WWE: After Brock Lesnar At ‘Survivor Series’, Goldberg Should Face John Cena At ‘WrestleMania 33’ [Opinion]
Bill Goldberg is the most recent WCW icon to make a comeback in WWE. Booking his return match against Brock Lesnar (the most dominant competitor currently on the WWE roster) at the 30th annual Survivor Series (arguably the biggest show left before WrestleMania 33 except for the Royal Rumble), there are a lot of directions they could go with Goldberg after the “mega-match” at the November PPV. Stepping back into the ring during WWE’s New Era after a twelve-year absence means there are plenty of dream match-ups that could be booked for WrestleMania 33.
If Brock Lesnar is going to continue to be seen as the biggest threat in WWE, he certainly can’t allow Goldberg to get a clean victory over him at the Survivor Series. Over the last few years, nothing has really slowed The Beast Incarnate down. Even if Goldberg is only stepping back into the ring to show off for his son, that shouldn’t be enough to allow the former WCW Champion to survive a trip to Suplex City and leave with a win.
Goldberg has received more support from the WWE Universe than expected, especially considering that his opponent is Brock Lesnar. His desire to be a “superhero” for kids everywhere is the perfect set up for transitioning from a rematch with Brock Lesnar to a program with John Cena that could culminate at WrestleMania 33. And with John Cena set to return to WWE programming in late December, the timing would be perfect.
Hopefully, at Survivor Series 2016, Lesnar and Goldberg will make up for what was a very disappointing match at WrestleMania XX. Without the help of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as a guest referee, there’s nothing to help save the match if the two monsters put on a dud of a performance. While WWE has been teasing the idea of Roman Reigns challenging Kevin Owens next for the Universal Championship, there would certainly be interest in Lesnar challenging Owens at the Royal Rumble, especially after a decisive win over Goldberg.
After being disappointed in himself for losing to Lesnar at Survivor Series, Goldberg could remain off of WWE television for a few weeks. All the while, Paul Heyman would be reminding the WWE Universe that it was Brock Lesnar who dominated the WCW icon and proved that superheroes are just fiction. A few weeks after Survivor Series, Goldberg could return to Monday Night Raw. After apologizing to everyone for failing to beat Lesnar, he says Heyman is right and that superheroes no longer exist. He leaves the ring, implying that he’s finished with WWE.
Leading up to John Cena’s return to SmackDown Live on December 27, WWE can advertise that Cena is returning with a message for Bill Goldberg. In a promo directed at Goldberg, Cena says that superheroes aren’t dead. Cena continues to be a positive role model for the kids, and Goldberg should continue to do the same. If Cena is the superhero for the blue brand, Goldberg can be the superhero for the red brand.
Soon after, Goldberg returns to Monday Night Raw to say that Cena is right. He says he believes he has one last run in him, and gets permission from Commissioner Stephanie McMahon to enter the Royal Rumble for a chance to headline WrestleMania 33. When the battle royal starts, it’s revealed that John Cena has drawn No. 1 and Goldberg has drawn No. 2. As Goldberg and Cena stand face-to-face before the bell, many believe these two could end up as the final two participants.
However, just as the bell rings, Goldberg unexpectedly kicks Cena below the belt with a low blow. He eliminates Cena seconds into the match, and does his best heel laugh as the WWE Universe looks on in shock. Goldberg puts on an admirable performance, possibly lasting until the final four, but ultimately falls short of winning the match.
On SmackDown Live over the next few weeks, Cena calls out Goldberg, who is technically a part of the Monday Night Raw roster. Since they are on different brands, Commissioners Stephanie and Shane agree that the only way things can be settled between Cena and Goldberg is a cross-promotional match at WrestleMania 33. WWE loves “dream” matches like this, featuring a star from one era challenging the star of another era.
Much like The Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 28, John Cena vs. Goldberg is a match that has only ever happened in video games. Having it happen at WrestleMania 33 would put Goldberg in a high-profile match for what would very possibly be his final in-ring appearance at the event. It also gives John Cena a match with plenty of hype that doesn’t involve the WWE World Championship, and it finally turns Goldberg into the heel the company wanted him to be against Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.
[Featured Image by WWE]
