Cliff Notes – WWE fans raging over icon’s ‘disgraceful’ retirement speech after 28-year career
- Goldberg’s final match against GUNTHER ended in a loss, adhering to wrestling tradition, but fans were upset by NBC’s abrupt cut during his retirement speech.
- Viewers expressed outrage on social media, citing the lack of an overrun as disrespectful, with many feeling Goldberg’s farewell was unjustly truncated.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his retirement, fans praised Goldberg’s performance in the match, calling it one of his best and a fitting conclusion to his nearly three-decade career.
WWE fans raging over icon’s ‘disgraceful’ retirement speech after 28-year career
Goldberg’s fans didn’t get to see his entire farewell (Picture: WWE)
Wrestling legend Goldberg had his last match this weekend butWWE fans were left furious over the way his retirement was handled.
The World Championship Wrestling (WCW) icon stepped in the ring for the final time at Saturday Night’s Main Event as he challenged GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship.
As many fans expected, the Ring General beat Goldberg to continue his run, as the former world champ continued the wrestling tradition of retiring with a loss.
However, some timing issues with US network NBC meant his post-match retirement speech didn’t go to plan.
The broadcaster cut to an ad break, returning to Goldberg in the ring with other legends, family and friends, as Michael Cole handed him the microphone.
However, after just a few words, the final credits appeared on screen and the show was taken off air just before 3am UK time, with viewers watching on YouTube around the world also impacted.
The event finished when it was meant to, but fans were livid that there wasn’t an overrun on NBC to give Goldberg his full moment.
‘There’s no way they just cut off while Goldberg was giving his farewell speech?! What an absolute disgrace,’ ranted @F1_ootball on X.
And @CockneyCharmer complained: ‘Christ…they cut to an ad break which misses all of Goldberg’s farewell speech with his friends and family in the ring and then even before he finishes his speech….the event closes on him mid sentence FFS.’
‘That was complete injustice for Goldberg. Cut off during his final speech to the crowd. Absolutely disgusted,’ added @Later4k80, while @lucarosano3 said: ‘Lol they just cut off Goldberg during his farewell speech. The disrespect.’
Goldberg’s retirement match was cut short (Picture: WWE)
Saturday’s match was the end of a nearly three decade career (Picture: WWE)
”First off, I don’t think I’ve ever lost here in Atlanta, so I do apologise for going out a little sub par. I’ve got over a hundred friends and family that came over from all over the world,’ Goldberg told the fans in an emtouonal moment.
‘The fans in Atalanta have been absolutely wonderful. I love you, I couldn’t have done it without you!’
Unfortunately for viewers watching at home, NBC’s feed was cut in the moment, meaning fans will have to wait until WWE uploads the full footage online.
GUNTHER received high praise for his role in the match (Picture: Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
Although the speech didn’t go as they’d hope, fans heaped praise on Goldberg’s match with GUNTHER, and praised the Austrian star for helping the legend to one of his greatest ever performances.
‘Did Goldberg just have his best match as his last? Gunther continues to be a Living Legend,’ wrote @JPJLovesGaming, while fellow X user @stephamiee said: ‘Goldberg’s best match of his whole career.’
Others agreed and hailed the bout as ‘the best Goldberg match’ they’ve ever seen, and a fitting final chapter.
Netflix is the home of WWE in the UK. Saturday Night’s Main Event is available to rewatch on YouTube.