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Roman Reigns, the Tribal Chief, has been conspicuously absent from the WWE scene in 2023, with only six televised matches to his name. While this part-time schedule has irked some fans, there's no denying that Reigns remains a colossal figure in the wrestling world.
Yet, this absence has inadvertently paved the way for emerging talent to enter the limelight. Notably rising to the occasion is the current Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, formerly known as WALTER. After transitioning from the NXT and NXT UK circuits to the main WWE roster in April 2022, Gunther faced scepticism regarding his potential impact on RAW and SmackDown.
These worries have been laid to rest, as the Austrian superstar has emerged as a linchpin for WWE from an in-ring performance standpoint. Aged 36, Gunther has consistently delivered Match of the Year candidates and proved his mettle in promo skills, creating a package wrestling promoters dream of.
Gunther's Versatility Shines
What sets Gunther apart is his versatility—akin to WWE legend Brock Lesnar's ability to engage with rivals of all sizes seamlessly. Lesnar's classic showdowns with AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan have underscored this trait, and Gunther has displayed the same prowess.
Whether facing nimble competitors like Ilja Dragunov and Tyler Bate or squaring off against more prominent names, Gunther ensures that nobody looks mismatched. As we've seen other superstars like Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and LA Knight be unofficially pegged as potential threats to Roman Reigns, Gunther has quietly and effectively staked his claim to challenge the Tribal Chief.
With WWE's highly anticipated "Bash in Berlin" event scheduled for August 31, 2024, rumours abound that Gunther may be poised for a marquee matchup, potentially with Reigns himself. Whether or not that blockbuster face-off occurs, one thing is clear: Gunther has cemented his status as a legitimate contender to Reigns' throne, creating ripples of excitement across the WWE Universe.
With eyes locked on the future, the spotlight beckons for this rising star in an era waiting for new conquerors. This transition period in WWE creates a dynamic storyline that intrigues fans, widening the landscape for emerging superstars while keeping established names relevant. Keep an eye on this evolving narrative, as it will indeed dominate WWE chatter in the months to come.