Bill Goldberg might be retired from the world of pro wrestling. But when it comes to the eternal question of “who’s next?” the answer might be Peter Rosenberg.
In a video posted to X on Wednesday, the Hot 97 host and ESPN personality took issue with the pro wrestling legend’s recent criticism of his own retirement match, which took place at last weekend’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Goldberg criticized WWE for the lackluster build to his world championship match against Gunther, as well as his retirement speech being cut off less than a minute into it as the NBC program came to an abrupt end.
“Let’s just say I’m pissed off at the way I went out,” Goldberg said on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show. “Because I put so much into it, and I don’t feel as though the effort was reciprocated to put a stamp on what I’ve accomplished.”
The 58-year-old later added: “I’m not saying it was done on purpose by any stretch of the imagination. I’m saying that it wasn’t prepared for on purpose. They wouldn’t do that to [The Undertaker], right? I don’t think. They’re not gonna do that to [John] Cena.”
Many — especially WWE fans —were quick to criticize Goldberg’s comments, pointing out that the company gave him a nationally televised spotlight and that the show only appeared to be mistimed due to a seemingly legitimate injury that Seth Rollins suffered in an earlier match. The most notable criticism, however, came from Rosenberg, who appears on the pre and post-shows of WWE Premium Live Events and serves as a commentator on WWE Evolve.
“Listen, Bill Goldberg, as a Jewish guy who’s in wrestling and loves wrestling myself, obviously I appreciate his contributions. I cannot believe the complaints about his send off,” Rosenberg said in a video posted from a vacation. “Have you guys ever noticed that the people who are the most overbooked, the most over-celebrated, are always the ones who complain?
“The man got a 15-minute match. It should have been a squash. Let’s be honest, he should have gotten Goldberg’d. He should have been speared and taken out. The man’s pushing 60 years old, hasn’t looked good in the ring, some would say ever, but certainly not in the last few years. Got to have a 15-minute match, a battle with the world champion, and get a few words live on television and complains about his mic getting cut off?”
Rosenberg proceeded to note that the show was on NBC, which meant stricter time restrictions than had it been on a cable channel or a streaming service. He also pointed out that the former WCW was fortunate to get such a showcase for his final match considering how many of his colleagues see their own careers end unceremoniously.
“He still got in a nice little moment and got to be celebrated on. Do you know how many people better than Goldberg, their sendoff was, ‘we wish them the best in their future endeavors?'” he said. “Did this guy get to stand in the ring on national television and have a send off? You should be thanking your lucky stars for the money you’ve made and the appreciation you’ve gotten, which many don’t even feel is fully deserved. To complain? I’m so disappointed.”
While some will — and undoubtedly already have — accuse Rosenberg of being a WWE shill, his criticisms here are valid. Ultimately, the reason that Goldberg didn’t get a sendoff similar to The Undertaker or John Cena is because he’s not The Undertaker or John Cena. Rather, he was a popular act in a rival company nearly three decades ago who has never quite clicked with the WWE audience the same way that other legends in the industry have.
Could some question whether WWE rushed this entire program in order to have a strong offering on the same day that AEW was airing its biggest show of the year? Perhaps. But that’s show business, baby. Nevertheless, Goldberg has already promised that he’ll have more to say when his contract expires in two weeks, which means that this story likely isn’t going away anytime soon.