Rikishi Says Goldberg Needs to “Smarten Up” – WWE News
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WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg recently stepped into the ring for what he indicated would be his final match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, facing off against the formidable WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER. While Goldberg expressed immense pride in sharing the ring with GUNTHER, whom he lauded as a “class act,” the post-match experience left him with a decidedly different emotion: frustration. Goldberg admitted he was “pissed off” by the abrupt interruption of his televised farewell speech, a sentiment that fellow Hall of Famer Rikishi weighed in on, offering a seasoned outlook on how such situations can be managed.
Rikishi’s Take: A Shorter Speech, A Bigger Payday?
Rikishi, known for his own impactful career in WWE, suggested that Goldberg might have approached his departing promo differently to avoid the mid-sentence halt. Speaking on the “Off The Top” podcast, Rikishi humorously outlined his own strategy for a final send-off.
“My speech wouldn’t even be that long,” Rikishi quipped.”I’d just say ‘thank you for coming out, I’ll see you next time,’ and then pull out the check for two, three million dollars.”
He elaborated on the practicalities of modern wrestling farewells, emphasizing the power of social media for extending personal messages. “That’s it. That’s what they got social media for. You can get on there and get on your own stories live, Facebook Live, Twitter Live. You can do all the time you want there.”
Rikishi also pointed to the business realities of live television, suggesting that WWE’s decisions are often influenced by sponsorship and broadcast commitments. “I mean, come on now, smarten up. You think WWE is going to pass up that sponsor money? TKO money? Is it really really or we just going to wait for your however long [speech]? I don’t know how long the speech was, but if they cut it within 30 seconds, well, damn, ain’t that how long it takes for him to get up?”
goldberg’s retirement match against GUNTHER was a highly anticipated event, pitting a legendary powerhouse against the current dominant force in WWE. The match itself was a hard-hitting affair, showcasing Goldberg’s enduring strength and GUNTHER’s remarkable championship reign. Though, the emotional weight of what was likely Goldberg’s final WWE appearance was palpable.
While the immediate aftermath was marred by the abrupt end to his speech, Goldberg’s earlier comments about GUNTHER highlight the respect and camaraderie that can exist between wrestlers, even in the heat of competition. His pride in sharing the ring with the current champion underscores the passing of the torch and the evolution of wrestling’s top talent.
Rikishi’s Own In-Ring History
Rikishi, whose real name is Solofa Fatu jr., has had a storied career in professional wrestling. His last recorded match was in 2019 at Pacific Pro Wrestling’s Spring Fever, where he teamed with Danni Deeds and Todd Quality to defeat Adam Ryder, Marty Sugar, and shreddz. Within the WWE umbrella, his moast recent in-ring appearance was in 2014, reuniting the iconic tag team To Cool with Scotty 2 Hotty and Brian Christopher on an old-school themed episode of “WWE Raw.”
The Art of the farewell
Goldberg’s experience serves as a reminder of the unique challenges faced by wrestlers when saying goodbye to a career.The desire to express gratitude and share heartfelt sentiments with the fans is immense, but the realities of live television production, sponsorship obligations, and broadcast timing can sometimes lead to unexpected interruptions. As Rikishi suggests, a strategic approach, leveraging the vast reach of social media, might offer a more controlled and comprehensive way for wrestling legends to connect with their audience during these notable career moments.
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If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit ”Off The Top” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.*