The rumors were true, as Bill Goldberg finally returned to WWE television on this week’s Raw. Just as Gunther was cutting a promo during his first week as World Heavyweight Champion, The Icon’s music hit. The Green Bay crowd went absolutely wild for the legendary superstar. Goldberg appeared genuinely overwhelmed by the thunderous reception from the passionate WWE Universe.
After telling The Ring General how proud he was of him, Goldberg reminded the Austrian about their unfinished business. The WWE Hall of Famer referenced their confrontation at last year’s Bad Blood premium live event. During that encounter, the former Walter had disrespected Goldberg in front of his wife and son, Gage. Goldberg declared he would end their feud where it all began in Atlanta, Georgia.
On July 12, The Icon will challenge The Ring General for the World Heavyweight Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Even though WWE isn’t officially promoting it as such, this showdown is expected to be Goldberg’s final match. It’s something the former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle has long desired for his career sendoff. He hasn’t competed since 2022, when he lost to Roman Reigns at the Elimination Chamber premium live event in Saudi Arabia.
Gunther will present an entirely different challenge for the 58-year-old Goldberg, who recently admitted he’s battling severe body pain. The Vienna-born champion is relentless in his approach and will likely intensify his preparation for this monumental clash. While Gunther appeared stunned by last night’s confrontation, he typically thrives once the bell rings.
Former WWE star backs massive crowd reaction for Goldberg on Raw amid online unrest
There’s a fascinating divide regarding Goldberg’s return between online wrestling fans and those who attended the show. Scrolling through X reveals countless users criticizing WWE for giving the 58-year-old a title opportunity against Gunther. However, the live audience in Green Bay clearly embraced his surprise appearance with overwhelming enthusiasm.
Former WWE Superstar James Ellsworth posted on X that regardless of personal opinions about Goldberg, he can still generate one of the loudest crowd reactions. Ellsworth appears to support ‘Da Man’ pursuing the world title one final time at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta.
Another factor to consider is the looming cash-in threat from Seth Rollins, the current Mr. Money in the Bank. Rollins has substantial backup support that could complicate matters for the champion. The Ring General may find himself at a significant disadvantage facing both Goldberg’s challenge and Rollins’ potential interference simultaneously.