When Walter changed his name to Gunther on an episode of NXT 2.0 back in January, it left many a fan confused about his future in WWE.

Fast forward to June of 2022, and Gunther is the new WWE Intercontinental Championship, having dethroned Ricochet after a 99-day run.

In hindsight, that decision worked out pretty darn well, huh?

Taking the ring with new music and his manager Ludwig Kaiser by his side, Gunther towered over Ricochet in what can only be described as a David and Goliath match for Smackdown's mid-card title. Though Ricochet put in some of the eye-popping, jaw-dropping offense fans have come to expect since he was known as King Puma in Lucha Underground, little made much of an impact on the Austrian “Floor General,” who tattooed his opponent's chest with his brutal chops, and ultimately power bombed the unsuspecting title holder into submission.

1-2-3, new champion.

Losing to Gunther, though predictable, is a tough blow for Ricochet, who became the butt of more than a few jokes for just how infrequently he was used on television over the past few years. A house show mainstay who has given main event-level performances to paying fans the world over, King Ric will have to hope like heck that creative has something else for him; otherwise, his future may look a lot like his past.

And as for Gunther? Well, things are just warming up for one of the best wrestlers Europe has produced in some time. Expect a long and storied title run that's far more prolific than anything that was booked for Walter in NXT USA.