In our latest wrestling list, we’re ranking the best matches of Der Ringgeneral, the former record-setting Intercontinental Champion: GUNTHER!
Introduction
All rise for Der Ringgeneral, and one of the best big men in wrestling right now: GUNTHER! This is the man whose Intercontinental Championship reign single-handedly restored prestige to the title. Okay, so GUNTHER is now in limbo for a bit. But maybe he will defeat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at Bash in Berlin? Or he might dethrone Damian Priest? Either way, in anticipation of GUNTHER’s inevitable coronation as world champion, we’re looking back on his best matches so far. And spoiler alert: this will just focus on his run in WWE. So, unfortunately, there are no Will Ospreay matches here. Oh, and there are a lot of matches from two particularly dominant periods. Now, with that out of the way, let’s get into our list of GUNTHER’s best matches!
Best GUNTHER Matches – Top 10
10. Imperium vs. The Undisputed Era – Eight-Man Tag Team Match (WWE NXT Worlds Collide 2020)
It’s sad that WWE binned Worlds Collide akin to a random, unworthy talent after WrestleMania. But it’s easy to forget that the concept hosted many top-class matches. Case in point, an eight-man tag between Adam Cole and his besties, and GUNTHER (then WALTER) and his besties. However, a freak injury to Alexander Wolfe influenced an interesting change to the match dynamic. Suddenly, the hard-hitting Imperium became valiant, battling underdog babyfaces whilst Undisputed Era became conniving heels. All in all, this is a stellar match with some nutty spots. These include an Olympic Slam through a table (see above). Overall, it’s a solid watch for any new GUNTHER fans.
9. GUNTHER vs. Sheamus II – WWE Intercontinental Championship Match (WWE SmackDown, October 7 2022)
This rematch to one of the most acclaimed Intercontinental Championship matches of all-time is only 9th. So, that should give you an idea about how stacked GUNTHER’s match catalogue is. Whilst not quite as good as the original, this rematch was every bit as violent. It’s full of stiff chops and punches which will give you a concussion just watching the bout. There isn’t much more to say. Well, you could feel second-hand chest pain from GUNTHER’s matches, with more chops than your average butcher’s shop. Again, it’s another solid match that builds, but can’t quite live up to expectations.
8. GUNTHER vs. Tommaso Ciampa – WWE United Kingdom Championship Match (WWE NXT Stand and Deliver Night One 2021)
Okay, hands up: who forgot this match happened? These two have faced off a handful of times on the main roster. But WWE has never allowed the Blackheart and Der Ringgeneral to create the same violent magic showcased here. Nor the type of memes that this match spawned. (This is where GUNTHER chops an announce table cover in half). But it’s also your typical GUNTHER match to an absolute tee. Yes, there’s a significant size difference and a somewhat predictable outcome. But these two still have you believe that somehow Ciampa can sneak a win out of nowhere. However, like many GUNTHER matches, it’s the hope that kills you. Indeed, GUNTHER eventually chops Ciampa down, both literally and metaphorically, to carry on his reign of dominance. Now do this match properly, WWE, because we need more of this violent magic.
7. GUNTHER vs. Pete Dunne II – WWE United Kingdom Championship Match (WWE NXT UK, May 22 2019)
Maybe it’s somewhat surprising to see the sequel make the cut over the original. But then again, GUNTHER has so many good matches that we could probably have done a top 15 or 20. Either way, this match is fantastic as it flips the script to the first. That’s because Dunne is no longer an all-conquering champion, whilst GUNTHER is slowly building his reign of dominance. And yes, there’s the required level of brutality for a GUNTHER match. Both men throw everything and the kitchen sink at each other. Also, that finger-break spot that Dunne does never gets any less difficult to watch. What’s more surprising is how they’ve not gone for the trilogy on the main roster. This is more noticeable given the rivalry between the Brawling Brutes and Imperium. But there is still time.
6. GUNTHER vs. Tyler Bate – WWE United Kingdom Championship Match (WWE NXT UK: Takeover Cardiff 2019)
Tyler Bate is a very big, strong boy. That’s it, really. We’re kidding. But the sheer strength of Bate to do a mini Hogan/Andre moment makes this match so good. However, it also plays into the overall story. Because of the size and weight difference, GUNTHER slowly exhausts Bate with every big move that Tyler hits. It expounds more and more energy from the first UK Champion. So, despite some truly heroic crowd-popping moments, it’s all in vain as GUNTHER just breaks Tyler’s body down. Although, GUNTHER pulls off a goddamn leapfrog. So, if that isn’t enough of a reason to love this match, we don’t know what is. Anyway, please applaud the big strong boy!
Best GUNTHER Matches – Top 5
5. GUNTHER vs. Ilja Dragunov II – WWE United Kingdom Championship Match (WWE NXT Takeover 36)
And so we’ve come to the end of GUNTHER’s NXT United Kingdom Championship reign with an even more violent sequel. Think of this match as Terrifier 2. Some may debate if it’s the better film. Yet you can’t dispute that while it’s just as violent, it somehow features one of the most heartwarming results ever. Unfortunately, the end of GUNTHER’s reign was in the COVID era. So, only a handful of fans saw this slugfest, but what a match. One of the only good things to come out of pandemic-era wrestling was GUNTHER matches. That’s because his chops ring out around the empty arena. Either way, both men came out of this with credibility in abundance and chests redder than the USSR’s flag.
4. GUNTHER vs. Sheamus – WWE Intercontinental Championship Match (WWE Clash At The Castle 2022)
Now we’ve arrived at arguably one of the magnum opus of GUNTHER’s Intercontinental Championship reign. (And there are a damn lot of them). Anyway, this match is awesome, not just for the in-ring action but for the entrances and pre-match shenanigans. Firstly, this marked the return of Imperium. Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci (the former Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner) rejoin their former boss. This leads to an awesome entrance with Kaiser delivering a great introduction. Eat your heart out, Samantha Irvin (apparently). Just before the match starts, the Brutes and Imperium start brawling. All whilst Sheamus and GUNTHER just stare at each other like they will have the most masculine kiss ever. Instead, they turn each other’s chests into steaks with the amount of skin and blood flying around. Lovely analogy, we know.
Best GUNTHER Matches – Top 3
3. GUNTHER vs. Sami Zayn – WWE Intercontinental Championship Match (WWE Wrestlemania 40 Night One)
Well, we’re at the end of another iconic GUNTHER title reign. But, honestly, this caught us off guard. Not that Sami didn’t deserve the win, because he 100% did. But many fans expected Chad Gable to dethrone GUNTHER. Either way, the ending sequence easily made up for any doubts. Zayn busted out a top-rope brainbuster followed by two Helluva Kicks to end the reign of Der Ringgeneral for a wonderful pop. Also, the rest of the match is bonkers-level good. That is thanks to Zayn’s ability to play the perfect underdog babyface while taking GUNTHER’s monstrous power and chops. This match more than justifies such a lengthy title reign. Even if there were thoughts that two other people could win it a year prior …
2. GUNTHER vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre – WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match (WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night Two)
Speaking of those other two people, this match is truly a Big E special: big meaty men slapping meat. Cue the GIF. Thanks to other bouts at WrestleMania 39, this match sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of Night Two. But, by God, it’s so good. Largely because GUNTHER just plays off the nervous frenemy status of Sheamus and McIntyre and takes advantage. That final spot where GUNTHER powerbombs Sheamus onto McIntyre and claims the win is “chef kiss”. Given how much we’ve rightfully praised this match, we can’t say anything more. Just watch it for yourself as it’s so damn good.
Best GUNTHER Matches – Top Ranking
1. GUNTHER vs. Ilja Dragunov – WWE United Kingdom Championship Match (WWE NXT UK, October 29 2020)
And the best GUNTHER match (so far) is his first match with Ilja Dragunov. Putting the Dragunov matches on this list feels a bit like discussing snuff films. That’s because it’s almost terrifying how little thought both men put into lamping each other. If you thought Ilja’s chest after the sequel was battered, his chest here looks like a wild bear attacked him. The only negative is the pandemic-era environment. So, whilst it’s awesome to hear GUNTHER’s chops echo around the arena, it does remove a lot from the atmosphere. Honestly, you may want to watch this match through your fingers. But it’s more than worth a watch to see peak GUNTHER, a rare sight for him these days.
Discuss The Best GUNTHER Matches!
So those are our picks for GUNTHER’s best matches so far but about yours? Let us know in the comments below!
