Gunther wins World Heavyweight Championship at WWE SummerSlam

Gunther has won the World Heavyweight title.

The Ring General defeated Damian Priest to win the World Heavyweight title for the first time. The finish involved Finn Balor coming out and putting Gunther’s foot on the rope as Priest went for a pinfall. As Priest turned his back to confront Balor over what he did, Gunther locked in a sleeper hold. Priest managed to escape, but Gunther powerbombed him and put him in the hold again. This time, Priest passed out and the referee stopped the match.

Backstage, Gunther took a picture with Triple H.

We’ve seen what @Gunther_AUT is capable of… and we’ve still barely scratched the surface. Congratulations to your NEW World Heavyweight Champion. #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/pr5wz9GPeX

— Triple H (@TripleH) August 4, 2024

Priest had been champion since WrestleMania 40, when he cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Drew McIntyre after CM Punk laid him out. In the months since, he has defended the title among the likes of McIntyre and Seth Rollins.

When Gunther won King of the Ring, he earned a World Heavyweight Championship match for SummerSlam. He had spent the last several weeks dressing down Priest, refereing to him as ‘street trash’.

Balor turning on Priest wasn’t the only Judgment Day turn on Saturday’s premium live event. The opening match saw Dominik Mysterio betray Rhea Ripley, helping Liv Morgan to defeat Morgan and retain the Women’s World Championship;.