What's cracking internet wrestling community! We are days away from the Elimination Chamber and it appears the Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion is going to be either sitting this one out, holding an open challenge, or just showing up to remind everyone of his legendary run as Champion. Afterall, the focus of the upcoming PLE is in fact the Elimination Chamber so some may not even notice if he's on the card or not. But where do we go from here?
As of today, Gunther has held and defended the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for 622 days. Let's take a look at the list of talent Gunther has defeated in the process of maintaining his grasp on his championship...
Ricochet
Shinsuke Nakamura
Sheamus
Rey Mysterio
Braun Strowman
Madcap Moss
Drew McIntyre
Xavier Woods
Matt Riddle
Chad Gable
Tommaso Ciampa
Bronson Reed
The Miz
Kofi Kingston
Jey Uso
You take a look at that list, and homeboy has beaten 7 former World Champions. SEVEN!!
Gunther has proven he can hang and beat the best of em. But we are on the Road to Wrestlemania, and there is no way in hell Gunther doesn't defend his championship at the show of shows. Will Gunther's reign make it to and past Wrestlemania? We'll find out soon enough. For now, let's check out The Great Brown Hope's Five at 5 to see who gets a crack at Gunther's championship next.
Let's get crunk yall. YEA-AAAAH!
BROWN'S FIVE AT 5 ISSUE 6
FIVE POTENTAIL NEW CHALLENGERS FOR GUNTHER'S INTERCONTINENTAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
5. AKIRA TOZAWA
A former Cruiserweight Champion and former 24/7 Champion, Akira Tozawa is on quite the roll as of late. After spending years trying to find his place and jobbing to the stars, Tozawa has finally found a home with Alpha Academy. Sure he's not the biggest, but he sure is a tough mutha..shut yo mouth!! And he is as entertaining as he is nasty-hee-heeee. Tozawa clearly understands his role and has used this opportunity to get himself more TV time. Tozawa currently owns a TV victory over Ivar, another superstar who has benefited from sharing a TV screen with Tozawa and his Alpha Academy buddies Otis and Chad Gable. And while Chad Gable may not have conquered Gunther, maybe Chad Gable's Second Favorite Guy should get a crack at it. The fans know and love Tozawa and would surely be distraught from Tozawa being ripped to shreds for the world to see. Tozawa can only go up from here, even in defeat. But what if he actually won?
**gasps in Spanish**
4. R-TRUTH
Former member of Judgment Day Ron Killings is on a run of a lifetime. Dude has been in the fed for what feels like 84 years and he has never slowed down. Most recently R Truth has gotten the entirety of the WWE Universe behind him, although he was up to same antics he has always been. But that's another storee for another day. Currently tied up in the DX4.0 beef with Judgment Day, R Truth and Miz may be in the running for the tag belts. As sweet as that this, that's not til Wrestlemania. Let's keep him busy. R Truth accidentally bumps into Gunther and calls him Kozlov, to much displeasure from the Ring General. Gunther destroys R Truth backstage setting up a match at the RAW before Wrestlemania. Truth may not win, but he will surely have the entire building behind him just like Jey Uso did. Truth is at the top of his game, and he aint even started yet. Welp, better get going Truth cause Wrestlemania is right around the corner.
3.ANDRADE "CIEN" ALMAS
After months of rumors and speculation, Mexico's Greatest Export, Andrade Cien Almas, is finally back home. To the surprise of many, Andrade made his return at the 2024 Royal Rumble in the Men's Royal Rumble match. His presence has been limited but his appearances have remained consistent. They are doing the work to make sure you dont forget that Andrade El Idolo is back and here to stay. With his official signing to the RAW brand, Andrade is gonna be eyeing gold for sure. A proven main event talent from his day of running amuck as NXT Champion, Andrade is gonna fit right in with today's midcard and main event card. Give him a couple goons to back him up against Imperium, maybe Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde finally leave LWO and link up with El Idolo to be the Latino Trio that runs Monday Night RAW while Legado runs Smackdown. Everyone wins.
2. JOSH BRIGGS
The latest crop of NXT talent that is on their way up is starting to look more stacked than previous classes of called up talent. At the head of that class is none other than Josh Briggs. After receiving high praise from John Bradshaw Layfield, Josh Briggs' ego went through the roof. With offense that reminds me of a young Baron Corbin, Josh Briggs has the size, speed, and tools needed for a man of his stature to make some real noise on the main roster. Whilst NXT is constantly working to establish itself as a third brand, there are still stars being signed to Raw or SD as "call-ups". Josh Briggs needs to stay on NXT with guys like Von Wagner and Trick Williams to help NXT become that third brand. Josh Briggs answers an open challenge from Gunther and goes the distance, impressing fans and spectators and lets the world know that NXT got some goons too!! Josh Briggs doesnt need the win. But the shine will only get to his head, win or lose. Loses, he goes back to NXT a guy that ALMOST beat Gunther. He wins, he takes the belt to NXT and defends it against talent from RAW, Smackdown, and NXT. Unlike Brooks, Josh Briggs has already grown up.
1.JINDER MAHAL
WHAT? WERE YOU EXPECTING SOMEONE ELSE??!! Jinder Mahal is hot off a hell of a January. He stood toe to toe with ThE gReAt OnE, stood toe to toe with Seth Rollins, and almost defeated Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. Jinder Mahal is a rare talent, a rare talent that helped open the door for talent like Shanky, Sanga, and Veer. A rare talent that is responsible for Rollinsmania, for it was his own desire to succeed that helped propel Seth to the next level. Jinder Mahal deserves to finish his storee. A man who has laid down for others to have their moment, Jinder Mahal deserves HIS moment. Jinder Mahal should be the one to end Gunther's reign and cement himself in the history books as the man who finally stopped Gunther. For months and years, former Cruiserweight, United States, Intercontinental, 24/7, Tag Team, and World Champions couldn't get Gunther off the mountain. Little did they know, all they needed was a Prince. The Modern Day Maharaja should be a Grand Slam Champion and deserves to be remembered for his contributions to the company, the sport, and his country. Give Jinder Mahal his flowers already.
Thanks for reading y'all!! Dont forget to buy flowers from the people who sell em on the street and freeway exits. And dont forget to follow The Great Brown Hope on the Twitter/X application
@TGr8BrwnHope
Playlist
Dance Gavin Dance "War Machine"
Dance Gavin Dance "Stroke God, Millionaire"
R-Truth "What's Up?"
Cuisillos de Arturo Macias "Mil Heridas"
Midland "More Than a Fever"
Jim Johnston "Sher"
Daler Mehndi "Hauli Hauli"
Daler Mehndi "Tunak Tunak Tun"
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