WWE star Gunther has revealed the details behind his dramatic new look, which has seen him lose 65 pounds in recent times.
Gunther, whose real name is Walter Hahn, has had a professional career that’s lasted nearly two decades.
But it’s lately that fans have been stunned by Gunther’s completely different physique.
“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,” Gunther said.
“He started to help Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci with their diet a little bit and they were following a diet and they got in incredible shape. So we had that guy around.
“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,” he explained.
“You’re going to be in front of millions of people every week. I think that step is necessary now. I’m glad I did it.”
Gunther wrestling Brock Lesnar at the WWE Royal Rumble last year[/caption]“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,” he said.
Gunther signed with WWE in 2019, soon becoming a one-time NXT United Kingdom Champion.
The 36-year-old Austrian was promoted to the main roster in 2022, winning the Intercontinental Championship.
The wrestler nicknamed “The Ring General” last month celebrated 600 days as champion.