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Goldberg is definitely returning to the WWE for a retirement match.
The wrestling legend took to X on Monday after Raw and posted a video of the last time he made a return to WWE. He captioned the post with “About time to replicate this!” In the video, which is from October 2016, Goldberg met WWE announcer Michael Cole in the ring and took his comeback to the next level.
There’s been speculation for months about whether Goldberg would step back into the ring one more time. That speculation became confirmation the moment he posted the video. While there was no official match announcement, this is clearly the first move in what looks to be his final storyline arc in WWE.
The timing makes sense–especially during this era when Triple H is masterfully guiding content and redefining what we’ve come to expect from the brand. WWE’s in a transition period post-WrestleMania 41, and as the company continues leaning into legacy talent for major moments, a Goldberg farewell bout checks a lot of business boxes.
The post had the energy of a man who knows how to build anticipation, even with just a few words. “About time to replicate this!” feels like a tease aimed at fans, but also possibly at the locker room.
Goldberg was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 and his last match happened in 2022 against Roman Reigns in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Goldberg’s return will generate a pop initially, but WWE must be very careful how they book the legend. After all, while he remains a physical specimen, he is still a 58-year-old specimen.
To protect him from some of the embarrassing moments he had in the ring during his last return, the scripting must be smart and heavy on presentation and light on physical rigor.
WWE fans–and Goldberg and Undertaker remember this.
If the rumored opponent is Gunther, there’s already a seed planted.
The two had a verbal exchange at the Bad Blood premium live event in Atlanta back in 2024. Gunther isn’t the kind of wrestler who tones it down for opponents, even legends. His style is hard-hitting, and that’s part of what makes a match between him and Goldberg a wild card.
It could be compelling, or it could push past Goldberg’s current capabilities. Gunther is known for his physical matches. That might be what intrigues Goldberg, but I don’t know if anyone wants to see him eat a chop from Gunther.
I wonder if Goldberg—especially at 58—can hoist Gunther up for his signature jackhammer. We might be about to find out.
If WWE goes this route, the match will need smart planning and solid stagecraft. A confrontation or promo segment on Raw could be the next step. We could see Goldberg make an appearance on an upcoming episode of Raw.
Expect WWE to promote the buildup heavily across multiple shows.
A Raw face-off could lead into a summer pay-per-view or even set the tone for Survivor Series. One way or another, this story just started—and people will watch.
