When Bill Goldberg made his surprise return to WWE at the 2024 Bad Blood event, it wasn’t just the fans who had something to say. Vince Russo, a seasoned voice in wrestling, took this opportunity to air his grievances and reflect on Goldberg’s career trajectory, particularly his controversial heel turn in WCW and his role in recent WWE storylines.
Goldberg’s career has been a series of ups and downs, especially marked by his transition from an unstoppable force in WCW to a more nuanced character in WWE. Russo, speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s “The Wrestling Outlaws” show, expressed his astonishment at how differently WWE used Goldberg compared to his own booking strategies in the past.
Goldberg’s WCW Heel Turn: A Misstep or Misunderstanding?
Back in the WCW days under Russo’s direction, Goldberg was famously turned heel, a move that Russo defends to this day. He commented on the backlash, stating, “That blows me away bro [Goldberg losing to Roman Reigns] because the dude had trouble with my booking? I didn’t use him that way. I just wanted him to turn heel. I wasn’t beating him, you know.” This shift was not well-received by fans at the time, who struggled to accept Goldberg as a villain.
The veteran’s critique doesn’t stop at the past. He also touched upon Goldberg’s recent roles in WWE, suggesting that Goldberg’s portrayal has been less than favorable, especially when compared to the powerhouse persona he maintained in WCW. Russo believes that much of the failure of Goldberg’s heel turn was due to the wrestler’s own reluctance to fully embrace his darker side, thereby affecting the storyline’s authenticity and success.
Imagining Goldberg’s Future in WWE
Despite the criticism, Russo also speculated on how Goldberg could be effectively reintegrated into current WWE storylines, particularly with the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia. He proposed an intriguing scenario where Goldberg could make a significant impact without competing in a full match: “I think it was very exciting. Do I want to see him come back to compete? After the last time I saw him compete, probably not, but if they can work something out where he gets involved somehow just to give a spear to Gunther somehow when Gunther is wrestling someone else.”
The potential for Goldberg to interfere in the match between Gunther and Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel could serve as a perfect blend of nostalgia and novelty, leveraging his iconic moves while sparing him from the physical toll of a full match.
As debates and speculations continue, the wrestling community remains split on Goldberg’s legacy and potential future contributions to WWE. While some admire his historic dominance and star power, others, like Russo, criticize his adaptability and recent portrayals. Whether Goldberg will step back into the ring or play a different role remains uncertain, but his impact on professional wrestling is indelible. As WWE moves forward, how they utilize such a storied figure will be crucial in maintaining the delicate balance between legacy and innovation in the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling.
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