After dispatching Goldberg and John Cena in their retirement matches, GUNTHER recently added the “Phenomenal” AJ Styles to his list of victims at the 2026 Royal Rumble. The victory over Styles was definitive, as the leader of Imperium used a sleeper hold to render the veteran unconscious, leading to an emotional scene where Styles teased leaving his gloves in the ring before ultimately deciding to keep his future options available for his family.
The Rise of the Career Killer in WWE
GUNTHER recently appeared on The Morning Shift to discuss his success and the mindset required to maintain his position at the top of the mountain. During the conversation, the hosts asked the former world champion which legendary career he planned on killing next. GUNTHER turned the question back on the interviewers, asking who they believed would be a logical next opponent for his destructive path. When the hosts suggested that Brock Lesnar would be the ultimate challenge for the “Career Killer,” the champion did not shy away from the possibility.
“That’s a good one, right? We’ll see. I think there are a bunch of examples of people who overstay their welcome, who just hang on a little bit too much, who chase one moment too much. It seems like there is a big amount of people to choose from,” GUNTHER stated. His comments suggest a lack of respect for the veterans who continue to occupy spots on the main roster, a sentiment that has defined his heel persona since he arrived on the blue brand and later moved to Monday nights. The potential for a clash with Lesnar has been a topic of discussion among WWE fans since their brief but electric face-off at the 2023 Royal Rumble, an interaction that remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent history.
Brock Lesnar has been absent from WWE programming for several months, with his last appearance being at the Royal Rumble. However, the wait for his return is nearly over, as Lesnar is officially set to appear on tonight’s episode of WWE Raw from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This return comes at a critical time as the company prepares for the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event this Saturday in Chicago. With GUNTHER continuing to taunt the legends of the past, the arrival of the “Beast” could provide the first steps toward an encounter at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit The Morning Shift with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can listen to more reporting on The Morning Shift podcast here
