Backstage Update on Goldberg/Lesnar Booking

What ultimately happened in the Goldberg versus Brock Lesnar match was the most surprising outcome possible, with the returning star beating the Beast in under two minutes. (If you missed it, here’s the video.) It was as exciting as it was confusing, and it left us all with the question–why?

Thanks to an update from Dave Meltzer on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio, we can now answer that.

Goldberg’s initial contract was, indeed, for just one match, which Lesnar was scheduled to win. However, folks backstage saw the success of the hype for a Lesnar/Goldberg showdown, and many including Lesnar himself pushed for a longer feud. Goldberg himself was eventually convinced, and signed on for future appearances. He’s expected to battle with Brock again at the Rumble.

When Goldberg agreed to sign on for future matches, the decision was made to put him over in a big way. That was why last night’s match was a squash–not, as some have speculated, because Goldberg was hurt. The booking was done to help Goldberg get over in WWE. The booking during his first run in McMahon’s company had not gone well, so the decision was made to emulate his WCW booking, where he was much more successful.

There was some reticence about Toronto accepting Goldberg as a babyface, as many in Canada held him responsible for the injuries that ended Bret Hart’s career. However, the frequent “Goldberg” chants at NXT Takeover the night before helped to assuage those fears.

Goldberg and Lesnar will almost certainly have a rematch, likely at both the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. The feud will continue for as long as the crowd is interested in it.