GOLDBERG MEETS ‘THE GOLDBERGS’
Bill Goldberg is on another winning streak.
The former WCW and WWE heavyweight champion can follow another, albeit less punishing, script on a show with an easy enough name for him to remember.
Goldberg, meet “The Goldbergs.”
The 51-year-old Goldberg has a co-starring role on the ABC comedy when he appears as coach Nick Mellor on tonight’s episode. He plays the brother of series regular Rick Mellor (Bryan Callen), the gym coach. The brothers have a strained relationship that can only be patched up by Beverly Goldberg when they are forced to temporarily move into the Goldbergs’ house.
“I felt like I was at home. Everywhere I turned, I saw my name,” Goldberg said, laughing in a phone interview. “It gave me an opportunity to show the lighter side of Goldberg.”
He built his reputation as one of the baddest men in pro wrestling.
Goldberg, who had a brief NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, burst onto the wrestling scene with the now-defunct WCW on a 173-0 winning streak capped by a win over “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan for the company’s championship. He moved on to WWE and won its championship before he took a 12-year hiatus from the sport.
Goldberg returned in 2016 and would become the company’s universal champion. He lost the championship to Brock Lesnar at last year’s WrestleMania in what stands as his last match.
“Do I want to roll the dice again? I don’t know,” Goldberg said. “I’ll quote one of the most famous movies that I was ever in, ‘Santa’s Slay’: It ain’t over ’til I say it’s over.”
Goldberg made his surprise return in large part to get the chance to wrestle in front of his wife and young son. His son turned 11 last year and had never seen his dad wrestle. Goldberg often hoisted his son on his shoulders, brought him into the ring or gave him a shoutout during his comeback run.