Gunther Set To Undergo Surgery After Losing To CM Punk At WWE SummerSlam

Originally posted on The Sportster | By Matthew Guyett | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 1:02 PM ET

WWE fans might not see Gunther on their screens for a while after his defeat to CM Punk at SummerSlam. The Ring General lost his World Heavyweight Championship in a gruelling main event on night one of the PLE.

The Austrian was cut open during his world title match against Punk, and was pinned after he was hit with two back-to-back Go To Sleeps. It looks as though the finish was orchestrated to write him off TV due to a legitimate injury.

Gunther To Have Surgery On His Nose After SummerSlam Loss

Gunther's second reign as world champion lasted 55 days and it might be some time before he's back in the title picture. He has been around the top prize on Monday night RAW over the past year, defeating Damian Priest at last year's SummerSlam to win his first WWE world title.

Dave Meltzer reported on the Wrestling Observer Radio that the 37-year-old had been nursing a nose injury heading into his battle with Punk. He will now go under the knife to get the issue sorted:

"I was told Gunther's having surgery on his nose. I was told that a couple of days ago, and it's very clear from watching the finish that Gunther's having surgery on his nose pretty quick because they shot the angle where, you know, it's like he busted his nose."

Gunther's absence could be a blow but it's likely Punk will continue feuding with Seth Rollins over the World Heavyweight Championship. The Best in the World's crowning lasted just minutes as his arch-rival returned, cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and pulled off the ruse of the century to win the world title.

UFC Legend Daniel Cormier Hailed Gunther

Gunther's performance at SummerSlam is the latest of a long list of epic matches he's been involved in since arriving on the main roster in April 2022. You could argue it's up there with his triple-threat match against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus at WrestleMania 39.

Daniel Cormier is a fan of the former Intercontinental Champion and believes there isn't a better wrestler in the business. The UFC icon wrote on X:

"Gunther is the best pro wrestler in the world!!!!"

Gunther is the best pro wrestler in the world!!!!— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 3, 2025

Gunther joined WWE in January 2022 after spending years on the independent circuit as WALTER. His arrival came during Vince McMahon's regime and there were concerns he'd be a success with the former chairman in charge.

Those doubts were quashed when Triple H took over creative and pushed the Vienna-born heavyweight into the main event picture. He is an old-school talent who even John Cena's father wanted his son to face at WrestleMania over Cody Rhodes.

This article first appeared on The Sportster and was syndicated with permission.

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