Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

19 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

20 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

2 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

2 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

2 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

2 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

2 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

2 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

2 days ago
The Sacrifice of Being Record-Breaking WWE Superstar Gunther
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 1 year ago on
February 17, 2024

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The WWE returns to the Save Mart Center in Fresno on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Record-breaking IC champ Gunther defends the title against Chad Gable.

Gunther talks about the sacrifice to be a WWE superstar.


The life of a pro wrestling icon means sacrifice.

A WWE star can be on the road most of the week, traveling coast-to-coast and internationally, all while keeping up with training and avoiding injuries.

For Intercontinental champion Gunther, a career training in Europe is finally paying off. Although the wrestling world talks about Roman Reign’s WWE world title reign  —  more than 1,200 days and counting — it is Gunther who has the longevity record.

When Gunther defends the Intercontinental belt in Fresno on Sunday, it will be his record 618th day as champion. The reign long eclipsed the Honky Tonk Man’s 453-day run from 1987 to 1988.

“That’s a great accomplishment. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. But as of right now, I’m still a champion, and I need to be focused on that. And I think once it’s all said and done, I can fully enjoy it,” Gunther said in an interview with Off the Bottom Rope.

The WWE returns to Fresno on Sunday evening at the Save Mart Center, opening bell at 7 p.m. Gunther defends in the semi-main event against Chad Gable.

Gunther, an Austrian native, guarantees the best match of the night.

“Every time I get in the ring with Chad, it’s a very special occasion. He’s a former Olympian (competing as Chad Betts), maybe one of the best athletes,” Gunther said. “It’s hard to catch up with him when it comes to speed and pace, and it’s always a challenge.”

Gunther finds time for workouts and brings his own food, while traveling on the road with his in-ring partner Ludvig Kaiser.

The main event in Fresno is Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a street fight.

Gunther wrestles in Fresno this Sunday. (WWE)

Watch Interview with Gunther

Life on the Road

The life of a WWE wrestler means being in a different city each night.

Gunther will leave his U.S.-based home in Orlando on Saturday morning to hit the road.

Saturday, the crew is in Oakland for a live show, before hitting Fresno, then a live “Monday Night Raw” in Anaheim on the USA Network. The crew heads next weekend for a “premier live event” (the fancy new term for pay-per-view) in Perth, Australia.

“We fly over and then arrive, go to the gym, go to the venue, do my match, and then get in the car again. And then we’re actually going to drive to Fresno and stay in a hotel there, and then wake up in the morning and repeat. That’s basically what it is. It’s a very tight schedule. But it’s the life of a wrestler. And that’s what I always wanted to do,” Gunther said.

Gunther recently became a father to a baby boy in December with his wife — former wrestler Jinny Sandhu. He said it is tough to be away from his family.

“That is the downside. And it’s just the price to pay, a little bit. But it’s also the things like my wife, Jinny, she used to wrestle before, so she knows the business. And I got a great backup there. And it’s always hard leaving a little one behind because I don’t want to miss anything. But on the other hand, I’m out there providing a great life for my family and, to sacrifice that you do now and then, the idea is that later on, you can live a life that nobody is able to live after you put the work in,” Gunther said.

Gunther on His Style

Gunther is known as “The Ring General,” with more of a ground-and-pound offense.

“It’s very down to earth, I would say, and very logical and very efficient,” Gunther said of his ring style. “I was never worried about what could I do to that is spectacular.”

While his style is mostly ground-based, Gunther will utilize a top-rope splash but will leave his feet for little else.

“I’m using a big splash off the top rope because I think it makes sense for me and I’m a heavy guy. But besides from that, I just always focused on doing the stuff that’s efficient and makes sense for me,” Gunther said.

Chops are a big part of a Gunther match. His chest and that of his opponent will quickly turn red, then black and blue. Gunther humbly said he has the best chops in wrestling, but credited Dominik Mysterio for throwing a tough chop as well.

Injuries are inevitable in a sport like wrestling. Gunther has torn his meniscus in the past. His pre-match routine includes plenty of calisthenics.

“I always used a lot of bodyweight movements, like regular pushups or body bodyweight squats, different pushup variations and stuff like that stretch your body as well. That keeps your body mobile. That’s something I but I trained in Japan early in my career,” Gunther said.

Gunther is the leader of the Imperium faction, which includes Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. The European trio storms to the ring with a no-nonsense style. But, Gunther rejects the notion there is a Cold War tinge to the heel group.

“When Kaiser and I started the character I have now, is the same I did back in Germany. It was more influenced by those old-school wrestlers back in Germany during tournament times,” Gunther said.

Gunther honed his skills in Germany and England before joining WWE in 2022. He remembers the days when a Vienna promoter limited ring wear to black trunks and black boots.

“Especially in a time where everybody tries to be flashy, tries to stand out with their outfits as with their in-ring style. I always thought it is a breath of fresh air to be the opposite,” Gunther said.

One of the rare moves Gunther performs off the top rope — a body splash. (WWE)

A WrestleMania Dream Deferred

WrestleMania XL is around the corner — April 6 and 7 in Philadelphia. WWE has not announced an opponent for Gunther yet, although recent TV storylines indicate it could be Jey Uso.

“People want to challenge me for the championship. And that’s just the mindset I have when it comes to that right now. I’m not really stressed about who am I going to face at WrestleMania,” Gunther said.

But, his WrestleMania dream match may never come to fruition.

“I always was vocal about my dream match in the past, but that fell through now. I don’t know if we’ll see Brock again if that’s ever going to happen. But I’m wide open when it comes to that as of now,” Gunther said.

That is Brock, as in Brock Lesnar, multiple-time WWE champ, ring dominator, and a major draw. However, Lesnar was indirectly implicated in a recent bombshell sexual harassment lawsuit against now-former WWE chairman Vince McMahon. The WWE swiftly cut ties with McMahon and Lesnar.

A Note About Reigns Reign

Technically, Reigns’ reign as WWE Universal champion — one of three “world” titles recognized by WWE — began in 2020. He is a dual champion, holding the WWE Championship — with a lineage dating to 1963 — since 2022. Seth Rollins is the other “world” title holder, awarded the newly-established World Heavyweight title last year.

A report earlier this week from WrestleTix indicated a near sellout of 7,300 tickets distributed (out of 8,182). The last trip to Fresno on Sept. 24, 2023, at the Save Mart Center, drew a reported 8,200 fans.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

DON'T MISS

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

UP NEXT

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

UP NEXT

There Are Fresno Area Fireworks Shows Galore Through Sunday

UP NEXT

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

UP NEXT

The Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Story: From Recording Studio to Criminal Trial

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Convicted on Prostitution Counts, but Cleared of More Serious Charges

UP NEXT

Jury Reaches Verdict on Some Counts at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

UP NEXT

The Chainsmokers to Headline Dog Daze Festival at Chukchansi Park

UP NEXT

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

UP NEXT

Jury in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial to Start Deliberating

UP NEXT

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

19 hours ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

19 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

19 hours ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

19 hours ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

19 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

19 hours ago

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

19 hours ago

Boxer Chavez Jr Expected to Be Deported to Mexico to Serve Sentence, Mexican President Says

19 hours ago

Markets’ 90-Day Tariff Pause Rollercoaster Nears an Uncertain End

19 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

20 hours ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign a massive package of tax and spending cuts into law at a ceremony at the White House on Friday, ...

18 hours ago

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
18 hours ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

The Madre Fire burning near New Cuyama has scorched 70,801 acres as of Friday, July 4, 2025, afternoon, making it California’s largest wildfire of the year, with only 10% containment and multiple evacuation zones in place. (CalFire)
18 hours ago

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

18 hours ago

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

A pumpjack operates at the Vermilion Energy site in Trigueres, France, June 14, 2024. (Reuters File)
19 hours ago

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters File)
19 hours ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

Billy Wayne Sinisgalli, a 54-year-old transient known locally as Wayne, was found dead along a rural Fresno road Wednesday in what authorities are investigating as a suspicious death. (Fresno County SO)
19 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

Israel Builds a Fence Around the West Bank
19 hours ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

A view of the site of Thursday's Israeli strike that damaged and destroyed residential buildings, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp, in Gaza City, July 4, 2025. (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa)
19 hours ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend