Major WWE superstar ‘surprises himself’ looking back before unrecognisable 4 stone weight loss-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

WWE superstar GUNTHER has admitted even he is ‘surprised by how big’ he was before his dramatic body transformation.

The Ring General, who will face legendary wrestler Randy Orton in the finals at King and Queen of the Ring this evening, has left fans in awe of his unrecognisable weight loss as he toned up his physique and rose up the ranks.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, GUNTHER reflected on his fitness journey, and how he looks back now on photos from his earlier career before losing over over four stone.

‘I was aware of how big I was, but now looking at the pictures, I’m surprised how big it was,’ he laughed. ‘If that makes sense?

‘But no, I think it was fine for the time back then, and it was the right choice. And yeah, obviously health wise, it’s way better [now] and I feel better in the ring. It’s been a good thing doing it.’

It was a drastic change for the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history, who was known for being a heavyweight bruiser on the independent scene.

Before he became known as GUNTHER, WALTER had a very different look (Picture: WWE)

The Ring General lost over four stone (Picture: WWE)

However, he wasn’t concerned that his image change would impact his presentation when he got called up to SmackDown two years ago.

‘I think I had to adapt a little bit, obviously. It’s always the way you wrestle, you have to adapt to the style a little bit,’ he explained.

‘But I think overall, like I were able to keep who I am and also keep the style that I executed in the ring. To have that freedom, I think, helped me out big time because that’s what I can do best.

‘That’s what I can do at the highest level. I’m planning on staying mostly the same as I was before.’

He was known for his huge frame and intense in ring style (Picture: WWE)

GUNTHER hasn’t lost any of his physicality or appeal (Picture: WWE/Getty Images)

The transformation itself was motivated by ‘an overall realisation’ that it was time to ‘do something’, both for health reasons and a desire to fit the aesthetics of WWE’s main event scene.

His wife Jinny, who announced her retirement from wrestling in January 2023, and his real life friends Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser helped inspire him during his fitness journey, and he admitted that was the hard part.

‘That’s WAY easier, keeping if off,’ he chuckled. ‘It really is, though. You want to get to a point physically, then you really have to stick to it for quite a long time and be very disciplined.

‘Once you’re at a point where you’re comfortable, then it’s easier to manage to maintain that than getting there.’

His body transformation isn’t the only change in GUNTHER’s life, as he also became a father for the first time in December when Jinny gave birth to their baby boy.

He told us that mother and baby are both doing ‘very good’, although it’s naturally a ‘big change’ for everyone.

‘Especially for more Jinny because she’s with him all the time. She’s the mom. I’ve still got a good bit of traveling to do,’ he admitted. ‘But it’s definitely a challenge sometimes. But on the other hand, it’s a beautiful thing!’

GUNTHER admitted being a father has shifted his priorities (Picture: WWE)

The travel and being away from his son has meant his priorities have shifted, but he wants to ‘make it work’ while he’s still in his prime as a wrestler – and once his son is a little older, he may join his dad on the road.

‘We’ll see – we took him to Mania, because we went over to Europe right after, it would make sense,’ he said. ‘As he gets older, than I guess I will at some point.’

Up next for GUNTHER is the King of the Ring final against Orton in a matter of hours, and he’s looking forward to testing himself against a bona fide legend of the game.

‘Obviously Randy’s a legend, and one of the biggest names that ever came out at the WWE. And those are the people I’m here to be in the ring with,’ he said.

‘I want to be in the ring with those kind of performers, and just to see where I belong, or where I don’t. It will be a fantastic challenge.’

In August, GUNTHER is likely to be playing a key role at Bash In Berlin, with the Austrian putting in years of work in Germany for the likes of wXw, helping to grow the scene.

‘l always worked hard to make something happen in Germany, when it comes to professional wrestling,’ he admitted. ‘And now WWE is doing a PLE there. I think it’s a big thing. I’m very happy and proud to be able to do my part there.’

WWE King and Queen of the Ring airs this evening (May 25) at 6pm on the WWE Network. Bash In Berlin heads to Germany on August 31.

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