WWE is gearing up for WrestleMania, with unpredictable and thrilling match-ups to be revealed by the creative team. It’s a high-stakes situation that requires everyone’s full attention. Recently, WWE made a major announcement regarding a highly anticipated bout that will take place on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown episode.

This week on Friday Night SmackDown, Rey Mysterio, Karrion Kross, Santos Escobar, and Madcap Moss will face off in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine Gunther’s next challenger for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. The highly anticipated championship bout will take place at the Elimination Chamber on Saturday, February 18.

On Thursday, Gunther made history as WWE Intercontinental Champion by breaking Shelton Benjamin’s 244-day reign record in 2004. He has now established himself as the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of the 21st century, a significant achievement in his championship reign. Gunther’s record-breaking feat has earned him the rank of #6 on the list of the longest WWE Intercontinental Title reigns in history.

Gunther is projected to enter WrestleMania 39 on April 1 with a record-breaking 295 days as champion, placing him in the top 5 of the longest WWE Intercontinental Championship reigns. As such, his title defense at Elimination Chamber is viewed as a mere formality rather than a true challenge to his reign.

The outcome of the Fatal 4-Way match could lead to establishing a long-standing rivalry for Gunther. There is speculation that the winner could either boost Gunther’s reputation as a dominant champion or pose a real threat to dethrone him in a future rematch at WrestleMania 39. The winner of the match has the potential to shape Gunther’s future as WWE Intercontinental Champion.

TONIGHT on #SmackDown

A Fatal 4-Way match will determine the next challenger for @Gunther_AUT and the #ICTitle! Who will be next in line to face The Ring General?

📺 8/7c on @FOXTV pic.twitter.com/Qwu6TUIHDA

— WWE (@WWE) February 10, 2023