Less than a year ago, Gunther looked all but untouchable in WWE. He retired Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles, building a reputation as a true career killer.
The problem is that much of that prestige is gone. Gunther came up short in key opportunities against Cody Rhodes, failed to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions and left SummerSlam without a win. Most recently, CM Punk pinned him in a Money in the Bank qualifier.
5 – End the Danhausen Feud Quickly
Booking Gunther in segments built around Danhausen’s curse may be entertaining, but it does not help his current standing. After losing ground among SmackDown’s top stars, Gunther needs to feel dangerous again. Even recent analysis has pointed to his slide in stature over the summer.
4 – Build a New Winning Streak
Gunther does not need a title right away. He needs to start winning again. A six- or eight-week stretch of wins over established names, with no interference and mostly by submission, would bring back some of the aura that defined his historic Intercontinental Championship reign.
3 – Beat CM Punk in a Singles Match
Punk just pinned Gunther to earn a spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, though only after Finn Bálor hit Gunther with a Coup de Grace. A singles rematch would give WWE a simple way to rebuild Gunther. Beating Punk clean would be worth far more than several wins over midcard names.
2 – Book Gunther Against Oba Femi
Few matchups could get Gunther back on track as quickly as a war with Oba Femi. Femi beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, while Gunther built his reputation by dismantling veterans. The match would pit two of WWE’s most physically dominant stars against each other.
1 – Dethrone Sami Zayn
This is the strongest option. Sami Zayn captured the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time at Night of Champions in a Triple Threat Match against Cody Rhodes and Gunther, but he won by pinning Rhodes.
Gunther never took the fall that night. Now that Zayn is champion again, the story is all but in place. The Wrestling Observer has even listed Gunther among the possible challengers being set up for Zayn.
If WWE is serious about fully rebuilding Gunther, putting him back on top would be the fastest way to do it.