WWF/WWE/ECW/WCW

I just read a summary of Survivor Series.

Shove, spear, jackhammer, pin????  I don't have a problem with Goldberg winning - especially if this is more than a one-off appearance - but in a 90 second squash?  That makes zero sense unless Lesnar's contract is over.

I was wondering about the same thing myself. Personally I hope its just an opening salvo

The win makes perfect sense because Goldberg signed an extension. We'll be seeing him for at least the next couple of months.

Witchfinder wrote:

The win makes perfect sense because Goldberg signed an extension.  We'll be seeing him for at least the next couple of months.

But in a 90 second squash?  Unless Lesnar is done with WWE I don't find any logic in that.

tohostudios wrote:

Witchfinder wrote:

The win makes perfect sense because Goldberg signed an extension.  We'll be seeing him for at least the next couple of months.

But in a 90 second squash?  Unless Lesnar is done with WWE I don't find any logic in that.

Of course it makes sense. You have to get Goldberg over and they did that in one minute. Now he's a monster that beat the other monster and now they build to Rumble/Mania with one or two great mean guy matches. Frankly, Goldberg is the only wrestler they have built properly in years. They did everything perfectly for the last month with him. Kudos to WWE for finally getting something right.

I dont think they needed to put Goldberg over as his rep precedes him guess we will wait and see what develops

Addy wrote:

I dont think they needed to put Goldberg over as his rep precedes him  guess we will wait and see what develops

Goldberg hasn't been an active wrestler for 12 years. Most of the current fanbase weren't even watching wrestling or even alive when he was on top in 1998. Putting him over strong makes sense as a way to educate new(er) fans.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/776471-backstage-news-on-why-goldberg-lesnar-match-was-so-short-how-long-had-the-match-finish-been-planned

I'm watching the opening of Raw and I still maintain the squash match last night was stupid booking.

You don't think Goldberg would be getting the same reception if he'd won in a hard-fought 20 minute match?  Or even a hard-fought 5 minute match?

Squashing the supposed BIGGEST MONSTER on the roster in less than 90 seconds makes no sense unless WWE is finished working with Lesnar.  Sure it built up Goldberg but I think it was unnecessarily at the expense of the biggest monster WWE had on either the Raw or Smackdown rosters.

And that article DB posted a link to just again proves how WWE creative has no long term booking plans; they're flying by the seat of their pants.


Personally I don't like either of these guys.  I don't like Lesnar being able to compete half a dozen times a year yet command the salary he does.  And I also don't like Goldberg being put over to the degree he is when in reality he's a washed-up has-been who was never that great in the ring to begin with. 

Goldberg should just make "Santa Slay II" and stop screwing around with active wrestling IMO.

tohostudios wrote:

I'm watching the opening of Raw and I still maintain the squash match last night was stupid booking.

You don't think Goldberg would be getting the same reception if he'd won in a hard-fought 20 minute match?  Or even a hard-fought 5 minute match?

Squashing the supposed BIGGEST MONSTER on the roster in less than 90 seconds makes no sense unless WWE is finished working with Lesnar.  Sure it built up Goldberg but I think it was unnecessarily at the expense of the biggest monster WWE had on either the Raw or Smackdown rosters.

And that article DB posted a link to just again proves how WWE creative has no long term booking plans; they're flying by the seat of their pants.

Do you really think a 49 year old Goldberg that hasn't wrestled in 12 years has a 20 minute match in him? He didn't do 20 minute matches in his prime. He did squashes and smashed dudes from Hogan all the way down to Hugh Morris. That was Goldberg. WWE botched his booking badly in 2003 and tried to make him something he wasn't. Last night is exactly what Goldberg was and should be and that's why the booking was superb. Brock has lost at least four matches since his return - Cena x2, Taker, and Seth Rollins and it didn't matter one bit. In fact, Brock was the one pushing for Goldberg to stay and make some money this time. I would assume that Goldberg will wrestle two more matches and they won't be 80 second squashes, but I hope they are. Also, he's the biggest babyface they have. Everyone else is some goofball tweener or a comedy act. They should push him as a badass hero because they can't seem to make any other faces.

Like I said, even a 5 minute match would have made more sense. 

But booking it this way not only destroyed Lesnar's "mystique" but it was at the expense of a guy who probably won't even be around for more than a handful of matches. 

To me it would have made more sense to at least let Lesnar get some offense and at least preserve some of his aura.  Unless as I said, WWE is cutting ties with him.  If that's the case then this booking makes sense.

I guess it boils down to the fact that I could see through Goldberg's lack of wrestling skill even during hiw WCW run.  I hated that this musclebound moron could beat guys who were way more athletic than he was. 

And now the fact that he's back 12 years later and consequently older and therefore even LESS athletic and is now taking prime time matches away from younger, more deserving guys just pisses me off.

I really wish WWE Creative would feed him to Strowman but  I've read interviews with Strowman and he's so respectful of the history of this business that if they'd met it would probably be the other way round.

tohostudios wrote:

I guess it boils down to the fact that I could see through Goldberg's lack of wrestling skill even during hiw WCW run.  I hated that this musclebound moron could beat guys who were way more athletic than he was. 

And now the fact that he's back 12 years later and consequently older and therefore even LESS athletic and is now taking prime time matches away from younger, more deserving guys just pisses me off.

I really wish WWE Creative would feed him to Strowman but  I've read interviews with Strowman and he's so respectful of the history of this business that if they'd met it would probably be the other way round.

Brawny the Strowman is a stiff and has zero charisma. He's also dangerous in the ring and almost killed AJ Styles last night. Goldberg has always had star quality and charisma unlike almost anybody on the current roster. Listen, I appreciate technical wrestling - hell, I watch New Japan Wrestling all the time - but athletic ability is only one part of the equation. You've got to have star quality and Goldberg has that in spades. Is he a complete package like a Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Flair, Rock, Styles, etc...? - no, but he's much better than any of their young talent that they've wasted. He's also a huge attraction and generates interest - just like Brock. Virtually no one else on the roster does that currently. I am not going to complain about the booking when WWE finally gets it right after years of sucking.

Goldberg never had a 20 minute match in him. The WCW locker room will attest to that. The match with Lord Steven Regal is proof. So Brock has Undertaker's number even when Taker won and Goldberg has Brock's. Makes Brock ending the streak and his dominance of Cena look ridiculous. Lesnar needed to lose to someone established who needs that big push like Cesaro. Anyway, I hate Goldberg and always have so I'm just ranting.

I just can't believe all the great wrestlers that have jobbed to Goldberg but who has he put over? If he faces Taker and wins that would piss me off. I agree though with all who are saying he's a draw. Can't argue with that.

Strowman is working on his skill set.  He actually threw a dropkick the other week.  In the interview I read he more or less said he didn't want to become the next Big Show without mentioning Show by name.  I respect that.  And if they built him properly he could be a great monster. They've already started making him something of a tweener by disagreeing with Jericho/Owens.

And I'll give you that Goldberg has the charisma.  I'm just afraid WWE is going to sacrifice more wrestlers to him for his abbreviated run.  Styles being a good example.  If they decide to feed Styles to this idiot I'll really be pissed.

Plus I want Santa Slay II.  Get on with it!

tohostudios wrote:

I guess it boils down to the fact that I could see through Goldberg's lack of wrestling skill even during hiw WCW run.  I hated that this musclebound moron could beat guys who were way more athletic than he was. 

And now the fact that he's back 12 years later and consequently older and therefore even LESS athletic and is now taking prime time matches away from younger, more deserving guys just pisses me off.

I really wish WWE Creative would feed him to Strowman but  I've read interviews with Strowman and he's so respectful of the history of this business that if they'd met it would probably be the other way round.

tohostudios wrote:

Strowman is working on his skill set.  He actually threw a dropkick the other week.  In the interview I read he more or less said he didn't want to become the next Big Show without mentioning Show by name.  I respect that.  And if they built him properly he could be a great monster. They've already started making him something of a tweener by disagreeing with Jericho/Owens.

And I'll give you that Goldberg has the charisma.  I'm just afraid WWE is going to sacrifice more wrestlers to him for his abbreviated run.  Styles being a good example.  If they decide to feed Styles to this idiot I'll really be pissed.

Plus I want Santa Slay II.  Get on with it!

Did anyone see the match?

Someone posted it on facebook and watching it you could see that Goldberg had serious ring rust. In fact could be a big reason why it was a squash match, but Lesnar looked afraid in that match never saw him manhandled like that before.

Forgot all about the ppv! Read some news about it and apparently Brock was ok with a squash. Big payday for both and they are setting up a WM match. I kind of like the way it went down. Didn't see it but I think a squash was good so it can lead to a rematch. And good to see WWE not bury a WCW guy

mikeinfla wrote:

Forgot all about the ppv! Read some news about it and apparently Brock was ok with a squash. Big payday for both and they are setting up a WM match. I kind of like the way it went down. Didn't see it but I think a squash was good so it can lead to a rematch. And good to see WWE not bury a WCW guy

When it happened I was neither angry or happy, it was total shock. I'm still not one way or another and will take a wait and see approach. I think they need to play it up as Brock going in there thinking it would be a walk in the park. Like he was thinking "there is no way this old man who hasn't been in a ring in over a decade would stand a chance against me". Thus Goldberg caught him completely off guard. I haven't re-watched it but someone pointed out that after Goldberg overpowered him, Brock smiled and turned his back on him before the first spear. If that's true then the scenario I pointed out cold be valid. The next match I expect Brock to dominate quite a bit. I could be wrong though.

I just think it's sad that WWE has to try to boost its ratings by using a guy who is more than a decade past his prime AND who they misused the first time around. 

And even if this works it's a temporary fix at best.  How many matches does Goldberg have left in him at this point?  2? 4? 6?  Certainly can't be much more than that.  And then what happens?  Unless Creative somehow uses this Goldberg run to make some new stars they'll be right back where they were when this started.   And they'll also have destroyed their "monster heel" in the process (unless Lesnar gets some revenge in the near future). 

I still think this is questionable booking.

tohostudios wrote:

I just think it's sad that WWE has to try to boost its ratings by using a guy who is more than a decade past his prime AND who they misused the first time around. 

And even if this works it's a temporary fix at best.  How many matches does Goldberg have left in him at this point?  2? 4? 6?  Certainly can't be much more than that.  And then what happens?  Unless Creative somehow uses this Goldberg run to make some new stars they'll be right back where they were when this started.   And they'll also have destroyed their "monster heel" in the process (unless Lesnar gets some revenge in the near future). 

I still think this is questionable booking.

Well of course it's questionable booking, this is WWE we are talking about. From Punk to Daniel Bryan, from the Wyatts to The Club, from John Cena to Randy Orton; nothing truly makes sense anymore and hasn't for a long time. I'm just saying there is still a way to salvage this if they do it correctly. I'm not expecting much but I'm willing to see where this goes.

And this James Ellsworth crap has got to stop!

Why in the HELL do they keep sacrificing the best talent they have in AJ Styles to this comedy act????  Much credit to Styles for actually putting "turtle boy" over but this is the biggest misuse of talent I've seen in WWE in a long time. I swear it's due to Vince's obsession with big men and that little guys can't draw, even though that notion has been proven wrong over and over and over.   It's gotten to the point that I just want to see Styles squash the chinless wonder ala Goldberg over Lesnar.

I agree. At first I found it mildly amusing but now it's over stayed it's welcome. AJ needs and deserves better. Actually, we're lucky AJ has been pushed as he has. He was meant to be nothing but a mid carder when they signed him. It was the giant ovation he got at Royal Rumble that changed that.