WWE: "Triple H is a genius" - WWE fans can't stop raving about Gunther making history at Royal Rumble 2023

WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble this year, but fans and critics unanimously hailed Gunther as the MVP of the epic 30-Man battle.

The Intercontinental Champion was the first superstar to enter the match and was eliminated last. Gunther lasted an hour and eleven minutes inside the ring, breaking the previous Royal Rumble record held by Rey Mysterio.

The Imperium leader dominated throughout the match, skillfully destroying everyone in his path. He was involved in several exciting battles with the likes of Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, and Braun Strowman, among others. But one of the best moments for Gunther was when he came face-to-face with Brock Lesnar.

The crowd erupted with pop as Lesnar and Gunther stood across from each other, exchanging taunts. The WWE Universe instantly fell in love with their interaction and labeled it a big money match.

After a grueling battle, Gunther and Cody Rhodes were the last two superstars left in the Rumble match. Instead of a quick elimination, we saw them lock horns in an intense match that ended with the Intercontinental Champion's elimination.

The American Nightmare scripted a fairytale victory at Royal Rumble, and Gunther played a huge role in making the moment more impactful. Fans believe the latter deserves to be a world champion based on his recent performances.

Here's how the WWE Universe reacted to Gunther's historic performance on the show:

Cody Rhodes wins Royal Rumble 2023 to mark an epic return

The American Nightmare entered the match at #30 but still had to fight through hell against Gunther to win the match. But a determined Cody Rhodes picked up a big win to mark the beginning of "Rhodes 2 Rumble".

During a press conference following the show, Cody Rhodes revealed that Triple H said he was proud of him. The American Nightmare admitted to taking digs at WWE in the past but insisted that it was all light-hearted. He is now prepared to 'finish the story' as he eyes the world title at WrestleMania.

About the author

Shruti Sadbhav is a WWE writer at Sportskeeda Wrestling. With a triple major in Journalism, English Literature, and Psychology, she has always been drawn to writing. As an avid sports lover, writing about sports was the finest way to combine her passion with her prowess.

Whenever she writes, Shruti puts herself into the shoes of fans to see how she would appreciate an honest account of anything related to something she follows wholeheartedly with engaging and relevant information to cater to the readers' needs.

Shruti has seven years of experience. She previously worked as a content manager at Fox Sports Asia and as an assistant manager and digital marketer at Kickstart FC. Shruti previously worked in multiple roles in Sportskeeda, where she was a WWE features writer, editor, and content manager. She has over 40 million+ reads across all her writer profiles, giving her an immensely diverse audience across WWE and football.

When it comes to pro wrestling, Shruti does not particularly remember the first match she watched. However, she recalls accompanying her brother and getting hooked when she saw The Undertaker – a fascinating wrestler that she, like thousands of others, believed in.
Her views on pro wrestling evolved as she grew older and understood the intricacies of the business. This allows her to appreciate those who dedicate themselves to the craft and, once in a while, it does become what it has always been touted to be – magical. Her favorite wrestler is Finn Balor due to his persistence.

When she is not working as a writer, Shruti loves to read, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and let Manchester City dictate her weekend plans.

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