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We know that WWE is returning to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for another major event in June. The biggest news coming out of the event this time isn't controversy, but rather, it's that Goldberg will be making a return.
Announced ahead of time, Goldberg will be joining Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker for the Saudi Arabia show in June. It's come as quite a surprise that he's returned, because people were certain that he had retired after WrestleMania 33.
He seemed to make it clear that he was done, but ended his run with the words "Never say never". Either way, for the first time in over two years, Goldberg will once more be coming out of retirement for an appearance at Saudi Arabia.
Many fans have been wondering why he chose this of all times to return, particularly when he could have had a WrestleMania match. Here's why.
#5. Easy payday
This is the biggest no-brainer of the lot. Saudi Arabia = easy payday. That's why Saudi Arabia has become the new WrestleMania for superstars such as The Undertaker. With The Phenom, he probably realized that continually competing at WrestleMania will tarnish his legacy, so he opts for events where not as many eyes are on the product and he still gets a similar or even higher payday.
Since it's not coming from WWE's pockets, superstars such as Goldberg are easily affordable and they can pick and choose to come, perform and leave. They don't even need to have extensive matches. With a superstar as limited as Goldberg, it's even better because he can perform for a few minutes and go.
In fact, his last match itself was just around 5 minutes and that worked perfectly because it was absolute chaos from bell to bell.
#4. The higher ups in Saudi Arabia demanded it
Think about this. For 8 full years, WWE had approached Shawn Michaels on numerous occasions, giving him all sorts of offers to face dream opponents such as AJ Styles on the grandest stage at WrestleMania.
And for 8 years, Shawn Michaels had continually declined WWE's offers, stating all the time in interviews that he was dead serious when he rode off into the sunset. And for all events for him to return - it was Crown Jewel in Riyadh.
Naturally, Michaels was reluctant, but there was a lot of pressure from WWE because Saudi Arabia officials wanted Michaels to perform. The fact that he got around $3 million dollars for one match certainly helped, but he admitted that he will never do that again.
While Goldberg may not have required as much persuasion, it's most likely that the Saudi Arabian higher-ups pressured WWE into getting Goldberg.
#3. Too big an opportunity to pass up
When Goldberg said goodbye, he only said goodbye for now and not forever. He got to have his final run on his own terms and left a happy man, especially because he got to give his son a glimpse of the superman that he once was back in the day.
Goldberg has always left the doors open despite people assuming that he was retired. From Goldberg's point of view, it's simply too big an opportunity to pass up. Even despite the physical toll that the training takes on his body, it's a complete win for him.
A short match, getting to perform across the world in a place he's probably never been to and then the fat paycheque. It would be very rare for anyone in his position (except Shawn Michaels now) to turn that down.
Also read: 5 possible opponents for Goldberg at WWE's next Saudi Arabia event
#2. So the card is stacked with as many big names as possible
WWE clearly want to make these shows grow and it's seen based on the increasing number of stadium shows that they're doing. Royal Rumble, for example, is now going to be a regular stadium show, hosting 40,000-50,000 people. In 2018, WWE did two more stadium shows, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Australia, i.e, WWE Super Show-Down.
The stadium shows are very important to WWE because of branding and showing the world that they're popular enough to consistently be performing in stadiums. We commend them for this, because they're able to sell a whole lot of tickets, if not sell out these stadiums.
It's a big statement for them and in order to expand these kind of stadium shows, they need big star attractions on the card. For the Jeddah show, Goldberg is important because he's a major star attraction and will make the card stacked.
#1. A dream match that we've never seen before
Remember a few years ago when WWE teased Roman Reigns vs Goldberg? There's a high chance that it was done by design, so they could set up a dream match down the line. While Roman Reigns may not necessarily be his set opponent, there's a very high possibility of it happening.
Morevoer, if they have a match of that caliber, it's a guaranteed headliner that doesn't even require a title. Sure, match length is something that would likely be problematic with Goldberg, but Roman Reigns is good enough that he can carry the match.
Plus, if it's anything like the short WrestleMania 33 Goldberg-Brock Lesnar match, then there should be nothing but excitement. Goldberg probably couldn't pass up the opportunity of facing a younger dream opponent such as Roman Reigns and would have been more than happy to come back.
It works for WWE too, because Roman Reigns would get another massive victory over a legend.
