WWE Has Reportedly Decided on Gunther's Next Opponent

The landscape of WWE RAW was redefined during the June 9 broadcast, as Gunther defeated Jey Uso to reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship. In a decisive rematch from their WrestleMania 41 encounter, “The Ring General” capitalized on Uso’s previously injured midsection, securing a victory via technical submission with a sleeper hold that rendered the champion unconscious. The title change, which left the live audience in stunned silence, marks the beginning of Gunther’s second reign with the championship.

His victory re-establishes one of the most dominant competitors in recent WWE history at the top of the card. Gunther’s first World Heavyweight Championship run began at SummerSlam 2024 and lasted 259 days before he was defeated by Uso on April 19, 2025. This adds to a decorated career that includes a record-setting 666-day reign as the Intercontinental Champion and a victory in the 2024 King of the Ring tournament.

With the title once again in his possession, speculation has immediately turned toward his next challenger. According to a recent report, Gunther’s first new opponent could be a legendary figure in the industry.

Goldberg Emerges as Potential Next Challenger

During a Sportskeeda WrestleBinge WrestleVotes Q&A session, it was claimed that former World Champion Goldberg is the likely candidate for Gunther’s first major title defense. The discussion pointed towards a previously planned direction that is expected to resume now that Gunther is champion again.

The first new challenger I’d imagine is Goldberg. I mean, that’s where we were going before he won the title last night, I don’t think it’s changed. So, the date on the calendar is July 12th. Jey could have that rematch there [Saudi Arabia] if he’s on the card, but as far as new challengers go, we’re about a month away from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that’s supposedly the target for him and Goldberg.

This potential matchup carries significant weight, as Goldberg announced last year that his final WWE match would occur in 2025. The two previously had a tense confrontation at Bad Blood in 2024, adding historical context to the rumored bout. A collision between the two could create a high-stakes scenario, potentially evolving into a title vs. career match.