the rock did what he could to carry the match and make it entertaining,people had already worked out years before that goldberg was a one trick pony,a hell of a trick maybe but a stale trick for a stale character and bad wrestler.the idea of goldberg in the wwe was far more entertaining than the reality,realised by millions when he debuted on raw with that appauling mic work and his messed up spear on the rock.the rock was far too entertaining at this point for the fans that noone really cared about some guy from the late nineties who had his best days years ago.he should have never gone over the rock on his debut,that was ridiculous.imo the rock helped the match by sticking with his character at the time,it wouldnt have made any sense for someone as delusional as the hollywood rock character to change just because of 1 man coming to the wwe.
Did the Rock hurt or help Backlash 03?
Do you think that the Rock's approach to his match with Goldberg was too lighthearted and actually caused the match to be taken less seriously than it should have been or do you think he was right to act as he did?
The match featured WCW's biggest star of the Monday night wars and one of WWE's two biggest stars of the same timeframe, but what should have been a dream match clash of titans drew one of the most disappointing buyrates of the year.
The buildup to the match left a lot to be desired including "Rock Concerts", and issues over Rock spilling paint on Goldberg's car etc. Poor buildup could have been forgiven though had the match lived up to expectations. However I found Rock's antics to be most noticeable in the match itself. Rock seemed almost giddy, smirking at the crowd's chants, making funny comments for the camera to hear "You are in trouble now!", taking an exaggerated amount of time to steady himself for the last spear etc. and the match turned out much like the buyrate; a disappointment.
The question is, do you think a slightly different approach and a more serious tone would have helped the match or do you think Rock's antics camouflaged some of Goldberg's weaknesses and saved the match from being an even bigger disappointment?
The match featured WCW's biggest star of the Monday night wars and one of WWE's two biggest stars of the same timeframe, but what should have been a dream match clash of titans drew one of the most disappointing buyrates of the year.
The buildup to the match left a lot to be desired including "Rock Concerts", and issues over Rock spilling paint on Goldberg's car etc. Poor buildup could have been forgiven though had the match lived up to expectations. However I found Rock's antics to be most noticeable in the match itself. Rock seemed almost giddy, smirking at the crowd's chants, making funny comments for the camera to hear "You are in trouble now!", taking an exaggerated amount of time to steady himself for the last spear etc. and the match turned out much like the buyrate; a disappointment.
The question is, do you think a slightly different approach and a more serious tone would have helped the match or do you think Rock's antics camouflaged some of Goldberg's weaknesses and saved the match from being an even bigger disappointment?
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5,515 Posts
the rock ruined the match because he made jokes when they were not needed and just didn't take it seriously. He was on his way to hollywood so he did his best to embarass the business that made him a star, at this point he didn't care about anyone but himself and he was trying out his acting skills in the middle of the wwe ring.
I wouldn't be suprised if he told hollywood producers to watch raw and then backlash and use it as an audition for his movies.
I wouldn't be suprised if he told hollywood producers to watch raw and then backlash and use it as an audition for his movies.
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182 Posts
you are an idiot, the match and buyrate failed just like goldberg's entire year in the wwe. goldberg's starpower died the night he lost to kevin nash
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2,723 Posts
It entertained me, and that's all I care about. I don't give a shit how it made Goldberg look. It's not like Goldberg stuck around anyway.
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9,456 Posts
I think the buyrate sucked because Brock Lesnar was defending his title against a rookie John Cena, who was barely over at the time. Also, there was only one title on the line. I think that this might have made a difference.
The Rock buried Goldberg in the run up to Backlash; his promos were brilliant and Goldberg had absolutely no response. The fans were definitely behind The Rock in this match; his gimmick was amazing at the time and the fans were really enjoying having him back. At the PPV, I think more people were behind The Rock than Goldberg. Listen to the crowds response when he calls Goldberg a "whisker biscuit, bald headed bitch!" They're in love with him! Ultimately, Goldberg never stood a chance with that start. In fact, his feud with Jericho was awful booking as well. Nobody wanted Goldberg to win. They should've booked him against somebody genuinely disliked by the fans to begin with; Triple H or Scott Steiner would've done.
If Goldberg had invaded the ring at Wrestlemania XIX, in a hood like Roddy Piper, and speared Triple H out of his boots while he celebrated his win over Booker T, the fans would've gone ballistic. It would've been a great way to enter the WWE and nobody would've seen it coming. If they stuck him straight into a Heavyweight Title feud with Triple H, it would've made him look like a huge star. Put him in a Championship / Career Ending Match with Steiner (just to get rid of the useless great lump) and the fans would've loved it.
Or, if they wanted him as a heel, he could've come out at Wrestlemania and speared Austin while he stood on the ramp, drinking his farewell beer. They could've sold it that Goldberg had ended Austin's career. Instant heat and a great WWE entrance.
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1,822 Posts
The thing is, no-one should be surprised how it was handled.
All the WCW guys eventually ended up looking like losers.
WCW invasion : Lol
NWO : Hall and Nash jobbed to Austin, Hogan jobbed to Rock at WM18
Booker T : Jobbed to HHH at WM19
Steiner : Well, Steiner didn't help himself really
Goldberg : Terribly booked
Bischoff : Thrown in a trash-can
All the WCW guys eventually ended up looking like losers.
WCW invasion : Lol
NWO : Hall and Nash jobbed to Austin, Hogan jobbed to Rock at WM18
Booker T : Jobbed to HHH at WM19
Steiner : Well, Steiner didn't help himself really
Goldberg : Terribly booked
Bischoff : Thrown in a trash-can
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223 Posts
It was a good match in the sense Goldberg gave a beat down on the Rock. It was built up all right, it was Rocks last PPV before leaving WWE and Goldbergs first.
Goldbergs mic skills were all right but his gimmick was a strong-silent type anyway.
Goldberg actually turned out a huge fanbase in WWE over his year there, the Goldberg chants were epic. It may of been a worked storyline but it seems Goldberg took the wrestling seriously in WWE and beat everyone in a fair match so HHH and others resented him for it.
Goldbergs mic skills were all right but his gimmick was a strong-silent type anyway.
Goldberg actually turned out a huge fanbase in WWE over his year there, the Goldberg chants were epic. It may of been a worked storyline but it seems Goldberg took the wrestling seriously in WWE and beat everyone in a fair match so HHH and others resented him for it.
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