Bill Goldberg Shares Life Story in New Book

WCW superstar Goldberg would like you to be next to buy his newly released book “I’m Next,” which hits bookstores nationwide this week. The text, subtitled “The Strange Journey of America’s Most Unlikely Superhero,” is co-written by his brother Steve.

Oklahoma native Bill Goldberg had aspirations of becoming a defensive lineman in the National Football League. Goldberg lacked the size and speed that NFL scouts seek; in fact, he describes his pro football career as “less than stellar.” Goldberg was the first player released by the expansion Carolina Panthers.

Following a career ending surgery in 1995, Goldberg pondered his future. He had befriended wrestling stars Sting and Lex Luger through a local gym, and a mutual friend, Diamond Dallas Page, finally persuaded a reluctant Goldberg to try his luck in the squared circle.

Goldberg met then WCW President Eric Bischoff through his friendships with the mentioned professional wrestlers. He expected to hear back from Bischoff about signing with WCW, but when his phone didn’t ring, he contacted Jim Ross, a fellow Oklahoman. The WWF immediately spotted Goldberg’s potential, and offered him a contract.

In the book, Goldberg recalls being literally hours away from signing with the WWF when WCW finally contacted him. Goldberg ultimately opted to sign with WCW, allowing him to remain in Georgia, and avoiding the move to Connecticut.

Goldberg signed with WCW in September 1995, but wasn’t assigned to the Power Plant until the end of the year. Upon completing his wrestling training, wrestling legend Arn Anderson became his mentor.

His first television appearance wasn’t on “Nitro” as many people believe, but rather on the now cancelled WCW Saturday Night. In the book, Goldberg clears up the facts regarding his first loss. It occurred in Dalton, Georgia at the hands of Chad Fortune (not Hector Guerrero as several sources indicate).

Within the wrestling world, it is no secret that Goldberg despises Scott Hall. In the book, Hall is described as “arrogant and rude.” Goldberg goes on by saying, “the way he handles himself in public is despicable .. I could write an entire book about how I feel about Scott Hall.”

Goldberg devotes a chapter to comment on wrestlers from the WWF. He states that he would like to wrestle Steve Austin someday, but due to his injures, feels that “may never became a reality.” He calls The Rock “a good representative for the business.” On Mick Foley, Goldberg reveals “he had to sacrifice his body to meet his goal.” Goldberg is clear that he is not a Triple H fan, referring to him as “cocky.”

The topic of the 1999 Starrcade is discussed; the pay-per-view in which Bret Hart suffered his career ending concussion. Goldberg states, “it was completely by accident and I’m very sorry that it happened.”

A short time later, Goldberg slammed his hand through the window of a limousine as part of a televised wrestling angle. He mentions in the book that the original idea was for Goldberg to break the glass with a sledgehammer, but he asked writers, “Where’s the theatrics in that?” As a result of the incident, Goldberg required 196 stitches and missed six months of action.

In addition to chapters devoted to Goldberg’s climb to the top of the wrestling business, the book also contains stories of his childhood and a section written by his father.

Parental warning: the book contains strong language.

[ HOME | [ LEGENDS/FREE AGENTS | [ WWE ROSTER | [ WWA ]