THE ROCK VS. GOLDBERG

 During WrestleMania XIX a vignette played introducing Goldberg to non-WCW fans. The Rock was taking what some would be a gap year in Hollywood and has only been seen infrequently until buying into the company earlier this year. A year later, The Rock would return for a match the same night Goldberg left the company for over a decade.

The Rock Hesitates before getting in the ring, the fans chant Rocky as he steps between the ropes. “Goldberg” chants start as they face off in the middle of the ring. Jerry Lawler plugs The Scorpion King on commentary.

Jerry “The King” Lawler and Jonathan Coachman are on commentary for this match.

 

THE ROCK VS. GOLDBERG

WWE Backlash 2003 (27^th April 2003)

 

  The bell rings and they circle. Goldberg shoves The Rock into the corner from the lock up, Hollywood Rock says Goldberg’s in trouble but he's not keen to lock back up.

  The Rock is shoved through the ropes but he gets back in the ring and slaps Goldberg’s face. Goldberg connects with right hands and knee strikes. The Rock reverses an irish whip but gets knocked down with a shoulder tackle. Goldberg clotheslines The Rock over to the floor and Earl Hebner starts counting Rock out. Goldberg’s trash talking interrupts the count at 6. Hebner gets to 8 before Goldberg touches the ropes which breaks it up. The Rock snaps Goldberg’s jaw off the top rope and clotheslines him down back in the ring. The Rock connects with right hands, but Goldberg reverses the irish whip. Goldberg ducks too early, getting kicked in the chest but he slams The Rock down with what Coach calls a Rock Bottom. Goldberg sets up in the corner for the Spear, but hits the ring post and falls to the floor. Lawler loves it so much he calls for the replay as The Rock rolls Goldberg back in the ring. The Rock stomps Goldberg and puts on the Sharpshooter, and I’ll be honest. I wouldn’t put it past WWE at this time to have had Goldberg tap in his first match. Goldberg holds on, crawling to reach the bottom rope.

  The Rock breaks as the referee starts to count and shoves him away. The Rock just punches Goldberg in the balls for shiggles and sets up for the Rock Bottom, Goldberg catches him with a surprise Spear with the injured shoulder and they’re both down. The Rock gets back to his feet first, but Goldberg blocks the right hand and hits one of his own, they run it again and Goldberg then connects with clinched knee strikes. Goldberg is sent into the ropes but he knocks Rock down with his left shoulder. Goldberg hits a powerslam for 2 as he had to use the right shoulder. We see Goldberg Spear the ring post again before Goldberg sends The Rock into the corner, running into a back elbow. Goldberg is still on his feet after 2 clotheslines so The Rock hits a Spear and kips up, The Rock hits a Rock Bottom! 1,2, No! The Rock waits for Goldberg to get to his feet and connects with a combination of right hands, Goldberg clotheslines The Rock before the haymaker, but it was a weak one. The Rock reverses the irish whip and hits a spinebuster, People’s Elbow gets The Rock a 2 count.

 The Rock is shocked, Goldberg gets to his feet first and hits the Spear! Goldberg backs to the corner again and hits another Spear, sending The Rock to Hollywood with a Jackhammer for the win.

WINNER: GOLDBERG

 I went into this match expecting worse, I actually enjoyed the stalling at the beginning and first couple of minutes. There, I said something nice. This match was overly long, Goldberg should have been shown in a short, high impact match for his debut. I understand using a big name like The Rock, but the match was stretched too long and the Sharpshooter made Goldberg look strong but only accidentally. [*] 1/10