Bully Ray Criticizes GUNTHER AJ Styles RAW Segment – Bully Ray offered sharp criticism of the 1/5 WWE RAW segment involving GUNTHER and AJ Styles during an episode of Busted Open Radio. The moment in question featured Styles slapping GUNTHER across the face, followed by GUNTHER stepping in forehead-to-forehead without delivering any retaliation. That lack of response did not sit well with the former WWE Tag Team Champion.
Ray questioned why WWE would choose to diminish GUNTHER’s on-screen presence when he is already positioned as a dominant heel. “We’re building all of this heat on GUNTHER, why do we have to sacrifice any of his heat?” Ray said. He clarified that he was not necessarily calling for GUNTHER to attack Styles outright but felt the execution failed to protect GUNTHER’s character. “I’m not even saying GUNTHER should’ve laid out AJ, but I would rather see GUNTHER act like a typical bully or a heel, and sell the shock of getting smacked … If you have the wherewithal to go head-to-head with AJ Styles, then you would had the wherewithal to choke him out or punch him back … That segment felt odd last night.”
Ray further suggested that the segment made GUNTHER come across as less threatening than intended. In his view, the portrayal bordered on making the former champion appear more comical than dangerous. He also questioned how the angle fits into AJ Styles’ final year as an active wrestler, particularly given Styles’ recent loss of the World Tag Team Championship alongside Dragon Lee.
According to Ray, the likely goal was to re-establish Styles as a credible singles competitor, especially opposite a wrestler who retired John Cena. However, he took issue with how that goal was achieved. “At the end of the day, the WWE will always be a babyface territory. So they probably figured ‘Well, we have enough heat on Gunther, we have to give AJ [a rub]!’” Ray said. “They do have to sell you on AJ Styles, but the way they sold AJ Styles like that? To Gunther’s detriment? I just don’t agree with that!”
Ray’s comments reflect ongoing debate about balancing star power while maintaining character credibility, particularly as WWE continues shaping stories around established veterans and dominant heels.
Bully Ray Criticizes GUNTHER AJ Styles RAW Segment
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