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Gunther never expected Jey Uso to win the 2025 Royal Rumble. Neither did the rest of the WWE universe.
Uso's big February win led him to choose the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther as his WrestleMania 41 opponent for this coming weekend in Las Vegas. For many, a program between the two was an immediate head-scratcher as a feature feud for "the show of shows." Despite having no ideal opponent in mind, Gunther always expected to be in a big title defense on the two-night WWE showcase. After stewing on Uso's win and the surprise of it all, the champion ultimately decided it made sense.
"Obviously, at the end, in with [John] Cena, but looking back at it, Cena's on his last run here now, and that's how you want to use them," Gunther said on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "Put them in the ring with somebody that is on his way up, or who is red-hot in the moment, and benefit off that. So I was surprised, yeah.
"I didn't think Jey would be my ideal opponent for WrestleMania because we are very different. But then, rethinking, I think it makes a lot of sense. Because I think in WWE right now, the perfect counterpart to everybody who is on his way up, who is like red-hot, wants to achieve a certain something — I think I'm a good party-pooper when it comes to that.
"At the end, I was happy that he won, and he deserved it, I think," he concluded. "I'm glad we started the program now."
Gunther has already defended his throne against the fan-favorite Uso and beaten him multiple times in one-on-one encounters. The program's extension has been a slow burn since February, to say the least, and has left a lot to be desired — until recently. Gunther believes their story has peaked at the right time with the (violent) inclusion of Uso's brother Jimmy.
"The last two weeks were very important," Gunther said of his Uso feud. "I am happy, but it was a challenge because it was a 10-week build, and to really find something that excites you for 10 weeks in a row is hard, especially with all the other stuff going on. But I think we managed it very well. Like I said, the last two weeks, I think we got it on route where it's supposed to be.
"It's always a little bit like what I want myself, like what I would see as the best idea or something — that doesn't always happen. That's not the nature of how the business works, and you have to be mature enough to realize that it's not every week. There's always a better idea for something, and it's not about my personal taste often — what I would like — but what's best for the product at that point overall. In that regard, I think we managed it very well, and going into 'Mania, I think we set the tone very well."
Gunther and Jey Uso will put their rivalry to bed at WrestleMania 41. (Photo by Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
It's been all gas with no brakes for Gunther, working in the fast lane and finding WWE success at every turn. He's been a premier player and champion for nearly the entirety of his six-year run with the company, and it's paid off with him reaching his status as the World Heavyweight Champion.
Gunther, 37, still sees a lot left to accomplish, regardless of holding records that include the longest Intercontinental Championship reign in WWE history (619 days). He eyed top superstars and former champions before Uso landed the spot to challenge him.
"As a wrestler yourself, you always want to make the next step," Gunther said. "So my hopes were like, can I mix it up with somebody like [CM] Punk? Maybe Seth [Rollins] or with Roman [Reigns]? Is there a chance for that? Or even Cena. But yeah, that didn't work out yet.
"Also, I think we're in a situation right now in the company where so many things changed in a very short time and there's a whole new excitement about the company. It's a big opportunity for guys who are newer to the company, like me, or somebody like Jey, who is around forever and now finally has the chance to do something on his own."
Coincidentally, Punk, Rollins and Reigns are all arguably outshining Gunther and Uso by occupying the Night 1 main event at WrestleMania 41. Traditionally, the Royal Rumble is used as a promotional vehicle to reward the winner with a title shot in the WrestleMania main event.
As the champion, Gunther was just along for the ride as this year's process played out. However, he's not bothered by performing earlier in the night, and prefers a future headliner spot to come naturally — if it ever does.
"There's two main event spots. Some people argue there's only one, it's the Night 2," Gunther said. "At the end of the day, those are big achievements, but that's nothing I want to stress about. In the long term, later on when I finish my career, and I was able to be financially set up and take care of my family, I did all of this doing the thing I always wanted to do — I don't think if I never main event WrestleMania it's going to make a difference about how proud or happy I will be about my career."
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Uso's big February win led him to choose the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther as his WrestleMania 41 opponent for this coming weekend in Las Vegas. For many, a program between the two was an immediate head-scratcher as a feature feud for "the show of shows." Despite having no ideal opponent in mind, Gunther always expected to be in a big title defense on the two-night WWE showcase. After stewing on Uso's win and the surprise of it all, the champion ultimately decided it made sense.
"Obviously, at the end, in with [John] Cena, but looking back at it, Cena's on his last run here now, and that's how you want to use them," Gunther said on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "Put them in the ring with somebody that is on his way up, or who is red-hot in the moment, and benefit off that. So I was surprised, yeah.
"I didn't think Jey would be my ideal opponent for WrestleMania because we are very different. But then, rethinking, I think it makes a lot of sense. Because I think in WWE right now, the perfect counterpart to everybody who is on his way up, who is like red-hot, wants to achieve a certain something — I think I'm a good party-pooper when it comes to that.
"At the end, I was happy that he won, and he deserved it, I think," he concluded. "I'm glad we started the program now."
Gunther has already defended his throne against the fan-favorite Uso and beaten him multiple times in one-on-one encounters. The program's extension has been a slow burn since February, to say the least, and has left a lot to be desired — until recently. Gunther believes their story has peaked at the right time with the (violent) inclusion of Uso's brother Jimmy.
"The last two weeks were very important," Gunther said of his Uso feud. "I am happy, but it was a challenge because it was a 10-week build, and to really find something that excites you for 10 weeks in a row is hard, especially with all the other stuff going on. But I think we managed it very well. Like I said, the last two weeks, I think we got it on route where it's supposed to be.
"It's always a little bit like what I want myself, like what I would see as the best idea or something — that doesn't always happen. That's not the nature of how the business works, and you have to be mature enough to realize that it's not every week. There's always a better idea for something, and it's not about my personal taste often — what I would like — but what's best for the product at that point overall. In that regard, I think we managed it very well, and going into 'Mania, I think we set the tone very well."
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Gunther and Jey Uso will put their rivalry to bed at WrestleMania 41. (Photo by Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
It's been all gas with no brakes for Gunther, working in the fast lane and finding WWE success at every turn. He's been a premier player and champion for nearly the entirety of his six-year run with the company, and it's paid off with him reaching his status as the World Heavyweight Champion.
Gunther, 37, still sees a lot left to accomplish, regardless of holding records that include the longest Intercontinental Championship reign in WWE history (619 days). He eyed top superstars and former champions before Uso landed the spot to challenge him.
"As a wrestler yourself, you always want to make the next step," Gunther said. "So my hopes were like, can I mix it up with somebody like [CM] Punk? Maybe Seth [Rollins] or with Roman [Reigns]? Is there a chance for that? Or even Cena. But yeah, that didn't work out yet.
"Also, I think we're in a situation right now in the company where so many things changed in a very short time and there's a whole new excitement about the company. It's a big opportunity for guys who are newer to the company, like me, or somebody like Jey, who is around forever and now finally has the chance to do something on his own."
Coincidentally, Punk, Rollins and Reigns are all arguably outshining Gunther and Uso by occupying the Night 1 main event at WrestleMania 41. Traditionally, the Royal Rumble is used as a promotional vehicle to reward the winner with a title shot in the WrestleMania main event.
As the champion, Gunther was just along for the ride as this year's process played out. However, he's not bothered by performing earlier in the night, and prefers a future headliner spot to come naturally — if it ever does.
"There's two main event spots. Some people argue there's only one, it's the Night 2," Gunther said. "At the end of the day, those are big achievements, but that's nothing I want to stress about. In the long term, later on when I finish my career, and I was able to be financially set up and take care of my family, I did all of this doing the thing I always wanted to do — I don't think if I never main event WrestleMania it's going to make a difference about how proud or happy I will be about my career."
Continue reading...
