Goldberg, a force of nature in the late 90s wrestling boom, has offered a candid look into his mindset during his WCW heyday. In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, he discussed his legendary match against Diamond Dallas Page at Halloween Havoc 1998, and his revelation about his self-protective approach.
The DDP Match: A Career Highlight and a Learning Experience
Goldberg defeated DDP in the main event, retaining his WCW World Heavyweight Championship. This match is widely regarded as the best of Goldberg’s career, showcasing a level of in-ring storytelling and athleticism that surprised many.
“Dallas came to me with 14 pages of a match and I think he wanted me to spear him 7 times. Prior to that, I only speared anybody one time,” Goldberg recalled. This detail highlights the collaborative effort and creative input that went into crafting the match.
Sting, a respected veteran, offered his perspective, stating, “You know what Bill, I think that was one of the best matches and best decisions of your life.” Goldberg acknowledged the wisdom of Sting’s words, admitting that he should have been more open to such creative collaborations.
“A Mark For Myself”: Goldberg’s Self-Protective Approach
Goldberg addressed the common criticism that he was “a mark for himself,” meaning someone overly protective of their own character. “I was a mark for myself because nobody else had my back. Nobody,” he explained.
He attributed this self-protective approach to his unique position as a former professional football player entering a world dominated by lifelong wrestling enthusiasts.
“I came in as a professional football player and I tried to take dudes jobs that have been in the sport and business since childhood because that’s the only thing they ever wanted to do, and it meant so much to them. I took that for granted a little bit. I always came in it with a different mentality.”
A Different Mentality: Goldberg’s Success and Legacy
Goldberg acknowledged that his “different mentality” was both a strength and a weakness. “At the end of the day, if I didn’t have that different mentality, I wouldn’t have been what I was, and what I was, was something different. I think I was fairly successful at it. I still haven’t seen people do some of the stuff I was able to do.”
His intensity, his explosive power, and his unwavering belief in his own abilities propelled him to the top of WCW. He was a unique performer, and he knew it.
Goldberg’s candid reflection on his WCW career provides a fascinating insight into his mindset during a pivotal period. His acknowledgement of his self-protective approach, and his recognition of the DDP match as a career highlight, offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and often misunderstood performer.
Also Read: Goldberg Assaulted WCW Wrestler For A Funny Reason
