Vince McMahon Reportedly Impressed By New WWE SmackDown Star
A SmackDown newcomer has been impressing "people of influence", including WWE's main man.
Vince McMahon reportedly likes what he's seeing from Gunther on SmackDown.
Fightful Select's WWE sources tell them that the new Intercontinental Champion, who won the belt from Ricochet on Friday's latest episode, has impressed many "people of influence" behind the scenes. Specifically though, Vince has been encouraged by Gunther's move to the United States, training regimen and diet.
The new IC Champ has whipped himself into phenomenal shape since trading NXT UK for WWE's main roster. That has stood him in good stead, and it has turned the boss man's head to boot. McMahon rewarded that dedication by planting SmackDown's secondary strap around Gunther's waist.
Gunther's willingness "to play ball" with WWE officials has also endeared him to Vince. Fightful's sources added that McMahon has become a real fan of what the record-breaking NXT UK Champ has been doing in-ring lately.
Hopefully, Vince has someone lined up to oppose Gunther now he's Intercontinental Champion. That's been a recurring problem in WWE circles for a while - they crown a new champ, then don't have any solid plans for them afterwards.
Gunther's IC reign will live and die on the quality of his challengers.