# Goldberg win streak

The Goldberg win streak was a lengthy series of victories that established the character of American professional wrestler Goldberg, following his debut on WCW Monday Nitro on September 22, 1997. The unprecedented win streak proved to be essential in making Goldberg the breakout star of World Championship Wrestling (WCW), propelling the rookie wrestler to main event status within a year of his first match, and would become a tool used by other promotions to build young stars into main event players.

## Background
### Beginnings

During the rehab following his NFL injury, Goldberg began powerlifting and mixed martial arts training. He was spotted by Lex Luger and Sting who urged him to try professional wrestling. Although not a fan of professional wrestling, he saw it as an alternative to his fledgling football career and began training at the WCW Power Plant.
Training under the tutelage of DeWayne Bruce, he made his debut as Bill Gold on a dark match at a Monday Nitro event on June 23, 1997 where he defeated Bruce (wrestling as Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker). He also faced and defeated Buddy Landell (Saturday Night dark match), Hugh Morrus (house show), Chip Minton (Nitro dark match), and John Betcha (house show). His final pre-televised appearance was in a dark match on July 24 at a Saturday Night taping in a loss to Chad Fortune.

### The streak begins

Now 5–1, Bill Goldberg had yet to be seen on television. As such, he was "undefeated" when he made his televised debut on Monday Nitro on September 22, 1997. Behind the scenes it was WCW announcer Mike Tenay who came up with the concept of the Goldberg Win Streak. Goldberg was booked to win over Morrus, and thus began a win streak that carried over onto WCW Saturday Night and non-televised house shows. The longer the streak became, the more popular the Goldberg character became.
After rampaging through most of WCW's undercard of wrestlers, Goldberg faced Raven on the April 20 edition of Monday Nitro and captured the United States Heavyweight Championship. By June he had eclipsed 100 wins, and was getting over as a main eventer. Hulk Hogan eventually granted Goldberg a title match, which would take place on the July 6, 1998 episode of Nitro held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with over 40,000 in attendance, but Hogan insisted that Goldberg first had to defeat his nWo stablemate Scott Hall. Goldberg won and later in the evening was also able to defeat Hogan to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, in turn vacating his United States Heavyweight Championship.

### Conclusion of the streak

   "We had been talking about it, from what I can recall, for a couple of months. As I have touched on in previous shows ... we were just running out of guys for Goldberg to go through. Once we got to point of whatever it was 173–0 or whatever it was (laughs). It was that point where we had to start telling stories. We had to expand the storytelling process with Bill. We knew it had to be done"
Now WCW Champion, Goldberg found himself the cornerstone of the company's efforts to stave off the WWF. The former number two promotion was now running neck and neck with WWF, and Goldberg was programmed into a feud with Diamond Dallas Page. At Halloween Havoc, the feud was settled after Goldberg defeated Page to retain the title. According to Goldberg, his match against Page was the favorite match of his career. Following technical issues with the PPV the match was aired for free on the following Monday Nitro; the huge rating that it garnered was the final time that Monday Nitro defeated Monday Night Raw.
As Goldberg moved on to a feud with The Giant, WCW management resorted to embellishing the win streak with fictional victories. Wrestling fans who followed match results online began to catch on as Goldberg's streak grew exponentially, and he began to incur the first backlash of his career.
At Starrcade, Goldberg's undefeated streak ended at an official approximate count of 173–0, and after 174 days as champion when he lost the title to Kevin Nash, after Scott Hall, disguised as a ringside security guard, made a run-in and shocked Goldberg with a taser gun.

## List of matches

Matches in Goldberg's win streak :
| Date | Location | Arena | Venue | Opponent | Result | Record |
| June 23, 1997 | Macon, GA | Coliseum | WCW Nitro dark match | Buddy Lee Parker | Won by pinfall | 1–0 |
| June 24, 1997 | Dalton, GA | Coliseum | WCW Saturday Night dark match | Buddy Landell | Won by pinfall | 2–0 |
| July 14, 1997 | Orlando, FL | Arena | WCW Nitro dark match | Hugh Morrus | Won by pinfall | 3–0 |
| July 17, 1997 | Cincinnati, OH | The Crown | WCW Nitro dark match | Chip Minton | Won by pinfall | 4–0 |
| July 22, 1997 | Jacksonville, FL | Coliseum | house show | John Betcha | Won by pinfall | 5–0 |
| July 24, 1997 | WCW Sat Night taping | Arena | WCW Saturday Night dark match | Chad Fortune | Lost by pinfall | 5–1 |
| September 22, 1997 | Salt Lake City, UT | E Center | WCW Nitro | Hugh Morrus | Won by pinfall | 6–1 |
| September 29, 1997 | Worcester, MA | Centrum | WCW Nitro | The Barbarian | Won by pinfall | 7–1 |
| October 1, 1997 | Dalton, GA | | WCW Saturday Night | Roadblock | Won by pinfall | 8–1 |
| October 10, 1997 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW WorldWide | Manny Fernandez | Won by pinfall | 9–1 |
| October 13, 1997 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Frankie Lancaster | Won by pinfall | 10–1 |
| October 13, 1997 | Orlando, FL | Ice Palace | WCW Nitro | Scotty Riggs | Won by pinfall | 11–1 |
| October 14, 1997 | Fort Myers, FL | | WCW Saturday Night | Mike Anthony | Won by pinfall | 12–1 |
| October 20, 1997 | Biloxi, MS | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Wrath | Won by pinfall | 13–1 |
| October 28, 1997 | San Bernardino, CA | | WCW Saturday Night | The Renegade | Won by pinfall | 14–1 |
| November 2, 1997 | Norfolk, VA | Scope | WCW house show | Bobby Eaton | Won by pinfall | 15–1 |
| November 8, 1997 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Mark Starr | Won by pinfall | 16–1 |
| December 16, 1997 | Gainesville, GA | Georgia Mountains Center | WCW Saturday Night | The Renegade | Won by pinfall | 17–1 |
| December 28, 1997 | Washington, DC | MCI Center | WCW Starrcade 97 | Steve McMichael | Won by pinfall | 18–1 |
| December 29, 1997 | Baltimore, MD | Arena | WCW Nitro | Glacier | Won by pinfall | 19–1 |
| January 3, 1998 | Columbia, SC | Township Auditorium | WCW house show | Bobby Eaton | Won by pinfall | 20–1 |
| January 4, 1998 | Columbus, GA | Civic Center | WCW house show | Brad Armstrong | Won by pinfall | 21–1 |
| January 5, 1998 | Atlanta, GA | Georgia Dome | WCW Nitro | Stevie Ray | Won by pinfall | 22–1 |
| January 6, 1998 | Rome, GA | Forum | WCW Saturday Night | Barry Horowitz | Won by pinfall | 23–1 |
| January 8, 1998 | Daytona Beach, FL | Ocean Center | WCW Thunder | Steve McMichael | Won by pinfall | 24–1 |
| January 12, 1998 | Jacksonville, FL | Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 25–1 |
| January 15, 1998 | Lakeland, FL | Jenkins Arena | WCW Thunder | Chavo Guerrero Jr. | No contest | 25–1 |
| January 20, 1998 | Thibodaux, LA | Civic Center | WCW Saturday Night | Mike Tolbert | Won by pinfall | 26–1 |
| January 20, 1998 | Thibodaux, LA | Civic Center | WCW Saturday Night | Meng | Won by pinfall | 27–1 |
| January 22, 1998 | Huntsville, AL | Von Braun Civic Center | WCW Thunder | Kendall Windham | Won by pinfall | 28–1 |
| January 26, 1998 | Fort Wayne, IN | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Brad Armstrong | Won by pinfall | 29–1 |
| January 29, 1998 | Memphis, TN | Mid-South Coliseum | WCW Thunder | Yuji Nagata | Won by pinfall | 30–1 |
| January 31, 1998 | Boston, MA | Fleet Center | WCW Boston Brawl | Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker | Won by pinfall | 31–1 |
| February 2, 1998 | San Antonio, TX | AlamoDome | WCW Nitro | Mark Starr | Won by pinfall | 32–1 |
| February 3, 1998 | Corpus Christi, TX | | WCW Saturday Night | Disco Inferno | Won by pinfall | 33–1 |
| February 5, 1998 | Beaumont, TX | Civic Center | WCW Thunder | Jim Powers | Won by pinfall | 34–1 |
| February 9, 1998 | El Paso, TX | Don Haskins Center | WCW Nitro | Lord Steven Regal | Won by pinfall | 35–1 |
| February 12, 1998 | Oklahoma City, OK | Myriad | WCW Thunder | Glacier | Won by pinfall | 36–1 |
| February 13, 1998 | Springfield, MO | | WCW house show | Steve McMichael | Won by pinfall | 37–1 |
| February 14, 1998 | Kansas City, KS | Memorial Hall | WCW house show | Steve McMichael | Won by pinfall | 38–1 |
| February 14, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Joey Maggs | Won by pinfall | 39–1 |
| February 16, 1998 | Tampa, FL | Fairgrounds | WCW Nitro | Hugh Morrus | Won by pinfall | 40–1 |
| February 17, 1998 | Palmetto, FL | Manatee Civic Center | WCW Saturday Night | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 41–1 |
| February 19, 1998 | Birmingham, AL | Jefferson Civic Center | WCW Thunder | Fit Finlay | Won by pinfall | 42–1 |
| February 22, 1998 | San Francisco, CA | Cow Palace | WCW SuperBrawl VIII | Brad Armstrong | Won by pinfall | 43–1 |
| February 26, 1998 | Cedar Rapids, IA | Five Seasons Center | WCW Thunder | Rick Fuller | Won by pinfall | 44–1 |
| March 2, 1998 | Philadelphia, PA | Corestates Spectrum | WCW Nitro | Sick Boy | Won by pinfall | 45–1 |
| March 3, 1998 | Johnstown, PA | Cambria County Civic Center | WCW Nitro | Chase Tatum | Won by pinfall | 46–1 |
| March 5, 1998 | Columbus, OH | Convention Center | WCW Thunder | Vincent | Won by pinfall | 47–1 |
| March 6, 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | Palumbo Center | WCW house show | Yuji Nagata | Won by pinfall | 48–1 |
| March 7, 1998 | Charleston, WV | Civic Center | WCW house show | Yuji Nagata | Won by pinfall | 49–1 |
| March 7, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Saturday Night | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 50–1 |
| March 8, 1998 | Johnson City, TN | Freedom Hall | WCW house show | Yuji Nagata | Won by pinfall | 51–1 |
| March 9, 1998 | Winston-Salem, NC | Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Barry Darsow | Won by pinfall | 52–1 |
| March 16, 1998 | Panama City, FL | Club La Vela | WCW Nitro | Lodi | Won by pinfall | 53–1 |
| March 18, 1998 | Terre Haute, IN | Hulman Center | WCW Thunder | Wayne Bloom | Won by pinfall | 54–1 |
| March 19, 1998 | Troy, OH | Hobart Arena | WCW house show | Brad Armstrong | Won by pinfall | 55–1 |
| March 20, 1998 | Hammond, IN | | WCW house show | Brad Armstrong | Won by pinfall | 56–1 |
| March 22, 1998 | Cincinnati, OH | The Crown | WCW house show | Brad Armstrong | Won by pinfall | 57–1 |
| March 23, 1998 | Louisville, KY | Freedom Hall | WCW Nitro | The Renegade | Won by pinfall | 58–1 |
| March 25, 1998 | Baltimore, MD | | WCW house show | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 59–1 |
| March 26, 1998 | Fairfax, VA | Patriot Center | WCW Thunder | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 60–1 |
| March 27, 1998 | Charlottesville, VA | | WCW house show | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 61–1 |
| March 28, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Johnny Swinger | Won by pinfall | 62–1 |
| March 28, 1998 | Auburn Hills, MI | Palace | WCW house show | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 63–1 |
| March 29, 1998 | Milwaukee, WI | | WCW house show | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 64–1 |
| March 30, 1998 | Chicago, IL | United Center | WCW Nitro | Ray Traylor | Won by pinfall | 65–1 |
| April 2, 1998 | Tampa, FL | Ice Palace | WCW Thunder | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 66–1 |
| April 3, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 67–1 |
| April 4, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Terrance Black | Won by pinfall | 68–1 |
| April 4, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | John Nord | Won by pinfall | 69–1 |
| April 4, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Bobby Blaze | Won by pinfall | 70–1 |
| April 4, 1998 | Orlando, FL | Universal Studios | WCW Worldwide | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 71–1 |
| April 6, 1998 | Miami, FL | Miami Arena | WCW Nitro | Van Hammer | Won by pinfall | 72–1 |
| April 10, 1998 | Montgomery, AL | | WCW house show | Fit Finlay | Won by pinfall | 73–1 |
| April 11, 1998 | Chattanooga, TN | UTC Arena | WCW house show | Fit Finlay | Won by pinfall | 74–1 |
| April 13, 1998 | Minneapolis, MN | Target Center | WCW Nitro | Rocco Rock | Won by pinfall | 75–1 |
| April 14, 1998 | Mankato, MN | | WCW Saturday Night | Van Hammer | Won by pinfall | 76–1 |
| April 16, 1998 | Fargo, ND | FargoDome | WCW Thunder | Barry Darsow | Won by pinfall | 77–1 |
| April 19, 1998 | Denver, CO | Coliseum | WCW Spring Stampede 98 | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 78–1 |
| April 20, 1998 | Colorado Springs, CO | World Arena | WCW Nitro | Raven | Won by pinfall | 79–1 |
| April 22, 1998 | Columbia, SC | Carolina Coliseum | WCW Thunder | Mike Enos | Won by pinfall | 80–1 |
| April 27, 1998 | Norfolk, VA | Scope | WCW Nitro | Scott Norton | Won by pinfall | 81–1 |
| April 27, 1998 | Norfolk, VA | Scope | WCW Nitro | Jerry Flynn | Won by pinfall | 82–1 |
| April 28, 1998 | Salisbury, MD | | WCW house show | Scott Norton | Won by pinfall | 83–1 |
| May 5, 1998 | Springfield, IL | | WCW Saturday Night | Van Hammer | Won by pinfall | 84–1 |
| May 5, 1998 | Springfield, IL | | WCW Saturday Night | Yuji Nagata | Won by pinfall | 85–1 |
| May 6, 1998 | Des Moines, IA | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 86–1 |
| May 9, 1998 | Wichita, KS | | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 87–1 |
| May 11, 1998 | Kansas City, MO | Kemper Arena | WCW Nitro | Len Denton | Won by pinfall | 88–1 |
| May 14, 1998 | Durham, NH | Whittemore Center Arena | WCW Thunder | Sick Boy | Won by pinfall | 89–1 |
| May 15, 1998 | Bangor, ME | | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 90–1 |
| May 16, 1998 | Amherst, MA | Mullins Center | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 91–1 |
| May 17, 1998 | Worcester, MA | Centrum | WCW Slamboree 98 | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 92–1 |
| May 18, 1998 | Providence, RI | Civic Center | WCW Nitro | Glacier | Won by pinfall | 93–1 |
| May 25, 1998 | Evansville, IN | Roberts Municipal Auditorium | WCW Nitro | Johnny Attitude | Won by pinfall | 94–1 |
| May 26, 1998 | Memphis, TN | Mid-South Coliseum | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 95–1 |
| May 27, 1998 | Nashville, TN | Municipal Auditorium | WCW Thunder | Barry Horowitz | Won by pinfall | 96–1 |
| June 1, 1998 | Washington, DC | MCI Center | WCW Nitro | La Parka | Won by pinfall | 97–1 |
| June 4, 1998 | Peoria, IL | Civic Center | WCW Thunder | Hugh Morrus & Barbarian | Won by pinfall | 98–1 |
| June 5, 1998 | Muncie, IN | | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 99–1 |
| June 6, 1998 | Fort Wayne, IN | | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 100–1 |
| June 7, 1998 | Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena | WCW house show | Perry Saturn | Won by pinfall | 101–1 |
| June 8, 1998 | Auburn Hills, MI | The Palace | WCW Nitro | Chavo Guerrero Jr. | Won by pinfall | 102–1 |
| June 9, 1998 | Saginaw, MI | Civic Center | WCW Saturday Night | Raven | Won by pinfall | 103–1 |
| June 13, 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | | WCW house show | Konnan | Won by pinfall | 104–1 |
| June 13, 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | | WCW house show | Sting | Won by pinfall | 105–1 |
| June 14, 1998 | Baltimore, MD | Arena | WCW Great American Bash 98 | Konnan | Won by pinfall | 106–1 |
| June 17, 1998 | Philadelphia, PA | Corestates Spectrum | WCW Thunder | Reese | Won by pinfall | 107–1 |
| June 22, 1998 | Jacksonville, FL | Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Rick Fuller | Won by pinfall | 108–1 |
| June 24, 1998 | Orlando, FL | | WCW Thunder dark match | Fit Finlay | Won by pinfall | 109–1 |
| June 29, 1998 | Tampa, FL | Ice Palace | WCW Nitro | Glacier | Won by pinfall | 110–1 |
| July 6, 1998 | Atlanta, GA | Georgia Dome | WCW Nitro | Scott Hall | Won by pinfall | 111–1 |
| July 6, 1998 | Atlanta, GA | Georgia Dome | WCW Nitro | Hulk Hogan | Won by pinfall | 112–1 |
| July 7, 1998 | Macon, GA | Coliseum | WCW Saturday Night | Scott Hall | Won by pinfall | 113–1 |
| July 8, 1998 | Birmingham, AL | BJCC | WCW Thunder dark match | Scott Hall | Won by pinfall | 114–1 |
| July 10, 1998 | Inglewood, CA | Great Western Forum | WCW LA Melee | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 115–1 |
| July 12, 1998 | San Diego, CA | Cox Arena | WCW Bash at the Beach 98 | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 116–1 |
| July 13, 1998 | Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand | WCW Nitro | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 117–1 |
| July 16, 1998 | Oakland, CA | Coliseum | WCW Thunder dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 118–1 |
| July 17, 1998 | Sacramento, CA | | WCW house show | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 119–1 |
| July 18, 1998 | Spokane, WA | | WCW house show | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 120–1 |
| July 19, 1998 | Yakima, WA | Sun Dome | WCW house show | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 121–1 |
| July 20, 1998 | Salt Lake City, UT | E Center | WCW Nitro dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 122–1 |
| July 26, 1998 | New York City, NY | Goodwill Games | WCW house show | Curt Hennig | Won by pinfall | 123–1 |
| July 27, 1998 | San Antonio, TX | AlamoDome | WCW Nitro | Brian Adams | Won by pinfall | 124–1 |
| July 27, 1998 | San Antonio, TX | AlamoDome | WCW Nitro dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 125–1 |
| August 3, 1998 | Denver, CO | Coliseum | WCW Nitro dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 126–1 |
| August 5, 1998 | Casper, WY | Events Center | WCW Thunder dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 127–1 |
| August 8, 1998 | Sturgis, SD | Sturgis Rally & Race | WCW Road Wild 98 | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 128–1 |
| August 10, 1998 | Rapid City, SD | Rushmore Plaza Civic Center | WCW Nitro | Meng | Won by pinfall | 129–1 |
| August 13, 1998 | Fargo, ND | FargoDome | WCW Thunder dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 130–1 |
| August 17, 1998 | Hartford, CT | Civic Center | WCW Nitro | The Giant | Won by DQ | 131–1 |
| August 26, 1998 | Peoria, IL | Civic Center | WCW Thunder dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 132–1 |
| August 31, 1998 | Miami, FL | Miami Arena | WCW Nitro | Al Green (wrestler) | Won by pinfall | 133–1 |
| September 7, 1998 | Pensacola, FL | | WCW Nitro | Scott Putski | Won by pinfall | 134–1 |
| September 10, 1998 | Lexington, KY | Rupp Arena | WCW Thunder | Rick Fuller | Won by pinfall | 135–1 |
| September 11, 1998 | Cincinnati, OH | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 136–1 |
| September 14, 1998 | Greenville, SC | BiLo Center | WCW Nitro | Sting | Won by pinfall | 137–1 |
| September 24, 1998 | Norfolk, VA | Scope | WCW Thunder | Chris Kanyon | Won by pinfall | 138–1 |
| September 24, 1998 | Norfolk, VA | Scope | WCW Thunder | Raven | Won by pinfall | 139–1 |
| September 25, 1998 | Baltimore, MD | Arena | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 140–1 |
| September 26, 1998 | Fairfax, VA | Patriot Center | WCW house show | Sting | Won by pinfall | 141–1 |
| October 1, 1998 | Norfolk, VA | | WCW Thunder | Raven | Won by pinfall | 142–1 |
| October 5, 1998 | Columbia, SC | Carolina Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Disco Inferno | Won by pinfall | 143–1 |
| October 10, 1998 | Dayton, OH | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 144–1 |
| October 10, 1998 | Columbus, OH | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 145–1 |
| October 11, 1998 | Milwaukee, WI | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 146–1 |
| October 12, 1998 | Chicago, IL | United Center | WCW Nitro | The Giant | Won by countout | 147–1 |
| October 20, 1998 | Mankato, MN | | WCW Thunder dark match | Meng | Won by pinfall | 148–1 |
| October 21, 1998 | Duluth, MN | DecC | WCW house show | Scott Hall | Won by pinfall | 149–1 |
| October 25, 1998 | Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand | WCW Halloween Havoc 98 | Diamond Dallas Page | Won by pinfall | 150–1 |
| November 6, 1998 | Charleston, WV | Civic Center | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 151–1 |
| November 7, 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | Palumbo Center | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 152–1 |
| November 8, 1998 | Johnstown, PA | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 153–1 |
| November 9, 1998 | Long Island, NY | Nassau Coliseum | WCW Nitro | Meng | Won by pinfall | 154–1 |
| November 12, 1998 | Roanoke, VA | Roanoke Civic Center | WCW Thunder dark match | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 155–1 |
| November 23, 1998 | Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena | WCW Nitro | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 156–1 |
| December 7, 1998 | Houston, TX | AstroDome | WCW Nitro | Bam Bam Bigelow | No Contest | 156–1 |
| December 14, 1998 | Tampa, FL | Ice Palace | WCW Nitro | Kevin Nash & Bam Bam Bigelow | Won by DQ | 157–1 |
| December 18, 1998 | Tulsa, OK | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 158–1 |
| December 19, 1998 | Springfield, MO | | WCW house show | The Giant | Won by pinfall | 159–1 |
| December 20, 1998 | Kansas City, MO | Kemper Arena | WCW house show | Bam Bam Bigelow | Won by pinfall | 160–1 |
| December 21, 1998 | St Louis, MO | TWA Dome | WCW Nitro | Scott Hall | Won by pinfall | 161–1 |
| December 27, 1998 | Washington, DC | MCI Center | WCW Starrcade 98 | Kevin Nash | Lost by pinfall | 161–2 |

## Aftermath

Following the loss, Goldberg was booked against another wrestler who was enjoying an inflated win streak in Sid Vicious and challenged him to a match to end Sid's winning streak. The two feuded with each other, which culminated in a match at Halloween Havoc for Sid's U.S. Title. Goldberg defeated Sid via referee stoppage, and thus won his second United States Heavyweight Championship.
The following year the streak came up against when Goldberg feuded with Vince Russo, who gave him an ultimatum. If Goldberg was to lose another match at any point in time, unless he managed to duplicate his undefeated streak from 1997 to 1998, he would be forced to retire from professional wrestling. Goldberg defeated KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) at Halloween Havoc in a handicap elimination match. He then started a feud with Lex Luger. This culminated in a match at Mayhem, which Goldberg won. They continued their rivalry and battled in a rematch at Starrcade. Goldberg won the match, but afterwards he was attacked by Luger's partner Buff Bagwell. Goldberg feuded with both Luger and Bagwell, who called themselves "Totally Buffed". His streak was broken at Sin when Goldberg, teaming with his Power Plant trainer DeWayne Bruce, lost to Totally Buffed in a tag team no disqualification match after a "fan" maced him, enabling Totally Buffed to pin him. The storyline was intended to enable Goldberg to have shoulder surgery, but WCW was sold to the WWF in March 2001, while Goldberg was still recuperating.

## Validity of the streak

Goldberg's win–loss record at WCW events from 1997 to 1998 differed from that which was perpetuated by the company, with the official figure exaggerating the number of matches in which he won to 173. Nick Schwartz of Fox Sports wrote: "No one really knows what Goldberg's actual record was... but it's generally accepted that 173–0 is an inflated number". Some of Goldberg's industry peers have stated that the figure was exaggerated. His then-WCW colleague Chris Jericho stated: "One week he'd be 42–0 and seven days later he'd be 58–0. Did stepping on bugs count?" Manager Jimmy Hart, who also worked with Goldberg in WCW, regarded the level of embellishment as "kind of funny", while professional wrestler The Miz said: "The number would just go on and on and on, to where it was like, 'Wait a second. How did he get this many wins in such a short time'?" This exaggeration damaged the streak's credibility among the WCW audience: upon noticing that the figure had been falsified, fans began to withdraw homemade signs trumpeting Goldberg's record.
While officially cited as 173–0, a definitive breakdown of all available match results shows that Goldberg began his career at an untelevised 5–1, and that following his debut he had an actual win streak of 156 consecutive victories with two that ended in No Contest before his Starrcade loss to Kevin Nash.

## Legacy

Although André the Giant was billed by the WWF as being undefeated for 15 years, the Goldberg Win Streak was the first lengthy televised win streak used to build a main eventer out of a new character. It is now part and parcel of the Hall of Fame legacy of the Goldberg character, and similar efforts were used to build the characters of Brock Lesnar in 2002, Umaga in 2006, Ryback in 2012, Bo Dallas in 2014 (albeit in a more comical manner), and Asuka in 2017.
Conversely, Curt Hawkins used a losing streak as a gimmick, losing 269 matches in a row before finally winning at Wrestlemania 35 by winning the Raw Tag Team Championship alongside Zack Ryder against The Revival.