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Update On Rumor Goldberg Might Appear At WWE Backlash

Originally posted on The Sportster | By Jim Parsons | Last updated May 7, 2025 3:05 PM ET

No confirmed plans for Goldberg to appear at Backlash despite ongoing rumors of a feud with Gunther.
WWE initially hinted at a potential Goldberg surprise at Backlash but reports suggest plans may have changed.
While Goldberg's return for a retirement match in 2025 is likely, no official plans or hints by WWE regarding his opponent exist yet.

As speculation continues to swirl around his long-awaited retirement match, WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg was potentially rumored to make an appearance at WWE Backlash, interrupting the match between Gunther and Pat McAfee. An updated report suggests that an appearance at this Saturday’s premium live event in St. Louis, Missouri, is not likely.

Goldberg Not Set To Appear At Backlash

According to WrestleVotes via Sportskeeda’s WrestleBinge, there have been no confirmed plans for Goldberg to be in attendance at Backlash. Despite ongoing rumors of a potential surprise return, should WWE be setting up an eventual feud between Goldberg and Gunther, it will take place at a later time.

WWE had reportedly planned a “shocking twist” during Backlash, sparking online buzz that Goldberg might be the surprise. It would make a lot of sense given talk that Goldberg will get one more match, but it sounds like he's not the surprise or plans have changed.

Early chatter was that Goldberg costing Gunther the win at Backlash might lead to a future match at SummerSlam 2025. WrestleVotes notes that “nothing has been heard” about Goldberg being involved in the show.

When Will Goldberg Return To WWE?

None of this is to suggest that Goldberg won't get his retirement match. While he hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since October’s Bad Blood event, he did confirm that WWE told him he'd be getting one more bout sometime in 2025.

In a subsequent appearance on SEC Network’s SEC Nation, Goldberg said he'd be back but didn't confirm the opponent or venue. He specifically named Gunther as a strong possibility, but WWE has not indicated or given any clues to any official plans.

Gunther, meanwhile, is preparing to face McAfee at Backlash and many believe this will be a squash match meant to reestablish Gunther as a top heel in the company. After losing to Jey Uso at WrestleMania, Gunther arguably needs a high-profile win. Should "The Ring General" take things too far in the match, some believe it could open the door for Goldberg to make a surprise appearance. We'll see if there's anything to that theory.

While the current expectation is that Goldberg won’t be at Backlash, WWE has made a habit of pulling off major surprises at key events. At some point, Triple H and the creative team needs to set the stage for his match. The backstory is already there, it's just a matter of timing now.

This article first appeared on The Sportster and was syndicated with permission.

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