Goldust’s 5 Best WWE Matches

The Artist known as Goldust has formally announced his departure from WWE via a pretty emotional video on social media, seeing the former Intercontinental Champion shut the lid on the character for good. Dustin is making one last run as part of his brother’s new brand, AEW, appearing in his debut match at the upcoming Double or Nothing event. But before we see the man behind the paint appear in what could be his last outing in the ring, let’s remind ourselves of the amazing legacy the Golden One is leaving behind in the annals of WWE lore.

Goldust is a multi-time champion who never quite managed to break into the main event scene, but had become one of the company’s longest lasting characters who has evolved over the years into a perennial fan favourite. Especially in his comeback run, Goldie was one of the top performers on the entire roster, bringing years of experience with him to allow him to hold his own with young lions such as The Shield.

So let’s take a look back in time and witness some incredible matches that featured everyone’s favourite provocateur.

 

5. BookDust vs. Jericho & Christian vs. Regal & Storm vs. The Dudley Boys (Armageddon 2002)

The team known as BookDust became one of the most beloved aspects of Monday Night Raw in 2002. Originally starting off as an odd-couple comedy skit, Goldust and Booker T soon found a friendship and a strong chemistry in the ring, getting over with the fans in a way that few other tag teams managed around that time.

Soon enough, BookDust found themselves involved in the tag title scene, challenging Jericho and Christian for the belts throughout the latter part of the year. Unfortunately, the duo couldn’t quite get the job done, and Goldust’s role in the team came under question when he was labelled as the weak link.

The fans wanted to see the team take the titles more than ever, having come from the throwaway comedy gimmick to the underdogs who were on the cusp of taking over the entire division. It all culminated in the opening match of the last PPV of the year, which boasted a huge card and a massive tag title match.

This was truly an emotional rollercoaster, seeing the other teams slowly be narrowed down to just BookDust and Jericho/Christian made for a match that you could really get invested in. Some great near falls and overall some of the best action on the card. This made for Goldust’s first tag title win in WWE, and the crowd ate it up.

 

4. Goldust vs. Randy Orton – Raw (Sept. 9th 2013)

Goldust’s official return to WWE took place in September of 2013. Having already teased a sibling rivalry with Cody at the Royal Rumble, those plans were put on hold when Goldie had to fight on behalf of his younger brother on Raw against The Authority’s Randy Orton.

With Cody’s budding career on the line in this match between a veteran and a champion, tension was high heading into this bout that consisted of pure psychology. Orton and Goldust had excellent chemistry with each other and holds up as one of both individual’s best matches in WWE.

This match alone proved to the world that Goldust still had what it takes to put on a fantastic match. Having fought through a series of personal and health issues outside of his WWE tenure, Goldie had a lot of high standards to meet in this match, all of which he exceeded tenfold.

Quite simply the two had the crowd in the palm of their hands throughout, which for me, really invigorated my love in WWE television after going through a phase of apathy after seeing Randy Orton and Big Show headline a pay-per-view.

Do yourselves a favour and watch this match.

 

3. Goldust vs. Roddy Piper – WrestleMania 12

Oh lordy, this match was something else. By no means should you go into a Hollywood Backlot Brawl expecting a case study of great professional wrestling, it was what it was intended to be: simply bizarre. Goldust and Piper were both thrown into an odd match where they were filmed in an actual Hollywood set, beating the heck out of each other in the name of Piper’s manhood.

Taking away the very obvious homophobic overtones from this match, it’s a spectacle. The two engaged in a thrilling brawl that soon escalated into an actual car chase, filmed as a very blatant nod to the OJ Simpson coverage that was naturally a big talking point at the time.

The two legends ended up making it to the arena just before the timeless Iron Match main event took place, and to warm up the crowd, Piper and Goldust spanked each other and modelled some lingerie. It sounds absurd to include this as part of Goldust’s best of list, but you’d be lying if you said that this match didn’t come to mind when you started reading. For what it was, it was a lot of fun, and I certainly never forgot the name, or sight, of Goldust after this match.

 

2. Goldust vs. Chris Jericho – Superstars (March 4th, 2010)

Goldust wasn’t performing anywhere near his peak in 2010. Having darted around the brands as enhancement talent, he eventually found his place on SmackDown Live, having to put over the then World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Jericho. This became another one of those hidden gems that’s often stowed away on the Z-shows, Superstars or Main Event. You could probably make an entire pay-per-view out of underrated matches from these shows, headlined by this particular addition between the two veterans.

Having had heaps of experience against one another, Jericho and Goldust put on a great show of in-ring psychology, making for a really exciting watch if you want to see Jericho especially perform at his best. Goldust once again slipped into the underdog role with the occasional flash of babyface brilliance that brought the crowd in closer and closer to the idea of him getting the upset over the world champ.

Excellent work from both men who really brought the best out of one another on a show where not much else would be worth watching.

 

1. Goldust & Cody Rhodes vs. The Shield – Battleground 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywL5VkmMa9s

Naturally, the Tag Title match between The Rhodes Brothers and The Shield had to top this list of Goldust’s best matches. The Rhodes family name hadn’t meant as much as it did in WWE until this match, putting careers on the line in the climax of their feud with The Authority. Wrestling is always the most fun when it’s the payoff of a big storyline, and that’s exactly what this match was.

An absolute belter of a match that took everyone by surprise, coming in as one of 2013’s best matches and Goldust’s greatest performance to date. The two brothers fought heroically to quell the unstoppable Shield, who at the time were performing as ruthless heels with almost a perfect win/loss record.

Goldust proved that he could still hang with the younger superstars, holding his own amongst some of WWE’s hottest prospects. A solid 20 minute tag match that featured some of the best psychology you’ll see from that year, the crowd were invested and it made for one of the most wholesome moments that will stand the test of time.

Again, if you’ve ever only known Goldust as that painted chump that latches onto random undercard dudes in the hope of forming a hip new tag-team, then give this match especially a watch. 2013 was truly the year that The Golden One reached his full potential.

Have I missed any of your favourites off the list? Do you think Dustin will top these in his match with Cody at Double or Nothing? Let us know in the comments below.