8 Ups & 8 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jun 4)

by Andy H Murray

1. Good Old Goldberg

Goldberg SmackDown
WWE.com

While the way Goldberg's return segment ended didn't work, the big man's opening diatribe did.

This was tremendous stuff from the former Universal Champion. Fans serenaded him with "Goldberg" chants as he made his way down to the ring, and the promo dripped with the kind of gratitude that made his last run so enjoyable. While the 50-year-old obviously can't keep anything close to a full-time schedule, he always comes across like he's absolutely delighted to be given opportunities like this, and this was hammered home with his opening "don't do this to me again!" last night.

Goldberg basked in his crowd reaction, then said he had been waiting his entire career for the chance to face The Undertaker. He then shoved his own family-friendly image aside, saying that he wouldn't let that version of himself battle 'The Deadman,' getting himself all kinds of fired-up as he promised "the *ss-kicking Goldberg" on Friday night, telling 'Taker he was going to rest in peace.

The scripting wasn't anything extraordinary, but Bill elevated it. Credit to him for taking this weird match to a new level.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.