On Monday February 9th, 1998, fans of World Championship Wrestling would tune in for their weekly dose of Monday Nitro. On this night the fans within the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas were in store for the continuing tale of the undefeated Goldberg, easily among the most compelling parts of the product at the time. Goldberg had spent the better part of the last seven months tearing through opponents in short form, and becoming one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster in the process. This night would feature his first match in the infamous “Streak” to go longer than 2 minutes, and a match that would continue to be brought up in conversation for decades to come, against the villainous blue blood Lord Steven Regal.

Related: Goldberg Reveals Why He Never Had Dream Match With Steve Austin

What fans would see would not be the typical Goldberg squash. Lord Steven Regal, as he was known at the time, would pull out of Goldberg a six-minute match that to many was seen as a test for the young powerhouse. The most competitive match he had in WCW up to this point, featuring decently stiff strikes from Regal, and attempts to ground the former NFL player, was enjoyed by many fans despite some awkward moments, but looked at differently overall by some higher-ups backstage at WCW.

Some fans have often pointed to Regal’s departure from the company not too long thereafter as a result of how the match with Goldberg played out. As years went on, Goldberg has also been vocal that he feels like Regal took advantage of a young inexperienced wrestler that night despite not feeling that way at the time.

william-regal-walking-golden-mile-bill-goldberg-wcw-shoot

Regal Said He Did As He Was Told In His Match With Goldberg

William Regal’s side of the story is one that has remained the same over the years, telling his side a decade ago on Stone Cold’s Podcast, in his book “Walking a Golden Mile”, and most recently on one of the first few episodes of Regal’s new podcast “Gentleman Villain”. Regal stands by the fact that he was doing as instructed in the match: from the amount of time allotted to how competitive it appeared to be. Here is his most recent telling from an episode of Gentleman Villain:

“ I’ll say this much, I did as I was told by the person in charge of that match. This has all got twisted. Bill has different views. I feel as if I was thrown under the bus by the producer in charge of it. You can find this same story from me, and it never changes, and I am yet to name that person. If he’d open up, and admit to his side of it, you would see my side very differently… I was so frustrated that night, because as I came out of the match with Bill, there was a lack of communication in WCW. Eric came out screaming. I took it on the chin. Besides my famous quote of ‘I can’t hit myself Eric”, I just took it on the chin.” -William Regal on Gentleman Villain in 2022

Related: William Regal's Son, Charlie Dempsey, Debuts On WWE NXT

On the way to the ring, Mike Tenay on commentary made a point to say that Regal was in theory the stiffest competition that Goldberg had faced thus far, and that this may be the biggest challenge in Goldberg’s young career. That is a theme that seems to line up with what Regal says he was told to do before going through the curtain. Regal has also told his side of this story numerous times over the year on various outlets outside his own podcast, and besides a few discrepancies of dates from the veteran’s memory, the story has very much so stayed the same. He was not intending to take liberties, or make Bill Goldberg look bad. Regal was simply doing as he was told, and he still refuses to reveal the producer who allegedly gave him the order. Regal admits dipping back into drugs following this match, and he was fired by WCW a week later.

William Regal Vs Goldberg

Goldberg Says Regal Took Liberties With Him In The Ring

Bill Goldberg has also spoken his piece on the incident many times throughout the years, including in his book “I’m Next: The Strange Journey of America’s Most Unlikely Superhero." The 2000 book was supposedly the first Regal had heard of Goldberg’s complaints. In a 2014 Interview with Jim Ross, Goldberg brought up the altercation with Regal, of which Ross was unaware. Jim Ross asked if Regal took liberties in the match with Goldberg, to which Bill said he believed the answer was yes.

“ He did. Between he and Dave Taylor. A couple of the other hard-asses there. And I respect them for it, it's all good. Just don’t try to take advantage of me on national TV when I’m a piece of clay in your hands, and I’ll do anything you want. Let me know it’s gonna be a Japanese match, so I can give you some back, not so I can be led around by a guy that's gonna kick me in the head when I’m on all fours. I’d have loved to do that one again". -Bill Goldberg on The Ross Report in 2014

Related: 5 Best Tag Team Partners Of Goldberg's Career (& 5 Worst)

goldberg-regal-2022

Regal says he has attempted many times throughout the years to reach out to Goldberg and discuss the idea that he took liberties with the then rookie Goldberg. Bill has yet to reach back out to him, but Regal holds no ill will towards Goldberg. Goldberg most recently wrestled for WWE in February at Elimination Chamber live from Saudi Arabia, and Regal made his debut for AEW in March 2022 after a decades long run with WWE.