10 Ideas That WWE Stole From Other Companies

4. The Goldberg Formula

Ryback 2013
WWE.com

WCW enjoyed monster success with Bill Goldberg: a gigantic former NFL defensive tackle blessed with freakish athleticism, who went on an unparalleled 173-0 undefeated streak after entering the company in 1997.

The streak met an end at Kevin Nash’s hands at Starrcade 1998, and while his overdue WWE run was nothing to shout about, Goldberg’s legacy lives on every time WWE bring a monster to the forefront.

The “Goldberg push” has become one of WWE’s most overused tropes. Think about every monster character to debut since the streak: from Brock Lesnar and Batista to Rusev and Bobby Lashley, each spent considerable time running through unheralded (and sometimes unnamed) opposition as a means of establishing dominance upon making it to the main roster.

It’d be remiss not to mention Ryback, who, having been plagued by “Goldberg” chants his whole career, completed his Goldberg-ian transition by adopting the former WCW man’s trademark black ring gear earlier this year.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.