Gunther’s Best WWE Matches

Gunther has emerged as one of the most dominant WWE superstars of all time, and ever since joining the company his list of incredible matches has only continued to grow. Whether it be in NXT or on the main roster, Gunther has stolen the show on multiple occasions.

Gunther is someone who has had more show-stealers than most, and that is reflected in the ratings of his best matches in the company. TheSportster’s ratings will assess various aspects of his matches to determine which is his very best in WWE. This will also compare ratings to the likes of Cagematch.net and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer.

UPDATE: 2024/04/18 17:30 EST BY ANDREW KELLY

Gunther’s time as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time is finally over, providing fans a good opportunity to take a pause and look back over not just his time with the gold, but over the course of his whole WWE career too, which is full of several very strong matches. In terms of his reign, he lost the gold to Sami Zayn in a match which has found its way easily in and amongst the top matches on this list, making it a necessity to have a refresh on Gunther’s best matches in the promotion thus far. It likely won’t be long until even more matches are added too.

14 Imperium Vs. The Brawling Brutes (WWE Extreme Rules 2022)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.76

Throwing six hard-hitting brawlers into a match with no rules was only going to result in an entertaining and intense clash. It wasn’t the most fluid of matches given the stipulation, and it is true that Imperium were slightly out of place in that sort of environment, but it was still good regardless. The crowd loved seeing these hard-nosed competitors going at it, and the likes of Butch in particular shone in this one. It wasn’t a spot-fest with every moment feeling earned.

13 Imperium Vs. Undisputed Era (WWE Worlds Collide 2020)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.01

There wasn’t a whole load of story going into this one, and that was felt in the match overall, with the focus being more on just in-ring action. The injury to Alexander Wolfe did make things a little awkward, but all those involved on both sides deserve credit for getting the match back on track and still delivering a show-stealer at the World’s Collide event. It did feel a little bit “spot-festy” at times, with a lot of no-selling and extensive sequences, but the crowd absolutely ate it all up which helped for sure.

12 Gunther Vs. Tommaso Ciampa (WWE NXT TakeOver Stand & Deliver 2021)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.75

The lack of a full and real crowd did effect this one, taking it from a potential classic to just another strong showing from both men. This was very physical and brutal, with it feeling like an authentic brawl between two vicious opponents. There were some very unique spots, such as Gunther chopping through the announce table for instance. Ciampa’s loss of a tooth did add to the match too, making it feel more real and the stakes felt high. The result was never really in doubt given that fans knew Ciampa wasn’t going to win the NXT UK Championship, but it was still a good match regardless.

11 Gunther Vs. Ricochet (WWE SmackDown 12/16/2022)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.91

At the start of the match, not many people bought the prospect of Ricochet winning, but as the match dragged on and he pulled out both feats of strength and displayed ridiculous high-flying ability, the near-falls got more believable every time. Gunther was his usual great self, swatting Ricochet away and dominating the smaller man, but it was still a great back and forth throughout. The storytelling wasn’t overly impressive, and the psychology in the match was lacking a bit in terms of selling, but seeing Ricochet try and figure out different ways to get the bigger man down was still entertaining.

10 Ilja Dragunov & Pete Dunne Vs. Gunther & Alexander Wolfe (WWE NXT UK 10/15/2020)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: N/A
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.92

NXT UK has a catalog of brilliant matches that most fans are not privvy too, even during the pandemic era when there was no crowds. This tag team match was one of them, as four of the toughest men on the roster battled it out in a thrilling tag team match. The lack of a crowd helped to elevate the physicality of proceedings, making the fight feel more authentic and brutal. The previous feud between Dunne and Gunther was played into, as well as the existing one between Gunther and Dragunov.

9 Sheamus Vs. Gunther (WWE SmackDown 10/07/2022)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.35

The chemistry between Sheamus and Gunther is undeniable, with an even better example coming later on in this list of the best Gunther matches in WWE. This clash on SmackDown was one of the best TV matches of the entire year in 2022, with these two men putting their all into beating each other to a pulp once again. This had some interference, a dodgy finish, and the constaints of TV, but it still delivered where it needed to, and it added yet another banger to Gunther’s record-breaking reign as Intercontinental Champion.

8 Gunther Vs. Chad Gable (WWE RAW 09/04/2023)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.63

Gunther’s victory here made him the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, and those stakes alone helped elevate this match a great deal. Gunther’s trash talk to Gable’s family brought out great character work on both sides, and it made the whole thing feel very personal.

Gable chopped down the big man and threw everything at him, but ultimately Gunther’s dominance was too much for Gable to handle. TV breaks did hinder the momentum a little for the viewers, but those in the arena were loud for everything in the ring, especially at the closing stretch.

7 Gunther Vs. Ilja Dragunov (WWE NXT TakeOver 36 2021)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.65

This match gets a lot of acclaim, and with the intense physicality and how much the two men beat the hell out of each other, this deserves a lot of respect. There were some minor issues, with a lack of selling at times and an overuse of big moves and massive blows. Either way though, Dragunov’s heart and resilience was on full show, and he had a breakout performance. The lack of a proper crowd due to the pandemic did take something away from this, but the small number still in attendance did their best to make it feel like a big deal still.

6 Gunther Vs. Sami Zayn (WWE WrestleMania 40)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.50

After 666 days, Gunther’s time as the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion came to an end at WrestleMania 40 in a fantastic clash with Sami Zayn. Gunther’s dominance and arrogance was on full show here, and this was countered with a gritty and incensed underdog babyface performance from Zayn – they were perfect opponents for one another for sure. This had stiff strikes, power moves, great sequences, and a thunderous finish as Zayn rallied and manages to pull out his best shots to do the impossible.

5 Gunther Vs. Pete Dunne (WWE NXT TakeOver: New York 2019)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.01

Gunther emerged victorious here, winning the NXT UK Championship for the first time and starting a historic reign. It was a super stiff match in which the formerly dominant Dunne had to work around a much bigger opponent, still implementing his joint manipulation style but having to adapt still. Gunther steadily broke down Dunne, making it harder and harder for him to get back into the contest. Gunther seemed to just absorb everything, not being fazed by the sadistic nature of Dunne’s attacks, and eventually powered through to win a great match.

4 Gunther Vs. Ilja Dragunov (WWE NXT UK 10/29/2020)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.61

This match gets a special crowd rating due to the fact that there were literally zero fans in attendance, but this played into the match and actually elevated it, as you could feel and hear the brutality, sharpness, and impact behind every chop, kick, and more. Gunther and Dragunov had one of the best matches of the pandemic era and it was a true spectacle. Dragunov absored his opponent’s punishment, but in the end he couldn’t overcome his sworn enemy. Their hatred was well felt, and whilst it suffered ever so slightly like their other aforementioned encounter in terms of selling and kickouts, it was still a masterpiece of professional wrestling.

3 Gunther Vs. Sheamus (WWE Clash At The Castle 2022)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.19

It wasn’t an overly flashy match, but the hard-hitting nature of this match stole the show. The opening of the bout was a little bit silly, with both factions brawling around the pair, but from there things just got better and better. They beat the holy hell out of one another, and the blood blisters of Sheamus’ chest displayed how much punishment he was put through. This was all about Sheamus’ fight, but in the end his back gave out and he couldn’t continue fighting. His selling was tremendous, and the crowd responded in a phenomenal way to what they were seeing. This match would win TheSportster’s match of the year in 2022.

2 Gunther Vs. Tyler Bate (WWE NXT TakeOver: Cardiff 2019)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.60

Gunther has perhaps never looked more like a monster than in this match, and it just so happened to the one where his opponent had never looked stronger too. The way Bate rose to Gunther’s level through several waves of intense punishment to deliver power moves and counters was just incredible, and it made both men look sensational. It could be argued that the number of kickouts began to get a little bit too silly, but that was the only negative to this insane battle between two of the best wrestlers in NXT UK history. It felt like an epic, going around 40 minutes, but it never tired or bored fans once.

1 Gunther Vs. Sheamus Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE WrestleMania 39 Sunday 2023)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.39

There has never been a more brutal match in WrestleMania history in terms of simply just flesh on flesh brawling with no weapons involved. Three huge powerhouses went to war here, and it absolutely stole WrestleMania weekend. The conflict between the friends of McIntyre and Sheamus was a nice subplot to their IC Title pursuits, adding more layers to this war. The story wasn’t the main focus with it being more about just stiff shots and big moves, which is the only thing that stops it from being a perfect 10/10 match, but it couldn’t be closer.