Legendary professional wrestler Bill Goldberg, a figure synonymous with dominance and intensity, is set to step into the ring for his highly anticipated retirement match. At 58 years old, Goldberg will challenge World Heavyweight Champion Gunther at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event XL on July 12, 2025, in Atlanta, a city he considers his second home. This momentous occasion comes amidst a particularly challenging period for the WWE Hall of Famer, who is navigating both physical ailments and recent personal tragedies.
The week leading up to his farewell bout has been described as “tumultuous” by Goldberg himself. He recently mourned the passing of his father-in-law and has been affected by the devastating July 4 floods in the Hill Country, where he resides. Compounding these personal struggles are the physical tolls of a career spanning decades; Goldberg admits to “limping more than storming” to the ring, battling a compromised left knee, a “jacked-up” shoulder, and multiple minor injuries sustained during preparation. Despite these immense hurdles, Goldberg remains resolute, stating to CBS Sports, “The circumstances are not always to your liking. But you adapt and overcome.”
Born William Scott Goldberg on December 27, 1966, his journey to wrestling stardom was unconventional. Before his iconic professional wrestling career, Goldberg was a formidable American football defensive tackle. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 1989. His professional football career included stints with the Los Angeles Rams, BC Lions (CFL), Sacramento Surge (winning World Bowl II), Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers, before an abdominal injury ended his NFL aspirations in 1995, as detailed on Wikipedia.
His transition to professional wrestling in 1997, encouraged by Lex Luger and Sting, saw him explode onto the scene in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Goldberg quickly became one of the most popular figures of the late 1990s wrestling boom, known for his explosive “Spear” and “Jackhammer” finishers. He captivated audiences with a highly publicized undefeated streak, officially billed by WCW as 173-0, though the actual number of victories was lower. This dominant run culminated in him capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Hollywood Hogan in front of over 40,000 fans in his hometown of Atlanta. He also held the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship twice and the WCW World Tag Team Championship once with Bret Hart, becoming the fifth WCW Triple Crown winner. His streak famously ended at Starrcade 1998 against Kevin Nash, due to outside interference. A severe arm injury in late 1999, sustained while punching a limousine window in a scripted segment, sidelined him for months.
Following WCW’s closure, Goldberg wrestled briefly for All Japan Pro Wrestling before making his highly anticipated World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) debut in March 2003. His first WWE run saw him defeat top stars like The Rock and capture the World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H. He famously defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XX in what was initially thought to be his final match before a 12-year hiatus.
Goldberg made a thunderous return to WWE in 2016, reigniting his rivalry with Brock Lesnar and defeating him at Survivor Series. He went on to win the WWE Universal Championship from Kevin Owens in 2017, only to lose it back to Lesnar at WrestleMania 33. In 2018, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Remarkably, he returned to win the Universal Championship a second time in 2020 from “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, becoming the first wrestler to win a world championship after being inducted into the Hall of Fame, as highlighted on WWE.com. His more recent appearances included matches against Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Roman Reigns.
Despite the physical toll and personal hardships, Goldberg is determined to conclude his career on his own terms. He views this final match as a “privilege” and an opportunity to “put a stamp on my career.” While acknowledging past “lowlights” such as the accidental concussion to Bret Hart, he emphasizes turning such experiences into fuel. For Goldberg, the most cherished moment of his career wasn’t a championship win, but when his former Atlanta Falcons teammates came to his defense after he defeated Hulk Hogan for the WCW title, a moment he described as “poetic justice.”
Goldberg’s legacy is undeniable. Described by WWE as “one of the most dominant Superstars to ever set foot inside the squared circle,” his popularity at his peak rivaled that of Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin. He also notably challenged Jewish stereotypes, providing a strong role model for Jewish youth. As he prepares for his final “Spear” and “Jackhammer” in Atlanta, the question “Who’s next?” that once defined his career now gives way to a poignant “Who’s last?” as he aims for one more timeless moment.
