The Craft Chapter 1: The Rise of Gunther
(2023) Gunther sit-down interview with Evan Mack (Photo: Evan Mack)
How Austria’s latest titan Gunther has risen to prominence in the world of professional wrestling.
In the Zeitgeist of all things cool, where larger-than-life personalities and athleticism collide, there are few stories as captivating as that of WWE’s superstar Gunther. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise, Gunther's journey is a testament to unwavering determination, unparalleled passion, and the power of dreams. Gunther, real name Walter Hahn was born in Vienna, Austria, and fell in love with professional wrestling at an early age. That passion helped him pursue his dream of professional wrestling on the Austrian independent wrestling circuit in 2005. He took his talents to Germany to increase visibility, where he landed in a training facility and in a wrestling promotion called Westside Xtreme Wrestling in 2007. From there he would hone the technical parts of his craft by wrestling not just in Germany but in different parts of the world including Japan. He would carve out his persona for the world to see and “Gunther” was born.
Gunther in his official ring gear. (Image courtesy of the WWE photo archives)
Gunther would take the industry by storm when he signed with WWE in 2020 with the brand NXT UK. NXT UK was WWE’s European wrestling promotion that dedicated itself to showcasing the talent of wrestlers from all over the globe. On September 1st, 2022, NXT UK aired its final episode leaving Gunther with a decision to make. “NXT UK was a good time for me to figure out myself more and it was challenging when the pandemic hit, but on the other hand it opened up new possibilities for me,” says Gunther about his time at NXT UK. The door that opened was an opportunity to showcase his ability across the pond in the United States of America.
Gunther's historic impact culminated with his Intercontinental championship win on June 10th, 2022. This championship has been held by some of the greatest professional wrestlers to ever live. The Intercontinental Championship has long been regarded as a stepping stone to greatness, a proving ground where future legends solidify their place in wrestling lore. Icons such as "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have all graced the Intercontinental Championship throne, leaving an indelible mark on the title's legacy. For Gunther, winning the Intercontinental Championship was more than just a career milestone; it was the culmination of years of relentless dedication and unwavering commitment to his craft. “It’s a very fortunate situation, a very rewarding situation as well. Championships in wrestling whenever I was fortunate enough to be in that position was very important for me to add prestige to it in my kind of way”, says Gunther.
Inglewood, CA (2023) Gunther walks to the ring at WrestleMania 39 (Image courtesy of the WWE photo archives)
Gunther’s fortunate situation is solidified with his continued reign at the top of the WWE mountaintop with a 372-day reign making it the longest Intercontinental title reign in the modern era of the WWE. When asked about the challenges of getting in shape, Gunther humbly shared, "It wasn't that hard for me, to be honest. It was a bit easier for me in the States than it was with the food back home." While his motivation to stay away from American cuisine played a role in his transformation, it is undeniable that his commitment to his craft and unwavering focus on his physical well-being have propelled him to the pinnacle of success. Gunther's impressive reign atop the WWE food chain symbolizes his undeniable impact on the industry. As he continues to raise the bar and solidify his legacy, there is no doubt that Gunther's name will forever be etched in the annals of professional wrestling lore, standing as a shining example of what can be achieved through passion, determination, and the unyielding pursuit of greatness.
