10 Wrestling Matches That Buried Top Stars ON PURPOSE

6. Brock Lesnar Vs. Goldberg - WWE Survivor Series 2016

Bray Wyatt John Cena
WWE.com

As Lesnar dominated for two years, the more patient - or brainwashed - fans exercised caution on the message board scene.

Just you wait, they said. You won't be laughing when [insert name of slender indie-honed talent Vince McMahon was halfheartedly pushing that week] gets the rub smirking face emoji."

Brock Lesnar actually ruled. He generated an energy no other wrestler ever has and made you fear for some poor c*nt's life just by aiming his knee in their gut. And he ruled harder, had you accepted that WWE's booking wasn't going to magically improve if and when he left. And it very much has not: the mechanics of WWE creative render this all but impossible.

But on principle - not that it matters, because the TV money means nothing does - bringing back Goldberg, who they hated the first time, was an indictment. His shocking 90 second squash win over Lesnar at Survivor Series 2016 was the sort of move that popped Monday's rating, but pissed off the base enough to check out that Being The Elite thing they'd started hearing about.

Simply, WWE wanted to promote a big match with big lads and f*ck your unambitious millennial faves.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential 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 former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current 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!