WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL) recently lauded Gunther, praising the current Intercontinental Champion’s unique ability to captivate audiences. JBL, a veteran of the wrestling world known for his own impactful heel persona, believes Gunther possesses a rare quality – the capacity to generate significant crowd heat even although consistently delivering high-level performances. This ability, JBL suggests, is setting Gunther apart and potentially reshaping his trajectory within the company.
“He’s awesome, absolutely awesome. Everything about him. I think he’s fantastic. Very few guys can carry the heat that he’s got. He can carry it,” JBL stated during an appearance on TMZ Inside The Ring. “I’ve been a fan of Gunther since he came into the WWE. He lost all that weight, he got himself in great shape, and he just simply knows the business. He knows how to get heat, he knows how to do interviews. I think he’s absolutely fantastic with it.” The praise comes as Gunther continues a dominant run, having recently retired wrestling legends like Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, adding to a resumé that already includes two World Heavyweight Championship reigns and a record-breaking 666-day Intercontinental Championship run.
The Evolution of a Heel: From Pure Villain to Attraction
JBL’s analysis extended beyond Gunther’s in-ring skills, delving into the nuances of heel characters in professional wrestling. He differentiated between a “pure heel” – a traditional villain – and an “attraction heel” – a performer who draws audiences simply by their presence, and success. He cited Roman Reigns, the New World Order (NWO), and D-Generation X (DX) as prime examples of attraction heels, noting their ability to consistently headline major events and generate revenue regardless of fan allegiance. JBL believes Gunther is naturally gravitating towards this latter category.
“There’s a couple different kinds of heels here, and both are fantastic,” JBL explained. “You look at a guy like Roman Reigns. He’s headlined more WrestleMania than anybody in history. He’s an attraction heel. He’s not a pure heel. And there’s a difference.” He posited that Gunther’s consistent victories and impressive physical presence are shifting fan perception, transforming him from a purely disliked antagonist into a must-see performer.
A Lesson From JBL’s Past: The Importance of a Heel’s Tactics
To illustrate his point, JBL recounted a story from his own career, specifically a planned match against The Undertaker at SummerSlam. He revealed that he turned down the opportunity to defeat The Undertaker cleanly, fearing it would diminish his effectiveness as a heel. JBL argued that a heel’s victories should be achieved through underhanded tactics, maintaining their villainous status. A clean win, he believed, would transform him into a “badass” babyface (a fan favorite) in the eyes of the WWE Universe.
“I was supposed to beat Undertaker in SummerSlam,” JBL recalled. “And Undertaker said, ‘What do you want to do?’ I said, ‘Am I gonna retire the next day?’ If I beat you, I’m no longer a heel. I’ll tell everybody I beat The Undertaker. If I beat you, I’m a badass. I’m not a heel.” He ultimately envisioned a scenario where he would be dramatically defeated – choked slammed through a limousine – but would still maintain his heel persona by claiming victory through deception.
What’s Next for Gunther?
While JBL acknowledged the potential for Gunther to evolve into an “attraction heel,” he doesn’t believe it necessarily diminishes his value. He suggested that WWE could capitalize on Gunther’s growing popularity by simply allowing him to continue to be a dominant force, creating a spectacle whenever he appears. “Just make him an attraction. Make it when he walks out, everybody stands up. I think Gunther can be that guy. I think Gunther is that good,” JBL concluded.
As Gunther continues his run at the top of WWE, the company will likely navigate the delicate balance between maintaining his heel status and capitalizing on his undeniable appeal. The coming months will reveal how WWE chooses to position Gunther and whether he will fully embrace the role of an attraction heel, drawing fans in with his skill and dominance, regardless of whether they cheer or boo.
What do you think? Can Gunther maintain his heel persona while becoming a top attraction? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
