Goldberg calls Tony Khan ‘a male version of Dixie Carter’; details the storyline that may have tempted him to join AEW

Goldberg further elaborated on potential talks with Tony Khan joining AEW and whether there would ever be a scenario where he would consider joining the organization.

The Hall of Famer has not played a match since his loss to Roman Reigns at WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 and has yet to officially announce that he has played his final match. He has also openly complained that Vince McMahon did not follow through on his promise of an official retirement.

With the former world champion busy with other projects and expecting a big payday to step back into the squared circle, many suspected that if a retirement tour were to happen, AEW would be the venue. However, in an earlier interview, Goldberg doubled down on his lack of interest in becoming All Elite, branding the product “too cheesy.”

Speaking to Chris Van Vliet about the talks with Tony Khan and why they didn’t go any further, the Hall of Famer gave his thoughts on the company and how Khan reminds him of former TNA President Dixie Carter:

“I just think we have a different perspective on it. I don’t know. I mean, it’s hard for me to really judge their output because I don’t watch it. I see bits and pieces of it and it’s hard to give a rational overview of what they’re like if I don’t actually watch it, so I don’t really know. He (Tony Khan) reminds me of Dixie Carter, but a male version. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But he reminds me of that scenario. It’s just a different feeling, it’s just different.”

Goldberg contacted Sting about AEW

When asked if the two sides were ever close to a deal, Goldberg replied that they were not, but he did admit that there was a chance during Sting’s retirement:

“No, I don’t think I was ever close to a deal with him. I think it was a much more realistic transition when Sting was involved. I reached out to Sting because I wanted to be a part of it, I thought he and I could do a farewell thing together at some point. But it wasn’t about me, it was about Sting and I could never overshadow anything he does. But I don’t want to confuse things. It would have been a nice highlight, but it wasn’t about me. So the timing was a little bit off.”

Sting retired at the Revolution 2024 pay-per-view, teaming with Darby Allin to defeat The Young Bucks.

While Goldberg has faced criticism in the wrestling world, no one has been more negative about the Hall of Famer than Bret Hart, whose career was cut short by the former world champion in 1999. Goldberg has apologized several times, but Bret Hart has responded again.

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