WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event returned this past Saturday, featuring a significant bout where WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg faced off against the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. You can find all the match details in the results section, along with a thorough review covering the highlights and low points of this 40th edition of the show. Let’s dive into who emerged victorious and who fell short in Atlanta.
Some setbacks were unfortunate accidents, like former World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins suffering an injury, while others might have been avoidable, such as the match pacing to ensure Goldberg’s final bout included a commercial break. On the upside, there were clear winners, including Gunther. Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of the winners and losers from Saturday’s event.
Loser: Seth Rollins (not his fault)
WWE had limited match options in 2025, centering around Goldberg vs. Gunther. To fill out the card, they matched Seth Rollins against La Knight, knowing neither wrestler would have a flawless outing. Unfortunately, Rollins suffered an injury after a misstep, a recurring issue given his history of knee problems. This injury not only cut his match short but also delayed Goldberg’s final contest. Rollins’ current faction might rely on others to carry the load, and the World Heavyweight title scene may struggle without him, negatively impacting multiple storylines.
Winners: Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre
SummerSlam is billed as “the biggest event of the summer,” especially significant for stars like Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre. WWE’s celebrity-driven approach in the TKO era shines with talents like jelly rolls, and Orton and McIntyre are poised to deliver some of the season’s best performances. Their reliability and skill ensure their match remains a highly anticipated highlight, regardless of outsider involvement.
Winner: Gunther (he defeated Goldberg!)
An old saying goes that to earn respect, you must defeat a respected opponent. Gunther lived up to that by beating Goldberg—a fitting end to the veteran’s in-ring career. Despite a few hiccups, Gunther’s victory sealed Goldberg’s retirement and solidified his own legacy. This milestone win places Gunther in elite company alongside other top stars like Cody Rhodes and John Cena, underscoring his growing importance in WWE.
Loser: Goldberg
Though Goldberg showed his fighting spirit in his 50s, the lengthy and somewhat drawn-out match against Gunther didn’t play to his strengths. While not a poor match, the pacing felt off, as if signaling the end of an era. Goldberg’s retirement felt overshadowed by bigger events on the same night, and while fans respect his legacy, many felt his retirement could have been handled with more prominence and timing.
Fan Take:
This event matters greatly to WWE fans because it marked the end of Goldberg’s iconic career and cemented Gunther’s rise as a dominant champion. It also highlighted ongoing challenges in WWE’s roster depth, signaling potential shifts in storylines and the future of key wrestlers like Seth Rollins. The outcomes here could shape the wrestling landscape for months to come.
