WWE fans are buzzing with excitement as Backlash 2025 approaches, but former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther might be walking into a trap. While focused on his match against Pat McAfee on May 10, the Ring General seems to have forgotten about his heated exchange with WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg at Bad Blood last October. This oversight could prove costly when the bell rings in St. Louis.
Gunther’s Bad Blood Confrontation with Goldberg
The seeds of this potential showdown were planted at WWE Bad Blood on October 5, 2024. Gunther took shots at Goldberg and his family who were in attendance. The Ring General even screamed, “I have three minutes for you! Come on,” directly provoking the WWE legend. This was enough to trigger Goldberg, who jumped the barricade and attempted to force his way to the ring before security intervened. While the two never got physical that night, the tension was palpable, and WWE fans couldn’t help but notice that this confrontation was left unresolved.
Since then, Gunther has moved on to other feuds, most recently choking out commentator Pat McAfee, which led to their match being set for Backlash. But behind the scenes, something bigger might be brewing.
According to WrestleVotes, “Goldberg’s name has been floated internally within WWE over the past week – the first time since his Bad Blood appearance and his interactions with Gunther. Feels like the inevitable return is nearing.”
Goldberg’s WWE Retirement
Goldberg has openly expressed his desire for a retirement match with 2025 being the year it must happen. The former WCW icon and multiple-time WWE champion was last seen in the company ring when he lost to Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber 2022. Now, reports suggest that WWE is planning to give him the sendoff he believes he deserves.
Former WWE writer Vince Russo has added fuel to the fire, claiming, “I’m hearing through the grapevine that this match at Backlash, who is going to make the save for McAfee? Goldberg. That’s how they are going to get out of the match. That’s what I’m hearing. SummerSlam (Gunther vs. Goldberg).” Given that SummerSlam 2025 is the next big thing after WrestleMania, it could be the perfect stage for their face-off.
As Gunther prepares to “give Pat the beating of a lifetime” at Backlash, he might be overlooking the real threat of the legend’s potential comeback. The Enterprise Center in St. Louis could witness one of wrestling’s most explosive confrontations of 2025 if Goldberg appears to even the score.
For Gunther, who recently lost his World Heavyweight Championship to Jey Uso, another setback could significantly alter his path forward. Meanwhile, for Goldberg, this potential SummerSlam match represents a fitting final chapter to his legendary career, facing one of WWE’s most dominant modern competitors.