During the late 1990s professional wrestling boom, there were few names bigger than that of Bill Goldberg. Becoming a mega-star for WCW in 1998, Goldberg rode a wave of popularity on the back of an undefeated streak that ultimately resulted in him winning the WCW World Championship from Hulk Hogan at the Georgia Dome on an episode of WCW Monday Nitro in July of 1998.
Bill Goldberg eventually made his way to WWE following the closing of WCW, wrestling for WWE in 2003 and 2004. Goldberg’s last high profile professional wrestling match was at WrestleMania XX in 2004, when he faced off against Brock Lesnar. Prior to the match, wrestling fans got wind that both Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar were planning on leaving wrestling after the event, so the fans took it upon themselves to takeover the WrestleMania bout and chant negative things at both competitors. Bill Goldberg has not been seen on a major wrestling show since.
In a recent interview with Jay W. Pennell of FOX Sports, Goldberg talked about the possibility of returning to the professional wrestling ring one last time.
“I’m going to make an appearance in professional wrestling, but it won’t be for the WWE. 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.”
Bill Goldberg’s comment about not wanting to make his final wrestling appearance for WWE is surprising. A couple of months back, Goldberg had mentioned that he would seriously consider one more match for WWE. In the recent interview with FOX Sports, note that Goldberg didn’t say that this is just a mere possibility. In regards to a prospective match, Bill noted “I’m going to.” So the question is, who would Golberg step in the ring for? Outside of WWE, the most logical option for Goldberg in America would be to wrestle for TNA. Another possibility would include Jeff Jarrett’s new Global Force Wrestling, which will reportedly feature some big name talent when the company starts up this summer .
Otherwise, Bill Goldberg could always take his talents overseas and wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling. This wouldn’t be the first time that a big name American star has traveled across the Pacific Ocean to wrestle for NJPW. Following his previous departure from WWE in 2004, Brock Lesnar wrestled for NJPW and won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
During the interview with FOX Sports, Goldberg didn’t mince any words concerning the disdain he had for his time spent with WWE.
“Anything I did with the WWE was not therapeutic by any stretch of the imagination. 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.”
[Image via Wikipedia]