A backstage segment on SmackDown between Jimmy Uso and Gunther has sparked speculation about potential developments leading to WrestleMania 41. The segment featured the World Heavyweight Champion attempting to manipulate Jimmy regarding his brother Jey’s championship match.

Jimmy Uso rebuffed Gunther’s manipulation tactics during their interaction, confidently informing the champion that he would lose his title to Jey at WrestleMania. This confrontation potentially sets up further developments in their storyline.

Jey Uso earned his championship opportunity by winning the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. He chose to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.

The rivalry between Jey Uso and Gunther has intensified in recent weeks through weekly confrontations. Both competitors have displayed increasing ruthlessness during these encounters as their championship match approaches.

Based on the recent backstage segment, speculation suggests Gunther could potentially attack Jimmy Uso on an upcoming SmackDown. Such an attack might leave Jimmy unable to compete at WrestleMania this year.

A targeted attack by Gunther would create additional emotional stakes for Jey Uso heading into the championship match. This personal element could add complexity to Jey’s challenge against The Ring General.

This potential angle would transform their championship match from a competitive contest into a more personal conflict. The added emotional element could impact Jey’s performance in the championship opportunity.

The scenario described remains speculative at this point, as WWE has not officially indicated such plans for the ongoing storyline between these competitors.

Nice try, Uce

Jimmy Uso wasn't gonna just sit there while @Gunther_AUT talked down on Jey Uso #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/jBW9JH8iB3— WWE (@WWE) March 15, 2025

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