Gunther breaks character with heartbreaking story; details potential early retirement before joining WWE

Gunther briefly broke character during an interview to tell a heartbreaking personal story of the time he was still wrestling in Europe. The Ring General contemplated retirement before joining WWE and now he's one of the best wrestlers in the world.

Before signing with WWE back in 2019, Gunther wrestled for many different promotions in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland among others. He also wrestled in Japan, wherein he famously had green hair and was still called Walter.

In an interview with SHAK Wrestling for CBS Sports, the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion was asked about the lowest point of his wrestling career. He was quick to point out the years 2013 to 2014 since he was wrestling part-time, working a full-time day job, and even thought about quitting the sport.

"Around 2013 or 14, I think, because at that point, I was just wrestling on the weekends. I still had a day job and I was working only night shifts for, I think, it was almost two years or something like that and then wrestled on the weekends. That just took a toll on me. That was like hard to sustain and my goal was always like to make a living off professional wrestling and that was not really in sight, so I was like, 'You know what? Maybe I call it quits and just focus on the career in your real job,'" Gunther said. [12:37 - 13:20]

Westside Xtreme Wrestling or wXw in Germany eventually offered him a full-time job as a trainer for their academy. It gave him the luxury of wrestling full-time as well before eventually signing with WWE in 2019.

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What does it mean for Gunther to win the World Heavyweight Championship?

In the same interview with SHAK Wrestling, Gunther discussed what it would mean to him to become World Heavyweight Champion. He is set to challenge Damian Priest at SummerSlam after earning the opportunity by winning the King of the Ring tournament.

"It's the World Heavyweight Championship, the biggest prize there is to win right now in this sport. That would mean a huge accomplishment but also a big responsibility and a big challenge. But that's what I'm here for, like I want to be in the midst with the best and I want to be in the ring with all of them and prove myself in that regard," Gunther said. [3:12 - 3:40 from the video above]

With Bash in Berlin at the end of the month, it would be a great homecoming for The Ring General if he returns as the World Heavyweight Champion after dethroning Damian Priest at SummerSlam.