Top 20 worst world title changes in wrestling history

8. Kevin Nash def. Goldberg: Starrcade 1998

And speaking of WCW, we can’t forget about one of the most talked-about title changes of the Monday Night War. Of course, I’m talking about the end of Goldberg’s streak at Starrcade in 1998. Upon arriving in WCW, Goldberg became an instant superstar. He was big, he was strong, he was fast and just looked like a legitimate contender. Never mind the fact that he couldn’t wrestle a lick. Just ask William Regal. Honestly, Goldberg was The Ultimate Warrior without the face paint. He had no real skill set but his charisma and energy got him over so quickly that he didn’t need to know how to wrestle.

He started winning week after week and soon became one of the biggest things in wrestling. He ran through the jobbers in WCW and less than a year after his debut, he found himself fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship against Hulk Hogan in front of almost 40,000 people. The atmosphere was electric and he bested the icon to continue his undefeated streak, a streak that could have gone on for at least another year but was abruptly stopped that December night in Washington, D.C. Kevin Nash had won the battle royal at World War 3 to earn a title shot but Goldberg was still all set to win, even getting through a run-in from the always-dangerous Disco Inferno, but Scott Hall lit up the champ with a freaking taser and Nash powerbombed his way to the title. If it were Paul Heyman describing this whole scenario, he’d be screaming “HE’S THE 1 IN 173-1!!!”

But seriously, Kevin Nash became the “1” in 173-1 and it did not sit well with a lot of people. While he’d still be a big name, Goldberg never had any momentum like he did when he had the streak and the way that it ended was the wrong way to go. I’m saying that as someone who doesn’t even care for Goldberg. He’s lucky I didn’t put his Universal Championship win on this list — and I really did think about it. To make matters worse, Nash dropped the title eight nights later. Oh, we’re so close to getting to that. Okay, who’s next? So clever, aren’t I?