John Cena WWE booking has sparked heated debate in the wrestling world after WWE pushed Gunther as a dominant villain following his shocking victory over Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. Gunther’s continued provocations and WWE’s approach to his character have drawn criticism from industry insiders, raising questions about the direction of current storylines and the confidence in Gunther’s heel persona.
Gunther’s Shocking Win Over John Cena and Its Fallout
At the highly anticipated Saturday Night’s Main Event, Gunther, known as The Ring General, secured a significant and controversial win over John Cena by forcing the legendary champion to submit to his chokehold. The decisive finish stunned fans and immediately established Gunther as a top antagonist in WWE, as he began to flaunt his victory both in promos and through custom merchandise depicting Cena’s defeat.
Each week following the event, the Austrian superstar took every opportunity to rub in his triumph, repeatedly boasting about making Cena tap out. His behavior, along with the provocative T-shirt showing Cena trapped in his hold, further entrenched his status as one of the most disliked figures on the WWE roster.
Despite this apparent momentum, WWE’s creative decisions regarding Gunther have stirred frustration within the wrestling community. Industry veteran Vince Russo expressed concerns about the inconsistency in Gunther’s booking, suggesting it reflects a deeper skepticism within WWE leadership.
“If I have Gunther, it’s heat, heat, heat, heat, heat, heat, heat. Now we’ve got four weeks of no heat. Four weeks of no heat. So again, I’m not going to sit here and say these guys are incompetent. I’m not going to say Triple H is incompetent. I don’t believe that. I don’t believe Triple H is a stupid person. So what’s going on?It could only mean one thing. They don’t believe in Gunther. That’s what it means to me. So somebody got the favor, but at the end of the day, you don’t believe in a guy like this as a monster heel and book him this way. You just don’t do that.”
— Vince Russo, Creative Writer
Gunther Challenges AJ Styles on WWE Raw
Recently, WWE further fueled discussion by booking Gunther against AJ Styles on an episode of WWE Raw. The confrontation took place on January 12 in Düsseldorf, where Styles openly stated his intention to force Gunther to submit. During their contest, Styles repeatedly attempted to secure victory through his trademark Calf Crusher submission, pressing Gunther to his limits.
In a dramatic moment near the match’s conclusion, Gunther appeared to tap out, but the referee failed to see it, resulting in the hold being released. Seizing the opportunity, Gunther delivered a devastating Powerbomb, clinching the win. This outcome only intensified fan scrutiny of how WWE is positioning Gunther in the aftermath of his triumph over Cena.
Context from Other WWE Storylines
The debate over John Cena WWE booking and Gunther’s role unfolds as WWE navigates a series of notable storylines across brands. Ric Flair was recently in the spotlight after a fan voiced dissatisfaction with a Cameo video, and Roman Reigns’ return was inadvertently spoiled, raising questions about backstage handling of major talent. Additionally, WWE legends are set to appear on upcoming episodes of TNA’s Impact Wrestling, while AEW champion MJF is scheduled to defend his title against Bandido on Dynamite’s January 14 episode.
In parallel, CM Punk’s recent remarks about creative direction and typecasting, as well as Paul Heyman’s strategic moves following a WWE suspension for Drew McIntyre, demonstrate the evolving landscape and ongoing tensions in wrestling storytelling. Liv Morgan has also publicly commented on Finn Balor’s opportunity for a WWE title, reflecting the diverse opinions and drama woven throughout weekly programming.
Former WWE talent has criticized Triple H for allegedly adopting elements of their persona, amplifying the ongoing scrutiny of management decisions within WWE.
What This Means for WWE’s Booking and Fan Sentiment
The reaction to John Cena WWE booking and Gunther’s push highlights the challenges WWE faces in balancing creative innovation with audience expectations. As voices like Vince Russo question the booking strategy and industry veterans weigh in on current feuds, WWE must contend with both internal and external pressure to deliver compelling, consistent storylines. The fallout from Gunther’s rapid rise and the handling of Cena’s legacy remain key topics within the wrestling community, suggesting that further twists and heated discussion are inevitable in the weeks ahead.
