The wrestling world is buzzing with anticipation as industry insiders piece together clues pointing to Bill Goldberg’s farewell match. With WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event scheduled for Atlanta, all signs suggest this could be where Da Man takes his final bow. The timing, location, and strategic positioning against AEW’s All In create a perfect storm for wrestling history.
The Atlanta Connection Makes Perfect Sense
Conrad Thompson laid out the compelling case during the May 30, 2025 episode of 83 Weeks, connecting the dots between Goldberg’s stated retirement plans and WWE’s upcoming Atlanta events. The host sees a clear path for WWE to maximize this monumental moment.
“Bill Goldberg’s last match. We’ve heard that Goldberg is working on his last match. We’ve heard that he’s planning his WWE retirement. It’s coming up soon. He said in interviews it’s happening down south. Where else would it make sense for Goldberg to have his last match other than Atlanta?”
Thompson’s reasoning extends beyond geography. He recognizes the strategic value of placing such a marquee attraction on network television rather than traditional pay-per-view formats.
Saturday Night’s Main Event: The Ultimate Stage
The revival of Saturday Night’s Main Event represents more than nostalgia—it’s become WWE’s premium NBC showcase. Thompson believes Goldberg’s retirement match would elevate the program to unprecedented heights.
“And what a big attraction—since you’re out of the pay-per-view business—to say that you’re going to give Goldberg’s last match to NBC, live, for Saturday Night’s Main Event. Like, no one has told me this. I’m just saying, boy, isn’t that logical that this would be the home of Goldberg’s last match, head-to-head with AEW All In?
The timing creates a fascinating wrinkle, potentially positioning WWE’s farewell spectacle directly against AEW’s major stadium event. This scheduling could reignite the competitive spirit that defined wrestling’s most exciting eras.
Ratings Gold in the Making
Eric Bischoff enthusiastically endorsed Thompson’s theory, recognizing the massive drawing power such an event would generate. His experience in television production gives weight to his predictions about viewership potential.
“It’s pretty cool. And it’ll do very well. Good for Bill. Good for Saturday Night’s Main Event because that’s going to be a hell of a show. Should get a pretty big number.”
Bischoff referenced recent Saturday Night’s Main Event success, suggesting Goldberg’s farewell could shatter existing benchmarks. The combination of nostalgia, finality, and network television exposure creates an irresistible formula for mainstream attention.
The Missing Piece: Hulk Hogan’s Essential Role
Perhaps the most intriguing element of this speculation involves Hulk Hogan’s potential involvement. Bischoff revealed the untold story behind Goldberg’s original Atlanta breakthrough, crediting Hogan’s selfless promotion of the future superstar.
“It was Atlanta. It was Hulk Hogan that said, ‘I want to get Bill Goldberg over as much as I can,’ and volunteered to do business with Bill in Atlanta. That wasn’t my idea. That wasn’t Bill’s idea. That wasn’t Ted Turner’s idea. That was Hulk Hogan’s idea—because he believed that much in Bill Goldberg.”
This revelation adds emotional depth to the potential Atlanta farewell. Hogan’s behind-the-scenes advocacy launched Goldberg’s career trajectory, making his presence at the conclusion a narrative necessity.
Completing the Circle
Bischoff emphasized the storytelling importance of bringing Hogan into Goldberg’s final chapter. The symmetry between career beginning and ending would satisfy wrestling fans’ appreciation for long-term narrative payoffs.
“To not have Hulk there for a match like this would be, I don’t know, an incomplete story.”
The statement suggests that Goldberg’s retirement deserves more than just another match—it needs the gravitas that comes from acknowledging his journey’s full scope.
The Perfect Storm Brewing
Multiple factors align to make Atlanta’s Saturday Night’s Main Event an ideal farewell venue. The city holds personal significance for Goldberg’s career launch, while the network television platform ensures maximum exposure. The potential counter-programming against AEW adds competitive intrigue that wrestling thrives on.
WWE’s current approach to special attractions on Saturday Night’s Main Event has already proven successful. Adding Goldberg’s career conclusion to this formula could create television magic that transcends typical wrestling programming. The combination of mainstream accessibility and hardcore fan satisfaction represents the sweet spot promotions constantly seek.
As speculation continues building toward WWE’s Atlanta events, one question dominates wrestling discussions: will we witness the perfect ending to one of wrestling’s most explosive careers, complete with the man who helped write its opening chapter?
