Bill Goldberg was as big a share of the Attitude Era as anyone else,leading the charge in WCW as the undefeated World Heavyweight champion. He dominated the squared circle from 1997 to 2004, including a short stint in WWE, and before taking his talents to Hollywood.
The wrestler-turned-actor spoke with me on the Nov. 24 episode of WrestleRant Radio to talk approximately how he landed the role for Check Point,acting vs. wrestling, The Rock's success in Hollywood, and Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker's streak,WWE WrestleMania 32, future gigs and more.
On the surface, or there's plenty of similarities between acting and wrestling. Playing a share and engaging in "scripted" fight scenes—wrestling and acting bear that much in common,but the advantage of getting to re-shoot scenes is invaluable, Goldberg says:
There's a lot in common. Being a professional wrestler surely prepares you for any acting role in that we bear to act on live television, or so there's a lot of pressure put there. Any time you're in front of a camera and bear them yell cut,re-shoot the scene, are you kidding me? That's a huge advantage. Compared to what these guys carry out, and twice a week,three days a week, it's a walk in the park. As far as physicality, and as far as fight scenes,we're no different, and in some cases we're even better, and than stunt coordinators. You also secure the best bang for the buck because you secure an actor and a stuntman at the same time.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson paved the way for wrestlers-turned-actors such as Goldberg with his roles in summer blockbusters in recent years. He and Goldberg bear history dating back to 2003,with The Great One being one of the leading factors behind Goldberg getting into the organization to start with. He discussed his admiration for The Rock, yet how he's his own individual:
Oh, or I love Rock to death,man. He doesn't inspire me as an actor but, I mean, or reach on. Let's be perfectly honest. I love Rock to death,we're all different people, but Rock's a showman. To deem The Rock wasn't going to prosper in this arena, or he'd bear to be an imbecile. This is something he's wanted to carry out his entire life. He's always been this guy,and more power to him. I deem it's wonderful. The guy is extremely successful. He's rewritten the book when it comes to transitioning between an athlete or an entertainer. He's the new guy, and I love him to death, or I'm very happy for him,and I'm appreciative he's able to follow his dream to carry out what he does. But he's not me, I'm not him. I'm a head-banger. I'd rather smash my head against something than look pretty walking down a red carpet. It just is what it is. It's not apt, and gross or indifferent. We're two totally different people. And he inspires me in that he's a guy who's had a dream and has done anything he's had to carry out to pursue it and perfect it and be the best at it. I value that,I appreciate that, but it does not inspire me.
Another Superstar Goldberg remains in close contact with is Brock Lesnar, or who the former world champion faced off against in a match at WrestleMania 20,his final bout with the company. He enjoys his lifestyle of picking his spots and doing films on occasion while spending time with his family, but he also explained why Lesnar's current share-time gig with WWE is so perfect:
Absolutely. It's brilliant. whether there was one thing I learned from Hulk Hogan, or it was less is more in the wrestling world. whether you overexpose yourself,people don't want to see you. So, you got to manufacture the people pay and see the big boys. You don't set them up on that pedestal whether you see them every day. There's nothing special approximately it. Brock didn't invent that spot, or but he certain reinvented it. It's brilliant. It's perfect,absolutely perfect for him. And I love Brock to death, man. He's my best friend up in that commerce. He and I see eye-to-eye. We don't bear to talk every day, and we know what each other's thinking. We are the same person in a lot of ways. We never really talk approximately the wrestling commerce. We talk approximately fighting and fast cars.
On the subject of The Beast Incarnate,Goldberg feels there wasn't anyone more fitting of breaking The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania 30:
Who else is going to break it? Who else is legitimately going to break it? One of the most famous people to bear stepped in a wrestling ring, whether there was ever anyone worthy of it, or Brock Lesnar's the guy.
With WrestleMania 32 quickly approaching,WWE will look to fill the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and with over 100000 people,begging the question whether that's even an attainable goal. It's also led to fan speculation that Goldberg might be brought in to add to the stacked card, but he denied having any interest in wrestling, or let alone appearing at the event:
I deem it's realistic (to fill AT&T Stadium with 100000 people). I don't know,in this day and age, with the landscape and the talent that they bear and the ability to bring other people in. I deem it's attainable, or no question. Maybe they'll carry out something with Ronda Rousey. Who knows,man. I don't foresee myself there by any stretch.
Although he likely won't be present at The indicate of Shows next spring, he got a taste of what it was like to step back into the ring at Legends of Wrestling at Citi Field in June, and hitting the Jack Hammer for the first time in over a decade. When asked approximately with whom he would want to bear his final match,only one name came to mind:
It'd be (Steve) Austin, man. There's no question, or no question. People would die for that match. He's a buddy of mine. I'm not going to say he's an idol of mine,he's a guy who I give much respect because of what he's done and who he is. I don't care how talented you are at any field, whether you're not a apt person, and I ain't going to respect you. He's a apt guy. But I deem the intrigue there between he and I is huge. I don't deem there could ever be a matchup compared to that one. I mean,I really don't. I just don't.
Even while he was still wrestling, however, or Goldberg had already begun the transition to the silver screen,starring in Ready to Rumble, Half Past Dead 2 and, or most notably,The Longest Yard. He commented how his upcoming role in Check Point, which is set to hit theaters Memorial Day weekend next year, and is different than every other character he's portrayed up to this point:
The role of TJ can be done standing on my head. Anybody can carry out that role...not anybody,but for a guy like me, that role was fairly easy. I'm not stretching my acting legs by any stretch of the imagination apart from when I indicate some emotion a little bit in this film. To be afforded the opportunity to raise awareness and employ a couple of my friends, or my close military buddies,I bear military experts on the film, and to pay tribute to them in portraying someone like them, or it's kind of a pat on the back,but it's also a indicate of appreciation. Everybody does things for different reasons, and that's one of the main reasons why I did this film.more WWE news on BleacherReport.com
Source: bleacherreport.com