Bill Goldberg is one of the most popular and well-known professional wrestlers of all time. He has had an incredibly successful career in WWE, WCW, and TNA, and is currently signed to WWE as a Legends Contract wrestler. Goldberg is also a successful actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life and Career
2. Goldberg’s WCW Debut
3. The Streak
4. Goldberg vs. Hulk Hogan
5. WWE Career
6. Retirement and Return
7. Acting Career
8. Business Ventures
9. Philanthropy
10. Legacy
11. Bill Goldberg Quotes
- Early Life and Career
William Scott Goldberg was born on December 27, 1966, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Georgia, where he played football for the Bulldogs. After graduating from college, Goldberg worked as a strength coach and personal trainer. He also had a brief stint in the World League of American Football, playing for the Sacramento Surge.
Goldberg began his professional wrestling career in 1989 when he was signed by Jim Crockett Promotions, the predecessor to WCW. He was assigned to train at the Power Plant, WCW’s professional wrestling school. Goldberg made his in-ring debut in June 1990, wrestling under the name Bill Gold. He wrestled sporadically for the next few years, mostly on the independent circuit.
- Goldberg’s WCW Debut
Goldberg made his official WCW debut on September 22, 1997, at the Fall Brawl pay-per-view. He defeated Hugh Morrus in his first match, and began a streak of wins that would eventually lead to him being billed as “the most dominant WCW wrestler of all time.”
- The Streak
Goldberg’s winning streak was one of the most dominant streaks in professional wrestling history. He went on to defeat some of WCW’s biggest names, including Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, and Lex Luger. Goldberg’s streak eventually came to an end at 173-0, when he was defeated by Kevin Nash at Starrcade in 1998.
- Goldberg vs. Hulk Hogan
Goldberg’s most famous match took place at Halloween Havoc in 1998, when he faced Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. The match was billed as “Icon vs. Icon,” and was one of the most highly anticipated matches in WCW history. Goldberg ultimately won the match, and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, solidifying his status as one of the top stars in the company.
- WWE Career
Goldberg made his WWE debut at the Survivor Series in 2003, when he was drafted to the Raw brand. He quickly established himself as a top star on Raw, winning the World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H in his first match with the company. Goldberg went on to have a successful run in WWE, winning the World Heavyweight Championship one more time, as well as the WWE Universal Championship.
Goldberg’s most recent WWE run began in 2016 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He made his in-ring return at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in 2017, when he helped Team Raw defeat Team SmackDown.
- Retirement and Return
Goldberg has retired from professional wrestling several times throughout his career. He first retired in 2004, after losing to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XX. Goldberg returned to WWE in 2012, when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He made another return in 2016 when he was once again inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Goldberg most recently retired in 2018, after losing to The Undertaker at Super Show-Down. However, he has since returned to WWE on a part-time basis, appearing on WWE programming occasionally.
- Acting Career
Goldberg has appeared in several television shows and movies throughout his career. He made his acting debut in the 1999 film Universal Soldier: The Return. He has also appeared in the television shows The Young and the Restless, Robot Chicken, and GLOW.
- Business Ventures
In addition to his career in professional wrestling and acting, Goldberg has also ventured into the business world. He is the owner of Who’s Next, a line of fitness apparel. He is also the CEO of Gold Fitness, a line of fitness equipment.
- Philanthropy
Goldberg is also active in philanthropy and has partnered with several charities throughout his career. He is a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has also worked with the Special Olympics and the Wounded Warrior Project.
- Legacy
Goldberg is widely considered to be one of the most successful professional wrestlers of all time. He is a two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time WWE Universal Champion. Goldberg is also a one-time WWE Hall of Famer and is currently signed to a Legends Contract with WWE.
Bill Goldberg Quotes
“I was a football player and competitor in life.” – Bill Goldberg
“Whether I was a character in WCW, WWE, or The Longest Yard, you want to be able to – the best part about myself is that I have a very wide range of emotions in that one second I can be speaking on Capital Hill about dog fighting and giving them a voice, which they can’t obviously speak for themselves.” – Bill Goldberg
“Like most of the movies I have participated in before, it’s not a far departure from my actual self. TJ is a Special Forces, hand-to-hand combat expert. He’s got a big heart. He has a sense of duty that never ends, whether he is on active duty or as you find him in Check Point, retired.” – Bill Goldberg
“I am a competitor and always have that itch until the day I die, but I won’t let the itch supersede being a businessman.” – Bill Goldberg
“You get hit by one of those right hands or an uppercut or a left hook by Mark Hunt, then you know that **** is on and that cage is locked, and there’s nowhere to go.” – Bill Goldberg
“The fact is that I made a stand a number of times in my career, and I did it because I knew I was right.” – Bill Goldberg
“Free agency screws everybody’s allegiances up. Whether it be football, baseball, hockey, basketball, or whatever it may be. It’s really hard.” – Bill Goldberg
“I’m also a devoted father, and you see that side of me at the same time.” – Bill Goldberg
“Georgia Dome was a pretty big eye-opener that I had something kind of going in the right direction. It seemed like a movement, and I was greatly appreciative of the chants and the signs.” – Bill Goldberg
“You wrestle one night, get up the next morning and fly out to the next city. You try to work out, you try to get some food into you, and, lo and behold, you have to go to work again. You are living out of a suitcase.” – Bill Goldberg
“All of my cats are adopted and all show their gratitude on a daily basis. I don’t know where I would be without them.” – Bill Goldberg
“Robert Wagner, who I met at a celebrity event in Aspen, Cindy Crawford, Tim Conway, all these people are great fans.” – Bill Goldberg
“At this time, the only thing that would get me back in the ring is something that would positively impact those in need. If selling out another major event would allow me to bring a ship full of supplies to hand out to those in need, I’d say that would be very significant.” – Bill Goldberg
“My foray into the wrestling world is well documented in that I have stated many a time that I am not the kid that grows up and aspires to put wrestling trunks and wrestling boots on and get in the ring and flies around to entertain people.” – Bill Goldberg
“What kind of moron would go to work for half the amount of money, when they could sit at home and collect what’s written in a contract?” – Bill Goldberg
“I think it’s widely known at this stage that I am willing to put past differences aside and make some money and do the right thing for the fans. If it happens, it happens. It’s all good. If it doesn’t, I truly am not going to miss a beat of my life.” – Bill Goldberg
“Sometimes my natural instincts take over and I just go overboard.” – Bill Goldberg
“As far as the path of [Bill] Goldberg and all his ultimate success, I don’t think any of that was planned. It was all organic. All of it was so different.” – Bill Goldberg
“I shaved a lot off of a lot that I saw in that I like to be less is more and make everything count and not give anyone anything extra. I was what you see is what you got. It was organic. I came up with the persona. The persona is me, coupled together with a lot of my interests.” – Bill Goldberg
“I do not get involved in the game to think that it is a future transition for me getting back into the ring. It was not my intention. I’ve stated many times that I did it for my son.” – Bill Goldberg
“Brock [Lesnar] is one hell of a wrestler, and he’s a big monster.” – Bill Goldberg
“The cutthroat part of it is that professional wrestling has no union. There are a number of people that are taken advantage of on a daily basis.” – Bill Goldberg
“I am busy right now with my family, let alone all my other projects. It’s an opportunity if it presents itself.” – Bill Goldberg
“I really don’t have a favorite team.” – Bill Goldberg
“Pardon me, not to sound elitist, but I wanted to put something together that I would enjoy. I thought at that time, what satiated me, what interested me, what intrigued me, I thought other people would like also. And you blend that with some forward thinking of predicting the UFC and MMA was going to be ultimately as big as it became.” – Bill Goldberg
“I made a mistake out there and I got mad. I slammed my fist into the rearview mirror and I think I broke my wrist. Guess I shouldn’t have done that.” – Bill Goldberg
“I am always a competitor and my wife and son have never seen me wrestle.” – Bill Goldberg
“You could watch for 45 minutes to an hour and never get bored.” – Bill Goldberg
“Adam [Sandler] is a good basketball player, so he is a natural athlete, he worked with Sean Salisbury to make his footwork and delivery smooth, and he did a great job.” – Bill Goldberg
“I believe that it was a testament to the change of power from the company to the fans because the more the fans ate it up, the more the company gave them what they want.” – Bill Goldberg
“I had never imagined myself doing [wrestling]. Once I came to the realization that it was a possibility, I just tried to concentrate on what I thought people would enjoy.” – Bill Goldberg
“I’ve known Mark Hunt for a long time, and I’ve known Brock [Lesnar] for a while. I think that it’s a very interesting match-up. I think it’s good on the UFC for making that match-up.” – Bill Goldberg
“I spar with 18-year-old kids that try to kick my ass all the time. As far as going in and doing a wrestling match, I think that pales in comparison, but it’s a totally different thing. It’s completely different. You have to condition your body.” – Bill Goldberg
“WWE has not called me to be a part of any roster. My relationship with WWE stands with the video game and the video game only. If they want to extend an olive branch and pick up the phone, then I will make a comment on that once they do it. But prior to that, nothing’s been done.” – Bill Goldberg
“My character was a homogenization of various things, whether it be the attitude of a Bruiser Brody, or the look of Nikita Koloff, or the way that Nikita looked at the people. I took a little bit of what I liked and what I had seen throughout the years from everybody that I was entertained by and made it my own.” – Bill Goldberg
“To think that Donald Trump could have his finger over the big red button is absolutely terrifying.” – Bill Goldberg
“I think Donald Trump would be a horrible President.” – Bill Goldberg
“At the end of the day, you go out and do your job and follow your directions.” – Bill Goldberg
“I was the kid that wanted to be anonymous in that I’d put a football helmet on and be a member of a team and go out there and maim people. It was a very hard process. It truly was.” – Bill Goldberg
“Just about any lawyer in private practice who had a chance to serve in high office would. If they say no, they’re kidding. I’m glad of the state experience I’m getting. I’ve learned a great deal. It’s very broadening, this insight into how government works and how people function. What makes it, them, tick? It can only make me a better man, a better lawyer – or a better public servant.” – Bill Goldberg
“Yeah, but it’s an opportunity for public service. Here there is a variety of experiences. And if I end up being a trial lawyer for 30 years rather than 35, well, that’s OK. I’ve regularly been involved in public affairs, but never before on a full-time basis. And I do not, repeat, do not plan to run for public office.” – Bill Goldberg
“Aside from doing publicity for this film [The Longest Yard], I have Auto Maniac coming on the History Channel and since I got married recently, we are going to get to that Honeymoon we had to put off.” – Bill Goldberg
“At the end of the day, when two combatants get into the ring and/or cage, it’s anybody’s game, especially in MMA.” – Bill Goldberg
“You can say I give you this information as a dispassionate observer.” – Bill Goldberg
“I think if Donald Trump won, I would move to Canada.” – Bill Goldberg
“I grew up in the Midwest, so we really didn’t have much hockey going on.” – Bill Goldberg
“Luckily I stayed in shape due to wrestling.” – Bill Goldberg
“At the end of the day, when you are in the front office, your tenure is dictated by the people surrounding you.” – Bill Goldberg
“No, if there is an aspect of the executive branch of the government that needs looking at, I’m liable to be called in to look at it. But I’m not the only one.” – Bill Goldberg
“The relationship with WWE obviously has gotten better because after my name has been shoved down their throats from 2K [Games] for the past years, they finally passed off on it. They finally okayed it.” – Bill Goldberg
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