Gunther Sets Sights on WWE Championship After Wrestlemania 42 Victory

Following his victory at Wrestlemania 42, Gunther is determined to capture the WWE Championship. His recent attack on Cody Rhodes during Smackdown has raised questions about a future title match. With potential showdowns at Night of Champions or SummerSlam on the horizon, fans are eager to see how this rivalry unfolds. Gunther's history as a two-time World Heavyweight Champion adds to the intrigue, especially with Randy Orton also in the title picture. As the wrestling world watches closely, the stakes are high for Gunther and Cody.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 21:55 IST

Gunther's Ambitions Following Wrestlemania 42

After his impressive victory against Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 42, Gunther is now focused on capturing the world championship. The former World Heavyweight Champion made a surprising entrance on Smackdown, launching an attack on Cody Rhodes. This incident occurred right after Cody celebrated his win over Ricky Saints in the ring. Gunther's actions were a clear indication of his intentions as he lifted the championship belt, signaling his desire for a title shot. Notably, Gunther has yet to compete for the Undisputed WWE Championship, which was rebranded from the Undisputed Universal Championship following Roman Reigns' victory at Wrestlemania 40.

Gunther has held the World Heavyweight Championship twice, first defeating Damian Priest at SummerSlam 2024. He lost the title to Jey Uso during the opening match of Wrestlemania 41 but reclaimed it just 51 days later on Raw after the Money in the Bank event in 2025. However, he subsequently lost it to CM Punk in the SummerSlam main event, only for Punk to lose it moments later to Rollins, who cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Since then, Gunther has not had a chance to compete for a world championship.

Future Title Match Prospects

When Will Gunther Face Cody?

The anticipated title match between Gunther and Cody is not scheduled for Backlash 2026. WWE may plan this showdown for either Night of Champions or SummerSlam. Cody might challenge Gunther to win the King of the Ring tournament to secure a title shot. Additionally, Randy Orton, who was unable to defeat Cody at Wrestlemania 42, is also vying for the championship. Despite his loss, Orton ended Wrestlemania with the title in hand and delivered a punt kick to Cody.

WWE has hinted at a potential match between Punk and Cody on Smackdown following Wrestlemania, while Gunther is eager to claim the championship. The organization has opted against a multi-man WWE Championship match for Wrestlemania, making it unlikely for Cody to defend his title against multiple challengers simultaneously. Meanwhile, the World Heavyweight Championship will be contested at Backlash, where Roman Reigns will face his cousin, Jacob Fatu, after previously defeating Punk to win the title.