WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg’s retirement match against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, 2025, marked the end of an era but not without stirring controversy and mixed emotions. The match, held in Goldberg’s hometown of Atlanta before a sellout crowd of over 13,000 fans, was a significant moment in professional wrestling, yet Goldberg’s reaction to his send-off has sparked widespread discussion among wrestling personalities and fans alike.
Goldberg, who had an impressive 14-minute bout with Gunther, ultimately lost the match, fulfilling the wrestling tradition of putting over the champion in a retirement bout. Despite the loss, Goldberg’s performance was memorable, including impactful moves like the spear and jackhammer. However, his post-match retirement speech was abruptly cut short due to the live NBC broadcast’s strict timing constraints, a moment that left Goldberg visibly upset.
Speaking candidly on The Ariel Helwani Show, Goldberg expressed his frustration: “Let’s just say I’m pissed off at the way I went out. I put so much into it, and I don’t feel the effort was reciprocated to put a stamp on what I accomplished.” This sentiment resonated across the wrestling community, leading to a mix of sympathy and critique.
WWE officials reportedly apologized to Goldberg for the premature ending of his farewell speech. Sources revealed that the broadcast ran long due to earlier segments, including an extended match caused by Seth Rollins’ injury during his bout with LA Knight. The network’s “hard out” policy meant the show had to end on time, leaving no room for extension. In an effort to make amends, WWE uploaded the full 10-minute retirement speech to YouTube, allowing fans to experience Goldberg’s heartfelt farewell in its entirety.
Veteran wrestling personality JBL offered a perspective on the situation during his guest appearance on Something to Wrestle. He noted that Goldberg had agreed to the match weeks in advance and that discussions about timing should have taken place then. JBL explained the realities of live television, emphasizing that performers receive strict time cues — such as warnings at 10 seconds, 30 seconds, and one minute remaining — and that “hard outs” on networks like NBC are non-negotiable. He suggested that if Goldberg desired a longer speech, he should have communicated this beforehand so adjustments could be made, possibly by shortening the match duration.
JBL also speculated on Goldberg’s future in wrestling, stating, “I think we could. I don’t think, obviously not in WWE. I think we could [see it outside of WWE]. And, you know, he apparently sounds like he’s very upset about it… what they did with him here, because you showed what Goldberg is, not was, but showed what Goldberg is. I think his legacy goes down as one of the greatest draws of all time.” Goldberg himself has hinted at revealing more about his feelings in the coming weeks, promising to “spill the beans.”
Despite his dissatisfaction with certain aspects of his retirement, Goldberg reserved high praise for those who made the match possible. In an interview with Justin Barrasso of the Boston Herald, the 58-year-old credited WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque, stating, “I couldn’t have done any of that on Saturday night without him. That’s the truth, one thousand percent.” Goldberg also expressed admiration for his opponent, Gunther, calling wrestling him “an honor and a privilege.” He clarified that his displeasure with the match’s build and execution should not reflect negatively on Gunther, adding, “I wish I could do it again. That’s how much fun it was.”
Goldberg recounted a moment during the match when he laughed after Gunther delivered a chop, explaining, “It wasn’t because I wanted to step on his offense – it’s just that I was having fun. It was just a reactionary thing. I normally don’t have that much fun.” This candid admission showcases the lighter side of a wrestler known for his intense persona.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T also weighed in on Goldberg’s retirement match, offering a supportive viewpoint. On The Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T applauded WWE’s handling of Goldberg’s sendoff, saying, “I couldn’t agree with you more, I think [they] did a great job. I thought it was a great sendoff. For him to actually be headlining something like that, that’s just like a pay-per-view… his sendoff was definitely better than a lot of guys. A lot of guys don’t get that. A lot of guys don’t get a last match.”
Booker T suggested that Goldberg’s retirement speech was particularly meaningful to the Georgia fans in attendance, noting, “I thought the speech was meant for the Georgia fans. I thought that would have been more for them than anything. I’m thinking, ‘all those guys, for that ride’… the intimacy with Georgia meant more for Bill Goldberg than the masses.”
Goldberg’s career has been storied and impactful. He first joined WWE in 2003 for a brief one-year stint before returning 12 years later at Survivor Series 2016. He captured the Universal Championship in February 2017 and defended it until WrestleMania 33. His last WWE match before retirement was against Roman Reigns at the 2022 Elimination Chamber. In 2018, Goldberg was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of wrestling’s greats.
Now officially retired from WWE, Goldberg’s future remains uncertain. His dissatisfaction with his sendoff and hints at a possible return in another promotion have fans buzzing about what’s next for the wrestling legend. Regardless of where he goes from here, Goldberg’s influence on the sport and his ability to draw crowds remain undeniable.
This retirement chapter, though imperfect, underscores the complexities of closing out a legendary career on live television. It highlights the challenges wrestlers face balancing personal expectations with broadcast realities. For Goldberg, it was a night of both celebration and frustration — a fitting, if bittersweet, farewell for a man who has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling.
