Goldberg has fired back at Bret Hart after one of his most infamous matches once again hit the headlines.
More than 23 years on from its closure, WCW has once again been a topic of discussion among wrestling fans due to VICE’s new Who Killed WCW? docuseries. Episode 2 saw Starrcade 1999 discussed, the night where the two former World Champions faced off in the main event. Goldberg delivered a mule kick in the match that connected with Hart’s head, ultimately forcing The Hitman to retire from in-ring competition much earlier than anticipated due to concussion-related issues.
Both men gave their side of the story in new interviews, with Hart continually blasting Goldberg as unsafe and the former NFL player stating that it was an accident:
Hart: When I think back on my career there will always be a little bitterness about that time period. I had so many things left in my career unfinished, things I wanted to do. To watch what WCW did with me, it was sad. They’re killing me off on purpose and they did.
How do you fight Bill Goldberg? He’s like a gorilla slamming guys right through the mat, running them over like a car. I would have pulled him aside and said ‘I want to teach you how to actually not hurt guys.’ When I walked out to the ring with Bill that night I really looked him in the eye and I said ‘Don’t hurt me out there. You need to trust me.’ It all went in one ear and out the other.
I really think Bill just saw me as another job guy, someone who was cannon fodder. If you watch that match, Bill goes ‘Watch the kick.’ I’m like watch the kick? I don’t understand what he’s doing. He kicked me as hard as he could. You could see me grab my neck. I was concussed.
Goldberg: You should protect yourself. You knew the kick was coming. It was in the deal.
Hart: It was never talked about or explained to me that I do this move where I kick guys in the head as hard as I can.
Goldberg: Nobody deserves that, but it was a freaking accident. Complete accident.
Hart: No Bill, that’s not an accident that’s a career-ending injury you idiot! I somehow will myself to stand up to be run over by this imbecile. It was one of the saddest days of my life and I knew that my career was over.
Goldberg: He never aspired to do anything else other than to be that guy. I ended that for him. I’ve never been so remorseful and I have been for years but f*ck man, I can’t do anything else.
Hart: Bill Goldberg was not qualified, but he’s our star. They just looked the other way. You go through the type of brain injury I went through you are just lucky to be alive.
H/t to Inside The Ropes.
“Grow Up”: Goldberg Issues Message To Bret Hart
Appearing on Busted Open Radio one week after the episode premiered, the Hall of Famer was asked about the recent interviews and the infamous match that took place almost 25 years ago. Once again reiterating that it was an accident, the former World Champion left a simple message to his former WCW rival:
“The Bret Hart thing is just it just saddens me as a human being. That’s all. I mean, first and foremost, I would never wish ill will upon any opponent or anyone like that to have an accident like that happen. And end someone’s career, especially someone who’s, you know, one of the best that ever was 100%. It sucks. I’m not asking anybody to understand it. I’m just saying, just leave me alone…
Yes, sir [about warning him the kick was coming]. Put your hand up. Do whatever you got to do, man. It is what it is. Come on, man. I love you, Bret. Don’t be such a prick. That’s all. Grow up.”
H/t to Inside The Ropes.
Featured image: WWE
