Goldberg Could Be Last-Minute Addition to WrestleMania 41 Against Former WWE Champion

Reports indicate Goldberg could make a surprise return to WWE programming as a potential opponent for Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. This development follows the cancellation of Orton’s scheduled match against Kevin Owens, which was announced during the most recent episode of SmackDown.

The situation unfolded when SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, alongside Owens, revealed that Owens had suffered a potentially career-threatening neck injury requiring an indefinite period of recovery. This announcement left Orton without an opponent for WWE’s showcase event, prompting the frustrated superstar to deliver an RKO to Aldis on the broadcast.

According to circulating reports, WWE officials may be considering Goldberg as a replacement opponent. If this materializes, it would mark the first one-on-one encounter between these two performers since 2003, when Goldberg was involved in a feud with Evolution, a faction that included Orton among its members.

The timing aligns with Goldberg’s previous statement from last year, where he mentioned plans for a farewell match with WWE in 2025. Sources indicate the former world champion has been undergoing stem cell therapy to prepare for his in-ring return, with the treatment apparently yielding positive results as he has reportedly begun training.

Wrestling analysts suggest an Orton-Goldberg confrontation would constitute a highly anticipated “Dream Match” for the WWE fanbase, who typically enjoy seeing stars from different eras square off at WrestleMania. However, it’s worth noting that WWE has not issued any official confirmation regarding this potential matchup as preparations for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas continue.

Nick Aldis: "Randy, I’m sorry… but you won’t have a match to compete in at WrestleMania."

RANDY ORTON RKOs NICK ALDIS 😭

WE NEED RANDY AT MANIA, MAN🙏#SmackDown

pic.twitter.com/3NN3r3RJsG
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) April 5, 2025