Yesterday marked Goldberg’s 20 year anniversary in Professional Wrestling. WWE interviewed the WCW Legend on this occasion and below are the highlights from this interview:
What do you remember about your first few matches where you would just go out and wreck guys?
“Oh, I was absolutely terrified. The biggest thing with me, and people don’t get it, is that I greatly appreciate the opportunity from the wrestling world to give me a chance because I was not from the wrestling world. I was from elsewhere; I was looked upon as an outsider. Fortunately, I had success in another endeavor and then came over to try and steal some of the glory from you guys. [Laughs] That may not be the case, but it’s hard not to feel like that. And I was resented.
I was just there to try and help bring in some money, raise the bar and be part of the team. That’s it, end of story. I never tried to be selfish, I always tried to lead and I always tried to make everybody better. It’s not just about a money grab because I took a lot of pride in it.”
You attained a lot of success in a very short period of time. In retrospect, do you think you were ready for that much success that fast?
“It’s hard to answer that. Who’s ready for something like that? I think I did an alright job at it. I don’t know if I was completely ready, but I don’t know if anybody is. I was just really lucky to be in that situation. It was an honor and a privilege to represent guys who’d aspired to do this their entire lives and, oh, by the way, they let me in on this exclusive club and somehow, I succeeded.”
You were very successful in WCW, then you did your year in WWE and your character changed a bit. Yet, when you came back last year, you returned to that very basic formula of Spearing guys and being Goldberg again. What was it like for you to go back to that state of mind?
“It was very rewarding, kind of full circle. Wrestling is wrestling. It is what it is, and we all are lucky enough at certain times to acquire this other character. I’m honored and privileged to have been that guy and to have had that opportunity to be the original guy. You know, no holds barred, what you see is what you get, speak straight from the heart and I’m gonna crush your face and rip your ears off. But hey, man, I was very honored to be able to be that guy again.”
We’re doing this interview because it’s your 20-year anniversary. What does it feel like to be able to look back and say it has been 20 years since all this happened?
“I’m friggin’ old, dude. [Laughs] Like I said, I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world. To be able to look back 20 years ago today when I have a beautiful wife and a beautiful son, and be able to share some memories with them in real time looking back on it, I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world. I couldn’t have done it without every single wrestler, coach, promoter and the fans. It’s one thing that people have always got to understand about me: I’m very appreciative of my position and I worked my a– off to get here.”
Do you think we’ll see you back anytime soon?
“Ask your boss! [Laughs] Hey, man, never say never, dude. Stranger things have happened. I did sit [around] for 13 years and then suddenly appear back in the ring. Let’s just say it ain’t gonna take nearly the effort to get me ready again that it did last time. So, I’ll see you on the rebound for damn sure.”
