Gunther: I’ve Always Been Treated With Respect And Had Freedom To Be Myself In WWE

After becoming one of the top independent wrestlers in the world, Gunther (formerly WALTER) signed with WWE in 2019. 

He was immediately one of the top stars in NXT UK and would go on to become the longest-reigning NXT UK Champion in history. He was moved to NXT, and then SmackDown in 2022, and renamed Gunther. Despite the name change and body transformation, Gunther says he has always been allowed to be himself in WWE. 

“It’s been very good so far,” he told WittyWhittier about his time in WWE. “I signed with the company in 2019 for NXT UK. I can’t complain. It’s been really good. Basically, from the person I’ve been before on the Independents, I’m still myself. I’ve always been treated with respect and always had the freedom to be myself, more or less. That’s the case still, to this day.”

During the pandemic, Gunther was the NXT UK Champion and defended his belt in the empty arena, which he said he enjoyed. 

“I enjoyed those events in the empty arenas. During the time, I was in NXT UK, it was at least a year, maybe more. Our shows happened in an empty building. I liked the atmosphere, it was different. For the style I have, a very physical style in the ring, I think I benefited from it a lot. To be back in an arena with an audience and to have that feeling back is definitely the preferred choice. I’m glad it’s back to normal. We do a lot of live shows and I get to wrestle in front of different people in different cities and countries. I always enjoyed wrestling as a live experience compared to a TV experience. That’s when our sport is in its purest form, at a live event,” he said.

Gunther is the reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion and is coming off a successful title defense against Shinsuke Nakamura.

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