The anticipation for pro-wrestling legend Goldberg’s return to World Wrestling Entertainment had fans waiting with bated breath at the Pepsi Center.
It had been more than 12 years since the former world heavyweight champion made an appearance in the WWE. But as he stood in the ring on “Raw” Monday, deafening chants of “Goldberg” rang throughout the arena bringing tears to the 49-year-old’s eyes. It was nostalgic, a throwback to the late ’90s when he took the pro-wrestling world by storm with his dominant run with World Championship Wrestling.
“Never thought I’d be in this ring again,” he said. “So thank you for a humble return.”
Very humbled by last nights response……. #THANKYOU 🙏
— Bill Goldberg (@Goldberg) October 18, 2016
Goldberg’s return, according to the storyline, was sparked by Paul Heyman on the Oct. 10 episode of “Raw,” in which he challenged Goldberg to face his client Brock Lesnar in the ring one more time.
Goldberg and Lesnar faced each other once at WrestleMania XX in 2004 — the last match in the company for both wrestlers at the time. Goldberg won via pinfall. Lesnar pursued careers in the NFL and UFC before returning to the WWE in 2012.
Speculation of Goldberg’s return to the company began with the launch of the WWE 2K17 video game trailer, in which he was revealed to be included in the game as the pre-order bonus character. In the trailer, he is seen sitting in the backseat of a car when a “Suplex City” sign is seen in the window’s reflection. Suplex City is one of Lesnar’s catchphrases.
During his speech to close out the show, he stepped back from his character and opened up about his wrestling career. He talked about this was the first time his wife Wanda and son Gage had seen him in the ring and what he missed about the business.
“The biggest thing that I miss, other than kicking (butt), is being a superhero to kids all around the world,” he said. “In this day and age, there ain’t enough of us.”
Then he returned his focus to Lesnar, accepting the challenge for a rematch and possibly Goldberg’s retirement match: “Not only does that mean you’re next, but most importantly, it means Brock Lesnar, you’re last!”
Hick in the house. Gov. John Hickenlooper and his son Teddy were in attendance at “Raw.” Hickenlooper sat in the front row next to Goldberg’s wife and son.
When Goldberg was in the ring, Hickenlooper was seen on camera chanting the wrestler’s along with the crowd.
The Mile High Trio. Three local pro wrestlers made their debuts on “Raw” in a three-on-one handicap match against Braun Strowman.
Tyler Stinson, Curtis Cole and Johnny Proof — who dubbed themselves “The Mile High Trio” — were overpowered by the 6-foot-8, 385-pound Strowman, who won after pinning Proof and Stinson at the same time. Cole looked like he was being attended to by WWE medical staff.
https://twitter.com/KillerCurtCole/status/788371707266408448
Stinson and Cole are part of Rocky Mountain Pro, while Proof is with New Era Wrestling.
High life. The New Day, the Raw tag team champions, celebrated — appropriately — the 420th day of their title reign on Monday. During a video sequence backstage, they were seen holding a 420 sign.
Fittingly, we're in Denver for Raw on Day 420 of our never ending tag team title reign. #ChasingDemolition
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) October 17, 2016
The New Day owns the second-longest reign of any WWE tag team behind Demolition, who held it for 478 days. They’ll tie the mark on Dec. 14 if they hold onto the titles.
Chant of the night. In the opening segment, Seth Rollins convinced the crowd to start chanting “sparkle crotch” at Chris Jericho, in reference to the superstar’s bedazzled wrestling trunks.
Beyond the cameras. There were two dark matches that took place after the show ended. WWE United States champion Roman Reigns defeated Rusev in the first match. In the second, Rollins beat WWE Universal champion Kevin Owens via disqualification after Jericho interfered.
