Goldberg Has Arrived...

[BurningHammer]

For those of you who haven't heard the news, Bill Goldberg has officially signed on to work two upcoming dates for Keiji Mutoh's All Japan Pro Wrestling. He will work both the 8/30 and 8/31 Nippon Budokan shows, being booked by Mutoh and Tenryu, respectively.

8/30: Bill Goldberg vs. Satoshi Kojima
8/31: Bill Goldberg vs. Taiyo Kea

I have devoted an entirely new thread to this information, so that we may all have a common place to vent our spleen over the situation. Also, let's hear some predictions on the outcomes of these matches.

[BurningHammer]

Personally, I doubt that Goldie would have signed with the company in the first place were he not guaranteed to steamroll over his first two competitors. Mutoh will almost certainly book him to go over Kojima, to legitimate his presence in the company. Kea will probably end up jobbing to Mutoh the night before, and a second loss in two days could seriously damage his fledgling credibility. Let's hope Tenryu doesn't throw him to the wolves.

[kkeller]

I'm glad AJ signed him. It will be interesting to watch how the crowd reacts to him. He could help their business a lot if he's over with the Japanese wrestling fans something I'm curious about. His lack of ring skills shouldn't be a problem Kojima and Kea know how to work a good match. Plus it's just good to see him back in the ring if a wrestler doesn't wrestle what is he?

[JustS2pendous]

Superb news, finally some star power for all japan. I don't think he'll have any problem working the style, he never had to do much before in WCW but that doesn't mean he couldn't. Whether or not he'll steamroll over Kea & Kojima, I doubt he'll do both if he's only signed for two days. If he signed in the long term then he might go over both nights, AJPW won't bury their top two future drawing cards just to sell out Budoken Hall twice. Will they?

[Luds]

I think that Goldberg's signing in AJ is good for them as it will bring in some crowd... Hopefully, he'll help the company...

Now my guess is that Mutoh will defeat Kea, so Goldberg might just be there to lose to Kea and make him look good. This could be a sign that Mutoh will win the TC and drop it to Kea on a later date...

[Tradewynd]

I can't believe people are actually happy about this. We are talking about one of the worst workers of all time here, who we know is going to get pushed right to the top and will most likely win the TC as soon as he signs long term deal. I know Mutoh is trying to add some "entertainment" to the show, but Goldberg is not entertainment. If he's going for entertainment, steal Steve Corino, who can actually work. Employ Shane Douglas, who can at least almost work a decent match. Heck, call Ron Killings and book him around his TNA schedule. Not Goldberg. All Goldberg coming in will do is damage the credibility of All Japan's top workers for jobbing to a guy who can't tell a wristlock from a wristwatch(nor a hammer from a hammerlock). Am I the only one who shudders at the prospect of Goldberg saying "Who's next" while walking around with 3 belts?

On the other hand, if for some crazy reason Mutoh and Tenzan decide to throw caution into the wind and turn their shows 100% shoot for 2 nights only, then maybe, just maybe, the world has not yet gone insane. King's Road has been desecrated too much already. The line has to drawn somewhere. I say this far and no farther.

[emlyn]

My feelings are that as Goldberg has no real passion for the business, he could just be there for the bumper payday and may end up doing at least one job(and I don't think it'll be Kojima). I think they may even go for a screwjob or something.

I like Luds' theory about Kea, but i'd prefer it if Kea and Kojima swapped places.

[JustS2pendous]

What! Goldber is no way one of the worst workers of all time. He's match ups with Page, Hart and Sting proved he could work when put in that enviroment. WCW wanted him too squash, he was booked that way, he never had any chance to show off his credentials too work. People say he doesn't sell much, but again he was booked as an unstopable force. If the booking tells hoim not to sell or work techincal, then thats exactly waht he'll do. Give the guy a chance, if he can't work King's Road style then he'll be in for a very rude awakening soon. All Japan surely won't allow their brightest two stars too be destroyed by Goldberg/ However I do agree with suggestions to bring in Killings, Corino and especially Shane Douglas. Goldberg has been brought in too bolster the top line, give him a chance to do that and I doubt we'll be dissapointed.

[kkeller]

Tradewynd I can see your point but I don't really agree with you. It's true that Goldberg isn't very technically proficient in the ring but he can do a half-a-dozen moves pretty good. Kojima and Kea can work up good matches with him if they put some effort in to it and they have plenty of time to think about it. As far as booking is concerned your 100% right which makes these matches all the more interesting. Kojima really can't afford to lose coming off last month's PPV which means Kea has to do the job to Goldberg. However what if Goldberg is thinking of signing to do a Pride fight then he really has to win both matches to look strong. After he gets killed in his Pride fight then he can come back and return the job to Kea and Kojima. Perhaps he only wants to do the two AJ matches and be finished with Japan then the logical outcome would be to lose both matches. This is exciting to me to think about. I want to see those matches which is really the point anyway.

[Rex Idol]

His lack of ring skills shouldn't be a problem Kojima and Kea

I think Bret Hart might disagree. This guys lack of skill and bloated ego, combined with a couple of years worth of ring rust, is flat out dangerous. He can work two styles well: 1)The complete and total squash and 2) "Oops, sorry, did I just end your career? Oh well, my bad."

[screwloose]

there is no possible way this could be a good thing. we have seen what his lack of skill has done before(ie: bret hart) and we know that unfortunately they may want to make him out to be a monster like they did in wcw. they need to put him in his place early and have him win and lose like a normal wrestler.

[jstonek]

Give Muta credit for peaking everyone's interest by signing the biggest free agent out there, like him or not.

Personally I would love to see Shane Douglas in Kings Road.

[The Franceman]

Jesus save ours souls !

[Lariat]

Actually, Goldberg does have a decent repeitore of moves so who knows if he added a few new ones to his arsenal. I won't comment on him until I see his matches with Kojima and Kea. It would certainly worth getting those tapes just to see the people's reaction, Goldberg's entrance, etc. I'm just happy to see him not sign with the WWE.

[Rex Idol]

This idea that he know's a few moves isn't really the point. I can throw a clothesline or bodyslam someone, but there's a good chance I'd hurt somebody because I don't know how to do it with my opponents safety in mind, or more to the point I don't know how to work. Same story with Goldberg, except he's a very powerful man, and can do a lot more damage than an average sized jobber like me.




I'm still hoping he decides to go the shoot route(hope, hope), and stays clear of pro wrestling on either side of the Pacific.

Seeing him being taken apart in a MMA match would be the tape worth buying.