Starrcade 1998 Review

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Maggie Szydlowski

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Aug 3, 2024, 2:49:59 PM8/3/24

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This change in programming would change wrestling forever. WWF and WCW had found the sweet spot in 1997 by offering 2-hour, live, prime-time shows as their flagship offerings, with the occasional weekend show reserved for the hardcore fans. Just one year after 1998, WWF would follow up with their second prime-time weekly show, SmackDown. The wrestling business has been over-saturated on television ever since.

With 3 extra hours every week, there were opportunities galore for new talent to either sink or swim. Top of the list is Chris Jericho. Before this, Jericho was struggling with a bland baby face gimmick. Now Jericho gets promo time sometimes even twice a week. In his book, Jericho comments on the work he put in backstage on his promo work. While other guys would work on their tan, Jericho took their spot to plug local TV ads.

Souled Out 1998 is your typical WCW show. Strong undercard with a lackluster main event. The Lucha wrestlers, however, have one of their best matches to open the show. WCW usually started their PPVs with the Cruiserweight Title match. The Lucha tag matches were typically wedged in the middle as filler matches.

On the podcast, we were split on the decision to give Benoit the win here. Raven definitely needed the win more than Benoit for sure. The way that this feud had been booked the previous two months, it was time for Benoit to get the win and move on.

Rey Mysterio was limited in the ring with a severe knee injury. This would be his last match until Bash at the Beach 1998. This was perfect timing for Jericho to get the Cruiserweight belt back. His heel champion run is way more memorable than his face runs.

This commentator turn came too late and needed to be at the expense of somebody like DDP. The problem is Scott Hall is much cooler than Zbyszko. Zbyszko did great work against Bischoff the month before, but he overstayed his welcome. 1997 had very few turns of NWO members. 1998 is a different story. It was destiny baby!

Check out the WCW vs NWO podcast for a review of each WCW PPV in 1998. It was the most memorable year of wrestling for me. Reliving the fall of WCW will be painful but entertaining. See you next time for Superbrawl 1998!

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Conor is the editor and co-host of the WCW vs NWO Podcast which reviews WCW PPVs 96-98. He is also the editor for highly acclaimed Arena Decklist Podcast which delves deep into the Magic: the Gathering tournament scene.