Former WCW and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg appeared on ESPN Sportscenter tonight to promote the WWE 2K17 video game. While many expected Goldberg to confirm whether or not he had signed a contract to return to the ring in WWE, when Jonathan Coachman asked if he was ready to return to the ring, the pro wrestling legend was noncommittal in his response.

"I’m going to do a lot of soul searching and I’m going to talk to my family to figure out what Goldberg wants to do. At the end of the day, I’m greatly appreciative of all the fans that I was able to acquire over the years. I don’t want to bastardize anything I did, let’s just put it bluntly. So it’s a big decision.” said Goldberg. 

"I'm an old man here. I'm 49 years old," Goldberg said. "A guy like Ric Flair at 49 could go out and do his character. A guy 49 going out and doing Goldberg again -- I don't know what the odds are."

Goldberg said he would need until the end of the year to decide, but also added "if anyone can do it, it would be me." 

"I want the ability to be that guy again. But there's a compromise here. To be that guy at 49 years old, do you risk losing your legacy? Is it something that I am going to regret?"

When asked if he had any contact with WWE's head honcho Vince Mcmahon, the former champion remarked: "I haven't had a word with Vince McMahon since I've left the business," Goldberg said. "He has done his thing very successfully, and I like to think that I have gone on my way and been fairly successful about my business. At the end of the day, I'm sure that he and I will speak sometime soon. I owe him a thankful handshake for giving me the ability to do this."

If Goldberg decides to return, the one name that tops his list of preferred opponents is Brock Lesnar, whom Goldberg defeated at WrestleMania XX in his final WWE match.

"I would be remiss in saying I don't owe Brock Lesnar a rematch," Goldberg said. "I was able to prosper and have my hand raised at the first meeting, and I think if I ever came back, that'd be the match. I would have to work my ass off to get ready for him, but you never say never. I've said it for 12 years.