10 Most Intense Performers In Wrestling History

8. Goldberg

Kurt Angle Shawn Michaels Taboo Tuesday 2005
WWE.com

Goldberg was so naturally intense that he carved out his career on the strength of it alone, more or less.

He was big, but not the biggest. He was - and is - technically limited, even if he transcended that perception more than once. He wasn't a supernatural force, able to mastermind victories through mind control, or whatever. Instead, Goldberg became one of the most believable performers in wrestling history through his frightening body language. His victories seemed assured even before he stepped through the ropes. Goldberg bashed himself in the face, let out primal roars - he essentially acted, with much conviction, that he was entering an actual battle.

Goldberg's intensity was so believable that it masked the fact that he was nowhere near as legitimately tough as he appeared. Often criticised for his ability to work, Goldberg worked everybody into believing he was as much of a hardcase as his character was. When news filtered through the industry that Chris Jericho had kicked his face in following a backstage scuffle, in 2003, the widespread reaction was one of complete shock.

Goldberg is evidently too intense for his own good. On the January 23rd episode of RAW, he riled himself up to such an extent that he knocked himself silly during his now-abandoned headbutt-the-wall pre-match ritual.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!