WWE canceled a previously announced match between AJ Styles and Gunther for the March 14 edition of SmackDown in Barcelona, Spain. The company replaced Styles with Spanish wrestler Axiom for the non-televised match.

The sports entertainment company had initially publicized the Styles versus Gunther match without specifying whether it would be televised or dark (non-televised).

During Friday’s SmackDown in Barcelona, Gunther entered the ring and insulted the local crowd, stating he wished he was in Madrid instead. The World Heavyweight Champion then issued a challenge to Axiom, who made his main roster debut in front of his home country audience.

Axiom, currently one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, stepped in to replace Styles against Gunther. The Spanish crowd enthusiastically welcomed their homeland competitor for this special appearance.

Gunther defeated Axiom in a dominant performance to conclude their contest. Following the match, the Imperium leader applied a sleeper hold on Axiom, leaving him unconscious in the center of the ring.

This post-match assault appeared to send a message to Gunther’s WrestleMania 41 opponent, Jey Uso, ahead of their championship match at WWE’s premier event.

Axiom in his home country, facing the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther ❤️ #WWE #SmackDown axiom pic.twitter.com/2gjzq7S9PY— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) March 14, 2025

Tyler Bate might return to WWE programming after a 272-day absence during the March 31 edition of Raw in London, England. This potential comeback in his home country could set up a challenge for Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship ahead of WrestleMania 41.

Reports suggest Bate has been medically cleared for in-ring competition. WWE has reportedly been waiting for the right moment to reintroduce him to television programming.

Gunther has been showcasing his dominance on RAW in recent weeks through his rivalry with Jey Uso. The World Heavyweight Champion has implemented open challenges to demonstrate his superiority heading into WrestleMania.

The March 31 London show presents an opportunity for Bate to answer one of these challenges. A confrontation between these two competitors would generate substantial excitement from the British crowd.

Bate’s potential interaction with Gunther might escalate into a championship match. This matchup would remind fans of their encounter at NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff 2019, where they delivered an exceptional performance.

A championship opportunity in his home country would provide Bate with significant exposure upon his return to WWE television. The London setting creates a natural storyline for his reemergence after nine months away from competition.

This scenario remains speculative as WWE has not officially announced Bate’s return or any plans for a championship match against Gunther before WrestleMania.

The World Heavyweight Champion continues preparing for his WrestleMania 41 match against Jey Uso while dominating his weekly television appearances on RAW.

Really good news as Tyler Bate is expected to return soon from a horrible injury suffered in July 2024

He is expected to return on the #WWERaw roster

[PWInsider] pic.twitter.com/n9hR3iInDi— 𝙎𝙖𝙢 (@RhodesKotaEra) January 13, 2025

Jey Uso remains indifferent about his match placement at WrestleMania 41, focusing instead on delivering a memorable performance against Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

After securing his championship opportunity by winning the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble, Uso expressed that the positioning of his match on WWE’s biggest show doesn’t concern him.

Uso shared his perspective on match placement during an interview with Alex McCarthy of Daily Mail.

WrestleMania, night one or night two, whichever match I’m on. I don’t care if I’m on last, I don’t care if I open it up. I’m going to go out there and they’re going to remember my match, so that’s all I’m focused on.

The Royal Rumble winner recognizes the significance of his championship opportunity, viewing it as potentially his only chance at capturing singles gold.

This is a once in a lifetime shot. That’s how I’m looking at it, because this might not ever, ever come back around in my career.

WWE has not yet confirmed the match order for WrestleMania 41, which will take place across two nights in Las Vegas.

Despite the current spotlight on other competitors like The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns, Uso’s championship match against Gunther represents a major singles opportunity.

Uso will challenge Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the premium live event following his decisive Royal Rumble victory.

The matchup pits Uso, who spent most of his WWE career as a tag team competitor, against one of WWE’s most dominant champions in Gunther.