Wrestling icon and WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg has expressed a deep regard for his former fellow World Champion Bret Hart. Goldberg, however, suggests that Hart needs to let go of past events and move forward.
The incident in question occurred during a wrestling match in 1999 under the WCW banner. Goldberg’s kick resulted in Hart sustaining a concussion. This, along with other injuries, exacerbated Hart’s decision to conclude his in-ring career.
Two and a half decades have passed since the accident, during which time Hart has frequently critiqued Goldberg’s abilities and overall career. Conversely, Goldberg has expressed his regret and apologized on several occasions for the unfortunate incident.
On a recent episode of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Goldberg re-emphasized his remorse for the past event, while also urging Hart to find closure. He commented,
“The situation with Bret Hart, it elicits sadness within me as a person. Above all, I would never knowingly harm any competitor or anyone for that matter. To have been a part of an accidental incident that culminated in the end of someone’s career, particularly someone of Bret’s caliber – one of the best in history – it’s devastating. I’m not inviting anyone to sympathize.
“It is what it is. All I’m asking is for you to let go, Bret. Don’t harbor resentment. Grow up… I respect you, Bret. You’re a legend. Accept what has happened. That’s all there is to say. I’m sorry. What else can I do? As a person, it’s heartbreaking to see that he has not been able to reconcile with the past.”
Goldberg later signed with WWE in 2003, making his return in 2016. His tenure saw him clinching the World Heavyweight and WWE Universal Championships.