ECW legend Tommy Dreamer recently weighed in on Bill Goldberg’s sit-down interview segment with Michael Cole, offering a critical perspective on how the WWE Hall of Famer’s promo might be affecting fan perception ahead of his rumored final match against World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER.
Speaking on Busted Open After Dark, Dreamer said he felt Goldberg’s tone in the segment came off as overly aggressive — even arrogant — potentially swaying fans to root for his opponent instead.
“When I was listening to it… Goldberg came across more as the aggressor,” Dreamer noted. “We talk about tone and inflection. I thought it should have been more of a humble Bill Goldberg, then ‘I’m gonna kick your ass.’ All that stuff could come across as arrogant.”
Dreamer, who has known Goldberg personally for years, acknowledged the former champion’s intensity is real but suggested that approach may not have resonated with fans in the way WWE likely intended.
“Then I heard GUNTHER’s promo, and I knew I was right. The fans are cheering for GUNTHER,” he added. “Hopefully the fans don’t boo Bill Goldberg in his last match, because they were certainly cheering for GUNTHER.”
The former ECW Champion proposed an alternate promo style that he believes would have better connected with the WWE Universe — one that leaned into vulnerability and emotional relatability, building toward Goldberg’s trademark fire.
“If he would have said, ‘I’m a 58-year-old man. But sometimes when I hear my music, I become 28 — and then after the match, I feel 78.’ Then, if you’re going to insult me in front of my fans and family, I have to stand up… build to the rage instead of starting there.”
Dreamer emphasized that the disconnect between the character and the person made Goldberg seem less sympathetic in what should be a celebratory send-off.
“He came off more as the aggressor and less likable,” Dreamer concluded. “And I like Bill Goldberg. I love Bill Goldberg — the character and the person — but I don’t know if that came across in the sit-down.”
With Goldberg’s farewell bout on the horizon — and GUNTHER gaining significant crowd support — the promo dynamic could play a major role in shaping how fans receive the iconic figure in what may be his final WWE match.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for the latest on Goldberg vs. GUNTHER and continued coverage of WWE’s Road to Night of Champions.
(h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription)
