There are numerous different moments one could point to in WCW’s waning years that may qualify as a nail within the promotion’s coffin, but few garner as much attention because the “Fingerpoke of Doom.” The incident took place during a January 1999 episode of “WCW Nitro,” with Hulk Hogan poking Kevin Nash within the chest, Nash dramatically falling to the mat, and Hogan pinning him – a theatrical conclusion meant to reunite the unique NWO.
As considered one of WCW’s perennial commentators, Tony Schiavone had a front-row seat for the debacle. He shared his disdain for the segment on an episode of his podcast, “What Happened When.”
“It was silly. I mean, it really, really was, right?” Schiavone said. He acknowledged that the poke itself wasn’t being portrayed as something worthy of a pin, and that Nash and Hogan were conspiring together as villains. Still, Schiavone wasn’t a fan of the choice.
Earlier on that very same night, Schiavone called out the indisputable fact that Mick Foley was set to win WWE’s world championship on a pre-taped episode of “WWE Raw” airing concurrently “Nitro.” Meant to be a jab on the competition, the remark resulted in scores of viewers switching channels.
In line with Schiavone, though, it was the principal event finish that was the largest problem for WCW. The commentator stated that, though he disliked it, Eric Bischoff would occasionally have commentary spoil WWE matches, so it wasn’t anything terribly latest. Moreover, Schiavone said that WCW’s viewership returned to “Nitro” after briefly tuning into “WWE Raw” that very same night.
In case you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “What Happened When” and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.