And still.
After a back and forth battle, Gunther was able to defeat Mustafa Ali to retain his Intercontinental Championship at WWE Night Of Champions on May 27. The match, which was Ali's first bout at a premium live event since June 2022, was seemingly well received among fans in attendance at the event.
To pick up the victory in the match, Gunther nailed Ali with a dropkick after he missed a crucial 450 Splash. Gunther followed that up with a power bomb to secure the three count and the win.
Who will walk out of #WWENOC with the #ICTitle? pic.twitter.com/EScENjJaA1
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
SO CLOSE!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/7NtCy5x64W
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Fans can find a detailed recap of the match below.
The match began with Ali & GUNTHER locking up before GUNTHER hit a Headlock toss on Ali. The two locked up again before GUNTHER backed Ali into the corner, but Ali evaded and hit a chop on GUNTHER before hitting a series of kicks on GUNTHER's thigh. GUNTHER went for a sleeper, btu Ali got out of the hold before hitting two dropkicks, btu GUNTHER responded by catching him and hitting a body slam on Ali. Ali hit three body shots on GUNTHER, btu GUNTHER responded by hitting a vicious chop before hitting a second but even more vicious chop on Ali. Ali got back up and hit a punch before going for a forearm, but GUNTHER responded with another body slam before locking in a Boston Crab on Ali. Ali tried to get the bottom rope, btu GUNTHER centered Ali in the ring before locking in an STF. Ali got out of the hold, but GUNTHER tossed him into the apron before catching him with a boot. GUNTHER got to the outside and slammed Ali face-first into the ring post before getting back in the ring.
Ali got back in the ring, but GUNTHER greeted him back with a Short-Hand Chop on Ali. GUNTHER went for a second, but Ali responded with a jab, three chops, and a series of strikes on GUNTHER before hitting a Rolling Neck Breaker on GUNTHER. Ali climbed to the top rope, but GUNTHER caught him with a chop and intercepted him. GUNTHER got Ali and tried to go for a Butterfly Superplex, but Ali hit some punches before hitting a Sunset Liger Bomb before going back to the top rope and hitting a 450 Splash to get the pin, but GUNTHER kicked out at two. Ali went for another move, but GUNTHER caught him with a lariat before catching him with a Swinging Lariat on Ali for a near fall. Ali slapped GUNTHER, but GUNTHER responded with a slap of his own. Ali hit a Thrust Kick on GUNTHER and regained momentum with a Tornado DDT. Ali went for another 450 Splash, but GUNTHER evaded and hit a Shotgun Dropkick on Ali before rag-dolling Ali with a Powerbomb for the pinfall win.
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