For most WWE fans, one last match for Goldberg has been a case of when, not if. One of the most popular and powerful wrestlers of the last thirty years, many feel that his final feuds and matches failed to live up to his WCW peak years. We are talking about the man with the 161-match win streak after all.
This week, Goldberg added to the speculation that a retirement match was imminent. A verbal feud at Bad Blood 2024 with Gunther teased a future return for Goldberg. However, his announcement on ESPN’s SEC Network has fully confirmed that an official retirement match is in the works at WWE.
Who Could Goldberg Face?
While it would be great to see Goldberg revisit some of his most iconic WCW and WWE rivalries, many of his enemies have either retired or exited WWE. However, pairing Goldberg with one of WWE’s top heels or an up-and-coming talent could make for an exciting encounter that benefits both superstars.
Goldberg is targeting a summer return, so SummerSlam could be a viable PLE to bring the curtain down. It also leaves WWE with plenty of time to build the match’s momentum and give Goldberg the sendoff he deserves.
Gunther
It makes sense to start with Gunther considering their recent, well, bad blood. Gunther continues to impress with not only sacred ring prowess but also his status as one of WWE’s most reliable heels.
Should SummerSlam be the stage for Goldberg’s final outing, the stars could align for both superstars’ narratives. Gunther is set to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Jey Uso at WrestleMania.
Should he lose, Gunther will be perfectly placed to provide the foil for Goldberg’s heroic finale. Gunther has proven his versatility again and again, and he would be a worthy final opponent for The Myth.
Bron Breakker
Goldberg and Bron Breakker share many similarities – and not just a top-tier spear and matching bicep tattoos. There’s a nostalgic quality to Breakker that recalls the 90s heyday of Goldberg, making him a compatible final opponent.
Not to mention it would be a match with history at its core. Goldberg and Breakker’s uncle, Scott Steiner, feuded in the final years of WCW and they wrestled one another throughout their careers with often memorable results.
A Bron Breakker win would be both a victory for the Steiner family and a massive boost for his transition from mid-card to main event. It could be the starting point for a world championship push.
Jacob Fatu
The Samoan Werewolf has had one of the most striking starts in WWE in recent memory. Now firmly out of Solo Sikoa’s shadow, Fatu has excelled on the mic, adding real depth to his character work. His work with The Bloodline has been stellar and his feud with Braun Strowman has confirmed his singles capability.
A feud with Goldberg over the summer could really elevate Fatu. Notably, Fatu has yet to be pinned in WWE, offering two viable options for the feud.
WWE could give Fatu a major push by allowing him to bury Goldberg. Or they could cement the latter’s legacy by allowing him, in true Goldberg fashion, to end Fatu’s streak.
John Cena
Rather surprisingly, John Cena and Goldberg have never faced one another and 2025 would be the final opportunity to deliver what would be a dream match. Critics may point to the underwhelming 2019 match between Goldberg and The Undertaker, with both far from the peak of their powers.
The retiring Cena and Goldberg, who will turn 60 next year, mirror that scenario. Still, Goldberg’s aura and Cena’s innate showmanship seem to remain no matter how many years they clock up. Cena may have come up short in the Royal Rumble but he played his part in what was a wonderfully dramatic climax.
Goldberg also proved that his popularity is resistant to time at Bad Blood last year. The fight may not be as good as it would’ve been twenty years ago but it’ll still be worth seeing in 2025.
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