GUNTHER made the move from Monday Night Raw to Friday Night SmackDown following WWE WrestleMania 42.
With WWE Night of Champions 2026 on the horizon, discussions have already started in regards to who GUNTHER could potentially face at ‘The Biggest Party of the Summer.’
Whether he heads into SummerSlam as the Undisputed WWE Champion or looking to continue his ‘Career Killer’ moniker, the possibilities seem endless for GUNTHER come Minneapolis.
Here are seven potential WWE SummerSlam 2026 opponents for GUNTHER.
7. Cody Rhodes
At WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Cody Rhodes defeated GUNTHER to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
This match ended with a ton of controversy after GUNTHER’s foot was under the ropes for the winning pinfall.
Despite getting a rematch, this bout also ended with an inconclusive finish after Sami Zayn quickly counted GUNTHER out as special guest referee.
While they are scheduled for a three-way with Sami Zayn at Night of Champions 2026, GUNTHER and Rhodes could continue their rivalry well into WWE SummerSlam this August.
6. Sami Zayn
On the June 19 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Cody Rhodes defeated GUNTHER to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship with Sami Zayn as the special guest referee.
Zayn tried to call the match right down the middle, but GUNTHER attacking him led to Sami being the reason Rhodes walked out with the gold.
While this started due to both men’s issues with Rhodes, GUNTHER and Zayn might find themselves feuding well after their three-way at Night of Champions 2026.
Zayn facing GUNTHER at WWE SummerSlam 2026 would be interesting thanks to the crowd reactions for both men by the time the company comes into Minneapolis.
5. Jey Uso
The King of the Ring final will take place at the WWE Night of Champions premium live event.
On one side of the ring, Oba Femi has run roughshod over every single man in his way over the past few weeks following his first main roster loss to Brock Lesnar at WWE Clash In Italy 2026.
Then on the other side, Jey Uso has been on a surge of momentum and finds himself in the King of the Ring final one win away from the headline spot at SummerSlam 2026.
While Femi seems destined to be in the main event picture sooner rather than later, Jey’s story with bringing the Undisputed WWE Championship to The Bloodline could serve as the best opposition to GUNTHER after their history just last year.
4. Drew McIntyre
Ever since WrestleMania 42, Drew McIntyre has not been seen on WWE television.
Recent reports have indicated that McIntyre is expected to be back in time for the WWE SummerSlam 2026 premium live event.
‘The Scottish Warrior’ feels like an ideal opponent for GUNTHER on a huge stage like WWE SummerSlam 2026.
Considering their history with one another and past meeting at SummerSlam 2023, GUNTHER and McIntyre could make for a showstealer on this year’s card on August 1 and 2.
3. Randy Orton
Another major WWE star who has been out of action coming off the heels of WrestleMania 42 is Randy Orton.
‘The Legend Killer’ closed Mania night one by attacking Cody Rhodes with a title belt shot and a Punt Kick to the skull.
Now on his way back from a months-long absence, Orton could be on his way back to a massive showdown with GUNTHER.
‘The Viper’ facing ‘The Ring General’ has all the makings of a main event to either night of WWE SummerSlam 2026 with the right time and story.
2. CM Punk
Back at WWE SummerSlam 2026, CM Punk defeated GUNTHER to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Following this loss, fans did not see GUNTHER on WWE programming for a number of months.
Since his return at the end of last year, ‘The Ring General’ has only crossed paths with Punk once, but has not yet stepped back in the ring with ‘The Best In The World.’
Considering his current absence from WWE TV since WrestleMania 42, Punk returning to face off with GUNTHER would be fitting and make for another hard hitting clash between these two stars.
1. Brock Lesnar
Over the past year, GUNTHER has earned the moniker of ‘The Career Killer.’ Scoring wins over Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles in their final matches, GUNTHER has been a grim reaper for wrestling careers as of late.
The two-time World Heavyweight Champion could force someone like Brock Lesnar to have a similar fate to his former rivals.
With WWE SummerSlam 2026 taking place from his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lesnar is expected to play a pivotal role at the event and some even think he will have his final match there.
While he may face off with Oba Femi to finish their trilogy, Brock would be hard-pressed to find another better option to close out his legendary career with than GUNTHER.
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