Gunther has played a pivotal role in retiring several prominent WWE stars, including John Cena, AJ Styles, and Goldberg, highlighting the demanding nature of this responsibility. Notably, Gunther secured a submission victory over John Cena in Cena’s final appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, followed by defeating AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble in January, marking Styles’ last professional match.
In a conversation with Cody Rhodes on the podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Gunther opened up about the gravity that comes with ending the careers of such iconic wrestlers. He emphasized that this duty holds more weight than even headline events like WrestleMania, though it is a challenge he embraces. Additionally, Gunther discussed his future aspirations, emphasizing a desire for growth through novel challenges rather than focusing on specific goals or titles.
The Burden and Reward of Closing Legendary Careers
“Yeah, I think heavier [than WrestleMania] is a good term. But I gotta be honest, a lot of those situations — like, I’m somebody that’s in general in life, I get bored by mundane stuff very quick. Even the other jobs I had before, it’s like, ‘Okay, that’s your responsibility.’ ‘Okay, mastered that, what’s next?’ And if I get caught in the loop where it’s kind of like, ‘Yeah, you just do busy work, it’s the same old.’ And get — yeah, I get bored quickly. So I love those situations with a lot of responsibility.”
— Gunther, WWE Superstar
This insight reveals Gunther’s restless drive to continuously take on demanding roles rather than remain stagnant. His enjoyment of high-pressure scenarios contrasts with how easily he tires of repetitive tasks, underlining why the role of retiring major stars holds particular significance for him.
Future Ambitions Fueled by Increasing Challenges
Candidly discussing his career objectives, Gunther explained that he does not maintain a fixed list of accomplishments he aims to achieve. Instead, his ambition revolves around embracing larger responsibilities and mastering progressively difficult situations within the wrestling world.
“Yeah, but not in the sense of like — I never had like that list of ‘That’s what I want to achieve. I wanna win this or whatever.’ It’s more like — I don’t know, I always kind of want to grow in the responsibility I can take on, if that makes sense. And I feel like that’s what kind of drives me where it’s like, ‘Okay, I’ve mastered this very difficult situation. Okay, now I can master something even more difficult.’ I see it kind of like in that sense. And I guess in our world that combines — yeah, like that automatically means like titles, big matches, and all of that.”
— Gunther, WWE Superstar
Gunther’s perspective underscores a mindset focused on continual progression, where success is measured by the complexity of the challenges overcome, not solely by titles or accolades.
Enjoying Every Moment Inside the Ring
Despite the pressures that come with his responsibilities, Gunther has relished every match of his career. He noted that while there might be moments before stepping into the ring when he is not fully “feeling it,” once the match begins, he immerses himself fully and enjoys the experience.
“But yeah, I think I’ve literally done it all the — I don’t know, I’ve just enjoyed it. Like, I always wanted to do it. And once I get out there, that’s where — yeah, I love it. It’s like, I think I never had a match my whole career where I went, like, I’m not [feeling it]. I felt like before, ‘I’m not feeling it today,’ but once I’m in the ring, it’s like, ‘Yeah, we’re good. I’m having fun.’”
— Gunther, WWE Superstar
This passion for the sport, despite its intense demands, explains Gunther’s ability to handle the responsibility of retiring legends like AJ Styles and John Cena so effectively.
Implications for Gunther’s Career and WWE
Gunther’s role in closing the chapters of renowned wrestlers’ careers places him in a unique and significant position within WWE. The weight he feels signals the respect he holds for those he has faced and the magnitude of these moments in wrestling history. His drive for ever-greater challenges suggests that WWE fans can expect him to continue evolving and tackling high-profile matches and responsibilities.
As the wrestling world reflects on the retirements of stars like AJ Styles, Gunther’s approach illustrates the delicate balance between honoring legacy and pushing forward new narratives, shaping the sport’s future direction.
