Whether you are a fan obsessed with the world of wrestling, or merely a casual viewer who considers sports entertainment to be more the latter than the former, everyone has heard of a man who is both legendary and notorious in his profession, a man by the name of Bill Goldberg. Goldberg's is a name that sparks the imagination in wrestling fans worldwide, whether he is receiving their praise or the victim of their scorn. No matter your opinion on the character known as "Da Man," the fact is that everyone has a viewpoint on his unique career, and that he has made a significant impact on the world of sports entertainment is a fact that cannot be denied.

The opinions on Bill Goldberg are as varied as are the people filling the stadiums at a WCW or WWE event, but OWW has seen very little in the way of variety when it comes to Goldberg articles. Therefore, I, a newcomer to the world of OnlineWorldofWrestling.com, am writing this article in response to those previously posted regarding "Da Man." While there are many valid arguments as to why a fan should not appreciate the contributions of Bill Goldberg to the wrestling industry, it will now be my duty to represent the opposition, the supporters of Goldberg who are tired of being called "sheep" for simply following a character that has captured our interest.

One of the premier arguments against Goldberg is his limited number of moves used in a match, and so I will address my opinion on this issue first. Indeed, there are few moves Goldberg used before and during his US Title reign, but we did actually see a wider variety of moves (including more submission maneuvers) afterwards. Continuing on through WWE, Goldberg utilized slams and other moves that are characteristic of a powerhouse such as himself, and although I agree that he was not given as many moves as he needed, I think he had more potential for technical mastery than most people realize. In conclusion on this point; Goldberg is a powerhouse and a brawler, and therefore he performs in the ring as such. It is really no different than such other big men as Kane and Batista (both of whom I enjoy watching), yet those two are almost never the objects of the hateful scrutiny that has been piled on Goldberg's shoulders.

Secondly, I bring up accusations of Bill's inability to sell the moves of other performers. Again, I think Goldberg has grown since his original performances, and ignoring the moves of others is not something he does quite as much as he once did. When he does shrug off such attacks as Ric Flair's chops, is it really that bad" Goldberg's gimmick was as a warrior, a gladiator who would face any obstacle to reach his goal, and I personally do not understand the problem with a big and powerful man such as himself being able to virtually ignore something as pathetic as chops (which do sting, but are otherwise relatively painless when suffered). When it comes to the more believable moves, Goldberg is perhaps one of the best actors in either the WCW or WWE (alongside the likes of Chris Benoit), and I think he should be admired for his convincing performances in recent matches. For instance, when Batista "shattered" his ankle, Goldberg put on one of the best acting stints I have seen in recent wrestling events.

The third point I bring up is his supposed lack of mic skills. Yes, Goldberg spends very little time talking, but is that really such a bad thing" Goldberg has always stood more for action than words, and when it comes down to it, that's what wrestling should be about. Forget the soap operas, wrestling is about wrestling-or more accurately; sports entertainment. In some instances, it is better for a performer to simply say what needs to be said, and then let his actions speak louder than his mouth.

Lastly (although I may continue bringing my opinion on Goldberg and others if this article is posted), I bring up the argument between those who appreciate more technical performers, and those who claim Goldberg is the most talented wrestler of all time. As readers can already tell, I am a huge Goldberg fan, but I will be one of the first to admit that he can't hold a candle to the likes of Kurt Angle when it comes to technical wrestling. One again, though, that's not saying he didn't have the ability to learn. He is a brawler, and it is simply more convincing to see him perform high impact maneuvers rather than other tactics.

In conclusion, I make no assumptions that Goldberg is "the greatest wrestler ever," but the impact he made on the wrestling community cannot be denied. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I have nothing against those who disagree with mine, but I think it is time for an end to the degradation of those who enjoyed Goldberg's career. We are not sheep, any more than those who faithfully follow some other wrestling personality. We are merely fans of the one we call Da Man, and let us leave it at that.

by Nevada Smith..