Goldberg Admits He Will “Never Be Ready To Be Done”

Goldberg has admitted that he will never be ready to hang up his boots but says he doesn’t want to take a spot “that’s not his”.

On the February 4th edition of WWE SmackDown, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman opened the show, gloating about how they cost Brock Lesnar the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. However, things quickly soured for ‘The Tribal Chief’ and his Special Counsel when Goldberg made his return to WWE, interrupting their celebration.

While the WWE Hall of Famer said he “acknowledged” Roman Reigns, it was only as his next victim. It was later confirmed that the two will clash at Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia on February 19th with the Universal Championship on the line.

The upcoming match is reportedly the last of Goldberg’s WWE contract. This has led to speculation suggesting that the WCW legend might be considering bringing his time in the ring to a close.

Now, in an interview on WWE After The Bell, Goldberg addressed his status with the company and confirmed that, if he does win the Universal Championship, he won’t walk out on WWE with the title.

“I would not ride off in the sunset if I was victorious by any stretch of the imagination because a champions responsibility is to be there on television and represent to the ‘nth’ degree. If I was victorious, I would not run out of here, I would not hold anybody up, I would not do anything like that because of what the business has given me. I’m not that guy anymore.

“It does present a very interesting predicament. I try not to look past my current adversary. I’ll deal with that situation afterwards. For right now, this could be the last one. I have to go out the right way. I’m gonna try to break Roman’s face and every other part of his body so I can be the Universal Champion.”

The Hall of Famer went on to say that the possibility of his bout with Reigns being his last is motivating for him, although he’s found it difficult to keep his eye on the prize.

“It’s quite motivating. My family won’t be there. Do I want to go out like that? No. Not at all. There is a lot going through my mind in preparation for this. It’s been hard to keep my eye on the prize because I’ve been derailed mentally a few ways leading into this match. I take it one step at a time.”

However, Goldberg explained that he doesn’t think he’ll ever be ready to retire, although he also doesn’t want to outstay his welcome.

“No. I’ll never be ready to be done. It’s something that…I can’t explain it. Once a warrior, always a warrior, you’ll never take it out of me….It’s a conundrum, it really is. I don’t want to tarnish anything, I don’t want to insult anybody. I don’t want to take a spot that’s not mine, but somebody had faith in me and I need to reflect upon that and have faith in myself. This business, this life, especially during these times, it’s not hard to second guess yourself, your decisions.

“I’m not going to cry or play a fiddle or make an excuse, I just have to be me. If there’s enough of me to still do what is asked from me, then I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. That’s a different aspect of the preparation. it’s tough not to think about all that leading up to tomorrow, but I’m human. It’s an interesting situation.”

H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.