I don’t buy for a second that Bill Goldberg is going to make a triumphant return to WWE and wrestle much like he did when he was champion in WCW. I don’t want to believe the current state of this company would put time and effort into promoting for former wrestling star as a major player in the ring wars every week on both Raw and Smackdown.
As you all know, stranger things have happened.
As Donald Wood wrote on Forbes.com, “WWE.com announced Tuesday that Goldberg’s addition to the franchise will make him a playable character in this year’s video game. The WCW legend joins the likes of Sting, Ultimate Warrior and Arnold Schwarzenegger as past pre-order exclusive characters.”
Now that Goldberg is part of the WWE 2K17 video game, there is growing speculation the 49-year-old will once again don the black trunks and make his way to an arena near you. Just like Batista, who had a disastrous return to the ring, this is something we all need to put to bed early.
But, as you and I know too well, that is not the McMahons’ style. Where there is smoke, there is usually fire and with Goldberg being part of a new video game, you know there will be talk until it is proven wrong.
But still, it’s fun to speculate.
Should Goldberg make a return to the ring, here are a few
Ryback
While the Big Guy’s contract is still in limbo, it seems appropriate to throw him in the mix as a potential opponent.
Ryback is considered by many as a Goldberg-knockoff. While the chants continue from the rafters with each match he takes part in, the former Intercontinental Champion’s ability in the ring might actually be better than his predecessor. Nonetheless, you would expect Goldberg to come to the ring in bullying fashion and try to beat down Ryback, which is no small feat.
This may also be the only way Ryback remains under contract with WWE and is not released in the near future.
Undertaker
It was rumored in March that Goldberg may make a return to WWE at WrestleMania 32 as a replacement for Shane McMahon in the Hell in a Cell match. That never happened. There is also speculation that Undertaker is disappointed with Vince McMahon, asking him to lose to his son, Shane McMahon at the biggest event on WWE’s calendar.
There is also a growing belief the match in Dallas was the last for The Phenom. It remains to be seen if he gets back in a ring anytime soon and if he is in Orlando for WrestleMania 33. Since the match against John Cena never happened and a potential match with Sting is now out of the question, could this one finally take place?
Brock Lesnar
Want to see Goldberg take a ride into Suplex City? Two bruising brawlers who would test each other’s limits.
Lesnar should be booked in a program with Bray Wyatt upon his return, but I think Wyatt and his family will more than likely find themselves in a storyline with The Club, especially if Finn Balor makes the move to the main roster.
The thing I like about this kind of match, from a fan’s perspective, is it will work as a one-time deal. This is not a case like with Undertaker where a story must be told more than once. Two part-time wrestlers get in the ring, beat the hell out of each other and go their separate ways.
John Cena
First, Cena must handle Styles and The Club. But this makes for an interesting scenario.
Does Goldberg come back as a heel and demand to prove he is the best in the ring? Does he target the 15-time world champion? Does all of this make sense to begin with?
Cena’s run at the WWE World Title has to happen at some point. If Roman Reigns beats Seth Rollins and retains the strap in a double turn, then you have to figure Reigns is the next opponent. If not, and Rollins wins, in a double turn, then AJ Styles might be next on the hit list.
Should that happen, Cena does not have a dance partner.
Randy Orton
When Orton returns to wrestling, he has no real place on WWE’s roster. The Viper used to be the go-to guy in in the company. This one makes sense because he gives Goldberg a short-term opponent. Whether Orton returns as a babyface or heel isn’t known yet, which also works well with the 49-year-old former champion.
This could be another case of Goldberg wanting to prove he is still a part of the attitude of this company. Orton offers a solid opponent in the ring who can carry a match, if need be. I don’t think we get anything from Goldberg other than a Sting-like performance in a one-time match. In that case, Orton makes Goldberg look good and can then move on to face a top-tier opponent.
