Why WWE brought Goldberg back

[BestSportsEntertainer]

According to Dave Meltzer, WWE only brought Goldberg back so he wouldn't sign with AEW.

It's probably a smart move from WWE. I don't think Goldberg would ever sign with AEW, but if the money's right, he'd certainly consider it. Of course throwing a lot of money at past-their-prime WWE legends might not be a good idea in the long-term, even though he would get some eyes on the product.

[Y 2 Jake]

I'm all for seeing Goldberg in more explosive 5 minute matches like his last Mania appearance.

[Jack-Hammer]

Overreliance on past their prime stars, far past their prime in some cases, is part of the many woes, in my opinion, that's taken its toll on WWE. Questionable booking, outdated view points, completely disregarding the interests of fans and others are significant ones as well, but Vince has made a mistake similar to what we saw happen in WCW. How often have you seen posts in threads or heard someone say aloud that stars of today don't remotely compare with those of 20 to 30 years back? More than a few would be my guess and Vince's approach to creating and sustaining stars hs changed dramatically over the last 15 years or so. After all, he's basically hamstrung WWE creative with limitations that's enough to drive writers up the wall, the wrestlers themselves, even most of the biggest stars, don't have remotely the sort of creative input they did 20+ years ago, Vince is catering more to his own tastes in many situations rather than the tastes of many within his audience. Hell, Vince no longer even allows the wrestlers in his company to speak their own words during promos, the vast majority of them at least, and when you put all these factors together, what you have are wrestlers that might be far more athletic and technically sound, in many cases, inside the ring than previous generations, but you don't have the character depth and personality to sink your teeth into. It's reflected in declining ratings and attendance but rather than changing his approach to things in order to create a more exciting product, Vince opens up his checkbook and starts tossing around money to any major player that's still able to lace up his own boots and can be reasonably controlled. Maybe if Vince tried to do things a different way, admitted that catering his wrestling product to his own tastes first while putting the actual audiences second isn't working out and tried to change it then maybe he wouldn't have to worry about spending millions of dollars on the Over the Hill gang like Taker, Goldberg, Kane, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, the Rock or mercenaries who wouldn't give a crap if WWE failed as long as it didn't happen before cashing his last check like Brock Lesnar. Maybe he also wouldn't be so paranoid about AEW but if AEW does eventually thrive, it'll be in large part because of the wrestling environment that Vince has spent much of the last 20 years creating.

[Stone Cold Tea]

Arab money is why Vince brought Goldberg back. Not because of AEW, not because of a reliance on past stars and definitely not because Vince needs his limousine window punching through. Itâ??s the Arab dollars and thereâ??s a lot of them being chucked at WWE.

[Y 2 Jake]

Saudi shows are non-canon. Just ask Shawn Michaels.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

No, because Prince Alli wanted The Ultimate Warrior again but Vince told him he's still dead so he wants Goldberg now. Money talks.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I think I'm going to pass on this year's Saudi show.

[EnviousDominous]

All Elite Wrestling has all the hallmarks of WCW when they started. Tony Khan's Dad is a billionaire, and he seems excited about throwing his money at his son's prowrestling project. They could easily pay for Goldberg to be a permanent part of their show, and Goldberg would probably be all too happy to cut promos attacking the WWE.

I usually scoff at "Dave Meltzer said" stories, but this one seems plausible.

[Big Nick Dudley]

Maybe they wanted Goldberg because he draws some money? I think that's probably the case. Hardcore fans may hate him, but his name means something and a match with Undertaker is a big deal, even in 2019.

['Ravishing' Ned Flanders]

I'm guessing it has something to do with money and Saudi officials wanting to see him

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm guessing it has something to do with money and Saudi officials wanting to see him

Well, according to some reports I've read when the whole deal with the Saudis was first announced, the crown prince, can't remember his name off hand, was mostly a big fan during the days of the 90s and the Attitude Era and specifically requested that certain stars be part of the card, if possible. To show how unfamiliar he was with the product, it's been said that he asked for Yokozuna to be part of the first card and was unaware that Yoko, AKA Rodney Anoa'i, had been dead since late October 2000.

These shows really aren't for the fans when you get right down to it, that's been obvious due to the low quality. The Saudi government, with the crown prince leading things, is supposedly trying to change its image, initiate some progressive changes within the country and culture, and WWE's shows have a little something to do with that. WWE's said to be paid more for each of these shows than they get for WrestleMania, so Vince is gonna keep on, keepin' on as long as the money keeps flowing.

Goldberg was an embarrassment at Super Showdown, there's simply no way around it and there's no way to defend it. There are rumors, and I stress rumors, that his match with Taker was supposed to go 20 minutes but that Vince was so disgusted by everything that he got in the ref's ear and told him to tell them to take it home. Vince may have been disgusted, but I have trouble believing that this match was scheduled to go for 20 minutes. Goldberg has NEVER been able to work a one on one match that's half decent match for that long and I doubt Taker's body can withstand the physical strain. All in all, however, Taker was holding up quite well physically, he's obviously been able to work out and keep himself healthy via his diet as, a few years ago, he would've never tried doing Old School. As for Goldberg, he was never great in the first place but he's now officially in his 50s and he's something of a danger to himself and others. I mean, according to Goldberg himself, he almost knocked himself headbutting the door to his dressing room as part of his hulking up routine while he was on his way out to address the fans during the whole build up with his matches with Brock Lesnar. He even cut himself open a little. A lot of fans have been ridiculing him via social media over SSD and Matt Riddle has just been all over the guy not only for his lack of ability, but for trying to pass himself off as some sort of MMA expert.