Background and career
William Scott Goldberg (born December 27, 1966), often known mononymously as Goldberg, is an American retired professional wrestler and football player. As a wrestler, he is best known for his tenures in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). One of the most popular figures of the professional wrestling boom during the late 1990s and early 2000s, Goldberg rose to fame in WCW with a lengthy undefeated streak in singles competition from 1997 to 1998, became the highest paid WCW wrestler, and led the company as its franchise player and public face until it was sold to WWE in 2001. During his time with WCW, he became a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, a two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion (with Bret Hart). Along with Hart, he is the fifth WCW Triple Crown winner. Following WCW's closure in 2001, Goldberg wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling between 2002 and 2003 and for WWE between 2003 and 2004, becoming a one-time World Heavyweight Champion (2002–2013 version) in the latter. After 12 years away from wrestling, he returned to WWE in 2016, winning the WWE Universal Championship for the first time in 2017 and a second time in 2020. He has headlined multiple WCW and WWE pay-per-view events, including WCW's premier annual event Starrcade (in 1998 and 1999). He headlined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, and is recognized as a four-time world champion in his career between WWE and WCW. He is the only wrestler to win a world championship after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, which happened with his second Universal Championship win. He had his retirement match at Saturday Night's Main Event XL on July 12, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, in a losing effort against Gunther for WWE's newer World Heavyweight Championship (introduced in 2023). Before he became a professional wrestler, Goldberg was a professional American football player. Following his first retirement from wrestling in 2004, he began working as a commentator for the mixed martial arts promotion Elite Xtreme Combat before it closed down. He hosted 26 episodes of Garage Mahal on the DIY Network from 2009 to 2011 and has acted in various films and television shows, including Universal Soldier: The Return and NCIS: Los Angeles.
William Scott Goldberg was born into a Reform Jewish family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on December 27, 1966, the son of classical violinist Ethel and obstetrician–gynecologist Jed Goldberg. He is of Russian-Jewish and Romanian-Jewish descent, with his Romanian-born great-grandfather having relocated to the US from Bucharest through Ellis Island. Jed was a graduate of both Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. His parents later divorced, and his father died in late 2006. His mother breeds flowers and created an award-winning hybrid orchid in 2000, which she named after Goldberg. Bill has two brothers. Goldberg had his bar mitzvah at a Reform synagogue, Temple Israel, in his hometown. He attended Tulsa Edison High School. He acquired a love for football early in his life. Due to his large stature, began working as a nightclub bouncer at the age of 16. Goldberg earned a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia.
At University of Georgia, Goldberg played college football for its Georgia Bulldogs as a defensive tackle. He was a four-year letterman (1986–1989) and earned Associated Press first-team All-SEC honors in 1989.
Goldberg was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round, with the 301st overall pick, of the 1990 NFL draft. He signed with the Rams on July 11, 1990, but he was released on August 29, 1990, before the start of the regular season. After being a free agent for the 1990 regular season, Goldberg signed with the Rams again on March 18, 1991. However, he was released again on August 19, 1991. He was then signed to the practice roster of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on September 11, 1991. On October 19, 1991, he was released by the Lions. On February 4, 1992, Goldberg was selected by the Sacramento Surge of the World League of American Football (WLAF) in the seventh round, with the 68th overall pick, of the 1992 WLAF draft. He played in all ten games for the Surge during the 1992 WLAF season and recorded three sacks. The Surge finished the season with an 8–2 record and advanced to World Bowl '92, where they defeated the Orlando Thunder by a score of 21–17. Goldberg became a free agent after the 1992 WLAF season and signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He was released on August 25, 1992, and signed to the Falcons' practice squad on September 1. He was promoted to the active roster on December 1 and made his NFL debut on December 3, 1992, wearing jersey number #71. Overall, Goldberg played in four games, starting one, for the Falcons during the 1992 season and posted two tackles. He became close with Deion Sanders during this time. Goldberg was released on September 6, 1993, but signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster again on November 10, 1993, and appeared in five games for the Falcons during the 1993 season, totaling eight tackles. Goldberg played in five games again in 1994 and made one solo tackle. In 1995, he was selected by the new expansion team the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL expansion draft. On April 20, 1995, he was cut by the Panthers, becoming the first player ever released by the team. Goldberg's football career ended when he "tore his lower abdomen off his pelvis". He explained that he hoped to return to the league after rehabilitation but was not considered a major asset due to his lack of success. The NFL was "a mixed emotional experience" for him, because he did not attain the level of success on the field that he desired, despite reaching the goal of simply playing in the league.
Following the end of his professional football career, Goldberg began training in powerlifting and mixed martial arts as part of his rehabilitation. During this period, he was approached by WCW performers Lex Luger and Sting, who encouraged him to consider a transition into professional wrestling. Although initially unfamiliar with the industry, Goldberg viewed it as a viable career path and began training at WCW's Power Plant, the company's official developmental facility. Competing under the ring name Bill Gold, he wrestled in several dark matches during the summer of 1997. He made his in-ring debut on June 23, defeating Buddy Lee Parker in a dark match prior to an episode of Monday Nitro in Macon, Georgia. On July 8, he suffered his only recorded dark match loss, to Chad Fortune, at a WCW Saturday Night taping in Jackson, Tennessee. Goldberg made his televised debut on the September 22 episode of Monday Nitro, where he defeated Hugh Morrus in what would be the first of a long series of victories. Over the following months, he was booked to win matches in dominant fashion, often defeating opponents in under two minutes. These quick and decisive victories helped build momentum for Goldberg, who was promoted as a powerhouse with exceptional strength and agility. His in-ring persona was characterized by silent intensity, explosive offense, and a distinctive entrance that featured him walking through backstage corridors to the ring. Goldberg made his first pay-per-view appearance at Halloween Havoc on October 26, assisting Alex Wright in defeating Steve McMichael. The following month, he faced McMichael in his first pay-per-view match at Starrcade on December 28, emerging victorious. Goldberg defeated Brad Armstrong at SuperBrawl VIII on February 22, 1998, and Perry Saturn at Spring Stampede on April 19. Around this time, WCW began officially referring to him solely as “Goldberg”, and began tallying his consecutive victories on television broadcasts. On the April 20 episode of Nitro, Goldberg defeated Raven to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. Raven had captured the title the night before at Spring Stampede, but was unable to hold off Goldberg despite interference from members of his faction, the Flock. Two days later on Thunder, Goldberg made his first successful title defense against Mike Enos. He later retained the championship against Saturn at Slamboree on May 17, Konnan at The Great American Bash on June 14, and Curt Hennig on subsequent programming. Around this time, he began using the catchphrase “Who’s next?” in reference to his ongoing winning streak. Goldberg's rise continued throughout the summer, eventually positioning him as a contender for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship held by Hollywood Hogan, the leader of the New World Order (nWo). A title match between the two was announced for the July 6 episode of Nitro, held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Before facing Hogan, Goldberg was required to first defeat Hogan's nWo ally Scott Hall in an impromptu match. Goldberg won both contests, capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in front of over 40,000 fans in his hometown. As a result, he vacated the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. Following his title win, Goldberg defeated several nWo members in a battle royal at Road Wild on August 8. He retained the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Diamond Dallas Page at Halloween Havoc on October 25 in a match that was praised by fans and later cited by Goldberg as his personal favorite. His undefeated streak culminated at Starrcade on December 27, where he lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to Kevin Nash. The match ended Goldberg's reign at 175 days, and the company promoted the loss as breaking his 173–0 undefeated record. Nash was assisted by Scott Hall, who interfered while disguised as a security guard and used a taser to incapacitate Goldberg. Goldberg would later avenge the loss by defeating Hall in a ladder match involving a taser at Souled Out the following month. While WCW officially billed Goldberg's streak as 173 consecutive victories, the actual number of matches won during the period was significantly lower. Wrestling media outlets and Goldberg's peers, including Chris Jericho and Jimmy Hart, have noted that the win count was exaggerated for promotional purposes. The inflation of his record was eventually noticed by fans, leading to skepticism and a decline in the storyline's credibility. Homemade signs tracking Goldberg's record became common at events, with some fans removing them after inconsistencies became apparent.
At Spring Stampede on April 11, 1999, Goldberg defeated Kevin Nash, avenging his first career loss from the previous year. The following month at Slamboree on May 9, he was written off television after an on-screen attack by Rick and Scott Steiner. During this hiatus, Goldberg began filming his role in the action film Universal Soldier: The Return alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme. He returned to in-ring competition at Road Wild on August 14, defeating Rick Steiner. Goldberg resumed a feud with Diamond Dallas Page and his allies in the Jersey Triad, culminating in a victory over Page at Fall Brawl on September 12. He then turned his attention to Sid Vicious, targeting Vicious's undefeated streak and the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. The rivalry culminated at Halloween Havoc on October 24, where Goldberg defeated Vicious via referee stoppage to capture the title for a second time. Later that same night, Goldberg accepted an unsanctioned open challenge from WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting and won, appearing to become a double champion. However, on the following episode of Nitro, WCW commissioner J.J. Dillon voided the result, ruling the match unofficial. Due to Sting's disqualification during the event, the title was declared vacant, and a 32-man tournament was announced to determine a new champion. Goldberg participated but was eliminated in the first round by Bret Hart, following interference from Sid Vicious and the Outsiders, which also cost him the United States Championship. Goldberg continued his feud with Vicious, defeating him in an "I quit" match at Mayhem on November 21. Later that month, he teamed with Hart to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship from Creative Control, though they dropped the titles a week later to the Outsiders. At Starrcade on December 19, Goldberg challenged Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. During the match, Goldberg delivered a kick that legitimately caused Hart a concussion and a neck injury. Despite this, the match continued and ended when special guest referee Roddy Piper awarded the victory to Hart via submission, although Goldberg had not tapped out. Hart vacated the title the following night, offering Goldberg a rematch, which Goldberg again lost following interference from Hall and Nash. Hart subsequently turned on Goldberg and joined Hall, Nash, and Jeff Jarrett to reform the New World Order. On the December 23 episode of Thunder, Goldberg sustained a serious injury while performing a scripted segment in which he attempted to break the windows of a limousine. During the segment, he punched through a real window with his forearm, severing an artery. He was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery and was sidelined for several months, missing a scheduled appearance at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Tokyo Dome event in January 2000. Goldberg returned to WCW on the May 29, 2000, episode of Nitro, interfering in a handicap match involving Kevin Nash. At The Great American Bash on June 11, he turned heel for the first time in his career by attacking Nash during a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match and aligning with the New Blood faction. The alliance was short-lived due to another injury, after which Goldberg returned as a face once again. He defeated Nash at Bash at the Beach on July 9 with assistance from Scott Steiner and later faced both men in a number one contender’s match at New Blood Rising on August 13. Goldberg walked out midway through the match after refusing to take Nash’s finishing move, an action that was scripted to reflect tensions between Goldberg and WCW head writer Vince Russo. He subsequently feuded with Steiner, culminating in a no-disqualification match loss at Fall Brawl on September 17 following outside interference. In October, WCW management—represented on-screen by Russo—introduced a storyline ultimatum: Goldberg would be forced to retire if he suffered another loss before matching his previous 173-match undefeated streak. He continued winning matches under this stipulation, including a handicap elimination match against KroniK at Halloween Havoc on October 29 and a feud with Lex Luger. Goldberg defeated Luger at Mayhem on November 26, and again at Starrcade on December 17, although he was attacked post-match by Luger’s associate Buff Bagwell. The two formed a tag team called “Totally Buffed” and continued to feud with Goldberg into early 2001. At Sin on January 14, 2001, Goldberg teamed with his trainer DeWayne Bruce in a no-disqualification tag team match against Totally Buff. The match ended in defeat after a planted ringside spectator used mace on Goldberg, leading to his first loss since the undefeated streak reset and triggering the retirement clause of the storyline. The loss was intended to write Goldberg off television for shoulder surgery. In March, WCW was sold to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Goldberg, who was still recovering from surgery, did not join the WWF roster. His contract with WCW, held by AOL Time Warner, was not among those acquired by the WWF, as it included a significant financial payout. Goldberg remained under contract until May 2002, when he reached a buyout agreement. At the time of the WCW closure, he was one of the company's highest-paid performers, alongside Bret Hart, earning $2.5 million annually with a clause that would have increased his salary to $3.5 million in the contract's final year.
