Ranking 2017's WWE PPV Endings: From Worst To Best

Putting the Universal Championship on Goldberg wasn't an intrinsically bad idea. The former WCW man was over as hell, and had proven himself a certified ratings draw, even at the age of 50. His victory also allowed WWE to transition the gold to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33, giving the young belt its most credible champion thus far, but regardless, the way WWE had Goldberg seize it was pure garbage.

Bill's post-return narrative revolved around being a superhero to the fans, and triumph over adversity, yet he stole a win through Chris Jericho's distraction interference. The opportunity to create a genuine feel-good moment was lost, and so was Goldberg's integrity.

The move was likely done to protect Owens, whose horrendous run as Universal Champion had transformed him from grizzled 'Prizefighter' to spineless jellyfish, but it only succeeded in making him look like a fool. Though not quite buried, he was left humiliated. Goldberg, meanwhile, incurred immediate fury from the anti-part-timer brigade, and his popularity slid thereafter.

A clean victory would've still produced the same reaction from his biggest critics, but should've at least kept Goldberg's heroic image intact.