued to grow in strength by recruiting former WCW stars like Buff Bagwell, Scott Norton, Ray Traylor, and even WCW Executive Vice President, Eric Bischoff. The nWo had power over WCW in every sense of the word.
"Crow" Sting: How A Comic Book Movie Changed The WCW Legend's Career Forever
Sting had a legendary career in WCW. Thanks to some help from an "Outsider" and a comic book film, his life was forever changed.Sting "joined" the nWo on an episode of Monday Nitro, weeks away from their Uncensored pay-per-view in March. Hogan embraced Sting, but we were quick to notice that Sting wasn't quite receptive. At Uncensored, as the pay-per-view was going off the air and the nWo were celebrating, Sting came down from the rafters and attacked the nWo, including Hogan. Sting had shown his true colors and that he was with WCW all along.
This would begin the weekly angle of Sting coming to the aide of WCW by dropping members of the nWo on Monday Nitro, making Hogan's life a living hell. This was a huge build up to their ultimate showdown at Starrcade in December.
What Went Wrong With Sting Vs. Hulk Hogan At Starrcade 1997?
WCW World Heavyweight Championship Matched Ended In Controversy
Despite the much anticipated buildup, which WCW executed wonderfully, the match didn't deliver on the hype. Sting had been out of the ring throughout the entire angle and had ring rust. Sting wasn't in a good place mentally either. Hulk Hogan was allegedly playing politics and there was some back-and-forth between Sting, Hogan, and Eric Bischoff as to how the finish was supposed to go. Due to the politics and confusion, which led to an awkward situation with Nick Patrick and lots of chaos, this match was a huge dud and became a catalyst for the beginning of the end for WCW as a company.
Why Sting Vs. The nWo Is The Greatest Feud In WCW History (& Why It Is Overrated)
While many wrestling fans consider Sting vs. the nWo as WCW's greatest rivalry, others find the feud overrated.The match itself went okay at best, but the issue came down to referee Nick Patrick. It was slated that he was supposed to initiate a fast count and screw Sting over, giving Hogan the victory. Instead, he did a normal count. Bret Hart, who had made his WCW debut and was a guest referee for the night, got involved and restarted the match. Sting went on to defeat Hogan with the Scorpion Deathlock and win the WCW World Championship, but the title was taken away from him the next day. Though he eventually got it back, the damage was done.
