Three WWE legends who can answer Gunther's possible open challenge at WrestleMania 42
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The Ring General has been absent from WWE programming ahead of WrestleMania.
‘The Ring General’ Gunther has been absent from WWE programming in recent times, leading up to WrestleMania. Despite having an incredible run, retiring three legends in Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, he has been absent from programming since defeating Dragon Lee.
The Ring General debuted the “Career Killer” moniker after defeating AJ Styles, but has been missing ahead of Mania, leading many fans to question WWE’s plans. The absence is also concerning due to the lack of proper creative direction for him at the ‘Grandest Stage.’
While reports claim of his appearance at Mania, it is not clear if it will be just an appearance or a match. Notably, WWE legend Bubba Ray Dudley, in a recent episode of Busted Open, floated the idea of doing an open challenge for the Ring General at Mania, and whoever accepts the challenge has to retire if they lose, further building the “Career Killer” moniker.
“I would now do Gunther’s open challenge at WrestleMania with the stipulation, whoever accepts the open challenge, if they lose, must retire. Now, I would look for a veteran wrestler that could come in, get a pop, work five minutes, get beat, and now, Gunther’s retired somebody else. And I would get Gunther past this WrestleMania, and hopefully get him to Brock at SummerSlam, and keep him on track.”
Let us now take a look at the top three WWE legends who can step up and answer if the Ring General decides to issue an open challenge for Mania in Las Vegas.
3. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio was originally planned to face the Ring General at Mania, and the angle with Dragon Lee would have led to the clash between the two. However, Mysterio suffered fractures to his ribs on both sides during his match against Austin Theory on the January 26, 2026, episode of WWE Raw, and the promotion had to drop the plan.
That said, the timeline for recovery for such injuries lines up with Mania, and if Mysterio is able to get medically cleared in time, he can make his return and answer the open challenge, aiming to punish the Ring General for disrespecting the sacred lucha tradition when he unmasks Dragon Lee.
2. Sheamus
‘The Celtic Warrior’ Sheamus has been absent from WWE programming since November 2025, due to a shoulder injury and a torn labrum. Sheamus had to pull out of “The Last Time is Now Tournament” and has been absent from television.
Sheamus is among the veterans that has locked horns with names like John Cena, Roman Reigns, Triple H, and Daniel Bryan, among others. He is known for his brutal style, and answering Gunther‘s challenge at Mania might be the best way to make an emphatic return.
Although Sheamus has not expressed any intention to retire, the next legend on this list could be the perfect fit to answer the open challenge.
1. Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam, aka RVD, last competed inside the WWE ring in 2014 and has since made appearances in AEW and other indie promotions. Notably, RVD is signed with the WWE under the Legends contract and has expressed interest in a WWE return.
RVD could answer the open challenge, reminding newer WWE fans of his in-ring brilliance while pushing Gunther to the limit in an epic WrestleMania showdown.
When and where will WrestleMania 42 take place?
The 42nd edition of WrestleMania will take place as a two-night event on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
Who is Gunther set to face at WrestleMania?
As of now, no announcement regarding Gunther’s Mania opponent has been revealed.
Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.