On a recent episode of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T unleashed a passionate defense of the decision to have Goldberg challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship in his final match, directly addressing those who have been critical of the booking.
The WWE Hall of Famer’s comments come as Goldberg prepares for a World Heavyweight Title showdown against GUNTHER at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12. The event in Atlanta, Goldberg’s hometown, is being promoted as his official farewell match. This has led to debate over a 58-year-old part-time performer receiving a championship opportunity over active roster members.
Booker T aimed his remarks squarely at both fans and wrestlers who have questioned the move.
“I want to reach out to all the guys of that era of Goldberg, and the guys of that era that are complaining about Goldberg. ‘Why does Goldberg get the shot? Why is he in this match, and this guy is not in the match? One of the younger guys’ — I want to reach out to those guys. Because dammit, the reason why he’s doing it? Because it’s the same thing your ass would have did if WWE called you to be in a final match with Gunther in a primetime spot. That’s why. So anybody out there complaining can just shut the hell up, seriously.”
He continued by emphasizing that younger talent should see Goldberg’s position not as a slight, but as a goal to aspire to in their own careers.
“I know if they would have called me, I would have did it. And I know just about anybody that’s in that position that’s able to actually walk to that ring, they would have did it too. And to the young guys who may have a problem with it, you better hope and wish and pray that you’re of the caliber of a Goldberg one day to where the company feels that you have that much to bring to the table still at that age to bring you back, to give to the fans one more time. You better hope and pray that you’re in that position, just one day.”
The sentiment from Booker T echoes defenses from other wrestling veterans. On Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray argued that the value of the match lies in its spectacle and Goldberg’s name recognition, not necessarily the in-ring performance. He noted that pairing Goldberg with a highly skilled competitor like GUNTHER is a strategic move to ensure a quality presentation while leveraging Goldberg’s star power.
The controversy and high-profile nature of the match have also fueled intense speculation about its outcome. One prevailing theory, proposed by analyst Bill Apter, involves a potential Money in the Bank cash-in by Seth Rollins. Such a scenario could see Goldberg win the title, only for Rollins to immediately cash in, allowing Goldberg a triumphant retirement while establishing a new, full-time champion.
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