WWE has officially announced the much-anticipated match between Goldberg and Gunther for the World Championships, marking a significant moment in Goldberg’s iconic career as he is expected to retire by the end of the month, having trained for his final match since last year. Goldberg’s return in 2016 revitalized his wrestling journey after a lackluster initial run in WWE.
Vince McMahon initially hesitated to book Goldberg like his dominant WCW persona during his 2000s comeback, but many of Goldberg’s victorious bouts have mirrored that earlier style. His matches since 2016 have received mixed reviews, with fans rating them from poor to excellent.
One of the marquee bouts was Goldberg vs. Undertaker at Super Showdown 2019 in Saudi Arabia, intended to thrill fans and spotlight legends who brought in significant pay-per-view revenue. Unfortunately, both competitors’ advanced age led to a rough match with noticeable mistakes that almost resulted in injury and negatively impacted their reputations.
Next was Goldberg vs. The Fiend at Super Showdown 2020, where Goldberg quickly defeated Bray Wyatt’s mystical character, which disappointed fans by diminishing the character’s aura and legacy.
In Fastlane 2017, Goldberg challenged Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship in a brief match lasting only 22 seconds, winning decisively but leaving Owens little room to showcase his skills.
At SummerSlam 2021, Goldberg faced Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship. The match, reflective of Goldberg’s age, felt awkward and ended controversially with a stoppage by the referees, leaving fans unsatisfied.
Goldberg was slated to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Braun Strowman replaced him. Strowman managed to secure a victory in a match that involved repeated finishers and kick-outs.
At Elimination Chamber 2022, Goldberg finally received the high-profile match fans wanted against Roman Reigns. This match stood out as better than Goldberg’s usual squash-style bouts, delivering a more competitive atmosphere.
Goldberg’s match against Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam 2019 was a faster-paced encounter that helped Goldberg redeem his reputation after the Undertaker match. Goldberg dominated Ziggler but didn’t wrestle for a title or the main event card.
Royal Rumble 2021 featured one of Goldberg’s rare matches where he lost to Drew McIntyre in about two and a half minutes. The match was notable because Goldberg allowed McIntyre to shine as a top star instead of dominating him.
A star moment was Goldberg’s surprise 85-second victory over Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2016. This short match served to reinstate Goldberg’s status as a dominant force, defying the expectation that Lesnar would win.
Goldberg also faced Bobby Lashley in a longer, no-disqualification rematch at Crown Jewel 2021. Goldberg delivered an intense performance lasting over eleven minutes, including risky moves and weapon use, ultimately defeating Lashley in a dramatic comeback.
Fan Take: This upcoming Goldberg vs. Gunther match is crucial for WWE fans as it celebrates one of wrestling’s most legendary careers while highlighting the evolving WWE landscape. It could not only serve as a fitting farewell for Goldberg but also elevate Gunther as a future main-event star, signaling a fresh chapter for the sport.
