Why Was Gunther Not on Raw's Netflix Premiere? What Happened to WWE's World Heavyweight Champion?

There aren't many better ways to describe WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther other than solid. From his imposing 6'4" frame to his rippling wrestling holds, to his explosive chops, he's like a wall of a man. And for the most part of his career, not many men have been able to break that wall down.

The Austrian-born superstar was a sensation on the European circuit before signing with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2019. He originally competed in the promotion's now-defunct NXT UK, where his 870-day reign as the division's champion helped him transition easily into the American wrestling scene. Fans had heard of him, but now they were going to see him up close.

Along the way, he also set the record for the longest reign as NXT Champion. Upon making it to the main roster, he set the record for the longest Intercontinental Title run and then went on to capture the Raw version of the World Title. His dominance and presence are unquestionable. That's why some fans and critics are wondering why Gunther wasn't present on Raw's Netflix debut this week.

Raw's Main Champion Was Not Present on the Show's Most Important Episode in Decades

Gunther Is Supposed to Represent the Brand, so Where Was He?

While every wrestling fan loves a good backstage conspiracy theory, there are a few legitimate reasons why The Ring General may not have been a part of the broadcast. There was so much action already booked for the show that night that perhaps Triple H didn't want to oversaturate the card. Or, in the rush to get as many recognizable faces onto the streaming show, Gunther became a bit of an afterthought, which is still troubling to see, considering that he's supposed to be the face of Monday Night Raw.

To be fair, Gunther has always been featured in a prominent role with WWE, and he's been painted as dominant by the promotion. And while he may have been famous in Europe under a different moniker, it has been his rise as the Ring General that's made him a household name among wrestling fans.

That still doesn't account for his absence on Monday night. Many fans online have floated the idea that this could be part of an angle - one that would turn the Gunther character into a babyface. With his growing popularity in the WWE Universe, it seems like he will make that switch sometime in 2025. So, if it's already on the docket, why not just hint at it now?

Gunther as a hero rather than a villain would be a fantastic turn of events for both him and the promotion. No one can be sure if that's the mentality of the WWE creative team, but it certainly makes more sense than the company just 'forgetting about' one of their biggest attractions, especially during the most important episode of the brand he's supposed to represent as the World Champion.

Gunther Has Become a Pillar of WWE Programming

The Decorated Grappler is a Throwback From a Bygone Era

Gunther doesn't quite fit the mold of the glitz and glamour WWE often provides, but the audience has come to appreciate him for that. The 37-year-old's ring style is more reminiscent of golden-age grapplers like Lou Thesz or Billy Robinson than the high-flyers and showstoppers of the modern era. However, it's that difference that makes him stand out in the crowd.

Though it may seem disrespectful that he was slighted for the Netflix debut, it's doubtful that it was done with malice. At the same time, he is the champion of the Raw brand and should have seen some of the streaming service's spotlight. Nonetheless, 2025 still promises to be a big year for the big man.

Thus far, Gunther doesn't have a scheduled challenger for the Royal Rumble on February 1. That's most likely going to change rather quickly. So, it's a good bet that we'll see him take his rightful perch on Monday Night Raw in the weeks ahead.