Potential reason behind Goldberg not signing with AEW despite reported talks with Tony Khan

Veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer speculated on the potential reason why former WWE Universal Champion Bill Goldberg did not sign with AEW.

Bill Goldberg last competed at the WWE Elimination Chamber event back in 2022, where he was defeated by Roman Reigns. Fans haven't seen the legend in the ring since then, as his contract with the biggest wrestling promotion was up the same year. Furthermore, speculations regarding Goldberg heading to AEW were also being made.

Meanwhile, the former Universal champion recently disclosed that while he had talks with the AEW President Tony Khan in the past, the company was not a 'viable' option for him. Bill also called the company's product too 'cheesy.'

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio recently, Dave Meltzer stated the actual potential reason why the 57-year-old legend refused Tony Khan's offer:

"My gut is that it's probably just his asking price must have been high. I mean, Tony Khan last year on multiple occasions talked about how he's friends with Bill Goldberg, they've been talking and you got the impression he was going to come in but then he never did." [H/T WrestleTalk]

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Dave Meltzer compared Goldberg's comments with his time in WWE and WCW

Bill Goldberg was one of the top guys in WCW during the company's dying days decades ago. Therefore, Dave Meltzer expressed his shock regarding the veretan calling AEW's product 'cheesy.'

"I haven’t heard any further details from either side on what that exactly meant, if it was a money thing or he just didn’t like the product, and he’s entitled to not like the product. But my god… WCW? In that era? Although I know he probably didn’t like that product all the time too. But my god… WWE?" [H/T WrestleTalk]

Moreover, it looks like the former WWE Universal champion has no interest in signing with AEW. Only time will tell if the legend will ever be seen in the ring again.