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Host 1
Every morning brings a fresh new energy. And no matter what the day holds.
Host 2
We come to the Today show for all of it.
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We get the best start to the.
Gunther
Day because we started together. Watch the Today show weekdays at 7am on NBC.
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Wrestling Commentator
It'S WrestleMania.
Host 1
Season and you know the boy gets.
Wrestling Commentator
Super excited about anything wwe so I'm.
Host 1
Checking in with some of the wrestlers as they get ready for the show.
Wrestling Commentator
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Host 1
Guys. So, you know, if you watch anything I've done any of my fights, you know how much of a WWE fan I am. So this to me is like a dream come true. You know, I did this in Los Angeles a couple years ago. I was on a side stage, I spoke to Omos, we took a photo. It was like the most shared photo I've ever had in my entire life. Because you have a giant and then you have me, who doesn't look like I could fight anyone, but clearly I can fight. Tonight we're on the main stage. And not only on the main stage, but we are going to be joined by two of the biggest stars in wrestling today. World Champions Legends. Guys that I'm a massive fan of. And my first guest is a guy that I really do enjoy, a guy that I think he's my favorite wrestler. He's the current World Champion. He is a former NXT UK champion, the longest reigning Intercontinental champion of all time. Yo, you know what's crazy about this dude? He has like one title reign in every belt because he never loses and that's why I love him so much. Guys, give it up for my first guest, the ring and Arao Gunter. Look at that. That is a beautiful belt. Champion, thank you for joining me. I appreciate you giving me some time.
Gunther
Thank you for having me though.
Host 1
You know, when I, when I started watching wrestling again and I started watching you and noticing you for the first time, you stood out right away because of the physical, the physical ability. You beat people up, man. And for a guy like me that likes watching people get beat up and that likes to beat people up, you are a breath of fresh air. How did you develop that style inside the ring?
Gunther
I mean, first of all, thank you for saying that coming from you, that means something. Whatever they think, I don't pay too much attention to, to be honest. But that coming from you means a lot. I always liked, I was a big fan of the Japanese wrestlers back then, the European wrestlers, and that style was way more physical sports based and yeah, intense and I just thought it makes sense for a body constitution over time and that's what I stuck with.
Host 1
You know, I watched you in Los angeles with Drew McIntyre and Sheamus and by the end of that match, you guys were all battered and bruised. When you're done with a match like that and you go back to the back, what's that feeling, right? Knowing that you laid it all out on the line and put on One of the greatest matches of the entire year.
Gunther
Well, in that moment, you feel alive afterwards, because in our careers, it's those 10 to 20 minutes in the ring. That's what you all do it for. At least from my perspective, like everything around it, the travel, the training, everything, all the hardships around it, they really pay off when I can't be in there for 20 minutes or something and leave it all in the ring.
Host 1
Hey, Gunter. So you won the world championship, Are the king of the ring. And the crowd, us, right, all the fans, we said you deserve it. And you so disrespect, you so disrespectfully told us it doesn't matter what we think. Why do you dislike that? We appreciate you, man.
Gunther
Are you turning on me here? I excluded you. I was just talking about that, man.
Host 1
But I'm one of them. I'm one of these guys.
Gunther
No, it's all right. I appreciate it a little bit. That's why.
Host 1
Hey, this journey though, Gunther, when I was introducing you, or when I'm doing my, my, my background into you, you're the longest reigning Intercontinental champion of all time. When you held the belt in nxt, one of the longest reigns of all time. Now as the, the champion, the world champion, another long reign, how important is it for you to not only become champ, but to hold on to these titles, right? Have these long sustained reigns to be able to tell your story and really stand atop the sport as you have?
Gunther
I think I always thought about it like I wanted to be a great champion in professional wrestling. I want to represent that. And I always liked ideas. I don't know, there's all those crazy records, like five time intercontinental champion, ten times world champion, all of that. I rather win a title once, hold it for a very long time, leave my mark and then move on to the next thing you know.
Host 1
That's a great answer, but you really don't care that they're clapping.
Gunther
See, that's what I'm getting from that.
Host 1
See what I'm saying?
Gunther
I'm the bullied one here.
Host 1
But you bullied because they yell. He said you're going to lose your belt this weekend.
Gunther
Yeah, yeah, sure.
Host 1
Gunther, I saw some pictures of you from the past and you were a big boy. You kind of look like me in retirement, right? Like, not me when I was fighting. You look like me today. How important was it for you to change yourself physically? And how important or how big of a. How much can you attribute that weight loss and you physically changing to how you're perceived in The WWE today?
Wrestling Commentator
Yeah.
Gunther
Well, first of all, for my health, it was very important to change it up at some point. Overall over the years. I was never that big when I was younger, I was always doing sports. And then I stopped playing football and switched to wrestling, and I gained a lot of weight. And then in wrestling, I always liked those guys. Like Vader and Stan Hansen.
Host 1
Yeah, yeah. Vader was the man.
Gunther
A lot of the Japanese heavyweights were like, bulky guys. And I kind of. I don't know, I guess I romanticized it a bit where, like, compared myself to that. I always like the idea of like a proper heavyweight wrestler looks like the next door's butcher or something like that, you know what I mean? But it came to a point when the career progressed and I knew, okay, I'm going to be on television every week now. I had to update that to maximize this whole thing to the full extent. And that was the decision I made. And it was a good experience doing that. It takes a lot of, as, you know, like a diet, like going down and down and down takes so much discipline and it ruins your social life and everything around it. And it was good to test myself with that and have that experience. And, yeah, it helped me to find a good balance.
Host 1
Now it feel good with the clothes. Like, I got to tell you, when I was making 205, my pant size was going down like three different sizes.
Gunther
Yeah, yeah.
Host 1
I go from like a 38 to like a 34, 32. And I look in the. I sit in the mirror saying I look good. You look, don't you?
Gunther
Oh, yeah, of course.
Host 1
You know. Do you believe there's been a change in wwe? Yeah, this new regime, they love you. Obviously. They keep. You keep winning belts. Do you think you would have had that success with the prior regime?
Gunther
I don't think so, no. Not to that extent or in that way. I think I was always like a Triple H guy. Like, that was the guy I dealt with most of my career in wwe and I had a shorter stint under the old regime, but, yeah, ever since then, I think especially us European guys, we gotta thank Hunter for a lot of things because he was the one that opened WWE to the world outside of that universe, to wrestling abroad, wrestling on independence. And that just opened. Yeah, that just gave us so many possibilities to step into. That was a crucial moment for me in my career. And there was definitely a little bit be at the right time at, like, be at the right place at the right time.
Host 1
Yeah.
Gunther
But, yeah, I'm glad that things are how they are right now. And, yeah, I think we're just getting started with everything. We're red hot now. It's taking up, taking off everywhere, and we're just getting started.
Host 1
You told me in the back that it's been 20 years since you started wrestling.
Gunther
Yes.
Host 1
WrestleMania weekend. I'm going through the airport. And the amount of people that are here to watch you guys perform, to take part in what is the biggest weekend in wrestling. What does it mean to you, Gunter, to have that right? To be able to be not only on the card of all cards, but to be one of the headliners, to be one of the show starters and have the opportunity to steal the show? Does that still resonate with you as it did the first time you got the call that you were going to wrestle on this card?
Gunther
I feel like right now, what it really feels like, and I think there was after. After that match you just talked about before with Sheamus and Drew. It was like a confirmation for myself, like, I belong here. Yeah, Like I belong here and I can run things here. And, yeah, I'm enjoying it right now. That's like. That's what I worked for my whole life. And I'm not gonna. I'm not trying to load pressure on myself. I'm just here to enjoy it. And, yeah, on Saturday, when I get out there with Jay Uso, I'm going to enjoy kicking his ass for 20 minutes. That's what I'm going to do.
Host 1
So, so, so, Gunther, to get to that, right, to get to the matchup, I had Jay USO on my podcast a while back, and he was excited about winning the Royal Rumble. He was excited about the idea that he become world champion for the first time. And he had his sights set solely on you to become the world champion. The bill to this match has been fantastic. You assaulted his brother. You assaulted his brother in a way where you should have been arrested. You should have been arrested for what you did to poor Jimmy uso. He's a good guy.
Gunther
That's why we all signed a waiver up front. That's.
Host 1
How has that been building to this match? And knowing that all these people, they want to get their hands up, they want to dance, they want to say, yeet. I mean, how does it feel? Every time you walk out there, you get the booze and Jey USO gets the cheers and the love.
Gunther
I mean, one thing I claim for myself, nobody pisses on a parade like I do. I think I'm the best at that. And yeah, I mean, the thing Is with Jay, it's hard to not like him. I get that. And he's been busting his ass in his company since his whole career. He's always been with wwe, so it's not his fault that he's a little bit delusional. I went to wrestling university all around the world. I've been through every scenario. I've been all around the globe before I came to wwe. So I don't blame Jay for thinking the way he thinks. But on Saturday, I'll make him understand. I'll make him feel it. My words, they didn't work up front.
Host 1
Gunther, you have wrestled Jey USO before.
Gunther
Three times.
Host 1
Three times.
Gunther
Beat him three times.
Host 1
Beaten him three times. But he's more motivated today than he has ever been. When you stand in that ring with him now, can you see that different level of intensity than you saw before?
Gunther
I got to admit, I can. And that was the whole thing the last weeks. I always knew Jay had it in him because we saw it from him before. But I was surprised that it actually comes out of him in this scenario now because there's more pressure on him right now because of all those people having expectations than ever before. That's something I don't deal with. Like I said before, I do not care what they think, what they say. I'm doing all of this solely for myself.
Host 1
Yeah.
Gunther
So mentally, I'm in a way better state than he is. But he showed me a different side in the last weeks, and I'm happy. I'm happy I can take on the best version of Jay USO on Saturday.
Host 1
Yeah. Gunther, you always had imperium before. Do you like standing alone now where you're out there by yourself, or do you kind of miss having the whole group?
Gunther
Both is nice. I've been with a group for a long time, but then I've been alone for a while, and then I was with a group again, and now I'm on myself again. So both has his ups and downs, but I think I'm good where I'm right now. Yeah.
Host 1
Okay, so I got a question. This is me, the fan, right? The Gunther fan. Yo. What's your finisher? Is there a finisher? Like, is it the sleeper or is the power where I'm like, what is your. Wow. You have no finisher. I think that, to me, is probably one of the best things about you. Right. You do that big splash off the top rope, which is poetry in motion. A big man jumping off the rope like that. Amazing. The powerbomb, the sleeper what's your finishing move, man?
Gunther
Yeah, I don't have one. Whatever ends the match on that day in that situation, what makes the most sense, that's what I'm gonna do. And I might need to slow down on the big splash. I gotta say, when I was heavier, that was easier on myself, I gotta be honest. Yeah. Overall, what. Just what makes sense in a situation. And I've never been a big fan of that. Just have one specific finishing move. Yeah. That's why I decided in general, my career, whatever everybody else did, thing A, I try not to do it, to be different.
Host 1
It's awesome, man. That's part of the reason that I enjoy your fighting style so tremendously. Before you get to the match this weekend, tell these fans what you're going to do to Jey uso or give Jey uso a message. Camera's back there. Tell Jey uso what he can look forward to this weekend and let these fans know. This gentleman right here, he keeps yelling, you're going to lose your belt. He right there with that glass. Him right there. Give him that message about how disappointed he's going to be come Saturday night because I got you, Gunter.
Gunther
You better sit your ass down right there before I come down. I'm going to beat your ass. Okay. You understand?
Host 1
Get him out, get him out, get him out. Yeah.
Gunther
Sit your ass down. Nobody cares what you got to say. Come on.
Host 1
You have no message for them?
Gunther
No. My, my, my words, they don't land with those people.
Host 1
Yes.
Gunther
They can't grasp it. They can digest a four letter word. They're pretty good at that. But everything over a sentence, it's pretty hard to digest for them. So everything said and done well, you.
Host 1
Are one of the greatest wrestlers in the world, man.
Gunther
Thank you for having me.
Host 1
ESPN's Male Wrestler of the Year 2023, 24. Give it up for the ring, General. The world champion, Gunther.
Wrestling Commentator
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Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode - Daniel Cormier TV
Title: Daniel Cormier TV - Gunther on KICKING Jey Uso's ASS at WrestleMania, WWE Signing, INSANE Weight Loss
Release Date: April 20, 2025
Hosts: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves into the top sports stories of the day with thought-provoking discussions. In this episode, wrestling powerhouse Gunther joins the conversation to discuss his upcoming match at WrestleMania, his impressive weight loss journey, and his perspective on the evolving WWE landscape.
The episode kicks off with Host 1 expressing his deep-rooted passion for WWE and the significance of WrestleMania. He reminisces about a prior interaction with Gunther in Los Angeles, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect between them. This sets a personal tone for the interview, emphasizing the importance of WrestleMania in the wrestling world.
Notable Quote:
Host 1 [04:30]: "Guys, give it up for my first guest, the ring general Gunther. Look at that. That is a beautiful belt. Champion, thank you for joining me."
Gunther opens up about his wrestling journey, emphasizing his admiration for Japanese and European wrestling styles, which are known for their physicality and intensity. He attributes his unique in-ring style to these influences, explaining how they have shaped his approach to professional wrestling.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [04:56]: "I was a big fan of the Japanese wrestlers back then, the European wrestlers, and that style was way more physical and sports-based and intense."
Host 1 [06:24]: "You know, when I was introducing you, you're the longest reigning Intercontinental champion of all time. Now as the world champion, how important is it for you to hold on to these titles?"
Gunther [07:10]: "I want to be a great champion in professional wrestling. I want to represent that. I’d rather win a title once, hold it for a very long time, leave my mark and then move on to the next thing."
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Gunther's remarkable weight loss and physical transformation. He candidly shares the motivations behind his decision to shed weight, primarily focusing on health and optimizing his performance in WWE. Gunther reflects on the discipline required for his diet and exercise regimen, acknowledging the challenges it posed to his social life but ultimately praising the balance it brought to his personal and professional life.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [08:31]: "For my health, it was very important to change it up at some point. I had to update that to maximize this whole thing to the full extent."
Host 1 [09:38]: "When I was making 205, my pant size was going down like three different sizes."
Gunther [08:49]: "It takes a lot of discipline and it ruins your social life and everything around it. It was good to test myself with that and have that experience."
Gunther discusses the shift in WWE's management and how it has positively impacted his career. He credits the new regime for opening doors for European wrestlers, providing more opportunities and greater visibility. Gunther contrasts this with the previous management under Triple H, suggesting that the current environment has been more conducive to his sustained success and long title reigns.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [10:00]: "I don't think I was always like a Triple H guy... ever since then, especially us European guys, we gotta thank Hunter for a lot of things because he was the one that opened WWE to the world outside."
Gunther [10:57]: "We are just getting started with everything. We're red hot now. It's taking off everywhere, and we're just getting started."
The core of the episode centers on Gunther's impending match against Jey Uso at WrestleMania. Host 1 delves into the history between the two wrestlers, highlighting Gunther's dominance in previous encounters where he has triumphed over Uso three times. Gunther articulates his confidence and strategic mindset, emphasizing his focus on personal performance rather than crowd expectations.
Notable Quotes:
Host 1 [12:25]: "You have wrestled Jey Uso before. Three times."
Gunther [14:27]: "I'll make him understand. I'll make him feel it. My words, they didn't work up front."
Gunther [14:56]: "I'm doing all of this solely for myself."
Gunther touches upon the mental aspects of preparing for high-stakes matches. He contrasts his own mental state with Jey Uso's, suggesting that the latter is under immense pressure from fans and personal expectations. Gunther asserts his mental fortitude and readiness to deliver his best performance, aiming to capitalize on his experience and strategic approach.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [14:56]: "Mentally, I'm in a way better state than he is."
Gunther [14:57]: "He showed me a different side in the last weeks, and I'm happy. I'm happy I can take on the best version of Jey Uso on Saturday."
Addressing the dynamics of teamwork versus solo performance, Gunther reflects on his time with the Imperium faction. He explains his comfort with both group settings and performing solo, indicating adaptability based on the situation and his current professional focus.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [15:20]: "Both is nice. I've been with a group for a long time, but then I've been alone for a while... I think I'm good where I'm right now."
In an engaging segment, Host 1 inquires about Gunther's finishing moves, only to discover that Gunther eschews having a single signature finisher. Instead, he opts for flexibility, choosing moves that best fit the situation during a match. This unconventional approach sets him apart in the wrestling world, showcasing his adaptability and strategic thinking.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [16:02]: "I don't have one. Whatever ends the match on that day in that situation, what makes the most sense, that's what I'm gonna do."
Gunther [16:36]: "I try not to do it, to be different."
Towards the end of the interview, Host 1 invites Gunther to deliver a message to Jey Uso and the fans. Gunther responds assertively, reinforcing his determination to win the upcoming match. The segment underscores the intense rivalry and anticipates a high-energy showdown at WrestleMania.
Notable Quotes:
Gunther [17:07]: "You better sit your ass down right there before I come down. I'm going to beat your ass. Okay. You understand?"
Host 1 [17:43]: "Are one of the greatest wrestlers in the world, man."
The episode concludes with Host 1 acknowledging Gunther's accolades, including being named ESPN's Male Wrestler of the Year for 2023 and 2024. The segment encapsulates Gunther's prominence in the wrestling world and builds anticipation for his performance at WrestleMania.
Notable Quote:
Host 1 [17:43]: "ESPN's Male Wrestler of the Year 2023, 24. Give it up for the ring general, Gunther. The world champion, Gunther."
Summary
In this compelling episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, wrestling icon Gunther offers an in-depth look into his illustrious career, physical transformation, and the strategic mindset fueling his success in WWE. Gunther's candid discussions reveal his dedication to excellence, adaptability in the ring, and unwavering focus on personal performance. As WrestleMania approaches, listeners gain exclusive insights into the anticipation and preparation behind one of the most anticipated matches of the year. Gunther's reflections on the evolving WWE landscape and his role within it provide a nuanced perspective on professional wrestling's dynamic nature. This episode is a must-listen for wrestling enthusiasts eager to understand the motivations and strategies of one of the sport's premier athletes.