The heavily reported news of Bill Goldberg’s WWE return came true on the June 16 edition of Monday Night Raw. He cut off the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, GUNTHER, kicking off the path that will lead to a match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12. It is the match that no one asked for, yet everyone is going to have to sit through in a few short weeks. However, it does not need to be the retirement match that several believe it is set to be.
Goldberg announced in 2024 that he is expecting to retire this year. At 58 years of age, it makes sense that it would be the move for the former multiple-time champion. Goldberg has competed sporadically over the last few years, but none of those moments have been well-received. While fans in the arena may cheer when his music and entrance hits, the widespread response online is a loud sigh followed by eye rolls.
However, that doesn’t mean that Goldberg should not get a send-off filled with dignity and respect. Regardless of what popular thoughts may be about Goldberg’s run in professional wrestling, one cannot refute the point that he was one of the most important performers during his era. He is one of the few original names created in WCW, and he was one of the central pieces of the equation back when WCW consistently defeated WWE each week.
Goldberg remained over with the fans, even after being away from active participation for more than a decade. He was an icon of his era, and WWE would love to be able to recreate his magic with a young name on the roster.
Bill Goldberg deserves a positive retirement tour
It is understandable for someone of Goldberg’s stature to see Sting’s retirement tour in All Elite Wrestling and think, “Hey, I want that too.” AEW treated Sting’s in-ring retirement with care and praise. He left with the fans cheering, even picking up a victory on the way out of the door. In a world where top names typically go out on their backs, it was a good thing to see Sting receive a drastically different treatment.
Goldberg could receive the same. He doesn’t and should not defeat Gunther. That would be a shocking surprise that would not be welcomed in today’s WWE. But that doesn’t mean this match with Gunther needs to be his last. He could lose that match, only to be confronted by someone claiming he’s washed up and should retire. That could lead to a last match against a heel character that he could defeat. Going out with his hand raised.
You know who would be the perfect person for this position? Logan Paul. Fans do not want to cheer Paul and would rather root for anyone other than him. Goldberg included. Keeping Goldberg around for a run-up until SummerSlam against Logan Paul would be a great way to keep him involved and give the aging veteran a win on his way out the door.