Paul Heyman, a longtime WWE figure, recently discussed the backlash surrounding Goldberg’s retirement match with the company. The Hall of Famer faced Gunther in his final contest during last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, a match that sparked considerable debate among fans and insiders. Heyman revealed on The Ariel Helwani Show that Goldberg was deeply dissatisfied with the outcome and circumstances of his last appearance.
Heyman explained that Goldberg, known for his high standards and confidence, felt that WWE did not meet his expectations for the farewell match. While Heyman did not explicitly side with Goldberg or the promotion, he acknowledged the star was vocal about his feelings and unapologetic in expressing his frustration.
“It’s Bill. Bill Goldberg had very, very high expectations for WWE. In Bill Goldberg’s mind, they weren’t met. I’m not gonna sit here and tell you Bill Goldberg was wrong. I’m not going to tell you WWE was wrong. I’m going to tell you this is how Goldberg felt and he’s not shy in letting people know how he feels. I’m not surprised. It’s Bill. This is how he feels, and he’s going to let you know about it,” said Heyman. —Paul Heyman, WWE Executive
The dissatisfaction stemmed in part from Goldberg’s retirement speech being abruptly cut off during the broadcast, which led him to voice his unhappiness publicly shortly after the match. This tension lent a troubled tone to what was expected to be a celebratory farewell for the WCW legend.
Insight Into Goldberg’s State After the Match From His Son Gage Goldberg
Goldberg’s son, Gage Goldberg, recently shared details about his father’s behavior following the controversial retirement match. Speaking with Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Bill Apter, Gage described spending time with his father by the pool the day after the match and noted how Goldberg quickly returned to his everyday routine despite the emotional aftermath of his final bout.
“Next day, sat out by the pool. He was chilling the next day, honestly. Actually, no, no, no. Yes, he was at the pool, but he was on the tractor mowing our lawn. That’s just how this works. Back to normal day life,” said Gage Goldberg. —Gage Goldberg, Son of Bill Goldberg
This glimpse into Goldberg’s immediate post-retirement behavior highlights his resilient attitude, as he shifted focus away from professional wrestling back to normal life swiftly after the controversy.
Context on WWE’s Current Landscape and Future Prospects
The recent retirement match took place in an evolving WWE environment. Notably, Gunther, who defeated Goldberg, lost the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk in the main event of Night 1 of WWE SummerSlam 2025. With these shifts in the roster and title holders, speculation continues regarding the future direction of WWE’s top stars.
Gunther’s championship loss and Goldberg’s retirement mark significant transitions for the company. Fans remain curious about whether Goldberg, often referred to as “Da Man,” might return for occasional appearances or fully retire from the ring in the coming years. Meanwhile, WWE’s ability to manage these high-profile changes will likely influence its audience’s reception and engagement moving forward.
