1. A Surprise Mention from the Past
During an open-ended interview on the UnSKripted podcast, former WWE tag team star JTG, who is known as one half of the fan-favorite Cryme Tyme under the name Gunther, referred to him as the stiff guy when asked to name his preferred opponent in wrestling.
This comment may surprise casual fans. JTG wasn’t pointing to a megastar like Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes, but rather the austere, dominant force known for his relentless in-ring brutality and intimidating presence. That’s a telling sign not only of Gunther’s earning power, but also of the wrestling fraternity’s respect for his old-school, no-nonsense style.
2. Who Is Gunther and What Makes His Style Unique?
Walter Hahn, known globally as Gunther, hails from Vienna, Austria. Since signing with WWE in 2019 via its NXT UK brand, he’s been a force of nature, his execution marked by precision, impact, and legitimacy. Early on, he held the NXT UK Championship for 870 days, one of the longest title reigns WWE has ever seen Wikipedia.
On WWE’s main roster, his Intercontinental Championship reign shattered records at 666 days, surpassing all previous champions Wikipedia. He later captured the World Heavyweight Championship via the King of the Ring tournament, solidifying his place at the top of the card Wikipedia.
Gunther’s ring philosophy is summed up by his German credo, “Die Matte ist Heilig,” “The mat is sacred.” His stiff hitting, subdued promos, and measured offense evoke the revered Japanese and European wrestling traditions he grew up admiring Wikipedia. As The Undertaker put it, Gunther has “that old-school mentality,” and Taker joked they’d likely end up in a fist fight if they shared the ring Talksport.
3. “Stiff” in Wrestling: A Compliment, Not a Curse
In the language of wrestling, to work stiff is to hit one in a way that appears and often feels like a blow. It is the art of doing things that matter without losing security. This ethic is portrayed in Gunther, where the chaining is convincing and heavy, yet not lose control over his opponents, The Sportster.
This reality and absence have made him be complimented by the long-time journalist Bill Apter and Hall of Famer Teddy Long, actually likening Gunther and his ring to the now-deceased wrestling legend Killer Kowalski Wrestling Noticias.
4. Why JTG’s Mention Matters
JTG, best known for his comedic and charismatic run in WWE alongside Shad Gaspard, choosing Gunther isn’t about nostalgia; it speaks volumes about the esteem in which Gunther is held by his peers. Despite not being a current roster member, JTG knows wrestling and focuses on a performer who represents authenticity and power, not flashy optics.
That Gunther is described as “the stiff guy” suggests he stands out as a wrestler who hits hard, tells stories with his physicality, and brings a grounded seriousness that resonates with veterans.
5. Commentary: What This Means for Gunther’s Legacy
The legacy of Gunther is one that is rooted in content rather than show. His awards testify not only to championships:
- The fact that Undertaker shares his old-school ethos with his legends, Talksport adds credibility to his words.
- An insider deal with Sportskeeda, where Gunther ordered and got an exclusive tour bus, a luxury only accessible to the most high-ranking WWE superstars such as Reigns and Rhodes, speaks to his higher rank and backstage power at SportsInfo.
When a star like JTG, who has never left the company to work solo and has a good understanding of the business, refers to you as a dream match, it is a sign of respect both internally and externally to WWE.
6. The Man Behind the Stiffness: Gunther’s Journey
Gunther nearly walked away from wrestling entirely. He spent years balancing night shifts with weekend matches in Germany’s wXw, nearly quitting before he proposed running a wrestling school for the promotion, an opportunity that changed his trajectory entirely. Wrestling Inc..
That decision led to his WWE breakout, initiated by Triple H’s belief in his potential, SportsInfo.
Gunther transformed himself physically too, losing weight through a clean diet and gym discipline, moving into a leaner, more agile, yet still powerful representation of himself in the ring, Wrestling Inc..
7. The Bigger Picture: Gunther’s Place in WWE’s Evolution
Since WWE is part spectacle, part wrestler-led narrative, Gunther presents an anchor with a true commitment to ring realism, sport athlete intensity, and character by way of action. His story of rising as an independent stalwart and becoming a long-reigning champion is a case study on the power of passion and pedigree to rebrand wrestling as a type.
The stiff guy is exactly what JTG means: a performer who uses his body to narrate, whose blows count, and whose body language takes on an extra meaning beyond the written finishes.
Quick Recap Table
| Factor | Insight |
|---|---|
| Time in WWE | 870 days NXT UK Champion; 666 days Intercontinental title reign Wikipedia |
| Style | Stiff, old-school, realistic, “Die Matte ist Heilig” philosophy Wikipedia |
| Peer Recognition | JTG calls him “the stiff guy”; Undertaker praises his mentality TalksportSportskeeda |
| Perks & Respect | Secured private tour van in contract; seen as top-tier WWE talent SportsInfo |
| Career Shift | Overcame near-retirement via wrestling school role in Germany Wrestling Inc. |
| Physical Transformation | Leaner, powerful style through disciplined lifestyle Wrestling Inc. |
Final Thoughts
In an era filled with flashy gimmicks and high-energy choreography, Gunther stands out for his grounded intensity and respect for wrestling’s physical storytelling. When even a former tag-team standout like JTG singles him out as “the stiff guy” he’d love to face, it’s a powerful affirmation of his standing in the industry.
