"It's not that I'm insulting him" - Goldberg responds to controversial former WWE champion; discusses final opponent following retirement announcement
Wrestling legend Goldberg recently seemingly responded to a controversial former WWE champion wanting to have a match with him. The name in question is former Intercontinental Champion Ryback.
Bill Goldberg is one of the greatest names to ever step inside the squared circle in World Wrestling Entertainment. The 57-year-old had one of the most dominant runs in the Stamford-based promotion, inspiring several wrestlers throughout his career. Many people have tried to imitate the legend's on-screen persona in recent years.
One of the biggest examples is Ryback, who fans believe took a lot of things from Goldberg in his wrestling arsenal. The Big Guy has become controversial since leaving the Stamford-based promotion, as he had some big allegations to make against some of the biggest backstage names.
Bill Goldberg recently announced that he would be having his final run in WWE in 2025. Since this announcement, many people have wondered who Goldberg's final opponent will be.
During a recent edition of The Cat's Corner Podcast, the host asked Goldberg about his final opponent, hinting at Ryback. Da Man seemingly responded to The Big Guy, who previously challenged the legend to a fight in his potential retirement match.
The WWE Hall of Famer did not mention any names and asked the host to keep the person's identity hidden before saying that he appreciated and understood the reason behind the challenge but seemingly turned down Ryback's proposal.
"I'm greatly appreciative of his passion, period. But I'm not that guy. I work in different ways, Ernest, you know that... And I'm just not that guy. I'm honored, and I get it and I see the reasoning, but right now I'm just not that guy... It's not that I'm insulting him in anyway shape or form. I'm just not that guy right now; you can read whatever you want into that," he said. [From 38:24 - 39:12]
Check out the full podcast below:
Ryback said he was never trying to imitate Goldberg in WWE
During an edition of his podcast, The Ryback Show, in 2022, The Big Guy said he was not taking a dig at Bill Goldberg by calling him out to a retirement match.
The former WWE Intercontinental Champion also mentioned that he had always liked Goldberg but had never tried to imitate him.
"Nothing was ever like a dig," Ryback said. "I like Bill. We met. I wanna be his last match. I think that the story is built in. Or a [regular] match if he's not ready to have his last match. I like Bill; I've never had any hate or animosity, or anything. I was never trying to be Bill."
It remains to be seen who will be Goldberg's final opponent during his last run in WWE in 2025.
Please credit The Cat's Corner Podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling if you use quotes from the first half of this article.