Should Gunther Beat Honky Tonk Man’s Intercontinental Title Reign Record?
Gunther just recently exceeded Shelton Benjamin’s 2004 record to end up being the longest-reigning global champ of the 21st century. In simply a couple of days, his 257 day record will likewise surpass The Rock’s 264 day go to put him in the leading 5 longest reigns of perpetuity.
Because among the huge speculations heading into WrestleMania 39 was that he would battle Brock Lesnar, which now appears totally out the window, there is a great chance he keeps this belt not just up till that point, however a lot longer.
Making it to WrestleMania puts him at 295 days– above Mr. Perfect (280) and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (285) to end up being the # 3. There is rather a dive to reach the next record.
Macho Man Randy Savage holds a 414 day reign for the # 2 area. The record for all-time longest Intercontinental Championship reign naturally goes to The Honky Tonk Man, as we’re all mindful, at 454 days.
In my mind, Gunther reaching the # 3 area is inescapable. Not dropping the belt at WrestleMania has to do with a 50/50 shot, depending upon who he’s up versus (I still believe it will be a Triple Threat with Drew McIntyre and Sheamus). And while I absolutely wish to see The Celtic Warrior win that belt to finish his Grand Slam Champion objective, I’m now discovering myself questioning whether now is the title to do it, or if The Honky Tonk Man’s record is a larger concern.
When Would Gunther Beat Honky Tonk Man’s Record?
For context, in order to beat the record, Gunther would require to keep the Intercontinental Championship up until September 8, 2023. Almost 7 more months seems like a colossal job, specifically thinking about that out of 183 title rules, just 16 have actually gone as 197 days or longer in overall. It is far from the average, specifically thinking about the length of time Gunther’s currently passed by that point.
The clock is ticking. More than likely, his time is up at WrestleMania.
Records are Meant to Be Broken…… Right
? Lot of times a record is set, it is unintended.
In spite of how you and I may consume over these things, I do not believe WWE is actively attempting to preserve who has the longest combined in-ring time throughout all their Royal Rumble looks, for example.
Honky Tonk Man’s record is just a month longer than Macho Man’s. At the time, I securely think WWE was merely having a good time with his character developing buzz to get his ass beaten, just to squeak by and maintain for another day. When the time came that they grew exhausted of it, they called it, had Ultimate Warrior win to put him over, and moved on.
Santino Marella highlighted The Honk-A-Meter to tease he ‘d be opting for the record, however didn’t come from another location close. Honestly, that was the last time it ever seemed like somebody took a crack at to climax, however it didn’t occur, for whatever factor.
This has me questioning if WWE simply hasn’t stumble upon somebody they wished to climax, or if they actively DON’T desire the record to be broken. It is the leading thing Honky Tonk Man’s ever done in his profession.
They aren’t precisely attempting to make sure HTM goes down in history at this point. It isn’t like they’re maintaining the tradition of Stone Cold Steve Austin here. What provides?
Demolition held the longest tag title reign for numerous years up till The New Day took that area. A couple of years later on, we’ve seen The Usos top that over the previous couple of months. Undoubtedly, I was a little dissatisfied to see The New Day’s record broken, although I’m a big fan of Jimmy and Jey. I do believe there is something unique to who holds each record.
In the exact same boat, Kane’s record of Royal Rumble removals being beaten by Roman Reigns felt low-cost to me. Braun Strowman topping that and Brock Lesnar matching that number to connect Strowman for the leaderboard now has me believing no one will ever do much better, and I sort of dream Kane’s record had actually stood the test of time.
In your mind, what is more vital: appreciating the legend that has held a record for so long, or establishing somebody else to do much better than that?
Should somebody win more Royal Rumbles than Steve Austin? Would you be alright with a future WWE Superstar having a longer WrestleMania streak than The Undertaker?
What’s fascinating is that Gunther currently broke a record this year by outliving Rey Mysterio’s Royal Rumble time. While still except Daniel Bryan’s Greatest Royal Rumble run, The Ring General is now the male with the longest “conventional” Royal Rumble time ever.
Need to he surpass the Intercontinental Championship record, too? Or is it more vital to you to keep that piece of history for HTM?
Gunther’s Momentum & & Benefits from Breaking the Record
Discussing whether a record should stand the test of time or be closed needs to include the concern of “who beats the record, then?” And given that this has to do with Gunther, let’s break down his momentum and how this is a likelihood.
Not just did he score that Royal Rumble record this year, however in doing so, he placed on a show-stealing efficiency. Coming out as the very first entrant and lasting all the method till the runner-up area sealed the offer that he’s somebody WWE is taking a look at as a future centerpiece gamer.
At this moment, if we didn’t currently believe so with his record-breaking United Kingdom Championship run, and how rarely he’s taken a loss, it appears practically set in stone he’s going to be a world champ in the future. It’s just a matter of time.
When that takes place might be among the greatest choosing aspects of whether he ought to beat HTM’s record.
Hypothetically, let’s state he’s booked to win the title at WrestleMania 40. Perhaps he even beats Cody Rhodes for the belt to bring that back around and use some xenophobia versus The American Nightmare.
If that’s the case, I believe it makes best sense for him to hold into September, beat the record, drop it eventually in October or November– preferably, in such a way that he still looks strong, however concurrently puts somebody over at the same time. He can go on to win the Royal Rumble, difficulty for the belt at WrestleMania, and win it.
He ‘d be following the trajectory of lots of stars prior to him, holding a midcard title as a trial run setup to his world title. Holding the Intercontinental Championship for the record time, rather of simply dropping it at WrestleMania and having other random fights for the next year, keeps his stock high and enables him to continue riding a wave of momentum.
WWE might be positive Gunther can take the loss at WrestleMania and they’ll put him in sufficient fights to keep him hot, however WWE Creative has an infamously bad history with believing they can pull something off, stopping working at it, and after that simply shrugging with an “oh well, shit takes place, proceed” method. Simply take a look at the length of time it has actually taken Rhea Ripley to come back to Charlotte Flair after the abysmal reservation at WrestleMania 36 that we were particularly informed would make best sense in a couple of weeks/months, just for it to be a couple of YEARS later on and the very best they can do is have Ripley state “I still wish to beat Flair.”
Does Gunther NEED this record in order to be a future main-eventer? I do not believe so. Would it be something that would make it substantially much easier to make that shift, and nearly sure-fire, in which I do not rely on WWE to pull it off otherwise? Definitely.
What is More Important, a Classic Joke or a Serious Run?
I do not believe anybody remains in a much better area to break this record than Gunther. Even if that’s my viewpoint, you might disagree, and that may not even be simply due to the fact that of Gunther, however due to the fact that the principle in basic.
Possibly you believe maintaining the traditional joke of Honky Tonk Man’s amusing record is in general more crucial than providing the record to somebody who is major.
Amusing enough, in spite of just how much I’m arguing in favor of Gunther doing this, I can see the argument behind this perspective.
To play devil’s supporter for a minute, isn’t it a little flat? Now, the longest Intercontinental Championship reign is a tale of legend. A comical character held it for a ridiculous quantity of time prior to getting compressed. That’s unforgettable.
Can you inform me who has the record for the longest United States Championship reign?
I needed to look it up. Under the NWA family tree, it is Lex Luger at 523 days. Under WCW, it is Rick Rude at 378. Under WWE’s history, it is Dean Ambrose at 351 (simply above MVP’s 343, for anybody questioning).
Gunther holding the Intercontinental Championship the longest improves the trustworthiness of the title and himself, however it likewise makes the record rather dull. It simply ends up being a story of a major beast heel who was unsurpassable for over a year. That’s it.
Some individuals take a look at professional wrestling with just the lens of a pure sport. They enjoy their item to be “the 2 finest wrestlers placing on the very best in-ring display of technical abilities” and the pomp and scenario beyond that (even tricks and promotions) does not matter. They ‘d rather view a WrestleMania filled with 10 copy/paste Kurt Angle or Bryan Danielson matches in a row than to see some range.
Others take a look at sports home entertainment and believe things like win-loss records are ludicrous. Whatever must have to do with story, character, ridiculous tricks and campy daytime drama things, since that’s what separates this from simply enjoying amateur wrestling.
I’m somebody who discovers himself rather in the middle (which typically pisses individuals off and makes them believe I “dislike whatever” even if I’m not taking a severe side). I like my matches to be great and I groan at the acting upon NXT, for example, however I likewise discover myself tired with AEW typically due to the fact that I do not care sufficient about seeing some famous Japanese wrestler I’ve never ever become aware of appear for a 25 minute dance regular series of maneuvers out of no place with no construct even if “Don’t you wish to see Guy 1 versus Guy 2? Eh?”
Part of me would dislike to see this record broken, and dream that Gunther was holding the United States title rather, since I have no concerns removing Luger’s record. There’s that unpleasant voice in my head that states “if Gunther does not, who will?”
My Verdict
To be sincere, whether I desire it to take place or not, I believe Gunther is going to stop working in this concern. I do not anticipate Gunther to hold the champion till September. Although his WrestleMania challenger has yet to be revealed, I presently anticipate him to drop the belt there, ending with a leading 3 run, which he ought to still take pride in.
If you’re asking me need to Gunther beat Honky Tonk Man’s record, I presently favor yes.
The record has actually been there for rather actually my whole life time, as Honky Tonk Man won the belt a couple of weeks prior to I was born. I’ve never ever understood anything aside from this record. And while I do believe there is benefit to having a comical run with the belt on the history books, I do not believe Honky Tonk Man is somebody WWE requires to stroll on eggshells around eliminating.
Gunther is on a precipice of fame. He might be made with this record, and it might offer him a simpler shift into the centerpiece world title scene.
WWE can’t constantly count on the past. New stars need to be made. And there are couple of on the lineup today who I would rely on more than Gunther to fill among those areas.
I state do it. Shoot. If you have to stop that from being a truth, I’ll take Sheamus ending up being Grand Slam Champion at WrestleMania as payment.
What do you believe should occur with this record? Drop your ideas in the remarks listed below!
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