On December 16, 1990, the wrestling world converged on the legendary Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri, for Starrcade ’90: Collision Course—the eighth Starrcade, and the historic transition point from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) banner into the emerging World Championship Wrestling (WCW) identity. In front of roughly 7,200 fans, WCW staged a card built around mystery, international competition, and a shift in power at the top of the promotion. The night’s main event saw Sting defend the NWA World Heavyweight Championship inside a steel cage against the enigmatic Black Scorpion, a storyline that had haunted him for months with cryptic messages and psychological mind games.
When the dust settled and the mask finally came off, the Black Scorpion was revealed to be none other than Ric Flair—Sting’s greatest rival and a defining figure of the era. Starrcade ’90 also featured the Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup Tag Team Tournament, bringing in teams from the United States, Japan, Mexico, the Soviet Union, and beyond, with the Steiner Brothers ultimately overcoming the team of Mr. Saito and The Great Muta in the finals. Add in brutal matches like Lex Luger vs. Stan Hansen in a Texas Lariat Match and the wild Street Fight between Doom and the team of Arn Anderson and Barry Windham, and you have a show that perfectly captures WCW’s gritty, transitional early ’90s feel.
This shirt comes from that night. It wasn’t a piece of souvenir merch you could pick up at the concession stand—it was issued specifically to the local crew who helped run cameras, rig staging, move gear, and keep Starrcade ’90 on track behind the scenes. Worn in the building where Sting battled Flair’s alter-ego and WCW was reshaping itself for the decade to come, this tee is more than a graphic; it’s a tangible artifact from a pivotal collision of characters, companies, and eras.
The Provenance
This shirt was sourced directly from the private collection of a St. Louis stagehand who worked the Kiel Auditorium throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was part of the local crew brought in when national tours and pay-per-view events—like this WCW Starrcade—rolled through town. As a crew-issued piece, it represents the inner circle of the event: the people who actually built the set, handled production changes, and stood just out of camera range while Sting, Flair, Luger, Doom, and others made history in the ring.
Because it comes from someone who was physically present at Starrcade ’90: Collision Course, this shirt creates a direct, documented line back to one of WCW’s most notable pay-per-view events—the final Starrcade held under the NWA banner and the first truly branded as WCW. For collectors of wrestling memorabilia, especially Sting/Flair-era WCW, this isn’t just “in the style of” or “from around that time”—it’s the real thing.
Condition Report
Fabric: The 50/50 Screen Stars Best fabric has softened to perfection, with a consistent all-over “faded black” or charcoal hue.
Texture: Soft and thin with moderate vintage pilling (fuzziness) typical of this blend.
Graphic: The back features stylized caricatures of WCW legends (including Sting in his signature face paint) and the text “I WAS THERE!” The front features the exclusive “WCW CREW” text.
Flaws: No holes noted. The fade is the main sign of age, giving it an incredible vintage look.
Measurements & Fit
Tag Size: XL
Fits Like: Modern Large (Vintage 50/50 fit)
Pit to Pit: 20 inches (40 inches doubled)
Length: 27.5 inches (Top of shoulder to hem)
Please note: The shirt is a faded vintage charcoal grey. Some photos may appear darker due to lighting, but the ‘faded’ photos are the most accurate representation of color.