Former WCW and WWE Champion Bill Goldberg recently appeared on Ring Rust Radio and below are some interview highlights:
Ring Rust Radio: You have a starring role in the movie Check Point, which is about terrorism right here in the United States. What made you want to be part of the project originally and what are some of the lessons that can be taken from the film to help protect America?
Goldberg: I think vigilance is the first thing you need to take from it. The reason I got involved with the project was the script. It really threw me for a loop. I read through it and it was really entertaining. To be able to portray an enlisted man and a decorated war veteran while trying to tell a story in modern day about a guy who ended up being a hero in our modern day. Obviously terrorism is at the top of the list and it’s happening abroad and quite frequently on American soil. Ironically, the day we wrapped Check Point was the day that the recruiting facility in Tennessee got attacked. At the end of the day, it is bringing it to the forefront, but in an entertaining way and being responsible with portraying the men and women who protect our country while entertaining with a story at the same time.
Ring Rust Radio: If you were able to create your own original series for WWE Network or an original movie with WWE Studios, would you be open to work with them and what type of show or movie would you like to produce? Also, are there any wrestlers that you think would make a good supporting cast?
Goldberg: There are a lot of wrestlers who would make a good supporting cast no matter what you do. The transition from what they do to what I am doing now truly isn’t that much different. Anything from fight scenes to character development or story lines is stuff they already do in wrestling. They work on all those things every day, and the longer you are in wrestling the better you are at your craft. I think it’s a natural segue way and you see a lot of wrestlers do it. It’s not something I aspired to do by any means, but it’s an option that’s out there and it’s entertaining. You asked me about the WWE Network and if I would ever do anything with them. They actually have a car show sitting right in front of them that they are a little bit interested in. You never know. I have no issues whatsoever working with the WWE as you see with my involvement with WWE 2K17.
Ring Rust Radio: When we spoke to Trish Stratus recently, she talked about how wrestling helped prepare her for the fight scenes in her movie. How did your experience wrestling help you in the field of acting and what are the biggest differences between acting and the wrestling industry?
Goldberg: The biggest difference between acting and wrestling is you have the ability to say “cut” and do it again when you are acting. That makes professional wrestlers very good at their craft. Whether it’s story telling or setting up a fight scene, it makes no difference because it’s what wrestlers do every day. Every day you step foot into the wrestling business, whether the building or the ring, it’s an internship or a segue way to Hollywood cause it’s truthfully the same thing. At the end of the day, the biggest difference is with a fight scene, you have more pressure on you working in your underwear in front of thousands of people compared to a closed set where a director can yell “cut” and let’s do it again. You can perfect your craft by doing it over and over again until you get the finished product. You don’t have that luxury in the wrestling business.
Ring Rust Radio: Your inclusion in WWE 2K17 came as a big surprise to a lot of fans since you’ve been away from WWE for so long. What was the process like in terms of coming to an agreement to be in the game? Who did you talk to and how did everything come together?
Goldberg: Well I don’t have to talk to anybody. I spoke to with 2K directly and they did all the interaction with the WWE. I don’t think this year is any different than the rest except for that they checked off on it. 2K wanted me either as a cover or a downloadable character for a number of years, and I think time may have healed a little bit of the wounds and I think that’s the only difference this year.
Ring Rust Radio: Fans were extremely excited when you were announced for WWE 2K17. We’ve seen legends in the past go on to be inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame after being included in the new video game. Has there been any discussion or thought about you being inducted into the 2017 Class?
Goldberg: I can’t divulge what goes on in those guys’ brains. I have had no conversation or anything. In all honesty, this is a relationship between 2K and myself for the video game. I inspire to do nothing else besides this being a deal between the two of us. I don’t think it opens the door to anything, but stranger things have happened. I did this to put a smile on my 10-year-old’s face and that’s it.
Ring Rust Radio: Brock Lesnar’s been making headlines lately because he’s going to fight at UFC 200 while still under contract with WWE. How do you anticipate Brock faring in that fight and what advice would you give to him as he tries to balance two very demanding and successful careers?
Goldberg: First and foremost, I have to go on record as taking my hat off to Brock and his business sense. What he has done pretty much mirrors what mine would have been had MMA been an option at that time. Unfortunately, the pay at the time wasn’t what it is now so that wasn’t an option back then. You have to take your hat off to him. The way he has balanced it all is brilliant. I don’t think it’s too much for him because he can continue to train like a fighter and keep his body in shape to fight MMA, then transition based on muscle memory and do anything he is asked for in the wrestling ring. How he is going to fair against Mark Hunt; I don’t know. Any time two people step into the Octagon, it’s anyone’s game, just ask Connor McGregor or Jose Aldo. A lot of people walk in there with an attitude and they get knocked down on their ass in a matter of seconds. You normally go with the veteran in a fight, and Mark Hunt has had some stand up wars in the K1, Pride; this dude is a monster. He carries some thunderous shots in both hands. Since his transition from kickboxing to MMA, he has worked on his takedown defense. How he works off his back, it’s not his most favorable place and that’s obviously where Brock wants to take it. If the fight stays on their feet, Hunt has a granite chin. I don’t know how much chance Brock has on his feet, but if he takes it to the ground, he has a huge advantage. I don’t care how big you are, Brock can hold you down and hammer fist through your skull. It’s going to be a very entertaining fight. Hats off to those who booked it. They are both friends of mine, but I just want an entertaining fight and may the best man win.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
