In the electric atmosphere of Detroit’s Ford Field, SummerSlam was set alight with a feud that had been brewing for the past month. Gunther, WWE’s reigning Intercontinental Champion, squared off against the formidable Drew McIntyre. A storyline as rich as the imposing physicality these two men possessed, their showdown at SummerSlam didn’t fail to deliver.
It was a match that promised physicality and it did not disappoint. Two men, each with their own vendetta and legacy, collided with a force that echoed the intensity of their previous face-off at WrestleMania 39. The chops, the slams, the dropkicks – each move was a story in itself. And amidst the fiery action, the Claymore by McIntyre had the audience at the edge of their seats, hoping for a change in the title reign. However, Gunther’s resilience saw him kick out, shifting the momentum in his favor with a succession of splash, lariat, and the final powerbomb that sealed the deal for the “Ring General.
Gunther’s journey to this monumental night began over 400 days ago. Since winning the Intercontinental title belt last June, he has remained an unyielding force. Drew McIntyre might have been absent from WWE’s programming for the better part of the year, but upon his return, he made it clear that the title was in his crosshairs. Teaming up with Matt Riddle, they took on Gunther’s cohorts from Imperium, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, in battles that built the anticipation for SummerSlam.
Yet, the respect between the two European titans is clear as day. Despite their in-ring rivalry, McIntyre’s appreciation for Gunther’s talent and his commitment to elevating the Intercontinental Title shines through. However, while both are mutually respectful of each other outside the ring, the goal is clear for Gunther: to not only retain but inch closer to a record that would solidify his place in the annals of WWE history.
After his SummerSlam victory, Gunther is on track to shatter The Honky Tonk Man’s record of 453 consecutive days as IC champion.
Gunther, in his pursuit of breaking records, has elevated not just himself but the title and everyone in its wake. His win against McIntyre brings him closer to rewriting history, a feat that’s now tantalizingly within arm’s reach.
With his IC title reign unbroken, “The Ring General” sits atop his throne with an air of invincibility. But WWE fans will be the first to tell you that it’s a mistake to get comfortable. For in this world, challenges lurk at every corner, and the path to immortality is littered with trials.
Gunther might stand tall right now, with the weight of the Intercontinental Title and the hopes of making history firmly on his shoulders, but he can lose is just as easily at the next moment.
The only question now is, when? If the WWE wants to update its history books, we won’t see Gunther drop his title belt until anywhere between October and December. By then, he’ll be the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion ever. Of course, the WWE won’t just let another champion reign without defending his belt just like that, so we’re curious to see who’s going to contend next.
There’s a huge chance that McIntyre will want to get a rematch if not two to make it a trilogy, but wouldn’t it be nice if someone like Brock Lesnar threw his literal cowboy hat into the ring?
Regardless of what the WWE is planning for Gunther, we know better by now to give Triple H’s creative team the benefit of the doubt.
