10 Wrestlers Most Likely To Be Steve Austin's WWE WrestleMania 39 Opponent

9. GUNTHER

Steve Austin John Cena
WWE.com

Conversely...

The emerging talent goes over top star clean trope is no guarantee of a career-making moment. Tony Khan to his immense credit has attempted this several times throughout his stint booking AEW, but Private Party and Darby Allin - both of whom went over members of the Elite - have either regressed or occupy the same position.

It takes a certain level of genius - and a committed push after the fact - to make such a bold decision worthwhile. Mick Foley was such a genius, and the key is that Triple H, Randy Orton and Edge were all primed to ascend. They didn't need a shortcut, but rather a jump-start.

GUNTHER has everything required to star in the monster heel role. His sublime work is stunningly violent, but given that's it not quite as gruesome as it was during his legendary European indie run, he obviously has the presence to still make it feel that way.

His going over Austin at 'Mania 39, in what is guaranteed to be an emotive, anxiety-fuelled affair, might function in the same way those shocking Brock Lesnar scalps did on SmackDown in 2002.

Probability: 25%

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!