I’ve been a fan of Goldberg for as long as I can remember. From the days when he ran through WCW opponents like a wrecking ball to his surprise comebacks in WWE, the man has always brought power, intensity, and that famous spear. So when I heard he was having his retirement match, I was excited to see the legend one last time.
Even though I couldn’t be there in person in Atlanta, it still meant a lot to watch it on TV. It felt like the end of an era. Goldberg was never the most technical guy in the ring, but he had something special, he made people feel something. Whether it was fans chanting his name or waiting for that quick 2 minute squash, Goldberg always knew how to get a “pop” from the crowd.
But here’s where things got complicated.
After the match, Goldberg said he didn’t like the way WWE handled his send off. He said it didn’t feel right. He wanted more. And as a fan, that honestly rubbed me the wrong way a little. Don’t get me wrong, he’s earned the right to speak his mind. But I also think he’s being a little ungrateful.
WWE didn’t have to give him that match. They didn’t have to let him come back at all after his previous runs. And let’s be honest, Goldberg hasn’t always been the safest guy in the ring. Some of his recent matches had some rough moments. I’m sure the company had concerns. But they still gave him a proper goodbye.
It’s rare for any wrestler to get a farewell match. Many legends don’t get that moment. WWE gave Goldberg his chance, and I think that should count for something.
Now, I do agree with Goldberg on one thing… the way they cut his final speech on TV was wrong. That felt cold. I don’t know if it was WWE’s call or the TV network, but either way, it didn’t sit well. He was trying to thank the fans and close the book on his career, and they cut him off mid sentence. That’s not how you treat a legend.
Still, I want to believe it wasn’t done on purpose. I don’t know how TV timing works, but maybe the show just ran out of time. Maybe it was a network thing. I hope it wasn’t WWE being petty, because Goldberg deserved to speak to his fans one last time without being rushed.
In the end, I’m thankful I got to see Goldberg’s final match. It brought back memories, even if it didn’t go exactly how he wanted. I just wish he could show a little more appreciation. Not every legend gets this kind of send off.
Goldberg, if you ever read this….thank you for the memories. You were a big part of my wrestling fandom. I just hope you can walk away knowing that the fans still respect you, even if the goodbye didn’t go the way you wanted it.
