10 WCW Matches That Ended In Nonsense Ways

Ever since WCW's demise, WWE and its fans have pushed the idea that it is the worst wrestling promotion in history. This is a somewhat unfair statement because it did find plenty of success during its heyday.

That said, World Championship Wrestling was not above criticism. Far from it actually, because its blunders were numerous and spectacular, especially when it came to its main event scene, populated by ex-WWE guys like Hulk Hogan. Politics and egos were powerful, and as a result, there are lots of matches with unclear, nonsensical endings. There are too many to count, but here are ten of them.

10 Ric Flair vs. Sting (Clash of the Champions I, 3/27/1988)

This main event NWA World Heavyweight Title bout from the very first Clash of the Champions is a great match, but the finish is ridiculous. Flair and Sting fight to a time limit draw, which is fine, but then it’s turned over to the judges to determine a winner.

One chooses Sting, the other Flair, and a third decides it’s a draw. So a panel of judges was required to determine that a time limit draw ended in a draw.

9 Hulk Hogan vs. Vader (Uncensored, 3/19/1995)

Uncensored was a bit like WCW’s version of Extreme Rules, where the marquee match would be some absurd gimmick match that would promise violence, but often resulted in some of the company’s most reviled matches of all time.

The inaugural Uncensored features a Leather Strap Match between Hulk Hogan and Vader, which sounds like an alright time. But -- bafflingly -- Hogan wins the match by dragging Ric Flair across all four corners of the ring. That’s not a typo: Ric Flair lost a match he wasn’t even competing in.

8 Hulk Hogan vs The Giant (Halloween Havoc, 10/29/1995)

The finish of this WCW World Title match has Hulk Hogan’s manager Jimmy Hart hitting the referee with the title belt, causing a DQ. Then -- SWERVE -- he hits Hogan with the belt, too, and Hogan suffers a two-on-one attack from The Giant and the infamous Yeti. Also, Lex Luger shows up and randomly turns heel.

Then, it’s revealed that Hogan accidentally (?) gave Jimmy Hart power of attorney, resulting in the treacherous Hart stipulating in the fight contract that The Giant gets the belt in the event of a DQ.

7 The Doomsday Cage Match (Uncensored 3/24/1996)

As silly as Hulk Hogan being attacked by a mummy is, at least it’s easy to understand. Far less easy to understand is The Doomsday Cage Match at Uncensored 1996. The set-up is the only simple part.

The idea saw Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage take on the top heels of WCW and some other random guys, who have banded together as The Alliance to End Hulkamania, in an elaborate cage match. However, the rules were unclear, the action was hard to follow, and Randy Savage won the Hogan-centric match by pinning Ric Flair.

6 Hollywood Hogan vs. Sting (Starrcade 12/28/1997)

The climax to the mega-hot year-long feud between Sting and Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Title happened at their biggest show of the year, Starrcade. Unfortunately, the finish torpedoed a year of work and goodwill.

As booked, nWo-affiliated referee Nick Patrick was to pull a fast three-count in Hogan’s favor, only for the match to be restarted and Sting winning. What did happen was Patrick doing a normal three-count -- possibly on purpose, depending on who you ask -- resulting in a confusing finish that would begin a years-long series of poor booking decisions that eventually led to WCW’s downfall.

5 Goldberg vs. Kevin Nash (Starrcade, 12/27/1998)

WCW stumbled onto a completely homegrown phenomenon in Goldberg, a former football player who was really good at tackling wrestlers, resulting in an unprecedented winning streak. Kevin Nash ending Goldberg’s streak at Starrcade ‘98 is controversial as Scott Hall snuck in and shocked Goldberg with a taser.

It was fuel for a new feud but didn’t seem to do anyone involved any favors, especially because the Fingerpoke of Doom happened the following week.

4 Hollywood Hogan vs. Ric Flair (Uncensored, 3/14/1999)

In 1999, Ric Flair took on Hollywood Hogan in a match where Flair would become President of WCW if he won, or be forced to retire if he lost. To increase the drama, this would be a First Blood Match in a steel cage with barbed wire. A very high tension situation, indeed.

Unfortunately, this rule went out the window immediately, as Flair got busted open early in the match. This First Blood Match ended with Flair winning via fast count.

3 Sting vs. Hollywood Hogan (Halloween Havoc, 10/24/1999)

Hollywood Hogan vs. Sting at Halloween Havoc

Halloween Havoc ‘99 was the first WCW PPV under the infamous Vince Russo, and it shows. In the middle of the event, there was a scheduled World Title match between champion Sting and challenger Hollywood Hogan.

Hogan’s music hit first, but he didn't come out. After Sting got to the ring, Hogan finally showed up wearing street clothes and suddenly laid down for the champ. This was meant to be a worked shoot to play off of Hogan’s refusal to lose matches clean, but it mostly confused fans.

2 Sting vs. Goldberg (Halloween Havoc, 10/24/1999)

Even more baffling is the previously unannounced main event of Halloween Havoc. Sting took on Goldberg in what was stated by the announcers themselves to be a non-title match. But Goldberg won and is crowned new champ, so Sting attacked the referee.

The next day on Nitro, it was announced that it was actually a non-title match, but Sting was going to be stripped of the championship anyway for attacking the ref.

1 Hollywood Hogan vs. Jeff Jarrett (Bash at the Beach, 7/9/2000)

Vince Russo’s love for worked shoots was in full force by Bash at the Beach ‘00. Hogan was scheduled to challenge Jeff Jarrett for the World Title, but Vince Russo ordered Jarrett to lie down for Hogan.

Hogan acquiesced -- because of course Hogan’s going to win no matter what -- trashed the declining promotion’s creative decisions, and stormed off, fired onscreen by Russo. It’s extra confusing because it resulted in a real lawsuit for some reason.

NEXT: Hulk Hogan: His 10 Most Controversial Victories