Among the standout moments from a thrilling weekend in both WWE and AEW was Bill Goldberg’s final match, marking the end of his wrestling career. The WWE Hall of Famer, aged 58, was unable to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Gunther in the main event on Saturday night. However, his retirement barely caught the attention of one individual: AEW’s Women’s Casino Gauntlet winner and ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena. When asked whether her impressive reign as the “eternal champion” surpassed the accomplishments of those retiring that day, Athena showed little interest and instead highlighted her own significant achievements over the past three years. She emphasized her historic milestones, including being the first woman to main event the Hammerstein Ballroom and the first woman to headline a pay-per-view under Tony Khan’s AEW banner. Athena made it clear that her focus remains on her reign and legacy, not on others’ retirements, declaring, “This is my time.” If Athena holds the ROH Women’s World Championship until the Death Before Dishonor event on September 5th, she will set a new record in Ring of Honor for a 1,000-day title reign, all while keeping her guaranteed shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Fan Take: Athena’s dismissive attitude towards Goldberg’s retirement highlights a refreshing shift in focus towards the rising stars in AEW’s women’s division. This moment is significant for AEW fans, as it underlines Athena’s growing dominance and the increasing prestige of women’s wrestling in AEW, signaling exciting developments for the sport’s future.
