I'M BILL GOLDBERG, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?

RichInKC: Well, I have one topic I keep hearing about all over the Internet. I figure I will start off with this and, if you don't kill me, move on to other questions. I hear people say all the time that you are some kind of knockoff of Steve Austin or Ken Shamrock, how would you address that?

Goldberg: Is either of them way over 240 lb? Has either of them played in the NFL? That will answer your question. That is where I develop my character. I developed my character since birth. Ask Dallas Page, Eric Bischoff, or anyone else about one reason why they wanted me to wrestle, they wanted me because I am the walking gimmick. I am what you see. What you see is what you get, I have no reason to copy anyone. To say anything else is B.S.

RichInKC: Tell us about your pre-wrestling life? We know you played football at the University of Georgia and professionally for the Falcons what else is there to Goldberg's past?

Goldberg: I studied martial arts on and off ever since college. I kind of do it as a hobby. An injury got me out of football. I sat around for a couple years trying to figure out what to do. Lex and guys I have known for years encouraged me to try wrestling and it seemed a great way to showcase my athleticism and aggression.

RichInKC: We have heard rumors about some kind of tough man or shootfight division in WCW. Would that hold an interest for you?

Goldberg: Undoubtedly since it would have the toughest guys in and out of WCW. If there is anyone out there thinking they are the true toughman of the WCW, then hell yea I want a piece of that division.

RichInKC:Who are some of your influences, in wrestling and sports in general?

Goldberg: My brother played for the Raiders for a short time, so I took to the Raiders philosophy. I was influences by guys like John Matusek and Lyle Alzado ­ a nuts big guy who didn't give a damn, but intelligent enough to know the difference between right and wrong. To say I emulate either of those guys is insane, but to say I emulate the Raider's persona is a fact.

RichInKC: Now, lately there seems to have been some repetition in your moves and some of your critics are calling you a one-move wrestler. Why the repetition of the Spear move and the Jackhammer and will we see more from Goldberg in the near future?

Goldberg: First of all, that's two moves. Second of all, did you watch Nitro last night. Third of all, why give everybody everything you got right away and shoot your wad all at once. If I am getting over with two moves, why do more? Not that I don't have more, but why waste it? I have another move called the Corkscrew that will stun everyone. I would tell you more, but what people don't know will hurt them.

RichInKC: OK. I gotta ask of all the people to try to take out to try to make a rep, why Mongo? What makes you want to go after him, of all people in WCW?

Goldberg: There comes a time when there is a new sheriff in town you're talking to him. I don't want everyone to think that there is only one ex-football player in wrestling. I don't use my football career as a crutch to get a wrestling career. I could care less about the football, now wrestling is my thing. I respect the guy as a football player, he was all-pro, but I am going to prove to him that this is my arena. I don't care what he has done in the past.

RichInKC: You are pretty new to the sport, how have you been treated so far, and who have you made friends with in WCW?

Goldberg: Ya know, there are a bunch of good guys here ­ Lex, Sting, Hall, Norton, Bagwell, Page. Everyone has really helped me. Obviously, there are some people who will rub you the wrong way because I am getting such a push in such a short time, but that comes with the territory. I might feel the same way in their position. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt, until they screw with me. Meng and the Barbarian are two of the nicest guys in the world. It is really strange how people perceive some of these guys, and myself included.

RichInKC: How is the backstage locker room in wrestling different from what you are used to in an NFL locker room?

Goldberg: There's no difference really. Wrestling is a lot more relaxed, but there is the same ribbing, the same card games, the same conversations. The wrestling group is more diverse than football.

RichInKC: Not many guys the size of the luchadores in a football team?

Goldberg:Well, maybe the kicker.

RichInKC: How would you compare the athletic demands of wrestling to football?

Goldberg:Totally different, you need a hell of a lot more aggression in football. Well, I don't. I show the same intensity now that I showed on the field. It is a bit different in that we have to contort ourselves in such a way to keep from getting killed. There are some lulls in matches, but not on a football game. It is constant action every moment you are on the field.

RichInKC: I understand that you are on the Internet?

Goldberg: Yeah, I am on AOL. I jump in the chat rooms sometimes, but people don't seem to believe I am me. My email is Annihil8or@aol.com. If you see Annihil8or on, it is the real deal.

RichInKC: Thanks for your time, Bill.

Goldberg: No problem, but call me Goldberg.