This WWE Superstar Just Lost Their First Singles Match On The Main Roster
A noteworthy result involving a near-invincible champion on a record-setting run.
After 502 days and 27 televised singles matches, Gunther finally lost his first singles bout on the WWE main roster this Monday night -- via countout.
The reigning Intercontinental Champion was defending his title against Chad Gable in a spirited contest when he and the former Olympian battled on the outside of the ring. Gunther accidentally chopped the ring post, got pushed into the post, and then was suplexed over the barricade into the timekeeper's area. Gable barely beat the count to secure the count-out win.
Michael Cole made sure to point out that this was the first time since being called up to the main roster that Gunther had lost a singles match, a feat that is certainly noteworthy when you consider how near-invincible the Ring General has been during his record-setting IC title reign.
??????@WWEGable is an absolute MACHINE!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/e5B71gu9wk
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2023
It was a pretty creative way to work around Gunther's undefeated streak and make him look vulnerable, especially against Gable, who also "won" a five-minute challenge match against him a few weeks ago -- thought that result was scrubbed off the books when Gunther demanded the match be restarted without a time limit and won.
Despite Monday's loss, Gunther obviously retained his Intercontinental Championship, though it's safe to assume that we could see a rematch between these two as soon as Payback next weekend.
Gunther is rapidly closing in on Honky Tonk Man's WWE record IC title reign of 453 days, which he would surpass just days after Payback. A successful title defense at that PLE would likely secure the record.