Walter Hahn, known in WWE as Gunther, has become an unstoppable force in the world of professional wrestling. From his early days in European independent promotions to his current dominant run in WWE, Gunther's journey is a testament to his dedication, discipline, and willingness to evolve. This article explores Gunther's career, focusing on his impressive weight loss journey and transformation into "The Ring General."
Early Career and Rise in Europe
Born on August 20, 1987, in Vienna, Austria, Walter Hahn developed a passion for wrestling at a young age. He drew inspiration from various wrestling promotions and matches he watched during his youth. Hahn's early career saw him compete in various independent promotions across Europe, most notably Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) in Germany. He also wrestled in England, Ireland, and Japan, initially under the name "Big Daddy" Walter.
In wXw, he established himself as a dominant force, becoming a three-time Unified World Wrestling Champion and a four-time wXw World Tag Team Champion. He also became the head trainer of the wXw Wrestling Academy from 2015 to 2020.
Transition to WWE and NXT UK
In November 2018, Hahn signed with WWE and was assigned to its NXT UK brand under the name Walter. He quickly made an impact, capturing the NXT United Kingdom Championship and holding it for a record-breaking 870 days. This reign remains the longest for the now-defunct title and the eighth-longest singles title reign for any WWE championship.
Weight Loss Journey and Transformation
Upon moving to the main roster, Walter underwent a significant physical transformation, losing a substantial amount of weight. This transformation marked a pivotal moment in his career, leading to the birth of Gunther, "The Ring General."
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The Motivation Behind the Change
Gunther's decision to lose weight was driven by his desire to present the best version of himself on national television. He acknowledged the appeal of his "Walter" character, a larger, more rugged figure reminiscent of old-school heavyweights. However, he felt that a change was necessary to progress in his career.
"You're going to be in front of millions of people every week," Gunther stated. "I think that step is necessary now. I'm glad I did it. I feel like the independent wrestler Walter that was a little bit bigger and looked like a butcher from the next-door shop, that was cool. I think that was fine for then and I feel like for the wrestling enthusiasts on the independent market, like when you think back like Stan Hansen or Terry Gordy, like the bigger guys. I think it has its place in wrestling a little bit, but I felt like it was time to make a step and progress."
The Process
Gunther revealed that his weight loss journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the guidance of a bodybuilder friend. This friend helped both Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci stay in shape through diet.
Gunther told Chris Van Vliet, "Usually, I was always on top of things in my adult life, but the diet is always something I kind of like neglected because I was good the way I was, but when I signed for the main roster and I knew, okay, moving over now I know I'm gonna be on national TV I thought okay, let's bring the best version of yourself you can."
Gunther got into shape the old-fashioned way, by cleaning up his diet and increasing the intensity of his workouts. He told Metro UK in July 2023 about how he was able to lose all the weight and said first that he loves to eat and cook, so he had to limit his food intake, which he called a bit tricky. He even addressed his "cheat day" meals. He said that he enjoys going to nice restaurants now, like steakhouses, to indulge, rather than eating burgers or pizza.
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He also credited his Imperium stablemates for their support, saying, "I just jumped on board with them and they kicked my butt to pull through even when it's difficult."
The Results
Gunther's heaviest weight was estimated to be over 330 lbs during his NXT UK and NXT days. He initially reduced his weight to 297 lbs and eventually reached his current weight of 250 lbs. Despite the significant weight loss, Gunther maintained his strength and power, enhancing his in-ring performance.
He noted he is still right around 250 pounds, yet now with increased muscle definition. "I see the pictures of the comparisons, and I'm proud of it, but I'm still me," Gunther says. "I never had cardio issues before. I always felt very comfortable, so it doesn't feel that drastic to me. Maybe it does when you look at pictures."
Main Roster Success as Gunther
In January 2022, Walter's ring name was changed to Gunther. He moved to the main roster on the SmackDown brand in April 2022, alongside Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther quickly established himself as a dominant force, capturing the WWE Intercontinental Championship and holding it for a record-breaking 666 days, the longest reign in the title's history.
Gunther defeated Ricochet in June to become champion. He planned to restore meaning to a championship once known as the stepping-stone to the WWE title. "I want to take this title and make it the greatest prize to conquer," says Gunther. "That's the approach I had with the NXT UK Championship. The champion makes the title. That's what I am planning to do here."
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Gunther said he plans to restore the prestige of the Intercontinental championship: "I want to take this title and make it the greatest prize to conquer. That’s the approach I had with the NXT UK Championship. The champion makes the title. That’s what I am planning to do here…I would like to wrestle John Cena and anyone else who is considered elite. I didn’t come here to be mediocre. I came here to be in the ring with the best."
Gunther's success continued as he won the World Heavyweight Championship from Damian Priest at SummerSlam 2025.
Name Change and Identity
The transition from Walter to Gunther also marked a shift in his presentation. While some fans expressed concern over the name change, Gunther embraced it as part of the evolution of his character.
"So the change from Walter to Gunther, it’s part of the process in this business," Gunther said. "Look at wrestlers who made it to the top, they almost all went through some changes. I’m confident in what I do in the ring, and I kind of expected the name change. There’s no reason for uproar. Gunther gives the same vibes that Walter did. When I walk to the ring, there is a certain atmosphere. That’s what I represent. It’s still me."
In-Ring Style and Philosophy
Gunther is known for his disciplined and methodical approach to wrestling. He focuses on efficiency and effectiveness, delivering punishing blows and maintaining a commanding presence in the ring.
"It’s not about entertaining everybody," Gunther says. "I want to be efficient and I want to be effective. That’s my main focus."
Personal Life
Outside the ring, Gunther is married to English wrestler Jinny Sandhú. The couple married in a private ceremony in 2022 and welcomed their first child, a son, on December 27, 2023. Gunther is also a fan of European football, supporting clubs like SK Rapid Wien and FC Schalke 04.