The WWE “Monday Night Raw” fans roared and chanted “Goldberg” like it was still 30 years ago when the familiar beats of his entrance music hit. Many in the pro wrestling world are speculating whether he was there for the retirement match he alluded to not long ago.
Bill Goldberg was back in the WWE for the first time in more than three years Monday and announced his return to the ring in a confrontation with world heavyweight champion Gunther. During a segment in which Gunther initially challenged new Money in the Bank winner Seth Rollins, Goldberg instead appeared through the smoke and pyrotechnics once more.
The 58-year-old former NFL player congratulated Gunther on regaining his title last week and then told him they had a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12 in Atlanta. Goldberg’s feud with Gunther stems from a segment during the Bad Blood premium live event in Atlanta in October 2024, when Gunther insulted Goldberg in front of his son.
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“A few months ago, you started something with me and my family in Atlanta, Georgia, and I am going to make sure I end it in Atlanta, Georgia,” Goldberg told Gunther in front of the crowd in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Monday night. “You’re mine because you’re next.”
Goldberg previously said during an appearance on ESPN’s SEC Nation on Nov. 2, 2024, soon after his initial confrontation with Gunther, that WWE had granted his request for a retirement match in 2025. Goldberg did not mention retirement during Monday’s appearance.
But WWE is already promoting the match as “Goldberg’s Last Ride” on merchandise, and Goldberg wore a “Goldberg’s Last Ride” shirt out to the ring to confront Gunther.
Goldberg’s Last Ride! New collection out now at #WWEShop! #WWE
🛒: https://t.co/o7xLRIP0Mf pic.twitter.com/PtkoYXbP0h
— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) June 17, 2025
Goldberg became a pro wrestling sensation in WCW in the late 1990s, with a memorable undefeated streak using his spear and jackhammer finishing moves. He has appeared periodically in the WWE since WCW’s demise, but not since a match against Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber in February 2022.
Saturday Night’s Main Event is scheduled for July 12 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Goldberg’s hometown.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Goldberg returns to WWE: Is Goldberg vs Gunther also retirement match?
