Goldberg’s farewell in WWE did not go as expected, and the company is now reportedly trying to resolve the situation behind the scenes. According to Fightful Select, WWE officials have apologized to Goldberg after his retirement speech was abruptly cut short during the July 12th Saturday Night Main Event. This unexpected incident has led to speculation about WWE’s treatment of Goldberg and raised questions about the future legacy of Hall of Fame wrestlers in the industry.
Goldberg lost his retirement match to Gunther, the World Heavyweight Champion from Atlanta, honoring the common tradition where wrestlers often lose their final bout to another competitor. Sources revealed that WWE faces a strict ending time for their NBC broadcast, which forced a cut on Goldberg’s farewell speech—already extended due to an earlier segment delay caused by Seth Rollins’ injury during a match with La Knight.
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, Goldberg shared his disappointment, stating, “Let me say I’m angry at the way I went out. I put a lot in it, and I don’t feel like the effort has reciprocated to and from trying to stamp on what I accomplished.”
While the speech cut was not intentional, several WWE insiders expressed regret over the situation. A top WWE executive reportedly issued a personal apology to Goldberg, and the company later uploaded a full 10-minute version of his speech on YouTube in an attempt to make amends. As a wrestling icon, Goldberg’s tough exit has left many, including AEW’s Jim Ross, concerned about how his final moments as an active competitor were handled. It remains unclear whether this disappointing conclusion will affect Goldberg’s future appearances on WWE programming.
Fan Take: This incident highlights how even legendary stars can be mishandled in wrestling’s high-pressure environment, reminding fans of the importance of honoring wrestlers’ legacies properly. For WWE, ensuring respect for iconic figures like Goldberg is crucial to maintaining fan trust and preserving the sport’s rich history.
