It looks like the end of the road is finally in sight for Goldberg — and WWE may be planning to send him off with a bang that also delivers a strategic shot across the bow of the competition.
In a recent interview, the WWE Hall of Famer confirmed that his long-anticipated retirement match will happen sometime this year, with a key detail revealed: it’ll take place “in the South.” Now, according to Fightful Select, multiple sources indicate that Atlanta, Georgia, is the current frontrunner to host the emotional finale.
For Goldberg, Atlanta isn’t just a convenient stop on the map — it’s where his athletic legacy began. Before he was delivering Jackhammers in WCW and WWE, he was charging down the gridiron at the University of Georgia and suiting up briefly for the Atlanta Falcons. The city has always been a part of his DNA, both personally and professionally, making it a fitting location for his swan song.
But the timing of Goldberg’s retirement match might be just as meaningful as the setting.
WWE is reportedly eyeing Saturday, July 12 for a special Saturday Night’s Main Event episode — just weeks after the brand makes its return to the schedule. Internally, that date is being floated as the ideal spot for Goldberg’s final in-ring appearance. If that lines up, it would place the WWE legend’s farewell head-to-head with AEW’s All In 2025, which is set to go down the same night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas — AEW’s biggest show of the year.
While WWE hasn’t confirmed anything officially, Goldberg’s name is reportedly a major point of discussion behind the scenes. If the plan comes together, it wouldn’t just be a send-off for one of wrestling’s most dominant and divisive figures — it’d be a savvy bit of counter-programming aimed at pulling some spotlight away from Tony Khan’s flagship event.
The question now becomes: who will be across the ring when Goldberg steps between the ropes one final time? And will WWE fans see the icon go out in victory, or on his back, as tradition often dictates?
More to come as this story develops — but for now, mark July 12 on your calendar. Wrestling fans could be in for a night where history, emotion, and competition all collide.
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