WWE legend Goldberg officially concluded his storied wrestling career on Saturday night, falling to world heavyweight champion Gunther during the Saturday Night Main Event in his adopted hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
In what was billed as Goldberg’s Last Dance, the 58-year-old Hall of Famer gave it his all against “The Ring General,” aiming to close out his career with a match that honored his legendary status. Previously, Goldberg had participated in lackluster matches, and he had long sought a meaningful way to finish his in-ring journey. Although he lost, the match was far superior to his recent outings, allowing him to retire with dignity.
Several key figures from Goldberg’s WCW era, including family and longtime friends like Diamond Dallas Page and his son Gage, were present for his final walk to the ring. The match featured signature moves such as spears and jackhammers. Despite some hopeful moments, Gunther ultimately prevailed after Goldberg, wrestling through painful leg injuries, was unable to continue. Gunther applied a sleeper hold, leading a staff member to stop the contest, and retained the world heavyweight title.
Speculation had swirled that WWE might use this event for a surprise ending, including Brock Lesnar’s rumored return or Seth Rollins’ injury angle. Instead, WWE chose to give Goldberg the moment to express his gratitude and bid farewell to the Atlanta crowd.
Though he apologized to his fans for the loss, Goldberg’s performance was commendable given his physical condition. The match, dominated by Gunther’s hard-hitting style, saw the champion slowly wearing down the WWE icon. After the contest, surrounded by loved ones, Goldberg gave a brief farewell speech that was cut short on the NBC/Peacock live broadcast but was captured and shared on WWE’s social media channels.
Fan Take: Goldberg’s retirement marks the end of an era for WWE, symbolizing the torch being passed to a new generation. This moment is significant for fans as it celebrates a true legend’s legacy while highlighting the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.
