Top three possible reasons behind Gunther's WWE absence ahead of WrestleMania 42
(Courtesy : WWE/Netflix)
The Ring General has vanished from TV, with WrestleMania 42 now just weeks away.
Gunther is arguably the hottest performer in WWE right now. Over the past year, the Ring General has retired Goldberg, forced John Cena to tap out in his final match, and ended AJ Styles’ career at the Royal Rumble 2026.
Yet, with WrestleMania 42 less than a month away, Gunther has no match, no opponent, and has not appeared on WWE television since defeating Dragon Lee on the March 2 edition of WWE Raw. Here are the three key reasons behind his puzzling absence.
WWE’s creative team has no finalized plan for the former World Champion
Reports from WrestleVotes Radio indicate that Gunther’s WrestleMania direction is officially listed as “undetermined” internally, with no single opponent confirmed. Internally, Gunther remains viewed as a pillar of the roster; his in-ring credibility, discipline, and championship pedigree are not in question. The hesitation appears to come from something else entirely: WWE has options, but what it does not yet have is a decision.
There is also a possibility that WWE could be saving Gunther for a surprise at WrestleMania itself, potentially utilizing him in a special segment or an impromptu match at the Show of Shows. Given the way WWE has been booking Gunther to retire legends like Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena, it seems unthinkable for him not to have a match at WWE’s biggest show of the year. But with the clock ticking, a decision needs to be made soon.
Backup options for WrestleMania 42 have dried up
Reports indicate that WWE considered Brock Lesnar, Oba Femi, and Rey Mysterio as potential options to face Gunther at WrestleMania 42, each representing a completely different creative direction, which may explain why WWE has taken its time reaching a decision.
However, both alternatives have since fallen away. Earlier this month, WWE confirmed that Lesnar and Oba Femi would take on each other after Femi answered Lesnar’s open challenge, completely removing that avenue.
With Mysterio injured and the Lesnar–Femi match locked in, Gunther is left with no confirmed direction. A name to keep an eye on is LA Knight as a potential replacement for Mysterio, as it would give Gunther a notable name to work with and Knight also has no match lined up yet for WrestleMania.
Rey Mysterio’s injury derailed the original plan
According to sources speaking to Bodyslam, the original creative direction for Gunther had him transitioning from his feud with Dragon Lee into a program with Mysterio, culminating in a match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Mysterio suffered fractured ribs on both sides of his body on January 26 during a match with Austin Theory on Raw, the Monday leading into the Royal Rumble. Despite the severity, he made the trip to Saudi Arabia and entered the Men’s Royal Rumble match just days later, but has not competed since.
Speaking at a WWE community event in Las Vegas, Mysterio offered a cautiously optimistic update on his recovery, though he stopped short of confirming he would be ready to compete in time for WrestleMania. With Mysterio’s return still uncertain, Gunther’s entire WrestleMania direction was thrown into complete disarray, leaving the Ring General in creative limbo.
When was Gunther last seen on WWE television?
Gunther was last seen on the March 2 edition of Raw, where he defeated Dragon Lee. He has not appeared on WWE programming since.
Why does Gunther not have a WrestleMania 42 match yet?
Gunther’s feud with Dragon Lee was originally intended to lead into a program with Rey Mysterio, culminating in a WrestleMania match. However, after Mysterio suffered a rib injury prior to the Royal Rumble, Gunther’s WrestleMania plans were altered and his status remains currently unknown.
Will Gunther compete at WrestleMania 42?
That remains to be seen. Whether WWE pivots to an alternate opponent for Gunther or holds out hope for Mysterio to be cleared in time remains uncertain, but with WrestleMania weekend now approaching, a decision will need to be made soon.
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Blesson Daniel is a sub-editor who spends his days organizing words and managing social media, crafting bursts of creativity designed to make people smile. He occasionally dives into writing as well — whether it’s crafting articles, brainstorming ideas, or finding the perfect caption. Believing that every piece of writing offers an opportunity to tell a story, Blesson brings creativity and thoughtfulness to every project he takes on. When he’s not glued to his laptop, Blesson is likely planning his next travel adventure or losing himself in music. A passionate explorer of new places, sounds, and ideas, he believes in balancing work, play, and a good playlist in the background. Whether he’s editing, writing, or daydreaming about his next trip, Blesson is always chasing that sweet spot where creativity and curiosity collide to create something memorable.