WWE Bad Blood Takeaways: Goldberg, The Rock, And Kevin Owens’ Heel Turn

WWE’s Bad Blood event in Atlanta was a thrilling night filled with surprises, nostalgia, and fresh rivalries. From Bill Goldberg’s unexpected involvement to The Rock’s enigmatic return and Kevin Owens’ shocking heel turn, the event set the stage for intriguing storylines ahead.

Here are the key takeaways from Bad Blood:

3 One Last Match For Goldberg In WWE a Real Thing

Triple H Said “Never Say Never”

While he wasn’t the only Hall of Famer in the house, Bill Goldberg made news with his surprising appearance at Bad Blood. He took issue with Gunther’s insulting call-out during a segment featuring Triple H, and Goldberg was visibly annoyed and attempted to confront the current World Champion. This encounter unfolded after Triple H announced the new Crown Jewel Championship. Gunther took the opportunity to insult Goldberg, who was in attendance with his family, provoking a response.

Despite being stopped by security, the incident fueled speculation about a potential dream match between Goldberg and Gunther. After the show, Triple H addressed the buzz surrounding Goldberg’s appearance and hinted at the possibility of another match, saying, “Never say never.” This opens the door for Goldberg to step back into the ring one more time, perhaps in a climactic showdown that fans (and Goldberg) have long awaited.

2 The Rock Returned But Didn’t Say Anything

The Rock Cody and Roman Reigns Bad Blood

The return of The Rock at Bad Blood was nothing short of electrifying, albeit shrouded in mystery. After Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns’ hard-fought victory over The Bloodline, The Rock’s music hit, capturing the crowd’s attention as he made his way to the entrance. While he didn’t speak, his mere presence was a huge moment in the show. As he stood there, it was unclear whose side he was on, leaving fans buzzing with questions.

His silent gestures, including a dramatic throat-cut signal, added layers to the unfolding drama between Rhodes, Reigns, and The Bloodline. He cleared things up slightly after the event when he posted on Instagram a seven-minute message before getting in his truck and driving away. The Rock’s return suggests he’s still got issues with Cody Rhodes, but he now might have a problem with Reigns. This moment not only served as a nod that The Rock might be back, but there’s a set up for two huge matches. Triple H didn’t say The Rock was back, but him coming out seems like an odd choice if there is no plan to follow up on it.

1 Kevin Owens Turned Heel in the Parking Lot

WWE Chose Not To Include This On Bad Blood

In perhaps the most shocking twist of the night, Kevin Owens officially turned heel, severing his friendship with Cody Rhodes in a brutal post-show attack. Tensions had been simmering since Rhodes chose to align himself with Roman Reigns, leading to Owens feeling betrayed. The attack occurred in the arena parking lot, where fans captured footage of Owens confronting and assaulting Rhodes, a move that WWE intentionally orchestrated to create a viral moment.

That WWE chose not to air this footage on Bad Blood or save the turn for SmackDown is an intriguing choice. The expectation must have been that it would get more attention as a viral video than trying to cram it into a show already stacked with huge returns and big moments.

WWE is adeptly leveraging social media to enhance this storyline, ensuring fans remain invested in the drama and it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. This heel turn not only pushed Owens’ character forward, but it sets up the next challenger for Rhodes, meaning The Rock likely isn’t going to be on SmackDown.