What Exactly Happened When Danhausen Tried to Shake Gunther's Hand?
Danhausen — the self-described 'very nice, very evil' professional wrestler known for his face paint, jar of teeth, and signature curses — approached Gunther, WWE's dominant and supremely stoic Ring General, and extended his hand for what should have been a simple, sportsmanlike greeting.
Gunther didn't just decline. He dismissed it entirely. No eye contact. No acknowledgment. Just the cold, practiced arrogance of a man who considers himself far above the pleasantries of lesser beings.
What made the moment legendary, however, was Danhausen's own commentary during the exchange. In a slip — or perhaps a masterful piece of character work — he referred to Gunther as 'Gooner,' and the internet has never been the same since.
Who Are Danhausen and Gunther, and Why Does Their Interaction Matter?
Danhausen built his career as one of professional wrestling's most genuinely original characters. Part horror, part absurdist comedy, and entirely committed to his bit, he amassed a fiercely loyal fanbase — calling themselves 'Fanhausens' — long before WWE came calling. His charm lies precisely in the contrast between his supposedly sinister persona and his endearing, almost childlike delivery.
Gunther, by contrast, is the antithesis of whimsy. A technically gifted European powerhouse, he has held championships at the highest levels of WWE and carries himself with an intensity that borders on theatrical contempt. He is the kind of character who does not shake hands with people he does not respect — and he does not respect many people.
Putting these two in the same frame is a creative decision with obvious comedic potential. The contrast writes itself: the very evil little man with the jar of teeth versus the immovable, humourless titan who refuses to even look at him.
How Is the Internet Reacting to the 'Gooner' Nickname?
The fan response has been swift, unified, and absolutely delighted. The accidental — or intentional — 'Gooner' reference has become the undisputed headline of the entire clip.
"Ah yes, The Ring General Gooner 😭 I love Danhausen" — @CaptainDongo
"Did he...did he really call him gooner!? 😂😂😂😂😂" — @keithunderwood8803
"'GOONER' is now canon in WWE" — @Thunderwolf-m3p
Beyond the nickname itself, a large portion of the fanbase is treating the snub as a genuine story beat — specifically, as the inciting incident before an inevitable curse.
"Well it's about time before Gunther gets cursed" — @GOJOEDITZ79
"Gunther done fwicked up." — @jayrice5736
"Danhausen is going to retire Gunther 😂😂" — @Alastor_doll
There is also a clear thread of fans recognizing that Danhausen's comedic presence represents something genuinely refreshing in WWE's current landscape, with one Japanese fan writing in the comments that 'even from Japan, he is the best.' One dissenting voice noted the segment felt lightweight, but that perspective was effectively drowned out by the overwhelmingly positive reception.
The comment from @israelcm7246 — 'Very impressive, very evil, put it there 😂😂😂' — neatly summarizes the community's collective appreciation for what Danhausen brings to any segment he appears in.
What Happens Next for Danhausen and Gunther?
The clip functions as a perfect cold open for a feud that writes itself. Gunther's refusal to engage positions him as exactly the kind of arrogant antagonist that Danhausen's curse gimmick is built to punish. Whether WWE creative leans into this interaction as a long-term storyline or leaves it as a one-off comedic moment, the internet has already done half the booking for them.
The 'Gooner' nickname is the wildcard. Nicknames born from moments like these have a history of sticking — sometimes longer than the storylines themselves. If fans continue to run with it across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Reddit fan communities, WWE may find that audience has quietly rebranded one of its biggest stars whether the company intended it or not.
Virality Prediction: Expect 'Gooner' to appear as a trending topic on X by the evening of September 4, 2026, fuelled by clip compilations and fan edits on TikTok. If WWE acknowledges the nickname organically in future programming — even with a throwaway line — this segment will be retrospectively cited as the origin of a genuinely iconic in-universe moment. For Danhausen, this is momentum. For Gunther, the curse clock is now ticking.