Gunther delivered a powerful performance on Monday Night Raw, asserting his dominance by taking down R-Truth, who was attempting to defend John Cena’s honor. In a hypothetical scenario, one could imagine R-Truth continuing his run as a serious midcard wrestler rather than reverting to a comedic persona after his summer feud with Cena. However, in this match, Truth was the perfect target for Gunther’s onslaught, especially during a time when Raw is in a transitional phase before ramping up promotions for its Netflix anniversary next week.
The crowd’s reaction was palpable, as many WWE fans hold Truth in high regard. Gunther capitalized on this by showcasing his prowess, even mocking Cena’s signature “You can’t see me” taunt before engaging Truth in a flurry of shoulder tackles. Unfortunately for Truth, he quickly found himself on the receiving end of a crushing blow, culminating in a decisive powerbomb and a sleeper hold that led to his submission.
WWE’s strategic choice to feature Gunther in such a forceful manner reverberates well with the audience, as they relished in the spectacle, showering Gunther with boos for his brutality. There’s an underlying hope that WWE will carefully consider how they present future matches, avoiding a similar setup with other characters like Akira Tozawa.
This moment not only highlighted Gunther’s strength but also demonstrated WWE’s ability to effectively utilize its talents without unnecessarily prolonging the match. As the company prepares for the upcoming festivities, fans can remain optimistic about the storyline dynamics unfolding in the weeks to come.