Goldberg has been preparing for his retirement match for a long time, and now we know more details about how it might all go down.
On Thursday, @WrestleVotes reported that Goldberg’s name has been discussed internally by WWE recently. It was noted that this is the first time his name has been discussed since he appeared at Bad Blood in Atlanta in October.
“According to multiple sources, Goldberg’s name has been floated internally within WWE over the past week — the first time since his Bad Blood appearance and his interactions with Gunther. Feels like the inevitable return is nearing,” WrestleVotes wrote on Twitter.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp expanded on that (via Fightful Select), sharing that Gunther has been mentioned within WWE as Goldberg’s opponent. It was also noted that a Goldberg vs. Gunther match has “absolutely been discussed for this year.” Last year, Gunther referenced Goldberg in a promo ahead of their Bad Blood faceoff, which was done “for good reason.”
Gunther is scheduled to face Pat McAfee at WWE Backlash on Saturday. Many fans have speculated that it will somehow lead to Goldberg getting involved. However, WWE has not confirmed the match or any plans for Goldberg yet.
Goldberg had stem cell replacement surgery ahead of his final match and has been training for it for months. He agreed to terms on the match with WWE last year. However, he has only said it will take place “sometime this summer.”
Goldberg on Potentially Facing Gunther
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Goldberg was asked if he liked the idea of facing Gunther in his retirement match. He said it would be like a passing-the-torch moment for him and wouldn’t turn it down.
“If it was Gunther and I, it would be logical. There’s some heat there, obviously, it’s already been placed. He’s the new generation, I’m the old generation. It’s kind of like a passing of a torch in a way. I wouldn’t turn that one down by any stretch of the imagination. Because you don’t ever open your mouth in front of my wife and my son negatively about me.
“The truth is, I’m 58 years old, man. Certain things are a lot harder than I used to be. I might be the only one in the world that has a 3,000 square foot gym on top of his garage and doesn’t have a mirror in it. I don’t want to not be that guy for the rest of my life. But I’m always gonna be that guy. Whether I’m on the football field, whether I’m in the wrestling ring, whether I’m doing my car show, whether I’m at a UFC event, I’m always that guy. If I’m gonna have to do this retirement match in 2025, I need to reacquaint myself with that guy more often. So I’m always gonna be that guy. I cannot wait to present him at 58 years old.”
