Goldberg: Who’s Next!?!

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From the mid 90’s to the early 2000’s Bill Goldberg decimated his opponents during the Monday Night Wars. Week to week, we seen him run through whoever was put in front of him. As soon as the winning streak began for him, there was no stopping him. Eventually, in the locker room when asked, many wrestlers and even event staff forgot what number victory he on. I myself lost count as well too. Unfortunately, like all good things the streak would come to an end along with WCW. His success didn’t end there as WWE would continue to become his new playground.

As Goldbergs’ age started to climb his time in the ring grew less and less. Wrestling a handful of matches since his return in 2016 with his most recent being in 2022, against Roman Reigns. He has never announced or declared retirement, nor said the words indicating his retirement. That is until now.  He believes he still has one more spear and jackhammer left in the tank before he calls it quits. As he is asking for his retirement match and feels it’s well deserved.

Goldberg doesn’t want to ride off into the sunset. He wants to end things on his terms and at age 56 time is running out on any comeback scenario. He told sports illustrated:

“You never say never, especially in wrestling, and they owe me one. That’s all I can say. I made a deal with the devil and I did my job, and they owe me a retirement match. It’s not something where I’m sitting by the phone waiting for a call. I’ve got a few ideas of how to do it on my own.”

Yet even still after the statement there are no plans of Goldberg getting his final match. He doesn’t have any appearances left on his contract and Triple H hasn’t made it a priority to bring him back since taking over creative. However, if he was to make a return, the real question becomes, “who’s next”?

Now I don’t believe that Goldberg is trying to force any entitlement on the WWE with his comments. Even so I know superstars don’t get to exit the business on their own terms or even within good standings. Although he is not a home-grown product of WWE, he is still an iconic legend who helped make wrestling popular for a once-rival company.

Understandably, to this day, his fan base and following, would still like to see him hit the stage. While, giving them his signature entrance move of pushing smoke out of his nose like a dragon one more time for a farewell. He’s not asking for a title shot or even to come out on top of his final match, he just wants that opportunity to entertain one last time! Whether it’s to put over the next guy up or to hear the name Goldberg being chanted on his way out. I’m sure he would give it his all and be worth it.