WWE Possibly Changed Plans For Number One Contender's Gauntlet Match

Gunther's opponent for WrestleMania 40 will be determined on next week's edition of Monday Night Raw in a six-man gauntlet match of Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed vs. JD McDonagh vs. Ricochet.

A multi-man match to face Gunther at WrestleMania 40 had been teased on the previous episode of Raw but R-Truth and The Miz looked set to be featured in any number-one contender's match. They ultimately weren't named in the final lineup, however, and Dave Meltzer suggested on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE ultimately changed their plans.

"The interesting thing is if you remember last week when they were building this up, two of the key guys they were building up for this were The Miz and R-Truth and they were nowhere to be seen. So I think the deal must have been that they were gonna go with them and then they decided whatever they're gonna do, they want better wrestlers. You can see they loaded it up... Ricochet has not been around, JD who came from nowhere, JD hasn't really shown it but he's a fantastic worker and he and Gunther had fantastic matches in Europe years and years ago, almost match of the year level matches so those guys can work together great," Meltzer said.

"Ricochet and Gunther have of course had fantastic matches in Europe as well and Chad Gable, great no matter what. Him and Gunther had some great matches at house shows and on TV. Sami Zayn, great worker, Bronson Reed, big power guy. They loaded this thing up next week so there should be some great in-ring action."

Gunther remains the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, both in singular and combined reigns.

H/T TJR Wrestling