After years of searching for the perfect retirement match, Goldberg’s dream came true during Saturday night’s main event. In his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Goldberg faced World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. Even his most dedicated fans knew he wasn’t going to win, so there was no anger when Gunther put him to sleep. However, during Goldberg’s retirement speech, NBC abruptly cut the feed after just a few seconds.
The match was never expected to be a classic, but after his loss, Michael Cole handed Goldberg the microphone. Standing in a ring surrounded by family and friends, Goldberg expressed his gratitude: “I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything here in Atlanta. I want to thank over 100 friends and family who came from around the world. The Atlanta fans were incredible – I love you all! I couldn’t have done it without you.” Unfortunately, the show ended after only 30 seconds of his speech, but fans quickly shared videos of his full farewell online.
WWE fans were upset that Goldberg wasn’t allowed to fully speak during the NBC main event. Unlike WWE Raw, which can run past 10 PM, the NBC broadcast strictly cuts off at 10 PM, but with the match starting late and numerous commercial breaks, Goldberg’s final match felt rushed and overshadowed by advertisements. The brief and abrupt end to his speech added to fan disappointment, leading to widespread frustration on social media.
Fans hope WWE takes notice of the backlash and shares Goldberg’s entire farewell on YouTube and social media platforms, so his final words can be properly heard and appreciated.
Fan Take: Goldberg’s retirement marks the end of an era for WWE fans, and how his farewell was handled highlights the tension between live television constraints and fan expectations. Properly honoring legendary wrestlers is crucial for maintaining fan loyalty and respect in the sport.
