Meltzer: Goldberg is Heyman's "late-career Bruno Sammartino"

[lildude8218]

During today’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the return of WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg last night on Raw. The return confirmed earlier reports that Goldberg would face Dolph Ziggler in a one-on-one match at Summerslam, which is now official for Sunday. According to Meltzer, he likened Goldberg to the Bruno Sammartino under Paul Heyman’s current regime in charge of Raw.

Apparently, the plan under Paul Heyman as Raw Executive Director is to use Goldberg in a similar capacity as the late Bruno Sammartino toward the end of his in-ring career in the early 1980s. He stated that as long as Paul Heyman is in charge of Raw, “Bill [Goldberg] has his place as his Bruno [Sammartino]. That’s the role.”

I envisioned this as Goldberg on commentary barely saying anything and you forgetting he's even there.

[Deleted]

As someone who wasn't even born then (early 80s?!), can someone explain this to me? How was Bruno in the early 80s compared to how he's always been perceived?

[Gummydavidson]

Aug 6, 2019 16:35:55 GMT -5 @kn said:

As someone who wasn't even born then (early 80s?!), can someone explain this to me? How was Bruno in the early 80s compared to how he's always been perceived?

He was mostly used for live events and some TV tapings as a special attraction.

He had some good matches with Piper and Savage that helped put them over, only downside was when he was involved with his son David.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Aug 6, 2019 16:35:55 GMT -5 @kn said:

As someone who wasn't even born then (early 80s?!), can someone explain this to me? How was Bruno in the early 80s compared to how he's always been perceived?

He'd challenge say Savage for the IC belt and make a good accounting of himself, but wasn't really booked as a real legend except as lip service.

Sorta like Backlund outside of his brief title win. Say 93 Backlund.

[Deleted]

93 Backlund then huh, that sounds pretty cool if they can do it well. That's dope.

[cjh]

Aug 6, 2019 16:35:55 GMT -5 @kn said:

As someone who wasn't even born then (early 80s?!), can someone explain this to me? How was Bruno in the early 80s compared to how he's always been perceived?

From 1984-87, Bruno was a color commentator, but he was often used as a house show attraction against heels like Piper and Savage.  When Savage injured Ricky Steamboat and bragged about it, Bruno attacked him, leading to matches at MSG and the Boston Garden.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Aug 6, 2019 16:44:49 GMT -5 @kn said:

93 Backlund then huh, that sounds pretty cool if they can do it well. That's dope.

Kinda yeah. Like how Backlund lost to Razor at Mania; that sorta thing.

I remember one show where Bruno beat Savage in a title match, but it was via count out. Things like that

[RadcapRadsley]

Bruno was used as a draw to older fans at the box office and to put over up and coming stars......... so let's announce him 6 days before SummerSlam and give him a match with a midcarder no1curr's about anymore who has been with the company for 15 years.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Aug 6, 2019 17:12:50 GMT -5 RadcapRadsley said:

Bruno was used as a draw to older fans at the box office and to put over up and coming stars......... so let's announce him 6 days before SummerSlam and give him a match with a midcarder no1curr's about anymore who has been with the company for 15 years.

Paul Heyman the PRO WRESTLING GENIUS

[floundertime]

So is Goldberg’s son getting a mild push like David got?

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

We’ll see how much he’s got left in him. But it’s not a bad plan. And it’s Heyman, so.

[Deleted]

I’m so over Goldberg squashing people in quick succession.

There’s literally no chance we get a competitive match out of Ziggler/Goldberg.

And Ziggler just did this squash match with Owens last month.

[Tiger Millionaire]

The Goldberg/Heyman relationship might be my favorite in pro wrestling.

[adamclark52]

I was around in the 1980’s (granted I was born in 1980 so a lot of my memories are faded) but I have ZERO recollection of Bruno Sammartino in the WWF in those days, and I remember a lot of things from the WWF like the first time I saw the Ultimate Warrior running down to the ring and the debut of the Red Rooster AND the Brooklyn Brawler.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Aug 6, 2019 20:29:09 GMT -5 adamclark52 said:

I was around in the 1980’s (granted I was born in 1980 so a lot of my memories are faded) but I have ZERO recollection of Bruno Sammartino in the WWF in those days, and I remember a lot of things from the WWF like the first time I saw the Ultimate Warrior running down to the ring and the debut of the Red Rooster AND the Brooklyn Brawler.

It's actually pretty nuts, given how animosity-filled their relationship was after the fact, that yeah, Bruno was still occasionally wrestling for Vince DEEP into 1987, including teaming with Hogan in the last match I can find on the record for him, which is bananas. 

[adamclark52]

Aug 6, 2019 20:34:54 GMT -5 2coldMack is even more baffled said:

Aug 6, 2019 20:29:09 GMT -5 adamclark52 said:

I was around in the 1980’s (granted I was born in 1980 so a lot of my memories are faded) but I have ZERO recollection of Bruno Sammartino in the WWF in those days, and I remember a lot of things from the WWF like the first time I saw the Ultimate Warrior running down to the ring and the debut of the Red Rooster AND the Brooklyn Brawler.

It's actually pretty nuts, given how animosity-filled their relationship was after the fact, that yeah, Bruno was still occasionally wrestling for Vince DEEP into 1987, including teaming with Hogan in the last match I can find on the record for him, which is bananas. 

I guess it’s because the extent of my wrestling exposure then was Saturday afternoon Superstars and I don’t remember them really talk about house shows or advertising them, although I’m sure they did. And being in Toronto why would they have mentioned house shows outside of Ontario anyway? I imagine Bruno only worked New York.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Aug 6, 2019 20:50:39 GMT -5 adamclark52 said:

Aug 6, 2019 20:34:54 GMT -5 2coldMack is even more baffled said:

It's actually pretty nuts, given how animosity-filled their relationship was after the fact, that yeah, Bruno was still occasionally wrestling for Vince DEEP into 1987, including teaming with Hogan in the last match I can find on the record for him, which is bananas. 

I guess it’s because the extent of my wrestling exposure then was Saturday afternoon Superstars and I don’t remember them really talk about house shows or advertising them, although I’m sure they did. And being in Toronto why would they have mentioned house shows outside of Ontario anyway? I imagine Bruno only worked New York.

Actually, looking at cagematch.net, he was pretty all over the map in 1987, even doing a shot in Toronto against Butch Reed, of all people.

[adamclark52]

Aug 6, 2019 20:53:26 GMT -5 2coldMack is even more baffled said:

Aug 6, 2019 20:50:39 GMT -5 adamclark52 said:

I guess it’s because the extent of my wrestling exposure then was Saturday afternoon Superstars and I don’t remember them really talk about house shows or advertising them, although I’m sure they did. And being in Toronto why would they have mentioned house shows outside of Ontario anyway? I imagine Bruno only worked New York.

Actually, looking at cagematch.net, he was pretty all over the map in 1987, even doing a shot in Toronto against Butch Reed, of all people.

Too bad. You know that today if the biggest star of the last era (John Cena) was doing even just house shows the WWE would be pimping the hell out of it. But like I said, I was born in 1980 so maybe in 1987 they were promoting Bruno making special appearances and I just have no memory of it.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Aug 6, 2019 20:56:43 GMT -5 adamclark52 said:

Aug 6, 2019 20:53:26 GMT -5 2coldMack is even more baffled said:

Actually, looking at cagematch.net, he was pretty all over the map in 1987, even doing a shot in Toronto against Butch Reed, of all people.

Too bad. You know that today if the biggest star of the last era (John Cena) was doing even just house shows the WWE would be pimping the hell out of it. But like I said, I was born in 1980 so maybe in 1987 they were promoting Bruno making special appearances and I just have no memory of it.

Yeah, I doubt a seven year old from Toronto's gonna register "Hey, kid, here's a guy who was a HUGE deal in the Northeast US 15 years ago!" as a selling point.

[Squirrel Master]

Aug 6, 2019 16:46:23 GMT -5 cjh said:

Aug 6, 2019 16:35:55 GMT -5 @kn said:

As someone who wasn't even born then (early 80s?!), can someone explain this to me? How was Bruno in the early 80s compared to how he's always been perceived?

From 1984-87, Bruno was a color commentator, but he was often used as a house show attraction against heels like Piper and Savage.  When Savage injured Ricky Steamboat and bragged about it, Bruno attacked him, leading to matches at MSG and the Boston Garden.

Twas a surreal moment to see the former World Champion Bruno attack the future World Champion Savage (both Italian-Americans).

I was at the MSG shows. Bruno also teamed with Tito Santana in the steel cage against Piper and Adrian Adonis.