At Saturday Night time’s Most important Occasion in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend, WWE followers received to say goodbye to Goldberg, because the 58-year-old had his retirement match in opposition to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. The match was nearly as good because it might be for somebody so restricted within the ring, and whereas each Goldberg and followers have each proper to be upset that his speech afterward was minimize off, it isn’t simply that the previous WCW World Heavyweight Champion is upset about. He did not like something about his final match, and he complained about it again and again throughout an interview with Ariel Helwani. Goldberg got here off as bitter and ungrateful when there was no purpose to be. He received the precise send-off he deserved.
Associated
5 Goldberg Matches That Cemented His Legacy (& 5 That Damage It)
Invoice Goldberg turned a star in WCW and nonetheless often wrestles for WWE. Whereas some matches received Goldberg over, others have damage his legacy.
Goldberg Had Wished One Extra Match For Years
He Ought to Have Retired From Wrestling A Lengthy Time In the past
Goldberg turned the largest identify in wrestling throughout his undefeated streak in WCW.
His first WWE run had a title reign however was disappointing.
Goldberg’s second return to WWE went very nicely and will have ended there.
Goldberg got here out of nowhere to turn into one of many greatest wrestling stars of all-time. When he debuted in WCW as a rookie in 1997, nobody knew who he was, however his brute energy and undefeated streak made him the uncommon new star WCW constructed. By the following 12 months, he was essentially the most cherished wrestler on the earth, proper there with “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin. When WCW led to 2001, Goldberg did not soar to WWE instantly. As an alternative, he waited two years, debuting in 2003 to tackle The Rock. Goldberg had one World Heavyweight Championship reign, however a 12 months later, he left, his comeback having been a disappointment.
It was truly when Goldberg returned over a decade later that he lastly received the run followers needed to see. He smashed Brock Lesnar and had one other title reign. He may have ridden off into the sundown after that, however like many wrestlers, he could not let go. He returned once more, however this time it did not go as nicely. Followers had been offended when he squashed The Fiend and received the WWE Title. He rattling close to killed The Undertaker after getting concussed in a single match. And his final match versus Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia was a dud. With the final one, you can at the least perceive the failure, as Goldberg was doing a favor for Vince McMahon, coming in on a brief three-week discover whereas additionally recovering from COVID. He needed yet another match after that, however Vince by no means gave it to him. In July 2025, Triple H and TKO lastly made it occur.
Associated
Why The Undertaker Vs Goldberg Match Is One Of The Greatest Disasters In WWE Historical past
When The Undertaker met Goldberg in 2019, it was a dream match come true, however their superior age and inactivity led to one of many worst matches ever.
Goldberg Complained About His Retirement Match To Ariel Helwani
He Used Most Of His Interview To Be Bitter And Ungrateful
WWE teased Goldberg vs. Gunther for months after a Dangerous Blood section.
Goldberg had the likes of DDP and Doug Dillinger by his facet for his final match.
He did not care to have a World Heavyweight Championship match.
The construct for Goldberg vs. Gunther began months in the past throughout Dangerous Blood in Atlanta when the Ring Common insulted the legend and his household, inflicting Goldberg to leap out of his seat and attempt to rush the ring. It was an incredible second that received followers excited to see him compete yet another time. Goldberg’s final match was closely promoted for Saturday Night time’s Most important Occasion in Atlanta, town he’s most synonymous with. He received to have the final match of the present, with associates like Doug Dillinger and DDP by his facet, and though he misplaced, it was to the World Heavyweight Champion, and arguably the most effective wrestler within the enterprise. Reducing off his speech afterward was disgusting, however with a tough out due to it airing on NBC, there was little WWE may do.
When Invoice Goldberg appeared on The Ariel Helwani Present days later, it appeared prefer it was going to be a enjoyable thanks for his profession, however as an alternative, Goldberg spent most of his interview repeatedly complaining about his final match.
“Let’s simply say I’m pissed off on the means I went out. I put a lot into it, and I don’t really feel as if the trouble was reciprocated to place a stamp on what I’ve completed.”
Goldberg wasn’t even grateful that his final match was for a championship, saying:
“To be sincere, I’m gonna catch hell for this… I don’t care. I’ve had World Heavyweight matches on a regular basis, that doesn’t do something for me. It simply felt slightly ‘eh’ to me.”
Associated
Who’s Subsequent: Why Gunther Ought to Be Goldberg’s Ultimate Opponent
Goldberg says he has one final match in, however there’s just one wrestler in WWE who can retire the Corridor of Famer.
Goldberg Had One Of The Finest Wrestler Ship-Offs
Few Wrestlers Get To Say Goodbye On A Main PLE
Goldberg needed his final match to be on a PLE, not Saturday Night time’s Most important Occasion.
The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, and Hulk Hogan did not get good send-offs.
John Cena’s final match might be at an NBC present in Boston.
Goldberg stored saying he was simply answering the query, however what he was doing was venting. He additionally revealed that he wished his final match may have been on a PLE and never Saturday Night time’s Most important Occasion. Invoice, you bought to foremost even in Atlanta on primetime NBC and Peacock! You may’t do significantly better than that. Together with his age and restricted presence in WWE, he wasn’t dealing with anybody like Gunther at WrestleMania. He may have been given an enormous payday for one more Saudi match at Night time of Champions, however that will have been lackluster. As an alternative, WWE constructed a complete present round him.
In complaining about his speech being minimize off, Goldberg stated:
“They wouldn’t try this to Taker, proper? They’re not gonna try this to Cena. Cena’s gone around the globe doing his retirement factor.”
Yeah, his heartfelt promo was minimize. That sucked. Nevertheless it wasn’t carried out on objective as a result of he isn’t revered. And if he desires to check himself to different legends just like the Undertaker and John Cena, he ought to have a look at how different legends went out. The Undertaker’s final match occurred in entrance of zero followers. Kurt Angle received a WrestleMania match, however in opposition to Baron Corbin for some purpose. Hulk Hogan ended his profession in TNA. Ric Aptitude and Shawn Michaels each received large final matches at WrestleMania, however neither one may keep down afterward. And there may be speak that Cena’s final match will likely be at a Saturday Night time’s Most important Occasion in Boston.
Most wrestlers exit on their backs, and even people who do not cannot usually say that their final match was on the largest stage doable. Invoice Goldberg is a legend, and WWE gave him the largest send-off they might. If he isn’t proud of that, it says one thing extra about his personal regrets than something WWE did. Someplace, Bret Hart is shaking his head at Goldberg’s interview and pondering, see, I instructed you so.
