While not as harsh as CM Punk’s critique of AEW, Bill Goldberg didn’t hold back when discussing Tony Khan’s promotion during a recent radio interview earlier this month.
The WWE Hall of Famer described AEW as “too cheesy” and expressed his belief that there were no “viable competitors” to WWE where he could work and “still maintain my integrity.”
Goldberg’s remarks came as a surprise, given previous statements from Khan suggesting a positive relationship with the WCW legend, raising speculation about the possibility of Goldberg joining AEW in the future.
When asked about Goldberg’s comments on a recent episode of Superstar Crossover with Josh Martinez, AEW’s owner, president, and head of creative addressed the matter:
“Bill expressed interest in working here! We had several meetings, and I was genuinely interested in exploring possibilities. I’ve always respected Bill and was taken aback by his recent comments, as they don’t align with our discussions.
We’ve been open to the idea, and I genuinely like Bill. Timing is key, and we’re focused on numerous exciting projects at the moment.”
Khan found Goldberg’s criticism particularly surprising given the widespread acclaim AEW received for its handling of Sting’s retirement storyline and final match at March’s Revolution PPV.
Given Goldberg’s own discussions about retirement, this contrast puzzled Khan:
“I know Sting and Bill are close friends, and I hold Bill in high regard. But when I saw his comments, I was confused because he had discussed working with us previously, indicating no issues with our content.
The positive reception to Sting’s farewell speaks volumes. While I respect Bill, I’m unsure about the source of his criticism, given our past interactions.”
Tony emphasized that Goldberg’s recent public remarks don’t align with their private conversations:
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in my numerous personal and virtual interactions with Bill, he’s always been positive and courteous. Perhaps his perspective has shifted, but our past exchanges have been amicable.”
Reports surfaced about Goldberg’s hefty asking price, fueling speculation that his critical comments stemmed from AEW’s reluctance to meet his demands.