2023-06-16 07:00:00
Legendary referee Nick Patrick reflects on one of the most controversial pro wrestling finals in history.
Patrick spoke with Chris Van Vilet about the end of the WCW Starrcade 1997 pay-per-view, which saw Hulk Hogan fight Sting in the main event for the WCW world championship. The ending saw Patrick, who was supposed to make a fast count on Sting, make a slow count instead of making it look like Hogan had rightfully won. The account would be changed and Sting would eventually prevail, but fans were very confused.
How the botched ending is still discussed to this day:
This is the subject we talk about the most. Man, that was 20 years ago, about 25 years ago and they’re still talking about it. You know, there are people, whenever people want to know about it. Man, that was, as crazy as it gets and it’s as weird and awful as I felt while I was doing it because, if you’ve heard the story, then you know what I’m talking about. I’ll tell you the story if you want to hear it. Alright, well, here’s the story. I showed up before the biggest pay-per-view and gross in wrestling history, money-wise. And I knew I had to do a main event. And as soon as I get to the building, which was really weird, because I get along with Eric now. But back then, it wasn’t like we didn’t get along. It’s just that he was a boss; I was a bit of a referee. And, man, I’ve had a lot going on in my life. And you know, egos and all that. And he had to cater to a bunch of egos. And I don’t have time for all that bullshit. People are people, man.
Recalls the conversation he had with Bischoff about the finish when he arrived at the site:
But anyway, I show up at the building and you know, he and I hardly ever had a conversation. I said hello, we shook hands and that was it. Well he came and met me as soon as I arrived. I still have my bag on my shoulder, I hadn’t arrived at the locker room yet. And he says here is what we are doing today and he gave me a straight finish. And I said, it’s, okay, it’s, you know, kinda simple, I thought they were going to dress it up during the day. And so, okay, you know, and he told me to do a straight count of 123, you know, not a quick count. And that’s when Hogan covers for Sting. So anyway, I’m there and an hour or two goes by, you know, you’re there all day. And, and at the time, Hogan was going through his stuff, he had his own locker room. And nobody went there, except, you know, except who he worked for and who he invited there. A security guy would go there and someone would take him there. You know, I was one of those guys, you know. And that was cool because I was pretty good. I knew what, you know, just tell me what you want me to do before we exit the screen through the curtain and I’m good to go. You know, and they knew it. But anyway, Eric told me how he wanted it to go.
Hogan and Sting later told him two different things about the finish before it happened:
So, I’m like, okay, so Hulk comes to me first. A few hours later, you know, while we’re there, he knows Hey, Nick, I’m not about that account, man. Kind and slow man. 123. Alright, that’s normal. I can’t do it slowly. It would be ridiculous like what we do, there is heat in there. But also, about an hour later, Sting comes up to me and says, Hey, did you know about that count? Rapid Fire baby. Alright so now I have one guy who is the franchise Hulk Hogan the other guy who is the other franchise Sting yeah both tell me the same finish. But it is quite the opposite. Whether you count faster, count slower completely changes the complexion of the finish, you know.
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