GUNTHER is the WWE MVP to date in 2023

Gunther has continued to be the most important person on the WWE main roster as the end of 2023 approaches. 

2023 has been a big year for professional wrestling in several different ways. Top names continue to stand out with epic performances in the ring. Over in All Elite Wrestling, the company has found an MVP in Bryan Danielson this year. WWE has its own top name to give that same designation and it is none other than WWE Intercontinental Champion, GUNTHER.

Gunther, then known as Walter, already had a highly successful career long before he stepped into WWE. Many were worried about how the company would handle him. Those worries grew when he joined the main roster, especially with memories of how he was squashed at Survivor Series back in 2019. Not only has WWE blown those expectations away, but Gunther has become perhaps the most important member of the WWE main roster today.

Of course, fans and critics will point to Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Becky Lynch as bigger names. But none of them have been as consistently excellent in everything that they do like the Ring General. Look back at his 2023 and this is a run that should get votes for the Wrestler of the Year. Unlike other individuals mentioned, Gunther doesn’t have any missteps or moments where fans wished he was booked better or complained about outcomes. At the end of the day, every single thing made sense.

This year alone he’s picked up wins over Braun Strowman, Madcap Moss, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Xavier Woods, Mustafa Ali, Matt Riddle, Chad Gable, and recently Tommaso Ciampa. Yes, Gunther came out the victor, but he’s also elevated each of those individuals along the way. His October 2 match against Ciampa was the latter’s biggest match on the main roster and did so much to help him get over with the crowd. That is what makes Gunther so important. Fans see him as a huge star and a fantastic competitor. Just being in a singles match with him immediately raises the stock of whoever is standing across from him. He has made everyone around him better.

WWE has an important asset in Gunther. As his run as IC Champion continues, many focus on who is the man to take that belt from his waist. That individual will get a rocket strapped to their back from that moment. And the anticipation of such is yet another reason why Gunther has emerged as the WWE MVP for 2023 so far.