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What's the story?
According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Golberg held talks with NJPW about coming in for big shows before his WWE Hall of Fame induction was finalised.
In case you didn't know...
After an absence of 12 years, Goldberg returned to Monday Night Raw on October 17, 2016, to accept a challenge from Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman for one final match at Survivor Series.
However, the response to the WCW legend's return was so overwhelmingly positive that he was booked to hand the Beast Incarnate a devastating loss and even defeat Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship at Fastlane.
At WrestleMania 33, in his last match to date, Goldberg dropped Monday Night Raw's biggest prize to Brock Lesnar, concluding a redemption storyline for the former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
On January 15, 2018, announced that Goldberg would be the headliner of the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame.
The heart of the matter
According to the report, WWE Hall of Famers are usually required to sign a short-term deal with the promotion, seemingly ruling out the possibility of Goldberg working with NJPW in the near future.
However, the former Atlanta Falcon did work for All Japan Pro Wrestling shortly after the collapse of WCW, so he isn't unfamiliar with strong style. A stint with NJPW certainly isn't out of the question.
What's next?
As usual, the Hall of Fame ceremony will be a part of the festivities during WrestleMania weekend. It will take place on April 06, 2018, at the Smoothie King Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Author's take
Goldberg is one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, and he would provide NJPW's business with a boost. It's also heartening to see the Japanese promotion's ambition as every professional wrestling fan in the world wants to see NJPW emerge as a true alternative to WWE, whose product has mostly been poor since 2001.
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