Gunther couldn\’t resist taking a playful jab at Goldberg when Stephen A. Smith revealed his all-time top five favorite wrestlers during an ESPN First Take interview.
The Ring General appeared on the show to promote his upcoming match against John Cena at Saturday Night\’s Main Event. When Smith shared that Goldberg topped his personal rankings—followed by Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and The Rock—Gunther had a memorable response.
\”I love Goldberg. I love choking him out. I tell you this, I enjoyed that,\” Gunther quipped with a smile.
The comment referenced their match earlier this year, which saw Gunther defeat the WWE Hall of Famer in what many speculate was Goldberg\’s final appearance.
While Gunther appreciated Smith\’s picks, he politely disagreed with the top spot.
\”I wouldn\’t agree. I think Goldberg is definitely legend and absolute special wrestler, but I don\’t think I\’ve ever seen anybody putting on the number one favorite wrestler,\” Gunther said. \”Otherwise, I think yeah, it\’s very accurate.\
Smith asked Gunther to grade the list, and the Ring General was diplomatic.
\”Go with that. I\’ll take it four out of five. All right. It\’s okay. I\’ll go with that,\” Gunther replied. \”I think otherwise you can argue Ric Flair, Hogan, The Rock, all great.\
The lighthearted exchange also included Smith definitively ruling out any possibility of stepping into a wrestling ring himself after seeing Gunther in person.
\”I\’m not going anywhere near wrestling ring. I don\’t think what I don\’t think it would be a good idea. I\’m too damn small. I don\’t want y\’all breathing on me, let alone touching me. Forgive me. I\’m not qualified,\” Smith joked.
Gunther presented the First Take team with a framed sledgehammer from Triple H and Nick Khan as a holiday gift before the interview concluded.
