After his retirement match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME), WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg gave an honest assessment of his wrestling future, and he hinted at the possibility of returning to the ring. Here is a detailed examination of his thoughts, annoyances, and potential future developments for the story.
Emotional Finale—and a Few Regrets
Goldberg’s final fight was a one-on-one encounter against Gunther on July 12 in Atlanta. The scene was very moving, even if he lost his World Heavyweight Title. After that, he took a moment to give a moving address which was cut short as the program reached its time slot cutoff.
Regarding the farewell, Goldberg had conflicting feelings on The Ariel Helwani Show. He said that he was “pissed off” with the way the retirement build and execution were handled, even if he valued the life he lead and the supporters.
He expressed unhappiness with the short notice of his match, which he believes hindered WWE’s ability to offer him a suitable goodbye. He claimed that a more thoughtfully organized retirement may have resulted in a more appropriate, memorable ending.
Retired “In Principle”—But Not Off the Table
Goldberg acknowledged that his career status is still a little unclear, even though he first declared himself retired. He pointed out that retirement from wrestling is rarely final. He stated:
“In principle, yeah, I’m done… but I can’t say I would never do another match… you’re not retired till you’re dead.”
After five months of training and preparation, Goldberg described how he was left wanting more after just 14 minutes in the ring and a brief speech.
Fallout: Fan & Industry Reactions
Industry experts and members of the WWE Universe have been quick to comment.
On X, Peter Rosenberg slammed Goldberg for being reckless considering the platform that WWE offered.
Citing problems with broadcast timing, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer concurred that Goldberg would have benefited more from a more significant send-off, perhaps as part of a pay-per-view.
Matt Hardy defended WWE’s programming decision, emphasizing that Goldberg’s statement ended abruptly due to time restrictions rather than malice.
This diversity of viewpoints draws attention to a larger debate: did WWE treat Goldberg fairly, or did a legend feel underutilized?
What Lies Ahead for Goldberg?
- Is AEW a Possibility? According to reports, AEW expressed interest in giving Goldberg a lengthier, more meticulously planned retirement tour, which may have been a more lavish send-off than WWE offered.
- More Appearances in the WWE? Goldberg made a suggestion that he isn’t “lingering” just yet and doesn’t anticipate frequent appearances. However, “retirement” in wrestling terms is still unclear. It is impossible to rule out a big-name one-off.
- Community and Television Plans Goldberg’s post-retirement activities include community service in his homeland of Texas and passion projects including a Paramount+ program with an automobiles theme called “Car-lectibles.”
Final Thoughts
Bill Goldberg’s retirement match may not have ended as idly as he hoped—but it doesn’t have to be the end of his in-ring story. His ambition for a significant legacy moment and his love for the art are evident in his willingness to speak candidly about his discontent.
Goldberg is still regarded as a legend with unresolved stories, regardless of whether he makes a comeback for another intense confrontation or just takes pleasure in well-earned off-screen activities. There is little doubt that Goldberg’s status as “retired” in the WWE is never definitive.