Most of the wrestling happens in the South, so I had to ask myself how I was going to be received as a Jewish boy named Goldberg. Then again, I have never, nor would I ever, hide my Jewish identity.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I didn't choose Goldberg because I wanted to be the flagship for the Jewish movement, not by any stretch of the imagination. I chose Goldberg because no one else can own it.
I had three intentions when I became a wrestler. One was to keep my integrity. Two was to give pro wrestling a more respectable image. And three was to be a role model to Jewish kids, who may not have thought they could do what I do.
The biggest thing about being a wrestler and being Goldberg gave me, was the ability to be a superhero for kids. I want the ability to be that guy again.
If it took professional wrestling for people to recognize me as a person, then all the other endeavors I embark upon will explain me as a person, define me as a person, but wrestling will not define me.
I'm the man that made wrestling famous.
I am not a Hollywood Jew and I won't ever be one.
One of the great things about wrestling is how it interrogates this silly idea that you have one authentic self.
My grandfather was one of the very, very first, if not the first, Samoan wrestlers to become known on a worldwide basis.
I don't like to publicly acknowledge being a Jew.
The stupidest question I get is 'Is Goldberg your real name?' I tell people, 'No, my real name is Killer, but I wanted a much more menacing name, so I picked Goldberg.'