Gunther's comeback should pack a punch, not a yawn
The tournament to determine John Cena's final opponent continues tonight on Raw, with the favorite to win stepping back into the ring. Gunther, the man who became Raw's final boss and had children in tears on some nights, is returning to WWE after a long absence. Yet, his comeback has drawn surprisingly little fanfare and even less hype, which is a missed opportunity given his dominance in the ring.
Since joining WWE's main roster in 2022, Gunther has been a force to be reckoned with. He's a heel through and through, with a record-breaking Intercontinental Championship reign and a second-longest World Heavyweight Championship run in history. His victories have been clean and decisive over the likes of Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, and Goldberg. The match against CM Punk, in particular, showcased the brutality and fearsome peak form that Gunther can achieve.
So, why does his return feel so muted? There's no video package, no reminders of his dominance, just a passing announcement that he'll face Je'Von Evans. As the first round of the John Cena 'Last Time is Now Tournament' concludes, the second mysterious entrant makes their appearance tonight. Last week, it was Zack Ryder, a.k.a. Matt Cardona.
Perhaps for effect, Gunther should have been a mystery opponent against Evans. Having Evans enter the ring first and then watching his eyes bulge in disbelief as the opening chords of Gunther's theme hit would have sold the fact that WWE's most punishing star was back. Followed by a short, uncomfortable squash match, WWE could have sent a powerful message to fans: Gunther is back, and that means bad news for everyone, including Cena.
However, WWE can still achieve this by booking Gunther to run through Evans like a bus running over a stray soda can in the middle of the street. But execution matters, and presentation shapes perception. When a figure as dominant as Gunther returns, the audience should feel it before the bell rings.
Regardless, the baddest man in WWE is back. And since WWE didn't make that clear before, hopefully, this tournament will.
