Pro-Wrestling One on one with WCW's Goldberg Page Pro-Wrestling One on one with WCW's Goldberg Page
Last updated 19 October 2003
Even Bill Goldberg got fed up with all the promotion and advertising surrounding his return to WCW. But like the prodigal son, the 33-year-old Tulsa, Okla., native returned from a serious arm injury to WCW television Monday after an almost six-month absence.
During his time off, Goldberg, who will attend but not wrestle at Sunday's Great American Bash pay-per-view event, stayed busy and in the spotlight. He was involved in numerous TV programs, charity work and even began work on his biography with his brother, Steve. However, the reality of the 190-stitch injury suffered when he put his arm through the windshield of limousine caused Goldberg to drift into depression and question his role in the wrestling business.
In his first extended interview since returning to the ring, Goldberg discussed his injury, his time away from the ring, Bret Hart, WCW's direction and his friendship with the Dallas Stars' Brett Hull.
Question: WCW had an ad in USA Today. It played up your return for months. With all that surrounding your return, is there any way you were going to be able to live up to the hype?
Bill Goldberg: There was no way it was going to live up to what all had been put out there. When you do things like that, it puts a lot of pressure on you. It didn't seem strange to me being back in the ring because I treat every situation the same. I go out there every time and do what I do. But there was no way we were going to be able to satisfy everybody.
Question: Seems kind of like the Super Bowl. You're just glad when it finally gets here.
Bill Goldberg: Exactly. That's exactly the way it felt. I just wanted it to get here, get out there and get back into the flow. This is my job, but it did put a lot of pressure on me because of what all had been built up.
Question: What exactly was the extent of your arm injury and what was the initial prognosis?
Bill Goldberg: The first thing the doctors told me was that I got lucky. I slashed my arm up pretty good. I got 190 stitches, tore tendons and muscles all through it and came within a centimeter of tearing a nerve. If I had hit the nerve, I would have lost use of my arm. There wasn't really a prognosis given. They put me in a sling and for the longest time I couldn't move my wrist. I was out of the gym for three months. During that time, I didn't do anything. All my life, all I'd ever know was working out and being an athlete. Now I wasn't doing that. I fell into depression. God knows how long I was going to be out or was going to be like this. I had never taken three months off. I hung out around the house and basically did nothing.
Question: During that time, you obviously had a lot of time to think about your future in wrestling and in WCW, in particular. What were some of your biggest concerns and sticking points on making your return?
Bill Goldberg: Immediately, my No. 1 concern turned to my health. Right now, that's the most important thing in my life. I go 100 percent in the ring. My character is stiff. But I have to think about my health also. I'm in this business to make money, but it's not worth it if I don't have my health when I walk away and can't exist as a human being. I'm in the entertainment business now. I'm not in the business of trying to kill people anymore. When I played football, that's what I did. I don't have to do that now, and that's why being healthy and staying healthy has become so important.
As far as other concerns, WCW has been under turmoil for a while, but that didn't make me want to come back any less. We talked about where some things were going, but I really could have cared less who was in charge. I do what I do. I don't care if Mickey Mouse is running the company. I'm going to go out there and do what I've always done for them.
Question: Now that Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo are back in control, what are some of your initial thoughts how they have handled things. And what are some things that WCW needs to do long term to compete with the WWF?
Bill Goldberg: Long term, God only knows. No matter what, you have to go out there week to week no matter who is running the company. Absolutely, I have concerns. I take a lot of pride in what I do. That's why some of the things bother me. It seems like we have a woman in a bikini every segment, and that puts a bad taste in my mouth. Some of that may be needed, but it really takes the focus off the wrestling. I really think if WCW continues going this road, then we are going to ruin the show for the children.
For so long, the one thing you could say about TNT and TBS is that those were networks safe for children. That's the one thing we always had on the boys up north. We were the show that was safe for your kids to watch. I'm not sure you can really say that anymore. I just hope we don't turn our backs on the kids. There's no question that we've already turned off some of the parents. I have a lot of concerns and I'm going to voice them, but I'm only one of the guys. But I will tell you this: Some of the other guys feel that way. Sting won't even let his kid watch the show. The children are our core audience. We can't forget them.
Question: One of the guys who feels like you do is Bret Hart. He has been out since the concussion he suffered in his match with you at Starcade [sic] last December. What is your relationship like now?
Bill Goldberg: I need to call him. I've talked to Bret once or twice since. It's still a sore subject with me. I feel responsible to a certain extent, but when two people are in the ring going like we were, you've got to protect yourself. My style is stiff. That is the character. I'm based on realism. It was definitely unfortunate that anyone was the recipient of that.
Question: Has he ever blamed you for what happened in person?
Bill Goldberg: He has never said anything cross to me or anything like that to me over the phone. When I'm in the ring, I would much rather hurt myself than ever hurt anyone else. I will say I'm sorry' for the rest of my life, but it's not going to change what happened.
Question: Outside of the ring, you are involved in various charities and various religious activities. This summer the Jewish National Foundation will honor you with one of its top awards. Why do you feel so compelled to be so involved?
Bill Goldberg: The award I'm getting is called the Tree of Life. We're going over to Israel to tour the water projects. I've never been to Israel, so it will be good to go see the homeland. It's funny, but because I'm Jewish and there's not a big list of heroes, I have fans all over the world. I'm happy that I'm able to give some of those kids someone to live through. Those kids mean a lot to me. I would have loved to have had Jewish heroes growing up. I've never really made that big of a deal about (being Jewish), but I always said that if I was ever put in position to help people I would. I got a second chance to do that. I thought it was going to be through football, but it wasn't. Now that I have gotten that chance, I'm a spokesperson for the Humane Society and do several other things. Being able to do those things was always a goal of mine. I wanted to make it to a point where I could make a difference.
Question: Speaking of football, there are several legendary stories about the wild Goldberg while playing at Georgia. Care to elaborate?
Bill Goldberg: Let's put it this way. People think the Goldberg character was formulated. That was me in college. That was just how I was. I was happy to be a part of that team there. I still follow them as closely as possible. We're going to be sweet this year. We've got a lot of guys back, and I saw the other day that we're already ranked No. 8 in the nation. I like to be involved down there. I have an (athletic) scholarship foundation that I established. I really enjoyed my time there.
Question: Did that same personality follow you to the NFL?
Bill Goldberg: It did, but the injuries that weren't there in college followed me. I got drafted by the Rams, hurt my knee, got cut. I came back the next year, hurt my knee, got cut. I went to Falcons for three years and played with the Sacramento Surge in the World League until I tore my abdomen. That was it.
Question: Did you see the guy Monday on Nitro who had the Bill Goldberg jersey?
Bill Goldberg: When I came to the ring, I saw that jersey. There aren't a whole lot of those around. I don't even have one of those.
Question: Your biography is coming out later this year. Your brother Steve is writing it. How did that come about?
Bill Goldberg: It's been a pretty big task for the both of us. I'll kind of be glad when it's over because we can go back to being brothers then. He's never been a writer, but he may turn into one after this. We were flying in our brother Mike's plane just talking about how screwy my life is right now. Steve said, Why don't you write a book about it?'
Question: Some may say you haven't been in the business long enough to write a book. What's the response to that criticism?
Bill Goldberg: I'll say this: We'll see whether or not people want to read it on the first day of sales. I don't think you can say, Well, you need to be in the business eight years and then, all of the sudden, you can write a book.' I've done more in my life than 99 percent of people have done. Maybe some want to know just about my wrestling life or my football life. Whatever, we'll see if people read it.
Question: You were recently on the cover of a magazine with The Rock. Do you think something like an inter-federation pay-per-view could ever happen? Or are egos too big?
Bill Goldberg: I sure hope something like that happens. I know my ego isn't too big to do it. I think it would be great for the business. I'm in this to make money, not kill people. That's why I think it would be good. The higher-ups may have the egos you're talking about, but the future is another day. I don't see it happening anytime soon.
Question: You've mentioned that you looked up to your brothers, but were there any wrestlers you watched as a kid who impressed you and made an impression on you?
Bill Goldberg: I knew (Ric) Flair from a ways back because my brother Mike actually roomed with him while they were both at Minnesota. I've really never tried to emulate anyone. I really liked Bruiser Brody and Nikita Koloff. In fact, if you watch Koloff, you can see a lot of what he does in me.
Question: You are a big hockey fan and, in particular, a big Dallas Stars fan who has developed a close friendship with Brett Hull. How did you two become friends?
Bill Goldberg: I became friends with Brett during our show down there (in Dallas) when we had (Jean Claude) Van Damme and Herschel (Walker) in the ring with us. When I came back to film Universal Soldier in Waxahachie, I made it away from the shoot one day and met his family and we've been hanging out ever since. I've been a hockey fan for a long time, and I'm really a fan of the Stars. I liked them when my brothers were in school in Minnesota. I love Brett because he has all the ability in the world yet he stays grounded. He personifies that. He and I clicked from the beginning, and I'm glad we're friends. I was just happy to meet him much less become friends with him.
BAD GUY BRADSHAW
Although he said he has never done any acting outside the wrestling business, John Layfield (Bradshaw) spent the week outside Los Angeles shooting an episode of USA Network's "The Huntress." On the show, Layfield, who will be back on WWF television Monday, plays "your typical bad guy."
"I steal the girl, keep her hostage for a while," Layfield said, "and then get killed in the end."
NITRO RETURNING TO BIG D
WCW will return to Reunion Arena on Monday, Sept. 4 for Nitro. It will be WCW's first appearance in Dallas in almost 18 months. The show will be the third in a six-week span that will see all three major promotions make a Dallas stop. The WWF's Fully Loaded pay-per-view is July 23. ECW will hit Bronco Bowl for its first Dallas show five days later.
PRODUCTION STILL HURTING WCW
The WCW product has gotten better since Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo took over in early April. The company will not make a serious run at the WWF, however, until it fixes its production woes.
On Nitro Monday, Russo stayed in Ric Flair's figure four leglock for at least two minutes. According to storylines, Flair's figure four is one of the more devastating moves in the business. A non-wrestler such as Russo should have lasted no more than a few seconds. Russo remained in the hold because the "blood" that was supposed to fall from the rafters didn't fall on cue. When it did finally fall, it was off target, causing both Flair and Russo to improvise.
ON THE STONE COLD TRAIL
Fans who have pay close attention to WWF ads may see another strikingly familiar symbol for the June 25 pay-per-view King of the Ring. Skulls are used in promotional material, leading some to wonder if the ads signal Stone Cold Steve Austin's return.
Austin could return in a non-wrestling capacity, but it is likely that the WWF will keep him out until SummerSlam. Austin, out since last November with a neck injury, is doing full cardiovascular work at least two times per day. His weightlifting regimen has slowly increased, but he is still not ready for full-time, in-ring action.
IN BOX
Question: Would Goldberg come to the WWF if WCW is still circling around the drain?
A: While possible, Goldberg isn't going anywhere for at least three years. He is under contract and it would not be in WCW's best interest to let their top draw get away. Goldberg said he would consider a move to the WWF when his contract expires. He isn't happy with the current direction of WCW programming and what he considers racy content. If WCW continues to go down that path and there is no discernable difference between the content of the two promotions, Goldberg said he would have to consider a move to whatever organization makes the highest bid. While it is fun to talk about and speculate about, Goldberg isn't jumping ship. And, until his contract runs out, expect him to be WCW's centerpiece.
SIGN OF THE WEEK
(NOTE: The Shakedown wants pictures of your best signs. Send pictures via e-mail in jpeg format to cmonk@dallasnews.com and check in to see if your sign wins "Sign of the Week.")
The sign of the week wasn't even a sign. It was jersey that even put a blank look on the performers in the ring. A fan in the second row behind the Nitro announcers had a No. 71 Bill Goldberg Atlanta Falcons jersey. "When I came to the ring, I saw that jersey," Goldberg said. "I don't even have one of those."
LINE OF THE WEEK
Most times, the best lines are the subtle ones that pack a big punch. Jim Ross' quick yet stinging remark toward Hulk Hogan on Monday on RAW was one of those comments. As Gerald Brisco was coming to the ring to "Real American," Ross suggested that someone in production "turn (his) music off. It's nauseating."
Ross' comment had nothing to do with Brisco. During his legendary run in the WWF during the 80s, Hogan used "Real American" as his entrance theme.
PINPOINTS
Tickets for WWF's Fully Loaded pay-per-view July 23 in Reunion Arena go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.....WCW and Lex Luger are not seeing eye-to-eye. Before Nitro two weeks ago, Luger refused to go along with a storyline that involved Liz, his real-life girlfriend. He was asked to leave and has not appeared on TV since. He is not scheduled to appear at Sunday's Great American Bash pay-per-view...Mick Foley turned 35 Wednesday....The "Saturday Night Live" hosted by The Rock will re-run on NBC on Saturday....Hulk Hogan's biography on A&E airs Monday....The WWF named Stuart Snyder president and chief operating officer. Snyder came to the WWF from USA Home Entertainment, where he was president....Chyna will be on The Tonight Show on June 16. The Rock will be on June 21...DDP was on "The Roseanne Show" Thursday. He will also be on VH1 Sunday as part of the "Behind the Music" on Bon Jovi....The Skydome in Toronto, which played host to WrestleMania VI, will no longer be used for WWF events. The WWF reached an agreement with the Air Canada Centre and will run its Toronto shows exclusively in the new facility beginning immediately...WWF events in the Target Center in Minneapolis could end as well. The company's contract with the arena has expired. The WWF would like to move its events to the new St. Paul Arena that will be home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild next season....The Big Show has begun rehab after his knee surgery and should be back for the July 23 Fully Loaded pay-per-view event in Dallas....The WWF is releasing four videos this fall. Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mick Foley have their fourth and second videos, respectively. The other two are compilations featuring The Dudleys, Hardy and Edge and Christian and the WWF women.....Perry Saturn, Too Cool and Kurt Angle are among the WWF wrestlers who will be in Puerto Rico for a show June 16.....Goldberg and Scott Steiner are on the cover of this month's "SI for Kids." Steiner is also on the cover of June's "Iron Man" magazine....Taka and Funaki of Kaientai have signed contract extensions with the WWF.....RAW dropped to a 5.9 Monday (one ratings points equals approximately 675,000 homes). Nitro was a 2.9.... According to the WWF's Jim Ross, Tazz, rehabbing a torn triceps muscle, has lost significant weight. Ross said Tazz would like to return at 230 pounds. He formerly wrestled at 250. ... ECW's Rob Van Dam will be on TNN's "18 Wheels of Justice" August 2....British Bulldog has been removed from WWF house shows. He has returned home to take care of personal issues.