GUNTHER has enjoyed an incredible run on WWE’s main roster. Despite some notable criticism when his name changed after being known as WALTER for so long, the man managed to overcome any potential stall in his career by embarking on a top-level run as Intercontinental Champion.
That run included several high-profile defenses, including two critically-hailed matches at Clash at the Castle in September 2022 and one of the best triple-threat matches in WWE history at WrestleMania 39.
And now, the Austrian has reached yet another milestone as he inches ever closer to becoming the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time.
Earlier today, GUNTHER tweeted a photo of himself smoking a cigar on the balcony of what looks like a fancy resort. The only thing described in the tweet was the number “365”, which marks the one-year anniversary of GUNTHER winning the IC title.
GUNTHER currently in fourth place for longest-ever WWE Intercontinental Championship reign
GUNTHER is about two weeks away from going from the #4 spot to the #3 spot for longest IC title reigns. If he manages to hold the title for the rest of this month, then he’ll surpass Don Muraco’s 384-day title reign.
After that, Gunther would only have to surpass two other wrestlers: “Macho Man” Randy Savage with his 414-day reign and The Honky Tonk Man with his 454-day reign. To achieve the latter, the champ has to hold his title until September 6th.
But if GUNTHER wants to solidify himself as the best IC Champion of all time based on number of days as champion, then he would have to go further still.
There are several wrestlers who have had multiple shorter individual reigns that’ve led to more combined days as champion. GUNTHER, with his one current reign, sits at 365 days. Even if he beats Honky Tonk Man’s sole 454-day reign, he would still have to surpass the following reigns as well:
- Don Muraco, who reigned as champion for 541 days between two reigns;
- The Miz, who reigned as champion for 592 days between eight reigns; and
- Pedro Morales, who reigned as champion for 617 days between two reigns