Goldberg is one of the most believable WWE Superstars of all time. However, even the WCW legend's most loyal supporters must admit that he is not on the same in-ring level as many of his co-workers.
In 2003, Goldberg joined WWE two years after Vince McMahon bought WCW. The Rock, who had already launched his Hollywood career by that point, recommended the former American footballer to McMahon.
The Great One was so convinced of the former WCW star's abilities that he wanted to share the ring with him. But, as WWE executive Bruce Prichard recalled on a 2018 episode of his Something to Wrestle With podcast, their storyline did not begin well:
"I think it was two weeks, three weeks into this. Rock, who begged us to bring Goldberg in, comes to us and says, 'Hey, I got an idea. I've been watching the little guy with the mask (…) Rey Mysterio, is that his name? Holy s**t, man, we could tear it up! How about we just slide Rey into the match, I do something with Rey? That'll be a great f***ing match.'"
Goldberg defeats The Rock in the main event of #Backlash 2003! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MZwrqkeZL2
— WrestlingMemories (@WrestleMemories) August 23, 2016
4/27/2003
— Instagram: AWrestlingHistorian (@LetsGoBackToWCW) April 27, 2022
Bill Goldberg defeated @TheRock at #Backlash from The Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts.#TheRock #DwayneJohnson #ThePeoplesChampion #JustBringIt #BrahmaBull #TheGreatOne #Electrifying #Goldberg #BillGoldberg #WhosNext #FearTheSpear #BelieveTheHype #WWE #WWEHistory pic.twitter.com/OpfqIbEFrY