Hollywood and the WWE: The Case for Goldust Making a Return To the Mainstream

There are few superstars quite like Goldust. From the proud wrestling tradition of the Rhodes/Runnels family, Dustin Runnels created a character that challenged the very image of a modern wrestler. In the era of supermen and superheroes, Goldust was something altogether different.

Goldust was original.

In his WWE career, the Gold one has enjoyed some element of success in terms of title reigns. He was never going to be the franchise, but he was a strong heel and his matches with the Undertaker in 1996 placed him on a number of successive PPV cards. Three Intercontinental and seven Hardcore reigns were to follow before he departed for WCW in 1999.

For the next ten years, Goldust would be somewhat of a nomadic figure wrestling with WCW, TNA, Turnbuckle Wrestling, All Japan, as well as two further stints in the WWE.

At present, Goldust is to be found most weeks on Superstars, a show steadily gaining a reputation for good solid wrestling matches. Good wrestling needs good wrestlers and with Goldie, they have one such person. Remember it was Goldust that helped put Sheamus on the road to the Heavyweight title with a series of impressive matches in ECW.

Whether or not he is happy as an unofficial jobber/trainer, Goldust, like many of his fans, still must have a dream of one more shot at the big time. That elusive WWE Championship may always allude him, but as reward for his service and hard work, Goldust should at least get a sustained run in mainstream television .

The problems of Raw and Smackdown at present is down to the content. Wrestlers like Goldust, Yoshi Tatsu, William Regal, Primo, Chavo, and Evan Bourne could be the answer. The old WCW was in part built on its strong mid-card. The WWE could be the same.

If each week, the mid card, possible under a TV title-esque division, was allowed more airtime and opportunities to play out rivalries, it would make the show stronger. Currently, if these wrestlers appear at all, it's often in meaningless tag team matches that have no ramifications or direction.  

For Goldust, one very strong possibility is a rivalry with the Dashing half brother, Cody. The latter may wish to avoid this, so as to achieve everything by himself, but it would help to kickstart his career following his release from Legacy. The Dashing character is limited and a sustained rivalry with his step brother might allow him to showcase his talents as a wrestler and give him some mainstream attention.

Goldust versus Cody is certainly more interesting than watching the Dashing One shave his legs.

Ultimately it's up to the WWE as to what it shows. Goldust at present has a contract and has airtime on Superstars. He is getting a paycheck and doing what he loves. That may be enough for him. But as someone who has watched him since the 1990s, seeing Goldust get more title reign or a mainstream storyline would be a just reward for all his efforts.

Whether this ever happens or not, one thing is certain, no one will ever forget the name of...Goldust.