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Wrestler knows Mixed Martial Arts

Posted: Feb 6th 2007 By: CMBurnham

Former wrestling champ and international star Bill Goldberg goes from the ring to the announce desk when Mixed Martial Arts promotion Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) launches on the Showtime cable network Saturday, Feb. 10.

The former football player turned wrestler, who has been training in Muay Thai five years, owns the Extreme Power Gym in Oceanside, CA.

Above all, he is a fan of the sport.

''There is legitimacy to my name,'' said Goldberg, who announced a World Fighting Alliance (WFA) event in the summer and a handful of Pride Fighting Championship shows.

``I do have a pretty extensive background. It's not just like getting someone cold and putting them in the booth just because they're a well-known name.''

Through the years, Goldberg has also built a relationship with many of the fighters in the MMA world. Included are Frank Shamrock and Renzo Gracie, the two men who will headline the card on Saturday.

''I'm as objective as humanly possible,'' said Goldberg, who joins actor and Dancing With the Stars celeb Mario Lopez for the show. ``At the end of the day, I'm going to probably note all of their skills, and it will be up to them to dictate the finality of the fight.

``You can train as much as you want. You can be as prepared and skilled as much as you want. When that bell rings, any single thing can happen.

``Take the Gracie-Shamrock fight; they're both good friends of mine and unbelievable liaisons for the business in their own right. It's going to be tough to see one lose, but I know through their years involved with the sport the loser is going to take it like a man and go back to the drawing board. He's going to find out why he lost, and he's going to work on his game. They're perfectionists and will come back even stronger than ever.''

The company tentatively plans to hold four to six events in 2007, complete with pay-per-view quality fights on the premium network.

''Showtime is the first premium channel to put MMA on,'' said Goldberg. ``Obviously, they have a plethora of subscribers that have the channel anyway, and this fight is going to come free to them. Many of them have never seen an MMA fight before. It's kind of a cornucopia of MMA stars on one card.

``We're going to use it to try and bring new fans in along with the ones already out there by bringing them good, reputable and dangerous fighters.''

As the MMA spotlight shines on EliteXC, Goldberg is content watching from the sidelines.

''I'm 40-years-old so my days of putting those skinny tights on, whether it be for wrestling or fighting, are pretty much over with,'' said Goldberg. ``Although, [Live Events President] Gary Shaw, like pretty much any good promoter I've been associated with, is going to try to get me in the ring or cage. You never say never, but the reality is for me to be a successful MMA fighter you have to be well-rounded and put the time in. It's tough to put six months in and say `Ok, I'm going to fight.'''

With a recent guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), Spike TV's Pros vs. Joes, a number of movies and a hosting gig on Spike TV's new automotive reality show Bullrun, debuting March 13, Goldberg has put pro wrestling on the backburner.

Despite not making a major national wrestling appearance since WrestleMania 20, his name still is mentioned in those circles.

Recently Total Nonstop Action (TNA) wrestling put Goldberg and fellow former WWE star and MMA enthusiast Brock Lesnar on a ballot where fans voted who they believed would be NWA champ Christian Cage's mystery trainer for his match against Kurt Angle at the Against All Odds PPV on Sunday, Feb. 11.

''If it wasn't for a phone call from Lesnar, I wouldn't have known about that,'' said Goldberg. ``Brock said, `You know that they are using our name again.'

``I told him it pisses you off to a point because you see people capitalizing on your name, and it benefits you in absolutely no way, except for the fact that it keeps the name out there.

``If it were not for wrestling, I wouldn't be doing this Showtime gig and the Spike TV gig, because as many bad things that were associated with it, that profession kind of put me on the map. I owe a lot to it, and I owe the fans even more, but it pisses me off as a promotion that somebody would do that.

``That is no big deal. It just gives me more of a reason to beat the hell out of them even more.''

While Goldberg might not be beating up people in the ring anymore, his mother Ethel, a resident of Miami, remains proud of any entertainment endeavor her son enters.

''I think she's happy,'' said Goldberg, whose father Dr. Jed Goldberg, also a South Florida resident, passed away.

``However, she was happy walking down the street, knowing her son was pulling in some ratings on television -- but I'm doing it in a different way, with a different company and a different network.

``We all have to evolve and reinvent ourselves at the drop of a hat, and I have done it a number of times, and hopefully this isn't the last. The reality is this is something I enjoy, and a lot of these guys are friends of mine. I've got the best seat in the house.''

Frank Shamrock and Renzo Gracie main event a 10-bout card, as EliteXC makes its debut on Showtime at 10 p.m. (ET.) Saturday, Feb. 10 from the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS.

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1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title

Week of Sun 07-19 to Sat: 07-25

07-19 1968 Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith def. The Spoiler & Gary Hart for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
07-19 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
07-19 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
07-19 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
07-19 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
07-19 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
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07-19 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
07-19 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
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07-19 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
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07-19 2024 Jason Simon/Bishop Simon def. Nightwolf for the MajCW Native American Title
07-19 2024 Deacon Hendrix def. Cardinal Sin for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
07-19 2024 Tyler Shade def. Deacon Hendrix for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
07-20 1961 Waldo Von Erich def. Tony Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-20 1979 Gino Hernandez & El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario & El Halcon for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
07-20 1986 Eddie Gilbert & Sting def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
07-20 2008 The Forsaken (Michael Faith & Halo) def. Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
07-20 2013 Drake Gallows became the IZW Impact Division Champion
07-20 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
07-20 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) became the WFC Tag Team Champions
07-20 2018 Double D def. Colby Black for the MSWA eXpress Title
07-20 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-21 1947 Buddy Rogers def. Dale Levin for the NWA Midwest World Title
07-21 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & The Angel [1st] for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
07-21 2012 The Mercenary became the UWE United States Champion
07-21 2012 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Womens Champion
07-21 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Jake O'Brien for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
07-21 2012 Angel Blue def. Venus for the IZW Queens Title
07-21 2018 Drake Gallows def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
07-21 2018 Alex Royal def. Drake Gallows for the UWE Heavyweight Title
07-22 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-22 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
07-22 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-22 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
07-22 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
07-22 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
07-22 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
07-22 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
07-22 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
07-22 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
07-22 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
07-22 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
07-22 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
07-23 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-23 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
07-23 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
07-23 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
07-23 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
07-23 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
07-23 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
07-23 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
07-23 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
07-23 2026 MLP def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-23 2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. MLP for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-23 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-24 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
07-24 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
07-24 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
07-24 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
07-24 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
07-24 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
07-24 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
07-24 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
07-24 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
07-24 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
07-24 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
07-25 1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-25 1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
07-25 1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-25 1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
07-25 1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
07-25 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
07-25 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
07-25 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
07-25 2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
07-25 2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
07-25 2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
07-25 2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
07-25 2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
07-25 2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title

07-25

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Jack Gamble Jul 25th Today!
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1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title

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