By refusing to participate in a program with Chris Jericho, Goldberg set the relationship between the two off on the wrong foot, and though the two have since buried the hatchet, ultimately, that long-simmering discontent led to a backstage altercation later on in their careers when both were with WWE. They would finally work together during that era, but the feud that never was in WCW, which perhaps could have altered wrestling history, still doesn’t sit well with Eric Bischoff.

“It could have been freakin’ awesome,” he said. “And who knows? Chris may have stuck around WCW. Better for him that he didn’t, by the way, all truth be known. But this was the catalyst for Chris deciding to write me a goodbye letter and take his talents elsewhere.”

Despite being unable to work out the particulars for a feud between the two under his tenure in charge of WCW, Bischoff understands the reasons for Goldberg’s resistance at that stage of his career and looks upon both individuals fondly to this day.

“At this stage of his career, he was aware of what he wasn’t capable of and didn’t want to compromise that because it might expose him,” said Bischoff about the former Universal Champion. “Chris was a great guy — is a great guy to this day, and so is Bill, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t insecurities at this point in Bill’s career.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit 83 Weeks with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.