Gunther's 38-Match Winning Streak Could Be At Risk Ahead Of WWE Crown Jewel 2026

Gunther could face Finn Balor at WWE Crown Jewel 2026.© NDTV Library

Gunther could be facing one of his toughest tests at WWE Crown Jewel 2026, with Finn Balor showing up as a possible opponent for the November 7 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two have been in an ongoing SmackDown rivalry, and WWE's original plans reportedly had a singles match between them. Gunther has a 38-match unbeaten record in non-title televised singles competition since his 2022 main roster debut. But WWE hasn't officially added Balor to the Crown Jewel card, so the reported matchup stays unconfirmed.

Gunther's 38-match unbeaten run could face its biggest test against Finn Balor

Gunther's record is specifically limited to non-title televised singles matches, not every match he has wrestled since joining the main roster. The Ring General has built the run with 38 wins and no defeats in that category. A loss to Balor would end it.

Balor has a dangerous side of his own, especially as The Demon. On the October 30 episode of SmackDown, he made a surprise return in the persona after Danhausen cursed Gunther during their segment. The Demon came out from beneath a sheet in Danhausen's laboratory and attacked the Austrian.

Balor wrapped up the segment with a Coup de Grace from a ladder through a table, and Gunther was left down in the ring.

Finn Balor vs. Gunther was part of WWE's original Crown Jewel plans, but the match is not official yet

The possibility of the match had already come up through promotional material at the original Crown Jewel venue in Riyadh. Photographs showed posters with both wrestlers on them, even though WWE hadn't announced their contest.

Dave Meltzer talked about it in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He confirmed the bout was in the original plans, writing, "On the original lineup for the show, that Balor vs. Gunther was on it." He also said the posters could have reflected an older card if WWE changed its plans.

Crown Jewel is set for November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The confirmed card already has: 

• Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn for the Men's Crown Jewel Championship
• Liv Morgan vs. Chelsea Green for the Women's Crown Jewel Championship
• Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match
• Bron Breakker and Austin Theory for the World Tag Team Championships against Penta and Je'Von Evans

WWE has yet to officially announce Gunther vs. Balor, though the October 30 SmackDown segment gave the potential match a fresh direction.

The event was first being prepared at Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD before WWE moved it to The Venue, also known as ANB Arena. So the promotional posters may have shown the earlier lineup instead of the final card.