Gunther's Main Roster Career Vs NXT Career: Which Is Better?

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Gunther received his main roster call up way back in 2022, and in that time he has secured his name already in WWE’s long and illustrious history as a dominant force and champion. Prior to his time on RAW and SmackDown, Gunther wrestled in NXT and NXT UK under the name Walter.

When looking at both Gunther’s runs in WWE developmental and on the main roster, both had clear positives and negatives. In some ways, his main roster career has been better, and in other ways it has been worse than his time in NXT. We will take a look at both sides of the argument and assess ways in which it has been better or worse.

Better: Gunther Is A Bigger Star Today

Gunther Is A More Recognisable Name Than Walter Was

• Gunther was known to NXT fans and those who followed his time prior to WWE
• He is now a household name and recognisable star
• He is a far bigger star on the main roster

As good as Gunther was in NXT, he wasn’t as well known. Anyone who breaks onto the WWE main roster is instantly thrust into stardom and under the spotlight, and Gunther has thrived.

Today, Gunther is considered one of the biggest stars in WWE - not confined to just WWE developmental. His talents are appreciated, well known, and he is undoubtedly a bigger star than he has ever been before.

Worse: Gunther Used To Be The Face Of A Brand

Gunther Has Yet To Be The Number One Guy In WWE

• In NXT UK, Gunther was the to dog
• On the main roster, he’s never been the top heel
• He will likely never carry the main roster on his back

Even though Gunther is more well known today, he is far from being the face of RAW or SmackDown. Other heels such as Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Drew McIntyre have felt higher profile than him, whereas in NXT UK he was the definitive number one guy.

The whole brand was centered around him, his dominance, and who was going to be the one to fell him, where he is very much another member of the roster on RAW & SmackDown. WWE have pushed him well since his call-up, but he hasn’t had a super push as a consistent PLE main eventer or leader of the company.

Better: Gunther Is In Way Better Shape

He Was Much Larger In NXT

• Gunther shed a lot of weight in recent years
• He looks in tremendous shape on the main roster
• His body transformation is wild

Gunther could still go at a world class level, but his body mass used to be way larger. On the main roster, Gunther is unrecognisable in terms of shape and size to what he once was, slimming and toning up, shedding a ton of weight to fit the billing more of what WWE sees as a top star.

There is something special about every version of Gunther and every look he has had, but he is in way better shape than he was in NXT for sure.

Worse: World Heavyweight Title Reign Was Wasted

His Worst Reign In WWE

• In NXT, Gunther’s title reigns were hugely dominant
• His World Heavyweight Title run was underwhelming
• He was often made to look weak

Gunther’s Intercontinental Title reign was brilliant, when it comes to the world title, it left a lot to be desired. Comparing Gunther’s runs as NXT UK Champion and World Heavyweight Champion is night and day. In NXT he had show-stealing epics in the main event, looking a dominant force and nature and unbeatable, whereas on the main roster his world title reign sometimes even struggled to make it onto PLE, he took shortcuts, and he looked beatable.

Fans wished his world title run on the main roster was more like his NXT UK Title run, but it was very far from it.

Better: Breaking WWE Main Roster Records

Gunther Holds Some Special Records

• He is the longest reigning IC Champion ever
• He holds the men’s record for longest time in a Royal Rumble
• He couldn’t achieve these feats in NXT

Gunther broke records in NXT with his long title reign, but the records he broke on the main roster will ensure that he is always within WWE’s history books. He is officially the longest ever reigning Intercontinental Champion in history - a title which has been held by countless greats.

Additionally, Gunther holds the record for the longest time spent in a men’s Royal Rumble match - a match also which has seen countless icons compete and not even come close to the record that Gunther now holds.

Worse: Nothing Compares To Feud With Ilja Dragunov

Gunther Hasn’t Had An All Time Great Main Roster Feud

• Gunther’s battles with Sheamus are the only things that come anywhere close
• Gunther and Dragunov were iconic rivals in NXT
• Nothing on the main roster has reached this level

Gunther vs. Ilja Dragunov was one of the best feuds in NXT/NXT UK history, with their hatred being high, their matches carrying so much intensity, and chemistry off the charts. On the main roster, Gunther hasn’t had a feud to this level.

He has some strong chemistry with Sheamus, but the actual feud itself wasn’t anything overly special - similar to his feuds with the likes of Sami Zayn, Jey Uso and Randy Orton - they were all fine but nothing special. Gunther vs. Dragunov was special and more, and it is still his best since signing with WWE.

Better: Wrestling On A Grander Stage

Gunther Is Wrestling In Huge Arenas

• In NXT, Gunther competed in front of few people
• He is now in huge arenas
• Gunther has been a big part of WrestleMania

As good as Gunther was in NXT, he was wrestling in front of a handful of the amount of people he competes in front of today. Gunther gets to showcase his talents in front of over 10,000 fans each and every show, and sometimes in front of six or seven times as much on stages such as WrestleMania - where he has competed over the last three years.

This alone makes being on the main roster a better thing for Gunther, as so many more eyes today are privy to the talents of The Ring General.

Worse: Entrance Music

Fans Miss Gunther’s Old Theme

• Gunther’s old entrance music felt special
• His new one isn’t bad, but it doesn’t compare
• WWE always changes entrance themes

In NXT, Gunther used Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 - a piece of classical music that became synonymous with him across his career. It is a stirring and intense piece of music that made every Gunther entrance feel important, special, and it allowed the fans to participate too.

His Def Rebel music incorporates some of this, and it is one of their better showings when it comes to entrance themes in WWE, but it doesn’t come close to the music he would use throughout his NXT career and prior.

Better: Promo Work Has Improved Massively

He Was Never Known For His Mic Work

• Gunther did most of his talking in the ring
• On the main roster, he has continued to improve
• He is now one of WWE’s best promos

Ever since receiving his main roster call up, Gunther has improved and improved and improved when it comes to mic work. He wasn’t shabby by any means, but the increased levels of charm, aura, confidence, and arrogance have exuded under the bright lights of the main roster.

He now has so much range and is able to make any content compelling, even when it is poor on paper.

Worse: No Imperium Or Sacred Mat

Gunther’s Faction & Gimmick Is A Distant In Memory

• Gunther used to have a more unique gimmick
• He had a faction around him that is no more
• He is great solo, but Imperium was brilliant

In NXT, Gunther was dedicated to keeping the ring mat sacred and protecting the sanctity of the art of professional wrestling - and he did so with his Imperium allies by his side. This side of Gunther has been lost on the main roster, even though it was something that made him stand out in a great way.

WWE has always been more focused on sports entertainment than professional wrestling, which is likely why WWE shifted away from that part of his act. In terms of Imperium, Gunther had great chemistry with the members, and they all benefited from being by his side.