Following his victory over John Cena by submission at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025, “The Career Killer” GUNTHER also defeated AJ Styles with the same move at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Although GUNTHER did not feature prominently afterward—since Oba Femi faced Brock Lesnar in Lesnar’s retirement bout—he has recently re-entered the spotlight by competing for the Undisputed WWE Championship on WWE SmackDown.
On “Busted Open Radio,” John Cena addressed fans’ concerns that WWE might be mishandling GUNTHER’s momentum after his significant SNME win. Cena explained that while he supported elevating the “Ring General,” the company’s decisions about his future rested with WWE management. He acknowledged that some feel GUNTHER is being “wasted” but noted he isn’t involved in the behind-the-scenes planning. Cena emphasized his focus on performing well and helping GUNTHER shine as much as possible, leaving WWE to decide how to advance the star’s career.
Additionally, Cena defended the conclusion of their SNME match—where he, famously urging fans to “never give up,” ultimately tapped out—calling it a fitting way to close his character’s chapter. He highlighted that the match remains a significant talking point to this day.
If quoting from this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” and acknowledge Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: This update is significant because GUNTHER’s trajectory could reshape WWE’s landscape, providing fresh rivalries and compelling storylines for fans craving new top-tier talent. How WWE handles his push might signal whether they’re ready to invest in building future main event stars or risk losing momentum that today’s wrestling audience eagerly follows.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
