Bill Goldberg started his pro wrestling career in 1997.
Initially, he thought his dreams had come true when he played in the NFL. But his legendary run in pro wrestling set the industry aflame, sending him on a journey he had never imagined. Now his 28-year odyssey is complete: Goldberg is officially retired.
“When you’re in the wrestling business, I don’t think you’re retired until you’re dead,” said Goldberg, 58. “But I’m completely content with what I’ve been able to accomplish. I’m not dead but, yes, I’m retired.”
Goldberg’s final match took place last week on NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. No longer possessing his force-of-nature explosiveness, he still crafted a compelling match. And though Goldberg felt the night was far from perfect, he was thrilled to share the ring with Gunther.
“Wrestling Gunther was an honor and a privilege,” said Goldberg. “Don’t let my displeasure in any way, shape, or form reflect upon my opponent. I wish I could do it again. That’s how much fun it was.
“I always say that I never bask in the moment – but that’s exactly what happened when I laughed after Gunther chopped me. It wasn’t because I wanted to step on his offense – it’s just that I was having fun. It was just a reactionary thing. I normally don’t have that much fun.”
As for his displeasure surrounding the match, Goldberg expressed his frustrations earlier this week. Primary among those were that the match did not take place on one of WWE’s premium live events and that his post-match speech was cut off the air.
“I’m greatly appreciative that so many people were happy with what they saw,” said Goldberg. “It was a long road leading up to it and a lot of sacrifices were made. In some ways it was a success, in other ways it was a failure.
“My job is to be better than I was the time before, and you should never be satisfied with your performance. If I didn’t always think that things could be better, then I wouldn’t be who I am. That’s my take, and I’m sticking to it.”
Despite dissatisfaction with the sendoff, the positives were undeniable. Wrestling his farewell match in front of a packed house at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, the night was full of tributes to World Championship Wrestling – the now-defunct promotion where Goldberg reached an entirely new stratosphere of superstardom.
Those included cameos from Doug Dillinger, who knocked on Goldberg’s locker room door before the match in a scene straight out of the summer of ’98, as well as being led to the ring by an entourage featuring former WCW star Ernest “The Cat” Miller.
Another person to accompany Goldberg to the ring was his son, Gage.
“Walking to the ring with my son, that was my highlight of the night,” said Goldberg. “Nothing could be better.”
The 19-year-old Gage was honored to share that moment with his father.
“In a word, it was surreal,” said Gage Goldberg. “Just being there with my dad was great. We have this eternal bond. Whenever we go to these events, we’re smiling – and that’s because we’re together.
“Plus, I got to have his back when Gunther was toying with his knee brace. It was an amazing opportunity.”
Gage plays inside linebacker for the University of Colorado. Football is his priority, but he is open to following in his father’s pro wrestling footsteps, too.
“I’m going to run with football for as long as I can,” said Gage. “But every single coach has told me you need something after football. To me, that’s WWE.”
WWE Head of Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque helped engineer Goldberg’s final match. Asked if he was appreciative of all Levesque’s work, Goldberg did not hesitate in his reply.
“I couldn’t have done any of that on Saturday night without him,” said Goldberg. “That’s the truth, one thousand percent.”
Pro wrestling’s version of Mike Tyson, Goldberg had a career with few peers. Quick and violent, he walked the line of reality and storytelling. And it resonated with a global audience.
“I never thought a Jewish boy from Tulsa, Oklahoma would ever hear his name chanted all over the world,” said Goldberg. “I didn’t do it alone – the help I got was immeasurable. It was a lot more than a one-man show. I had an idea of what was going to work, and I brought it to Eric Bischoff. He had the trust in me to see it through. I never imagined it would be anywhere close to as big as it was.”
Above all, Goldberg is thankful for wrestling fans who have been by his side for nearly 30 years.
“This was more like a movement,” said Goldberg. “My fans, I’m forever grateful for them.”
