Gunther
Lists:
Top 10 Wrestlers of 2025 (So Far)
The Best Finishing Moves in Wrestling History
The Best Wrestling Champion In History
Real Name: Walter Hahn
Ring Name(s): GUNTHER (WWE), WALTER (formerly in NXT UK/Indies)
Date of Birth: August 20, 1987
Place of Birth: Vienna, Austria
Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight: 250 lbs (113 kg)
Billed From: Vienna, Austria
Debut: 2005 (European independent circuit)
Current Promotion: WWE (Raw brand)
Finishing Move(s): Powerbomb, Lariat, The Last Symphony
Career Highlights
| Title/Accolade | Notes |
|---|---|
| WWE Intercontinental Champion | Longest-reigning IC Champion in WWE history (2022–2024, 666 days) |
| NXT UK Champion | 1x, held the title for 870 days (longest reign in modern WWE history) |
| WWE Royal Rumble (Finalist) | 2023 – Entered #1, lasted over 70 minutes (record at the time) |
| PROGRESS, PWG, WXW World Champion | Top star on the European & American indie circuits |
| Wrestling Observer Awards | 5★ matches, Best Brawler, Feud of the Year nominations |
Career Overview
GUNTHER (formerly known as WALTER) is a dominant Austrian professional wrestler renowned for his stiff in-ring style, incredible psychology, and unmatched presence.
He first gained notoriety on the European independent scene, particularly in Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) and PROGRESS Wrestling, where he became known for his brutal chops, classic matches, and no-nonsense attitude.
After signing with WWE in 2019, GUNTHER (then WALTER) quickly became the face of NXT UK, holding the NXT UK Championship for 870 days—the longest reign of any WWE titleholder in modern history.
In 2022, he was renamed GUNTHER and debuted on the WWE main roster (SmackDown, then Raw). There, he captured the Intercontinental Championship and went on to redefine the title’s prestige, holding it for 666 days—the longest IC title reign of all time.
In-Ring Style
GUNTHER is known as a “throwback” wrestler who prioritizes:
- Physicality and hard-hitting action (chops that echo through arenas)
- Ring psychology and pacing
- A classic European mat-based style
- Strategic dominance through precision, not flash
Nicknamed “The Ring General,” he brings credibility and danger to every match he competes in.
Character & Persona
GUNTHER is:
- Cold, calculated, and ruthless
- A proud traditionalist who disdains flamboyance and weakness
- The leader of Imperium, a faction devoted to the “sacredness of the mat”
His character values discipline, control, and wrestling as an art form. He’s not flashy—he’s formidable.
Major Matches & Feuds
- vs. Ilja Dragunov – NXT UK: TakeOver 36 (5★ match, modern classic)
- Sheamus & Drew McIntyre – Triple threat at WrestleMania 39 (match of the night contender)
- vs. Chad Gable, Ricochet, and Sami Zayn – IC title defenses that elevated midcard talent
- Royal Rumble 2023 – Entered #1, finished runner-up, lasted over 70 minutes
Legacy & Impact
- Redefined the Intercontinental Championship in the modern era
- Established European strong-style on the global stage
- Inspired respect from fans, critics, and peers alike
- One of the few modern WWE stars with a serious, legit aura
He’s widely considered one of the best “big men” in wrestling today, blending dominance with technical mastery.
Gunther’s record-breaking title reign: WWE Playlist
From his dominant debut to his unrelenting path of destruction, Gunther has redefined what it means to be Intercontinental Champion. With unmatched intensity and old-school grit, The Ring General shattered the record for the longest Intercontinental Title reign in WWE history. Relive the most brutal, awe-inspiring moments of Gunther’s historic run in this must-watch WWE Playlist.
Faction: Imperium
- GUNTHER (Leader)
- Ludwig Kaiser
- Giovanni Vinci
- Formerly included: Marcel Barthel (Alexander Wolfe)
Imperium promotes the philosophy that “the mat is sacred.”
Social Media
- Instagram: @gunther_wwe
- Twitter/X: @Gunther_AUT
Ideal Fan Rankings to Feature Him In
- Greatest Intercontinental Champions of All Time
- Top Big Men in WWE History
- Hardest Hitters in Wrestling
- Best WWE Matches of the 2020s
- Most Dominant Title Reigns
