Gunther, formerly known as Walter, has become an unstoppable force in WWE, leaving a trail of carnage wherever he goes, whether it be NXT:UK, NXT, or the main roster. Prior to joining WWE, Walter Hahn, competed in various independent promotions across Europe, most notably Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) in Germany, and also wrestled in England, Ireland, and Japan under the name "Big Daddy" Walter.
Early Career and NXT:UK Dominance
Gunther's WWE journey began in NXT UK, where he reigned as the longest-reigning WWE NXT UK Champion for 870 days, until Ilja Dragunov dethroned him in what many consider one of the brand's best matches.
Main Roster Arrival and Physical Transformation
Gunther, along with Imperium stable member Ludwig Kaiser, joined the main roster in April 2022. To succeed on the main roster, he had to lose weight.
Esteemed journalist Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that the terrifying sportsman lost weight at the request of the company chairman. Meltzer added: “Vince wants slim people on TV. I could see from the Vince perspective, telling the guy, ‘Hey, drop 30 pounds,’ right? I thought what made him special was the idea that he’s a 290-310 pound guy who can fly around and can move and hits really hard and looks like a powerhouse.
The Weight Loss Journey
Gunther "The Ring General" has undergone a change in appearance during his early few years with WWE and lost 65 pounds.
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Gunther discussed his weight loss journey with Chris Van Vliet, revealing that it began during Covid-19 with the help of a bodybuilder friend who was coaching Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Gunther stated, "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. You’re going to be in front of millions of people every week."
He also expressed a fondness for his Walter character but felt it was time to progress, stating, "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."
This transformation led to the birth of Gunther "The Ring General," who became the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, holding the title for 666 days.
Gunther's Diet and Workout
Gunther didn’t have time for crash diets or fads and built a plan that worked with his life-rigorous, practical, and sustainable. “It’s about balance,” he says. Gunther’s diet wasn’t about cutting out everything he loved. “I still have my cheat days-pizza’s not going anywhere,” he chuckles. But he got smart about food. “I aimed for 3,000 calories a day, with 200 grams of protein,” he explains. Lean meats, eggs, and veggies became staples.
- Protein Power: Chicken, fish, and protein shakes to maintain muscle.
- Smart Carbs: Sweet potatoes and rice for energy, not junk food.
- Cheat Meals: A steakhouse dinner with his wife, Jinny, or friends.
Gunther didn’t ditch his heavy lifts-he loves squats and deadlifts too much. But he mixed in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and wrestling drills.
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- Squats & Deadlifts: For raw power.
- Sprint Work: Short bursts to boost cardio.
Heaviest Weight
Gunther's heaviest weight was estimated to be more than 330+ lbs during his NXT: UK and NXT days. He then reduced his weight to 297 lbs and finally to his current weight of 250 lbs, according to his official WWE site.
WWE Career
Gunther entered WWE as WALTER, and he was quite a force in NXT UK. After years dominating that brand of WWE, he made a main roster jump. In the process, WALTER slimmed down considerable, and he took on quite a presence. WALTER was known throughout the entire world for his stiff shots prior to his WWE run. Now, that he is GUNTHER in WWE, the Ring General means nothing but business. It was also a very hard road that took a lot of work to get him there.
Gunther looked fantastic as he dismantled his opponent with an array of brutal kicks and thunderous slaps before finishing him with a powerbomb. Since then, the Austrian has been on an upwards trajectory. On June 10, he defeated Ricochet to win the Intercontinental Championship - his first WWE main roster title.
While speaking to Insight with Chris Van Vliet, GUNTHER walked fans through his reasoning for slimming down. It was during COVID, and he learned a lot about how to mold his physical form. That helped him get into incredible shape. “The first step was like, during COVID, we have a friend that is a bodybuilder and he’s coaching people. I think he owns a gym now and runs it and stuff. He started to help Kaiser and Gio with their diet a little bit, and they were following a diet, and they got in incredible shape. So we had that guy around, and I was never really, that’s the one thing I have to say. 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. You’re going to be in front of millions of people every week.”
WWE was able to find a spot for GUNTHER, and his presence is even more impress as he is 65 pounds lighter. Only time will tell what is next for the Ring General, but he will look good while he does it.
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Overcoming Challenges and Self-Doubt
As a wrestler, every match is a test and the emotional side hit harder. “There were days I doubted myself,” he confesses. “You see yourself in photos and think, ‘Was I really that big?’” Those moments of self-consciousness weren’t easy, but lit a fire and pushed him further.
The Role of Imperium
Gunther didn’t do it alone, his Imperium teammates, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, were game-changers.
Mindset Shift and Celebrating Small Wins
Gunther stopped obsessing over the number and started celebrating small wins, like lasting longer in matches or hitting a new personal record in the gym.
Results of Transformation
Around the six-month mark, things clicked and he dropped from 300 to 250 pounds with improved cardio and in-ring performance.
Inspiration Beyond Wrestling
Gunther’s transformation wasn’t just physical, it also boosted his confidence. His openness about struggles, from cravings to self-doubt, has inspired fans.
Gunther's blueprint
- Set a Why: “Know why you’re doing it,” Gunther says. Is it health? Confidence? Write it down.
- Find Your Crew: “Having people who push you is huge,” he says. Join a gym class or recruit a friend.
- Balance, Not Deprivation: “Don’t cut out everything you love,” he advises. Plan cheat meals to stay sane.
- Track Progress Beyond the Scale: “Notice how your clothes fit or how you feel,” he says.