Randy Orton vs GUNTHER is the perfect match to make for Bash in Berlin

GUNTHER walked out of SummerSlam as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Since signing with WWE in 2019, Gunther has only suffered three defeats. His rise has been masterful every step of the way. Slotting Randy Orton in as his first contender is another great step as it plays off their match from King of the Ring and gives Gunther a big challenge right out of the gate.

Back at King of the Ring, everyone saw when Orton’s shoulders were not down as the referee counted to three. It was a mistake with millions watching that couldn’t be taken back. So, WWE ran with it, acknowledged the mistake, and used that as a catalyst to set up this match for Bash in Berlin on Saturday, August 31.

This is the right decision to make for several reasons. First, it does something that previous iterations of WWE rarely did, properly acknowledging when something didn’t go correctly in the ring. In the past, this would have been ignored, regardless of the fact that it happened live and in color. Instead of treating its fans as idiots, this was something worth recognizing and the promotion did it in the perfect way. Gunther and Orton both spoke of that moment and how it matters in where they are today. They spoke of it as an unfinished blemish that must be addressed in another match. And just like that, the match was made.

There were a lot of questions about who Gunther would face at Bash in Berlin. He’s coming off an Intercontinental Championship run that lasted 666 days. That raises the anticipation for what he will do with this championship. Will he hold it for as many days? Probably not, but fans should expect him to have a lengthy and prosperous run. That means he’ll have to beat back several champions, legends, and young competitors alike.

That’s where Orton comes in. Orton is a made man in WWE. He can be inserted into any main event picture and fans will eat it up. He deserves that type of placement. He’s one of the few that does at this point. Orton walking down to the ring, on a brand that he’s not technically a part of, to demand a title shot was a surprise, but not one that upset the masses. Once again, it made sense, and it was Randy Orton. Who is going to argue?

Gunther needed a big challenger for his first PLE as champion and he’s got that in Randy Orton. This is the move that makes sense and one that should build excitement heading into the show on August 31.