During this week’s dramatic WWE RAW episode in Germany, Gunther appeared to submit in the ring—but the match was not stopped, stunning those watching as the contest resumed. Fans who saw Gunther tap out WWE RAW witnessed a controversial ending involving AJ Styles in the main event.
Controversy at the Main Event in Germany
In the headlining bout, Gunther, often called The Ring General, faced seasoned competitor AJ Styles for the first time on WWE RAW’s red brand while in Germany. The clash quickly became intense, with both stars pushing each other to their limits. Midway through the battle, Styles, known as The Phenomenal One, locked Gunther in his signature Calf Crusher submission hold at the center of the ring.
As AJ Styles applied pressure, many spectators saw Gunther tapping out in submission. However, what happened next caused confusion and frustration in the arena; the referee did not witness the tap-out. Believing he had secured the win, Styles released the hold and began to celebrate. The celebration was interrupted when officials decided to restart the match, given the lack of an official decision.
Upon restarting the contest, Gunther seized the moment to execute a powerful Powerbomb against Styles, successfully pinning him for the win. The sequence left the crowd unsettled, as the expected outcome was overridden by the referee’s oversight.
Recent Achievements and Past Milestones
Gunther’s career momentum continued with this victory, adding to a growing list of headline moments, such as his submission win over John Cena at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025. That bout had marked Cena’s retirement, further raising Gunther’s profile in the WWE universe.
Discussion Around Gunther’s Popularity and Rivalries
While Gunther has consistently found himself in the spotlight, questions have surfaced regarding the depth of the crowd’s reaction to him. Recent comments by wrestling legend Kevin Nash fueled this debate, as Nash argued that Gunther’s heat with fans is somewhat artificial, originating from his antagonist role rather than genuine discontent with his character or victories.
“It’s like last week when he came out, and so his music plays, and then his graphic plays. Then he goes out and cuts a promo, and then [Adam] Pearce comes out and tells him to get the f*ck out of the building. So they played his music, played his entrance, gave him a microphone, [and] he cut a promo, but when he got done, it’s time to get the f*ck out of the building. Because you’re a bad guy, and you got heat,”
explained Kevin Nash, wrestling icon and host of the Kliq This podcast.
Nash’s critique drew further attention to the way Gunther is perceived, particularly after his win over John Cena. According to Nash, the boos may be more a product of storyline than a sign of Gunther’s impact moving into the upper echelons of WWE stardom.
Implications for AJ Styles and the WWE Landscape
With this controversial outcome, AJ Styles now faces uncertainty regarding his next move on WWE RAW. The emotional aftermath of the match and Styles’s visible distress at the referee’s missed submission could shape future storylines on the red brand. As the promotion weighs its next steps, fans are left questioning the fairness and integrity of major matches when moments like this occur.
The spotlight now remains on Gunther taps out WWE RAW as both a topic of debate and a pivotal storyline, illustrating the unpredictability that defines WWE and ensuring continued attention on Germany’s memorable main event.
OH NO 😩@AJStylesOrg was arguing with the ref allowing @Gunther_AUT to take advantage and pick up the WIN! pic.twitter.com/3X80o7Uh0B
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2026
