Gunther has faced criticism from WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart, who pointed to General Ring as an example of a wrestler who doesn’t honor the art of professional wrestling. The Austrian powerhouse is known for his punishing, stiff style reminiscent of Vader, with his signature chops often inflicting real pain and leaving opponents visibly marked from their battles.
Bret Hart didn’t hold back in sharing his views on Gunther’s approach to wrestling. Despite a current feud with former WCW star Goldberg about in-ring styles, Hart singled out the recently retired WWE champion Gunther for critique during an appearance on the Masked Man Show. While Gunther wasn’t the first to use chops in WWE, Hart has discussed Gunther’s style directly with him, suggesting that the twice world heavyweight champion believes his method to be “professional.”
Gunther recently interacted with Hart on an episode of Raw, playfully acknowledging him as his second favorite wrestler after Goldberg, who is also in the WWE Hall of Fame. Hart’s comments continue his pattern of calling out wrestlers whose styles may endanger their opponents.
Though Hart isn’t Gunther’s biggest supporter, he openly praised Gunther’s rival CM Punk, who recently lost the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Punk’s match against Gunther was hailed as one of the best of the two-night event, where Punk fought valiantly despite a bloody defeat. In a recent Complex Sports interview, Hart named Punk one of the best wrestlers currently performing, highlighting Punk’s return performance at Survivor Series 2023 as some of the finest work he’s produced.
Fan Take: This debate highlights the ongoing tension between different wrestling styles in WWE, spotlighting the clash between traditional technical mastery and a more brutal, physical approach. For fans, it ignites important conversations about wrestler safety and the evolving nature of the sport, potentially shaping how future performers balance entertainment with respect for the craft.
