Gunther Retains Title In WWE’s First 2-Hour Raw Show In 12 Years

In the main event of WWE Raw on October 7, 2024, Gunther successfully defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Sami Zayn as the show went back to a two-hour format for the first time in 12 years. This historic episode would not only showcase Gunther’s dominance but also set up future storylines and possible rivalries.

The Ring General’s Reign Continues

Gunther, otherwise known as “The Ring General,” has been on an extraordinary tear as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. His victory over Sami Zayn simply cemented his position as one of the most dominant champions in recent WWE history. The match, which lasted nearly 20 minutes, was a hard-fought battle that demonstrated both competitors’ skills and determination.

Zayn was resilient and fighting throughout the contest. He landed a series of high-impact moves, including an exploder to send Gunther into the barricade and a trio of Helluva Kicks. But the power and technicality of the champion were too much for the challenger. The champion answered with crushing lariats and powerbombs before finally securing the win via sleeper hold submission.

This match had extra meaning between Gunther and Zayn, as at WrestleMania 40, Zayn had defeated Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship, ending the historic 666-day reign that Gunther had. The main event of Raw was a kind of redemption for Gunther, proving he was over that previous setback.

The Two-Hour Format Returns

The October 7 episode of Raw marked a huge change in WWE programming, as the show reverted to a two-hour format after 12 years of three-hour broadcasts. Reactions have been divided among fans and people within the industry.

Many viewers have pleaded for a shorter Raw, which they say felt too long in its three-hour format, making it hard to keep up and be engaged in all three hours of it. As such, many expect this tighter format to generate a more engaging and quicker-paced experience.

However, it has not all been plain sailing. The new format is reportedly generating some backstage frustration. Furthermore, the lessened time slot in the show’s format has now raised concerns about possible misdirection and a lack of direction for talent, consequently affecting storyline developments. For example, in the October 7 episode alone, a 10-women tag-team match lasted just more than seven minutes, which is indicative of the time limitations of the new format.

Looking Ahead: Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes

The show closed out with the champion and Cody Rhodes standing face-to-face in the ring, having stared each other down after Gunther had successfully defended his title. It was a moment that set the stage for an upcoming high-profile match at WWE Crown Jewel, where Gunther and Rhodes are scheduled to compete for the newly created WWE Crown Jewel Championship.

The possible collision between Gunther and Rhodes has generated a high level of hype among the fans. The superstars have been on some fantastic runs of late, with Rhodes as the Undisputed WWE Champion and Gunther dominating the roost as the World Heavyweight Champion. This confrontation on Raw has only built expectations for probably one of the most expected matches this year.

The Future in Gunther’s Reign

With Gunther still on his tear as champion, many are wondering how long that will last. Some even believe that Gunther will break the record for the longest World Heavyweight Championship reign in WWE history. This would be fitting with a history of breaking records as both NXT United Kingdom Champion and Intercontinental Champion.

However, there’s a prediction, too, that states that he may not still be champion by the end of 2025. In fact, an early summer defeat could seal a shocking surprise up the sleeve of all wrestling aficionados. This makes each of Gunther’s wrestling bouts and storylines unpredictable in front of him, thus adding a different level of intrigue.

Raw’s Transition to Netflix

This change to a two-hour format is timely, considering that WWE Raw will migrate from traditional television to Netflix in January 2025. The move to streaming in this historic manner is going to change the way wrestling content will be consumed in the future.

Netflix questions whether Raw will remain a two-hour show or revert to three hours, and that opens up a number of questions. WWE Triple H5 says no word has been taken on what decision has been taken. Perhaps Netflix might give more leniency toward the run time and ad breaks to ultimately affect the show’s structure and pacing.

WWE Programming Impact

The return to a two-hour format for Raw has implications extending beyond the flagship show itself. It will align Raw closer to SmackDown, which has remained at a two-hour format for 25 years. This consistency of brands could lead to a more fluid experience for viewers.

On the other hand, such reduced runtime poses challenges in terms of talent utilization and storyline development. WWE needs to find a way to feature its huge roster within the shorter runtime. This might lead to more concise storytelling and probably more impactful moments in each episode.

Fan and Industry Reactions

Reaction has been mostly positive to the two-hour Raw and continued dominance by Gunther. The fans seem to love the more condensed format of the show that promises tighter and more captivating shows. The WWE Universe also seems impressed with the run by Gunther, who, if anyone, will take down the dominant champion.

Veterans of the sport have also added their voices. Tommy Dreamer, in one instance, sounded a cautious note about the new two-hour slot, stating how that could end up derailing storylines entirely. From his perspective, it is further brought forth how WWE probably would find this really tough to adapt into their storytelling feature within the runtime.

Conclusion

The October 7, 2024, WWE Monday Night Raw was one of those moments in WWE history for programming format and the evolvement of some championships. The title defense by Gunther against Sami Zayn showed how the champion kept his dominance to set up an interesting feud with Cody Rhodes.

With WWE in the midst of a two-hour Raw transition and on the cusp of its Netflix move, the company has a mix of opportunities and challenges. The shorter format could mean more focused, high-energy shows, but it also requires careful planning to make sure all talent and storylines get the attention they deserve.

The fact that Gunther is WWE World Heavyweight Champion has pretty much been a mainstay of WWE programming for some time now. Whether it be continuing his historic run or an upset loss in the coming months, his matches and storylines will undoubtedly be a major draw for fans.

With the ever-changing landscape of wrestling regarding format, platform, and championship scenarios, one thing is for sure: WWE is entering into a new era, and superstars like Gunther are at the forefront of shaping its future.