Who’s next for Bill Goldberg?
The last time we saw the former WCW champion in action was when he put Roman Reigns over in six minutes for mega cash in Saudi Arabia more than two and a half years ago. Since that time, Goldberg, who finished his WWE contract with that match, expressed disappointment with the WWE management, citing a deal that he made with Vince McMahon that would’ve given him an official retirement match in exchange for putting over Reigns. In truth, Goldberg would’ve done the job for Roman without any special accommodations made because he’s there for the money, which is completely fine, but at the same time, it’s understandable that he would be frustrated if he was given the impression that he would get the chance to have a final bout with all the pomp and circumstance after the overseas match with Reigns.
In fact, Goldberg expressed an interest in promoting a retirement match on his own in Israel based on his Jewish background, but talks of that halted when the current conflict in the region began in recent years. However, it should be noted that Vince McMahon is not only no longer the head of the WWE, but has zero involvement with the organization so I’d say that a new regime with Triple H as the boss opens the door for renewed discussions between the two sides.
The former Atlanta Falcon from his football days was in attendance earlier this month when the city hosted the Bad Blood pay-per-view. He was involved in a confrontation with Gunther, prompting speculation that something could be in the works for the former WWE champion to get into the ring again.
Despite his age, it was good that Bill Goldberg took time away from the WWE because as successful as his comeback was in 2016, the limited playbook became somewhat stale even on a limited basis. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to blame anyone for taking the millions of dollars that the Saudis offer for a match, but between the disastrous bout with The Undertaker, the pandemic era matches, and a six-minute contest against Roman, the Goldberg presentation lost some of its luster.
But, that’s not to say that there isn’t enough meat on the bone for another series of matches with Goldberg before he hangs up the boots entirely. Very similar to when he returned to the ring eight years ago, the office would have to be very careful with how they present Goldberg and what scenarios that they put in him if he wrestles again. It will definitely be a balance act to give him something of substance and thus importance to do without risking a train wreck. It goes without saying that management should use smoke and mirrors when they can to avoid anything like the match with The Undertaker in 2019.
Of course, the question is, how does WWE utilize Bill Goldberg in 2025?
Since we are closing in on the end of the calendar year, I think it’s a safe bet that anything that Goldberg might do with the WWE will be next year to allow for the proper promotional push and for the right stage. I don’t think it was a coincidence that he was booked to be involved in a confrontation with Gunther. Even in his hometown, it doesn’t make sense for Gunther to mention him on the mic just to get a hometown pop, that could’ve been accomplished with the former WCW champion being announced as being in attendance at the event.
When you look at the current landscape of the WWE, Gunther is more or less the only one that makes sense for a bout with Goldberg. Keep in mind, he already worked with Drew McIntyre in 2021, Cody Rhodes is the top baby face so there wouldn’t be much for him to do there, and The Bloodline heels look to be involved in that angle until at least Wrestlemania next year. Gunther is the heel champion and one of the top heels in the entire company so it makes sense to pair him with the aging legend, as the narrative writes itself.
Look, for as much rightful criticism as Goldberg received for his brief run, limited skill set, and lack of ability to evolve during the prime years of his career, there’s no doubt that he’s a major star. It would be silly to book him to be involved with anything outside of the main event scene or the top guys on the main roster. Nothing again The Alpha Academy, but does Goldberg spearing a few members of a mid-card faction really utilize the name value that he brings to the today?
At 57, Bill Goldberg isn’t the future of the business, but as mentioned the argument can be made that in the right situation, he can still draw money. Keep in mind, while he’s past his physical prime because of his age, he keeps himself in great shape and he simply doesn’t have decades of wrestling that took a toll on his body. Remember, Goldberg worked full-time for WCW for about three and a half years. He worked about half a dozen matches for All Japan before he signed a one-year deal with the WWE in 2003 before he left the business for more than a decade.
He might have some gray in that goatee, but the guy can still transform himself into the smash mouth performer that can bring the intensity for a short segment. If any of this leads to an official Goldberg retirement, I’d say that either night of WM would make sense, as it gives a built in selling point for at least one of the two shows that weekend, or maybe even another pay-per-view held in Atlanta at some point. Gunther is already scheduled to work with Cody Rhodes at the Saudi event next weekend, perhaps Goldberg will make an appearence to set up a future bout? The Royal Rumble would also be an easy way to introduce him back into the fold of WWE, not necessarily to win it, but to use it as an opportunity to set up a match.
Given that Goldberg probably isn’t going to work a twenty-minute bout at this point, I doubt that the office would book him against Gunther at Wrestlemania, but as mentioned, it’s possible. The biggest aspect of this potential contest is the visual more or less sells the match. Let Goldberg do the entrance through the fireworks on Raw, cut an intense promo on the mic, and then keep the match itself as simple as possible.
Some might claim that Gunter is too physical in the ring for Bill Goldberg, and in some ways, they would be right, there’s no reason for someone that’s 57 to take chops until their chest starts to blister. At the same time, it’s doubtful that would be the direction of the match anyway. The aging gunslinger vs. the dominate heel champion is a very easy narrative. The next Saudi event after Crown Jewel is in February, and it’s possible that the Saudis would pay major cash to get Goldberg back for the show, but if he’s given a retirement bout, it would make more sense for it to be held domestically so that it can be properly celebrated without the time difference that affects viewership of the live broadcast in the United States. More than anything, it’s really ironic that more than twenty years after his first run in the WWE was a flop, Bill Goldberg could still be a major part of the WWE product next year.
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Until next week
-Jim LaMotta
E mail [email protected] | You can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @jimlamotta89
