Welcome to another eWrestlingNews Question of the Day! As we’re focusing largely on WWE SummerSlam 2024 this week, we should give attention to the World Heavyweight Championship match wherein Damian Priest will defend his title against The Ring General and King of the Ring, Gunther.

My question for you today is “Should Gunther beat Damian Priest?” By that, I don’t mean will he win. I mean should he win. If you had it your way and you were in creative control, would you put the title on Gunther, or not?

Remember to answer with your response in the comments below.

As far as my answer…

Absolutely, Gunther should win. In fact, I almost made this question “Can Gunther lose and still bounce back?”

This isn’t anything close to what I would have booked, if I’m being honest. Gunther against Damian Priest wasn’t something I imagined we’d get in this scenario for SummerSlam. I’m not entirely sure WWE had that in mind more than about 2 months ago, too, but whether they did or didn’t, this is the situation we’re in.

I wouldn’t have done the announcement that the King & Queen of the Ring winners get title shots at SummerSlam and waited a few months to get to that point. Gunther lost steam in the meantime, and I don’t think they pulled the trigger quick enough on Priest turning babyface, since it still isn’t even a done deal.

I’d have likely booked Priest against Finn Balor with the split of The Judgment Day happening prior to Money in the Bank. That, or I’d have had Priest vs. Balor at SummerSlam with Gunther getting the title shot at Bash in Berlin.

In any fashion, I think WWE would be making a major mistake if they try to do their usual thing of late where challengers lose their first title shot, win a second attempt, and then win the title. Gunther shouldn’t lose at SummerSlam after waiting a few months after winning KOTR, only to turn around again and win at Bash in Berlin.

Gunther should win straight-up. He lost the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, took some time to do nothing, won King of the Ring, was away again after that. It hasn’t been as great of a 2024 for Gunther as he could have had, especially when you look into how he would probably have fought and beaten Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania had that gone down as planned. Losing here and stalling this title win—or, even worse, not giving him the title at all—could be something that puts him in a pointlessly rough spot.

With all the good will that was invested in Gunther, WWE already hasn’t struck while the iron was hot. Letting him cool off even more will just make it harder to get back to the level he was in 2023.

Clean win. Gunther walks out champion. Give him a big opponent at Bash in Berlin, too, that he can retain over, rather than just a rematch with Priest. Meanwhile, Priest can solidify his babyface turn—which has already been delayed too long, as I said—and start feuding with other people. At this point, I’m assuming they’re going to drag out Priest vs Balor for WrestleMania, which I think is another mistake, but we’ll see about that.

Should Gunther win? Absolutely. I can’t think of anyone other than Balor worthwhile for Priest to feud against if he were to retain the title, and I don’t think Balor is the next champion.

What do you think? Drop your thoughts below!