Following the retirements of WWE icons Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, WWE Superstar Gunther appears poised to pursue another high-profile retirement — potentially that of Brock Lesnar. Known for ending the careers of legendary wrestlers, Gunther is setting his sights on new targets as he continues his dominant run.
In a recent discussion on The Morning Shift (via Fightful Select), Gunther was asked about who he might retire next. When the hosts mentioned Lesnar, Gunther responded cautiously, saying,
“That’s a good one, right? We’ll see,”
before adding,
“I think there are a bunch of examples of people who overstay their welcome, who just hang on a little bit too much, who chase one moment too much. It seems like there is a big amount of people to choose from.”
Gunther’s Growing Legacy of Retiring WWE Stars
Gunther’s current storyline centers on his role as a career-ender of WWE legends. In 2025, he succeeded in retiring Goldberg and John Cena, two of the company’s biggest names. At the 2026 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles risked his decade-long career against Gunther, ultimately losing and being forced to step away from WWE.
Now, Gunther’s ambitions might extend to other legendary figures still active on the roster, including Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio. It remains possible that Gunther could aim to retire all of these veterans in due course.
Potential Matchup and WWE’s Future Planning
Brock Lesnar recently participated in the 2026 Royal Rumble, entering as the 22nd competitor and managing to eliminate three other Superstars before being ousted by LA Knight and Cody Rhodes. Unlike in previous years, Lesnar did not have a direct confrontation with Gunther in this event.
WWE has teased a possible encounter between Gunther and Lesnar since the 2023 Royal Rumble, but it has yet to materialize. Lesnar returned from a two-year break at the 2025 SummerSlam PLE, and fans speculate that WWE may now be preparing to highlight this matchup. Lesnar is scheduled to appear on the February 23, 2026, episode of Monday Night RAW, which could mark the beginning of this storyline.
What This Means for WWE and Its Legends
Gunther’s ongoing quest to retire WWE legends underscores a tense and dramatic chapter for the company’s veteran superstars. If Gunther does face Lesnar, it could signal the close of another era while solidifying Gunther’s role as a dominant force within WWE. The coming months may reveal whether Lesnar will indeed be the next superstar to end his career at Gunther’s hands, shaping WWE’s landscape for years to come.
