10 Biggest Wrestling Controversies Of 2016

8. The Return Of Goldberg

2 Goldberg Entrance
WWE.com

When Brock Lesnar conquered the Streak, and erected Suplex City at SummerSlam 2014, the question on the lips of wrestling fans was a simple one: who, ultimately, is going to benefit from the rub?

All indications pointed to Roman Reigns - but Lesnar's decision to extend his contract in early 2015, which was signed amid a backdrop of deafening fan resentment towards Reigns, crashed that would-be star vehicle. Instead, Lesnar was protected in an impromptu Triple Threat defeat by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31. Reigns had devolved from champion-elect to designated jobber.

Lesnar, in the ensuing summer and autumn of 2015, was occupied by the Undertaker. He eventually defeated him at Hell In A Cell to avenge the tainted loss he suffered at SummerSlam. Lesnar had been fortified to such an extent that whomever collapsed his walls was bound to achieve a new level of stardom. So, in the logical endgame to its illogical part-time headliner era, WWE, at Survivor Series 2016, gave the rub to Goldberg - a part-time star of yesteryear they didn't much care for the first time 'round.

The Goldberg storyline remains in progress. The success of it can only be gauged when WrestleMania 33 fades to black. WWE might yet use both Goldberg and Lesnar to elevate the next generation.

But how many times has that happened recently?

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!