15 Ups & 13 Downs For WWE In 2017

8. Goldberg's Last Stand

Raw Goldberg
WWE.com

Haters be damned: Bill Goldberg's final WWE run was a complete success from both a business and creative standpoint.

The former WCW Champion proved himself a certified ratings draw, even at 50 years old, and he was over for the duration. Sure, the way he defeated Kevin Owens for the Universal Title was annoying, but it served a greater purpose. This move allowed WWE to transition the lowly gold to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33, thus giving the belt its most credible champion yet.

Speaking of 'Mania, Goldberg and 'The Beast' tore the house down in Orlando, delivering a relentless five-minute sprint that packed more into its single-digit length than Seth Rollins vs. Triple H and The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns did in almost an hour of combined ring time. Bill's 'farewell' promo, heinously cut from the following night's Raw, was just as perfect.

The story of a grizzled old gunslinger re-entering the arena for one last shot at glory (then going out on his shield) isn't anything new, but WWE nailed it with Goldberg, whose last stand went over stronger than anyone could've imagined.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.