WWE: 12 Former TNA & WCW Stars Who Didn't Live Up To Expectations
2. Goldberg
Bill Goldberg: WCW's answer to Stone Cold Steve Austin, who won both the United States and WCW World Heavyweight Championship during his 173 match undefeated streak, and became the fifth Grand Slam Champion in WCW history. Ultimately, he would never recapture the World Heavyweight Championship after losing it to Kevin Nash, though he continued to rival with the nWo for over a year before injuring himself when attacking their limousine. Upon his return to WCW four months later he turned heel and joined the New Blood stable, but this was short lived and relatively unsuccessful so he once again turned face. After getting in a rivalry with Vince Russo he was given the ultimatum of replicate the streak or lose your job, and he went on another winning streak to attempt to recapture the goldust. He would lose only three months later due interference from a "fan" as he needed shoulder surgery. Only two months later WWE would purchase the company and chose not to buy Goldberg's contract, though he would make his way to the McMahon company, signing a one year contract with WWE. He debuted the night after WrestleMania XIX and entered a feud with The Rock who he defeated in his WWE debut at Backlash, before going on an undefeated streak that lasted until SummerSlam in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match. He eliminated Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton with relative ease before Triple H won using a sledgehammer. Goldberg would defeat him a month later to win the title, but like the Nash defeat in WCW the damage had been done. The rivalry between the two would run from the summer until Armageddon where Triple H regained the belt in a triple threat match also involving Kane. A month later at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view he entered a cross-promotional rivalry with Brock Lesnar who cost Goldberg the Royal Rumble match he had been dominating after the two had a disagreement backstage. Goldberg returned the favour at No Way Out costing Lesnar his WWE Championship to Eddie Guerrero, setting the stage for the two to meet at WrestleMania. However with news breaking that both Lesnar and Goldberg were wrestling their final match with the company the match was met with hostility from the crowd and both men received post-match Stunners from referee Stone Cold Steve Austin. Final Assessment: WWE, like WCW before them, dropped the ball with Goldberg. Both companies ended his winning streak in poor fashions, but WWE also cut it too short to reap any benefit. This was no doubt a statement from both WWE to the former WCW superstar and from Triple H himself about "his yard". WWE also changed his music and attire to further damage the chances of recreating his original magic. His final match with Lesnar is remembered with no fondness from fans and is a very sour note to go out on.
