15 Exact Moments Failed WWE Ruthless Aggression Gimmicks Actually Got Over

7. Goldberg | August 24, 2003

Goldberg WWE
WWE.com

To an extent, and not an insignificant one, Goldberg was over to WWE fans before he even signed with the company. He wasn’t some no-mark wearing a red WCW logo t-shirt in 2001. Nor was he Booker T or Diamond Dallas Page. Booker T had name value, but still had to work to get over. DDP also had a strong reputation as a draw, and that still wasn’t enough. It didn’t matter how over he used to be; with such awful booking, he was doomed. 

Goldberg was different because his was a universal appeal. He was so intense and badass that he transcended tribalism. It didn’t matter how often the company told you that WCW sucked; the WWF fans secretly thought Goldberg was cool. 

Goldberg defeated the Rock at Backlash 2003 in a match that went far too long. The tone was set immediately: WWE didn’t want to book Goldberg like he was Goldberg. His TV efforts were better and more flattering, which was key, but his second pay-per-view bout, against Chris Jericho at Bad Blood, was also a bit long. An improvement, yes, and a good match on its own terms, but it didn’t feel like a uniquely ‘Goldberg’ attraction. Goldberg was over, but not to the level anybody expected (or rather hoped). It was at SummerSlam that WWE let Goldberg be Goldberg. 

He ripped and tore everybody in sight in the World Heavyweight title Elimination Chamber main event. It was like the iconic Raven’s Rules match, only better, because these were big name WWE guys he was throwing into the wood-chipper. Triple H had to win, of course, and WWE learned not one lesson. Or perhaps Triple H really did not want to learn it, otherwise his spot was in danger; at Unforgiven, Goldberg won the World Heavyweight title - but in a 15 minute snoozer that exposed his limitations yet again, he lost his aura. 

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!