Gunther Reportedly to Undergo Nose Surgery After Losing WWE World Title to CM Punk

WWE star Gunther is set to undergo surgery for a nose injury he carried into his SummerSlam match with CM Punk, according to Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer (via Steve Carrier of Ringside News).

The former champion was bloodied during his encounter with Punk, and that moment was the turning point in the main event. Gunther was clearly rattled after the challenger made him look so vulnerable.

Meltzer explained how that was all intentional.

"It's very clear from watching the finish that Gunther's having surgery on his nose pretty quick because they shot the angle where, you know, it's like he busted his nose," he said. "So that busted nose thing, that was 100 percent, you know, worked blood and planned. I mean, it was totally planned. So, you know, that was the cover for that."

Writing the nose injury into the match was a deft storytelling device. It helps to explain why Gunther lost and also why he may not immediately try to win his title back.

Coming out of SummerSlam, all eyes are on Punk and Seth Rollins after The Architect cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase. That puts Gunther in a somewhat awkward position.

Writing him off programming entirely for right now might actually be better than pivoting him straight away from the championship picture with a different feud.