Why Goldberg Keeps Returning To WWE
Goldberg unpacks the reasons behind his regular WWE returns ahead of SummerSlam 2021.
Goldberg's latest WWE return culminates this weekend, as he challenges Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2021.
This is technically the fifth time the 54-year-old has come back to the promotion since emerging from retirement for his late-2016/early-2017 feud with Brock Lesnar. Goldberg's perceived value to WWE (who likely view him as a bigger star than most on the active roster) is why the promotion keeps bringing him back, but what about the man himself?
Speaking to Sports Illustrated's Justin Barrasso, Goldberg stated that his role in creating news stars is why he keeps returning:-
“I can provide a star like Bobby Lashley a worthy adversary. I need to come back for that reason. There is also a plethora of talent that I believe is on the cusp of stardom, and I am here to help elevate them to the next level."
Lesnar, Kevin Owens, The Undertaker, Dolph Ziggler, Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and Drew McIntyre comprise the list of Goldberg's post-return opponents. Lesnar, Strowman, Undertaker, and McIntyre all went over the WCW legend clean, though aside from Brock, none of these were well-received programs.
Nonetheless, Goldberg doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon:-
"Whether I’m 25, 35, or 105, I’m still Goldberg. My mentality allows me to still get in the ring and entertain the people to an extent that I don’t tarnish anything or everything that I’ve done. Those are considerations you need to make when you come back. I don’t need to come back, I don’t have to. I’m here because I want to be here. Mentally, I know I can do it. Physically, it’s a little harder. But given enough time, I still can do it.”
Goldberg stood tall over Lashley in their SummerSlam go-home angle, spearing the WWE Champion on last night's episode of Raw.
Check out the updated SummerSlam card here.