Throughout World Wrestling Entertainment’s rich history, numerous illustrious championships have captivated the hearts of fans globally. The WWE Intercontinental title is one such eminent championship that has acted as a launch pad for many future superstars. Throughout this title’s lifespan, only a handful of individuals have claimed a spot in WWE’s history books by managing to hold onto the Intercontinental Championship for an outstanding duration.
Upon entering the WWE last April, Gunther quickly asserted his dominance over Ricochet to seize the Intercontinental Championship in an episode of WWE Smackdown that was nothing short of electrifying. From that particular night onward, Gunther has held onto the championship with an unparalleled authoritative sway. His title defenses are marked by thrilling clashes against the likes of industry giants such as Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens.
Gunther, in his pursuit to elevate the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship, has made an undeniable impact that extends beyond the belt itself. As the leader of the Imperium team, alongside Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, Gunther’s tenure has considerably uplifted the team’s reputation. This influence is seen in their performances at exclusive live events, such as Clash at the Castle, where Gunther faced Sheamus in a match touted as one of the all-time greatest Intercontinental Title face-offs.
Today, Gunther is on the brink of shattering the Honky Tonk Man’s 1988 record for the longest IC reign. With WWE’s emphasis on lengthier title reigns, GUNTHER seems set to overthrow this record and inscribe his name in wrestling history.
Gunther’s next possible opponent
There have been hints about Gunther’s next opponent. Although it isn’t officially confirmed, it’s expected that the bout between Gunther and Drew McIntyre for the WWE Intercontinental Championship will occur at WWE SummerSlam, in Detroit, Michigan, on August 5.
Responding to McIntyre’s return at WWE Money in the Bank, London, when he challenged the WWE Intercontinental Champion. Following his win over Matt Riddle, this match could materialize.
Despite McIntyre being a formidable competitor in WWE today, with a strong potential of seizing the title at Ford Field, Gunther is enjoying one of the most historic reigns, proving his capacity to retain his title in the face of a powerful adversary.
Assuming Gunther retains his title, rumors suggest that three former WWE Champions might make a comeback to face him directly.
If Gunther manages to retain his championship beyond the post-SummerSlam episode of RAW,l. He will climb to the second spot on the list. Importantly, September 7 is the day he could potentially break Honky Tonk Man’s record of 454 days, which is after the Payback Premium Live Event. Therefore, anticipate several successful title defenses from Gunther throughout the summer.