Backstage News on Goldberg–GUNTHER RAW Segment – The in-ring segment between Goldberg and World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER on the June 16 episode of RAW reportedly went shorter than initially planned, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The confrontation was designed to set up their upcoming title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, but fans noticed the segment felt abrupt and lacked key information.
Backstage sources told the Observer that Goldberg’s physical condition played a role in the timing. Some noted that the WWE Hall of Famer “wasn’t moving well” and appeared physically diminished compared to his previous appearances. Additionally, it was observed by people backstage that Goldberg looked shorter than when he was last seen in WWE, further fueling speculation about the toll training has taken on his body ahead of what is expected to be his final match.
Fans also pointed out that the segment failed to explicitly announce two major stipulations: that the match would be contested for the World Heavyweight Championship, and that it would be Goldberg’s retirement match. Neither point was made during the live broadcast. Instead, WWE confirmed the title stipulation on social media after RAW had gone off the air. As of now, WWE has not officially referred to the bout as Goldberg’s retirement match during any on-air programming, despite the match being billed as such in various external interviews.
This has raised questions among fans and observers about whether WWE is intentionally softening the retirement angle in case of future appearances or if it was simply a result of the segment being shortened due to Goldberg’s condition.
The July 12 match in Atlanta, Georgia—Goldberg’s hometown—remains one of the most high-profile bouts on the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event card and is expected to headline the show.
Backstage News on Goldberg–GUNTHER RAW Segment
