Gunter has urged fans to move past the intense criticism following his match against John Cena. The Ring General achieved a landmark victory in his wrestling career by forcing the 17-time world champion to submit on the night Cena retired.
Despite Cena’s famous “never give up” attitude, many fans have taken issue with Gunter’s decision to make him tap out using a sleeper hold. Triple H, WWE’s chief content officer, was even booed during the Saturday Night’s main event after the match. The following night on WWE RAW, Gunter proudly recounted his win, mocking the fans who had booed him heavily. However, it seems the dissatisfaction wasn’t just from the crowd but also from within WWE. Speaking to TMZ, Gunter responded to critics by telling them to “stop crying, life goes on.” He also acknowledged that many within the company were unhappy about how the match ended but indicated that anyone with concerns could raise them.
Gunter made Cena tap out for the first time in two decades on the very night the 48-year-old wrestler retired. During a RAW promo segment alongside wrestlers like Otis and AJ Styles, Gunter hinted that some of his peers might be upset about the outcome, possibly signaling an ongoing storyline.
The controversy surrounding the match was somewhat anticipated, as only Big E had hinted at Cena submitting beforehand, causing an immediate negative reaction from fans. The backlash reflects poorly on WWE’s booking decisions, but it also positions Gunter to become a dominant figure similar to Brock Lesnar, who famously ended The Undertaker’s winning streak.
WWE’s Netflix docuseries “WWE: Unreal” has exposed fans to the inner workings of wrestling storylines, leading to heightened scrutiny of booking choices. This transparency puts pressure on WWE management, particularly Triple H, who was responsible for the match outcome. As legendary wrestler The Undertaker commented to Gunter, there is a fine line between revealing too much behind-the-scenes content and maintaining the magic of wrestling.
Despite the controversy, Gunter’s ability to generate heat from fans could be a stepping stone to stardom. It remains WWE’s challenge to prove whether Gunter can solidify his status as a major star and honor his reputation as the “Greatest of All Time” in making Cena tap out.
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Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans because it challenges traditional expectations surrounding legendary figures like John Cena, creating fresh storylines and rivalries. For the sport, it signals a shift toward building new stars and evolving wrestling narratives in ways that keep audiences engaged and invested.
