Oct 24th 2026 08:09pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Wrestler knows Mixed Martial Arts

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.

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
Charlotte Flair says Ric Flair will be ‘ok’ following fall

Charlotte Flair says Ric Flair will be ‘ok’ following fall

Ric Flair is going to be okay. Following his hospitalization from a fall earlier on Friday, Charlotte Fla... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Cappuccino Jones announced he is no longer under an ID contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. He posted the following on social media: “Afte... Read More

All Columns

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming appearences.

Complete Calendar

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

  • 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
  • 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
  • 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
  • 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
  • 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
  • 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
  • 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
  • 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
  • 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2026 Heavy Metal Mario def. Abismo Negro, Jr. for the EDW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
  • 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2026 Logan Knight def. Nate Bourne for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 10-23 2026 Sean Ryan def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Openweight Title
  • 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
10-24
  • Bobby Lambert Oct 24th Today!
  • Ray Durán Oct 24th Today!
  • Daniel Powers Oct 24th Today!
  • Bill Dundee Oct 24th Today!
  • Phil Shark Oct 25th
  • Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
  • Paige Turner Oct 25th
  • Double D Oct 25th
  • Halo Oct 26th
  • Eddie Williams Oct 26th
  • Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
  • Troy Graham Oct 26th
  • Miss Linda Oct 27th
  • AWOL Oct 27th
  • Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
  • MVP Oct 28th
  • Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
  • Jake Boulder Oct 28th
  • Chris Smith Oct 28th
  • Mischief Oct 29th
  • D. J. Hall Oct 29th
  • Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
  • Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
  • Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
  • Debbie Combs Oct 30th
  • George Wells Oct 30th
  • Danny McShain Oct 30th
  • Jayson Boss Oct 31st
  • Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
  • Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
  • Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
  • Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
  • Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
  • Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
  • Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
  • Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
  • Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
  • Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd
  • Jimmie Deen Nov 4th
  • Assassin 1 Nov 4th
  • Max Leon Nov 4th
  • Bill Decker Nov 5th
  • Christopher Samuel Dean Nov 5th
  • Jules Strongbow [2nd] Nov 5th
  • Chris Chaos Nov 5th
  • David Jason Rose Nov 5th
  • Darin Matthews Nov 6th
  • Brian Faith Nov 6th
  • Frank Dunbar Nov 6th
  • Lu Kim Nov 6th
  • Ken Patera Nov 6th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1