OPINION - How WWE wasted Gunther's momentum after dominant run in early 2026?

Gunther becoming Ring General in WWE

WWE has seen several megastars move between promotions in recent years, with AEW becoming a destination for established names looking for fresh opportunities. In an increasingly competitive wrestling landscape, WWE cannot afford to waste the momentum of performers capable of becoming the next generation’s defining stars.

Yet, the Ring General’s current run raises questions about whether the company is making the most of one of its most dominant performers. The Ring General entered 2026 with an extraordinary reputation, having defeated legendary names and established himself as one of WWE’s most dangerous competitors.

However, his recent booking on SmackDown has taken him away from the aura that made him such a compelling attraction. Instead of building on his achievements, WWE appears to have left him caught between an unconventional feud and an uncertain championship direction.

From retiring legends to losing momentum

One of the most prominent times when Ring General was a part of WWE was when he was champion of the World Heavyweight Championship, and the title reign is one of the top five reigns for this title.

The rise of Ring General was based on a simple strategy that was used throughout his career, which involved portraying him as an unstoppable force, making his opponents struggle to survive against his offense, and ensuring that every successful bout contributed to his reputation.

His Intercontinental Championship title reign marked him as a dominant champion, and his World Heavyweight Championship reign took him to the main event level in WWE. Despite losing the World Title to CM Punk at SummerSlam 2025, Gunther continued to be a big draw since his character was not all about holding a championship.

Winning against Goldberg and John Cena enhanced his reputation. Gunther beat Goldberg in his retirement match in July 2025 and got John Cena to submit at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025. Gunther went on to defeat AJ Styles in the latter’s retirement match at the Royal Rumble in January 2026.

These were not ordinary victories. WWE positioned Gunther as the man capable of ending legendary careers, giving him a distinct identity at a time when many performers were competing for attention. His WrestleMania 42 match against Seth Rollins also provided a high-profile platform, although it failed to

The problem is not that Gunther has occasionally lost. Even dominant wrestlers need setbacks to make their eventual victories meaningful. The issue is that WWE has not consistently followed his biggest moments with an equally compelling direction.

Gunther’s current WWE storyline raises questions

Gunther’s move to SmackDown has not produced the kind of sustained main-event programme many expected. He has remained around the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, but his attempts to secure another opportunity have repeatedly failed to deliver a decisive breakthrough.

Among those was the Money in the Bank Qualifying match, where he was pinned by CM Punk in a triple threat match, which also involved Finn Bálor. The Austrian wrestler has, however, kept working towards winning championships and even aimed at Sami Zayn. However, his journey towards becoming a champion is slowly being eclipsed by his rivalry with Danhausen.

The Danhausen rivalry is the weakest element in Gunther’s current wrestling identity. Danhausen’s funny gimmick is characterized by weird behavior, curses, and funny interactions. Such gimmicks can work effectively against particular opponents; however, putting Gunther in such situations has not worked effectively for WWE.

On the October 16 episode of SmackDown, Danhausen impersonated General Manager Nick Aldis and fooled Gunther, making him very frustrated. WWE’s highlight of the show showed the interaction as being comical, instead of being an important development in Gunther’s path to the championship titles.

There is nothing inherently wrong with allowing a serious character to participate in a lighter storyline. The concern is what happens afterwards. Gunther spent months being portrayed as a competitor capable of defeating legends and ending careers. If he is now repeatedly being embarrassed or distracted by comedy segments without a meaningful payoff, WWE risks weakening the credibility it worked so hard to establish.

Can WWE rebuild Gunther beyond the Danhausen storyline?

A good way forward could be with a serious programme for Gunther against Finn Balor. The two already had some interactions which created friction as Gunther told Balor that his time was up. Finn Balor is a former champion of the Universal Championship and has the stature to create a rivalry with Gunther.

Another way forward could be for Gunther to go after Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship. It has already been seen that Gunther has made his intentions known, and such a programme can give him a goal to work on. Otherwise, WWE has to keep him busy with other segments.

A future rivalry or feud with Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins can be considered too if WWE can create a good reason for it.

Most importantly, WWE should treat the Danhausen programme as a short-term detour rather than the defining feature of the Ring General’s current run. Comedy can expose a character’s temper or create an entertaining moment, but it should not replace the long-term direction of a performer positioned as an elite competitor.

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