Because pro wrestling is predetermined, it’s natural to assume every moment in the ring is scripted.
But sometimes, reality breaks through, creating moments of authenticity.
That was the case during Bill Goldberg’s retirement match last week against Gunther on Saturday Night’s Main Event. After taking one of the “Ring General’s” punishing chops, the 58-year-old WWE Hall of Famer laughed it off. It was a defiant moment that signaled Gunther was in for a fight.
In truth, the moment was a genuine reaction that wasn’t in the script.
“I thought it was going to hurt more,” Goldberg told fight journalist Ariel Helwani on Tuesday. “It just startled me. And I really apologized because I didn’t mean to. That’s not a rib. I’m not trying to downplay his move, but it just caught me off guard, and I completely broke character.”
Goldberg’s earnest reaction was a highlight that drew a roar from fans inside the State Farm Arena in Goldberg’s adopted hometown of Atlanta. The former WCW and WWE World Champion battled Gunther for almost 15 minutes — his longest match since 2003. Given his history of short, explosive bouts and a three-year hiatus since his last match, Goldberg’s extended performance was well received.
But despite the strong showing, Goldberg expressed disappointment with how WWE handled his final match. He told Helwani that the rushed three-week buildup, TV time constraints, and being cut off seconds into his post-match speech left him feeling shortchanged.
“I just think it could have been a little classier prepared than it was,” said Goldberg, who added that he will have more to say in two weeks.
Still, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity while praising Gunther.
“To be able to have my last match with him, it was freaking awesome,” said Goldberg. “The kid’s extremely talented. And man, would I love to have a chop fest with him and have 10 more of those matches because each one you do with him is better.”
Source link
