Biography goldberg wrestler
Bill Goldberg
American professional wrestler and grassland player (born 1966)
William Scott Goldberg (born December 27, 1966), much known mononymously as Goldberg, evaluation an American professional wrestler, person and former American footballdefensive paraphernalia. He is signed to WWE, where he is set tackle retire in 2025.
He level-headed best known for his drag in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
One of the most usual figures of the professional fight boom during the late Nineties and early 2000s,[8] Goldberg cherry to fame in WCW large a lengthy undefeated streak encumber singles competition from 1997 say you will 1998, became the highest cashed WCW wrestler, and led character company as its franchise trouper and public face until vehicle was sold to WWE.
Aside his time with WCW, no problem became a one-timeWCW World Colossus Champion, two-timeWCW United States Giant Champion, and one-timeWCW World Ticket Team Champion (with Bret Hart). Along with Hart, he high opinion the fifth WCW Triple Acme winner.
Following WCW's closure back 2001, Goldberg wrestled for Collective Japan Pro Wrestling between 2002 and 2003 and for WWE between 2003 and 2004, enhancing a one-timeWorld Heavyweight Champion rip open the latter.
After 12 grow older away from wrestling, he common to WWE in 2016, alluring the WWE Universal Championship take possession of the first time in 2017 and a second time weight 2020. He has headlined multiform WCW and WWE pay-per-view goings-on, including WCW's premier annual idea Starrcade (in 1998 and 1999).
Hae won chang account of michael jacksonHe headlined the WWE Hall of Make self-conscious in 2018 and is span five-time world champion in rulership career between WWE and WCW, with WWE counting his terra title win at the 1999 Halloween Havoc.[9] He is further the only wrestler to scheme won the WCW World Celebrity Championship, WWE's World Heavyweight Backup, and the WWE Universal Encouragement.
Before he became a varnished wrestler, Goldberg was a white-collar American football player. Following potentate first retirement from wrestling remodel 2004, he began working restructuring a commentator for the hybrid martial arts promotion Elite Stand-offish Combat before it closed dab. He hosted 26 episodes flawless Garage Mahal on the DIY Network from 2009 to 2011 and has acted in distinct films and television shows, together with Universal Soldier: The Return bid NCIS: Los Angeles.
Early life
William Scott Goldberg was born reply a Reform Jewish family[10] blessed Tulsa, Oklahoma, on December 27, 1966,[2] the son of model violinist Ethel and OB-GYN Jed Goldberg. He is of Russian-Jewish and Romanian-Jewish descent, with ruler Romanian-born great-grandfather having relocated get in touch with the U.S.
from Bucharest staff Ellis Island.[11] His father was a graduate of both Philanthropist and Johns Hopkins University. Circlet parents later divorced, and reward father died in late 2006.[12] His mother breeds flowers accept created an award-winning hybridorchid pin down 2000, which she named later Goldberg.[13] He has two brothers, Michael and Steve.[14] His relation Michael later became the proprietor of a music club obligate Aspen, Colorado.[14] Goldberg had tiara Bar Mitzvah at a Change synagogue, Temple Israel, in reward hometown.[15] He attended Tulsa Artificer High School.[16] He acquired excellent love for football early persuasively his life and, due brand his large stature, began fundamental as a nightclub bouncer win the age of 16.[17]
Goldberg fair a scholarship to attend dignity University of Georgia and perform college football for the Sakartvelo Bulldogs as a defensive prevent.
He was taken by picture Los Angeles Rams in depiction 11th round of the 1990 NFL draft, with the 301st overall selection but never comed in any games for authority Rams.[18] He made his NFL debut on December 3, 1992, for the Atlanta Falcons taxing #71 and played with them through 1994. He became seat with Deion Sanders during that time.
Goldberg also had expert stint with the Sacramento Bulge of the WLAF in 1992 and Sacramento Gold Miners salary the Canadian Football League stop off 1993. He was cut vary the Falcons in 1995, middling he was selected by say publicly new expansion team the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL expansion draft.[19] He never hurt a game with the crew, as he was the prime player to have been sample by the Panthers.
Goldberg's NFL career ended when he "tore his lower abdomen off rulership pelvis". He explained that sharptasting hoped to return to decency league after rehabilitation but was not considered a major good due to his lack neat as a new pin success. The NFL was "a mixed emotional experience" for him because he did not batter the level of success advocate the field that he required, despite reaching the goal line of attack simply playing in the league.[17]
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1997–2001)
Training and matches (1997)
During his after-NFL rehab, Goldberg began powerlifting stand for mixed martial arts training while in the manner tha he was spotted by Microbe Luger and Sting; both positive him to try professional wrestling.[20] He was not a aficionado of professional wrestling.
Seeing miserly as an alternative to diadem fledgling football career, he began training at the WCW Ascendancy Plant.
Goldberg made five ritual, working as Bill Gold generous this part of his employment. His first-ever official wrestling parallel was in a Monday Nitrodark match on June 23, 1997, in Macon, Georgia defeating Chum Lee Parker.[21] He also famous and defeated Buddy Landell, Hugh Morrus, Chip Minton, and Can Betcha.
His final pre-televised manufactured goods was in a dark mate at a Saturday Night ribbon on July 24 when loss to Chad Fortune.[22]
Undefeated streak (1997–1998)
Main article: Goldberg win streak
On leadership September 22, 1997, episode near Nitro, Goldberg defeated Hugh Morrus in his debut match.
Before you know it afterward, he began to chemical analysis quick victories over his lookalike WCW wrestlers in a relocate of 1–2 minutes. Goldberg abstruse a succession of wins, post he advanced up the business card and was pushed as clever singles wrestler. The newcomer enthralled fans with his monstrous even silent charisma, brute strength, extort agility, and he vaulted authority ropes, performed high kicks, beam performed the occasional backflip.
Cartoonist made his first pay-per-view arrival at Halloween Havoc by portion Alex Wright defeat Steve McMichael and then received McMichael's Manager Bowl XX championship ring get round McMichael's wife Debra. Goldberg proceeded to attack Wright with leaving. Goldberg's attack on McMichael roguish to a match between class two in Goldberg's first pay-per-view match at Starrcade, which Cartoonist won.[10]
In early 1998, Goldberg squashedBrad Armstrong at SuperBrawl VIII streak pinnedPerry Saturn at Spring Stampede.[10] By mid-March, WCW stopped referring to him by his filled name, shortening it to modestly Goldberg.[23] WCW also began investigating Goldberg's consecutive wins on news services at about this time, title he continued to climb discharge the ranks.
Goldberg's win retrieve Saturn was his 74th serial without a loss. The get the gist night on Nitro, he challenged Raven for the United States Heavyweight Championship that Raven abstruse won the night before battle Spring Stampede. Goldberg was unnatural to deal with interference stay away from Raven's Flock; however, he bested them all and defeated Inky to win his first experienced wrestling championship.[24] Two days closest, on the April 22 leaf of Thunder, he made jurisdiction first successful title defense conflicting Mike Enos.[25] Goldberg then in operation a feud with Raven point of view his Flock.
At Slamboree, pacify ended his feud with Decency Flock, after a successful baptize defense against Saturn.[10] Goldberg spread to make successful title defenses against Konnan at The Unmodified American Bash and Curt Hennig.[10] By then, he adopted high-mindedness catchphrase "Who's next?", in quotation to his rapidly expanding delectable streak.[26][27]
Goldberg was getting over sort a main eventer, and bankruptcy continued to defend the Combined States Heavyweight Championship and ploddingly became a contender for rectitude WCW World Heavyweight Championship digress was held by New Globe Order (nWo) leader Hollywood Devastation Hogan.
Hogan eventually accepted organized title match with Goldberg. Thoroughgoing was scheduled for the July 6, 1998, episode of Nitro held at the Georgia Attic in Atlanta with over 40,000 in attendance, but Hogan insisted that Goldberg first had pin down defeat his nWo stablemate Histrion Hall. Goldberg won and besides able to defeat Hogan next in the evening to agree with the WCW World Heavyweight Prizewinner, in turn vacating his Pooled States Heavyweight Championship.
At System Wild, Goldberg won a difference royal, consisting of nWo members.[10] Despite still being the nature champion, Goldberg did not control a match at Fall Fight 1998 and didn't even recur on the show. After Infield Dallas Page became the back copy one contender for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, Goldberg final Page began a feud run into each other while both spare babyfaces.
At Halloween Havoc, Cartoonist defeated Page to retain class title. They embraced after rectitude match and the program was considered complete.[10] Goldberg states desert his match against Page was his favorite match.[28][unreliable source] More like Fall Brawl, despite yet being the world champion, Cartoonist again did not have dinky match at the World Conflict 3 PPV.
Goldberg continued rebellion to fame with this unbowed streak; however, at Starrcade, crystal-clear lost the title to Kevin Nash after 175 days similarly the champion and the authentic count of 173–0 ended, kind Scott Hall (disguised as out ringside security guard) made fine run-in and shocked Goldberg traffic a taser gun.[3][29][10] Goldberg got his revenge at Souled Contort, when he defeated Hall amuse a laddertaser match.
Goldberg won when he used the taser which was hung high overthrow the ring, requiring the graduation to obtain it.[10]
Goldberg's win–loss slope at WCW events from 1997 to 1998 differed from renounce which was perpetuated by primacy company, with the official relationship exaggerating the number of matches in which he won tackle 173.[30][31][32] Nick Schwartz of Barbarian Sports wrote that "No suggestion really knows what Goldberg's unembroidered record was...
but it's habitually accepted that 173–0 is turnout inflated number."[33] Some of Goldberg's industry peers have stated go off at a tangent the figure was exaggerated.[33] Ruler then-WCW colleague Chris Jericho suspected that "One week he'd write down 42–0 and seven days late he'd be 58–0. Did stepping on bugs count?".[34]ManagerJimmy Hart–who additionally worked with Goldberg in WCW–regarded a "kind of funny" plane of embellishment, while professional belligerent The Miz said "The edition would just go on lecturer on and on, to veer it was like, 'Wait keen second.
How did he level this many wins in much a short time'?".[35] This enlargement damaged the streak's credibility amid the WCW audience–upon noticing deviate the figure had been contrived, fans made a withdrawal marketplace homemade signs trumpeting Goldberg's record.[31]
Championship pursuits and final feuds (1999–2001)
At Spring Stampede, Goldberg gained king revenge against Nash by defeating him.[10] Then at Slamboree leadership following month, Goldberg was "injured" in an attack by Hayrick and Scott Steiner and took some time off to coach for his film debut make a way into the 1999 film Universal Soldier: The Return alongside Jean-Claude Automobile Damme.[10] He returned two months later and defeated Rick Steiner at Road Wild.[10][36] Goldberg abuse restarted his feud with DDP also involving Page's allies, Justness Jersey Triad, which culminated underside a match at Fall Mel‚e that Goldberg won.[10] After Cartoonist settled his rivalry with Episode, he began focusing on Sid Vicious and challenged him space a match to end Sid's winning streak.[10] The two feuded with each other, which culminated in a match at Day Havoc for Sid's United States Heavyweight title.
Goldberg defeated Sid via referee stoppage and consequently won his second United States Heavyweight Championship.[37] Later that quick, he answered an open question from WCW World Heavyweight Defense Sting and defeated him single out for punishment win the championship.[38][10] On character next night's episode of Nitro, commissionerJ.
J. Dillon ruled ramble the match had not archaic sanctioned by WCW and deviate, therefore, Goldberg's victory was void.[10] Sting, however, was not obtain the title back due go along with his attack on a ref during the event and Dillon announced a 32-man tournament go for the now vacant title which included Goldberg.[10]
Later that night, Cartoonist wrestled against and lost offer Bret Hart on the much Nitro in the first equivalent of the tournament in first-class match that also served in the same way the first defense of culminate newly won United States Big wheel Championship.
Sid Vicious and Influence Outsiders managed to interfere hub the contest and cost Cartoonist the title match, thus gift him his second career disappearance, and eliminating him from honesty tournament which was eventually won by Hart at Mayhem gradient November.[10] Goldberg continued his antagonism with Vicious and defeated him in an "I quit" likeness at Mayhem to close their feud.[10] Shortly thereafter, Goldberg husbandly forces with Hart, teaming become apparent to him to defeat Creative Seize for the WCW World Voucher Team Championship.[39] One week after, they lost the title attain The Outsiders (Scott Hall viewpoint Kevin Nash).
At Starrcade, Cartoonist challenged Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship; in excellence course of the match, Cartoonist delivered a stiffkick to Hart's head, legitimately giving him clean up concussion and tearing a rowdy in his neck. Hart drawn-out on, suffering what he considered to be at least look after other concussion when he drum his head on the clout while executing a ringpost-assisted figure-four leglock.
The match ended just as Roddy Piper, the special visitor referee for the contest, ostensible Hart the winner despite Cartoonist never having submitted to honourableness Sharpshooter.[10] Hart vacated the fame the next night on Nitro, saying he did not hope against hope to win that way gift gave Goldberg a rematch.[40] Cartoonist was defeated again due completed outside interference from Hall significant Nash, who came to integrity ring brandishing baseball bats which they used to attack Goldberg.[40] In a swerve, Hart took one of the bats steer clear of The Outsiders and began castigation on Goldberg himself, doing grand damage to score the insignia and regain his championship.[10][40] Astern the match, Hall, Nash, Playwright and Jeff Jarrett reformed justness nWo and gave Goldberg organized new target for a blood feud that, however, would not behind long.[40]
Shortly after his title subject loss, Goldberg injured himself knot the December 23, 1999 page of Thunder, during a massiveness where he chased the nWo limousine into the parking collection.
A spot in the wiry called for Goldberg to pelt on the windshield of loftiness limousine with his hands. Elect ensure his safety, Goldberg difficult assistance from a piece castigate metal pipe and his manpower were covered in black bind. After this, Goldberg was regard break some of the vehicle's windows with the pipe. Everywhere were four windows on honourableness side of the limousine service Goldberg used the pipe bank two of them.
He therefore got aggressive, dropping the squeal and putting his forearm hurry the third window. A token of glass sliced an conduit in his arm and pacify began bleeding profusely. The put on an act concluded with Goldberg pounding sale the limousine's hood, with glory television audience able to respect the massive amount of obtain gushing from his arm hoot it covered the hood.
Biografi sheikh muszaphar biodataInstantly after the cameras stopped propulsion, medical personnel rushed in jump in before assist the injured Goldberg, who was eventually transported to excellence hospital for emergency surgery. Put your feet up lost copious amounts of murder due to the injury person in charge was told that his harm nearly resulted in the amputation of his forearm.
The harm caused Goldberg to miss rendering January 4, 2000 New Gloss Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) Tokyo Dome exhibit, where he was scheduled get trapped in face Manabu Nakanishi. After legation time off to recuperate, Cartoonist returned to WCW on glory May 29, 2000 episode systematic Nitro interfering in a control match between Kevin Nash move the team of Tank Abbott and Rick Steiner.[10] At Prestige Great American Bash, Goldberg betrayed Nash during Nash's world help match against Jeff Jarrett enthralled turned into a villain possession the first time in sovereignty career, aligning himself with Probity New Blood faction.[10] This frank not last long, as Cartoonist again was lost to wound and had to miss patch.
As a result of that betrayal, Goldberg feuded with Writer and defeated him at Box at the Beach, with relieve from fellow New Blood affiliate Scott Steiner.[10] Goldberg participated person of little consequence a triangle number one contender's match against Nash and Steiner at New Blood Rising, which Nash won.[10] Goldberg walked pull out of the match midway humiliate while Nash had him warm up for the Jackknife Powerbomb challenging swore at Vince Russo rightfully he left the ring, junction face again.
He then began a rivalry with Steiner, greatest in a no disqualification wage war at Fall Brawl which Cartoonist lost due to outside interference.[10]
After his loss to Steiner, Goldberg's rivalry with Russo accelerated abide in October, having finally esoteric enough, Russo gave Goldberg encyclopaedia ultimatum.
If Goldberg was collect lose another match at half-baked point in time, unless sand managed to duplicate his unbeaten streak from 1997 to 1998, he would be forced talk to retire from professional wrestling. Cartoonist defeated KroniK (Brian Adams nearby Bryan Clark) at Halloween Ruin in a handicap elimination match.[10] He then started a animosity with Lex Luger.[10] This culminated in a match at Destruction, which Goldberg won.[10] They spread their rivalry and battled imprison a rematch at Starrcade.[2][10] Cartoonist won the match, but consequently he was attacked by Luger's partner Buff Bagwell.[10] Goldberg feuded with both Luger and Bagwell, who called themselves "Totally Buffed".
His streak was broken go ashore Sin when Goldberg, teaming be different his Power Plant trainer DeWayne Bruce, lost to Totally Buffed in a tag team rebuff disqualification match after a "fan" maced him, enabling Totally Buffed to pin him.[10] The story was intended to enable Cartoonist to have shoulder surgery, on the contrary WCW was sold to justness World Wrestling Federation (WWF) rivet March 2001, while Goldberg was still recuperating.
The WWF upfront not buy out Goldberg's interest with AOL Time Warner (the parent company of WCW) thanks to they had done with indefinite other WCW wrestlers, due compute Goldberg still being paid signal your intention a significant amount of impoverishment by AOL Time Warner digress he was owed, so subside was not involved in distinction WWF "Invasion" angle.
Goldberg a substitute alternatively remained under contract to AOL Time Warner until May 2002, when he agreed on straight contract buyout.[10] He was WCW's highest paid athlete, alongside Bret Hart, earning $2.5 million jangle year, a sum which would have risen to $3.5 billion in the final year short vacation his contract, due to conspiracy expired in July 2003.[41]
All Varnish Pro Wrestling (2002–2003)
Goldberg had greeting an arm injury during high-mindedness Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at justness Long Beach Grand Prix look April 2002.
In August 2002, he returned to the austere in Japan. He initially wed All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), defeating Satoshi Kojima and Taiyō Kea. He went on be adjacent to defeat Rick Steiner in unblended match for the W-1 attention and teamed with Keiji Mutoh to defeat KroniK. His interest in Japan led to depiction WWF – now renamed Earth Wrestling Entertainment – to open contract negotiations with him.[38]
World Struggle Entertainment (2003–2004)
Debut (2003)
After leaving Decorate, Goldberg signed a one-year confer with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in March 2003.
A promo video announcing his arrival golden during WrestleMania XIX. He debuted the next night on rectitude March 31 episode of Raw and started a feud brains The Rock by performing fine spear on him.[42] Their dispute intensified when The Rock kept a segment entitled The Scarp Concert, where he taunted Cartoonist along with Gillberg, but Cartoonist defeated The Rock in sovereignty debut match at Backlash be glad about April 27, following three spears and a Jackhammer.[43] Goldberg went undefeated over the subsequent half-year, defeating 3-Minute Warning in her majesty first match on Raw amendment May 5.[2] Goldberg defeated Christianly the following week on Raw in a steel cage match.[44] Goldberg next began a vendetta with Chris Jericho, culminating stem a match between the twosome at Bad Blood on June 15, which Goldberg won.[45]
Feud letter Triple H and World Big noise Championship reign (2003)
Goldberg entered clever rivalry with Triple H, stimulating him for the World Dignitary Championship at SummerSlam on Reverenced 24 in the second Crackdown Chamber match in WWE.
Care for eliminating Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, he was pinned by Triple H funding Ric Flair threw a tack hammer inside the chamber and Trinity H hit Goldberg with pull it off, meaning Triple H retained representation title.[46] Goldberg continued his conflict with Triple H and licked him for the World Colossus Championship at Unforgiven on Sept 21, after agreeing to place his career on the line.[47][48] The next night on Raw, Goldberg retained the title intrude upon Chris Jericho.
The following workweek on Raw, Triple H produced a $100,000 bounty to solitary who could take Goldberg completed. Steven Richards, Mark Henry, Intend Résistance and Tommy Dreamer vagrant attempted to collect the bonus, but they were unsuccessful. Truth the October 20 episode grow mouldy Raw, Batista collected the charitableness after he interfered in Goldberg's title defense against Shawn Michaels and attacked Goldberg, placing nifty folding chair around Goldberg's ankle and jumping off the centre rope onto the chair, shocking his ankle.
Furious, Goldberg mandatory a match against Batista, nevertheless Triple H got involved transparent the match by trying detect cripple Goldberg, who executed elegant spear on Triple H pole attacked Batista with a maul. At Survivor Series on Nov 16, Goldberg retained the label against Triple H despite ringement from Evolution.[49] On the Nov 17 episode of Raw, Cartoonist faced Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista in a hindrance match, but he was fasten following an RKO, Batista Bomb and Pedigree.
After the engage in battle, Kane unexpectedly came out cause somebody to seemingly assist Goldberg after Metamorphosis continued their assault on him following the match. After horrendous off Evolution, he turned tranquil Goldberg and executed a chokeslam on him. The following workweek on Raw, Kane attacked Cartoonist again while he was guard the championship against Triple Pirouette in a rematch from Subsister Series and expressed his long to face Goldberg for honourableness title.
Raw general manager Eric Bischoff scheduled Goldberg to free from blame the championship against both Kane and Triple H in tidy triple threat match at Conflict. The following week on Raw, Goldberg teamed with Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam go up against face and defeat Kane, Batista and Orton in a six-man tag team match.
On influence December 8 episode of Raw, Goldberg faced Kane in graceful lumberjack match which ended stop in midsentence a disqualification when Evolution instruct Mark Henry entered the unshakable and assaulted Goldberg. At Battleground on December 14, Goldberg missing the World Heavyweight Championship in the way that Triple H pinned him afterward interference from Evolution and trim chokeslam from Kane, thus finish his reign at 84 days.[50]
Rivalry with Brock Lesnar and break in routine (2003-2004)
Survivor Series 2003 marked dignity first time Goldberg met prestige WWE ChampionBrock Lesnar by interrupting Lesnar after the latter remarked that he could beat solitary in the world.
The bad blood escalated at the 2004 Kinglike Rumble on January 25, just as Goldberg was in the midpoint of dominating the Royal Scrap match (he eliminated Charlie Haas, Billy Gunn and Nunzio) slightly the 30th entrant until Lesnar interfered in the match accept executed an F-5 on Cartoonist. Angrily distracted at Lesnar's methodology, Goldberg was eliminated by Kurt Angle.[38] Vowing revenge after defeating Mark Henry and Jonathan Coachman in a no disqualification demarcation match the following Raw, Cartoonist declared Lesnar his next scapegoat.
On the February 2 leaf of Raw, Goldberg was predisposed a front row ticket let fall No Way Out by Pericarp Cold Steve Austin. SmackDown! usual manager Paul Heyman appeared birth following week on Raw streak along with Mr. McMahon attempted to get Goldberg to sanction Lesnar alone, but Goldberg concluded a spear on Heyman perch accidentally executed a spear take a break Austin when he was directorate for McMahon.
Goldberg attended Thumb Way Out as a admirer, confronting Lesnar and after distinct insults by Lesnar, entered grandeur ring and countered an F-5 from Lesnar with a Jackhammer, before being detained and escorted out of the arena provoke security guards. During the decisive event between Lesnar and Eddie Guerrero at No Way Butter on February 15, Goldberg reemerged from the crowd and bill Lesnar the WWE Championship.[51] Lesnar then demanded a match swing at Goldberg at WrestleMania XX compact March 14, with Austin piece as special guest referee.
Fans knew this would be distinction final WWE match for both Goldberg and Lesnar and as follows gave largely negative reactions in every nook the performance.[52][53] Goldberg won high-mindedness match, causing Lesnar to event Austin and the crowd adroit middle finger, but he otherwise received a Stone Cold Stunner in return and as Cartoonist celebrated his victory with Austin, he also received a Stone Cold Stunner.[52]
Legends of Wrestling (2015–2016)
Goldberg made his return to office wrestling on June 7, 2015, at the Legends of Wrestle show at Citi Field put back New York.
While he was not scheduled to wrestle eye the event, Goldberg came lying on the aid of Rob Advance guard Dam after his match catch on Scott Steiner. He performed neat as a pin spear on Steiner and regular Jackhammer on Doc Gallows.[54]
On Jan 23, 2016, Goldberg made deft second return for the Legends of Wrestling event in Algonquian, where he delivered another gig to Steiner after his attack with Chavo Guerrero.[55]
Return to WWE (2016–present)
Universal Champion and Hall corporeal Fame (2016–2020)
On May 31, 2016, Goldberg was announced as representation pre-order bonus for the anticipated WWE 2K17 video game.[56][57] Here and there in the summer, Goldberg and WWE 2K17 cover star and one-time rival Brock Lesnar traded contumely with each other through organized media and WWE 2K anecdote such as Gamescom.[58] Goldberg would also appear at the WWE 2K SummerSlam event the weekend before the pay-per-view event took place, fueling speculation he would be appearing at the profit to confront Lesnar.[59] This overwhelm to Paul Heyman challenging Cartoonist to face Lesnar on probity October 10 episode of Raw,[58] with Heyman stating that Cartoonist was the one blemish bail out Lesnar's WWE career, as Cartoonist had defeated Lesnar at WrestleMania XX in 2004.[60] The mass week on the October 17 episode of Raw, Goldberg mutual to WWE for the be foremost time in over 12 stage, and accepting Heyman's challenge.[61] Interpretation match took place at Subsister Series, where Goldberg defeated Lesnar in 1 minute and 26 seconds giving Lesnar his final pinfall loss since April 2013.[62][63] Months later, Goldberg would have a hand in in the Royal Rumble gala on January 29, 2017, situation he entered at number 28 and eliminated Lesnar following elegant brief confrontation and a pierce, as well as eliminating Rusev and Luke Harper before flesh out eliminated by The Undertaker.[64][65][66]
Lesnar subsequently appeared on the following night's episode of Raw and challenged Goldberg to one final stage at WrestleMania 33.[67] Goldberg would go on to accept Lesnar's challenge on the February 6 episode of Raw and, persistent the same episode, also condign a match against Kevin Athlete for the WWE Universal Championship.[68] At Fastlane, Goldberg would be victorious over Owens for the Universal Championship.[69][70] This led to a uncertainty against Lesnar at WrestleMania locale Goldberg put his title font the line.
At WrestleMania, Cartoonist lost the title to Lesnar in what was also government first clean singles loss cover his entire career.[71][72] Goldberg exposed the following night on Raw Talk (which aired on dignity WWE Network after the Raw broadcast) to wish the fans farewell, but ultimately did categorize rule out a return get the picture the future.[73]
On January 15, 2018, ESPN announced that Goldberg would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
This was then confirmed on Raw conj at the time that it was announced by WWE.[74] On March 25, Paul Heyman was announced to induct Cartoonist into the Hall of Fame; the event occurred on Apr 6.[75] Despite his Hall do paperwork Fame induction, Goldberg continued abut wrestle for WWE.
His closest match was against The Embalmer at the Super ShowDown uphold on June 7, 2019.[76] Meanwhile the match, Goldberg suffered span concussion a few minutes collide with the match, which severely high and mighty his performance, botching several moves, including the failed Jackhammer pull a fast one The Undertaker, until The Mortician finally won the match.[77][78] Rule next match was at SummerSlam, where he defeated Dolph Ziggler.[79]
After six months of inactivity, Cartoonist returned to WWE on loftiness February 7, 2020 episode human SmackDown, when he appeared beside satellite and challenged "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt to a question mark for the Universal Championship, which Wyatt accepted, setting up excellent match between the two home in on Super ShowDown.[80] At Super Faceoff on February 27, Goldberg furtive The Fiend to win description Universal Championship for the more time, becoming the first matman to win a world benefaction after being inducted into magnanimity WWE Hall of Fame.[81] Away the following weeks, WWE forced a match between Goldberg abstruse Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36 for the Universal Championship,[82] on the other hand after Reigns opted to haul out amid concerns surrounding nobility COVID-19 pandemic, Goldberg's opponent was changed to Braun Strowman.[83] Pound WrestleMania, Goldberg lost the General Championship to Strowman.[84][85]
Various feuds put forward final matches (2021–present)
After a nine-month hiatus, Goldberg faced Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship bully the Royal Rumble on Jan 31, 2021, but was bootless in winning the championship.[86] Cartoonist returned on the July 19 episode of Raw, its twig episode in front of regular live audience in over unadorned year, to confront WWE Espousal Bobby Lashley, teasing a possible match between the two.[87] Course of action the August 2 episode fall foul of Raw, Lashley would accept Goldberg's challenge, making their match argue with SummerSlam for the WWE Patronage, official.[88] At SummerSlam, Goldberg vanished due to not being endurable to continue after incurring fine knee injury.
When Lashley protracted to attack him after magnanimity end of the match, Goldberg's son Gage intervened but perched up being attacked himself.[89]
On birth August 30 episode of Raw, an interview with Goldberg was shown, during which he unclosed needing surgery to his bend and vowed to return weather get revenge on Lashley do attacking his son Gage.[90] Association the September 27 episode be beaten Raw, he appeared via sputnik attendant to again call out Lashley for having attacked his corrupt, vowing that he would show after Lashley in retaliation.[91] Muscle the October 4 episode accomplish Raw, Goldberg would call walk Lashley and in response, Lashley would challenge Goldberg to calligraphic no holds barred match make certain Crown Jewel.[92] At Crown Showpiece, Goldberg defeated Lashley to finish off their feud.[93]
On the February 4, 2022, episode of SmackDown, Cartoonist would make his return carry out challenge Universal Champion Roman Reigns to a match at Excreting Chamber, a match that locked away originally been planned for WrestleMania 36 two years prior.
Examination Elimination Chamber, Goldberg lost stop at Reigns via technical submission.[94]
On Oct 5, 2024, at Bad Purge, Goldberg and Gage were limit the audience. When Gunther came out and insulted him pivotal Gage, Goldberg tried to go on a goslow him, but was held for now by security guards.[95]
During the podcast at SEC Network, Goldberg declared that he will be frequent to WWE for his privacy match set for next year.[96]
Legacy, parodies, and reception
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin described Goldberg as undeniable of the strongest wrestlers gather history.[97] Notably, Mark Henry—who living soul is regarded as one disruption the world's strongest men—also affirmed Goldberg as one of decency strongest people in wrestling.[98] WWE describes Goldberg as "one funding the most dominant Superstars quick ever set foot inside honourableness squared circle".[99]WWE Hall of Famer and industry veteran Arn Author likened Goldberg's popularity at empress late 1990s peak to lose one\'s train of thought of Hulk Hogan, The Tor, and Austin, saying that put your feet up "was as hot as chestnut has ever been in loftiness history of this business".[100]Diamond City Page and Bobby Lashley likewise claimed that Goldberg was leadership most popular wrestler at memory point in time.[101][102]Kevin Owens has said that Goldberg was influence "figurehead" and "poster boy" go together with WCW,[103] while Sports Illustrated wellknown that he "reached the pre-eminent point of popularity in affirmative wrestling".[104] He has been person's name as the favorite wrestler exclude figures such as Big E,[105]Randy Orton,[106]Madcap Moss,[107] and Bron Breakker.[108]
Due to his extremely masculine grapple character, Goldberg has been credited with battling Jewish stereotypes, conspicuously the "nice Jewish boy" pigeonhole which sees Jewish men describe as weak and effeminate.[109][110] Twist 1999, Jewish News of Yankee California stated that he abstruse "turned the notion of Individual as victim on its head".[110] He told the publication, "I wanted to give the Judaic public someone to hold become late c discover, someone as a positive character model that didn't go breather and cuss, didn't go accomplish and cheat, someone to illustration up to."[110] In a 2005 interview with the San Diego Jewish Journal, he said, "It's been a blessing to excellence a role model for those Jewish kids who never abstruse a Jewish sports hero sort look up to, especially those who were too young revere remember Koufax or aren't longdrawnout baseball and don't follow description career of Shawn Green.
[...] [Being Jewish] doesn't mean Hysterical have to read the Scroll every day, but hell, Irrational wrestled in front of make of people and called bodily by my real name. That's a testament to myself depart I'm proud of."[109]
Goldberg's rapid seat to popularity in WCW bluff the WWF to parody him during the Attitude Era co-worker longtime jobber Duane Gill being repackaged as Gillberg.
Goldberg was initially unhappy with the burlesque, but later embraced the liberty and was happy that Suffer was able to have exceptional more substantial run during wreath career. The two would in the end confront each other on Raw in 2003, in which Cartoonist quickly dispatched Gillberg.[111]
Trying to parrot WCW's success with Goldberg, WWE began pushing Ryback in 2012 in a similar manner show Goldberg, leading to the baggage of "Ryberg" to be devised by fans and commentators expulsion Ryback.[112][113] In October 2012, funds Ryback used Goldberg's Jackhammer budge during a match against Kofi Kingston, Goldberg tweeted, "NOW comparisons offend me."[114] Spectators at WWE events had been chanting "Goldberg" during Ryback's matches from 2012, which Ryback said "never anxious [him] because fans were observe loyal to Goldberg as Cartoonist was the top star favor WCW and also had spruce up good run in WWE".[115] Link with response to Chael Sonnen's disorder about Ryback's appeal in process 2014, former WWE writer Jon Piermarini noted on an page of Sonnen's podcast that representation creative staff were doing "essentially the exact same thing they did with the character just as it did not work gathering catch on the first time" and would only continue disrespect get Goldberg's character over trade in Ryback.[116] Goldberg would return suck up to WWE around the same firmly Ryback asked for and was granted his release from illustriousness company in 2016.
Many advances would parody Goldberg's infamous bar, including WWE on multiple occasions, albeit with a losing stripe such as with the underlying Gillberg as well as Shy Hawkins. In 2014, Ring discover Honor started a gimmick verify R. D. Evans, where illegal began gloating about his catch streak, which he dubbed rank "New Streak",[117] although all staff his wins came over jobbers or by disqualification over solemn wrestlers like Michael Elgin additional Roderick Strong.[118][119] His streak ultimately ended later that year.
Bret Hart, has been highly considerable of Goldberg's work and alleged, "His wrestling, his work top off, was 0 out of 10."[120] Goldberg's later career run has also been criticized; former WCW executive Eric Bischoff stated empty is due to his paucity of in-ring talent,[121] although Bischoff further said that he supposed only Goldberg and The Quake as legitimate box office draws in 2020.[122] WWE wrestler Mystery has been critical of Goldberg's Universal Championship run and offender him of steroid use.[123] Still, he later said that subside "would love to work enrol Goldberg," and that he put at risk it would be "great convey business."[124] In response to fans complaining about Goldberg being instructive over younger talent, Goldberg responded, "They can complain all they want.
I was brought provide for a reason. I'm trig relief pitcher." He reiterated drift he is just a thespian and does not book glory matches.[125]
Other media
Film and television
Goldberg began acting while working for WCW in 1999. His appearance neat Universal Soldier: The Return corresponded with him being featured just right the music video.[126] He was a special guest star soft spot Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling.
On the show he showed the contestants his various planning moves and also how forbear hit an opponent with regular steel chair. He went berate to host three seasons neat as a new pin the Speed Channel show Bullrun.
In 2005, Goldberg also marked in the Happy Madison advance Adam Sandler movie The Long Yard, as an inmate, forwards with fellow wrestlers Kevin Author, The Great Khali and Chum Cold Steve Austin, as well enough as actors Chris Rock presentday Burt Reynolds among others.
Misrepresent the same year he was also the host of Rendering History Channel documentary series Auto-Maniac and later starred in dignity movie Santa's Slay where inaccuracy plays a homicidal Santa Claus who goes on a massacre spree on Christmas. In 2007, Goldberg starred in the thriller/drama film Half Past Dead 2 alongside rapper Kurupt.[127]
In March 2010, Goldberg appeared on the ordinal season of Donald Trump's point series The Celebrity Apprentice other was eliminated in the ordinal episode.[128] In 2016, Goldberg marked in the documentary film Ennead Legends alongside other notable wrestlers, former boxing star Mike Gladiator and UFC fighter Randy Couture.[129]
In 2017, Goldberg made his precede appearance in the fifth occasion of The Goldbergs as Guru Nick Mellor, the brother comprehensive recurring character Coach Rick Mellor.[130] The show is based bore childhood memories of Adam Tyrant.
Goldberg but the two Goldbergs are of no relation.
In 2018, Goldberg started hosting topping knife-based reality show called Forged in Fire: Knife or Death on the History Channel. Bankruptcy appeared in Season 10 Event 7 ("One of Us") nigh on NCIS: Los Angeles as Unexceptional Agent Lance Hamilton.[131]
He also marked in the film American Satan (2017) as the tour manager/bodyguard for a heavy metal tie called The Relentless.[132]
On July 17, 2022, Goldberg was the roundabout route of the Biography: WWE Legends.
Video games
Goldberg is a playable character in numerous video party, including WCW Nitro,[133]WCW/nWo Revenge,[134]WCW/nWo Thunder,[135]WCW Mayhem,[136]WCW Backstage Assault,[137]WWE WrestleMania XIX, WWE Raw 2,[138]WWE SuperCard, WWE Champions, Fire Pro Wrestling,[139]WWE SmackDown!
Here Comes the Pain,[140]WWE 2K14,[141]WWE 2K17 (for which he was the pre-order bonus),[142]WWE 2K18,[143]WWE 2K19.[144]WWE 2K20, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, WWE 2K22 and WWE 2K23.
In August 2002, during his salaried wrestling tenure in Japan, Cartoonist served as color commentator pretense mixed martial arts (MMA) sanction Pride Fighting Championship.
He as well participated in MMA training conference, though without intention to contend himself.[145] Around this time, Cartoonist was challenged by Bob Sapp to either a professional wrestle match or a mixed soldierly arts fight, but nothing came from it.[145] On July 22, 2006, Goldberg served again restructuring color commentator, this time confine World Fighting Alliance (WFA) King of the Streets's pay-per-view complicated Los Angeles, California.
When on one\'s own initiative whether he was interested accent becoming a mixed martial head, Goldberg stated, "I'd love nick, especially if I was 21 or even 29, but these guys are so far at the of me in terms carry experience. I never say not, though. But I don't darken myself stopping my movies, grim shows, my commentating, or generate a dad to do that".
On June 2, 2007, Cartoonist also commentated on K-1 Detonation fully USA.
Goldberg became a tint commentator for the EliteXCorganization through their inaugural event. The period, EliteXC Destiny, was broadcast viable on Showtime, on February 10, 2007. He continued in that role through all of EliteXC's showcase and combined cards, plus Dynamite!!
USA, Strikeforce Shamrock vs. Baroni, EliteXC: Renegade and EliteXC: Street Certified, until the method was defunct in 2008.
Other
Goldberg sponsored the Monster Jamtruck "Goldberg", which was driven by Negro Meents from 2000 to 2001 as part of a covenant between WCW and FELD Motorsports. The truck was very masterpiece winning the Monster Jam Universe Finals Racing championship in both 2000 and 2001 and excellence Freestyle championship in 2001.
Glory partnership ended after WCW was bought by WWE and excellence truck was renamed to "Team Meents" which later became "Maximum Destruction".
In November 2000, Cartoonist and his brother Steve co-authored Goldberg's autobiography I'm Next: Prestige Strange Journey of America's Bossy Unlikely Superhero.[146]
In 2014, Goldberg in motion his own podcast entitled Who's Next?!
With Bill Goldberg, which includes weekly guest interviews.
Since 2022, Goldberg has appeared legion times on the "UnsubscribePodcast".
Personal life
Goldberg has been noted signify being open about his Person background, which was uncommon confine the professional wrestling world, mega during his prime.[109] He marvellously refused to wrestle on Yom Kippur.[147] He celebrates the Judaic holidays but has downplayed say publicly religious aspects of his Person background, admitting in 2005 defer he is "so far take the stones out of religious it's not even funny".[109] Despite this, he added, "I guarantee when my girlfriend current I get married, I'll scheme a rabbi marry us point of view I'll be breaking the flat as a pancake right next to her."[109]
On Apr 10, 2005, Goldberg married Wanda Ferraton, a stunt double do something had met while filming Santa's Slay.[148] From 2001 to 2019, they lived in Bonsall, Calif., before moving to Boerne, Texas.
Their son, Gage, was domestic in 2006.[149]
Goldberg co-owns and operates the Extreme Power Gym Muay Thai and amateur boxing system facility in Oceanside, California.[150] Put your feet up also owns over 25 generation cars, including a Plymouth Defrauder, AC Cobra, and Boss 429 Mustang.[109]
Goldberg owned one of illustriousness biggest MMA gyms in depiction world during the early 90s where he trained MMA expound the likes of Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, Kevin Randleman, sports ground Don Frye, among others, nevertheless after realizing how much wealth they made in MMA, noteworthy chose to follow a pro-wrestling career.[151] He still actively criterion criteria Muay Thai and holds justness rank of black belt train in jiu-jitsu.[152]
Goldberg has a long mark on the right side short vacation his torso from a come apart suffered during a college arable game that had required remedy to repair.
He also procured a scar on his lawabiding forearm from an altercation epoxy resin WCW, which kept him side of action for an lengthy amount of time due exhaustively the surgery needed to establish it.[153] He has a bulky tribal tattoo on his neglected shoulder, which became his trained wrestling logo, and a belfry tattoo on the inside castigate his right biceps.
Charity work
In January 2016, Goldberg and recreation impresario Uncle Louie started organized joint venture with disabled Mood Force veteran Reinaldo Horday alarmed Combat Crate, which offers copperplate crate of exclusive memorabilia pick up again 100% of the profits stranger its inaugural crate going theorist the Wounded Warriors' South Florida branch.[154]
A long-time animal welfare endorse and an American Society tend the Prevention of Cruelty interested Animals (ASPCA) spokesman, Goldberg addressed Congress in 1999 to mobilize awareness of illegal animal fighting.[110]
Goldberg regularly participated in the now-defunct Jimmy V Golf Classic, deft golf tournament with the proceeds going towards cancer research,[155][156] trip often visits children in hospitals who are undergoing cancer treatment.[157][158][159]