Gunther Says Beating John Cena Is Most Satisfying Win Of His Career, Expected the Reaction

Gunther says that his win over John Cena is the most satisfying of his career, noting that he expected the heated reaction to it. Gunther became the most hated in-ring performer in the company when he made Cena tap out at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The finish had fans heavily booing the Ring General, who was happy with the reaction.

Gunther was asked about his immediate reaction to the win and crowd heat in an appearance on The Masked Man Show. He noted that he expected the reaction and weighed in on Cena’s final expression as he tapped out. You can see the highlights below:

On If It’s the Most Satisfying Win Of His Career:

“Yeah, I think so. I think it’s definitely the win with the biggest repercussions in the sense of like, the commotion about it.”

On If He Expected the Reaction:

“Yeah, I expected it at least. I mean, the amount of it, I don’t know. I didn’t put a number down or something. But I knew it’s gonna create some distress with the fans. But I mean, that’s what it’s all about. You just said it, it’s like these grown men crying. That’s the power of professional wrestling, I feel like. And I guess to a big degree, the power of like John Cena. What the connection the fans have with him and stuff like that.

“So yeah, it was good to take advantage of that. That was the most ideal outcome for me. Because in reality it’s like — I don’t know, many people have beaten John Cena. And the day before I wrestled LA Knight, it dawned on me. It’s like, ‘Okay, you’re very close now. And how can you make a statement that is different from everybody else?’ And yeah, submitting Cena was the clear answer. Because he’s the man that never gives up. But everything has to come to an end, nothing lasts forever. And I think that’s a reality that people struggle to face.”

On Why Fans Were So Upset:

“I think like with submitting Cena, I feel like I — somebody told me that theory the other day, and I think it’s very accurate. You kind of like, show people their own mortality a little bit. Because it’s like, yeah, for a lot of people, John Cena is a big part of their life. Big part of their grownup life or childhood. And yeah, it’s over now. And I feel like that subconsciously distressed people too and I think that’s why everybody kind of like wanted a happy end to make that whole thing feel a bit better. But there’s no running from reality. [laughs]”

On If He Was Satisfied With How Cena Looked When He Tapped:

“Yeah, I was satisfied with everything to be honest. Because first of all — I don’t know, I think it’s a very good achievement to take people on a ride like that with a sleeper hold. I think that’s a very big achievement. And yeah, I feel like that’s the message he wanted to send, and that’s his right. That’s what he wanted to send to his fans. And that’s fine. Doesn’t change the outcome if he’s smiling or not.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit The Masked Man Show with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.