WWE will be without one of its top stars, Gunther, for the foreseeable future, as he is taking a leave of absence.
Following the intense fallout from WrestleMania 41, where Gunther’s reign as World Heavyweight Champion came to an end at the hands of Jey Uso, the “Ring General” unleashed a brutal display of frustration on the fallout episode of Raw. His actions, which included an attack on commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee, have resulted in significant repercussions from WWE management.
On Friday, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce delivered a formal ruling, confirming that Gunther has been both fined an undisclosed sum and suspended indefinitely from WWE programming. The timeframe for Gunther’s return to television remains uncertain after this announcement.
Cole’s outburst was motivated by the title loss and his desire to express his frustration. He voiced his concern regarding the attack and their safety to Pearce.
Adding another layer to this development, wrestling insider Cory Hays took to X to offer insight into Gunther’s absence. Hays reported, “Gunther requested some time off, which is why he has been suspended indefinitely.”
Gunther’s journey in WWE throughout 2024 and early 2025 has been marked by achievements and a clear evolution in his character’s prominence. In 2024, he etched his name in the history books by becoming the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion, shattering Honky Tonk Man’s long-standing record with an impressive 666-day tenure.
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He would win the King of the Ring tournament, culminating in a decisive win over Randy Orton in the final and earning him a coveted shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. The summer of 2024 saw Gunther reach the pinnacle of WWE, as he defeated the reigning champion to capture the World Heavyweight Title.
Prior to WrestleMania, reports surfaced indicating that Gunther had signed a new, lucrative contract with WWE. This deal included a significant perk typically reserved for the company’s biggest stars: a personal tour bus. There was speculation surrounding a potential dream match between Gunther and WWE legend Goldberg, possibly slated for a WWE event in Saudi Arabia in June 2025.
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