This week on Grilling JR, Jim Ross spoke extensively about Goldberg, he claimed that The Rock’s backing may have been sufficient to persuade the WCW legend to compete in the WWE. For Goldberg, it was a top-notch offer, which he respectfully accepted and used to his advantage.
Bill Goldberg waited a couple of years after WCW shut down before he agreed to work for Vince McMahon. He had an insane deal with Ted Turner that paid him to sit at home. The Rock was the first opponent for the former WCW Champion after his WWE debut. Later, after competing against The Great One at Backlash 2003, he had his breakthrough bout.
Goldberg brought it all for the 13-minute match with The Rock. It was regarded as a triumphant beginning for the former’s eagerly anticipated WWE tenure. As it turns out, Goldberg was initially on the fence about working with Mr. McMahon, but the chance to face The Rock couldn’t be passed up.
“Yeah, Rock had a great influence and impact on that whole negotiation because he was the top guy. He was The Rock. And anytime you can get a top guy to vouch for you, that they want to work with you at the biggest event of the year, how could it not make you feel pretty good?”
Jim Ross on Grillin Jr
Obviously, Goldberg would end up signing with the promotion and would feud with The Rock upon making his debut in WWE.
H/T to Ringside News
Follow Corey at @CoreyBrennanBS on Twitter
If you enjoy Bodyslam’s content, you can help donate to the site here. You can also visit our PWTees store and buy Bodyslam official merchandise here.
You can listen to all of Bodyslam’s podcasts by following us on Spotify and subscribing to our YouTube Channel, or any of your favorite podcast platforms.ⓘⓘⓘⓘⓘⓘⓘⓘⓘⓘ
