8 Booking Steps For Goldberg's WWE Return

6. Sorry Bill, No More Gold...

Goldberg RAW
WWE.com

Goldberg’s squash of Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2016 was one of the year’s most shocking (and divisive) moments, and the feud didn’t really start losing steam until Goldberg became Universal Champion. This added nothing to the rivalry. The duo were already among the company’s biggest stars, and while giving Goldberg the belt brought Kevin Owens’ atrocious reign to a merciful end, it did nothing to boost his or Lesnar’s status.

In contrast, the championship actively hindered them. Fans were aghast at the prospect of two veteran part-timers fighting for the company’s supposed “top prize” at WrestleMania, and interest in their storyline started to wane. Bill’s once thunderous crowd reactions were slowly turning negative, and had the angle persisted, there’s a strong chance he’d have been rejected outright.

The WWE Title scene is an absolute mess at the moment, but if Goldberg arrives on SmackDown, he should steer clear, at least in the long-run. Letting Creative solve the belt’s prestige issues with full-time performers like AJ Styles the safest option, and will hopefully allow the company to avoid any backlash brought on by Goldberg’s second comeback.

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.