Character error, shocking split - 4 unforgivable mistakes WWE has made with Gunther

Gunther is the reigning World Heavyweight Champion and will be defending the title against Damian Priest at WWE Survivor Series. However, the leader of Imperium is not heading into the premium live event with momentum on his side and has been made to look weak in recent weeks on WWE television.

The 37-year-old captured the title by defeating Damian Priest at SummerSlam after The Judgment Day's Finn Balor interfered in the match. However, he lost the Crown Jewel Championship match to Cody Rhodes earlier this month and was on the receiving end of a beatdown this past Monday night on RAW.

Listed below are four unforgivable mistakes WWE has made with Gunther.

#4. Gunther praised Cody Rhodes following WWE Crown Jewel 2024

Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther at Crown Jewel 2024 earlier this month in Saudi Arabia. The American Nightmare became the inaugural Crown Jewel Champion as a result of the victory and shook hands with his opponent after the match.

Gunther also berated Ludwig Kaiser on a recent edition of RAW for claiming Rhodes got lucky at Crown Jewel. The World Heavyweight Champion should have every right to despise Cody Rhodes, as he has eliminated him in the past two Men's Royal Rumble Matches. However, the company opted to brush the rivalry under the rug by having the two stars show each other respect at Crown Jewel.

#3. The promotion has teased a split with Ludwig Kaiser

Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser kicked Giovanni Vinci out of Imperium earlier this year. Kaiser unleashed a brutal attack on Vinci after the duo lost a tag team match, and The Ring General approved of his actions. Kaiser and his stablemate have not been on the same page in recent weeks.

Gunther demanded that the veteran stop speaking for him and make a name for himself on this past Monday's edition of WWE RAW. Ludwig Kaiser responded by attacking Sheamus and Bron Breakker during the Intercontinental Championship match on the red brand.

It seems like the promotion is teasing a potential breakup for Imperium soon, which would leave the World Heavyweight Champion without backup moving forward.

#2. The champion has been presented as vulnerable as of late

WWE Crown Jewel - Source: Getty

Gunther had a dominant 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion before he was dethroned by Sami Zayn at WWE WrestleMania XL. He rebounded nicely and captured the World Heavyweight Championship a couple of months later. However, the veteran has been struggling as of late, and it goes against what has already been established for his character.

The RAW star was overly confident heading into his match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania, and it came back to bite him. He is now seemingly weary of having to defend his title against Damian Priest at Survivor Series and has displayed a staggering lack of confidence on recent episodes of RAW.

#1. Damian Priest made the champion look weak on WWE RAW

Monday Night RAW - Source: Getty

Following his backstage conversation with Ludwig Kaiser on this past Monday's episode of RAW, Gunther spotted Damian Priest signing autographs at a table. He attempted to apply a chokehold from behind, but The Archer of Infamy fought him off with ease.

Priest then stated that while the champion may be a general in the ring, he is a king in the streets, and he left the Imperium star lying on the floor after beating him down. Wrestling veteran Vince Russo recently suggested that fans should be worried about the World Heavyweight Champion's future due to the way WWE has booked him.