11 Match Star Ratings For WWE SummerSlam 2021
2. Bobby Lashley Vs. Goldberg - WWE Heavyweight Title Match
A counterproductive, scary and boring match that fans stoically refused to play along with, this was somehow worse than an objective, on-all-fronts disaster.
A bad match in which one of the performers did well to avoid paralysis functioned to build a rematch in Saudi Arabia, the promotion for which scanned, after brief respite, as propaganda.
Goldberg's aura as a performer has long since diminished. This was a sad continuation of that form; the freakish strength of old has deserted Goldberg, who overcorrected in an apparent attempt to make up for a spate of embarrassing performances. Lashley's neck was almost broken at one point. He was almost asked to do too much to make Goldberg feel like Goldberg.
To compound a dreary anti-big fight atmosphere, his aura as a character was destroyed here too.
After tweaking his knee, the referee ruled a slog of a match in Lashley's favour. Because WWE is as bad as it is incomprehensible at its worst, and Goldberg is so dusty, it wasn't clear if this was a shoot or a weird work that cast Goldberg as a frail old fella. The resulting chair assault angle confirmed the latter.
Goldberg isn't even moving the needle on TV anymore, is a danger to others, and isn't over.
"You're next" is a more sinister catchphrase than anything the Undertaker used to come out with at this point.
Star Rating: -★★