What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Episode: Gunther (March 4, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes WWE Superstar Gunther for a candid, in-depth discussion with Cody Rhodes. The two explore Gunther’s European wrestling roots, his unprecedented rise within WWE, the weight of retiring John Cena, personal philosophy, physical transformation, and the modern state of wrestling. The episode is rich with reflections on legacy, style, personal growth, and the changing landscape of WWE, while blending humor and unfiltered honesty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gunther’s WWE Journey & Heritage

• First Impressions and Titles

  • Gunther reflects on being at the WWE Warehouse for the first time and his attachment to wrestling memorabilia.
  • Titles discussed: Intercontinental, World Heavyweight, and UK Championship—Gunther fondly recalls the NXT UK title belt.
  • (03:01) "I don't have that much memorabilia yet... I just walked around here and saw all those great items." – Gunther

• Wrestling Roots in Vienna

  • Gunther’s passion for Japanese and indie wrestling runs deeper than early WWE fandom.
  • Describes Vienna’s District 11, the influence of Austrian legend Otto Wanz, and the rarity of WWE exposure growing up.
  • (13:12) "Otto Wanz is like in Austria... Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, Otto Wanz—that's what people know about wrestling." – Gunther

• Distant WWE Dreams

  • Pro wrestling wasn’t viewed as a realistic career choice in Vienna—Gunther’s initial goal was simply to make a living wrestling.
  • (14:19) "All of this, that's not a realistic option if you grow up as a young boy in Vienna." – Gunther

2. Retiring John Cena—The Magnitude & Ambivalence

• Contrasting Experiences with Cena

  • Gunther, unlike Cody, did not grow up idolizing Cena or sharing much backstage history.
  • (07:01) "Until the day of the match, I maybe said hello to him twice—that was all the interaction we ever had." – Gunther
  • Cody discusses his “student” dynamic with Cena in contrast to Gunther’s “another day at the office” approach.

• Weight of the Moment

  • Gunther describes Cena’s retirement as “heavier than WrestleMania,” affecting even the most stoic.
  • (05:41) "It almost felt more intense than WrestleMania that day." – Gunther
  • Reflects on being both the most hated and envied man in the building, relishing the gravity and challenge.

3. Personal Philosophy, Growth, and Responsibility

• Chasing Challenge Over Checklists

  • Gunther is driven by mastering new responsibilities rather than ticking off accolades.
  • (17:02) "I never had that list of 'that's what I want to achieve.' I always want to grow in the responsibility I can take on." – Gunther

• Keeping Grounded

  • Leans on close friend Marcel (Ludwig Kaiser) and occasionally Paul Heyman for feedback rather than a large circle.
  • (19:05) "Marcel obviously—Kaiser—he's my best friend, so He's good at giving me perspective." – Gunther

• Mentorship & Influences

  • In wrestling, Gunther identifies Stan Hansen and Kenta Kobashi as major influences for their intensity (61:00).
  • Outside, credits a logistics job boss for teaching lasting life skills (43:55).

4. Locker Room Culture & Legacy

• Directness and Honesty

  • Gunther embodies European bluntness, balancing honesty with an awareness of American cultural norms.
  • (65:08) "Being straightforward is good because it gets you where you want to go quicker. But also, maybe it was too direct sometimes over here." – Gunther

• Locker Room Evolution

  • Praises WWE’s modern diversity, the open paths to the top, and a shift from “one direction” to many.
  • (69:15) "WWE always felt like one direction... now I think there’s many ways you can go to make it to the top." – Gunther

5. Physical Transformation & Discipline

• Cutting Weight for Professionalism

  • Gunther discusses his massive weight loss (300 lbs down to 230–240 lbs) as a practical, professional decision for TV.
  • (47:02) "I think it must have been around… I'm now 230–240 all the time. I was 300 at the highest." – Gunther

• Sustaining Health in WWE’s Demands

  • Highlights the challenge of constantly staying in shape, with insights into gym culture and diet on the road.
  • Emphasizes that although fitness is crucial, it’s not the only factor—unique talents are equally important (52:07).

6. Style, Image & Iconography

• Minimalism & Signature
  • Cody praises Gunther’s “less is more” fashion sense; Gunther jokes about being Rolex’s “watch guy.”
  • (10:12) "You have this really, what would be the measured but also kind of less is more style." – Cody Rhodes

7. In-Ring Philosophy & “The Chop”

• On Ring Psychology & Chops

  • Gunther lauds the power of basic moves—especially his signature chop (31:00+).
  • Respects the origins (Kenta Kobashi) and never offers “chop for cash” fan stunts, to protect the art’s mystique (33:43).
  • (33:44) "Because I'm a professional and they're not." – Gunther

• Preference for Simplicity

  • (33:18) "I always like to use very basic instruments and still try to achieve a big reaction." – Gunther

8. Modern vs. Old School Wrestling

• Rejecting Stereotypes

  • Gunther distances himself from the old “foreign menace” tropes; focuses on character depth over nationality (35:00+).
  • (35:00) "I try to avoid everything that has to do with a flag or something... It's not 1990 anymore." – Gunther

• Pro Wrestling > Sports Entertainment?

  • Michael Cole’s commentary called Gunther’s defeat of John Cena “Pro wrestling beats sports entertainment” (76:05).
  • Gunther is validated by this alignment with his personal philosophy and Ringkampf’s mantra (76:46).

9. On Being “The Man” & What’s Next

• Post-Cena Trajectory

  • Gunther doesn’t aim for the isolated “mountain top,” but wants to be “the guy” that younger generations aspire to face in big matches (71:05).
  • (71:44) "Where I want to get to is... be able to get into that spot, but then wrestle Ilya in that position, have great matches with Braun, with Oba..." – Gunther

• Admiring Different Roles

  • Acknowledges the heavy responsibility and media burden Cody and others carry as top babyfaces, preferring his own approach (72:06).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I never had a match my whole career where I felt like... 'I'm not feeling it today,' but once I'm in the ring it's like, yeah, we're good."
  — Gunther (17:58)

• "I need my wrestling to be real."
  — Cody Rhodes (30:59)

• "If the home is not a supportive environment…that anchors you a lot. So that, that's a big game changer for me."
  — Gunther on family & marriage (45:31)

• "It just says 'Give up.' Very accurate."
  — Gunther, noticing John Cena's 'Never Give Up' shoe display (59:58)

• "Stan Hansen. The man. Absolute machine… unlimited gas tank."
  — Gunther, on in-ring inspirations (61:01)

• "I just want one bodybuilder back in the mix. Just one full-blooded tear-a-pec..."
  — Cody Rhodes on wrestling physiques (52:33)

• "We need one another. The marquee says two names. John Cena's retirement match wasn't against nobody."
  — Cody Rhodes (72:39)

• "Without Ross and company being the way they are, someone like me couldn't exist. If everyone was like me, I wouldn't stand out."
  — Gunther, on diversity in wrestling personas (73:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:01] – Gunther on memorabilia and the NXT UK title 
• [04:32] – Gunther reflects on retiring John Cena 
• [10:12] – Cody praises Gunther's minimalist style 
• [13:12] – Gunther describes Vienna wrestling culture and Otto Wanz 
• [15:53] – Cody asks Gunther if he considers himself the best wrestler 
• [19:05] – Gunther on his relationship with Marcel Kaiser and Heyman 
• [31:00–33:44] – In-depth on the art of the "chop" and in-ring psychology 
• [35:00] – Gunther on avoiding the “foreign menace” stereotype 
• [47:02–50:51] – Gunther’s physical transformation; being in shape in WWE 
• [61:01] – Stan Hansen as Gunther’s wrestling idol 
• [76:05] – Michael Cole’s “pro wrestling beats sports entertainment” call 
• [77:32] – Gunther’s “dream team” for War Games 

Gunther’s Dream Team (77:32)

War Games–Five Man Squad

• Ludwig Kaiser (Marcel Barthel)
• Ilja Dragunov
• Kenta Kobashi
• Fit Finlay
• (Gunther subs himself for Stan Hansen, preferring variety)

"I think it would be a good team at the bar after, too." – Gunther

Final Thoughts

Gunther reveals himself to be a thoughtful, disciplined, and humble wrestler who carries the old-school ethos into the modern era. He balances self-assuredness with a drive for continuous growth, and values both tradition and evolution in wrestling. Gunther and Cody Rhodes share mutual respect, humor, and candid reflections, making this episode a treat for wrestling fans old and new.

For listeners who missed the episode:
This conversation offers a rare, nuanced portrait of Gunther’s rise, mindset, and the state of WWE—full of locker room stories, philosophy, and punchy exchanges between two of wrestling’s top minds.