So far, “The Career Killer” has been a great gimmick, and a needed refresh for GUNTHER. While it’s been great for him, the overall gimmick grade doesn’t get an A+, or even an A, for a few reasons, broken down into different, but simple, categories.
The gimmick scores highest in the “heat” category, with an A+. Fans hate GUNTHER for retiring their favorites, and they certainly let him know it anytime he’s on the mic. The character also scores high when it comes to wins, getting an A, due to GUNTHER’s big victories over Cena, Styles, and Goldberg. His tap out loss to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41, however, though slightly before “The Career Killer,” knocks the “+” off. GUNTHER’s commitment to the bit, which has even inspired new merchandise, makes up for that, however.
Where the gimmick falls a bit, is the fact it seems to be based more than slightly off Randy Orton’s “Legend Killer” gimmick from his earlier career, earning a “B” in originality. Slightly higher, around a B+, is the gimmick’s longevity. There are careers GUNTHER could “kill” in the future, possibly including the likes of Brock Lesnar, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, Shinsuke Nakamura (in WWE, at least), Chris Jericho, if he returns, and possibly even Orton himself when the time comes.
Overall, despite the two high As, “The Career Killer” gets a B+. The grade falls short of perfect, due to the fact we’ve seen something like it before, as well as how we might have to wait quite a while in between careers actually being “killed” by GUNTHER. Though, SummerSlam in Minnesota seems likely for “The Career Killer” to strike and bring down Lesnar in his home state, if rumors are true.
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