Damian Priest vs Gunther does not need to be about “class”

Damian Priest vs Gunther does not need to be about "class"

As a longtime WWE fan and someone who has followed Damian Priest and Gunther’s journeys closely, I can’t help but feel disappointed by the sudden shift in their storyline leading up to SummerSlam. The idea of a match between these two talented performers was already intriguing enough, but now it seems that WWE has decided to make it about “class” and privileges, which feels like a tired and unnecessary trope.


1) At SummerSlam, Damian Priest and Gunther are preparing for a significant clash. As Gunther escalates his dominance on WWE’s main roster, Damian Priest has proven himself as a champion under heavy scrutiny where skeptics predicted he would falter. This match promises intriguing narrative aspects, but the focus is unexpectedly centered around “class.” This unexpected twist in the storyline has sparked puzzled reactions among fans.

At WrestleMania, Damian Priest came out of the shadows as a surprising force in the WWE Raw title scene. Despite holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, he seemed out of place among the main contenders. However, his unexpected cash-in on Drew McIntyre’s title reign set him on a successful path as champion. As he prepares for his next challenge against Gunther, Priest must confront the repercussions of internal conflicts within Judgment Day. This subplot is likely to influence the outcome of their match.

Gunther is highly respected among wrestling fans due to his impressive performances on the main roster. Unlike many other wrestlers, he avoided controversial storylines and instead focused on improving his skills. He shone in every match, regardless of who his opponent was, making him an essential figure during a difficult period for the company. It was natural that he would be tasked with revitalizing the mid-card division and ultimately earning a championship title. Despite some concerns over Imperium’s gimmick and Gunther’s name change to “Gunther,” which raised comparisons to Nazi symbolism, his achievements quickly overshadowed these issues.

Despite giving the impression that Triple H couldn’t resist altering this narrative with undertones that could be seen as racially and socially divisive “dog whistles,” Gunther unexpectedly assaulted Priest due to his humble upbringing. This background shift, from a modest beginning to a successful wrestler, was emphasized by Michael Cole. The match was portrayed as being about “class,” and Priest openly discussed his struggles to reach this point. While it’s an engaging narrative, one might wonder why it needs to be presented on television in such a manner, evoking memories of an outdated WWE script.

1. The timing of this statement coincides with the release of the Damian Priest WWE 24 documentary, which is being defended as a promotional strategy. However, some viewers find it lackluster and are drawing comparisons to Triple H’s controversial promo on Booker T from years ago – the infamous “People like you” promo that generated skepticism among Black fans, which persists today.

1. The question arises as to why this narrative is changing, it seems more about selling the match rather than being essential. The clash between Damian Priest and Gunther promises an extraordinary wrestling spectacle throughout, given their top-notch skills. Fans were already captivated by the storyline, particularly with the Judgment Day aftermath looming. Despite Ludwig Kaiser’s injury, Gunther’s presence has seamlessly positioned him in the main event. However, he has unfortunately transitioned into a typical WWE villain, resorting to tired, old heat-seeking tactics.

1. WWE has multiple opportunities to create compelling narratives to engage viewers in matches. For instance, Damian Priest vs Gunther was already captivating audiences, but the corporation opted to focus on themes like class, privilege, and beyond these two individuals. However, this shift could potentially signal a recurring issue where WWE may rely on outdated stereotypes when developing stories involving performers of color, causing unease among fans.

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2024-07-30 15:15

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