Brock Lesnar VS Bill Goldberg: Who Wins?

Hi, I’m Justin Watry. You may remember me from such classic columns as March 2012’s “WWE WrestleMania 28: Sheamus Should Defeat Daniel Bryan in Less Than a Minute” and October 2015’s “WWE NXT: Bobby Roode, You’re Next.”

The much anticipated WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view is this Sunday night. While the Raw vs. Smackdown matches are mildly (at best) interesting, the entire wrestling world is waiting for the big Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg main event. Initially, I scoffed at the rumors and didn’t “get it.” Can’t exactly blame me considering it IS the year 2016. Regardless of my praises or criticism, the match is indeed happening and is the most talked about match in months, if not years. Let’s take a look at what took us to this moment what to expect on Sunday night in Toronto…

The Beginning

The newest WWE 2K17 trailer was released back in May. It was a super cool commercial and one that may rival the awesome Sting version from 2014. In it, Bill Goldberg was made to be the featured star for pre-order and looked like a beast. Just as his dominating days in WCW (and WWE), he was Da’ Man! No ifs, ands, or buts about it. However, the trailer was not just a tease for the video game but also a match, as he stared down a “Suplex City” sign at the end. Make no mistake about it folks, that was deliberate and even earlier in the year, WWE knew what the endgame was.

Brock Lesnar knew as well, as during this time he was just as powerful as ever beating Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania 32 in short order and crushing Randy Orton in the Summerslam 2016. Goldberg was coming for him…

The Return

After some high profiles appearances from Bill Goldberg in mainstream interviews hinting at a return to the squared circle after 12 years, it was finally brought to WWE television with a threat and challenge from Brock Lesnar’s advocate Paul Heyman. Raw had needed a boost, so this was a welcome feud. Part-timers or not, the instant Goldberg and Lesnar were mentioned, interest went UP for the product! The time and place was set for Goldberg’s big moment: RAW on October 17th, 2016 in Colorado.

Would fans know him 12 years after his last WWE match? Did people still care, despite the buzz for the WWE 2K17 trailer? Would he be in good shape? What would the segment be like? Heck, was the match REALLY going to happen? We knew Brock Lesnar was still a top performer, but was Goldberg? SO many questions…

He nailed it.

What had to be an amazing moment for him (and his family) personally was just as satisfying for longtime fans…and a newer generation who never witnessed his prime years. Goldberg was humble but intense. Quiet but intimidating. Calm but pumped up. All in all, he ready for a fight with Brock Lesnar. No video game. No fantasy warfare. No dreaming. Nope, it was truly going to happen, and the live crowd and viewing audience loved every second of his return.

The Response

The following week, The Beast Brock Lesnar came back to Raw with Paul Heyman in Minnesota. Yep, his state. His fans. His turf. Bad timing on the schedule because that meant he was the hero. No Goldberg. The jeers and boos came flooding in for the former undefeated WCW World Champion. Planned or not, his week of glory was quickly flushed down the toilet all due to the show being in Brock Lesnar Country. I don’t buy for one second that WWE didn’t expect that. of course, they knew what was coming. What I did NOT expect was for Paul Heyman to simply fold and call it a night with showing off any of supposed promo ‘genius.’ He simply soaked in the cheers for Lesnar and called it a night. Disappointing follow up but nothing TOO damaging.

The Answer

On the October 31st edition of Raw, Bill Goldberg was back. His second live appearance on WWE TV in over 12 years. This was Connecticut, not Minnesota. It was near company headquarters, but it didn’t matter. Fans were back on Goldberg’s side and within moments, it was clear the previous week of boos and jeers was an anomaly. A one off. No big deal. Rusev came out to confront Goldberg (for some reason) after some verbal jarring from Heyman. Really, this was just for some physicality to be added to the story line without giving away anything with Lesnar. Goldberg beat up Rusev quickly, gave him a jackhammer, and then speared Heyman! A minor slip aside (which I didn’t even see originally until reading about it online later), fans got a taste of the Survivor Series main event without getting the full meal. I liked it.

The Promos

I wrote about this before many times and just recently (on another website), but it would be nice if WWE aired more “UFC style” sit down interviews for their main events. The video packages are so effective, different, and can enhance just about any feud. You can only do the same stale in-ring contract signings and/or tag team matches until after awhile, they mean nothing. Lesnar excels in these (due to being taped ahead of time I assume). Just as Goldberg did in this case. Just two guys trash talking and looking forward to a big PPV showdown. Exactly what should be sold in professional wrestling. No comedy. No BS. No swerves or junk added. None of that is needed at all.

The Staredown

I am writing this column before the November 14th edition of RAW. Like I usually do, I write these things in advance, so sorry for being a tad outdated. What will happen six days before Survivor Series? I don’t know. Both men will be in the building for the first time, so fireworks are sure to fly either way. Goldberg vs. Lesnar is right around the corner, so it makes sense to have a final staredown before the PPV. Many are speculating if we see zero physicality, one man stand tall over the other, or what. Honestly, I know it may be cliche, but I’d have a wild pull apart brawl to close the show. Have them just stand nose to nose for a few seconds, let the fans chant, and then go at it! Bring out security! Bring out the lower card wrestlers to break up the fight! Bring out agents! Everybody empties out of the locker room, as they just go at each other. Fade to black.

The Match

Showtime.

Originally, I was going to debate the pros and cons of each result, but truthfully, there is only one correct finish for what WWE is calling this “mega match.” Brock Lesnar over Bill Goldberg is how to do this. Forget a rematch. Forget a controversial ending. Forget them teaming up to take down heels or some other convoluted finish. Lesnar wins, Goldberg disappears until his WWE Hall of Fame induction, and whatever is planned for The Beast’s Road to WrestleMania can begin in two months. Toronto may or may not love this bout on Sunday, but I believe most of them watching and the entire WWE Universe will agree that it is very difficult to defend 49 year old Goldberg (who is back for one match only) defeating Brock F’N Lesnar.

We’ll see at Survivor Series though, just as to who is next…or last…

Self Promotion

Watch Big Brother Over The Top on CBS All Access.

NFL season is finally here! Colts over Packers is my Super Bowl pick.

Tons of columns posted last week – find them on my Twitter account! Speaking of…

Follow me on Twitter: @JustinWatry – I am hosting a WWEShop giveaway! Must be following to win.

Email feedback: [email protected]