Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline is reporting that a deal is close to being done or is potentially done already between the WWE and Bill Goldberg.
Goldberg will be on ESPN Sports Center this Wednesday, one of the topics he will be discussing is his relationship with the WWE, we could very well hear some breaking news during this interview.
Goldberg is currently very heavily involved in the marketing for the new WWE video game WWE 2K17.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc6EIcrKBoU
After months of speculation stemming from his inclusion in WWE 2K17, it sounds like former World Champion Bill Goldberg is officially in talks with WWE about returning to the company.
TMZ Sports reports that “the wheels are in motion” for the former WCW star to appear on WWE television. During promotional appearances for WWE 2K17, Goldberg teased that he’s interested in stepping back in front of WWE cameras. During Gamescom 2016 in Germany, Goldberg called out current WWE star Brock Lesnar, and Lesnar returned the favor on the red carpet of 2K Sports’ WWE 2K17 launch party.
“Life’s too short to dwell upon past differences,” Goldberg said to TMZ about his past disagreements with WWE.
Despite not showing interest in returning to the ring in previous years, Goldberg claimed earlier this month that he’s still ready to “rip people’s faces off” in the squared circle. At Gamescom 2016 Goldberg indicated that he’d like to perform for the fans once again, but that the decision is ultimately up to WWE management.
– Xavier Woods recently interviewed Goldberg about the upcoming WWE 2K17 video game. Goldberg said it’s cool that he can face wrestlers in the game he never got to face, and specified that he’d like to “kick Undertaker’s ass” in the game. Goldberg says between his 2K17 commercial and getting in front of wrestling fans again, he’s getting the thirst for wrestling again. He says being remembered by the fans and the wrestlers of today is “pretty awesome.”
– The WWE 2k17 “Suplex City” launch party took place in New York City this week, with guests like Sasha Banks, Goldberg, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Enzo and Cass, The Miz and Maryse, and others. HeymanHustle.com has all of the pics from the event here.
https://youtu.be/Bc6EIcrKBoU
Bill Goldberg appeared at Gamescom 2016 in Cologne, Germany this week, spoke about a potential WWE return and called out WWE 2K17 cover star Brock Lesnar.
Goldberg said that he should be on the cover because he “killed the guy that’s on the cover” when they met in the ring.
In response to fans chanting, “please come back,” Goldberg said that he’ll see what he can do.
Goldberg confirmed he’s headed to New York City for SummerSlam weekend, but that’s all he can say about it right now. He gave the cliche “never say never” and said even at his age (49), he’d have no problem putting his gear on and “ripping people’s faces off again.”
When asked about Brock Lesnar, Goldberg said that Brock knows how he feels about him. They met in the ring back at WrestleMania 20 and he admitted they didn’t have the best match. But Brock knows his power and Goldberg thinks he could give Brock a better challenge than virtually anybody in WWE. Brock knows where to find him.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
Goldberg’s In-Ring Future: “Bill Goldberg, representing WWE 2K17 will be in Brooklyn this weekend doing some promotional work for the video game but could we end up seeing more? Goldberg is in fighting shape and has publicly expressed that he would love to step back in the ring one more time, can you say Wrestlemania in Orlando? That feels like a long shot at best but it is certainly an intriguing idea that many fans would covet. ”
Shawn Michaels Coaching NXT Students: “Upon talking to Shawn Michaels for our next Fox piece, he shared with me that he and his family have relocated to Florida from Texas and that he will be doing some work in the WWE Performance Center which will be a Godsend for the students there … This is a tremendous ‘get’ for WWE even if Shawn is only part time and will make their Performance Center even stronger. Shawn shared with me his genuine excitement to help coach they young talents when his schedule permits and also be a much needed mentor to them.”
Billy Corgan As TNA President: “”I’m told from TNA personnel that the announcement that Billy Corrigan taking over the day to day management of the company has largely reinvigorated the roster. “We now have a chance” I was told. I’m a wrestling fan and hope that all companies promoting the genre are successful and any fan who thinks otherwise isn’t truly a fan.”
Catch JR’s weekly Ross Report podcast over at PodcastOne.com.
Bill Goldberg was a guest on The Steve Austin Show this week, and talked about his brief run in WWE from 2003 to 2004. Goldberg told Austin he wasn’t having fun working for WWE because it seemed like there was always someone fighting against him, and it wasn’t worth the money.
“Life is not always about money, I wasn’t having fun anymore,” Goldberg said of his WWE days.
Goldberg also told an untold story about his time in WCW, during his infamous undefeated streak. Goldberg admits he had a certain level of power in the company, but not enough to call the shots even in an un-televised match. Goldberg shared a story about wanting to put over a hometown wrestler during his streak, and WCW management forbidding it.
“I always felt bad about guys who had been in the business for twenty fu–ing years and they’re jumping off a building for twenty bucks, and here comes Goldberg six months into the business, and I got the fu–ing belt, and I’m making whatever,” Goldberg recalled. “So as a businessman if I had no fu–ing heart then I wouldn’t have given a sh-t and I would have said, ‘You know what, my bank account is getting huge, f–k these other schmucks, put ’em in the backseat and who cares about them.’ But I cared. Bobby Eaton, I wanted to put Bobby Eaton over in his hometown on his birthday in a dark match during my streak. They wouldn’t let me do it”
Goldberg feels he gets a bad rep on the internet due to stories about him in WCW. The former wrestler says he had power at times, but never used it maliciously.
“Nobody fu–ing tells you about [the Bobby Eaton story], it’s always, ‘Goldberg, he was selfish, he was this-and-that,'” he said.
You can listen to the entire podcast with the two former World Heavyweight Champions here.
WWE is looking to bring back numerous stars from the past to pad the rosters for their upcoming brand split. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Carlito, MVP and Stevie Richards have all been contacted about returning. Forbes.com reported that some other big names from the past that have been contacted about returning include Bill Goldberg, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and current TNA star Jeff Hardy.
One former WWE star turned down their offer because he claims he’s making more now working part-time independently than he did full-time in WWE.
According to Meltzer, everyone that’s available is at least being reached out to by WWE in preparation for their brand split. The brand draft is expected to take place on July 11th, with the first live SmackDown airing on Tuesday, July 19th.
WWE posted a behind-the-scenes video from Goldberg’s WWE 2k17 commercial today. In the video, Goldberg credits WWE and 2K for “finally giving people what they want” by putting him in the game. 2K Sports’ Executive Creative Director Pete Harvey says that Goldberg’s ring entrance is iconic, and they wanted to bring that feel to life in their “Hatch” commercial.
“So where should he be? He should be locked up in some cave far away from anyone,” Harvey said of the creative process behind the commercial. “[The police] are traipsing through to forest to find this big set of metal doors that need to be blown open, and of course he’s been waiting there, perched, excited to get back in the ring.”
“He’s escorted back down to the motorcade and they take off, and where they’re going is left to be seen in the rest of the campaign,” Harvey said, indicating that more spots will follow this one.
The former World Heavyweight Champion said that he was excited and feeling nostalgic about filming the spot, and that he hopes to make some kids happy with his work. Goldberg said 2K Sports is a prestigious group of people, and the whole production left him speechless.
Some new details are coming out about Bill Goldberg’s deal with 2K Sports for the upcoming WWE 2K17 video game. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that they first tried to sign Goldberg for previous games, but it was none other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon who put a stop to that.
Goldberg didn’t leave WWE on good terms back in 2004. Meltzer reports that the split left McMahon so negative on the former World Heavyweight Champion that when WWE was in talks to sign UFC’s Mike Goldberg as an announcer, McMahon wanted him to change his name for that reason. The original plan for Goldberg’s arrival in WWE was for him to work a series of three matches against The Rock, but those plans changed to what we ended up seeing on WWE TV when Rock’s movie career took off.
As previously noted, WWE’s Goldberg DVD garnered better sales than the company expected, which could have lead to Vince McMahon signing off on him being included in 2K17.
It was revealed on Monday that former WWE and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg will be the special pre-order bonus character for the upcoming WWE 2K17 video game. IGN recently caught up with Goldberg on the set of his 2K17 commercial, who says it’s an honor to be among the other pre-order characters in the 2K video game series.
“It’s an honor that’s hard to put in words really,” Goldberg said. “All you gotta do is mention the names that came before me, and to know that I’m in the same sentence as those guys, let alone following in their footsteps with this game, it’s a huge honor and not one to be taken lightly.”
Goldberg said that while he would like to wrestle his old WCW opponent Sting again, he’s more excited about dream matches with wrestlers he’s never faced.
“People talked about it for years – Me and Steve Austin, and ‘Taker” Goldberg answered when asked about his dream match up in 2K17. “There are a lot of potential opponents people never got to see me wrestle, so to be able to do that in 2K17, that’s pretty cool.”
Goldberg says if you want to beat his character in the game, he would pick Brock Lesnar. “I think Brock’s probably got the best shot,” Goldberg said of the former UFC Champion.
The former NFL defensive tackle says his matches he would most like to re-create in the game are his battles against Sting and Diamond Dallas Page. “Halloween Havoc with Dallas Page was arguably my best match by far,” he said, “I’d like to see that one reenacted in the game.”
The game is now available for pre-order at WWE.2k.com to receive Goldberg as a playable character. The game hits shelves in October for PS4, XBox One, PS3 and XBox 360.
During Monday’s RAW, the first trailer aired for this year’s WWE 2K17 video game and it was revealed that Big Goldberg is this year’s special pre-order bonus character. This was the culmination of WWE’s #Hatch social media campaign.
Goldberg will appear in the game as two playable characters representing his WCW and WWE personas. The playable characters, along with two playable arenas (WCW Monday Nitro and Halloween Havoc) will be available as bonus content for those who pre-order the game.
As was the case when The Ultimate Warrior signed on to appear in WWE 2K14, Goldberg’s deal is with 2K, not WWE directly. Despite Goldberg being very outspoken about WWE since his final match for the company at WrestleMania XX, bringing Goldberg back in the fold in some capacity has been many years in the making.
“After 12 years away from the business, I’m incredibly honored to work with WWE and 2K while following in the footsteps of such greats as Ultimate Warrior, Sting and Arnold Schwarzenegger,” Goldberg said in a press release. “My son was a big part of this coming together, and I can’t wait for him to see his dad kicking ass in a WWE ring through the magic of video games. I encountered the likes of The Rock, Triple H, Brock Lesnar and Ric Flair during my WWE career, and now through WWE 2K17, I’ll be taking on the biggest and baddest Superstars of today – showing them once and for all that I am still ‘Da Man!’”
As recently as last year, Goldberg is on the record saying that he would consider getting back in a WWE ring if the terms were right. Back in January 2015, Goldberg told Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald that he’s in the best shape of his life and would wrestle for WWE if his son Gage wanted him to.
“We know it was a kind of a disgruntled marriage between myself and WWE. I don’t really sit down and watch the product with my son,” Goldberg said. “If it was something he came up to me and asked me to do I would do it. He has yet to do it.”
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE’s Goldberg DVD sold very well, far better than anybody expected, which likely led to this deal being made. Sting’s involvement in last year’s WWE 2K game led to him wrestling several matches for the company (including a high-profile WrestleMania match) and a Hall of Fame induction.
Meanwhile, there was an “easter egg” at the end of the WWE 2K17 Goldberg trailer that a lot of fans might have missed on first viewing. As Goldberg was being hauled away in the back of a police car, a Suplex City highway sign is reflected on the car window. Of course, Goldberg’s final WWE match was against Brock Lesnar, so 2K is already tapping into that feud to build interest in WWE 2K17.
Visit WWE.2K.com now to pre-order WWE 2K17 and receive Goldberg as a playable character. WWE 2K17 will be released this October for PlayStation 4, XBox One, PS3 and XBox 360.
– WWE taped Apollo Crews vs. Stardust and Bo Dallas vs. Cesaro tonight for this week’s WWE Superstars episode.
– Here’s the promo for Mick Foley’s WWE Network podcast with Shane McMahon, airing after Raw on May 23:
– Batista wrote this response to a fan who thinks Batista vs. Goldberg would be one of the greatest WWE WrestleMania matches:
https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/729769930451783680
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his official blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on how WWE should handle the build to WrestleMania 32, some of the big stars they could bring in and more. Below are some of the highlights.
On the WWE title being ‘tepid’ heading into WrestleMania season:
“I can’t recall the WWE Title being more ‘tepid’ than it is right going into [WrestleMania season] for WWE. This is not an indictment on Sheamus who I have great respect for and love his work ethic but the title lost a great deal of luster after Seth Rollins suffered an untimely, major knee injury.”
On the two biggest stars WWE can bring in for WrestleMania 32:
“The two most viable stars that WWE could bring in for WM32 or so it seems might be Goldberg and Batista. Austin and HBK are adamant that their wrestling days are history, Hogan is still on the outs with the company plus he doesn’t need to wrestle a match with his back condition and Rock has movie commitments I’m told as does Ronda Rousey.
For those that think that Austin and HBK would do ‘one more match’ for the right money, please, just stop it.”
On Daniel Bryan awaiting doctor’s clearance:
“As Dave Meltzer and I discussed this week on The Ross Report Podcast, if Dr. Joe Maroon, WWE’s medical guru, doesn’t clear Daniel Bryan we don’t think it matters how many other doctor’s say that it’s OK for DB to return to the ring. If I was still in charge of WWE roster, I’d go strictly on what Dr. Maroon says.”
Earlier this week, former WCW star Bill Goldberg spoke to TMZ Sports and surprised many fans by saying that WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin would purposely not drink his beers when celebrating in the ring during his WWE career.
Goldberg claimed that Austin would let the beer spill all over himself and the ring. Meanwhile, he proudly touted the fact that unlike Austin, he always drank his beers.
On Tuesday, TMZ Sports released a new video interview with Austin. In the video, which you can watch above, “The Rattlesnake” said Goldberg is “full of sh*t.”
Austin admitted that he spilled about half of the beer he drank all over himself, but that he absolutely drank the rest, noting that he left the ring with a buzz on many occasions.
In an interview with Ring Rust Radio, former WCW Champion Goldberg discussed who he would choose for his final opponent, and detailed his controversial WrestleMania 20 match with Brock Lesnar. You can listen to the full podcast here. Here are some highlights:
On his ideal opponent for his final match ever:
It would be Austin for sure. Brock would be a good one since we have unfinished business. At the end of the day that everyone clamors for, and I even clamor for, would be Austin and me. There will always be a question mark there unless we were to do something one on one. It’s kind of a match made in heaven.
Was he happy with his match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 20:
No, I mean you play the cards you are dealt. At the end of the day, we were up against an impossible task to entertain a group of people that 100 percent know you are both leaving after that match. Utter distain is what we received from the fans. Would I change anything about? Yeah, I would change everything about it. At the end of the day, if you take it for what it was, it was an interesting match. The overtone was so skewed, it was just such a weird situation and insurmountable task. Would I change anything? Yes. Would I change everything? Yes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaYKReWh8p0
Why he feels he never clicked in WWE:
Because I was a football player and competitor in life and those were a bunch of fraternity boys.
Goldberg is currently working on an action film called Check Point, to be released next year.
Related: Bill Goldberg Explains Why He Feels Vince McMahon & Triple H Have “Great Disdain” For Him
Wrestling legend Bill Goldberg dusted off his wrestling boots this past weekend.
The former WCW and WWE Superstar got physically involved at the Legends Of Wrestling event at Citi Field in New York City on Sunday night.
Goldberg hit the ring during a match and speared Scott Steiner, a former WCW rival of Goldberg’s that he has been working an internet angle with for the past few weeks. After the big spear, Goldberg hit Doc Gallows with his Jackhammer finisher before celebrating with the crowd.
Check out photos of Goldberg’s spear and Jackhammer:
https://instagram.com/p/3puq1Ox7jB
https://instagram.com/p/3puhsVx7ig
https://instagram.com/p/3pumZER7iy
Wrestling legend Bill Goldberg recently spoke with Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com to promote his appearance at the Legends of Wrestling event on June 7th at Citi Field in Queens, New York.
On what it would take for him to return to the ring: “A hell of a lot of money. One hell of a sit-down meeting with me about the complete details of how they plan on doing it. With the option on the table of me doing it myself, that’s pretty nice.”
On running his own wrestling show for his in-ring return: “I would never run a promotion in this business, no. It’d be a one-time card, a special event.”
On his Scott Steiner promo, which you can see above: “He [Steiner] said some stuff about me, typical stuff, promos. Trying to goad me into this and that. Like I said, if he has anything to say, I’ll save a seat for him right next to me.”
On his opinion of Steiner: “I loved working with him, he’s awesome. I love everything he does with the Big Poppa Pump deal, it’s great.”
Tickets are available for Goldberg’s appearance at the Legends of Wrestling event on June 7th at Citi Field in Queens, New York at Mets.com.
Bill Godberg recently spoke to The Inquisitr to promote the upcoming Legends of Wrestling event on June 7th from Citi Field in New York, New York. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
His Heel Turn In WCW:
“I’m glad because I can be a role model for kids but oh man, did I want to be a heel. I would have been the best Bruiser Brody’ish, bald, freaking monster anybody would have been. People think Brock [Lesnar] is good as a heel, oh man. They turned me one time in WCW in Baltimore, the night before I wrestled Hacksaw Jim Duggan and he just got over surgery and he had cancer. I had to go out and blast him and had a Make-A-Wish girl in the back, with cancer. So I come back after the match and she’s in tears, wrestling is wrestling, I get it, the good, bad and evil and trying to storyline people in and out of what they think is going to happen. But I wasn’t going to do that. I failed as a wrestler in that I didn’t turn heel but I think I won as a human being. Because if there is one girl or one kid that thinks less of me and doesn’t idolize me because of the fictitious stuff I’ve done in the ring in a negative fashion, I don’t want to risk that. I didn’t reach the level I could have reached but it doesn’t matter to me. That one little girl destroyed me and I told them the next day that we’re going back., immediately.”
The Undertaker:
“Mark’s awesome, dude. Talk about revolutionizing the business, he was unbelievable and to see that he still does it in some capacity is unbelievable. And he’s a great guy and I very much appreciate him both in and out of the ring.”
Although former WCW acts such as Sting and the nWo made recent WWE appearances at WrestleMania 31, another former WCW performer — Bill Goldberg — guarantees we’ll never see him in WWE again.
Goldberg revealed during a recent interview with FOX Sports that he would be making a return to the pro wrestling world for at least one more match, but promises it won’t be with WWE.
“I’m going to make an appearance in professional wrestling, but it won’t be for the WWE,” Goldberg said last weekend while attending the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. “If I put wrestling boots and wrestling trunks on one last time — and I’m going to — it’s going to be done by me, and me only.”
Goldberg also noted that he is “sick and tired of dealing with promoters,” and thanks to the connections he’s made over the years, he can come back to pro wrestling without having to deal with them.
“I will be in the ring again, but I can guarantee you it won’t be with the WWE again,” Goldberg said point blank during the interview.
The former WCW mega-star also spoke about how he’s not afraid to say things about Vince McMahon or the WWE, unlike many other wrestlers in the business.
“Anything I did with the WWE was not therapeutic, by any stretch of the imagination,” said Goldberg. “The reality is that nobody’s going to tell you that because they have an umbilical cord hooked to Vince McMahon. I, ladies and gentlemen, do not. So therefore, I can say what I want and not have any repercussions because I don’t rely on them for a job.”
To read the complete interview, visit FOXSports.com.
Former WWE and WCW Superstar Bill Goldberg will be delivering the driver instructions at the Ford City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Goldberg recalled that it was a WCW appearance at the same speedway years ago that ignited his passion for motor sports.
“I was standing in the pits wearing an ugly purple WCW shirt,” Goldberg told the Johnson City Press.
“Grissom was driving that ugly (No. 29) car around the track, but it gave us an opportunity to get out there. It started a passion for me that hasn’t died down yet.”
“I’m very lucky,” he continued. “I try to look at it like what I’ve done in the past is in the past. I try to do something new every day.”
Check out the complete article at JohnsonCityPress.com.
The following are highlights of a new Submission Radio interview with Bill Goldberg:
On if he believes Brock Lesnar would go back to the UFC and have another successful run: “I think so. I think if Brock….you know I haven’t trained with Brock. I don’t know exactly what he does, but if I were him I’d spend 75 percent of my time on stand up. I believe that if he does it properly he can go back and dominate, but if he doesn’t do it properly he’ll go back and the same thing will happen, you know [as] towards the end of his tenure. It’s all about growing. It’s all about being able to look at yourself in the mirror and look at your deficiencies, and be man enough, and be egoless to go out and put yourself in negative situations in training so that you could learn.”
On Jon Jones drug situation and thoughts on how the UFC handled it: “When I saw Dana White’s comment about “this is the best thing that could have happened” you know I was appalled. But once you sit back and think about it, for Jon Jones the person this is the best thing that could have happened. Do I like Jon Jones as a fighter? Was I cheering for Jon Jones against Cormier? No. Do I appreciate his ability? Do I think he is pound for pound the narliest MMA fighter on the planet? Absolutely. Can I appreiace the fact that he’s made it to that level by training his ass off, and being unique, and being innovate? Absolutely. Do I like him as a person on a post-fight interview? Absolutely not. Do I like the eye pokes and do I like the knee kicks? Absolutely not. I think that’s cheap.
I think he can be a much better fighter, and be a much better champion, and be a much better example for people to follow, if he sat back and just understood that some of things that he says and some of the things that he does need to be tweaked a little bit. And hey, I don’t know Jon, but I love him to death because he’s a guy that worked his ass off to make it to the top of his field. As a human being I want the best for Jon Jones. UFC on the other hand, what they did with this situation; until I get 100 percent of the information straight in front of me so I could look at it, I think passing judgement not really knowing everything, I think they dropped the ball. Because they’ve been fighting for what, 20 years to try and get a positive impression from everyone? From trying to get into New York state, from trying to get into these states that John McCain kept them out of years and years ago.
I think it would be in their interest to do the right thing. And you know the definition from the committee about in-season testing and what ‘in-season’ means is absolutely appalling. It’s ridiculous and it’s a technicality, and it’s something that if they would have pulled Jones from the fight, god knows how many millions of dollars they would have lost, and they would have had to refund. I can’t tell you how long it’s been that I have been wanting for a fight to happen such as Cormier and Jones. You know [Robbie] Lawler and [Johny] Hendricks I definitely wanted to see that one, but there’s other fights that you want to see. But if they would have taken that one off the plate then that was a huge loss for them in a lot of ways. So I understand from a business stand point why nothing was done, but it doesn’t look real good from the outside looking in. So I think something has to be done. I know Jon Jones is going to come back bigger and better, and look at it from a wrestling stand point; a lot of people though he was a dick beforehand, though he was a great fighter.
I made the analogy yesterday; it’s like I’m a car guy, I love muscle cars. And if I see a low-rider going down the street, and it’s perfect, immaculate, I’m gonna appreciate it, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. So I have a lot of respect for him, but I don’t like some of the things that he says and some of it, he’s like a little baby sometimes, you know? That’s not the way a champion is. And 90 percent of the time he’s a great champion, but there’s just some things that I’m not in favour of. But hey, it makes him look like a heel, and you need a heel. And does it show a character turn, and is this the thing that puts everyone back in his corner, and even the people that didn’t like him before put in his corner? Hey, absolutely. But at the end of the day none of that matters. We’re talking about one human being and their struggle with drugs, and I hope nothing but the best for Jon Jones.”
On if he would consider displaying his skills in at least an exhibition or amateur fight? “Abso-damn-lutely. That is in the back of my mind and it has been for the past couple of months, and you know, hey I’m 48 years old. The reality is that it’s not like I didn’t retire from the NFL because of injuries. So my body is torn to shreds, but I continue to have the desire to compete. I talked to Royce Gracie this morning, same thing with him. You know warriors never die, they just get older. And you know things change a bit, but you know the spirit never dies. Therefore every day I look for some type of physical test, and you know whether it’s putting myself against myself, which is my own worst critic and no question my biggest advisory.
You know if I can please myself, then I can guarantee you that I could go out there and have some fun with people. You know Rampage [Jackson] and I were supposed to train earlier in the week. He unfortunately has the flu. We’ve got a number of guys at the gym that like to trade punches. That’s a lot of fun. And we got a big autograph session at Magic City Comicon in Miami coming up this weekend, and I did an interview yesterday the Miami State and put it out there that I want to train some Muay Thai. American Top Team through an invitation out, you know a number of other people did. Hey man, I don’t have an ego. I’ve done more in my life than 90 percent of the people could ever imagine doing. And so I don’t have an issue.
Go on YouTube right now and have a look at the video that I posted of Jimmy Pedro the US Olympic Judo coach tossing me around like a doll. Well Jimmy weighs about 180 pounds, and if I had an ego and if I was worried about what people think, I wouldn’t put that online. But I thought it would be great, and I thought it would be killer to be able to feel that from a professional. From one of the best in the world. I have no problem training with anybody and getting beaten by anybody, because anytime you’re getting beaten in a brawl; you know the good ones are the ones who prosper from that, and they learn, and they get bigger, and they get better, and they grow in the knowledge department.”
Wrestling legend Bill Goldberg says he’s still interested in a return to the ring, but would first have to patch up his rocky relationship with WWE.
During an interview with the Miami Herald to promote his appearance at this weekend’s Magic City Comic Con event in Miami, Goldberg spoke about being in the best shape of his life, despite turning 48 years old last month. He told Scott Fishman:
“I could still do it. I’m probably in the best shape of my life right now. I made the statement that I would never consider wrestling over the age of 40 when I was over 40-years-old. Here I am two clicks away from the big one (50). Having children changes your outlook 100 percent of your life. If it came to fruition, I would seriously consider it. With that said, it’s not going to stop my heart that I didn’t attain that by any stretch of the imagination.“
Goldberg has been vocal about not being on the same page with WWE in recent years, but WWE has patched things up with wrestlers who have been on much worse terms than him. The motivating factor would be his so Gage wanting to see him perform.
“We know it was a kind of a disgruntled marriage between myself and WWE. I don’t really sit down and watch the product with my son. If it was something he came up to me and asked me to do I would do it. He has yet to do it.”
E-C-W! E-C-W! E-C-W!
The chants can still be heard today. In fact, WWE still capitalizes on those three letters to this very day.
For example, last Monday night after RAW, WWE premiered “ECW Exposed” on the WWE Network as part of a full “ECW Week” theme for their digital subscription service.
Next Tuesday night, a second edition of “ECW Exposed” is scheduled to air on the WWE Network.
Hell, this weekend, Tommy Dreamer will be presenting the seventh “House Of Hardcore” event, which is considered by many to be a show with the old “ECW feel” to it.
My question is this, why do we see so many ECW reunion shows, but no WCW reunion shows? I’m assuming it has a lot to do with dollars and cents.
For an ECW reunion show to be held, you need at least some of the following guys: Paul Heyman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Taz, Bully Ray, Devon, Terry Funk, The Sandman, Rob Van Dam, Raven and Shane Douglas. Sure, there are many other names you can go with, but you need at least a few of those guys on the event for it to feel like a legitimate ECW reunion show.
For a WCW reunion show to be held, you need at least some of the following guys: Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair, Sting, Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Diamond Dallas Page, Lex Luger, Sid Vicious, Jeff Jarrett, Scott Steiner and Rick Steiner. Again, many names are missing, but the fact remains, the price tags of the key guys needed for an ECW reunion show versus the price tags for a WCW reunion show are world’s apart.
WWE has at different points in time had enough of the aforementioned WCW names under contract, and certainly has enough money to secure the stars they didn’t have at a particular point in time, to put together a legitimate WCW reunion show.
Outside of the financial side of putting together a reunion show for the former two biggest rival promotions to WWE, there is the financial side of how much these shows would generate.
When you compare the amount of DVDs sold between “The Rise & Fall Of ECW” and “The Rise & Fall Of WCW,” again you will notice that they are world’s apart.
When ECW went out of business in 2001 they were still a beloved promotion that just didn’t have the financial backing or television exposure to stay afloat. When WCW went out of business in 2001 they barely had a pulse.
The fan-base for ECW was a rabid, cult-like fan-base that loved their home-promotion dearly. The fan-base for WCW by the time the company folded in 2001 was practically nonexistent.
Still, it feels like there is enough WCW nostalgia for a reunion show to work. Anytime rumors circulate that claim WWE is in negotiations with Goldberg, Sting, or any of the other major names wrestling fans associate with WCW, there is a huge buzz. Fans are excited at the prospect of these guys coming into the current fold and squaring off against today’s crop of WWE Superstars.
Currently, there is a lot of interest in a Sting vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania. There has been buzz in the recent past about a possible showdown between Goldberg and his modern-day carbon-copy Ryback. There’s even been a lot of interest in “The Hulkster” lacing up his red and yellow boots once more.
If WWE were to sign all of these guys, or ever considered the idea at any point in time, why is it out of the realm of possibility that a WCW reunion show would be a success? Personally, I think it would work, however, I think WWE wants the WCW legacy buried and forgotten, and wants the fans of today to only remember history the way Vince McMahon and company choose to portray it.
Ever watched the “Monday Night War” documentary series on the WWE Network? Right there is a perfect example of the WWE-version of history being told.
The fact is, ECW was never a close second to WWE. They definitely provided a template on how to change the wrestling product into something more modern that fans of that generation soaked up in droves. The fact remains, however, that WCW was kicking WWE’s ass for a lengthy period of time.
Prior to that, when WWE was the top dog, WCW was always nipping at their heels. NWA before WCW was at times a close-second to WWE, and for a long period of time was considered to have the better talent roster. Additionally, NWA would beat WWE in television ratings on a somewhat regular basis before fans really paid attention to TV ratings or considered them any legitimate measure of success, as was the case when the ratings became the focal point of the WWE vs. WCW “Monday Night Wars.”
Outside of WrestleMania once a year, WWE puts on pay-per-views that for the most part feel the same. Nothing seems special or different about them anymore, and the entire idea behind a pay-per-view is to put on an event that feels bigger and more unique than a typical weekly wrestling television program.
Unfortunately, current WWE pay-per-views just feel like a slightly better version of a solid edition of WWE RAW and/or WWE SmackDown, when the company should be striving to put on pay-per-views that feel like “must see” or “can’t miss” programming.
Something tells me if WWE were to book a WCW reunion pay-per-view, if they booked the right guys, it would generate a ton of interest and likely draw a solid buyrate. It would garner interest from fans who escaped the wrestling bubble and moved on with their lives back in 2001 when the only alternative to the WWE-style of wrestling went out of business.
Picture it guys — WCW One Night Stand!
I’d fork out $44.95 and spend three hours of a Sunday evening to watch it.
And something tells me many others would as well.
How about you? Would you be interested in buying a “WCW Reunion” pay-per-view event? Let us know by posting your feedback in the “Comments” section below. You can also connect with me directly on Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or on Twitter @MBoone420.
– Goldberg’s debut on WCW Nitro was 17 years ago to the day this past Monday. As a result, Big E. and Xavier Woods paid tribute to him on the WWE App this week in a comedy segment, which you can check out at WWE.com.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently responded to a fan on Twitter who asked him if Sting should wrestle more than one match for WWE. JR replied by saying the following:
“@JuanDeMarco4: @JRsBBQ Do u think @Sting will do more than 1 match in Wwe???”
He could but I wouldn't. One match at WM31 is the deal
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 24, 2014
– The latest edition of Goldberg’s “Who’s Next with Goldberg” podcast, which features an interview with MMA legends Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
GB – Ep15 – Randy Couture & Frank Shamrock
“Goldberg is joined by Spike TV Gym Rescue hosts (and ultimate fighting legends) Randy Couture & Frank Shamrock, who trade some wild behind the scenes stories.”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with the champion of his “Broken Skull Challenge” reality show, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASc – EP147 – BSC Men’s Champ Tommy Hackenbruck
“Broken Skull Challenge Men’s Champ Tommy “Hacksaw” Hackenbruck talks to Steve about what it took to beat the Skullbuster, and his experiences on Broken Skull Challenge. Tommy also has plenty of tips to share about Crossfit training, and competing in the new Grid League. Plus, here about his days playing college ball for coach Urban Meyer.”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.