Gunther Becomes World Heavyweight Champion After Finn Balor Betrays Damian Priest At WWE SummerSlam 2024

Gunther is the new World Heavyweight Champion and Judgment Day looks set to be very different come Monday's edition of Raw. 

Finn Balor made his way to the ring during the World Heavyweight Title match between Damian Priest and Gunther as Gunther was dominating the champion. The moral support helped Priest fire back and Damian had the match won following a Razor's Edge and South of Heaven but Finn Balor betrayed his Judgment Day stablemate, putting Gunther's foot on the bottom rope. 

Priest realised what happened and immediately went after Balor, only to be put in a Sleeper by Gunther. Priest managed to escape but he just tried to grab Balor again so Gunther took advantage, hitting a Powerbomb and locking in the Sleeper once again. This time Priest couldn't escape and he passed out as Gunther became the new World Heavyweight Champion. 

Gunther's win ended Damian Priest's World Heavyweight Title reign at 118 days, having won the belt at WrestleMania 40 after cashing in the Money in the Bank contract on Drew McIntyre. 

Gunther has only lost one match since he debuted on the main roster in 2022, dropping the Intercontinental Championship to Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 40. Der Ring General earned the opportunity to challenge for the World Heavyweight Title at SummerSlam by winning the King of the Ring tournament earlier this year.