Goldberg Ends His Career in Silence And He’s Not Okay With That
After nearly three decades of dominance in the wrestling world, Bill Goldberg has officially stepped away from in-ring competition. His final match came in a losing effort against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. While the outcome was expected, what caught fans and insiders off guard was Goldberg’s honest and emotional reaction to how WWE handled the final chapter of his career.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Goldberg did not hold back. He expressed clear disappointment over the lack of planning, promotion, and respect he felt was shown by WWE during his retirement match. According to the Hall of Famer, the company only informed him three weeks before the event that it would serve as his send-off, denying him the type of farewell he believed his legacy had earned.
Goldberg shared that he would have preferred a more thoughtful build-up. He envisioned an announcement months in advance, the chance to promote the event properly, and a celebration worthy of a career filled with headline moments. Instead, he was given short notice and minimal fanfare.
“I would have loved for them to announce it in January and build something up. Do something that felt like a real ending. But they chose to give it three weeks. It’s the meal I was served. I was just wrong to expect anything different,” Goldberg said.
His frustration was not limited to the scheduling. Goldberg also pointed out that his farewell speech was abruptly cut off during the live broadcast. He had prepared remarks and wanted to speak directly to the fans, many of whom followed his journey from WCW to WWE. The opportunity never came.
“I did three interviews in six months to promote this. And then, when I finally had the mic in my hand, they cut me off thirty seconds in,” he recalled. “You don’t do that to someone who gave so much to this business. It’s just not the way to treat a career.”
Goldberg’s wrestling legacy is undeniable. He exploded onto the scene in 1997 with WCW, quickly becoming one of the company’s top stars. He captured both the United States and World Heavyweight Championships, and was billed with an iconic winning streak that made him a household name. His intensity and presence set him apart in an era packed with star power.
His time in WWE began in 2003 with mixed results, but his 2016 return revitalized his image. He defeated top stars, captured the Universal Championship, and added new layers to his career. His 2018 Hall of Fame induction was a recognition of everything he had accomplished across both promotions.
Despite the accolades and championships, Goldberg made it clear that the way he exited the business left a bitter taste. While he is proud of his performance and the chance to go out on his terms physically, the emotional and symbolic closure he hoped for never materialized.
“It could have been done differently. It could have been done better. And that’s not bitterness talking. That’s just honesty,” Goldberg said.
Although his final moment may not have gone as he envisioned, Goldberg’s influence on professional wrestling remains cemented. But for the man behind the legacy, that last bell rang without the proper goodbye he had spent years imagining.