Diamond Dallas Page reflects on his Halloween Havoc 1998 match against Goldberg.
DDP received his first WCW World Championship opportunity against Bill Goldberg at the 1998 Halloween Havoc spectacular. This was the culmination of Page working hard to become an in-ring Superstar later in life and rising through the ranks of WCW for the prior four years.
Speaking with Inside The Ropes, Diamond Dallas Page spoke about learning later on in life that Eric Bischoff and Dusty Rhodes considered putting the World Championship on him that night, but Goldberg was still a major representative for the company.
“I never knew it until later,” said DDP. “But Dusty Rhodes went to Eric and said… [Impersonating Dusty] ‘You know, E, this night tonight could be Dallas’ night.’ Eric didn’t drop the strap on me that night because Goldie was going to be on Entertainment Weekly, big magazine in our country, and TV Guide, when that meant something, wearing the title the next day. What would have been great as if I’d have heard that. Oh, my God, I would have… Because it made sense for me to beat him and it would have just bumped me up to that Austin level. It would have, really. Especially to beat him clean. It would have taken me to a different spot.”
He continued, “Not that I’m not super happy with everything that happened in my life. The career I had was unbelievable and I’m super thankful for it, but if that would have happened, Goldie wouldn’t have had to get hit with a Taser and then the finish… That mortified him. It would have been a lot for him to swallow, me beating him, but the Diamond Cutter was so over at that time, you know, it would have really made sense – but that is what it is. To go back in time, it would have been fun but the match was still great. I always say, 'it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you win or lose, on both sides.'”
Diamond Dallas Page would go on to win the championship six months later at WCW Spring Stampede in 1999. He won the belt in a Fatal 4-way match featuring Ric Flair, Sting, and Hulk Hogan. Randy Savage was also the referee for that match.
WWE will be bringing back Halloween havoc on Wednesday, October 28 for a special episode of NXT. The episode will be hosted by Shotzi Blackheart.
