WWE News: Backstage Details On How Goldberg’s Video Game Deal Affects His Status With The WWE
After it was unveiled on Monday Night RAW that it was Goldberg who had been in the “hatch,” the internet has been buzzing about the unthinkable. WWE had been using their social media platforms to post cryptic messages about a hatch that was set to open this past Monday night. And when it was revealed that the teases led to Goldberg appearing in the WWE 2K17 video game, it fueled speculation about his return to the company and a return to the ring.
Most of the in-ring rumors were quickly squashed as Goldberg signed a deal with 2K Sports, not with WWE. But the door should never be completely shut on a reunion. Just in the past week alone, we’ve heard rumors about Kurt Angle coming back to WWE, and we were treated to AJ Styles and John Cena appearing in the same ring for the first time ever. Any deal consummated with the video game company is completely separate and different from any contract WWE would be negotiating. However, according to the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, it was reported that any deal signed with 2K sports involving a WWE video game has to be signed off on by Vince McMahon.
It should be obvious that Vince must approve of everything that airs on WWE programming and promoted on the company’s various outlets. And while the teasing of the hatch was done primarily on social media, the big reveal was done during RAW for the world to witness. That doesn’t slip through Vince. And while the two sides have had a contentious relationship going back more than a decade, history would indicate that Goldberg signing with the WWE isn’t out of the question.
This isn’t the first time that 2K Sports has tried to lure Goldberg into a deal to include him in their video game. That doesn’t necessarily mean that there has been an interest on either side, and it isn’t known whether Vince approved of the idea in the past, rejected it, or if Goldberg himself turned down previous offers. But the history that was mentioned includes the Ultimate Warrior and Sting signing with 2K Sports before they ever signed with WWE. In both cases, it had been believed to be a long shot, but both agreed to WWE contracts after they signed deals with the video game company.
WWE 2K17 is coming to last-gen and current-gen with a Goldberg pre-order offer. https://t.co/gqJowgLf3z pic.twitter.com/V8RKYGwY1S
— Game Informer (@gameinformer) May 31, 2016
2K Sports has a yearly desire to add a character to its WWE video game that isn’t currently under any WWE contract but who has clear ties to the company. In the past, they’ve developed characters for Randy Savage, Mike Tyson, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, and, of course, Ultimate Warrior and Sting. It appeared that Goldberg might be the only remaining legend not to be used in the game that they finally landed for WWE 2K17. It is worthwhile to point out that the reaction to the video revealing Sting’s inclusion in the game was a major factor in the two sides actually agreeing to a performer’s contract. Sting may have very well ended up in the Hall of Fame, but the video game pushed the conversations further than they might have gotten without it.
As noted, Goldberg and the WWE have a rocky relationship, one that has prevented them from finding common ground on a comeback tour. Dave Meltzer pointed out that it got so bad that at one point in 2005, the company had offered its lead announcer role to Mike Goldberg to replace Jim Ross. However, they had such disdain for Bill Goldberg that they did not want to allow Mike to use his last name, Goldberg. Ultimately, Mike turned down the offer to return to UFC, and the job was given to Joey Styles. Bill Goldberg has stated on several occasions that he wants to return to the ring for one more high-profile match so that his son can see him perform. WWE has contended that his financial demands are too high, but if “high-profile” is what he desires, WWE is really the only game in town.
[Image via WWE]
