Why Goldberg's First World Title Victory In Atlanta Was So Historic 

• Goldberg’s undefeated streak is legendary. 
• WCW built him from the ground up. 
• He was WCW’s top babyface by the time he challenged for the world title. 

Goldberg made his WCW debut in 1997, embarking on an undefeated run that set the benchmark for how a dominant spree of victories should be presented. To this day, no one else has quite lived up to the undefeated streak of Goldberg in WCW, and much of this came down to this world title success too. WCW introduced Goldberg punishing and running through jobbers and enhancement talent first, before gradually building him further with undercard talent, then midcard talent, and beyond. Goldberg picked up the United States Championship, building momentum and popularity by the week.

It wasn’t too long until Goldberg’s matches became an attraction in WCW, which is testament to his consistent presentation, the dedication to a long-term ascent up the card, and WCW resisting booking too many shenanigans in and around his matches (though he wasn’t always immune to this). In 1998, it was finally time for the insanely over Goldberg to take the next step - challenging the number one heel in WCW, Hollywood Hogan, for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

Goldberg Defeated Hulk Hogan To Become World Champion In Atlanta

Hogan Vs. Goldberg Is An Iconic WCW Match

The match between Goldberg and Hollywood Hogan held a lot of significance and importance, as it was yet another step in continuing WCW’s momentum during their war with WWE, bringing in big numbers to the episode of Monday Nitro in which this match took place. There was every chance that, with the NWO involved, shenanigans would be afoot and Goldberg would fall victim like so many of Hogan’s opponents over the years - losing in a big-time match. Instead, Hogan and WCW cleared the way for Goldberg to achieve one of the most electric and monumental victories in the history of the company, and it just so happened to take place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Goldberg initially attended the University of Georgia, playing college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He also just so happened to make his debut for WCW in Georgia too, in a dark match. He would make the place his home, raising his family there, making it very special and close to heart. For WCW to hand him this huge match with Hogan in a venue such as the Georgia Dome made the whole thing even more historic. Goldberg would go on to overcome the odds, pull double duty on the night, fend off NWO shenanigans, and defeat Hogan in one of the best matches of Goldberg’s career, becoming the WCW World Heavyweight Champion in front of a thunderous crowd.

This was a rare example of WCW booking a homegrown name to the very top rather than an old-timer or established ex-WWE wrestler, which was significant in itself. There would have been some ideas pitched to build heat by having him lose, before gaining redemption down the line, but the fact that WCW just went all in on his undefeated run, striking while the iron was hot, proved just how much momentum the Goldberg train had at the time. For all these reasons, Goldberg’s first world title win was truly special.

Goldberg Could Recreate This Moment In Atlanta Once Again

Goldberg Is Challenging For WWE's World Heavyweight Championship

• Goldberg is facing Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event.
• He is set to retire from wrestling in 2025.
• Gunther could be his final opponent.

Goldberg’s retirement match is set to be against Gunther, with the Hall of Famer once again being handed a historic match in Atlanta, Georgia. The pair will battle over the World Heavyweight Championship, offering Goldberg one last chance to win gold. Goldberg is 58, and he might be set to hang up the boots for good, but he is the one guy you cannot rule out of a world title match - he always has a chance.

It certainly feels unlikely, but WWE may once again decide to pull the trigger on giving an older-timer a big win to create headlines, try and draw eyes on the product, and to reward a wrestler with decades worth of memories in the business. What is more likely is Goldberg losing out to Gunther after one last courageous performance, before bowing out and putting his career to rest. Atlanta will forever be a special place for Goldberg, and it shall be again for one final match.