Goldberg has revealed his plans for a retirement match in WWE, slated for 2025, and has expressed a strong interest in facing Gunther, who is the current World Heavyweight Champion. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, the Hall of Famer discussed the circumstances surrounding his previous matches and his vision for a fitting farewell.
A Promise Fulfilled: Goldberg’s Retirement Match Agreement
Goldberg revealed that the seeds for his retirement match were planted back in 2022, when Vince McMahon promised him another opportunity to compete. “Vince had promised me another match because not too many people know this, but I took the Roman (Reigns) match with like a month prior notice, and I had COVID. That’s not the way to go out,” Goldberg explained. He felt that his performance against Reigns was compromised by his health, leading to a desire for a more fitting conclusion to his career.
He then had discussions with Triple H. “I always, in the bottom of my heart, wanted to go out and present myself a little bit more positively than I was able to. I mean, [Triple H] and I spoke and we came to an agreement that in 2025 I’d have my retirement match,” Goldberg stated, solidifying his plans for a final in-ring appearance.
Gunther: A Dream Opponent for a “Passing of the Torch”
When asked about potential opponents, Goldberg expressed a keen interest in facing Gunther. “He’s the new generation. I’m the old generation. It’s kind of like a passing of the torch in a way. I wouldn’t turn that one down by any stretch of the imagination,” Goldberg said. He views a match against Gunther as a symbolic moment, bridging the gap between wrestling eras.
Goldberg’s interest in Gunther is more than just a professional consideration. He added a personal note, stating, “You don’t ever open your mouth in front of my wife and my son negatively about me.”
A Fitting Farewell for a Wrestling Icon
Goldberg’s career has been defined by his intensity and dominance. His matches are often short, but impactful, leaving a lasting impression on fans. A retirement match against Gunther, a top star known for his own brand of hard-hitting wrestling, would be a fitting culmination of his career.
The “passing of the torch” narrative adds another layer of significance to the potential match. It would symbolize the transition from one generation of wrestling icons to the next. Gunther, with his dominant in-ring style, is seen by many as the present and future of WWE.
Goldberg’s desire to end his career on a high note, after a less-than-ideal performance against Roman Reigns, is understandable. He wants to leave a positive final impression on his fans. A match against Gunther would provide him with the opportunity to do just that.
Will The Match Be For The World Heavyweight Championship?
Gunther vs. Goldberg being for the World Heavyweight Championship depends on what happens in a month’s time at WrestleMania 41, where The Ring General is scheduled to defend his title against the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble winner, Jey Uso.
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