On a recent edition of the “Drinkin Bros” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg discussed a myriad of topics including surprises in professional wrestling.
Goldberg revealed the advice he got from Hulk Hogan regarding surprises. He said,
“Hulk Hogan once told me, ‘Make ’em pay for it. Make ’em wait. Don’t show up every Monday on RAW. Don’t show up every Thursday on Thunder. Don’t show up every Friday. Make ’em wait for you. Make ’em anticipate.’ I remember the day when we wouldn’t announce people showing up, and they’d just show up and people went f**king berzerk. Now, it’s all pre-determined when you’re going to be there, there are no surprises really. They use them to draw.”
Goldberg’s WWE contract expired at the end of 2022 and it was not renewed by the company.
In a recent episode of the “Drinkin Bros” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg shared some valuable advice he received from Hulk Hogan regarding surprises in professional wrestling. Goldberg emphasized the importance of making the audience wait and anticipate a wrestler’s appearance, rather than showing up regularly on every televised event.
Goldberg recalled Hogan telling him, “Make ’em pay for it. Make ’em wait. Don’t show up every Monday on RAW. Don’t show up every Thursday on Thunder. Don’t show up every Friday. Make ’em wait for you. Make ’em anticipate.” He further reminisced about the days when surprise appearances were not announced in advance, and how the crowd would go crazy when a wrestler unexpectedly showed up. Nowadays, with predetermined schedules and announcements, surprises have become a tool to draw in viewers.
It is worth noting that Goldberg’s WWE contract expired at the end of 2022 and was not renewed by the company. This adds an interesting perspective to his discussion on surprises in professional wrestling, as he himself may have experienced the impact of unexpected appearances during his career.
The concept of surprises in professional wrestling has evolved over time. In the past, surprise appearances were a way to create excitement and generate buzz among fans. Wrestlers would make unexpected returns or debuts, catching both the live audience and viewers at home off guard. These surprises often led to memorable moments and increased interest in storylines.
However, with the rise of social media and the internet, it has become more challenging to keep surprises under wraps. Wrestling promotions now rely on pre-announced surprise appearances as a marketing strategy to attract viewership. By promoting these surprises in advance, they can generate excitement and anticipation, resulting in higher ratings and ticket sales.
While pre-announced surprises may not have the same impact as spontaneous ones, they still serve their purpose in drawing attention to specific events or storylines. Fans eagerly await the arrival of their favorite wrestlers or the return of legendary figures, and the anticipation can create a sense of excitement and intrigue.
Despite the shift towards pre-announced surprises, there are still occasional moments when wrestling promotions manage to keep a surprise appearance a secret. These rare instances remind fans of the magic that comes with unexpected twists and turns in professional wrestling.
In conclusion, Bill Goldberg’s discussion on surprises in professional wrestling sheds light on the changing landscape of the industry. While the element of surprise may not be as prevalent as it once was, it remains a valuable tool for wrestling promotions to captivate audiences and generate interest. Whether pre-announced or spontaneous, surprises continue to play a significant role in the world of professional wrestling, keeping fans on their toes and creating unforgettable moments.