GOLDBERG'S WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE WIN - Monday Nitro 7/6/98

Even though this happened over 27 years ago, I remember it as vividly as any childhood memories.

On July 6, 1998, I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle in Glendale, Queens, NY. I always visited them during the Summer every year, and as every time I visited, it was awesome. In-between visiting my Oma and Opa, my other Aunts and Uncles, and my cousins, I ate cake, butter rolls, and McDonalds to my heart’s desire.

Nothing’s truly changed.

However, on this night, my Aunt’s apartment was full of wrestling fans, preparing to enjoy WCW Monday Nitro at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA.

I was perplexed.

Although I really liked WCW, I was knee-deep and completely fanatical in the Attitude Era of the WWF. If the 12 year old me was forced to choose a side in “the Monday Night Wars” before this date, I’d lay down my life for Stone Cold Steve Austin, D-Generation X, and D’Lo Brown, pre-chest protector.

I initially asked if they could put on Raw, which I got a resounding “No”. On this night, there was going to be an important World Title match on TNT.

“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan from the vile New World Order would be defending the World Heavyweight Championship against the unstoppable Goldberg.

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Initially, I can honestly say that I was not the biggest fan of Bill Goldberg. I initially thought that he was a “Stone Cold” ripoff, down to the bald head and black trunks. Plus, I can admit that I absolutely hated his destruction of Glacier, one of my all-time WCW favorites, in record fashion the night after Starrcade 1997 on Nitro.

However, it all changed for me on April 20, 1998. On the Nitro from Colorado Springs, CO, Goldberg was scheduled to face the new WCW United States Champion Raven for the gold in a Raven’s Rules match.

Watching with my Dad in the living room before bed, Goldberg appeared to be wrestling’s version of a juggernaut, picking apart Raven piece-by-piece, destroying each and every member of the Flock, including giving the seven-foot Reese an incredible Jackhammer. Finally, once Raven reentered the ring, one massive Spear and Jackhammer later, “Da Man” won the U.S. Title to a monster reaction.

Once color commentator “the Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko bellowed “GOLDBERG IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS,” I was hooked. That day was the day I became a Goldberg guy.

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So when my Aunt and Uncles told me Goldberg was going for the title, I knew Raw wasn’t an option. The goal was at hand. We needed to support the undefeated terminator.

And that we did.

The show was a brilliant build from the beginning. Starting with JJ Dillon’s announcement from the July 2 Thunder that “Hollywood” Hogan would be defending his championship at the Georgia Dome on Nitro, the first live segment came with nWo Hollywood - “Hollywood” Hogan, the Disciple, Miss Elizabeth, and Eric Bischoff - made their way out to the arena to an immense chorus of boos.

Mr. Bischoff and the WCW/nWo World Heavyweight Champion then informed the 41,412 fans in the Georgia Dome that the only way that Goldberg would get his shot at Hogan was if he defeated one of the “nWo brothers” FIRST.

After a build-up of over an hour and forty-five minutes, including great stuff from Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, Saturn, Kanyon, and Raven, it was time.

Scott Hall, who arrived in a limo, finishing a drink, was the intended opponent for the United States Champion.

Once Goldberg’s iconic theme hit, the apartment was alive.

“Breathe in that smoke, baby,” my Uncle Jim stated as the pyro and fireworks began. Goldberg stood in the middle of it, taking it all in. One primal yell later, and the phenomenon made his way towards the ring.

The match was a one-sided affair. Everything the “Bad Guy” tried, Goldberg had an answer for. And when nWo Hollywood made their way down to stop the madness inside the squared circle, Diamond Dallas Page and legendary NBA power forward “the Mailman” Karl Malone cut them off at the pass with steel chairs.

An impactful spear and a ring-shaking Jackhammer later, Goldberg not only successfully defended his United States Championship, but guaranteed his main event with “Hollywood”.

My family was euphoric. I was mesmerized. 

Approximately forty-five minutes later, it was game-time. Goldberg, along with his security detail, made the long walk from his locker room to the arena. Once he hit the entrance tunnel, it was on. The slow, intense, powerful walk from Goldberg was, in my opinion, the most bad-ass thing I had ever seen.