Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions: Goldberg FULL RECAP
The second episode of Broken Skull Sessions (hosted by Stone Cold Steve Austin) featured the powerful, Goldberg. Here are some notes from their honest and open conversation that is available on-demand on the WWE Network.
Goldberg mentioned that back in the day, it pissed him off when being mistaken for Stone Cold, but nowadays, he takes it as a compliment.
Upon joining WWE, Goldberg didn't feel he belonged since they were at competition with each other for years. Also, Goldberg noted his bad reputation and the fact so many steered him in the wrong direction.
Kevin Greene (Football player) was the individual who convinced Goldberg to get into wrestling. If you recall, Greene made appearances in WCW.
The WCW Power Plant was really the precursor to the WWE Performance Center. Goldberg felt he didn't stand out since he was in camp with Bob Sapp.
Note: If you don't know the name Bob Sapp, he was a massive draw in Japan as a kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He wasn't particularly great but possessed freakish size and strength.
Goldberg noted that his streak and timing were both completely organic and never pre-planned.
Goldberg really exposed WCW's inability to look forward and properly plan towards the future. They really lived in the moment. He shared a story of finding out about his infamous Hollywood Hogan match while watching Thunder at home. Just days later, they managed to fill over 40,000 fans in the Georgia Dome with very little promotion.
Also worth noting, Hulk Hogan placed Icy Hot under his arm as a rib. Goldberg claims that once Hogan locked him in a headlock during the beginning of the match, his vision was impaired. Despite this, Goldberg speared and jackhammered Hogan with ease and that was simply due to his appreciation towards the Hulkster.
Stone Cold really put over Goldberg's televised debut and particularly his small mannerisms and intricacies such as not allowing the ref to raise his arm, the cover following the Jackhammer etc.
Goldberg feels the one thing he's more proud of than anything in the world has to do with Bobby Eaton. Eaton helped him out tremendously which ultimately saw him put Goldberg over in Bobby's hometown. In fact, Goldberg begged Arn Anderson to lose to Eaton that night out of respect.
Note: In my humble opinion, Bobby Eaton is truly one of the unsung heroes of the professional wrestling industry. He was effortlessly smooth and remarkably unselfish.
Steve Austin brings up the December 23, 1999 edition of Thunder where Goldberg smashed in the windows of a limo. Goldberg noted that the reason behind his aggression was Scott Hall and deemed him a "piece of s$*t." Sadly, many felt that way about Hall.
When referencing the Time Warner contract and joining WWE during the invasion.Goldberg: "Why would I come back to work for half of the money?"
Goldberg noted that he originally never got along with Triple H as things were said from afar. Furthermore, he was slightly nervous since by that point, Hunter had joined the office and held much more influence.
In discussing the Wrestlemania 20 match, Goldberg mentioned that he thought Brock would kill him due to the sheer negative reaction.
Goldberg noted that upon leaving WWE, it left a very bad taste in his mouth. He directed animosity towards the company along with the majority of the locker room.
Goldberg met his wife during the filming of the movie Santa's Slay (2005). She was a stunt woman, but played a stripper and accepted the role thinking the lead actor was Jeff Goldblum.
Goldberg explained how the 2016 return to WWE started: He didn't feel there was anything to prove, but harboured the negative feelings towards Vince and the business. It seems like he simply wanted to get past it and show who he really was.
Stone Cold noted that while Goldberg looked good the night he returned in Denver, there was obvious doubt in his eyes.
Stone Cold brings up Paul Heyman. Goldberg: "If it wasn't for Paul Heyman, my comeback would have never happened."
Goldberg noted that during his Wrestlemania 33 match, he made an effort to really bask in the glory of the moment. The only time he really embraced it.
After Stone Cold put over the Wrestlemania 33 match with Brock Lesnar, Goldberg wanted to ensure he played the part right in the losing effort. Truthfully, Goldberg rarely ever lost, so he never knew how to react, but it was a relief.
Goldberg noted that he greatly appreciates his friendship with Stone Cold and has always been a fan from afar. You can tell there's a genuine bond between the two.
Goldberg is often misunderstood, but it's important to remember he was literally an overnight sensation that reached a level of success that few have achieved within the wrestling business. Also, he was frequently given poor advice for the sake of sabotage.
Personally, I was never a big fan of Goldberg, but appreciate the unique position he was forced to thrive in. He was somewhat of an anomaly that is virtually impossible to replicate.
As for the next guest on the Broken Skull Sessions, I simply ask, who’s next?
