WWE Versus: More of a Legacy, Goldberg or Ultimate Warrior?

This particular topic came up last night, while I was having a conversation with a great guy (shout out to Joey, big ups!).

We were talking about how absolutely dreadful Crimson is in TNA right now, and how shocking it is TNA are really going to push this clown to face at Kurt Angle at Bound for Glory for TNA title.

So sad.

Of course, the undefeated streak then brought up Goldberg, which it usually does when talking about an unbeaten wrestler. Of course, a man similar in many ways in Warrior, which then poses the question, who left a bigger impact on the industry?

Bill Goldberg or Ultimate Warrior? Wow, tough one.

First, let's start with Warrior, multi-time champion in many categories. Main event level for a few years in WWF. Great music. Big fan following.  OK ring skills. Many big-time matches.

Big ego (who doesn't really?) Bad returns to the WWF years later. Failed WCW run. A few indy shows years later (last in France with RVD I think a few years ago).

Goldberg is a little bit different. Powerplant in WCW for awhile. Long unbeaten streak full of squashes. Good in ring skills, not great. Big fan following. few years on top. Good main event level bouts.

Ego issues (rumored) backstage. On and off in Japan. Good WWE run, not great. Hinted at a return lately.

With all of those issues added up, and the way WWE has treated both in the past (hot and cold relationships, probably favoring Goldberg who filmed the WCW DVD in 2009). Long-time fans will easily lean towards Warrior, while newer fans will jump all over Goldberg as some sort of god.

The debate is so close to pick a side, I am just going to add up a few factors and then answer at the end of the column.

1. Longevity

This one goes to Warrior. Let's be honest, just like Brock Lesnar, Goldberg came in, got hot, then left. Warrior has a little bit more history and mid-card battles leading up to his main events.

To me, longevity is a huge deal because anybody can come in and be hot for a few years, it is who can stay hot for years and wrestle years and years on end that can mean a true legacy matters.

2. In ring skills

This one goes to Goldberg but just barely. His finisher was better. His moves were more impactful, and his opponents usually took better care of him (not counting Regal in WCW).

Again, it is very close, but it just seems nobody wanted to work with Warrior, while many would at least try to work with Goldberg inside the ring a little bit more.

3. Mic skills/Personality

Sorry to cop out here, but I am going with a tie. Yeah, Warrior was a bumbling idiot at times (Mr. Anderson in TNA), but he showed fire.

Goldberg was the same, exact his low key personality came out in his facial expressions, more than his words (think of Silent Rage now with WWE Tough Enough).

Those are the three aspects that I am looking at here because both had near identical careers in WCW/WWF/WWE. With all of that being said, my pick for the bigger impact on the wrestling industry goes to...

Ultimate Warrior barely.

In terms of wrestling circles, Warrior will live on more than Goldberg. In terms of worldwide exposure, outside of wrestling, Goldberg takes it.

Since this was JUST the wrestling business. Warrior wins.