Gunther has been on a generational run in recent months, sharing the ring with legendary names such as AJ Styles, John Cena, and Goldberg. In a remarkable stretch, the Austrian powerhouse had the distinction of being the final WWE opponent for each of these veterans, further solidifying his dominant presence in the company. While Gunther continues to establish himself as one of WWE’s most intimidating heels, the former World Heavyweight Champion has consistently pushed back against the traditional trope of being portrayed as a “foreign heel.”
Speaking with Cody Rhodes on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, ‘The Ring General’ discussed a variety of topics. One of the most notable moments from the conversation was his candid take on the long-standing wrestling stereotype of foreign villains and why he prefers not to lean into that portrayal.
Gunther Reveals Why He Initially Avoided Anything Linked To His Country’s Flag
Gunther stated how he has never been a foreign menace in the company and always hated the idea of being called a ‘bad foreigner’.
The former world champion said, “I try to avoid everything that has to do with the flag. They put it on my trunks when I started out. I got rid of it as soon as I could because it just doesn’t do anything. It’s not 1990 anymore.”
Certainly, the classic stereotypical foreign heel is something that no longer resonates the way it once did. After all, storylines like Sgt. Slaughter sympathizing with Iraq while Hulk Hogan stood tall as the all-American babyface were products of a very different era, one that likely wouldn’t work with today’s audiences.
With Gunther making it clear that he doesn’t want to fall into that category, it further highlights how professional wrestling has evolved over the years. Modern performers often aim to portray more grounded and realistic characters, even when playing the role of a heel, reflecting the changing expectations of the audience.
Gunther also shared some big names on the podcast with whom he would love to share the ring ahead. Names like Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, and Ilja Dragunov came up in his mind while he talked about having some great matches with them again and contributing that way.
Gunther Shares “Yin-Yang” Picture With Cody Rhodes
With Gunther currently standing as one of the hottest heels in WWE, he recently shared a photo with Cody Rhodes on social media after appearing on Rhodes’ podcast. Fans were quick to notice the symbolism behind the moment.
Gunther posted the picture alongside Rhodes with the caption, “Two sides of the same coin,” hinting at how the two stars represent contrasting forces within WWE right now.
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The yin-and-yang dynamic between them on screen adds another layer of intrigue to their conversation, making the podcast appearance even more compelling for fans.
As Rhodes looks to strengthen his road to WrestleMania, he is set to go one-on-one with Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship on SmackDown this week. Meanwhile, Gunther is focused on making Dragon Lee his next victim on Raw.
