Bill Goldberg’s return to WWE and his impending match with Brock Lesnar (likely at the Survivor Series) has almost everyone excited. Ratings are up, WCW nostalgia is running wild, and Ryback is complaining about stuff. But there’s one person who isn’t entirely on board with this big return: presidential candidate Ric Flair.
On the latest episode of The Ric Flair Show, the Nature Boy explained why he doesn’t think this comeback is such a good idea, and why Goldberg should have thought the whole thing over a little bit more.
“The truth is I think Bill would be a nice addition, but, I mean, when you’ve been out of the business as long as he has, here’s the same deal: you’re wrestling Brock Lesnar, brother. That’s not a way to start out. It just isn’t. Do you know what I’m saying? Not that Bill’s fragile by any means, but when you’ve been away that long, your body hasn’t been in the ring, that’s why I say all the time, ‘time off is a wrestler’s worst enemy’. And he [has] been off a long time and to jump in there against Brock who is in peak condition all the time, because of his dual roles, either MMA or professional wrestling, he stays in top shape and I don’t know that Bill has. Bill looks great, but I haven’t seen him in the ring, so it’s a tough call. I think it’ll be interesting for the fans, but I’m glad it’s not me getting in there with Brock. I’ve been there and done that, man.”
Flair implores Bill to read Brock Lesnar’s T-shirt. No, not the part that says Jimmy John’s. Everyone can appreciate that part. Flair doesn’t think Goldberg is prepared to take a bevy of suplexes.
“The t-shirt and it’s all over everywhere, he sells that t-shirt, Suplex City. Whoever is going to work with Brock Lesnar, whether he [has] gotten smarter, he’s not going to change his style and he’s going to get suplexed, not just once, not twice, but at least 10 times and I don’t know if Bill’s ready for that. You’re off for a couple of months, much less 10 years, you’re going to get in the ring and you’re going to wrestle Brock Lesnar the first time around? Ha! Good luck with that! That’s just the way it is. His body is not used to it and Brock is a whole different can than spearing Ric Flair, okay? Correct? I mean, I just don’t think Bill is going to be physically up for that, myself. I mean, it might look good on paper, but, God, because Brock is 10 times more aggressive now than he was the last time he wrestled Bill.”
Randy Orton’s poor ruined head notwithstanding, Lesnar hasn’t really been known for taking liberties with people or accidentally hurting people since returning to WWE, but it’s true that a bunch of German suplexes from a terrifyingly strong man could spell trouble for someone who is 49. Those matches certainly took their toll on the Undertaker, after all.
Personally, I believe that Goldberg will go into the match knowing his limitations and I think he’s probably going to take far fewer suplexes than, say, Dean Ambrose or Roman Reigns have in their matches against the Beast Incarnate. Also, what world are we living in where Ric Flair is the voice of restraint and reason? That’s unsettling.
(h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription)
