13 Ups & 9 Downs For WWE In 2022
10. Gunther
Gunther's main roster run was admittedly going quite well even before Vince McMahon resigned in disgrace, but rumours had circulated that the old s*d was tiring of one of his new toys and looked set to doom with the Intercontinental Champion with rank anti-America sh*t before Triple H took charge and kept the train on the tracks.
Imperium are a stable reborn under 'The Game's steady hand, and Gunther is a nailed-on banger factory when he puts his title on the line in a major setting. His Clash At The Castle war with Sheamus was WWE's match of the year, and the rematch was just a notch below. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rey Mysterio made for outstanding TV opponents, and the quality contest in which he secured the belt against Ricochet may well be topped by an impending rematch set to air after this went to press.
And just briefly on the belt - Gunther's elevated the status of the secondary strap beyond anything it's been in forever. With Imperium as his muscle out front and 'The Game' clearly supporting his run behind the scenes, Gunther's pulled off a show-not-tell trick that just about Intercontinental Champion since 2003 has failed to do before him. The man has made the title, just as it should be.