WWE hosted the 2024 SummerSlam PLE amidst tons of expectations from the fans and delivered big time by putting on a memorable show. Every single match had a story to tell, and the twists and turns, while predictable, turned out exactly what the fans hoped for and gave them value for their time and money.

One of the significant outcomes that transpired in the show was the implosion of The Judgment Day faction. While “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio provided the early blow by backstabbing Rhea Ripley and siding with Liv Morgan, Finn Balor finished the job by costing Damian Priest the World Heavyweight Championship.

Priest defended the World Heavyweight Championship against 2024 King of the Ring winner Gunther and almost pulled off the victory before Balor betrayed him and helped Gunther capture the title.

With this, The Ring General has captured his first world championship in WWE. Wrestling fans have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and judging by his history, Gunther might hold on to the title for a long time. With that in mind, let’s try to predict which superstars might challenge The Ring General for the title in his reign.

#7 Ilja Dragunov

He Deafeated Gunther For The NXT UK Championship In 2021

WWE has been booking Gunther like a force to reckon with since The Ring General stepped foot in the company in 2019. He showcased excellent in-ring prowess and immense strength throughout his WWE career and left his opponents with bruises on most occasions.

Most of the losses Gunther sustained in WWE so far came through disqualifications and count-outs. Only three superstars have picked up decisive victories over The Ring General in singles competition, and the first to accomplish that feat was Ilja Dragunov.

Dragunov defeated Gunther at NXT TakeOver: 36 in 2021 to win the NXT United Kingdom Championship. Wrestling fans have always considered Dragunov the Kryptonite to Gunther’s Superman, and their previous encounters have proved that they are the perfect adversaries.

WWE would look to pit these two superstars against each other once again in the coming days, and the upcoming Bash In Berlin PLE could be the best occasion to make that happen.

#6 Damian Priest

Priest Can Get His Rematch After Dealing With Finn Balor

It’s safe to say that Damian Priest exceeded all expectations throughout his run as the World Heavyweight Champion. When he captured the title at WrestleMania 40, most fans thought he would be a transitional champion, but WWE swerved everyone by giving Priest an entertaining reign.

He held the title 118 days before dropping the title to Gunther at SummerSlam 2024. His Judgment Day partner Finn Balor stabbed him in the back and screwed Priest of the title at the event, and the latter would probably look to settle the score with his former cohort before looking to regain the title.

With the entire Judgment Day in shambles with Dirty Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor’s betrayal, the next PLE might see Priest trying to get back at Balor. However, the feud might not end just like that, as Priest could get his rematch against Gunther at the Bad Blood PLE, where he could get screwed over once again by his former partners.

#5 Drew McIntyre

Could Be A High-Profile Match For Crown Jewel

After months of heartbreak and frustration, Drew McIntyre finally got his retribution against CM Punk after picking up the victory in their high-profile match at SummerSlam.

McIntyre defeated Punk after the latter let his emotions get the best of him and put his hands on the special guest referee, Seth Rollins, allowing McIntyre to hit a low blow and a claymore on Punk to score the pinfall.

However, he might not be done with Punk and Rollins yet, as WWE could look to integrate the Scottish Warrior into a potential feud between Punk and Rollins.

Once he’s done with that, McIntyre can rekindle his old rivalry with Gunther and finally compete in an uninterrupted world title match. The Crown Jewel PLE in November might be the best place to have that match happen.

#4 Sami Zayn

Zayn Defeated Gunther At WrestleMania 40

Before SummerSlam, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H announced that Survivor Series 2024 would take place at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on November 2.

The event being in Canada would allow WWE to pit Sami Zayn against Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. Zayn ended Gunther’s 666-day Intercontinental Championship reign at WrestleMania 40 and became the only third person to pick up a clean win against The Ring General.

WWE can recreate the storyline for Survivor Series 2024, where Gunther and Zayn can put on another classic performance and the former can redeem himself for the loss he sustained at WrestleMania.

#3 Sheamus

The Two Superstars Could Put On Another Banger

If there’s one superstar who has taken Gunther to the limit on multiple occasions throughout the latter’s main roster career, it’s the Celtic Warrior Sheamus.

Sheamus and Gunther have competed in three televised matches in WWE so far, and The Ring General has come out on top on all occasions. However, Sheamus made sure he took a piece out of Gunther every single time they competed, and WWE would look to book one last showdown between the two superstars in Gunther’s world title reign.

There’s a free slot left in January for a PLE before the Royal Rumble, and WWE could use that opportunity to book Gunther to defend the world title against Sheamus.

#2 CM Punk / Seth Rollins

Would Be A Great Match For Royal Rumble 2025

After their altercation at SummerSlam, CM Punk and Seth Rollins have enough reasons to extend the animosity between each other to have a lengthy storyline. After a couple of one-on-one matches, the two superstars would look to set their sights on Gunther and the World Heavyweight Championship.

WWE might look to have Gunther defend the title in a multi-competitor match at some point in his reign, and pitting Seth Rollins and CM Punk against The Ring General in a triple-threat match would put some butts in the seats.

The match would be the best addition to Royal Rumble 2025, and a win against the two high-profile superstars could be a good addition to Gunther’s resume.

#1 John Cena

Could Be Cena’s Record-Breaking 17th World Title Victory

John Cena appeared on the 2024 Money in the Bank PLE to announce his retirement from in-ring competition. However, he announced a year-long retirement tour for 2025, and according to recent reports, Gunther is a front-runner to be one of Cena’s opponents.

In a perfect world, WWE would look to give Cena a proper sendoff by having him capture his 17th world championship and break Ric Flair’s record. While having him win the men’s Royal Rumble match might be too predictable, WWE could have him win the Elimination Chamber match to earn the opportunity to face Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.

Cena can defeat Gunther for the world title at WrestleMania and have one last title run before dropping it to a deserving superstar before hanging up his boots for good.

NEXT: 10 WWE Superstars Who Are 1 Title Away From Becoming A Grand Slam Champion