Gunther will be facing a very different Tommaso Ciampa when they meet for the Intercontinental Title.
In recent weeks Ciampa has been on a mission to get Gunther’s attention. This has seen him defeat Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser to earn his shot at the long-reigning Intercontinental Champion.
It’s been announced the pair will sign the contract for their match on October 2nd, although there’s been no confirmation on when the match will take place.
Although the duo have met in a WWE ring before, both men have evolved considerably since. Appearing on Raw Talk, Ciampa said Gunther was the dragon he was going to look right in the eye before cutting his head off.
“Gunther, I know you’re watching. Now, I need you to listen. I realize that right now, this is your world. I see what people are saying. I hear it, I hear the doubt. ‘Ciampa doesn’t have a chance versus Gunther.’ No. ‘Ciampa doesn’t deserve this Intercontinental Title shot. Gunther’s unbeatable, and Ciampa’s not the same as the black and gold days. He’s changed.’ I think yo myself, are they right? Have I changed? Can I not beat Gunther?
Then I shift my mindset. I block out all the noise. I block out all the hate. I think of the people who believed, who continue to believe. I think of my wife and my baby girl, Willow Belle. She turns five tomorrow. Happy birthday, Willow. I think of all those believers, and I want to say to y’all right now, I see you, and I hear you. I feel you. Soon, we’re gonna remind the world. Gunther, I’m ready to climb to the top of that mountain, stare the dragon eye to eye, and cut his damn head off,”
Ciampa added that although the pair are very different, they’re also very similar. The former NXT Champion said he’s changed, but it’s only made him better.
“You and me, while we’re different, we’re a little bit alike. I know what it’s like to make it to the top of the mountain. I know what it’s like to have that title and hold it close to your chest. I know what it’s like for that to mean the world to you. But I also know what it’s like to fall from the top of mountain. I know what it’s like to hit rock bottom, and then to pick yourself back up and go make that climb again. That’s where we differ.
So as I think, ‘Has he changed?’ Yeah, I’ve changed. You know what I’ve realized through all of this? I’d rather be a man who fights for something than a man who fights with nothing to lose any day of the week, twice on Monday. Gunther, it is a long, long fall from the top of the mountain. Buckle up,”
After the bout between Gunther and Ciampa, Johnny Gargano made his return to WWE Raw.
How Long Has Gunther Been Intercontinental Champion?
Gunther has held the Intercontinental Title since pinning Ricochet on the June 10th, 2022 episode of SmackDown. Since that victory, Gunther has become the longest-reigning Intercontinental Title in history, with a reign standing at 473 days and counting.
H/t to Fightful