Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly looks at who would make the most interesting challenger for Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship title after the “Ring General” regained the title from Jey Uso on Raw on Netflix.
THE SETUP
When you think about it, Gunther may be the most underappreciated wrestler in WWE. He’s lost only four singles matches since leaving NXT a little more than three years ago — Sami Zayn. Cody Rhodes, Chad Gable, and Jey Uso. Gunther has held the Intercontinental title for 666 days, the World Heavyweight Championship for 259 days, and is now in his first week as the 2-time World Heavyweight Champion. Domination at its finest, yet the sheer supremacy he’s shown has gone basically unnoticed. OK, maybe not unnoticed but how unstoppable he has been, relatively speaking. Maybe not anymore. After Gunther’s win over Uso at the peak of his popularity, it’s now open season on Gunther and the title. Who makes sense besides the obvious of Jey Uso and Seth Rollins? Who doesn’t? Who deserves a chance? And who might be the most interesting opponents for Gunther moving forward?
TOP 5 MOST INTRIGUING OPPONENTS FOR GUNTHER
1. GOLDBERG: This matchup seems inevitable, doesn’t it? It’s had that feeling since back in October when Gunther disrespected one of the all-time great Superstars while he was in the front row with his family at WWE Bad Blood. Gunther unleashed on the WWE Hall of Famer, calling him a one-trick pony and saying he hopes Goldberg is a better father than wrestler, referencing his son Gage, a freshman linebacker at Colorado. We haven’t heard another word out of Gunther’s mouth about Goldberg until the Raw Recap show on Monday. Goldberg has made it clear that he wants a retirement match at some point, and if not Gunther, then who? Nuggets aren’t dropped like that for them to just sink into oblivion. Now is a perfect opportunity for Goldberg to step in the ring with another big, physical opponent, and with Gunther now holding the World Heavyweight Championship, it’s a perfect chance for Goldberg to pass that proverbial torch.
2. SAMI ZAYN: Sami Zayn coming to the defense of his uce, coupled with the fact that Zayn is one of the few who beat Gunther, should put this matchup at the top of the list. Gunther has relied heavily on his ability to make his opponents either tap out or pass out. Zayn refused to tap out in their October main event, even after Gunther administered bone-shattering powerbombs and clotheslines in a brutal match. Gunther and Zayn have proven they have an exciting contract in styles, with Gunther being the brute and Zayn’s underdog persona. This matchup is a must. It has it all: history, motivation, and the belief that either Superstar could win.
3. RON KILLINGS: Gunther has turned into one of the most despised Superstars in WWE, so it would only be fitting for him to try to ruin the career of one a fan-favorite like Ron Killings. The man formerly known as R-Truth is a hot commodity since returning at WWE Money in the Bank to interfere with John Cena and Logan Paul’s tag team match. With Cena now set to battle CM Punk at WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, maybe Killings sets his sights on a title match against the biggest and baddest man on the roster?
4. JIMMY USO: With Gunther choking out Jey Uso on Raw, is there a better time than for Jimmy to step up and defend his brother? It’s a natural reaction for any blood relative, let alone a twin. But more than that, Jimmy has a reason to take out Gunther. Three months ago, Gunther brutally beat down Jimmy, toying with him after having the match in hand. Let’s be honest: Gunther embarrassed Jimmy Uso. Did part of that have to do with Jimmy slapping the taste out of Gunther’s mouth in defense of his brother? You better believe it. Jimmy had his brother’s back a few months ago, but now he has the extra motivation of doing it for his personal career.
5. KARRION KROSS: Karrion Kross has been pulling the strings at Raw for months now. This just might be wishing and hoping over anything remotely rational, but I’d like to see Kross set his sights on the World Heavyweight Title. Just having Gunther and Kross go back and forth on the microphone is worth the price of admission. Kross just might be the most captivating on the mic nowadays. But Gunther is elite at verbally eviscerating his rivals, too. That would make for an entertaining lead-up to a Gunther vs. Kross match for the World Heavyweight Title.
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