WWE News: Goldberg reveals off-screen friendship with bitter rival Brock Lesnar
What’s the story?
While Goldberg and Brock Lesnar made their biggest impacts in different companies, the two men will be inextrictably linked in the history of pro wrestling. Now, after their match at WrestleMania 33, Goldberg has opened up on his genuine thoughts of the Beast Incarnate.
The background...
After Goldberg joined WWE in 2003, he was eventually paired into a feud with Lesnar. Their match at WrestleMania XX, while terrible, was just terrible enough that fans are still talking about it to this day. Thirteen years or so later, and Brock and Goldberg put on the kind of rivalry that, while not spectacular, was at least a lot more entertaining than what came before. According to Goldberg, however, these two rivals are actually really good friends outside of the ring.
The heart of the matter
Wrestling, Inc. caught up with the former Universal Champion during the Sugar Factory Fashion Show in Las Vegas, and he had this to say about his rival:
"Brock is one of my best friends on the planet. He always has been and always will be. Whether we're inside the ring with him. He has done a lot of things in his life and is the utmost professional. That guy can work his ass off,"
Goldberg would go on to praise Lesnar’s ring psychology (”Whether we shell 2 moves or 200 moves, whether it's the psychology or the simple art of selling, Brock Lesnar is one of the best that has ever been out there”) and work ethic and made mention how easy it was to get back into a program with Lesnar after 13 years apart.
What’s next?
At the moment, Brock Lesnar is the current WWE Universal Champion and isn’t scheduled to defend the title until July, at the Great Balls Of Fire PPV in Dallas. Goldberg, on the other hand, has quietly worked his way back into retirement, although a return certainly isn’t ruled out. It’s safe to say, however, that these two won’t be fighting again anytime soon.
Author’s take
Call me crazy, but I really enjoyed the Goldberg/Lesnar program from Survivor Series to Royal Rumble to WrestleMania. It wasn’t the best planned out program, but it’s clear that, like a pair of veteran actors who have been in numerous movies together, these two enjoyed working together. Also, it’s interesting to hear different perspectives about Lesnar, especially considering he keeps to himself so much.