Rumors On A Big WWE Return At WrestleMania 32

Source: WrestlingINC

There have been a lot of rumors about a possible surprise return or debut at WWE’s WrestleMania 32 on Sunday.

One of the rumors says Bill Goldberg will be making his return to the company on Sunday night. I should stress that his return is not confirmed but a source has noted to me that he is rumored to return.

As noted earlier, Bryan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that there is at least one big surprise planned that’s not Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, that few people know about, and that fans may have a better idea of who it is come Saturday night. We do not know if Goldberg is who he was referring to and we do not know if Goldberg is really coming back but at least one source believes the rumors are true.

WWE Looking To Sign Bill Goldberg For WrestleMania 32?

Source: allwrestlingnews.com

While he hasn’t wrestled in over a decade and turned 49-years-old in December, wrestling companies are still vying for the services of Bill Goldberg. Not only is TNA interested in acquiring the two-time world champion, but WWE is as well.

WrestleMania 32 is a little over three months away and WWE wants to feature as many marquee names as possible. The company, however, is running low on options at this point. And by options we mean big names you usually don’t see on WWE television.

Vince McMahon has pretty much given up on convincing Steve Austin on wrestling at the event. It is highly unlikely that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will wrestle since he will be busy filming a movie adaptation of Baywatch, though he could appear live to speak. Ronda Rousey, who WWE hoped would face Stephanie McMahon in a match, will be busy shooting a movie in Indonesia. Sting is facing neck surgery to alleviate injuries sustained at Night of Champions. Hulk Hogan is out of the question after WWE cut all ties with the wrestling legend over the summer, his termination coinciding with the publication by the National Enquirer and Radar Online of a racial rant made by him on a leaked sex tape.

This pretty much leaves Goldberg as the biggest outside name who could actually wrestle at WrestleMania 32. WWE believes Goldberg would be a draw for the show after sales of its 2013 DVD and Blu-ray on him were strong. Sales of the title topped 100,000 units and was among the top five sellers of 2013 and 2014. It greatly outsold WWE’s biography on Triple H, Triple H – Thy Kingdom Come, and in less time.

In June, Goldberg stepped back in the ring for a one-off spot where he attacked Scott Steiner and Doc Gallows at Citi Field in New York. When asked about his performance that night and his desire to get back into the ring, Goldberg spoke candidly.

The itch will always be there because I am always a competitor and my wife and son have never seen me wrestle. Let me be clear though, that itch won’t supersede my ability to be a businessman. The itch is always there, it’s there three times a week when I walk into my Muay Thai gym and put the gloves and shin pads on. It was a very special circumstance at Citi Field and ironically now the Mets are in the World Series. It was something I chose to do and thought was appropriate at the time. It was not me coming out of retirement by any means. I am a part owner of Legends of Wrestling so if I want to go out there and pick and choose my spot to do something interesting, then that’s what I do with no motives behind it. I am a competitor and always have that itch until the day I die, but I won’t let the itch supersede being a businessman.

It is said that Goldberg is really only interested stepping foot inside a WWE ring one time, for a match at WrestleMania 32. WWE higher-ups, however, want to sign him to a one-year deal and wrestle multiple times. They’re looking at Goldberg as a special attraction who can be used sporadically throughout the year to pop WWE Network subscriptions. There is discussion within WWE of offering Goldberg a six-month deal, which would run from Wrestlemania season through the summer or fall.

Goldberg normally doesn’t have much leverage with WWE, but with the company running low on names who can add to the bottom line and TNA willing to spend money on acquiring him, he’s in a better negotiating position than in years past.

Goldberg Got In The Ring At Wrestling Event

Bill Goldberg appeared at the Legends of Wrestling event at Citi Field in New york City. Goldberg hit the ring and speared “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner and then hit Doc Gallows with a Jackhammer. Goldberg then celebrated with the crowd. WrestlingINC.com posted these photos below of Goldberg at the event on Instagram:

Source: WrestlingINC.com

Ryback Continues Reference Goldberg At WWE Live Events

At WWE live events, Ryback continues to reference Bill Goldberg & uses his finishing moves. Celebrating his birthday Sunday at a WWE live event in Glasgow, Ryback made Tony Chimel lead everyone in singing happy birthday to him. Ryback said he would be talking a big Goldberg dump on Glasgow after the match.