Since moving to WWE’s main roster in 2022, Gunther has become one of the most dominant and serious superstars in the company. He has won championships, defeated fan favourites, and built a strong reputation as “The Ring General.” But one question still divides fans — is Gunther truly a heel, or is he simply being himself?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Gunther Calls Himself a ‘Disruptor’
Gunther recently spoke on The Morning Shift on 92.9 The Game and made it clear that he doesn’t see himself as a typical villain.
In WWE, a heel is usually someone who cheats, insults fans, and tries hard to get boos. But Gunther feels different. He described himself as an “old soul” who focuses on the basics of professional wrestling instead of flashy entrances and social media trends.
According to him, today’s audience wants more spectacle, more fireworks, and quick entertainment. But Gunther refuses to change his style just to impress the crowd. He believes wrestling should make people question what’s real and what’s not.
In his own words, he enjoys being a disruptor. He doesn’t try to win the audience’s approval. In fact, he openly says he doesn’t care what the crowd wants.
That attitude alone makes him stand out in modern WWE.
Classic Heel or Just Honest?
Traditionally, heels:
- Mock the crowd
- Break rules
- Disrespect legends
- Try to get attention
Gunther certainly checks some of those boxes. But he does not rely on cheating or silly tactics. He wins clean most of the time. He dominates opponents through strength, discipline, and ring skill.
This creates an interesting situation. Fans may boo him, but they also respect him.
That’s why many believe Gunther is not a traditional heel. Instead, he feels like a serious competitor who refuses to play along with the entertainment-heavy style of today’s wrestling.
Ending AJ Styles’ Career Added Fuel to the Fire
At the 2026 Royal Rumble, Gunther defeated AJ Styles in what turned out to be Styles’ final WWE match. That alone made many fans angry.
If that was not enough, Gunther later attempted to interrupt a tribute event for Styles on Raw in Atlanta. During an earlier interview, he even questioned why people were celebrating a retired wrestler instead of moving on.
When he appeared during the tribute segment featuring Michael Cole and Corey Graves, the crowd reacted loudly. WWE official Adam Pearce quickly had him removed from the arena.
Gunther did not leave quietly. He even got into a physical moment involving Dragon Lee, setting up a match between them on Raw.
Now, interrupting a retirement tribute is classic heel behaviour. But from Gunther’s perspective, he was simply expressing his honest opinion.
Why Gunther Feels Different from Other Heels
Here’s what makes Gunther unique:
- He rarely cheats to win
- He does not rely on outside interference
- He speaks calmly and confidently
- He focuses on wrestling fundamentals
He doesn’t insult fans just for cheap heat. Instead, he challenges their expectations.
In many ways, Gunther represents old-school wrestling values. He believes the ring is sacred. He believes winning matters more than popularity.
That mindset may come across as arrogant, but it also feels authentic.
So, Is Gunther Really a Heel?
The answer depends on perspective.
If you judge him by WWE storylines, yes — he plays the role of a heel. He disrespects legends, interrupts emotional moments, and refuses to care about fan reactions.
But if you look at his wrestling style and personality, he seems more like a serious athlete who refuses to follow trends. He is not trying to entertain in a flashy way. He is trying to dominate.
That’s why some fans see him as a “tweener” — someone who sits between hero and villain.
