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WWE superstar GUNTHER has brushed off one of the year’s most controversial match endings and insisted it was actually for the best.
Before becoming World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam, the Ring General beat Randy Orton in the King of the Ring final, but fans were furious as the Viper’s shoulders weren’t on the mat despite the referee counting to three.
Reflecting on the unfortunate botch months later, he exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘I was very good with it, because referee’s mistakes happens, and it happens in every sport. It’s part of it.
‘It fuels the involvement in what we do, because it’s frustrating for the competitors. It’s frustrating for the fans, because they think they were about to see something else, or something else should have been the end of this match.
‘And I think without, without that happening, the match [at Bash In Berlin] wouldn’t have happened and would not have meant that much.’
The stars aligned for the Austrian bruiser, who ended up facing – and beating – Orton in a rematch for the world title in front of an electric crowd in Germany, where he built his reputation as one of the best in the world.
‘I have the utmost respect for Randy,’ he said, hailing him ‘one of the greatest to ever do it. ‘To be in the ring with him on an eye level, and, yeah, put a great professional wrestling match on in that setting, it was a special night.’
It was a monumental night, as GUNTHER headlined WWE’s first ever premium live event in Germany in front of what was effectively a hometown crowd, and stood tall over one of WWE’s most iconic names.
‘We actually rented out one of the one of the finest places in Berlin,’ he said of his celebrations after the show. ‘We know a guy that knows the owner, and we had friends, family invited, and we had a great night!’
Although the 37-year-old wrestler and Imperium leader was able to bask in the moment, he insisted anything less ‘would have been a letdown’.
‘We’re just getting started,’ he teased. ‘The whole European expansion, it’s not the last of it we’ve seen, I think there’s more to come. I’m excited and I’m happy that I was able to position myself as one of the front runners of representing the company in that respect.’
It was the culmination of years of work – both personally and professionally – and although some aspects of his presentation changed like his still-intimidating physique, he’s stayed true to his ideals as a wrestler.
He has a clear idea of how the sport should be presented, but he’d still be open to tangling with the likes of the horror-influenced Wyatt Sicks if need be.
‘I have the confidence to say that I will thrive in every scenario that the company could put me in,’ he proudly said.
‘I think especially when I think some of the some of the best matches I had, or some of the best promos I had were with people that are the complete opposite of me.
‘And I think that’s what makes professional wrestling exciting is that we have distinct characters that are different, and when they collide, and often it’s the further apart they are, the better the contrast is, and the more exciting it is for the audience.’
Currently, GUNTHER can be seen on screen ducking ‘annoying’ Sami Zayn’s demands for a world title match after the underdog ended his record Intercontinental Championship run at WrestleMania 40 in April.
While he remained in character and insisted Sami isn’t on his level, he wouldn’t be drawn on who he’d like to see step up as his next challenger.
‘Whenever somebody gets in a ring with me, they’re gonna shine on a different level than they do usually,’ he added. ‘I’m not really concerned too much with who’s gonna be there next, or this and that. I think it’s on everybody else to chase me.’
That said, he’s intrigued to find out who he’ll be facing in Manchester when WWE rolls into Co-Op Live on October 16, having originally been booked against Jey Uso because the latter won the IC Title.
GUNTHER teased: ‘I’m excited to to see who my opponent is going to be in Manchester. I’m always very excited to come to England, at the end of the day. I’ve had many great moments there, and I think the fans are very special.’
Tickets for WWE Live in Manchester on Wednesday, October 16th, are available now from Ticketmaster.co.uk.
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