Gunther Hoping Ex-NXT Champ Is On Same Main Roster WWE Brand

Gunther is hopeful that he will be drafted on the same brand as former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov.

The Austrian Superstar has a long history with Dragunov, dating back to their days together in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla before doing battle in a classic encounter on the 29th October 2020 edition of NXT UK.

Gunther, then known as Walter, retained his WWE NXT United Kingdom Championship on that occasion before Dragunov claimed his revenge at NXT TakeOver 36 on 22nd August 2021 when he brought an end to the giant star’s 870 day title reign.

Speaking during a recent appearance on ‘Gorilla Position’, Gunther had special praise for his former rival, stating that he is worthy of a main roster place:

“I think somebody that will do great going forward is Ilja. I think that’s somebody that is kind of like waiting to explode right now. He just wrestled on Raw. The draft is coming up, so let’s see where that heads.

But I think he would be the guy that I would single out right now that performs at a stage that he’s – I would say almost too advanced for right now.”

Dragunov has been linked with a move into the Gunther-led Imperium faction after Giovanni Vinci was dismissed from the group in brutal fashion on the 22nd April edition of Raw, however the former Intercontinental Champion has ruled out the move, and believes he is likely to battle against his former foe again in future:

“I think Ilja is definitely a better enemy than a friend. I think he’s somebody that brings out the best in me and I’m someone that brings out the best in him.

But I think before that can happen, he has his own way to go, wherever he ends up. And further down the line, I think it’s a no-brainer that this has to happen a few times.”

Gunther Reflects On Loss Of Intercontinental Championship

After a record-breaking 666 days as WWE Intercontinental Champion, Gunther was finally defeated for the title by Sami Zayn in an enthralling encounter on night one of WrestleMania XL on 6th April 2024.

The 36 year-old recently reflected on his stunning reign and revealed that he felt Zayn was the right man to bring an end to his epic title run.

H/T: WrestlingObserver for the above transcription.