Fresh off of the A&E produced documentary on Bill Goldberg, there have been a number of takeaways and even revelations about his life. The A&E biography specials have been well received by wrestling fans and non-fans, and Goldberg was featured in the second episode of the second season.
While Goldberg has been a major success and a legitimate draw in pro wrestling, he has been something of a polarizing figure throughout his career. Because he had an entirely different career before he became a pro wrestler, there was much to learn about Goldberg from the A&E special. Here are 10 things we learned about Goldberg, thanks to his recent documentary.
10 His Mother Was A Concert Violinist
Based on his exceptional physique and physical presence, one may naturally assume that Goldberg came from an athletic gene pool. Based on what we learned from the A&E special, that may not exactly be the case. It was revealed that Goldberg's mother was actually a concert violinist.
Goldberg hasn't made it a habit to discuss his parents on many occasions, but we also know that he is of Jewish descent, and takes great pride in his heritage. It seems that Goldberg may have inherited his penchant for showmanship from his talented mother.
9 He Suffered Multiple Injuries Playing Football
It's no secret that Goldberg initially intended to become a professional football player, and he did achieve that dream. The A&E special allowed Goldberg to express just how passionate he was about the game of football, and how it was all he ever wanted to do.
Unfortunately, Goldberg would suffer a slew of injuries throughout his career, often at the most inopportune times. Football is a grueling sport, and it tested Bill both mentally and physically, and from what he expressed in the documentary, it didn't always love him back as much as he loved it. Bill's injuries from playing football would go a long way in him finding his way to pro wrestling.
8 He Asked For His Release From The Carolina Panthers
Just when it seemed that Goldberg was due for a break in his football career, injuries would derail him once more. After being cut from the Atlanta Falcons, Goldberg would be picked up by the new expansion team, the Carolina Panthers. The problem was that Goldberg was dealing with serious knee issues at the time, and couldn't even attend practice with the team, due to the state of his body.
In a surprising but ultimately necessary move, Goldberg would ask for his release from the Panthers, shortly after being drafted. One can help but wonder what if, had Goldberg been 100%, upon being selected by Carolina.
7 His Accountant Suggested He Give Wrestling A Try
It's been documented that Goldberg did not grow up as a wrestling fan. By all accounts, it wasn't that he didn't enjoy it, he just never had any real exposure to it. After his football career had apparently hit the skids, Goldberg was not exactly in a positive state of mind. His accountant at the time felt that he needed to do something to avoid being completely idle.
The accountant suggested that Goldberg give wrestling a try, as it was something that could at least match the intensity and physicality of pro football. Goldberg would eventually find his way to the WCW Power Plant and the rest is history.
6 He Will Be Remorseful For The Rest Of His Life
There was a great deal of anticipation and speculation over whether the Goldberg documentary would address the allegations by Bret Hart. Bret has always maintained that it was a stiff kick from Goldberg that would lead him into an early retirement, during their Starrcade '99 match in WCW.
To A&E and Goldberg's credit, the Bret Hart situation was addressed, and Goldberg would express remorse over what had transpired. Bret has never been one to hold back his true opinions, and he has been particularly harsh towards Goldberg, over the years. What is certain is that this was a truly unfortunate incident that affected many people's lives, indefinitely.
5 He Came To WWE For The Kids
During the documentary, Goldberg revealed, that he never really had any desire to go to WWE. He was one of the WCW stars, who had a guaranteed contract due to the AOL/Time Warner merger. He also didn't think that he would be a good fit in WWE, and didn't exactly feel welcomed in the locker room, upon his arrival.
What ultimately made him decide to give it a try, was that he missed being a hero to the younger fans of pro wrestling. Always a kid-friendly figure, Goldberg wanted to give back for all of his unprecedented success, thanks to wrestling and his young fans.
4 He Never Intended To Return To Wrestling After 2004
Because Goldberg was so tepid about coming to WWE in the first place, he elected to only sign with the company for a year. WrestleMania 20 was set to be his final date with the company, and he was scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at the event. Because the internet was starting to catch on at this time, fans were well aware of the fact that not only Goldberg, but his opponent, Brock Lesnar, would not be returning to the company after that night's bout.
In a now infamous moment, the crowd took the match hostage, and began heckling both wrestlers. The incident would leave such a bad taste in Goldberg's mouth, that he vowed to never return to the wrestling business, afterwards.
3 He Met His Wife On A Movie Set
During and after his pro wrestling run, Goldberg would try his hand at acting. While on the set of Santa's Slay in 2005, Goldberg would meet a stunt woman, named Wanda Ferraton. Sparks flew, and Goldberg would wind up courting the young lady, leading to them getting married, not long after.
Funny enough, Wanda would reveal in the documentary that she had a rule that she would never date an actor, a stuntman, or a pro athlete. Of course, by dating Goldberg she broke every single one of her rules, but it seems to have worked out for the best, as the pair are still happily wed to this day.
2 His Son Didn't Believe He Was A Wrestler
By the time that Goldberg's son, Gage, was born, wrestling was very much in Bill's rearview mirror. When his son was old enough, Goldberg revealed that he had once been a pretty famous pro wrestler. Of course, his son didn't believe him, which prompted Bill to pull up YouTube, effectively stunning young Gage.
It was Gage who actually inspired Goldberg's 2016 return to the ring, as he wanted his son to see him wrestle, at least once. This led to what is arguably Goldberg's most successful run yet, and Gage has even gotten involved in the ring at this point, during Goldberg's SummerSlam 2021 match against Bobby Lashley.
1 His Undefeated Streak Ended On His Birthday
In a move that is still hotly contested to this day, Goldberg's unprecedented WCW undefeated streak, would end at the hands of Kevin Nash on December 27, 1998. Goldberg would reveal during the A&E special that this all happened on his birthday. He would go on to state that he didn't agree with the streak ending the way it did, and most fans agree with this take.
While Goldberg's streak has been revealed to have been considerably embellished, it was a big part of his aura during his time in WCW. This was one of the most surprising revelations that came from the recent A&E special on Goldberg's life and career.