WWE had initially planned for Brock Lesnar to face GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40. However, this match did not take place because Lesnar was involved, though not explicitly named, in Janel Grant’s significant lawsuit. Despite this, GUNTHER is still very much interested in a future match against the Beast Incarnate, stating he is “more than up” for the challenge.
GUNTHER has always viewed Lesnar as an ideal opponent. Plans for their match at WrestleMania 40 were in place until Lesnar’s name surfaced, albeit indirectly, in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis. Currently, it remains uncertain when or if Lesnar will return to WWE.
During an interview with the Daily Mail, GUNTHER addressed the speculation about his match with Lesnar at WrestleMania 40. He mentioned he is unaware of Lesnar’s present situation with WWE but is keen to face him if the opportunity arises:
“Of course, I heard something about it [rumors he was going to face Lesnar at WrestleMania 40]. I always saw Brock as my final boss. I always get portrayed as that, as the NXT UK Champion, the Intercontinental Champion, I was like the final boss of that division. And Brock, for a long time, was the final boss of the whole company. So I always saw myself in my future to be in a similar position to him, and to be that you’ve got to get in the ring with that guy.
We’ll see if there’s a chance for it to happen again. I’m more than up for it. How the situation is exactly right now, I’m really not that informed about it, to be honest. I think we had that one face-off in the Royal Rumble, the reaction that was there and that was a confirmation for me.”
At the 2023 Royal Rumble, GUNTHER and Lesnar had a memorable face-off. This remains their only in-ring encounter to date.
Instead of Lesnar, Sami Zayn became GUNTHER’s opponent at WrestleMania 40. Zayn defeated GUNTHER, ending his impressive 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion.
GUNTHER is currently competing in the 2024 King of the Ring tournament and is set to face Jey Uso in a semifinal match on WWE Raw this coming Monday.
Following WrestleMania 40, during a post-show press conference, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was questioned about Lesnar’s status with WWE. Levesque clarified that Lesnar’s status “is the same as it’s been before.”
“Right now, Brock is home being Brock,” Levesque said. “And we’ll see where that leads to from here. His status is the same as it’s been before. Brock is not gone from WWE, he’s just home being Brock.”
We will have to see what is in the cards. Lesnar would have to come back to the fold first. Triple H said that Lesnar is not 100% gone, but he is not being used. This could be an earth-shattering matchup if and when it gets booked.
