Goldberg Reflects On The Day His Career Literally Hit A Glass Ceiling

In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his wrestling career that he now views as one of his biggest regrets. The incident, which occurred in late 1999 during his time with WCW, would alter the trajectory of his career for several months.

The event in question took place on December 23, 1999, during an episode of WCW Thunder. In an attempt to intimidate his rivals, Goldberg chose to smash his forearm into the window of a limousine belonging to the nWo. Reflecting on the incident, Goldberg expressed his regret.

I wish I would have picked up the sledgehammer walking out the door at WCW to smash the limousine instead of using my hand.

This split-second decision resulted in severe consequences for the former multi-time world champion. The impact of Goldberg’s forearm against the limo window caused an artery in his hand to be slashed open. The injury was far more serious than initially anticipated, requiring a staggering 199 stitches to close the wound. As a result, Goldberg was sidelined for much of the year 2000, derailing his career momentum at a crucial time.

The repercussions of this incident extended beyond Goldberg’s personal career. It effectively killed any planned storylines for him to seek revenge against the nWo, who had been consistently interfering with his attempts to reclaim the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. This setback not only affected Goldberg but also some would say contributed to WCW’s continued decline in the year 2000, ultimately leading to its closure and sale to WWE in March 2001.

During the interview, Goldberg demonstrated a reflective attitude towards his past mistakes.

Nobody is perfect. You live your life and live with the trials and tribulations and try to be a better person and learn from it all. I would have changed a lot, there is no question about it.

The limo incident wasn’t the only regret Goldberg shared during his candid conversation with Helwani. He also touched upon missed opportunities in his career, particularly regarding potential rivalries.

I wish I would have let [Chris] Jericho have a program with me before I did.

This revelation sheds light on a missed opportunity from 1998 when Chris Jericho had attempted to work a program with Goldberg. Despite Jericho’s on-screen efforts to provoke a feud, including mocking him on TV, a match between the two never materialised.

Goldberg’s honest reflections offer a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, where split-second decisions can have far-reaching consequences. His story serves as a reminder of the physical risks wrestlers take and the impact that seemingly small choices can have on their careers and the industry as a whole.

H/t to Fightful

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