10 Greatest Matches of Gunther’s WWE Career

Gunther and Sheamus

10- Gunther vs. Sami Zayn – WrestleMania 40 (April 6, 2024)

This was the ultimate underdog story. After nearly two years of dominance, Gunther faced a Sami Zayn who was riddled with self-doubt. The match was a masterclass in psychological storytelling, with Gunther mocking Zayn’s wife at ringside and methodically dismantling the challenger. Zayn’s "never say die" spirit carried the crowd to a fever pitch as he withstood a barrage of powerbombs. In a shocking upset that blew the roof off the arena and ended the Austrian's 666 day title reign, Zayn landed a top-rope brainbuster and a series of Helluva Kicks to finally dethrone the champion.

9- Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre – SummerSlam (2023)

Two of the most physical strikers in the industry collided in Detroit for the Intercontinental Title. This was a classic "heavyweight slugfest" where neither man backed down. McIntyre brought the fight to the champion, utilizing his size and strength to match Gunther’s intensity. The "Ring General" had to dig deep into his arsenal, surviving a Claymore Kick before capitalizing on a rare opening. By defeating a former multi-time World Champion cleanly in the center of the ring, Gunther proved that his Intercontinental Title reign was truly on a different level.

8- Gunther vs. CM Punk – SummerSlam (August 2, 2025)

In the main event of Night 1 at MetLife Stadium, Gunther defended his World Heavyweight Title against CM Punk in a psychological masterclass. The "Ring General" dominated early with punishing strikes until he was uncharacteristically busted open on the announce table. Blinded by blood and hindered by overconfidence, Gunther finally fell to two GTS strikes. While Seth Rollins immediately cashed in to steal the gold, the match itself was universally acclaimed, proving Gunther’s tactical brilliance only falters when met with veteran savvy.

7- Gunther vs. Pete Dunne – NXT TakeOver: New York (2019)

The arrival of Gunther as Walter in WWE reached its first major peak at the Barclays Center when he challenged Pete Dunne for the NXT UK Championship. Dunne had held the title for 685 days, and fans wondered if anyone could stop the "Bruiserweight." The match was a grueling, technical war of attrition, featuring Dunne’s signature joint manipulation against the challenger’s heavy-handed strikes. In a passing-of-the-torch moment, the Austrian powerhouse ended Dunne’s historic reign with a diving splash, beginning his own era of dominance that would last over 800 days.

6- Gunther vs. John Cena – Saturday Night’s Main Event (December 13, 2025)

In the most emotional match of 2025, Gunther retired the legendary John Cena in a hard-hitting main event. The "Ring General" served as the ultimate hurdle for Cena’s final stand, absorbing multiple Attitude Adjustments, including one through the announce table. The match reached a fever pitch as Gunther systematically dismantled the icon, ultimately forcing Cena to tap out to a sleeper hold. It was a poetic passing of the torch, where the Austrian’s cold efficiency finally silenced the "Never Give Up" spirit, ending the greatest career in WWE history.

5- Gunther vs. Ilja Dragunov – NXT UK (October 29, 2020)

Often cited as the most violent match in WWE history, this encounter took place in an empty arena during the pandemic. The lack of a crowd only amplified the terrifying sound of Gunther’s chops echoing through the building. Dragunov acted as the perfect foil—a man who simply refused to stay down regardless of the punishment. Both men were left covered in welts and blood. While Gunther emerged victorious via submission, the sheer brutality of the bout set a new standard for physical storytelling in the modern wrestling landscape.

4- Gunther vs. Sheamus – Clash at the Castle (September 3, 2022)

This match is widely regarded as one of the most physical encounters in WWE history. In front of a raucous Cardiff crowd, Gunther and Sheamus engaged in a brutal "slugfest" that transcended traditional wrestling. The sound of thunderous chops and forearms echoed throughout the stadium, leaving both men’s chests bruised and bloodied. Sheamus displayed incredible heart, coming closer than anyone to dethroning the "Ring General." Ultimately, a devastating lariat secured the win for Gunther, earning a rare five-star rating and instantly elevating the Intercontinental Championship’s prestige.

3- Gunther vs. Tyler Bate – NXT TakeOver: Cardiff (2019)

This match is often hailed as a technical masterpiece and a testament to Gunther’s versatility. Facing the "Big Strong Boy" Tyler Bate, Gunther worked at a much longer, more methodical pace than usual. Bate’s incredible feat of strength—deadlifting the 300-pound champion—remains one of the most iconic images in NXT UK history. The 40-minute epic showcased Gunther’s ability to tell a deep, nuanced story in the ring. Though Bate gave everything he had, a lariat of legendary proportions finally ended the contest in Gunther’s favor.

2- Gunther vs. Ilja Dragunov – NXT TakeOver 36 (2021)

The long-awaited rematch between these two rivals finally saw Gunther’s legendary 870-day reign come to an end. Taking the violence of their first encounter and adding the energy of a live crowd, the match was an emotional roller coaster. Dragunov’s resilience was the central theme as he weathered a storm of chops and powerbombs that would have finished any other man. In the end, Dragunov forced the unbeatable champion to tap out, providing a perfect conclusion to one of the most prestigious championship reigns in modern history.

1- Gunther vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre – WrestleMania 39 (2023)

Topping nearly every "Best Match" list, this triple-threat war was pure chaos from start to finish. It featured three European powerhouses simply hitting each other as hard as humanly possible. The sight of Sheamus and McIntyre’s beet-red chests became an instant viral sensation. Just as Sheamus seemed poised to win the title he had chased for years, Gunther swooped in with a powerbomb onto McIntyre, who was draped across Sheamus’s back. It was a flawless display of brutality and drama, cementing Gunther’s WrestleMania legacy in a five-star classic.