Who should Goldberg face in his retirement match? 7 WWE Superstars who might step up to the challenge
WCW/WWE icon Goldberg is set to hang up his boots this year, but promised a grand finale of a match before riding into the sunset.
The legendary superstar must be training too hard for his retirement match, as he revealed that he suffered some injuries along the way. Despite some concerns from both fans and pundits, the wrestling community hopes that his farewell match will happen this year, as Goldberg had promised.
Fans are speculating that Gunther might be Goldberg’s final opponent since their confrontation at the Bad Blood PLE last October. However, considering the unpredictable nature of the professional wrestling industry, things might change at any moment, which could lead WWE or him to opt for another opponent.
With that said, here are seven superstars who could face the WCW legend in his retirement match.
#7. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker is a rising WWE Superstar who could face Goldberg in his final match. His intensity and power-based wrestling style pretty much mirrors that of the wrestling legend, making him an ideal opponent.
Their shared use of the Spear and Breakker’s family history with Goldberg (through Rick & Scott Steiner’s WCW feuds) adds narrative depth if WWE decides to push through with this matchup. Securing a win against the wrestling icon will propel Breakker to main-event status.
#6. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is another ideal Superstar for Goldberg’s final match. They are two of the most intimidating superstars to step foot inside a pro wrestling ring, and with their shared history, WWE can turn the clocks one more time with The Beast Incarnate returning to face Goldberg in his retirement match.
Lesnar has been out of action since SummerSlam 2023 due to legal issues with Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE. While a return is unlikely, wrestling fans might still stick to the hope of seeing the two superstars clashing for one last time in a WWE ring.
#5. Jacob Fatu
Reigning WWE United States Champion Jacob Fatu is another up-and-coming superstar who could size up against Goldberg in his final wrestling bout. His ferocity and raw athleticism align with the hard-hitting WWE legend, and the two can put on a brutal encounter.
Like Bron Breakker, Fatu securing a win over an industry legend will help his career reach the next level and could potentially lead to him breaching the world title picture.
#4. Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes may not have a history with Goldberg, but WWE could capitalize on this and offer a fresh and high-profile feud.
WWE can create a past vs. present scenario, which would see Goldberg put over Rhodes, who is arguably the biggest babyface on the current WWE roster. It would also allow Rhodes to regain some momentum after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41.
Rhodes could craft a respectful yet competitive storyline leading to the match. This clash of eras will surely be a huge draw, fusing Rhodes’ modern charisma and the legend’s classic intensity.
#3. Seth Rollins
Like Goldberg, Seth Rollins is also a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, making him a strong choice for the Hall of Famer’s retirement match. Should this match materialize, it will pit Rollins' agility against the legend's power, showcasing two contrasting in-ring styles.
While Goldberg might not have a prior history with Seth Rollins, he does have one with Paul Heyman. A rivalry could stem from Heyman attempting to establish The Visionary and his partners as the most dominant superstars in WWE at Goldberg's expense.
#2. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre, who has been absent since Saturday Night's Main Event 39, would be the perfect final opponent for Goldberg.
Goldberg hasn't competed in a proper match since his loss against Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber 2022. He would need a talented opponent who can carry him throughout the bout and can also tell an entertaining story during the build-up towards the contest. McIntyre checks both boxes, and fans would love to see a potential passing of the torch moment between Goldberg and The Scottish Warrior.
#1. John Cena
Like Goldberg, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena will also retire from in-ring competition in 2025, and a potential clash between the two industry greats would be a certified dream match.
The two legends have never competed against each other in WWE. Cena and Goldberg represent two eras of the pro wrestling business, and since both are in the final stages of their in-ring careers, it would be a missed opportunity for WWE to skip booking the high-profile clash.
