Gunther sent a powerful message following his victories over WWE icons John Cena and AJ Styles, establishing himself as a dominant force in the wrestling world. After defeating Goldberg on July 12, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event with a technical submission to retain the World Heavyweight Championship, Gunther launched a relentless campaign to end the careers of notable veterans.
Although Gunther lost the World Heavyweight title to CM Punk on August 2, 2025, at Night 1 of SummerSlam, this defeat marked the start of the persona now known as the “Career Killer.” His momentum continued to build as he targeted WWE legends one by one.
Defeating John Cena in a Career-Ending Match
Gunther earned entry to face John Cena after winning the Last Time Is Now Tournament. On December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, he ended Cena’s celebrated WWE career. Using a sleeper hold, Gunther forced the Last Real Champion to submit, a significant milestone in his growing reputation. Gunther openly boasted about Cena’s surrender in the weeks that followed, intensifying his intimidating persona.
This victory drew attention from AJ Styles, who confronted Gunther with accusations of disrespect. Responding decisively, Gunther challenged Styles to a high-stakes match, leading to a career showdown at the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
AJ Styles Also Falls to Gunther’s Signature Hold
At the Saudi Arabia Royal Rumble event, Gunther successfully forced AJ Styles to submit, abruptly ending the career of The Phenomenal One. This win further solidified Gunther’s reputation as a ruthless and methodical competitor determined to retire top stars. His continuous victories have been marked by his tactical sleeper hold, earning him lasting notoriety within WWE circles.
Gunther’s dominance was briefly tested in the same Royal Rumble when, entering as the 30th participant, he stood out by lasting until only Roman Reigns eliminated him, showcasing his endurance and skill.
Gunther’s Defiant Message to Future Opponents
Fuelled by his series of high-profile wins, Gunther took to Instagram to issue a stark warning to any WWE legend considering a challenge. He posted an image of himself aiming an object with a simple, chilling caption: “Line them up.” This three-word statement underscores his readiness to confront and defeat any contender.
“Line them up,” he boldly said.
With WrestleMania approaching, speculation is rising about which legendary wrestler Gunther will face next in his pursuit to maintain his “Career Killer” legacy. His recent performances have made it clear that Gunther is a formidable figure, reshaping the landscape of WWE’s top competition.
