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Post by Jindrak Mark on Oct 4, 2022 12:07:28 GMT -5
Rock was instrumental in convincing Goldberg to come to WWE in 2003 because he wanted to work with him and the original plan was for the match to happen at Wrestlemania. Negotiations dragged on too long though and Goldberg didn’t end up putting pen to paper until days before the PPV by which time Rock was obviously already set up for yet another match with Austin.
If Goldberg signs earlier and this is the Mania match what does Austin do for his final match? Lose to HHH for the World title and we’re spared the Booker feud?
Once they go ahead with Austin/Rock do you have Goldberg show up after the match to confront Rock for the big Wrestlemania debut pop or was it the right call to wait until the next night on Raw?
I think Rock/Goldberg would’ve definitely felt bigger happening at Wrestlemania. Their Backlash match is almost forgotten considering how huge it really should have been.
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Post by tntchamp on Oct 4, 2022 12:29:09 GMT -5
It is interesting to think about the alternative what if. I have read rumors state that Stone Cold was originally supposed to have a match with Triple H at WrestleMania 19 and it is also been stated that Triple H taking some potshots at Austin after the walkout was their way to build to that angle. Goldberg vs The Rock certainly seems like a match you could easily use at WrestleMania since it is such a big match and in hindsight it almost seems like a waste to do it at Backlash-though then again WWE back then didn't have the attitude of saving big matches exclusively for WrestleMania. I can't see the match being any better at WrestleMania as it was kind of a forgettable match despite how big it felt in theory. Considering too how great Austin vs The Rock was and how much a fitting conclusion to Stone Cold's career it felt (at least till he wrestled KO this year) it probably worked out for the best in hindsight.
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Post by Lizuka #BLM on Oct 4, 2022 13:41:50 GMT -5
I feel like it's hard to really consider it a waste to do the match on Backlash when (even ignoring my general attitude that major stuff shouldn't just happen at WrestleMania) both Mania 19 and Backlash 2003 did terrible PPV buys anyway. Don't think it'd have really made a difference which show it was on.
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Post by David-Arquette was in WCW 2000 on Oct 4, 2022 14:39:12 GMT -5
Austin Vs Triple H would have been great, I'm sure, and Rock Vs Goldberg would have been a much bigger deal at Wrestlemania.
Even knowing the reasons why it's still strange that this massive bout happened at Backlash. It had become a solid PPV in the previous years but still, this was Goldberg debuting against The Rock.
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ghost
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,768
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Post by ghost on Oct 4, 2022 14:44:57 GMT -5
The issue with the match is that everyone knew Rock was losing. With Austin/Rock, you got the sense Rock was winning, but it was not a guarantee, so it added to the intrigue of the match.
The match to have was probably Goldberg/Austin at WM if Austin was game for it. Though with how bad his injuries were at the time, I doubt he'd risk a match with Goldberg.
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Post by Jindrak Mark on Oct 4, 2022 14:59:06 GMT -5
The issue with the match is that everyone knew Rock was losing. With Austin/Rock, you got the sense Rock was winning, but it was not a guarantee, so it added to the intrigue of the match. The match to have was probably Goldberg/Austin at WM if Austin was game for it. Though with how bad his injuries were at the time, I doubt he'd risk a match with Goldberg. A WWE crowd would have booed Goldberg out of the stadium against Austin though which wouldn’t have been ideal for his first match if you were then expecting him to be your big babyface for the next year. If Austin wasn’t forced to retire I can see that maybe being considered for Wrestlemania 20. Austin beats Goldberg in MSG to run Goldberg out of the company when his contract expired. |
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Post by bluebeach25 on Oct 4, 2022 15:28:57 GMT -5
I feel like Taker at WM 19 was in a not great enough spot, it should have been Taker vs Goldberg.... but Goldberg losing his Debut Match wouldn't have worked, not even against Taker.
So yeah of course Rock vs Goldberg would have been much bigger at Wrestlemania BUT honestly i wouldn't let Rock/Austin fall for that. They had to much history and Austin's last opponent had to be someone like Rock.
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Renslayer
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
every time i come around your city...
Posts: 16,627
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Post by Renslayer on Oct 5, 2022 0:27:12 GMT -5
It is interesting to think about the alternative what if. I have read rumors state that Stone Cold was originally supposed to have a match with Triple H at WrestleMania 19 and it is also been stated that Triple H taking some potshots at Austin after the walkout was their way to build to that angle. Goldberg vs The Rock certainly seems like a match you could easily use at WrestleMania since it is such a big match and in hindsight it almost seems like a waste to do it at Backlash-though then again WWE back then didn't have the attitude of saving big matches. I can't see the match being any better at WrestleMania as it was kind of a forgettable match despite how big it felt in theory. Considering too how great Austin vs The Rock was and how much a fitting conclusion to Stone Cold's career it felt (at least till he wrestled KO this year) it probably worked out for the best in hindsight. Not sure how we get austin to mania 19 vs hhh. I guess he'd win the battle royal booker t won, but I don't see it working, even with the history between austin and hhh |
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Post by The Thread Barbi on Oct 5, 2022 4:24:58 GMT -5
All things considered it worked out fine.
Austin got the low-key farewell he wanted.
Goldberg became one of the first surprises on the RAW after Mania before the RAW after Mania was a thing.
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tirtefaa
Unicron
If you wanna know the truth, you gotta dig up Johnny Booth.
Posts: 2,865
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Post by tirtefaa on Oct 5, 2022 5:52:04 GMT -5
Goldberg signing for just one year always felt weird since if the plan was to make him champion, and also go on to lose the title...it really didn't fit in with the aura of Goldberg. So unless he wins the title in his debut, having him win the title any further down the road and eventually lose either at Mania or before makes Goldberg less like Goldberg, which is easy what we got.
If I was WWE, I would have either signed him for 6 months with no titles, or for 2 years where you are able to give him a proper build and reign.
His 2003 run wasn't as bad as some people make it out to be, but it certainly left a lot to be desired. Here's what I would have done if he would've signed for 2 years.
Backlash 2003 beats The Rock
Bad Blood 2003 beats Chris Jericho via DQ
SummerSlam 2003 beats Chris Jericho
Unforgiven 2003 beats Mark Henry
Survivor Series 2003 beats Scott Steiner
Armageddon 2003 loses to Kane
Royal Rumble 2004 wins Rumble
WrestleMania 20 beats beats Triple H for title
Backlash 2004 beats Batista
Bad Blood 2004 beats Randy Orton
Vengeance 2004 beats Ric Flair
SummerSlam 2004 beats Chris Benoit
Unforgiven 2004 beats Shawn Michaels
Taboo Tuesday 2004 beats Edge
Survivor Series 2004 Team Goldberg beats Team Triple H
New Years Revolution 2005 loses the title to Triple H
Royal Rumble 2005 eliminated in RR, has moment with Undertaker setting up Mania
WrestleMania 21 loses to Undertaker
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Post by Feyrhausen on Oct 5, 2022 6:11:46 GMT -5
Goldberg signing for just one year always felt weird since if the plan was to make him champion, and also go on to lose the title...it really didn't fit in with the aura of Goldberg. So unless he wins the title in his debut, having him win the title any further down the road and eventually lose either at Mania or before makes Goldberg less like Goldberg, which is easy what we got. If I was WWE, I would have either signed him for 6 months with no titles, or for 2 years where you are able to give him a proper build and reign. His 2003 run wasn't as bad as some people make it out to be, but it certainly left a lot to be desired. Here's what I would have done if he would've signed for 2 years. Backlash 2003 beats The Rock Bad Blood 2003 beats Chris Jericho via DQ SummerSlam 2003 beats Chris Jericho Unforgiven 2003 beats Mark Henry Survivor Series 2003 beats Scott Steiner Armageddon 2003 loses to Kane Royal Rumble 2004 wins Rumble WrestleMania 20 beats beats Triple H for title Backlash 2004 beats Batista Bad Blood 2004 beats Randy Orton Vengeance 2004 beats Ric Flair SummerSlam 2004 beats Chris Benoit Unforgiven 2004 beats Shawn Michaels Taboo Tuesday 2004 beats Edge Survivor Series 2004 Team Goldberg beats Team Triple H New Years Revolution 2005 loses the title to Triple H Royal Rumble 2005 eliminated in RR, has moment with Undertaker setting up Mania WrestleMania 21 loses to Undertaker I disagree. IMO Goldbergs mystique doesnt come from the title or being champion. It comes from wrecking dudes. I would have had his debut against Rock go as planned. Then I would have had him wrecking dudes. Low card guys on Raw, mid carders on PPV. Building up to.him running through Evolution on PPV. I would hold off the title win as long as possible, Royal Rumble preferably. That way you can keep him off of house shows so you dont run out of dates like what happened. Then build to Mania vs Brock where he drops the title. Backlash Rock Judgement Day Three Minute Warning Bad Blood Jericho Summerslam Elimination Chamber (Goldberg screwed without being pinned. Evolution locks him in cage while H leaves. Goldberg busts through cage but H has escaped.) Unforgiven Ric Flair Survivor Series Randy Orton Armageddon Batista Royal Rumble H Wrestlemania Brock Now there is the complication of Brock leaving after Mania. With the title at stake and Goldberg leaving for sure you have Brock win. Eric demands Brock move to Raw and Brock quits. This maybe makes Brock a little happier in real life and it doesnt take so long for him and WWE to make up. |
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Post by tntchamp on Oct 5, 2022 6:12:08 GMT -5
It is interesting to think about the alternative what if. I have read rumors state that Stone Cold was originally supposed to have a match with Triple H at WrestleMania 19 and it is also been stated that Triple H taking some potshots at Austin after the walkout was their way to build to that angle. Goldberg vs The Rock certainly seems like a match you could easily use at WrestleMania since it is such a big match and in hindsight it almost seems like a waste to do it at Backlash-though then again WWE back then didn't have the attitude of saving big matches. I can't see the match being any better at WrestleMania as it was kind of a forgettable match despite how big it felt in theory. Considering too how great Austin vs The Rock was and how much a fitting conclusion to Stone Cold's career it felt (at least till he wrestled KO this year) it probably worked out for the best in hindsight. Not sure how we get austin to mania 19 vs hhh. I guess he'd win the battle royal booker t won, but I don't see it working, even with the history between austin and hhh Yeah they probably either would have had Stone Cold win a battle royal or maybe just call out Triple H. While I am not against the idea of Triple H vs Austin, yeah I don't think it would have worked. At least not as well as Rock vs Austin did |
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Post by celtics543 on Oct 5, 2022 6:22:13 GMT -5
I like it the way it all happened with Wrestlemania 19 but if I was re-booking the show with Goldberg on it maybe you go with top matches like:
Hogan vs Austin
Rock vs Goldberg
HHH vs Booker
Undertaker vs Scott Steiner (if healthy)
This really could have been the big WCW vs WWF ppv that they should've had a year prior.
Leave Vince off the show even though he did have that great bloody face visual in the Hogan match. The undercard stays the same.
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tirtefaa
Unicron
If you wanna know the truth, you gotta dig up Johnny Booth.
Posts: 2,865
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Post by tirtefaa on Oct 5, 2022 9:23:08 GMT -5
I disagree. IMO Goldbergs mystique doesnt come from the title or being champion. Sure, but it would seem rather weird to have him just beat guys without getting a title shot, or losing said title shots. I think the two year plan provides him enough to potentially get him over to a new audience, build credibility and potentially provide a new opportunity on Smackdown if he decided to re-sign. |
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Post by Feyrhausen on Oct 5, 2022 12:14:00 GMT -5
I disagree. IMO Goldbergs mystique doesnt come from the title or being champion. Sure, but it would seem rather weird to have him just beat guys without getting a title shot, or losing said title shots. I think the two year plan provides him enough to potentially get him over to a new audience, build credibility and potentially provide a new opportunity on Smackdown if he decided to re-sign. I mean I agree two years would be more ideal. It just wasnt going to happen with GB at that point in time. My plan was using the timeline he had agreed on. Plus you want to keep the title off of him for as long as possible. Back then the champ doing house shows was pretty much a requirement. GB did a limited schedule while he was champ and it meant he used all of his dates up early. Thats why he was suspended for most of tv before Mania. Make him champ longer and you have to make up the dates, or get him to agree to more (and pay more). GB might not have even agreed to more dates and if he did you have H whispering in Vinces ear about it not being worth it. One thing to remember about Goldberg in 2003. He had no attachment or dedication to wrestling. It was all about the most money for the least work. Goldberg of the last few years had a young child he wanted to impress. |
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Nosnorb
El Dandy
Nachos and Fraggle Rock are TIMELESS.
Posts: 7,714
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Post by Nosnorb on Oct 5, 2022 12:36:01 GMT -5
The very idea of Goldberg taking on 2003 Scott Steiner is simply horrifying. That match would almost certainly have been the worst match of 2003 if it had happened.
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Post by "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay on Oct 5, 2022 13:00:28 GMT -5
The very idea of Goldberg taking on 2003 Scott Steiner is simply horrifying. That match would almost certainly have been the worst match of 2003 if it had happened. Also someone DEFINITELY gets (more) injured |
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