Jim Cornette Reviews Ricochet vs. Gunther on WWE Smackdown

From Episode 274 of the Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
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[@Nediablo]

Walter/Gunther just gets it. Everything about his matches reminds me of why I still love pro wrestling. Can he be a face? Probaly he has the talent but I hope we never see it. He should be heel forever because it works. Great match.

[@abyeeve]

His face gimmick was 90% the same as his heel gimmick in WXW, he barely changed his mannerisms. The mat is holy, if you don't stop this foolishness, I'll kick you out!

[@Nediablo]

@@abyeeve nice! Thanks for the information! I'll see what I can find 👍👍

[@mahakalavanilla6263]

He doesn’t even need to be a heel either. I like what Jim said about him before. He can be the old school NWA-style champion who’s in it for himself, doesn’t make friends and doesn’t give a fuck about anyone else, babyfaces or heels. This guy would be magic with virtually anyone. Best wrestler in the world.

[@RIDGEMATIC]

He doesn't need to be a face he's just over

[@MwizeraUwizera]

I reckon he can do a Cowboy Brock-esque face run. Or prizefighter sort of thing. Or final boss undertaker kind of thing where you mess up and the GM makes you go one on one with Der Ring General

[@Doshanko]

Jim always finds a way to praise Ricochet. He and Gunther are brilliant when together

[@Shisui5752]

Yeah, I heard him once praising how Ricochet transitioned from being a one dimensional high flyer to a well-rounded wrestler. I think he likes Ricochet now.

[@john_blues]

He blistered Ricochet early on because of his over choreographed matches. His work is work is way better now, and Jim recognizes it. I wonder if Shawn Michaels or even Mysterio have worked with him this year. Little guys that know how to work.

[@getschwifty9531]

The universe is rewarding Ricochet for betting on himself and being patient despite him being constantly jobbed. Now he's more over and left his flippy contemporary Ostrich far behind as a well-rounded wrestler.

[@Barbaresantana]

@@Shisui5752 funny because opreay is better than him

[@gman2015z]

N Ricochet is from Kentucky so that helps resonate with Jim more. Ricochet has always been an excellent wrestler and his promo skills have improved.

[@reymondlopez7468]

This is why I listen to Corny. He doesn’t just talk shit or praise a match. He breaks down exactly why something is great or why it’s rotten.

[@BlazedApples]

GUNTHER is the best in ring wrestler in the world today. I love all his matches

[@meowskiss4475]

1000% agree can't wait till he gets his time at the top 💪🏾💪🏾

[@Rebornblader]

Absolutely true. He's the best in the world right now.

[@robcampion9917]

Gunther is called the ring general for a reason.

[@israeloagiledintlhe4166]

I see that Gunther was a huge fan of the 4 pillars of Giant Baba, cause the chops are a tribute to Kobashi, the folding powerbomb is a tribute to Kawada and the new finisher he debut in this match is a tribute to Misawa...

[@JaculaDudek]

So it was Emerald Flowsion! Fuck, I thought it was Misawa's finish but i wasn't sure, i really needed some kind of confirmation or comment. Thank You 💚

[@CollegeBallYouknow]

This explains everything about him very well. His entire shtick is 90’s AJPW wrapped in a Austrian package.

[@charliekk3377]

He's mentioned this is past interviews back in the 2010s Walter wasn't watching wwe but was more a fan of New Japan etc

[@richardwilliams8835]

I was in the building for this match and watching Gunther live, he's the real deal. He's the definition of no wasted motion everything has purpose he's aware that eyes and the cameras are always on him and he's always working. They say no one is a draw but I'd gladly pay to see him wrestle again.

[@bagser1]

I saw him a few times live back when he worked for OTT in Ireland (some of those matches are on KZbin and I highly recommend them) and yeah, he is 100% believable in what he does.

[@williamselby314]

Gunther has had both match of the year contenders imo. He made shaemus relevant again and stole the show with him and this match against ricochet was incredible. They told a classic story with wrestling and Jim is spot on with the way Gunther handles people in the ring, he looks like he's grabbing them and beating them up, his moves are logical and he works areas of the body, he will be made a main eventer if he beats brock with massive heat. He reminds me of m bison in street fighter. Unbeatable bad guy with a German/ Austrian military look. He will make wrestling matches great for years to come

[@TheTalk23]

4 year in a row he has matches of the year but he has yet to win.

[@brianhunter4860]

He's already one of the best I've ever seen. I'm a long time lapsed fan started watching again when H took over and it's still frustrating but a guy like Gunther and imperium I think is some of the best shit I've seen

[@christian6455]

Gunther definitely calling the matches. I actually like his match with rey mysterio

[@televiper11]

He had a good match with Bron earlier this year too… or was that last year?

[@petebagwell6666]

@@christian6455 I think with rey it was half and half

[@owl509]

Gunther vs Lesnar would be huge if it happens at WrestleMania but Ricochet was a nice challenger for a few weeks

[@DP-um1ck]

I'm just so afraid Lesnar would squash Gunther. I hope he sells for him. It would be even bigger if Gunther went over. But...

[@shaunlucky9645]

Should've been Gunther and Braun, not Lesnar who's in a special class so to speak. Not yet anyway

[@tonware]

My thing about that rumored match is which match are we getting: a Gunther match or a Brock Lesnar match?

[@manuelper]

@@DP-um1ck Lesnar is one of the best selling big men ever, seriously. The way Gunther lays his stuff in, Lesnar will sell for him, I don't doubt it.

[@4eyedike]

@@DP-um1ck don’t book it if Lesnar won’t put him over!

[@segagenesis7708]

High flyer with psychology. Very few have been able to effectively pull that off in the past thirty years. The most notable one is Rey Mysterio, who had his best matches, somewhat out of the full luchador realm. He had a sense of psychology to his matches with Regal, Liger, Dragon. There will never be another Rey Mysterio, but Ricochet has high potential and I think that Jim sees that. He needs someone to get it through his head that, 'This is why it's important to build to those spots and not just throw them out there willy nilly'.

[@semyaza555]

WCW's cruiserweight division was incredible. Too bad Bischoff was obsessed with NWO.

[@Sledgehammer003]

@@joegreene7619 Thats just not true. I dislike flippy shit and Ricochet is just about the one guy you cant say that for. I remember a match on a throwaway NJPW show vs Taguchi(iirc?) that ricochet got his knee worked on and instead of doing the double moonsault or a shooting star, he hit a frogsplash for the win...

[@vb2806]

@@joegreene7619 tbf neither has Rey. Look at the little kicks he does in a match to the shin. Big show sold for it too.

[@vb2806]

@@Sledgehammer003 oh really? Look at his match vs Osprey. Both of them are dancing instead of fighting.

[@manuelper]

The stuff between Mysterio and Malenko when Mysterio debuted in WCW is some of the best matches of the high flyer with psychology to this day.

[@desisdosis473]

Saw Walter live at a wXw show in Oberhausen, Germany in front of maybe 300 people in 2006. He actually called himself Bin Van Walter back then and he looked like a regular overweight kid that could have been your class mate. Never would have thought he would become the most believable wrestler since Lesnar.

[@brianhunter4860]

He was great having 5 star matches with all the added weight but I'm sure those longer matches really were tonight to get through for him. I remember thinking that while watching. He looks so much better now and is one of if not the best in the world

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

I have the physique of Trash Bin Vader

[@SPACEPIGKING]

I saw Ricochet take on Gunther at house shows, he did not look out of place. I hope Ricochet continues to be presented this way

[@Dodong0]

It’s just magical hearing Jim do play by play on a match he likes.

[@presidentc4]

He's got me wanting to watch it again

[@dankelly5150]

And Jim has made it clear that he doesn’t like the gymnastics in wrestling! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dividoguy]

I feel like I've just been through the emotional experience of watching the match.

[@charlieblancotvOfficial]

Facts

[@sh1nighami]

@@dankelly5150he never said he doesn't like it, he just doesn't like it over used

[@paulellington1505]

Jim sounds so happy when he sees something he likes. He and I agree about Gunther.

[@vincentr7092]

Imagine never seeing this match take place, but you are driving to work or driving home from school and you're listening to Jim giving you the play by play of this match?!? Incredible.

[@jamesroot4958]

Loved this match. So rare to not get the urge to look at my phone during a match.

[@diamantgeist2399]

TikTok and Instagram fucked your brain… when your not possible to focus on something that goes longer than 5 min

[@owl509]

@@diamantgeist2399 nice Charles Manson profile pic

[@4eyedike]

My experience too. Gunther calls matches that suspend my disbelief and turn me back to a 10-year-old mark!

[@jovanss2361]

I love that Gunther has no wasted motion in his matches... no poses, no standing around, no taunts

[@wittvonwitt4403]

Ricochet is the only "high flyer" i can watch. He really is amazing.

[@619AJ]

Couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Meltzer gave this match 4.75 stars. God forbid he give WWE too many 5 star matches in a year.

[@ovionradion9260]

God Forbid Indeed

[@oldboygamer9985]

Would’ve been 6 stars if it took place in the Tokyo Dome

[@athleticfan33]

When Corny breaks out the applause soundbite, it means something.

[@savagereaper6291]

This is how you book a big man vs a smaller oppenent. Both guys came out of this looking good. Well down gentlemen. Well done.

[@megsley]

it's amazing how the crowd starts acting like a pro wrestling crowd when the match they're watching features good old fashioned rasslin 🤔

[@baw7110]

I saw this match live! It was so damn good. Amazing match!

[@LernwifGern]

Im from the Killer Kowalski era ( old fukr) Gunther is a wonderful flashback to Kowalski. I actually enjoy wwe now..when Gunther is on

[@mickeyx86]

god damn, i didnt saw the match. now i NEED to see it

[@brianhunter4860]

Rico is a great talent and athlete. He takes this seriously and he cares. It was nice to see him get some shine recently. That being said Gunther is one of the best ring generals and pros I've seen

[@Melo_Soul]

Gunther takes it seriously that's why all his matches are bangers💯😂

[@CoyoteDuran1]

*This review made me smile just as much as the match itself did. Thank you, Jim!*

[@williamwest9204]

Cornette always being proven right. The oldschool can work and often does

[@oliver-hailnolly5051]

Hearing Jim actually enjoy wrestling is a joy to behold.

[@TheJackOfHeartsAndThe]

When Cornette likes a match and describes like that through play by play its just “chiefs kiss”

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

Chef, not Chief

[@TheJackOfHeartsAndThe]

@@MyNameIsUnavailable Sorry chief

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

@@TheJackOfHeartsAndThe no problem, chef

[@timlangenderfer7746]

I just attended a WWE house show/live event in Moline, IL & it featured AJ Styles vs Gunther. Match was awesome, had the Vibrant Arena shaking!

[@JaculaDudek]

Dream match, it must happen at least once on ppv

[@timlangenderfer7746]

@Jacek Dudek it was great. The sound of Gunther's chops, live, are crazy. AJ was sitting on the top turnbuckle, Gunther chopped him off & AJ bumped down to the floor. Cool spot.

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

The only downside is you live in Moline.

[@TheMrAlgoh]

Who won?

[@timlangenderfer7746]

@@MyNameIsUnavailable i said the show was in moline, il. I didn't say I lived in moline.

[@jordanbooker466]

This was arguably a top 3 match of the year! Gunther who i still call Walter, might be the best in ring performer in all of wrestling today! He might be

[@petebagwell6666]

He catches you calling him that you will get the chop

[@jordanbooker466]

@@petebagwell6666 hey now...idk want my chest looking like raw hamburger meat 🤣

[@benjaminkelln8597]

Gunther is one of the best in the business for sure, but Ricochet deserves some more credit than he is getting. He did great in the match too.

[@matthewhostetter8974]

This was a fantastic match and the best match of last week. GUNTHER is just the best at everything right now. He is an amazing heel and becoming one of the greatest IC champions of all time. Ricochet is how you do the "flippy shit" and make it believable, instead of a Meltzer Gymnastic Team who gets in fights with Christmas trees. The idea of GUNTHER vs Brock is going to be a show-stealer.

[@Shisui5752]

Imagine a GUNTHER chop on that Lesnar chest. 😲😂🔥

[@Nediablo]

I hope he's the longest reigning IC champion. He's already done wonders for the belt so he really should be the record holder.

[@JACQUEZJOHNSON23]

Give me Gunther vs Roman

[@TheMrAlgoh]

Gunther would be a universally made star the moment he beats Lesnar clean at WM.

[@vb2806]

@@TheMrAlgoh never gonna happen.

[@michaelingram4000]

“Spinning, turning, triple indie.” Now that’s a name for a move.

[@al5306]

When people defend matches with lots of goofy comedy, dives, botches, weapons, etc. and say "the business has changed", they're lying. This match proves that psychology never went out of style. If you make a match believable and fun, people will like it. You don't need all that stuff to pop a crowd.

[@PancakeInu]

I know Riccohet could over do it with the flippy shit at times, but I'm glad Corny praised him for once and he worked an excellent match with Gunther.

[@savagereaper6291]

Perfect example of by keeping it simple without have a Home Depot match, it is great. Just plain wrestling and story telling. Not two guys doing a million moves just to "get their shit in". Everything made sense and didn't come off as phony or fake. These guys made you think they were actually in a fight.

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Great recap , almost like reliving the match.

[@Luke.S2099]

This match was amazing ngl. Both guys looked mega strong. Cannot believe it went 26 minutes, it felt like 10.

[@DXCenaWWE4life]

Excellent IC Title Match from last Friday. HHH has done a great job rehabbing the Mid Card Titles.

[@leeberry689]

Can't lie, not a big WWE fan but this was the best match on their show that I've seen in quite a while.

[@QAZ-OMEN]

WOW , I expected JC to not like this. This match was GREAT

[@MasonTheDad]

I know he does a lot of flippy stuff, but I really like Ricochet

[@Rebornblader]

I do too. He's great at what he does.

[@benjaminkelln8597]

For the most part, I think it does it in a great convincing manner like Rey Mysterio. He’s not like the Young Bucks who have no psychology whatsoever and just wants to show off.

[@allamaraine8066]

5:55 - Fuckin’ Billy Robinson! As a relatively young guy (mid-30’s), Robinson was before my time. I’ve gone back and watched some of the older stuff, though - particularly Puro, and this guy was unreal. He would’ve fit in in prime-ROH, would’ve kicked ass with the Smackdown Six, could’ve put on classics in 90’s WCW… An absolute ace of a professional wrestler, that man.

[@johneschen308]

Gunther is truly a ring general and you get an old school feel with him

[@broomfs]

Corny's play by play makes you want to watch the match over & over.

[@WSK9002]

I'm liking that Guenther is using his version of Misawa's Emerald Flowsion. 🙏🏼

[@TheKluxx]

God that play by play was a joy to listen to

[@euge2175]

Ricochet’s best match in WWE no doubt. Gunther is fantastic, but he needs more credible challengers. Hoping Sheamus is the one to dethrone him!

[@templeos2954]

It'll likely be Cena who beats Gunther I think they'll have a mini feud. Cena has never been the intercontinental champion and the grand slam angle is tried and tested

[@NoonMountain]

I wouldn't mind if Ilja is the one to dethrone Gunther again. Ilja had good matches in NXT with Bron Breakker and Jordan Devlin McDonagh

[@Dr170]

That's damning a triple scoop vanilla spotmonkey with faint praise and no mistake.

[@TheMrAlgoh]

I hope no one beats Gunther, I want him to win dominantly for at least a year. I hope no one dethrones him, maybe Dragunov again.

[@Sky_Blaze]

Why Sheamus? people are sick of seeing that mf and they've already faced one another. I don't want to see Sheamus anymore I just don't.

[@Trollhammer0210]

You can hear Cornys love and passion for wrestling in this clip. It's a chef talking about cooking, Steve Irwin talking about animals.

[@JaculaDudek]

I didn't know Gunther is finishing people now with Emerald Flowsion (variation perhaps)

[@LairofDarkness]

Gunther is the future WWE champion cuz how good he really is

[@berthiguera4165]

Gunther and Ricochet's first two matches were each under 5 minutes long. This was Vince giving Gunther squash wins as a way to push him. This match went 25 minutes. This was Hunter just letting Gunther fucking wrestle and get over. Ricochet also got a huge boost from this. Never thought I'd see the day where WWE actually made Ricochet into a star.

[@joserosas5952]

Never thought I would hear jim give ricochet the credit he did

[@danw4490]

Gunther is a beast. This was an excellent match.

[@djchino774]

This was a great way to showcase both styles.

[@TheGladds4life]

I’ve been waiting forever for this review! Jim cornette is spot on! There is nobody, and I mean nobody, in any federation operating better than GUNTHER right now. And he’s been at this perfect level for about 4 years now. Him and Sami are the only reasons I watch smack down

[@Doshanko]

I hope Ricochet learns something from this match, he hasn't received a standing ovation in WWE until this match when he's reserved in the gymnastics with a heel that knows how to call the shots. Being technical and getting older, Ricochet has to modify his style just like Rey and Styles did and it even took AJ to get into his late 30s to get the promos down, so there's still hope that a Midcard isn't his ultimate ceiling. Gunther I love to death, and he knows how to call a match, he deserves an ovation because it's guys like him that create sympathy for babyfaces in a way that gets both the heel and face over. Brock does the same thing when he cares.

[@longjohn526]

Richochet reminds me a lot of Rey Mysterio in that he does the high flying stuff but when the times comes he can fight a much bigger opponent and still make it look believable and when he does a high flying move it makes sense in the context of the match and his opponent. I thought it was a very good match and better than a lot of matches we see in the "Special Events" or Pay-per-Views. I wonder who booked/produced it

[@myhandlewastaken]

That match was the perfect combination of classic and modern pro wrestling.

[@chilliwraslin2510]

The three try suplex spot was great, when he got him I popped big, great match!

[@patrickboian8545]

Man I hope Gunther is world champ next year. He checks every box for me. Even his promos sound like a 70s or 80s foreign heel.

[@StoneColdClassics]

This match was incredible. 5 stars for me

[@L.m.CeeTee]

Hope Gunther gets the Roman Treatment with this Belt and goes on an epic run beating HTM Record. It will serve 2 purposes,Elevate the Title and the Champion.

[@Hush_Money2]

Ricochet is great. I have no idea why people hate on him. He is another one of those guys like Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn who have been successful at transitioning from work rate matches to a regular legit match style. I can see Vince loving this guy just like he loves Zayn and Owens. Because while other guys spend most of their time in catering. This guy is on tv. Defending a title,losing one,winning one. Getting squashed or squashing people. Or doing interviews. This guy is all over the place. Ricochet is amazing. Love how he has come along way.

[@Plexpara]

Ricochet and Gunther ways cross for Years now. Their matches allways on top

[@Anand-xs9ii]

The guys on smackdown have been great since HHH took over creative but the women haven't done so well, imagine if smackdown had Rhea,Bianca & Becky, smackdown would be flawless,the best show to watch.

[@Kancerru]

This match was way better than MJF vs Ricky Starks.

[@wilcee238]

The lie detector determined; that was a lie.

[@redred1952]

Way better

[@shannonbayley3684]

Yes. Much better.

[@Marceloooooooo23]

Agree

[@Pennypackerr]

@@wilcee238 yeah, sure pal.

[@GraveMemories]

What's crazy is ricochet was trained by Chuck Taylor Ric is the only one out of that whole company (pwg) besides Tommaso that actually took and takes the business seriously

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

If rather be trained by an actual Chuck Taylor than Chuck Taylor 🤣

[@LernwifGern]

btw.. WHEN is the rest of Imperium gonna get their push?

[@rj5822]

Basically, work a wrestling and make the high spot mean something. That simple. I’m looking at you FTE, f’k the elite

[@TheSPEEZY99]

Ricochet is a high swim diver. Every time he hits that 450 his formation is the same as a high swim diver

[@daniellereilly]

Awesome match. It wasn't just those chops that Günther does or the high flying stuff that Ricochet did, the many near falls and the crowds reaction that really drove the match. A few months back he fought Shinsuke Nakamura and the crowd themselves loved it too. It sounds crazy but the crowd sounded a lot like an NXT Takeover crowd or a NJPW crowd, the people went ape shit. It's 10/10 in my book.

[@TheTalk23]

Gunther is the best wrestler. But he isn't given the credit he deserves. At least he has the ic title.

[@CornerRoom_Thoughts]

Triple H taking over was the best thing to happen to Ricochet. He's presenting him as an up and coming top talent and letting his move set flourish without overdoing it.

[@john_blues]

Ricochet might be headed for a Royal Rumble win. That's my Prizepicks projection.

[@4eyedike]

Another thing Ricochet does is sell like a boss (I was also on my feat watching this at home)

[@savagereaper6291]

Facts. But ol Gunter makes you sell. Lol. That being said, I know Ricochet had to be sore as shit the next day. He took those chops like a champ.

[@nologic29]

Gunther is the man. Main event material for sure. I hope he keeps the IC for a long time.

[@patrickboian8545]

Once again these 2 have a banger.

[@ericgraham3835]

Gunther's in ring style kinda reminds you of the Mongolian Stomper...

[@codysanford1825]

GUNTHER/WALTER has been the best wrestler on the planet a while now and I’m glad we get to see him on a weekly basis now

[@ctmdarkonestm]

if the rumored Brock/Gunther match does happen, and Brock is into it...could be really special

[@jasonwoot5199]

RIP Brocks chest

[@Kratosx23]

Brock (regardless of my opinion of his wrestling, since he started the Suplex City garbage) has been into every match he's had in WWE since he's come back. There's literally only one opponent that Brock didn't want to work with that he had to work with.......fucking Moxley, lmao. Moxley himself confirmed it was because Brock wasn't having any of his stupid ideas that he does in AEW and the Indies.

[@jovanss2361]

Best match in months.. I was so invested in it

[@AlanJ1993]

You know it really fucking sucks that AEW got Claudio, Bryan and Samoa Joe. Because Walter could have done such good work with all of them with the way he is being portrayed now and with HHH running things. I cant help but to be sad with how wasted they are over there.

[@ThaBlackKing]

Ricochet is on his way .But Gunther is a main event heel world title will be around his waste 2 years top.

[@benespinosa6725]

This Match was great I really enjoyed it glad imperium is on the Main Roster and glad the IC Title is getting booked Better than it was under Vince McMahon.

[@MrKhalbone]

Best match I’ve seen in awhile I was heavily invested

[@RIDGEMATIC]

Gunther is AWESOME

[@fd2blk78]

Amazing TV match. They're both legit!

[@charleybarley914]

"Speed of lightning, roar of thunder Fighting all who rob or plunder" those of a certain age will understand

[@stonetic2515]

Of course Ricochet is good, he's a high flyer of the highest magnitude.

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

Arguably the best spot monkey in the game. He can fly with the best of em. And I probably shouldn’t say spot monkey cause that implies no psychology which isn’t the case at all with him just saying dude can do some amazing flippy shit.

[@sonnybelanger6068]

Went to a house show few months ago. Gunther Vs Ricochet was 2nd to last match on the card. They stole the show.

[@slw8866]

Gunther and Jay White are the two best workers in the world right now.

[@razmojr]

Todays thumbnails have been extremely hilarious 😆 The guest artist ones are amazing, but Corny’s humor fits these perfectly

[@willkenshin]

Ricochet is one of the few guys that do the flippy shxt but knows how far to takes it and sells well. Gunther really is a pro wrestler and shows it every match. I'm glad HHH is using them both right.

[@TheBlindPariah]

I'm glad I fluked out on seeing this. I never watch WWE unless I am alerted to a great match like Walter puts on. I was reminded here of his greatness.

[@DoctorBastard]

One day Walter might face his ultimate challenge, getting a good match out of Harpo Fingerfuck.

[@4cuttime]

That match was awesome!!! Gunther is the man!