Skip to main content
Inside The Ropes
  • News

    WWE News

    AEW logo for their Dynamite TV show

    AEW News

    IMPACT Wrestling logo

    IMPACT News

    New Japan Pro Wrestling

    NJPW News

  • Features
    Poster for WWE Royal Rumble ft Roman Reigns

    WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Predictions

    NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

    NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 Predictions

    WWE Superstars With The Most Wins In 2022

    WWE Superstars With The Most Wins In 2022

    Breakout WWE Superstars In 2022

    Top 10 Breakout WWE Superstars In 2022

  • Interviews
    20 Questions Deonna Purrazzo FI

    20 Questions With Deonna Purrazzo

    Rick Boogs

    Interview With Rick Boogs

    JONAH

    Interview With JONAH

    Rosemary Interview

    Interview With Rosemary

  • Podcasts
    What’s Going Down #99 – Austin Theory, Bray Wyatt & Tyrus

    Listen
    What’s Going Down #98 – SmackDown Main Event, Crown Jewel & More

    Listen
    Jeff Jarrett stands in-ring on AEW Dynamite 2022

    Listen
    Power Slam Podcast #264 – Steve Austin Comeback, Full Gear Preview & More

    Listen
  • Quizzes
    Play Word Rumble

    Play Word Rumble

    WWE logo

    Can You Name Every WWE Pay-per-view?

    WWE Survivor Series sole survivors quiz

    Can You Name All The WWE Survivor Series Sole Survivors?

    WWE Smackdown logo

    Can You Name Every Wrestler That Competed On The First SmackDown?

  • Live Tours
  • Shop
    Magazine
    Clothing
    Accessories
    Collectibles
  • Trending
  • Follow us:
    • Facebook Facebook
    • Twitter Twitter
    • Instagram Instagram
  • Watch us on YouTube:
    • YouTube YouTube
  • Subscribe to the Magazine
  • Play Word Rumble
WWE News

WALTER Seemingly Has New Name In NXT Tied To Controversial Trademark Filing

By Sondra Ruth. Published 19th January 2022.
WALTER

Following news of WWE filing a trademark for a controversial name with WWII ties, WALTER seemingly declared he has a new name upon his arrival in NXT 2.0.

After years of dominance in NXT UK since joining the brand in NXT UK, former NXT UK Champion WALTER announced that he was exiting the brand earlier this month. The former champion is a record-holder as by the time that Ilja Dragunov handed WALTER his first ever loss in NXT on August 22nd at NXT TakeOver: 36, the giant Austrian had reigned over NXT UK for an incredible 870 days.

On the January 18th episode of NXT 2.0, WALTER made his way to the former black and gold brand to take on Roderick Strong, a match that came about after the Austrian leader of Imperium got into a confrontation with Diamond Mine manager Malcolm Bivens and shoved him against a set of lockers.

EXCLUSIVE: @WalterAUT got into a backstage altercation with @Malcolmvelli and we have the footage for you right now!@roderickstrong#WWENXTpic.twitter.com/XtwK5Cs9a2

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 16, 2022

The match was every bit as hard hitting as one might expect, with brutal chops being exchanged in addition to incredible power moves from the Austrian to counteract Roderick Strong’s technical proficiency. In the end, WALTER was victorious after a vicious powerbomb to Strong, pinning him in the middle of the ring.

After the match, the former NXT UK standout, who is more known for his in-ring power than his promo skills, surprisingly asked for a microphone and made a declaration, stating “The winner of this match is Gunther!” before slamming the microphone down and defending himself against an attack from the members of Diamond Mine. His Imperium stablemates came to his aid.

The ring isn't big enough to hold a brawl of this magnitude!! #Imperium#DiamondMine#WWENXT@WalterAUT@Marcel_B_WWE@FabianAichner@roderickstrong@JuliusCreedWWE@BrutusCreedwwepic.twitter.com/FLEQUtLsY5

— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2022

The declaration of the star’s new name comes after news emerged that WWE had filed a trademark for the name Gunther Stark for the category of entertainment services. While trademark filings are standard fair in the WWE, this particular name sparked controversy as Gunther Stark is the name of a U-Boat commander who served in World War II in the Kriegsmarine, the navy of Nazi Germany.

It should be noted that only the name Gunther was used on NXT 2.0 and not Gunther Stark, so it looks like WWE may be opting to use only the first name after learning of the controversial ties associated with the name in full.

As of this writing, WALTER’s name has not been announced by WWE or changed on their roster pages. It’s unclear at this time why WWE would choose to rebrand WALTER after he’s built such a legacy for himself under their umbrella of brands, but Inside the Ropes will continue to report as more information becomes available.

  • Facebook
    Share
  • Twitter
    Tweet
  • WhatsApp
    Send
  • Share

Popular Stories

  1. John Cena’s WrestleMania Opponent “Locked In”
  2. Rumours Surrounding Major Brock Lesnar Match At WrestleMania 39 “False”
  3. WWE Not Married To The Idea Of Cody Rhodes Main Eventing WrestleMania
  4. Ronda Rousey Set For Championship Match At WrestleMania 39
  5. Ric Flair Confirms Liv Morgan’s Relationship With Fellow WWE Star
  6. Vince McMahon Facing Another Lawsuit Connected To “Horrifying Allegations” Following WWE Return
  7. Vince McMahon Phoned Bryan Danielson With A Surprising Question About AEW
  8. Seth Rollins Lays Into Top WWE Star – “He’s A Selfish S.O.B”
  9. Shawn Michaels On Mandy Rose’s WWE Exit – “I Didn’t Fire Her”
  10. Drew McIntyre Heading For Huge WrestleMania Title Match
Inside The Ropes
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
  • Write For Us
  • Facebook Facebook
  • Twitter Twitter
  • Instagram Instagram
  • YouTube YouTube
© 2023 ITR Digital Media Limited. Read about our privacy policy.