On the latest episode of Sportskeeda WrestleBinge’s The Wrestling Time Machine, hosts Mac Davis, WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long, and legendary journalist Bill Apter engaged in a discussion about the standout performers of 2025 in professional wrestling. Mac Davis posed the question, asking his co-hosts to name the best wrestler, male or female, across all organizations for the year.
Bill Apter was the first to respond, expressing difficulty in selecting just one individual who consistently dominated the entire year. He noted that Pro Wrestling Illustrated had named Cody Rhodes number one in their PWI 500 list, acknowledging Rhodes has “been great all year,” but Apter felt it used to be easier to identify a singular top performer. “It used to be so easy to pick that one person, and I’m actually finding it very hard finding that one person that all year has been totally consistent,” Apter stated.
Teddy Long, however, did not hesitate with his selections. “For the girl in my in my view, I think Jade Cargill,” Long stated, before naming his choice for the best male wrestler: “and for the guy, I would have to go with Gunther,” he declared.
Mac Davis quickly agreed with Long’s assessment of Gunther, elaborating on why the WWE World Heavyweight Champion stands out. “I will say this when it comes to the performers… I do find Gunther… legit,” Davis said. “I believe, when I see him, that he can hurt somebody. He has that Brock Lesnar kind of feel when he shows up… I think when it comes to if there’s somebody I can count on to always be that wrestler that we need, Gunther was probably the guy”.
Bill Apter interjected, noting Gunther’s schedule. “He hasn’t been around the whole year,” Apter pointed out. Long suggested that perhaps Gunther’s selective appearances enhance his impact: “Maybe that’s why it works better,” Long countered.
Long emphasized the key quality that makes Gunther effective, something he learned from Vince McMahon. “The thing about Gunther… Gunther is believable,” Long stated firmly. “Okay, when you see him come out, come out of that curtain, or wherever, you know that he is going down to fight”.
Davis expanded on Gunther’s presentation, highlighting his physique as part of his realistic appeal. “He’s not the biggest muscled up guy on the roster either, he just looks real. He’s believable,” Davis observed. “He reminds me, in a roundabout way, kind of like a Harley Race. I always thought of Harley as a semi truck driver who just happened to pull up… walked in, kicked somebody’s ass, drank a beer, got back in the truck and drove off. And that’s how I see Gunther”.
Bill Apter took issue with the comparison to the legendary NWA World Champion Harley Race, focusing on the in-ring aspect. “I see Gunther trying to be a professional wrestler, going in and out, getting his opponents in and out of holes,” Apter said. “I don’t see him in any relation with Harley. That’s my opinion”.
Teddy Long clarified the intended comparison, aligning with Davis’s point about authenticity. “Harley was legit,” Long stated. “And that’s the way Gunther is. He’s, you know, that’s a reminder. That’s what I think Mac is trying to say. He’s legit. Yeah, you can feel him. You already… you’re waiting to see this guy”.
Earlier in the episode, the hosts also discussed recent news surrounding former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. Mac Davis brought up McMahon’s new hairstyle, featuring jet-black hair with a white streak, which prompted Davis to compare him to the cartoon character Pepe Le Pew. “He looks like… the tail of the skunk,” Davis joked. Teddy Long reacted with amusement, calling McMahon a “genius” and remarking, “It’s called repackage”.
They also touched upon the reported resolution of McMahon’s reckless driving case, with TMZ reporting that charges could be dropped if McMahon avoids trouble for a year and donates $1,000 to charity. The hosts humorously offered to help McMahon with the donation, with Long suggesting he could lend “a couple of 100 bucks”.
The conversation underscored Gunther’s impact in 2025, with both Long and Davis emphasizing his believability and legitimate aura as key factors contributing to his status as one of the year’s top performers, even amidst differing opinions on historical comparisons.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Sportskeeda WrestleBinge with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can find The Wrestling Time Machine on Sportskeeda.
