"I think Bill got off light": WWE Hall of Famer addresses Gunther's mention of Goldberg on WWE RAW

On the September 9 episode of WWE RAW, fans in Calgary, Alberta, Canada were treated to a special homecoming as Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart made his return to WWE. The beloved Canadian legend appeared before his hometown crowd, but his moment of glory was soon interrupted by World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. "The Ring General" wasted no time in making his presence felt, taking direct shots at the former WWE Champion in a segment that stirred up plenty of emotion from the WWE Universe.
Gunther’s primary objective during this segment seemed to be not only to insult Hart but also to reignite old wounds. One particular comment that stood out was when the Austrian heavyweight mockingly claimed that “Goldberg is his favorite wrestler”. The remark was meant as a pointed jab at Hart, who has long harbored real-life animosity toward Goldberg due to a botched move during their match at WCW Starrcade 1999. This mishap effectively ended Hart’s in-ring career, leaving a bitter legacy between the two wrestling icons.

While Gunther’s comment drew gasps from the audience, Bret Hart remained stoic in the moment, choosing not to respond to the insult during the RAW segment. Instead, the exchange was intended as a setup to further Gunther’s ongoing program with Sami Zayn, using Hart’s involvement to elevate the tension between the current WWE stars. The World Heavyweight Champion’s disrespectful words, however, didn’t go unnoticed, and it quickly became a hot topic in the wrestling world.
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Shortly after the RAW segment, Bret Hart addressed the situation in an interview with The Wrestling Classic. While many expected Hart to elaborate on his feelings about Gunther’s comment, he kept his response brief but sharp. When asked about WWE leveraging his real-life animosity with Goldberg, Hart humorously quipped, “I think Bill [Goldberg] got off light.” [From 7:24 to 7:28]. This lighthearted but cutting remark demonstrated that the grudge between Hart and Goldberg is still very much alive in Hart's mind, even after more than two decades.
The tension between Bret Hart and Goldberg escalated further during WWE’s Bad Blood pay-per-view. At the event, held in Atlanta, Georgia—Goldberg’s hometown—Gunther confronted the WCW legend directly, adding another layer to their brewing rivalry. This confrontation immediately sparked speculation among fans about a potential future match between the two. A showdown between the current World Heavyweight Champion and the two-time Universal Champion quickly became a major talking point within the WWE Universe, with many imagining what a battle between these two powerhouses could look like.

However, while fans are buzzing about the possibility of Gunther vs. Goldberg, not everyone agrees that this is the best option for Goldberg’s final opponent. WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff recently shared his opinion, suggesting that Goldberg’s last match should be against another rising star—Bron Breakker. Bischoff feels that Breakker, a second-generation wrestler with tremendous potential, would be a more fitting choice for Goldberg’s farewell bout than Gunther.
As the WWE Universe continues to debate the possibilities, one thing is clear: Gunther’s disrespectful remarks toward Bret Hart have ignited interest not only in his ongoing rivalry with Sami Zayn but also in a potential clash with Goldberg. With Bret Hart’s legacy as one of the greatest technical wrestlers ever and his real-life feud with Goldberg still casting a shadow, this storyline has tapped into decades of unresolved tension, making it one of the more compelling narratives in WWE today.
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